Travel to Shimla

the British summer capital

Shimla is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Himachal Pradesh province of northwest India, roughly 300 km (200 miles) north of Delhi.

During the 1800s the British colonial administration was attracted to this area due to the altitude 2100 m (688’) and the much milder climate. A town was established early in the century and in 1984 Shimla was declared the summer capital of British India.

However, the annual migration from Delhi to Shimla was a painful journey which would take four or five days by horse and carriage. In 1891 a railway line was opened to Kalka, a town on the plain below. Over the remaining 100km (62 mile) route the British constructed a narrow gauge or toy railway, which opened in 1903 and remains to this day the steepest railroad in the world.

This railway journey from Delhi to Kalka to Shimla is one of the most appealing aspects of a visit to this historic mountain retreat. Travelling at only 25kph (15mph), this small train slowly climbs its way through pine forests, through 103 tunnels and over 806 bridges. It climbs 2169m (7116’) in around five hours, with magnificent mountain views along the way and stopping at eighteen small stations along the way, where local traders throng around your window to offer you fresh chickpea dhal or a cup of chai.

The modern town of Shimla is now much enlarged and rather chaotic, but there is still plenty of evidence of the genteel Victoria retreat from where the British ruled their vast colonies. Various buildings demonstrate Tudor, Elizabethan and neo-Gothic architecture styles, perhaps best exemplified in the Viceregal Lodge, the Christ Church and Wildflower Hall Hotel.

Although there is now also a road up to Shimla, vehicles are not permitted to enter the upper part of the village, meaning that it remains a lovely place to explore on foot.

Other points of interest for the visitor include the Jakhoo Temple and a large natural ice-skating rink, plus options for hiking and mountain-biking in the area.

One particularly interesting 11 km (7 mile) hike leads to the peak of Tara Devi Hill, where there is a 250-year-old temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess of the stars. From the summit there is a great view back to Shimla, with the snow-covered higher Himalayas beyond.

The best time of year to visit the Shimla area is generally considered to be during Oct-Nov and Feb-Apr…

Oct-Nov is the transition period between the end of the monsoon rains and the start of the cool dry season. During Oct-Nov the daytime temperatures usually rise to around 20C/68F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures remain up around 11C/52F. However the rainfall usually drops away to around 50mm (2”) per month. Sunshine is around 7 hours per day (around 60% of daylight hours), meaning that skies can be persistently overcast.

Dec-Jan is the main cool season. During Dec-Jan the daytime temperatures usually only reach around 15C/77F, with the nighttime low temperatures plunging down to around 0C/32F. Rainfall should be low throughout, but any precipitation can often fall as snow. Sunshine is around 7 hours per day (around 70% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are more often than not clear.

Feb-Apr is a slightly warmer and wetter season, the build-up to the main monsoon. During Feb-Apr the daytime temperatures climb gently to around 19C/66F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures hold up around 9C/48F. Rainfall usually rises to around 100mm (4”) per month and can fall as snow as late as April. Sunshine is around 8 hours per day (around 60% of daylight hours), meaning that skies can be persistently overcast. This is the most popular time for domestic visitors, who come up here to escape the pre-monsoon heat down in Delhi, so the place can become a bit hectic.

May-Sep is the main monsoon season and is generally considered to be the least favourable time to visit. During May-Sep the daytime temperatures continue to climb to around 20C/73F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures remain up at 13C/61F. Rainfall climbs to an extremely high 550mm (22”) per month. Sunshine drops to around 4 hours per day (around 30% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are more often than not overcast.

Getting there

The Shimla area can be accessed in a number of different ways…

By train

The usual way to reach Shimla is to catch a regular train from Delhi to Kolka, where you can change onto the toy train up into the mountains. The whole journey takes the best part of a day, but is a reasonably exciting and attractive experience.

By air

Although there is an airport at Shimla, the high altitude, short runway and unpredictable weather mean that it is generally less favoured by flight operators.

Down on the plains below, the city of Chandigarh (IXC) does have a proper airport, with connections to Delhi and Mumbai. From here it is a short drive to Kolka, to catch the toy train up to Shimla.

By road

Shimla is not usually accessed by car, the mountain roads are busy, dangerous and usually best avoided.

Where to stay

The Shimla area has a wide range of accommodation options, but given that almost all international visitors come here for the history, we only tend to feature the best of the historic properties, at least two of which are of significant historic significance.

accessed from the plains below by toy train