Category: Travel & Tourism
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, sits at about 2,200 m — the Ridge is 2,205 m — and November is one of the best months to visit. Days are about 8–20°C with clear skies, autumn colours, fewer crowds and lower hotel rates than the summer peak.
The best months to visit Shimla are March to June and October to November. Snow usually comes only from late December to February — do not expect snow in November.
Places to visit
- The Ridge and Mall Road: the open heart of the town, with Christ Church (built 1857, the second-oldest church in North India) and Scandal Point. Mall Road and the Ridge are sealed roads — no private vehicles without a permit.
- Jakhoo Hill: the highest point in town, with a 108-ft Hanuman statue.
- Kufri, 16 km away: the nearest snow point in winter and a popular day trip.
- Narkanda, 65 km away: Hatu Peak at 3,400 m, and the gateway to the apple belt.
- Chail and Naldehra: quieter hill retreats for a day trip from Shimla.
Toy train status
The Kalka–Shimla toy train is a 96-km UNESCO World Heritage line that takes 5–6 hours through 102 tunnels. Since 30 August 2026, only the Dharampur–Shimla section has been running after heavy rains washed out the track near Parwanoo. The Kalka–Dharampur section is suspended until at least 30 November 2026, with later notices pointing to the end of December.
The workaround is a road transfer from Kalka to Dharampur (about an hour) and boarding the train there. Check NTES or call 139 the day before travel.
How to reach
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh | About 119 km | About 3.5 hours |
| Delhi | About 370 km | About 8 hours |
| Jubbarhatti airport | About 23 km | — |
| Chandigarh airport | About 115 km | — |
Jubbarhatti airport, 23 km from town, has Alliance Air flights from Delhi six days a week and Shimla–Dharamshala flights five days a week, restarted in May 2026.
Sources: dharamshalastay.com, 27 October 2026; travelhimalayas.in, updated 5 November 2026; traveltriangle.
