Shimla and Manali in six days — the classic Himachal trip, day by day
The trip most people mean when they say Himachal: two nights in Shimla, the long road north through Mandi and the Kullu valley, and three nights in Manali. In Shimla you walk the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo, see the Viceregal Lodge and spend an afternoon at Kufri. The road day stops at Naggar Castle. In Manali you get Hadimba, the hot baths at Vashisht, and a day up the valley to Solang and through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu.
Photos: UnpetitproleX (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Virusism (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0) · Itsarti (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Madhumita Das (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
First-time visitors from Delhi or Chandigarh who want both of Himachal's best-known towns in one trip, at a pace that leaves time to walk in each. Couples and families both fit; the only hard day is the drive.
Day by day
Day 1Shimla — the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo
4 stops · 8 min on the road
Shimla — the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo
Arrive by the morning and spend the day on foot in the old town. The Mall is closed to most traffic, so walk from the Ridge rather than looking for a taxi.
- 11:00The Ridge, ShimlaThe open square at the top of the Mall, with the hills falling away on both sides.
- ↓ a short walk12:30Christ Church (Shimla)The yellow church on the Ridge, consecrated in 1857.
- ↓ a short walk13:35Gaiety Theatre, ShimlaThe Victorian theatre on the Mall, opened in 1887.
- ↓ 6 min by road · 2 km15:30Jakhoo TempleThe Hanuman temple on Shimla's highest hill, in deodar forest above the town. Keep bags closed; the monkeys are bold.
Day 2The Viceregal Lodge and Kufri
2 stops · 34 min on the road
The Viceregal Lodge and Kufri
The old Viceregal Lodge in the morning, then out to Kufri, about half an hour up the road, for the afternoon.
- 10:00Indian Institute of Advanced StudyThe former Viceregal Lodge, now an institute, with guided visits of its halls and lawns.
- ↓ 34 min by road · 17 km13:30KufriThe open slopes above Shimla, with the nature park beside them and the long views north. In winter its potato-field path becomes a ski track.
Day 3The road to Manali, with Naggar on the way
2 stops · 33 min on the road
The road to Manali, with Naggar on the way
The long day. Shimla to Manali is about 237 km and 372 min on our measured routing, through Mandi and up the Kullu valley; leave by seven. At Kullu cross to the left bank of the Beas for Naggar and the quieter road into Manali.
- 15:00Naggar CastleThe old capital's timber-and-stone castle above the Beas, with the valley below its courtyard. A late lunch here breaks the drive.
- ↓ 33 min by road · 20 km17:30Old ManaliThe lanes of cafés and guesthouses under the deodars, and the room for three nights.
Day 4Hadimba, the museum and Vashisht
4 stops · 17 min on the road
Hadimba, the museum and Vashisht
A slow day in and around the town after the long drive: the temple in its deodar wood, the folk museum, and the hot baths across the river.
- 09:30Hadimba Devi TempleThe four-roofed wooden temple in the cedar grove, quietest before ten.
- ↓ a short walk11:30Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk ArtA small museum on how the valley dressed, built and worshipped.
- ↓ 10 min by road · 5 km15:00Vashisht TempleThe stone temple above the hot springs, with the bathing tanks beside it.
- ↓ 6 min by road · 3 km17:30Mall RoadThe evening walk, woollens and dinner.
Day 5Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu
3 stops · 33 min on the road
Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu
Up the valley to Solang in the morning, then through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu on the Lahaul side, and back before dark. No permit is needed for the tunnel road.
- 09:30SolangThe meadow at the head of the valley with the paragliding counters and the ropeway. Operators quote on the day.
- ↓ 22 min by road · 16 km12:55Atal TunnelThe road tunnel under the Pir Panjal to Lahaul, open all year.
- ↓ 11 min by road · 10 km13:40SissuThe first village of Lahaul, with a waterfall across the valley and tea by the road. Two hours, then back through the tunnel.
Day 6The sanctuary walk and the road home
2 stops · 1 h 12 min on the road
The sanctuary walk and the road home
A short morning walk in the forest, then the road down the valley to Bhuntar's airport or the bus stand for the overnight bus.
- 09:00Manali SanctuaryThe deodar forest at the edge of town, an easy hour before the drive.
- ↓ 1 h 12 min by road · 49 km13:15KulluThe valley's main town on the way down, for lunch and its shawl shops before the road on.
Getting there
Start in Shimla from Chandigarh or Kalka by road, or on the Kalka–Shimla Railway; see how to reach Shimla. Leave from Manali by the overnight bus to Delhi or a flight from Bhuntar; see how to reach Manali.
Where to stay
Two nights in Shimla near the Mall, three in Manali, in Old Manali for quiet or near the Mall for convenience.
Know before you go
- The Shimla–Manali day is the longest of the trip; leave early and let Naggar be the lunch stop, not a rushed photo.
- From December to February, swap the Sissu afternoon for whatever the road allows, and see snowfall in Shimla for the winter version of the first two days.
- Book the Shimla nights near the Mall; most of day one is on foot.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Shimla itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Shimla →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
How many days are enough for Shimla and Manali?
Six days and five nights is the comfortable minimum: two nights in Shimla, a full day on the road, and three nights in Manali. With five days, drop the Kufri afternoon; with four, pick one town. The drive between them takes most of a day, so it cannot be squeezed.
How far is Manali from Shimla by road?
About 237 km and 372 min on our measured routing, through Mandi and the Kullu valley, before stops and traffic. In practice it fills a day: leave Shimla by seven, lunch on the way, and arrive in Manali by the evening. Buses run the same road.
Should I visit Shimla or Manali first?
Shimla first, if you are coming from Delhi or Chandigarh: it is closer, so the first day is short and the trip climbs as it goes. Ending in Manali leaves the overnight bus to Delhi or a flight from Bhuntar for the way home. Going the other way works if your arrival is by air.