Indian Institute of Advanced Study
viewpoint · 9 min from Shimla
2 nights · 3 daysFirst visitClassicrelaxed
Three days in Shimla — the full circuit
A three-day Shimla plan: the colonial town core on day one, quieter temples and a waterfall on day two, Kufri and Tara Devi Temple on day three.
A third day added to the two-day plan, for anyone with real time in Shimla rather than a quick stop. Day one covers the colonial-era town core — the Ridge, Christ Church, the Indian Institute of Advanced Study and Jakhoo Temple. Day two spreads out to Sankat Mochan Temple, Chadwick Falls and the Army Heritage Museum, all still close to town. Day three reaches Kufri and Tara Devi Temple, the two proper day trips further out.
Photos: VasuVR (CC BY 4.0) · ShashankSharma2511 (CC BY 3.0) · Virusism (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
Anyone with three or more days in Shimla, or using the town as a base for a longer stay in the district.
Day by day
Day 1
The Ridge, Christ Church, the Viceregal Lodge and Jakhoo
The core of Shimla's colonial-era town, all within a short taxi ride of each other.
- 09:00The Ridge, ShimlaThe open square at the heart of Shimla, connecting the Mall to Lakkar Bazaar.
- ↓ a short walk10:30Christ Church (Shimla)On the Ridge itself, the second oldest church in North India, consecrated in 1857.
- ↓ 26 min by road · 11 km11:30Indian Institute of Advanced StudyThe former Viceregal Lodge, where the 1945 Simla Conference and the 1947 partition decision both took place.
- ↓ 22 min by road · 10 km14:00Jakhoo TempleOn the town's highest point, home to the world's largest Hanuman statue.
Day 2
Sankat Mochan Temple, Chadwick Falls and the Army Heritage Museum
A quieter second day, still close to town — a hilltop temple, a waterfall, and a military museum.
- 09:30Sankat Mochan Temple, ShimlaA Hanuman temple established in 1950 by Neem Karoli Baba, Shimla's second most visited after Jakhoo, with views over the town.
- ↓ 16 min by road · 7 km11:30Chadwick FallsA waterfall near Summer Hill, at its best just after the monsoon and often dry for much of the rest of the year.
- ↓ 18 min by road · 8 km14:00Army Heritage Museum, ShimlaIn the Annadale cantonment, four sections covering Indian military history from the Mahabharata era to the present.
Day 3
Kufri and Tara Devi Temple
The two proper day trips out of town — a resort hill station, and a 250-year-old temple on its own hilltop.
- 09:30KufriA resort hill station on NH5, with a Himalayan wildlife zoo and a ski track through the potato plantations in winter.
- ↓ 1 h 5 min by road · 31 km13:30Tara Devi TempleA roughly 250-year-old temple on its own hilltop, built by Sen dynasty kings.
Getting there
Shimla is reached from Chandigarh by car, bus or train — about 108 km and just over three hours by road. See the hub guide for the full arrival table.
Where to stay
Shimla works as a base for all three days — nothing on this plan requires an overnight move away from town.
Know before you go
- Chadwick Falls runs dry for much of the year outside the post-monsoon window — check recent conditions if the waterfall itself is the point of day two.
- The Army Heritage Museum sits inside the Annadale cantonment area — allow extra time for any security check at the entrance.
- Spread the third day's two stops across a full day rather than rushing — Kufri and Tara Devi Temple sit in different directions from town.
Places on this route
Other ways to do it
All Shimla itineraries →
Day plan · First visitClassic
One day in Shimla — the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo
A single-day Shimla loop: the Ridge, Christ Church, the former Viceregal Lodge, and Jakhoo Temple's giant Hanuman statue. Free, copyable itinerary.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →
1 night · 2 days · First visitClassic
Two days in Shimla — the Ridge and Kufri
A two-day Shimla plan: the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo Temple on day one, then Kufri and Tara Devi Temple on day two. Free, copyable plan on HimLocal.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →Questions people ask
Is three days too much for Shimla?
Not if the goal is the district, not just the town — the first day covers the essential colonial-era core, but Sankat Mochan Temple, Chadwick Falls, the Army Heritage Museum, Kufri and Tara Devi Temple all add genuine, different ground beyond it.
What is there to see at Chadwick Falls?
A waterfall near Summer Hill that's at its most impressive just after the monsoon clears, typically September. For much of the rest of the year it runs quite dry, so it's worth checking recent conditions before making a special trip.
What does the Army Heritage Museum cover?
Four sections spanning ancient weapons, Indian Army uniforms and history, and a Pakistani letter box brought back as a souvenir of the 1971 war — a broad sweep of military history rather than a single narrow theme confined to one era.