Shimla planned by a friend, not a call centre

Once the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla is where most Himachal trips still begin — and for good reason. The town spreads across seven hills, with Mall Road and The Ridge forming a walkable, café-lined spine that stays lively well into the evening. Christ Church anchors one end of The Ridge with its neo-Gothic façade, while a short uphill walk gets you to Jakhoo Temple and its giant Hanuman statue, with monkeys darting between the pines and views stretching across the Shivalik range on a clear day. The Kalka-Shimla toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage line, is worth riding at least one-way for the 100-plus tunnels and pine-forest switchbacks alone.

Beyond the town centre, Shimla makes a natural base for half-day trips. Kufri, barely 45 minutes away, adds snow activities in winter and a small nature park with Himalayan wildlife year-round. The surrounding hills also hide apple orchards that turn the countryside pink with blossoms every spring and heavy with fruit by late summer.

Shimla suits almost every kind of traveller because it never demands much effort: hotels range from colonial-era heritage properties to simple budget stays, and the walking distances between attractions are short enough for grandparents and toddlers alike. The best window is March to June and September to November. Two full days are enough to see it properly; add a third for the Kufri day trip. Most Banjari itineraries pair Shimla with Manali as the opening leg of a longer Himachal package.