Shimla Kufri Tour

Day 1 — Delhi to Shimla: The Road to the Queen of Hills

Departure at 5:00 AM from Delhi (Kashmere Gate / Majnu ka Tilla / Anand Vihar) by AC Traveller Bus / Private Car.
Breakfast halt at 8:00 AM near Ambala or Chandigarh — paratha, omelette, and chai at a popular highway dhaba.
Enter Himachal Pradesh after Kalka — the road begins its dramatic climb through dense pine forests and winding mountain roads. Windows down, cool crisp air fills the bus.
Optional stop at Kalka — board the famous UNESCO Heritage Toy Train (Kalka–Shimla Railway) if pre-booked. A charming 96 km narrow gauge rail journey through 102 tunnels and over 800 bridges winding through the Shivalik hills. One of the most scenic train rides in India. (Alternatively, continue by road — arrives faster.)
Arrive Shimla by 1:30 PM. Check into hotel on the hillside with valley views.
Freshen up and head to The Mall Road for an introductory evening stroll — the heart of Shimla with colonial buildings, shops, cafés, and the smell of pine in the air.
Visit The Ridge — a large open space in the centre of Shimla with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the neo-Gothic Christ Church, one of the most photographed landmarks in Shimla.
Dinner at a Mall Road restaurant — try the famous Himachali dishes like sidu, chha gosht, or a warm bowl of thukpa.
Overnight stay in Shimla.

Day 2 — Shimla Sightseeing: Colonial Heritage & Hilltop Temples

Early morning breakfast at hotel followed by a full day of Shimla exploration.
Visit Jakhu Temple (2.5 km from The Ridge) — dedicated to Lord Hanuman, perched at 2455 m on Jakhu Hill, the highest point in Shimla. Trek up through the pine forest (approx. 45 minutes) or hire a pony / ropeway. Stunning 360-degree views of Shimla city and the snow-capped ranges from the top.
Visit Christ Church on The Ridge — the second oldest church in North India (est. 1857), a magnificent neo-Gothic structure with beautiful stained glass windows depicting Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience, and Humility.
Visit Shimla State Museum — housed in a grand colonial building, showcasing Himachali art, sculptures, miniature paintings, and historical artefacts from the region.
Visit Gaiety Theatre — a Victorian-era theatre built in 1887, one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in India and still used for cultural performances.
Lunch at a local Shimla restaurant — try Himachali dham (a traditional festive meal) or simple rajma chawal which Himachal does better than anywhere else.
Visit Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) — the former summer residence of the British Viceroy of India. A magnificent building in Elizabethan style standing on Observatory Hill. The Indian Independence agreement was partly drafted here. Guided tours available inside.
Evening back on The Mall Road — shop for Himachali shawls, Kullu caps, wooden handicrafts, local jams, and rhododendron juice.
Dinner at hotel. Overnight stay in Shimla.

Day 3 — Kufri & Chail: Snow, Adventure & Royal Retreat

Breakfast at hotel. Depart by 9:00 AM for Kufri (approx. 16 km from Shimla, 45 minutes drive).
Arrive Kufri — a small hill station at 2600 m altitude, famous for its snow cover in winter and adventure activities year round.
Enjoy snow activities at Kufri (seasonal — December to February) — snow sledging, snowball fights, and walking on snow. Horse riding on the slopes is available throughout the year.
Visit Himalayan Nature Park, Kufri — a wildlife sanctuary home to Himalayan animals like snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan bear, and pheasants including the state bird of Himachal Pradesh, the Western Tragopan. A must for nature and wildlife lovers.
Enjoy the panoramic views of the Shivalik ranges and on clear days the distant Badrinath and Kedarnath peaks from the Kufri hilltop.
Drive to Chail (approx. 45 minutes from Kufri) — a hidden gem created by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala in 1891 after he was banished from Shimla by the British.
Visit Chail Palace — now a heritage hotel, the original royal palace of the Maharaja stands majestically amid dense deodar forests.
Visit Chail Cricket Ground — the highest cricket ground in the world at 2444 m, built by the Maharaja of Patiala. A surreal experience — standing on a cricket pitch surrounded entirely by forests and Himalayan peaks.
Visit Chail Wildlife Sanctuary — a peaceful walk through oak and rhododendron forests with resident deer and birds.
Return to Shimla by evening. Dinner at hotel. Overnight stay in Shimla.

Day 4 — Narkanda & Naldehra: Apples, Golf & Himalayan Views

Breakfast at hotel. Depart by 8:30 AM for Narkanda (65 km from Shimla, approx. 2 hours).
Drive along the old Hindustan-Tibet Road through dense apple orchards — Narkanda sits at 2708 m and is the apple capital of Himachal Pradesh. In season (August–October), the roadsides are lined with apple-laden trees and vendors selling fresh apples, apple juice, and apple cider.
Visit Hatu Peak (3400 m) near Narkanda — the highest peak in the area, accessible by a 7 km road and short trek. On a clear day the view stretches from Kinnaur to the Spiti ranges. Visit the ancient Hatu Mata Temple at the summit.
Lunch at a local dhaba in Narkanda — simple pahadi food in the cold mountain air feels exceptional.
Return towards Shimla and detour to Naldehra (23 km from Shimla) — a charming village famous for the oldest golf course in India, laid out by Lord Curzon in 1905. Walk through the course surrounded by century-old cedar trees.
Visit Tattapani (if time permits) — famous for its hot sulphur springs on the banks of the Sutlej River, believed to have medicinal properties. A relaxing soak after days of sightseeing.
Return to Shimla by evening. Last night dinner at a good Shimla restaurant — celebrate the journey with a special Himachali meal.
Evening walk on The Mall Road for last-minute shopping. Overnight stay in Shimla.

Day 5 — Shimla to Delhi: Descending from the Queen’s Throne

6:00 AM — Optional early morning walk on The Ridge and Mall Road — Shimla in the early morning mist with no crowds is a sight to remember forever.
Breakfast at hotel and checkout by 7:30 AM.
Board the Sidhu Tour & Travel AC Bus / Car by 8:00 AM. Begin the descent from Shimla back to the plains.
The winding roads through Shivalik hills slowly give way to the flatlands after Kalka — a bittersweet farewell to the mountains.
Brief stop at Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens) near Kalka — a beautiful Mughal-style terraced garden built by the Mughal governor Fidai Khan in the 17th century. A lovely and refreshing pit stop.
Lunch halt at 12:30 PM near Ambala or Kurukshetra at a well-known highway restaurant.
Optional sweet stop at Ambala — famous for its mithai shops, particularly pinni, halwa, and shakarpare. Carry some back as gifts.
Arrive Delhi at designated drop points (Kashmere Gate / Anand Vihar / Karol Bagh) by 6:30 PM.
Trip concludes with pine-scented memories, colonial echoes, and the cool Himalayan breeze still lingering in your soul. Jai Himachal!

Best Time to Visit

October to February — Cold weather, snowfall in Kufri and Narkanda, magical winter landscapes. Best for snow lovers and honeymooners.
March to June — Pleasant weather, apple blossoms in full bloom, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Peak tourist season.
July to September — Monsoon season. Lush green hills but some roads may be affected by landslides. Travel with caution.

Package Includes

AC Traveller Bus / Private Car (Delhi–Shimla–Delhi)
4 nights hotel accommodation in Shimla (twin/triple sharing with valley views)
Daily breakfast and dinner throughout the tour
All local sightseeing in AC vehicle (Shimla, Kufri, Chail, Narkanda, Naldehra)
Jakhu Temple visit with pony or ropeway ride
Himalayan Nature Park entry, Kufri
Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) guided tour
Pinjore Gardens stop en route
Expert local Himachali guide throughout the tour
All tolls, parking, and driver allowance

Not Included

Kalka–Shimla Toy Train tickets (optional add-on — highly recommended, book in advance)
Snow activity charges at Kufri — sledging, snow suits rental (seasonal, payable directly)
Horse riding charges at Kufri (payable directly)
Lunch on Days 1, 3, 4 and 5 (own expense)
Tattapani hot spring entry (nominal, payable directly)
Personal shopping and souvenir expenses
Travel insurance (recommended — available on request)
Any meals not mentioned above

For bookings and group enquiries, contact Sidhu Tour & Travel. Early booking strongly recommended especially for winter and peak summer season as hotel availability in Shimla fills up quickly. Special honeymoon packages, family packages, and snow special winter tour packages also available on request.