Two of the most popular destinations in Himachal Pradesh are Shimla or Manali packages. There are many packages available for Himachal Pradesh. Manali or Shimla are often included in most of these packages. Ask any Delhi travel agent and you'll find hundreds of plans that feature these destinations. It can be difficult to choose the right itinerary for Shimla or Manali when so many options are available online.
If you live near Delhi, Shimla or Manali make great weekend getaway destinations. It is possible to plan a Manali vacation and spend a weekend exploring it. The same goes for Shimla. Most travellers prefer to explore both destinations on one trip. If they have more time, they often add Dharamshala or Dalhousie.
These are the top travel plans for Shimla & Manali, which will take you to the best of both places.
Why Shimla and Manali are worth visiting
It is one of the most visited tourist spots in Himachal. You can start your journey from here, and then move on to more remote destinations.
They can be reached easily from Chandigarh and Delhi.
For the convenience of travellers, regular trains and buses are readily available
This area is home to many luxury camps and resorts that are perfect for families and honeymooners.
The road to Shimla/Manali from Delhi/Chandigarh has a better condition that other locations
The best itineraries to Shimla or Manali
If you travel from Delhi or Chandigarh and assume that your itinerary follows a straightforward route, it will vary depending on how many days you have. You'll be able to explore both the best and most interesting locations, as well as add more locations along the way.
How do I get to the beginning point of this journey?
Shimla is six hours from Delhi, while the Manali trip can be reached easily from Kullu's Bhuntar Airport. I recommend that you take a bus or a taxi to Shimla, and then continue your journey.
Option 1 - 4 Night 5 Days
Day 0: Start in Delhi at night and reach Shimla at dawn
Day 1 - Explore Mall Road, Hatu Temple and The Ridge, Jakhu Temple and Sandal Point
Day 2 - Kufri, Mashobra
Day 3 - Manali, 6 hours. Check in, Hidimba Devi Temple and Mall Road. Spend your evening in Old Manali.
Day 4 - If time permits, visit Solang Valley and Rohtang
Day 5: Leave Delhi/Chandigarh in a bus/car
Option 2 - 6 Night 7 Days
Day 0: Start in Delhi at night and reach Shimla at dawn
Day 1 - Explore Mall Road, Hatu Temple and The Ridge, Jakhu Temple and Sandal Point
Day 2 - Kufri and Mashobra
Day 3 - Check in, travel to Kasauli. Visit Renuka Lake and Monkey Point. Spend your evening at the market.
Day 4 - Manali Heading (6 Hours) Check in, visit Mall Road and Hidimba Devi Temple, then spend the evening in Old Manali
Day 4 - Enjoy paragliding, and other adventure sports in Solang Valley
Day 5 - Check in, travel to Rohtang Pass, and reach Kasol by night
Day 6 - Enjoy a lazy day in Kasol and go shopping or cafe hopping
Day 7 - Drive to Chandigarh/Delhi
Notice: You can travel to Delhi or Chandigarh by bus from Kasol. There is no public transport from Kasol.
Option 3 - 9 Nights - 10 Days
This is a rare one, as not many people have enough days to plan their trip.
Day 0: Start in Delhi at night and reach Shimla in morning
Day 1 - Explore Mall Road, Hatu Temple and The Ridge, Jakhu Temple and Sandal Point
Day 2 - Kufri and Mashobra
Day 3: Visit Narkanda and Hatu Devi Temple. Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks.
Day 4 - Check in, travel to Kasauli. Visit Renuka Lake and Monkey Point. Spend your evening at the market.
Day 5: Head to Manali (6 Hours) Check in, visit Mall Road and Hidimba Devi Temple, then spend the evening in Old Manali
Day 6 - Enjoy paragliding, and other adventure sports in Solang Valley
Day 7 - Rohtang Pass Visit, enjoy the day in snow and return to your hotel by night
Day 8 - Check in, go to Kasol and spend a lazy afternoon at the market
Day 9 - Visit Tosh village, and return for lunch
Day 10 - Check in, Move to Delhi/Chandigarh
This itinerary will help you plan your next trip in Himachal. It's easy to explore Shimla and Manali Tour Package. You don't even need a travel agent for help. Online bookings are possible and offer similar discounts. You can also hire a taxi to explore these locations on your own.