Delhi to Shimla Road Trip and Tips to Explore the Queen of Hills
Delhi is not only the capital of India but also one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country. The city marks one of the points of the golden triangle of Indian tourism the other two being Jaipur and Agra. Delhi is also considered a gateway to the North of India as it is situated only a few hours away from the lush green hills of the Himalayan range, and one of the most popular tourist destinations to visit from Delhi is Shimla. The Queen of Hills, as it is affectionately called, has served in the past as the summer capital of colonial India, and the current capital city of Himachal Pradesh. The road trips from Delhi to Shimla happen to be extremely popular and frequented by many Delhiites who escape to Shimla to get away from the hassled living in the metropolis. The weather in Shimla is pleasantly cold in the summers in stark contrast to the unbearable heat in Delhi, while there is plenty of snowfall every year in Shimla which makes it a great tourist attraction.
The best time to travel in Shimla is from March to June when you can experience the glorious hills of Shimla covered in verdant scenery. You can also choose to visit Shimla in winters between December and February for experiencing the mesmerizing snow-covered hill station. If you want to embark on a road trip from Delhi to Shimla, you can take two of the well-traveled routes through the NH5 and NH44. The most popular route is from Delhi to Panipat, then to Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Chandigarh, Kalka, Solan and finally arriving at the final destination of Shimla. The distance through this route between Delhi to Shimla is almost 350 kilometers which can be easily covered in 7.5 to 8 hours depending on the number of breaks you take. The roads are a pleasure to drive on and there are plenty of outstanding food joints to keep you well-fed and rested.Â
There are plenty of places on the way where you can stop and enjoy the local attractions. Some of the best ones are as below
5 Best Destinations between Delhi to Shimla Road Trips
1. Panipat
Visit the historical battlefield of Panipat, where the destiny of India was shaped through the epic battles. The museum that is attached to the place is worth your time and a must-visit for history aficionados.
2. Kurukshetra
The mythological battle of Mahabharat was fought here and you can still see the site here. You can also visit the Brahma Sarovar nearby and enjoy the peace there.
3. Chandigarh
Despite being filled with places of historical importance one of the must-see places in Chandigarh is the Rock garden which was constructed using recycled materials by its founder Nek Chand Saini.
4. Kalka
The place is famous for the wildlife sanctuary called Sukhna and the ancient temple of Kalka Devi from which the town derives its name.
5. Kasauli
On the way to Shimla, you will pass through the beautiful little town of Kasauli which has spectacular views of the hills and an old but immaculately maintained church that looks straight out of a movie.
9 Best Things to do in Shimla
Once you reach you will have plenty of things to do in Shimla, in which you can engage at your own pace and comfort. Here are some of the best ones that you can enjoy almost any time of the year:
- Trekking
- Paragliding
- Camping
- Skiing
- Shopping in Mall Road
- Visiting the Chadwick waterfall
- Praying at Christ Church
- Meditate at Dorje Drak Monastery
- Visit the iconic Shyamala Devi Temple
1. Trekking
Take a magical walk among the dense forest of pine trees with the misty and foggy landscape which will straight out of a Bollywood movie.
2. Paragliding
Take part in some of the best adventure sports in the country through exciting and adrenaline-filled sports such as paragliding in Shimla.
3. Camping
One of the best things to do is to get close to nature through memorable camping in Shimla especially if you are with friends or family.
4. Skiing
If you are visiting during the winter months, the snow-covered slopes near Shimla are perfect if you want to try your hand at skiing. You can also find some economic package with skilled local skiing instructors with the skiing equipment on rent at the Kufri Ski Resort.
5. Shopping in Mall Road
If you are on the lookout for things to buy whether for yourself or your friends and family back home as curios, do pay a visit to Mall Road. One of the main places to carry out shopping in Shimla, it is also a great place to see the beauty of the city and grab a bite while on the go.
6. Visiting the Chadwick Waterfall
For those who want to experience the natural beauty of the place, the Chadwick waterfall is one of the best places to visit near Shimla. Surrounded by lush greenery, this waterfall is a 45 minutes walk from the city.
7. Praying at Christ Church
The second oldest church of Northern India welcomes you in Shimla to appreciate the old world grandeur and spend some time praying in peace and tranquility.
8. Meditate at Dorje Drak Monastery
The Tibetan Buddhist monastery has monks still sitting in meditation and you will be filled with a sense of peace visiting the place. Try meditating here to enjoy a few moments of solitude.
9. Visit the iconic Shyamala Devi Temple
The Kali Bari which means “Home of Goddess Kali” is a temple located in Shimla and was established by a Bengali gentleman. Also known as Shyamala Devi temple, this temple is where the city of Shimla gets its name.
With so many places to go and things to do in Shimla, you will surely have an awesome and eventful trip. If you are traveling from Delhi to Shimla, you may also consider taking a fully maintained and insured car on rent in Delhi from Revv. All you need to do is install the Revv app or go to the Revv website and choose Delhi to see the available vehicles and in just a few steps your fully sanitized vehicle will be with you to drive away to Shimla and beyond.
