Himalayan Himachal Escape
Seven days from the Mughal heart of Delhi into the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh — the colonial hill station of Shimla and the mountain valleys of Manali — with your transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing handled from arrival to departure.
From Mughal capital to Himalayan foothills, in one journey
Himachal Pradesh has been drawing travellers into the hills since the British made Shimla their summer capital in the 19th century, and the appeal hasn't dated. This seven-day escape starts in Delhi — India's capital and a living museum of Mughal and colonial history — before climbing into the mountains for the pine-forested ridgelines of Shimla and the river valleys and snow-capped peaks around Manali.
You'll see Delhi's UNESCO trio of Mughal monuments, wander the colonial-era Ridge and Mall Road in Shimla — with the option to arrive by the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla toy train — and spend your Manali days between the wooden Hadimba Temple, the Beas River valley and the high-altitude scenery toward Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass. It's a genuine change of altitude and pace within a single, well-connected trip.
Airport and intercity transfers, accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing are arranged for you. Want more time in the mountains, a Rohtang Pass excursion added, or the trip run fully private? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
Delhi's UNESCO monuments
The 17th-century Red Fort, the 12th-century Qutub Minar — India's tallest brick minaret — and the Mughal garden-tomb of Humayun, whose design inspired the Taj Mahal, all within the city's living, working streets.
The Kalka–Shimla toy train
A UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge railway completed in 1903, climbing 96 kilometres through more than 100 tunnels and hundreds of bridges into the pine-forested hills — one of the great heritage train journeys in India.
Shimla's colonial hill station
Once the summer capital of British India, Shimla still centres on the Ridge and neo-Gothic Christ Church, with Mall Road's shopfronts and mountain views laid out exactly as the Raj-era planners left them.
Manali's temples & mountain scenery
The 16th-century wooden Hadimba Temple in its cedar forest, the Beas River valley, and the road toward Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass, where the Himalayas turn genuinely high-altitude.
Your 7-day itinerary
Capital city, colonial hill station, mountain valley — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Indira Gandhi International Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Settle in, then ease into the city at your own pace — Connaught Place, a short walk or drive away, is an easy first outing for local food and a feel for the capital.
A guided city tour taking in Delhi's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the red sandstone Red Fort, once the seat of the Mughal emperors; the towering Qutub Minar and its surrounding complex; and Humayun's Tomb, the Mughal garden-tomb that set the template for the Taj Mahal. A drive past India Gate and the government quarter of Lutyens' Delhi rounds out the day.
A road transfer to Kalka, then the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla toy train climbs the final stretch into the mountains — around five hours through more than 100 tunnels and hundreds of bridges, with the scenery doing most of the talking. Check in to your Shimla hotel with the evening free to explore the Ridge.
A full day around Shimla's Raj-era core: the neo-Gothic Christ Church on the Ridge, the shopfronts and viewpoints of Mall Road, and, for those who'd like the climb, the Jakhoo Temple on Shimla's highest hill for panoramic views over the town and surrounding ranges.
A scenic road transfer from Shimla to Manali (around seven to eight hours), climbing further into Himachal Pradesh with the Kullu Valley and Beas River as your companions for much of the drive. Check in and rest, or take a first easy stroll along the river in the evening.
A day around Manali's highlights: the 16th-century wooden Hadimba Temple in its cedar forest, the cafés and bazaars of Old Manali, and — subject to season and road conditions — an excursion toward Solang Valley or Rohtang Pass for genuinely high-altitude Himalayan views.
Enjoy a final breakfast before your onward journey. Manali connects on to Delhi by road or a short domestic flight from nearby Bhuntar (Kullu) — we'll arrange the transfer to match your onward plans, or help you extend into Himachal's wider valleys.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to train availability, road and weather conditions, and Rohtang Pass access, which is seasonal and permit-controlled.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
March to June and September to November are the most comfortable windows — mild in Delhi's shoulder months and clear in the hills. December to February brings snow to Shimla and Manali, which is beautiful but affects road access; monsoon (July–August) can disrupt hill roads. We'll advise on timing for your dates.
Currency
The Indian Rupee (INR / ₹). Cards are widely accepted in hotels and city restaurants; carry cash for markets, hill-town shops and small vendors, especially outside Delhi.
Altitude & road access
Shimla sits around 2,200m and Manali around 2,050m — mild altitude that most travellers adjust to easily. Rohtang Pass (around 3,980m) is higher, seasonal, and subject to permits and road closures; we'll confirm access ahead of your dates.
Packing
Layers are essential — Delhi can be warm while Shimla and Manali are noticeably cooler, especially mornings and evenings. A warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes and a light rain layer cover most of the year.
Temples & dress code
Hadimba Temple and other religious sites are active places of worship — modest, covered clothing is appreciated and shoes are removed before entering. Photography is generally welcome; we'll flag any exceptions on the day.
Visas & documents
Most nationalities need a visa for India, commonly arranged in advance through the e-Visa system — but requirements vary by passport. Please check based on your nationality well ahead of travel; we're happy to point you in the right direction.
Delhi to the Himalayan foothills
Good to have answered
Is the US$899 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 7-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels in Delhi, Shimla and Manali, daily breakfast, airport and listed intercity transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and whether you'd like it private, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Do we take the toy train from Delhi to Shimla?
This itinerary includes a road transfer to Kalka followed by the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla toy train for the final climb into the hills — a signature part of the journey. Seat availability is limited and subject to the railway's schedule, so we confirm this with the operator when you book; a direct road transfer is the fallback if the train isn't available on your dates.
Will we get to Rohtang Pass?
An excursion toward Solang Valley or Rohtang Pass is included as an option on your Manali sightseeing day, conditions allowing. Rohtang Pass sits at nearly 4,000 metres, is closed by snow for part of the year, and requires a permit with a vehicle quota system — so access is confirmed closer to your travel dates rather than guaranteed in advance.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. We can advise on convenient arrival times into Delhi and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add nights in any city, upgrade the hotels, or extend into neighbouring valleys like Kullu or Dharamshala. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
Do I need a visa for India?
Most nationalities do, commonly arranged through India's e-Visa system ahead of travel — but requirements and processing times vary by passport. Please verify based on your own nationality well before your trip; we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Himalayan escape
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.