3-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Shimla Kulu Manali

  • Day 1: Explore Shimla
    3 hrs (140 km) from Kalka Railway Station

    Shimla is a beautiful hill station known for its colonial architecture and scenic views. Visit the Rashtrapati Niwas, a historic building that now serves as the official residence of the President of India. Take a stroll through Mall Road, a famous shopping hub. Spend the evening at The Ridge, a large open space in the heart of the city known for its beautiful views of Shimla and the surrounding hills.

  • Day 2: Adventure in Kulu
    4 hrs (210 km) from Shimla

    Head to Kulu, a beautiful valley known for its adventure activities such as paragliding and river rafting. Bijli Mahadev Temple is a popular destination for its panoramic views of the Kulu Valley. For a more laid-back experience, visit the Naggar Castle, an ancient royal palace converted into a hotel that offers beautiful views of the valley.

  • Day 3: Explore Manali
    1 hr 20 min (50 km) from Kulu

    Manali is a picturesque hill station known for its scenic beauty and adventure sports. Start your day with a visit to the Hidimba Devi Temple, a historic temple surrounded by beautiful cedar forests. Take a stroll through The Mall, a famous shopping center. End your day at the Solang Valley, known for its adventure sports and beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Rashtrapati Niwas (1 hr, ₹40)
  • Mall Road (2 hrs, free)
  • The Ridge (2 hrs, free)
  • Bijli Mahadev Temple (1.5 hrs, ₹50)
  • Naggar Castle (2 hrs, ₹300)
  • Hidimba Devi Temple (1.5 hrs, ₹30)
  • The Mall (1 hr, free)
  • Solang Valley (2 hrs, ₹500 for adventure sports)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₹920

Transportation

Travelers can reach Shimla by train or road from Delhi. Once at Shimla, they can take a taxi or a bus to explore the city. From Shimla to Kulu and then to Manali, travelers can hire a taxi or take a bus. The estimated cost for transportation is ₹6,500 and the estimated travel time is 12 hours.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can explore nearby towns such as Dharamshala and Dalhousie. If you have less time, skip Kulu and spend an extra day in either Shimla or Manali.

Airports

The nearest airport to Shimla, Kulu, and Manali is the Kullu-Manali Airport (KUU) located in Bhuntar, about 10 km south of Kulu. The airport is small and has limited connectivity, with flights operating primarily to and from Delhi. The Chandigarh International Airport (IXC) is the nearest major airport, located approximately 130 km southwest of Shimla.

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