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  • Heritage buildings on Mall Road, Shimla, with snowy Jakhoo Hill behind
  • Green Solang Valley meadow below snowy mountains and pine forest
  • Pagoda-style wooden Hadimba Devi Temple in a deodar forest, Manali
  • Snow-covered Himalayan range seen beyond forested ridges from Kufri
  • Atal Tunnel north portal and curving road in the Lahaul valley near Sissu
Winter special
5N / 6D Honeymoon Family Group

Shimla – Manali Classic

Chandigarh → Shimla → Kufri → Manali → Solang → Chandigarh

The classic Himachal combination: colonial Shimla and Kufri, then the Beas valley drive to Manali for Old Manali, Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel. Private cab from Chandigarh.

  • Best: Mar–Jun, Oct–Feb
  • Private tour
On Request
  • Budget On Request
  • Deluxe On Request
  • Premium On Request
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Trip highlights

  • Two classic hill stations in one well-paced trip
  • Shimla Ridge, Mall Road, Christ Church and Jakhoo Temple
  • Kufri viewpoints with snow play in winter
  • Scenic Shimla to Manali drive along the Beas river
  • Hadimba Temple, Vashisht and Old Manali
  • Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, weather permitting

Overview

For most first-time visitors to Himachal, this is the trip to start with. It pairs the old-world charm of Shimla with the bigger snow peaks and adventure of Manali, and the six days are long enough to enjoy both without feeling rushed.

You spend two nights in Shimla, walking the Ridge and Mall Road and driving up to Kufri. The middle of the trip is a full-day road journey through Mandi and Kullu, following the Beas river for much of the way. Three nights in Manali then give you a day for the temples and lanes of Old Manali and a day at Solang Valley, with a possible run through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu if conditions allow.

It works beautifully for families, honeymooners and small groups of friends, and a private cab means you set the pace. The best months are March to June and October to February; in winter, snow is likely around Manali and possible near Shimla, but never guaranteed. Not sure which hill town suits you better? Read our Shimla vs Manali guide, or simply ask us. Most guests from Maharashtra fly to Chandigarh, where the cab is waiting.

Day-wise itinerary

  1. Day1

    Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla

    Snow-covered houses and deodar slopes of Shimla under a clear blue winter sky

    Your driver meets you at Chandigarh airport, railway station or bus stand for the climb to Shimla. The highway winds up past Parwanoo, Dharampur and Solan, with plenty of tea stalls and fruit sellers along the way. You reach Shimla by afternoon and check in to your hotel.

    Once you have rested, walk up to the Ridge and Mall Road. Christ Church, Scandal Point and the old Gaiety Theatre are all within a few minutes of each other, and the views across the valley at sunset are lovely. Dinner and overnight in Shimla.

    • Meals: Dinner
    • Overnight: Shimla
    • 115 km
    • 3–4 hrs
  2. Day2

    Day 2: Kufri and Shimla sightseeing

    Snow-covered Himalayan range seen beyond forested ridges from Kufri

    After breakfast drive to Kufri, about 15 km away, for viewpoints over the ranges and pony rides up to Mahasu Peak. In winter the slopes here often carry snow, while in summer the meadows are green and pleasant. Families can also visit the small Himalayan Nature Park nearby.

    Return to Shimla in the afternoon and visit Jakhoo Temple with its tall Hanuman statue, then the stately Viceregal Lodge if time allows. Finish with shopping in Lakkar Bazaar for wooden handicrafts. Dinner and overnight in Shimla.

    • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    • Overnight: Shimla
  3. Day3

    Day 3: Shimla to Manali via Mandi and Kullu

    Christ Church on the Ridge in Shimla with snow-dusted deodar forest behind

    Start early after breakfast for the long drive to Manali. The road descends through Darlaghat to Bilaspur and Sundernagar, then joins the Beas at Mandi. From here the valley becomes dramatic, with the Pandoh Dam, the Aut tunnel and steep slopes on either side of the river.

    Stop at Kullu for a look at shawl weaving, and if the season is right, enjoy a short rafting stretch on the Beas. You reach Manali by evening. Check in and rest. Dinner and overnight in Manali.

    • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    • Overnight: Manali
    • 250 km
    • 8–9 hrs
  4. Day4

    Day 4: Manali local sightseeing

    Pagoda-style wooden Hadimba Devi Temple in a deodar forest, Manali

    Begin with the Hadimba Devi Temple, a wooden shrine set among towering cedar trees, then wander through Old Manali with its riverside cafés and apple orchards. Cross over to Vashisht village to see the temple and its natural hot water baths.

    After lunch visit the Tibetan monastery and the Club House by the Manalsu stream, which is fun for children. In the evening stroll along Mall Road for shopping, momos and local woollens. If it is cold, the hotel can usually arrange a heater or a bonfire. Dinner and overnight in Manali.

    • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    • Overnight: Manali
  5. Day5

    Day 5: Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel

    Green Solang Valley meadow below snowy mountains and pine forest

    After breakfast head to Solang Valley, around 14 km north of Manali. Depending on the season you will find snow slopes for skiing and tubing, or green meadows with paragliding and a ropeway up the hill. Activities are booked and paid locally.

    If the road is open and tourist vehicles are allowed on the day, continue through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul, where a waterfall drops into a wide, bare valley. Snow and traffic restrictions can close this section without notice. Between roughly June and October, Rohtang Pass is an option instead with a valid permit. Return to Manali for dinner and overnight.

    • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    • Overnight: Manali
  6. Day6

    Day 6: Manali to Chandigarh – departure

    Snow-capped peaks above the Manali valley with flowering bushes and hill houses

    Check out after breakfast and drive back down through Kullu and Mandi to the plains. The journey takes most of the day, with breaks for lunch and tea along the way, and your driver will keep an eye on traffic near the Mandi and Bilaspur stretches.

    You are dropped at Chandigarh airport, railway station or bus stand in the evening. We recommend a late evening flight or an overnight train, or an extra night in Chandigarh if your departure is early the next day.

    • Meals: Breakfast
    • 310 km
    • 9–10 hrs

Choose your hotel category

Hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability — the same or a similar property.

Choose your hotel category
Stay Budget On Request Deluxe On Request Premium On Request
Shimla Nights: 2 Handpicked budget hotel or similar Deluxe hotel or similar Premium hotel / resort or similar
Manali Nights: 3 Handpicked budget hotel or similar Deluxe hotel or similar Premium hotel / resort or similar

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions

  • 2 nights hotel stay in Shimla and 3 nights in Manali on twin sharing basis
  • Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotels (MAP plan)
  • Private cab for all transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
  • Tolls, parking, state taxes and driver allowance
  • Pickup and drop at Chandigarh airport, railway station or bus stand
  • Help with Rohtang permit application when the pass is open (permit fee extra)
  • On-trip phone and WhatsApp support

Exclusions

  • Air or rail fare to and from Chandigarh
  • Lunch, snacks and beverages
  • Entry tickets, ropeway and monument fees
  • Paragliding, rafting, skiing and other adventure activities
  • Local union cabs at Solang or for Rohtang if the private cab is not permitted
  • Rohtang Pass permit and snow gear hire
  • GST as applicable
  • Anything not mentioned under inclusions

Policies

Cancellation and refunds follow our standard policy: Cancellation & Refund Policy

  • Best price guarantee
  • No hidden charges
  • 24×7 on-trip support
  • Hill-experienced drivers
  • Heritage buildings on Mall Road, Shimla, with snowy Jakhoo Hill behind
    Mall Road, Shimla · Photo: UnpetitproleX / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Green Solang Valley meadow below snowy mountains and pine forest
    Solang Valley, Manali · Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Pagoda-style wooden Hadimba Devi Temple in a deodar forest, Manali
    Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali · Photo: Shriniwas Deshmukh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
  • Snow-covered Himalayan range seen beyond forested ridges from Kufri
    The Himalayas from Kufri · Photo: Sirshendu biswas / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Atal Tunnel north portal and curving road in the Lahaul valley near Sissu
    Atal Tunnel north portal, towards Sissu · Photo: Jagseer S Sidhu / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Kalka-Shimla toy train curving along a green forested hillside
    Toy train on the Kalka-Shimla Railway · Photo: Ronil Baruah / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Questions about this trip

Can this Shimla–Manali tour start and end in Delhi?
Yes, Delhi pickup and drop can be arranged on request. It adds several hours of driving at each end, so we often suggest adding a night or taking the overnight bus or train for one leg.
Is snow guaranteed in Manali?
No one can guarantee snow. Between December and March there is usually snow at Solang or beyond the Atal Tunnel, and sometimes in Manali town. In April and May you may still find old snow higher up.
Is the Shimla to Manali drive tiring for children?
It is a long day of around eight to nine hours on winding roads. We start early, stop often, and you can carry motion sickness tablets for anyone prone to it. Most children manage it well.
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