Get mesmerized with divine beauty and gorgeous escapades while holidaying in Shimla.
With local and out of city attractions to beckon you, 1 Day Shimla tour packages are quite popular amongst different tourists thronging the hill station all year round. This quaint capital of Himachal Pradesh, is a perfect weekend getaway for people residing nearby or a hotspot for holidays and honeymoon, visited by thousands of tourists all year round.
What makes this hill-station so popular amongst touristy folks is that there is no dearth of entertainment in this place. From young to old, everyone has something to do and relish in the city of Shimla.
If you are wondering whether you can even explore the city’s popular spots in one day, well you are not mistaken. Local sights and spots are a great way to keep you company and help you make the most of even a day in Shimla.
So let’s hire a cab / taxi and enjoy a drive along the interlopes of Shimla mountains and regale in the majestic beauty the place has to offer.
At Shimla Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, we have curated a list of select 1 day tour packages in and around Shimla that you can definitely enjoy with your folks and go back a delighted visitor. We have gathered different itineraries from different tour operators in Shimla to help you make the most of your trip.
We not only offer you the opportunity to choose the most suitable 1 day tour package in Shimla but also offer you leads to connect with some of the best car rental companies in Shimla as well as tour organizers who can help you to create your own tour package as well.
List of top 5 places to visit in Shimla in a day…
1. The Ridge
A popular tourist spot located right in the center of Shimla is ‘The Ridge’. A huge flat platform like area located in the middle of the city, the Ridge offers you spectacular views of the city from both sides. It is open from 8am to 6pm every day.
Kids get to enjoy joy rides on horses, small toys and much more, while the elders can simply lounge around and relax in the comforting ambience around. The buzz of people around makes you feel a part of the aura. There are various people offering photographs to be clicked in traditional ‘Himachali’ attire that is an absolute must take away from this place.
You can savour the different types of street food that is strewn across the Ridge especially Maggi and Momo’s counters. You can spend around 3 to 4 hours at the Ridge to explore the Tudor Library and even visit Christ Church, one of the oldest places of interest in Shimla.
There are no cars allowed anywhere near the Mall road or the Ridge and can be explored only on foot. Wear comfortable shoes to take a trip down the beautiful Ridge of Shimla.
2. Mall Road
The Ridge is located on the Mall Road and is considered to be the most lively places amongst the local folk and tourists alike. A walking tour of the Mall road gives you a sneak peek in the lives of the local people and also offers some mouth-watering traditional and modern cuisine to relish.
#Trivia: The Mall road was used as a place for traders from nearby places to come and trade their goods and hence the name.
There are many traditional bakeries and eateries lining the Mall road along with shops that offer exquisite handicraft items procured from the local folk. The quaint little cafes located along the stretch of the road are a delight to grab a quick bite and enjoy life as it passes by.
If you walk leisurely along the Mall road, you should be able to cover it within an hour or two so that you have time to enjoy some other sights as well.
The star attraction of the Mall road is Johnnie’s Wax Museum located right at the beginning of the road. A very well made wax museum showcasing different wax statues of famous celebrities and sports personalities, including our PM, Johnnie’s Wax Museum should not be missed during your 1 day Shimla tour.
Visit Scandal point on the west side of the road to admire the beauty of the expansive hill-station. The beautiful square is located behind the bazaars of Shimla and has many a story attached to it.
Another interesting place to visit on Mall road is the Gaiety Theatre which has seen many a powerful performances since 1887 and the Kali Bari temple that attracts innumerable visitors every day.
3. Jakhoo Temple
The towering figure of Lord Shiva graces the Shimla skyline, peaking in between the Deodar trees of the Jakhu hill. This temple is highly revered by the locals, who seek the blessings of their major deity every day. The temple is open every day from 7 am to 8 pm. It is just about 2 kms from the Ridge and is located on the highest peak of Shimla.
The temple can be reached by ropeway that is operational from one end of the Mall road upto the hill and back. You can book your tickets at the counter below and spend at least an hour exploring the beauty of the hilltop.
The ride will cost you around Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per person and is operational till 5:30 pm (the last ride leaves at 5:30 pm). You can also choose to walk the way up and pay obeisance to the deity.
#Trivia: The temple is full of monkeys so please be wary of your belongings and it is advisable to not feed or offer anything to them. Keep your children close by.
4. Tara Devi Temple
Built nearly 250 years ago, the pious Tara Devi temple is a favourite amongst locals to seek the Goddess’s blessings. Open from 7 am to 6:30 pm, this temple is located around 11 kms from Shimla and will take about 45 minutes to complete the visit.
Sunday is a day devoted to the Devi and will see a huge number of people thronging the place to seek her blessings along with enjoying the traditional Langar offered here.
A quaint and tranquil place to get away from the buzz of the city, Tara Devi Temple is a must visit during your time in Shimla.
5. Lakkar Bazaar
Famous for its woollen garments and locally crafted decorative items and embroidered designs, Lakkar Bazaar is a famous stop over for all tourists visiting Shimla. It is open from 9am to 10pm every day.
#Trivia: The name comes from the time when local woodcutters used to gather to sell their wood and other wooden items on the road.
You can enjoy the prolific site by purchasing traditional Kullu shawls, wooden toys, walking sticks, and Tibetan crafted carpets in Kinnaur. Another specialty of the place is the food processing industry that produces huge amounts of jams and squashes along with dry fruits and herbs.
Best time to visit Shimla
The ideal time for people to organize one day trips in and around Shimla is during the summer season. From April to June, the hill station is abuzz with lakhs of tourists who come to escape the unbearable heat of other parts of the country, while others simply come to explore the realms of the hill-station.
It is much easier to get around the place during these months, despite the crowd, as the roads are far more visible than during the cold winter months.
If you are looking at enjoying the snowfall only, then visit during December to February, to completely sit back and enjoy playing in the snow.
Note- There may not be accessibility to many tourist spots during this time of the year as the snow fall hinders movement to a great extent.
How to reach Shimla
Shimla is accessible by rail and road all year round. You can take a train up to Kalka, the nearest station and then take a joy ride up to the hill station on the ‘Kalka-Shimla’ toy train, which is around 90 kms away.. This narrow gauge train is a delight to explore the wilderness of the mountains and the sheer sight of peace and tranquillity.
You can take a flight to Chandigarh and then enjoy a 4 to 5 hour drive to Shimla in a cab or taxi procured from top car rental companies in Shimla.
You can also hire a cab from any part of North India to reach the hill station. The Chandigarh-Shimla highway is an excellent way to reach Shimla, offering beautiful sights along the way and a smooth drive up hill.
Although the beauty of Shimla will need at least a few days to completely explore, you can definitely take back a whole load of memories wrapped in the lens of your camera or your mind. While taking a tour of Shimla, get your comfort clothes and shoes on, as you will need to walk quite a bit to explore the true essence of the ‘Queen of Hills’ – Shimla.
Pack your bags and get ready to enjoy a beautiful holiday in Shimla today!
