Mountain Masala

Mall road

Shimla mall in winter

Christchurch

Shimla in winter

The seven picturesque hills of Shimla are in southern Himachal, in the Shivalik Range, at an altitude of 6,890 ft. It is 115 km NE of Chandigarh, 342 km N of Delhi. Shimla is built on a longish mountain ridge, along which seven small peaks just out into the sky. The easternmost is the Elysium Hill near Lakkar Bazar. Jakhoo Hill, the highest point in Shimla, rears behind The Ridge and is famous  for its Hanuman temple. On the other side of the Ridge, Bantony Hill is better known for the Kali Bari Temple. After about a km comes the Inveram Hill which hosts the state museum. Nearby, the Viceregal lodge occupies Observatory Hill. Then comes Summer Hill, with the HP University. The Westernmost Prospect Hill is crowned by the Kamana Devi Temple.

Shimla is India's only hill station that combines the beauty of the Himalayas, the slow charms of an Indian hill station, and the energy of a city, making it very good at accommodating the diverse tastes of a family. Shimla's unique personality, temperament and place in history owe much to its position as the British Raj's summer capital in the 19th century. The mall meanders its way for almost 4 km along. The Ridge, between old and even older buildings. The smallish area just above The Mall, between the Christ Church and the imposing Municipality building is called The Ridge. The Mall is also one of the longest stretches of pedestrian open air strolling and shopping possible. The best tourist season is from March to June, for those who love snow, winter is the time to be here.

Getting there :

Air : Shimla's Jubbarhatti Airport is connected to Delhi by Kingfisher Red. Taxi into Shimla costs Rs 1,200.

Rail : Nearest metre gauge railhead:Shimla.Even though the Kalka Shimla train seems very slow, it's a journey your family will enjoy and never forget. The Shivalik Express offers a comfortable journey, and serves food on board. Plan and book in advance. The nearest broad gauge railhead Kalka , well connected to Delhi by the Kalka Shatabdi and Himachal Queen, to kolkata by the Howrah-Delhi-Kalka mail.Taxi from Kalka costs approx Rs 1,500 -2,000 .

Accomodation :

Shimla offers plenty of hotels across all budgets.

1.Woodville Palace (Tel: 0177-2622516,2624038), Tariff Rs 4700-11000.

2.Hotel Springfields (Tel:2621297-98), Tariff Rs 4000-6500

3.Hotel White (Tel:2656136) Tariff Rs 1000-2200

4.Hotel Le Royale (Tel:2651002-03) Tariff Rs 1,700-3,700