Archive for the ‘Shimla’ Category
January 9th, 2012 | 
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Shimla is a beautiful Hill station in the lap of Himachal Pradesh and is also its capital. It is located at an altitude of 2213 m. Shimla derives its name from goddess ‘Shayamla Devi’ , another form of Goddess Kali. Shimla has been blessed with natural beauty and is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. Its green valleys, the beauty of its trees, pine, oak and deodar and its beautiful weather attract the tourists throughout the year. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an atmosphere, which has given Shimla Hill Station the title of ” Queen of Hills “. Though Shimla has a regular flow of tourists throughout the year, maximum tourists come in May and October. In December, tourists flock to Shimla to enjoy the pleasant snowfall.
Shimla retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings, charming iron lampposts and Anglo-Saxon names. Besides the old Tudor and Georgian cottage-pattern houses erected by the British, new edifices have also been constructed in Shimla. Shimla is also famous for its flowers like lily, rhododendron and many undiscovered and anonymous beauties.
Apart from its natural attractions, Shimla is also famous for its architectural buildings, wooden crafts and apples. The Mall, The Gaiety Theatre, Himalayan Bird Park, Kufri, Chail, Nalderao, Fagu, Viceregal lodge, Himachal State Museum, Sanjauli, Temples and Daranghati Sanctuary are just some of the famous tourist spots of the hill station. Shimla is also famous for its adventure sports, which include trekking to the Kullu valley and trout fishing at the Pabbar River . The more adventurous can also opt for skiing at the Narkanda and Kufri . The nine-hole golf course at Naldehra is also a major draw for the tourists.
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Kullu Manali can be said as one of the best places in India to go for honeymoon. So here we give you the details about the package of Kullu Manai From Kolkata. Kullu enjoys an elevation of 1200 m and 2050 m above the sea level in Kullu Manali. Enjoy the pleasant weather, clean air, serene environs and most important of all beautiful company of your life partner on Honeymoon in Kullu and Manali. At an approachable distance from Shimla, Kullu and Manali offers wide range of accommodation facilities, picturesque locations and serenity required to make Honeymoon in Kullu and Manali an affair to remember. Kullu Manali honeymoon tour package from Kolkata gives us an ever memorable honeymoon experience. So If you finding best Honeymoon Destination in India Kullu and Manali is the best place for you.
While in Kullu, you must visit the Raghunath Temple, Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bekhli Temple, Basheshwar Mahadev Temple and Bijli Mahadev Temple. Extend your Honeymoon in Kullu to take an excursion to Nagar, Raison, Shoja, Manikaran and Kasol. In Manali, visit the Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Jagatsukh Temple, Arjun Gufa, Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture and Village Vashisht. Solang Nullah, Waterfalls, Rohtang Pass, Dassaur Lake and Beas Kund are the places for extended tours on Honeymoon in Manali.
Tour Details
Duration : 05 Night/06 Days
Destination Covered : Manali – Kullu – Shimla
Day 01: Delhi – Manali – On arrival from Kolkata at Delhi, Kullu Manali Honeymoon Packages representatives heartily welcomes you and assists you to transfer you to Manali . Manali is paradise one earth as its cool magical weather and scintillating beauty of nature with snow capped mountains on backdrop casts long lasting impression on the mind of the visitors. On arrival check in at pre-booked hotel and relax at the comfort of your room. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel in Manali.
Day 02: Manali - Enjoy the hearty breakfast at the hotel and later enjoy fun-filled city tour visiting the revered Hadimba Devi Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Manu Temple and Vashist Village. Afternoon enjoy time at your free will viewing the natural splendor of Manali. Dinner and cozy overnight stay will at hotel in Manali.
Day 03: Manali – After early morning breakfast at the hotel, today we go for a full day excursion visiting to Kothi Gorge, Gulaba and the most famous Rohtang Pass which is not only a sightseeing spot but is also gateway to Lahaul Valley that offer viewers and tourists to enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains draped with fairy snow, which is truly breathtaking. Visit Solang Valley in the evening and return back to hotel on time where delicious dinner and cozy bed for overnight will be waiting for you.
Day 04: Manali-Shimla via Kulu – After breakfast we transfer you to Shimla the capital city of Himachal Pradesh (320 Kms/8 hours). On arrival our representative assists you to transfer you to the pre-booked hotel. Dinner and overnight stay is at hotel.
Day 05: Shimla Sightseeing – Enjoy healthy morning breakfast surfing the cool magical wind blowing from the snow capped Himalayas. Later we take you for a full day sightseeing tour of Shimla covering Indian Institute of Advance Studies, Kufri, Fagu, Sankat Mochan Temple and Jakhu Temple. In the evening stroll in an around the The Mall and The Ridge and enjoy shopping to take back home lots of souvenir of Shimla Manali tours. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel in Shimla.
Day 06: Shimla-Delhi – After early morning breakfast at the hotel, board the world famous toy train to enjoy the heavenly joy ride from Shimla Railway Station at 1000 hrs from Dharampur. Kalka Shimla Toy Train also included in UNESCO World Heritage list slowly moving passes through the captivating luxuriant green valleys of Shimla, which casts its magical spell on travellers presenting the most panoramic view of Mother Nature as well as offers the moments to treasure of Royal journey of British Raj. On arrival at Dharampur in the evening at 1430 hrs our driver will met you and transfer you to Delhi (300 Kms/6 hours). In this way your memorable Shimla Manali honeymoon tour from Kolkata ends.
About The Place
Altitude : 2202.00 Meters
Population : Approx.1.25 million
Height: Most of the town lies between 2,100 m and 2,300 m
Languages spoken : Hindi. Also English, Punjabi and Pahari.
Religion : Mostly Hindu. Also Sikh, Muslim and Christian
Climate In Shimla
Weather During the Year : Winter are cold and chilly winds from the upper Himalayas makes the place really cold. Around Christmas or last week of December Shimla gets snowfall. Temperature varies from 15 ~27o C in Summers and in winters its in the range 0~17 o C.
Best Season : Shimla can be visited throughout the year, as each season has its charm. The snowfall during the winters attract many tourists and accommodation can prove to be difficult. In the summers one can escape from the scorching heats of the plains and can enjoy the cool breeze at Shimla and in its vicinity. In summer, Shimla has the attraction of excellent walks and treks against the backdrop of the scenic beauty of wooded ravines, flowers and pines. Mall of Shimla becomes alive once again with tourists strolling and shops tastefully decorated and various exhibitions, craft fair etc. organised at locations on the mall.
In winters, it is home to winter-sports and an ice-skating carnival. Today, Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and a favorite for filmmakers who wish to incorporate its scenic romanticism in their movies. Shimla is a stark example of the diversity that India offers to tourists.
What to Wear : Being Hill station the weather is almost cool at Shimla. Warm clothes are required throughout the year. The summers are marked by rainfalls. The nights of summers are cool and light warm clothes are required during this time. In the Winters Pullovers along with Warm Jacket is necessity. One has to take good care of shoes as most of the places are visited on foot, and slopes of Shimla are very steep. In the winters and mainly during snowfall shoes of firm grip are required , so that walking on snow becomes easy.
Main Attractions
Shimla, also known as Simla, is a tourism paradise located in the midst of Himalayan cedars and pines at an altitude of 2,205 m above sea level. Known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, the destination is spread over an area of 18 sq km. The capital city of Himachal Pradesh is located in the north-west Himalayas, in the northern part of India.
The erstwhile summer capital of the British features dense woodlands, apple orchards, beautiful landscapes and other natural bounties. Capitalising on the grand old testimonies, colonial characteristics, peace-loving environment and adventure opportunities, Shimla welcomes tourists from around the world. It offers beautiful façades from the crescent shaped ridge to the descending valleys of evergreens.
The word ‘Shimla’ originated from ‘Shyamali Devi’, a re-incarnation or descendant of the fearsome Goddess Kali. The altar at Jakhoo Hill was initially shifted by the British to the place known as Kali Bari Temple at present. The hill station is enveloped by seven hills that include Jakhoo Hill, Bantony Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Observatory Hill, Invererarm Hill and Elysium Hill.
In yesteryears, the historic Hindustan Tibet Road was commissioned in 1850 commencing from Kalka to Shimla and thereafter to the Chinese ruled territory, Tibet. In 1864, the town of Shimla was declared as the summer capital of the British Empire in India. Another red-lettered event in the history of the town was the laying of the Kalka-Shimla railway line in 1903.
The route from Kalka to Shimla on the narrow gauge is among the major tourist attractions. The route, along with trees of fir, pine, walnut, apricot and terraced paddy fields of corn and the famous capsicum, locally known as ‘Shimla Mirch’, runs through 102 tunnels. The district of Shimla has numerous rivulets, small streams and springs and provides opportunities for trekking, rock-climbing and ice-skating.
Shimla is the capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. British declared this city as their summer capital in 1864. Presently, it is a sought after tourist destination and dubbed as the Queen of Hills. Situated in the north western part of the Himalayan Mountains, Shimla has an elevation of 2,205 meters above sea level. Surrounded by pine and oak forests and the snow capped peaks in winter, Shimla is a popular retreat for the honeymoon couples and international visitors. The colonial buildings in this city reflect the neo-Gothic architecture. Shimla is home to a number of natural, historical and religious sites drawing tourists throughout the year. The Shimla Summer Festival brings in large tourist crowd. There are also local hang out areas, markets for shopping and restaurants making your vacation to Shimla an experience of a lifetime. Shimla also has numerous temples that bring in devotees on different occasions. There are also several entertainment options here. This city is home to Asia’s largest natural ice skating ring.
Places To Visit
Mall Road
It is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. The Gaiety Theatre, which is a reproduction of an old British theatre, is a center of cultural activities. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall. A passenger lift of HPTDC can be taken from the Cart Road and the Mall. Lakkar Bazaar adjacent to the Ridge is popular for its wood crafts and souvenirs.
Annandale
Situated at a distance of 2 kilometers from the heart of the city, Annandale is a lovely picnic spot that is a major tourist attraction. One can relax and unwind over here and spend as much time as they want to.
Kali Bari Temple
Few yards from scandal Point towards General Post Office. It is believed that the idol of Goddess Shayamla is enshrined there. Jakhoo Temple 2455 metres: An ancient “Lord Hanuman” temple located at Shimla’s highest peak offers a panoramic view of the town. One can hire pony or taxi to visit the temple.
Shimla State Museum
Ancient Historical Sculptors and paintings of Himachal Pradesh. Visiting hours 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Monday and gazetted holidays. The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.
Summer Hill
The Summer Hill is located at a height of 1283 meters above sea level. This charming spot is famous for its university of Himachal Pradesh that is located here. It is said that Mahatma Gandhi used to come to stay here during his visit to Shimla.
Chail Sanctuary
Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife. One can see Sambar, Goral and Cheer Pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja. Visitors are welcome to the Cheer pheasant breeding centre at both these places. Barking deer and Kalijin in the forests are sure to meet and greet the visitors at dusk and dawn. Trekking from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhaja is common and rewarding as one is sure to see wildlife and beautiful snowy peaks. Range Officer Wildlife Chail and his staff welcome the visitors and assist the wildlife lovers to see wildlife in the sanctuary area.
Sarahan 1950 metres
On Hindustan Tibet Road from Jeori Sarahan is (17 Km) with spectacular view of Srikhand range. Sarahan has the majestic Bhimkali Temple. Himachal Tourism runs Hotel Shrikhand. Saharan is the gateway to Kinnaur. A Pheasant Breading Centre and stadium are worth visiting.
Shimla the capital of the glorious state of Himachal Pradesh is a fabulous hill-station surrounded by dense forests that comprises of oak, deodar, pine and rhododendron forests. Shimla has abundance of natural beauty and the locals are privileged to live in such panoramic locations. This place can enamor anyone with its beauty.
Shimla has a lot of variety to offer. Shimla is an ideal place for fishing, golfing, skiing, trekking etc. Adventuring here which definitely make you enthusiastic and spirited. For more energetic entertainment, hit the indoor roller-skating rink in Lakkar Bazaar or go open-air ice-skating above the Rivoli Bus stand. There are always amazing things to be explored in its surrounding countryside. Fagu, Kulfri and Naldhera are some of the well- known places for adventuring and camping too.
The old world charm still comes to life here as it is dotted with a number of colonial buildings and churches that also accentuate the exquisiteness of this town. Besides, you will also encounter several tourist attractions in Shimla that are worth catching a glimpse such as:
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies:
Located in the Viceregal Lodge, it was constructed in the year 1888. The kind of architecture is English Renaissance with stonework of the walling in light blue limestone and the wrought stonework being done in sandstone in a stunning light gray shade. The grounds are open to the public only on Sunday and you need a ticket in order to enter.
The Mall:
It is the key shopping centre of Shimla with restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices, tourist offices and most of town’s highlights. The place becomes breathtakingly romantic in the evening offering wonderful views of the lit up city below. You can laze around around the Mall and spend some intimate moments with close ones. It is the most significant among the tourist attractions in Shimla.
Summer Hill:
It is a scenic spot located near Shimla at an altitude of 1,283 meters and is much visited by the tourists. The legendary Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi during his sojourn in Shimla spent some time in the elegant Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here.
Glen:
It is a charming picnic spot and is a 4 km walk through the dense woods located at a height of 1, 830 meters. You can also go for picnic at this spot since it is completely secluded and tranquil.
Hotels And Resorts
Ashiana Regency Hotel:
It is 3 star hotel, located 25 km from Airportand 5 km from Railway station.
Asia The Dawn, Tara Devi:
Located in Kachi Ghati, Tara Devi, offering 38 spacious rooms and luxury suits.
East Bourne Resort:
It is 3 star hotel offering luxurious rooms. East Bourne Hotel is well within driving distance from shopping centre, the railway station and the Air Port. Free transfers by Resort Courtesy cab from Resort to Bus Stand, Railway Station, Main Town & Vice Versa
Honeymoon Inn:
Luxury resort in Shimla with conference facilties, executive lounge, discotheque, multi cuisine restaurant, indoor recreation facilities and also offers honeymoon packages, horse riding, trekking tours in Himachal Pradesh.
Hotel Kufri Pacific:
It is situated on Kufri-Chail road at an altitude of about 8500 feet from the sea level. It is at 30 minutes drive from both from Shimal & Chail, on Kufri Chail Road and it is approachable in all seasons.
Hotel Surya:
Just round the bend, on the Circular Road, stands the majestic structure of Hotel Surya. Offering 56 luxuriously designed rooms, studded with individual telephone, attached bath with 24 hours running hot & cold water.
Hotel Shingar:
It is just 2 kms. from Railway station and 22 kms. from Airport. This Shimla hotel is 1 star equivalent hotel offering modern accommodation and amenities.
Hotel Taj Palace:
It is an ideal place for real nature lovers amidst deodar and kail trees away from the hustle bustle of crowd, but still very close to the main shopping centre ” The Mall”.
Hotel Victory:
This hotel is located 5 minutes walking distance from the main Bus Terminus and Shimla Railway Station. 20 Kms from Shimla Airport.
Sukh Sagar Resort:
This Hotel in Shimla provides all types of luxurious facilities and amenities located Cart Road, Across Victory Tuneel, Near Tara Hall Kaithu.
Climate
Shimla is situated at an altitude of about 2100 m. All the seasons of nature visit Shimla during the year. The isotherms of Shimla happen to match with that of London throughout the year and is the reason for Britisher’s choice of Shimla as its summer capital
The Mall:
The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall.
Lakkar Bazaar It is highly popular for its wood crafts and souvenirs.Shimla is the best market for the handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh. Woollen and pashmina shawls, decorative items, handmade shoes, dolls, woollen caps, carved wooden sticks, toys and other items made form wood are made in Shimla itself and are on sale in the Lakkar Bazar. Tibetan jewellery and trinkets are found in the small Tibetan shops near the Ridge.