Himachal Pradesh

Shimla

Beyond the Ridge

Forest trails, old neighbourhoods and tables worth lingering at.

19 ways to explore

Find your way in

How would you like to meet Shimla?

All Culture & Heritage Nature & Wildlife Walks Food & Tastings Wellness Hiking Cycling

Choose your chapter

Meet Shimla your way

Move between forest, food, craft and quieter hours in the hills.

In the forest and mountains

Walk, ride and pause beyond the main road.

Two riders at the viewpoint with bikes parked, autumn slopes beyond

A rider approaching along the gravel road in warm autumn light

Two riders on the paved road through the deodars

Cycling

The Calm Circuit on eMTB

Ease into the calmness of the mountains on this gentle forest loop on premium pedal assisted mountain e-bikes.

3 hrEasyFrom ₹2,484/person

A rider crossing the shallow stream on an e-MTB

The country road winding through the forested valley past a village

Cycling

e-MTB rides in country roads

Ride into the Stillness is an intimate 50-kilometer cycling route through Shimla’s tranquil countryside landscapes that few travellers see.

4 hrEasyFrom ₹3,000/person

A tit taking flight beside new spring foliage

A rufous treepie perched among pale spring blossom

Nature & Wildlife

Birding in historic forest trails (guided)

This is a forest walk, on trails developed & utilized by British officials, offers an opportunity to photograph native birds & escape city crowd of Shimla without going too far away from the city.

3 hrEasyFrom ₹1,500/person

Sun streaming through the deodars onto the mossy forest floor

A blue magpie feeding on berries in the canopy

The forest trail running along the hillside

Nature & Wildlife

Glen Forest Walk and a Haunted Tunnel

Easy forest walk, on trails developed & utilised by British officials, offers an opportunity to escape city crowd of Shimla without going too far away from the city.

4 hrEasyFrom ₹1,500/person

Hike through fragrant & shaded forest trail of Tara Devi

A narrow trail running under tall slim trees

Forested ridges falling away to the distant snow line

A hiker on the shaded section of the Tara Devi trail

Hiking

Hike through fragrant & shaded forest trail of Tara Devi

Tara Devi Hike is a beginner friendly hike near Shimla, perfect for a peaceful and spiritual escape away from the concrete jungle

5 hrEasyFrom ₹1,500/person

A hiker on the ridge trail under the deodars with the valley below

The view from the ridge over forested hills to the far ranges

A hiker on the narrow trail cut into the rock face

Hiking

Hike to Shali for Forest, Ridge & a 360° Himalayan View

The Shali Tibba Hike offers a rare combination of dense forest, open ridge lines and rocky Himalayan terrain leading to one of the highest peaks (9,243ft) with a 360° view from the hilltop shrine at the summit.

12 hrModerateFrom ₹1,500/person

Trekkers among the mossy oaks with cloud banked below the ridge

Two trekkers on the rocky ridge path in the last light

Hiking

Overnight Trek to Matiana Top

A perfect beginner friendly trek to a mountain top overlooking the Orchard belt

1.5 daysModerateFrom ₹7,800/person

Villagers beside a hay-stacked barn looking out over the forested valley

Apples ripening on the branch in the orchard

A woman in traditional Himachali dress picking apples into her bag

Food & Tastings

Village Tour & Farm Walk

Discover the charm of a Himachal village life with a guided farm walk while you handpick fruits and enjoy local delicacies.

4 hrEasyFrom ₹2,400/person

The Viceregal Lodge in full sun above its lawns

Visitors under the arched stone porch of the heritage building

A glass-roofed terrace cafe looking out over the hillside town

Culture & Heritage

⁠Heritage Walk in Shimla

A walk that sets you back in time as it unveils the grand architecture, hidden lanes, and cultural legacy of Shimla during the British era.

3 hrEasyFrom ₹1,500/person

The Milky Way rising over silhouetted conifers

Star trails circling above the moonlit ridge

Stargazing

Stargazing Under Himalayan Skies

Witness the magic of the Himalayan night sky through professional telescopes. Depending on the season, guests can observe the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and countless stars.

2 hrEasyFrom ₹1,020/person

Guests seated for tea in the arched courtyard of the family's heritage home in Shimla

The yellow heritage mansion with its ornate parapet, the hills of Shimla behind

Guests serving themselves from the long buffet against a block-printed wall

Food & Tastings

A Day with a Royal Family

Experience spirituality in a hidden temple of lord Shiva and a day in the life of the Royal family.

6 hrEasyFrom ₹3,600/person

The Viceregal Lodge across its lawn under a clear sky

Visitors gathering at the entrance under the deodars

Visitors walking the ramp beside the stone facade

Culture & Heritage

Shimla Heritage Walk

Discover the "Summer Capital" through its legendary architecture and untold histories on an heritage walk with local historian.

4 hrEasyFrom ₹1,500/person

A group descending the sunlit forest trail

Walkers pausing at a clearing to take in the ridges beyond

The group on the forest road among the deodars

Culture & Heritage

Forest Walk in Shimla

A peaceful forest walk through the dense forests of Shimla with scenic views, fresh air and music by nature. An experience that is an escape from the city hustle, traffic and noise.

3 hrModerateFrom ₹1,500/person

At the table and in the workshop

Meet Shimla through its flavours, hands and stories.

Guests sitting with books and cushions on the sunlit terrace, the ridge beyond

The slate-roofed Himachali house with its timber verandah and potted plants

The open terrace set with a parasol and prayer flags above the valley

Food & Tastings

Author's Table: Word Trails, Folklore & Regional Feast

An immersive experience crafted by an author of more than 30 books, featuring narrative exercises, regional folklores, and a curated multi-district pahadi feast.

5 hrEasyFrom ₹3,600/person

A brass thali of dal, greens, pakora and siddu on a patterned cloth

Guests seated under the prayer-flag pavilion with drinks poured

Guests eating from brass thalis in the wood-panelled dining room

Food & Tastings

Feast & Folklore: Himachali 20 Course Tasting Menu (Veg)

An intimate 20 course tasting table hosted by Minakshi Chaudhry, author of ‘Ghost Stories of Shimla’ (strictly limited to 8 guests).

5 hrEasyFrom ₹3,600/person

Hands cupping wet clay as it rises on the potter's wheel

A jar of worn paintbrushes on the studio bench

Clay-covered hands flattening a disc of clay on the spinning wheel

Culture & Heritage

A One Day Potter's Experience

Learn the art of pottery and create your own handmade souvenirs under expert guidance while experiencing traditional craftsmanship

1 hr 30 minEasyFrom ₹1,140/person

Two pairs of hands working the clay on the wheel

A teacher guiding a student's hands above the wheel

Clay-covered hands pressing into the spinning clay

Culture & Heritage

Weekend Pottery Class, Shape Your Own Piece from Scratch

Sit at a pottery wheel, get your hands in clay, and make something with Ms. Virangna, one of Shimla's finest pottery teachers, guides you through the techniques from scratch. No experience needed.

1 hrEasyFrom ₹600/person