Shali Tibba Trek

Shali peak dominates the entire region and is clearly visible from the Ridge of Shimla. The peak is named after a local deity and locales tell various stories. The temple is dedicated to Maa Bhimakali and is situated on a round shaped plateau with a square platform on the top. The tiny structure is constructed of local wood and stone with its roof covered with local slates. Below the temple from where a flight of stairs take you to it, a few rooms have been constructed for the visitors to stay. Blankets are available to escape the night chill.

Village Khatnol is set at the bottom of the peak from where a narrow trail whirls up around the hills and through the dense blue pine & cedar forests and Rolling Meadows. Khatnol is accessible by road from Shimla. Take a bus from Lakkar Bazaar bus station, just next to the Ice Skating Rink and a forty kilometers ride via Dhali, Mashobra, Baldiyan, Thaila and Sahol brings you to the bottom of the peak. This trek can also be increased by starting from Charabara. From here you can dip down to Gumma via Mashobra and Sipur. Stay overnight at Gumma in the village and then hike to Khatnol. There is a guest house at Khatnol that provides accommodation at a tolerant price. After visiting the temple you can descend to Dharampur on the other side of the mountain from where there are buses available to Shimla.

Time Taken : Fullday
Cost : Rs. 2000/- per person (Minimum 2 pax)
Car Extra : Rs. 4000/-
Rates Include : Me as your Guide, Packed Lunch.

Descend to a Waterfall

Descend to a Waterfall

This walk takes you to a village that has been famous for the weekend Holidays such as camping, among the British. A narrow trail takes you down to the village Mashobra. You reach the Village Bazaar, walk through the bazaar and then another trail takes you to an open ground, the venue of Sipi Fair, an old Himalayan temple and then to the village with the same name. The walk ends at the waterfall at a narrow road that is generated by the water flowing through the village.

After the walk we drive to an old Golf Course and then to visit the first apple orchard, called Coutts Garde, of the area that was planted by Mr. Alexender Coutts, the tailor of the Viceroy, in 1887. Mr. Coutts is burried in one of the Cemeteries in Shimla.

Time Taken : Fullday
Cost : Rs. 1500/- per person (Minimum 2 pax)
Car Extra : Rs. 4000/-
Rates Include : Me as your Guide, Packed Lunch.

Walk Through A Medicinal Zone

Walk Through the Medicinal Zone

Nature lures everyone and we are sure that you can also not escape this. If you are a true admirer of Nature then Shimla has much to offer. A walk through a dense forest takes you to the only waterfall near Shimla. The trail further extends to a small rivulet famous Glen.

This a medicinal zone where you are walking through a transit point. You begin with the Cedar forest and shift to Pine. In this forest you shall find some other medicinal plants oak, rabinia, blue pine, rhododendrons and Kainth. Walk down to a water fall and continue to another water body near Shimla that is a rivulet. The walk ends at the grand gates of the seat of the British era.

Time Taken : Fullday.
Cost : Rs. 1500/- per person (Minimum 2 pax)
Car Extra : Rs. 3000/- (If required)

Venue of Gymkhana

Venue of Gymkhana.
There is only one piece of land near Shimla that can be considered as Table Land. A lovely walk towards this wide open ground takes you thorough some of the narrow streets, trails and old houses where you can have some glimpses of typical India lifestyle. People resting in sun, ladies drying laundry outside the house of washing clothes at public taps, children playing street cricket, some small shopkeepers busy with their daily customers and old men reading news paper or just chatting. The walk begins with these glimpses, takes you through a dense forest and finally finishes of at the grand gates of a huge lodge from where the entire subcontinent was once controlled.

A chalet nearby has been converted in to Army Mmuseum Named as Army Heritage Museum - A worth seeing place.

Time Taken : 4 - 5 hrs. fullday.
Cost : Rs. 1500/- per person (Minimum 2 pax)
Includes : English Speaking Guide.
Car Extra : Rs. 4000/- (If Needed)

The Cemeterey Lanes

The Cemetery Lanes
There are total five Cemeteries in Shimla out of which only one is in use. A number of descendants of many British who lived in Shimla, contact me as they are looking for their Family History. Just walk through these lanes and see some of the old houses and pass a suburb of Shimla where you have a chance to visit some of those who are resting in peace and the only hope for them are their descendants who sometime come to pay homage to their graves. Another group of some old Shimla citizens lies in the middle of a dense cedar forest where the sun rays through the cedars' branches pat them and keep them warm. Finish your walk near an old bridge that was the first step taken towards the improvement of the town, but stop, before that the oldest graveyard is also a part of your walk.

Time Taken : Nearly fullday.
Cost : Rs. 1500/- per person (Minimum 2 People)
Includes : English Speaking Guide, Packed Lunch.
Car : Not required.

Walk upto The Highest Peak

Walk Upto The Highest Peak

Like Rome Shimla is also called the City of Seven Hills. During this walk we take you to the highest hill of Shimla, Jakhu Hill that is crowned by the temple of Monkey God Hanuman. From here you, on a clear day, will not be able to keep your camera in your pouch as a panoramic view of Snowclad Himalayan Peaks to the north is just astounding. Be careful about the monkeys on the way as they sometimes become aggressive on seeing you wearing glasses, scarf, or a carrying a handbag. A stick, easily available on the way from the shops, is highly recommended, one to help you climbing and second to keep the monkeys away. In this walk you will start with heritage, reach the nature and end with heritage.

Time Taken : Nearly fullday.

Cost : Rs. 1500/- per person (Minimum 2 People)

Includes : English Speaking Guide.
Car : Not Required

Walk towards The Sleeping Beauty

Walk through The Sleeping Beauty
Shimla's Sleeping Beauty, as Sri Niwas Joshi, an influential writer from Shimla, calls it, is towards the North of the town from Lakkar Bazaar called Bharari. Here you will see a number of old houses, forests and a few villages at last. Some new constructions on the way might annoy you but a visit to a small wooden temple that is a marvel example of hill architecture is an attraction for many. Some rare chances are there to come across some wildlife in the area, but generally the sound of school children, village shops, chirping birds and some old houses draw your attraction during the walk.

Further you may also extend you walk down to a small mountain river, cross it and then ascend to the road head. A guide and a car is recommended for this part.

Time Taken : Nearly fullday.
Cost : Rs. 1500/- per person (Minimum 2 People)
Includes : English Speaking Guide.
Car Extra : Rs. 3000/-

Shimla Heritage Zone

Walk through the town's Architectural Heritage Zone that brings you close to various architectural sites of British era. It begins from the Christ Church, located a the western shoulder of Jakhu Hill - the highest hill of Shimla, and extends towards east till the Viceregal Lodge, now Indian Institute of Advanced Study. A number of old buildings such as Bantony, Betinks Castle, Imperial Bank, Railway Board Building, Gorton Castle, Knokcdrin, Kennedy Cottage, Sanitarium, Cecil Hotel, Inverarm, and Viceregal Lodge keep your eyes wide open and force you to ask your guide again and again about their history, designers, people who lived in them, loved them and their present use. Most of the buildings are still in use and hold the same attraction as they had during the time gone. Minor alterations in the name of maintenance have made various changes in them but they still have the same old attraction for the viewers and the visitors.

Time Taken : Nearly fullday.

Cost : Rs. 1500/- per person (Minimum 2 People)

Includes : English Speaking Guide, Enterance.
Car : Not Required.