General Information:---
Location : In the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Altitude : 2,130 m above sea level
Temperature : Between sub zero in winters and 30 C in summer through out the year.
Climate : Being a hilly region, here Climate is generally unpredictable. Generally Summer Starts from March-April onwards and extend till Oct-November. It is very very cold in Winter. The temperature in winter falls below 0 degree centigrade.
Best season to visit: May-July and September-November. In Oct-November weather is cool and enjoyable. The weather is generally cool at day and night. enjoy the snowfall during winter season that starts from December and may extend till March. It is generally not preferable to visit shimla during rainy season that may span to March to July for most of the time you will be confined to your rooms.
Best Buys : Wooden Articles, Toys, Kullu and Kinnauri Shawls, Caps, Tibetan Carpets and other handicraft articles.
Best Activities : Trekking, Skiing, Golfing, Fishing .
Clothing : Light Woollens/Heavy Woollens
History: The British discovered Shimla in the form of a little village in 1819. Until then, it was a part of the Nepalese kingdom. It was during Lord William Bentinck's time that Shimla was truly acquired by the Government of India. The British persuaded the local Raja to part with the land in 1830, and the settlement became the subcontinent's most fashionable summer resort. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of India. After the independence of India, Shimla became the capital of Punjab until 1966, when it came under Himachal Pradesh.
People:-
The original people of Shimla came from different races and tribes. Though modernisation has taken place, the people still keep up old traditions and customs. All religions are practised without discrimination. Due to shortage of land available, polyandry was practised to keep the family small. However this practise is dying out now.
Adventures in Shimla:-
The Himalayas offer some of the most thrilling and challenging mountaineering opportunities in the world. The Mountaineering Institute at Manali organises expeditious each year, and it has regional centres at Dharamsala, Bharmour and Jispa which offer adventure courses as well. Patalsu and Sitidhar are among the easier peaks in the Manali region while other popular climbs are to Deo Tibba, Moulkila, Hanuman Tibba, Centre Peak and Indresen.
The passes and the valleys cutting through the mountain ranges of Himachal offer a variety of trekking opportunities. The best terrain for trekking lies bwetween the gentle Shiwaliks and the tough upper reaches of the Greater Himalayas. Trekking is surely one of the best ways to explore Himachal. Some of the popular treks are from Manali to Beas Kund, from Manali to Brighu Lake and from Dalhousie to Khajjiar. The more intrepid can explore the pristine beauty of Chandratal, cross the Bara Lacha Pass to Keylong, the Rohtant Pass from Manali, or the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges to Lahaul and Kullu. July to September are ideal months for trekking in Lahaul and Bharmour, while in Narkanda, Manali and Kangra regions it is possible between April and November. Patalsu, Bharmour, and Manali offer good possibilities for rock-climbing enthusiasts.
The sport of river rafting has gained popularity in the last few years as enthusiasts have discovered the tremendous possibilities offered by the snow-fed rivers of the Himalayas. The season extends from October to late April, with a break in January when the water is too cold. The best rivers for this sport are the Beas, the Spiti, the Chandrabhaga and the Satluj which has spectacular rapids upto Tattapani.
In the winter months some of the snow-covered slopes of Himachal become ideal for skiing, and heli-skiing is becoming increasingly popular. The Mountaineering Institute of Manali orgainses skiing courses from January onwards, while the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation does so simultaneously at Narkanda.
At Solang, 10 km from Manali, the ski slopes are set against a backdrop of glaciers and majestic peaks. The slopes of Kufri and Narkanda, 16 km and 64 km respectively, from Shimla, are ideal for recreational skiing.
In Shimla, you can also enjoy Camping, Bungee Jumping, Cycling, Horse Riding, Para Gliding, Safaries, Skating, Trekking, Wild Life, Yak Riding and lot more.
Popular Places in Shimla:-
The British empire may have ceased to exist, but its echoes linger on in Shimla (2130 m). As the summer capital' of the British in India, this was the country's focus for the better part of every year and now, it is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Today, its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of India's most popular hill resorts. Places in the lower ranges of the Himalaya mountains, it is surrounded by pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Within the town are a host of splendid colonial edifices, quiant cottages and charming walks. Shimla holds a variety of shopping, sport and entertainment.
Jakhoo Hill is the highest point in Shimla and offers a panoramic view of the city. Glen forest is one of the most fascinating picnic spots in Shimla. Summer Hill has pleasant shady walks in quite surroundings. Chadwick Falls are situated amidst thick forest and gives a breathtaking view. Prospect Hill is a popular picnic spot that gives some beautiful views of the region. Institute of Advance Studies is a renaissance structure used initially as Vice-regal lodge. Sankat Mochan is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman while Taradevi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara Devi, the Hindu variant of Tibetan Goddess Drolma. Himachal State Museum has some interesting collection of objects from all over Himachal Pradesh.
This pleasant sprawling town set among the pine-clad hills presents the visitor with glimpses of fading colonial charm. The buildings, the Mall, the picnic spots tell you the story of the era when it was the summer capital of the British India. A visit to the Mall brings you to the centre of activity in the city. Move around the city and you get to see some of the fascinating sights of the landscape around.
Weekend Trips/Excursions
The excursions around Shimla are equally interesting experience as they unveil to you the glory of the Raj era. You can take a trip to the oldest and highest golf course in India and to the world's highest cricket ground. For the religious minded, the ancient temples around the Shimla are worth a visit. Naldhera is a small but pleasant town, which houses the highest golf course in the country. Tattapani is known for its hot water springs. Wildflower Hall is the former residence of British Commander-in-Chief Kitchener, now run as a hotel. Mashobra is a small village surrounded by thick forests and offers pleasant walks. Craignano is a beautiful picnic spot with a rest house on the hilltop. Kufri is a great place to enjoy its sylvan atmosphere and go for some adventure sports like hiking and trekking. Chail is a lush green town formerly capital of the Maharaja of Patiala.
Haritages in and around Shimla:-
Have A stroll Around The Summer CapitalShimla is one of the few places in the world where an enormous amount of history and heritage has been distilled into such a small place in so short a time. The town came into being in the first quarter of the 19th century and some four decades later,became the ''Summer Capital' of British India. Till the coming of India's independence in 1947, momentous events and memorable architecture packed the town. Today, the colonial order is gone, but its architectural bequest is now a part of the legacy for a free India.
