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About Himachal Pradesh
Nestling in the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh (55,673 sq. km) encloses an enviable diversity of montane landscape, cultures and entertainment opportunities. Its snow covered peaks, deep gorges, lush green valleys, misty woods, fast flowing rivers, enchanting lakes and flower-filled meadows make it a traveler’s paradise. Life here moves at a gentle pace, far different from the mad rush of the cities. Himachalis lead a simple and quiet life, tending their orchards, fields and flocks and keeping alive their rich art and culture. For the visitor there are superb locations for relaxing and sightseeing. There are also fantastic opportunities for trekking, mountaineering, fishing, river rafting, skiing and paragliding. For the purpose of travel Himachal Pradesh can be viewed as an open palm. With Delhi at its heel, that is, the base for access, corresponding to the four fingers and the thumb, the palm has four main and one minor axes of travel. Apart from these are the tribal areas in the innermost recesses of the state.
Shimly By Air
One of the quickest ways of getting into Shimla can also be one of the most frustrating, due generally to uncertain weather conditions of the mountains. Indian Airlines, and Jagson Airlines connect Shimla to Delhi, Chandigarh and Kullu The flight takes one hour from Delhi to Shimla and 30 min. from Shimla to Kullu and Chandigarh. During the summer, additional flights/ airlines also operate on the route. Therefore, it is best to check on latest situation before planning a trip.
Shimla’s airport at Jubbarhatti (23 km from downtown) was forged by chopping off the top of a hill. At present it takes only small aircraft (17-19 seater). The airport at Shimla is still quite basic in passenger amenities and provides little beyond a snacks-and-beverages counter and taxi-hire for transfer to the city.
Transfer to the city (Tourism’s Lifts) takes about one hour by taxi. Taxis are available just outside the airport terminal building. In the reverse direction, taxis (mostly Ambassador cars or Maruti Vans) can be hired from the hotels, agencies or taxi stands in the city, Indian Airlines, C/o Handling
Shimla By Rail
The railway is one of the more interesting The Indian Himalayas The process of the forming of Himalayas began in the Jurassic era when a chunk severed itself from the Gondwanaland continent and set off northwards. This mass swept across the Sea of Tethys and crashed against Eurasia, creating the Himalayas. Indian epics speak of Lord Vishnu who lived on the edge of a great sea, his companions a pair of sea gulls. The female would lay her eggs but the waters would destroy them. The gulls asked Vishnu for help and he drank up the sea. In its place stood the newly-created Earth. As a tired Vishnu slept, demon Hiranyakashyap violated Mother Earth. Her agonized limbs reached out to the sky and became the Himalayas.
Today this wonder of nature offers heliskiing, white water rafting, trekking, camping, hang gliding, fishing and more. It is an area steeped in lore and breathtaking architecture. The charming forests, rivers and villages add their own colour to a grand design. access options to Shimla. The city being one of the few in India still operating the narrow-gauge railway line with trains made up of tiny (comparatively) carriages and engine, which are often called ‘the toy trains’, chug¬ging along the mountain slopes, through forests and gullies, ravines and fields.
Kalka, the nearest broad-gauge railhead, is connected to many parts of the country with express and super-fast trains. The best connections are, however, from Delhi: 2005 Shatabdi Express, an all aircon-ditioned super-fast train Himalayan Queen Express, and 2311 Howrah-Kalka Mail provide convenient options.
Other prominent centres linked to Kalka are Jodhpur, Amritsar, and Calcutta (Howrah).
Chandigarh, 26 km southwest of Kalka, can also be used as an alternative railway station for access. However it is useful only if one intends to continue the journey to Shimla by road. As all trains touching Chandigarh, except Shatabdi Express to Chandigarh, continue to Kalka.
Kalka-Shimla Narrow Gauge Link
From Kalka starts the mountainous stretch and the rail journey is a delightful experience. The Northern Railway has enhanced these pleasures by introducing special trains with attention to interests of different styles of passengers.
Shivalik Deluxe Express a luxury train, connects with the Howrah-Kalka Mail and covers the 97 km distance of a non-stop journey (except for a technical halt at Barog) in 4 hr 40 min The train features 120 all ergonomically designed, cushioned and reversible seats in fully carpeted and curtained compartments, free catering on journey, free newspaper, tea & biscuits at starting station i.e. Kalka or Shimla, wider windows for enjoyment of scenic beauty, cabins for couples, music system, micro¬phone and alarm bell system for communi- cation with guard/driver, etc. The all-i elusive fare on the train is
This train also includes a Shivalik Pi ace coach for six passengers. The elegai and fully carpeted coach is furnished wil sofa-cum-beds, dressing table, bafhrooi with modern toilet fittings, music systa with electronic voice control, folding ti bles, communication facilities with Ih guard/driver, etc. The fare for the coach i six passengers is, which include a complimentary stay for one night Shimla in two luxurious retiring rooms.
251/252 Mail departs Kalka at 0620 and arrives in Shimla at 1125 hr. This trai provides first class, chair car and secoil class seating, the fares being and respectively.
The Rail Car is very special to this nil way. A bus-like coach, that includes the to motive section, comes in two configuration 14-seater deluxe and 17-seater ordinary Fare for ordinal and for deluxe (including meals).
The Himalayan Queen (255/256) cm nects with its mother-train from Delhi, Hi one of the most popular services dun the summer and features second classi commodation .
In addition, holiday special trains) introduced during important periods the year. Details about which can be ad tained from the nearest railway station.
Shimla Railway Station (main secSl is 2 km from the Lifts on Cart Road an’ km from downtown. The extension at lid State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is one km fnl both the Lifts and downtown. Porters taxis are available at both the transfer to various parts of the cih bus service is also available at the Hi Railway Station, Enquiry
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Shimla By Road
On National Highway no. 22, Shimlii connected to all parts of the Northern ? gion and the state with a wide and pm network of roads. The section of naU highway between Kalka and Shimla si wide two-lane single carriageway m though passing through towns and villa es allows for good speed and the distaJ of 87 km can easily be covered in all two hours. The only major defile is KM town, where the highway passes throffl narrow and crowded section.
Getting There : Shimla
Arrival At Shimla. Circular Road, earlier known as Cart Road, runs around the city. Left turn at Victory Tunnel for the following places in a clockwise direction: Kaithu, Ice Skating Rink area, Lakkad Bazaar, Kelston, IG (Snowdon) Hospital, Sanjauli, St Bedes College, Chhota Shimla, Khalini (diversion to New Shimla), St Edwards School, Benmore, Hotel Holiday Home, Lifts, ISBT and Victory Tunnel. Heavy vehicles including incoming buses move only in the clockwise direction.
If arriving by bus, get off at the Skating Rink for a 10-minute walk to the Mall with porters, at Auckland House for Lakkad Bazaar and Kelston, at Sanjauli or the Lifts for the opposite side of the Mall. The Lifts are convenient to take you from Cart Road to the Mall. They operate from 7am to 10pm (Summer) and charge Rs. 5 per head per one-way trip.
If arriving by your own vehicle, re¬member the traffic restrictions. Roads in and around Shimla are classified into three categories. A. Permissible Roads: All types of vehicular traffic allowed. B. Restricted Roads: Only VIP vehicles allowed with permits issued by the district administration. C. Sealed Portions: Only VVIPs, ambulances, fire brigade, etc can enter. Car owners are advised to be careful and look out for signboards or confirm with the traffic police before driving into the main city.
Getting Around Shimla
Shimla is one of the best connected centres in the Himalayas with bus services from all parts of northern India. Deluxe coaches are operated by state transport corporations of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal to Delhi and Jaipur, via Chandigarh. In addition, ordinary-bus services are provided by transport corporations of Chandigrah, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh covering all major centres of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh and Rajasthan.
Private coach operators also run deluxe coach services between Shimla-Delhi and Shimla-Manali. During the summer season HP Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), too, operates deluxe and aircon-ditioned coach services from Delhi and Chandigarh.
The Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT) is located on the Circular Road (previously called Cart Road), about one km from the Lifts and downtown. The deembarkation point from interstate buses is at Victory Tunnel, about 0.5 km from ISBT.
The ISBT, though quite crowded, has facilities of waiting room for passengers, rest room/toilets for ladies and gents, a canteen operated by a cooperative of the HRTC employees, privately operated cloak room/left lugguage facility, police control room and parking for light private vehicles.
Computerised reservation, one month in advance, facility for Himachal Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses is available at ISBT and the Mall, near Scandal Point.
Entertainment in Shimla
Indoor Games: Indira Gandhi State Sports Complex, opposite The Lifts, The Mall, offers facilities for a number of indoor games and fully equipped health centre/gymnasium. This facility is also open to visitors/tourists on hourly fee basis. Following games/facilities are represented: • Fitness Centre • Badminton • Boxing 1 Table Tennis • Gymnastics • Volley Ball ‘ Martial Arts (Taekwondo and Judo) • Yoga • Chess • Bridge • Billiards.
However, visitors will require their own equipment. Two types of memberships are offered; Peak Time (0700-1000 hrs and 1600-2000 hrs) - hour and Lean Time (1000-1600 hrs and 2000-2200
Roller Skating & Ice Skating in Shimla
Roller Skating: Roller skating is avail¬able at the indoor rink in Regal Building, Lakkad Bazaar, and at the open-air rink of the Ice Skating Club of Shimla., Rivoli Bus Stand. Skates can be hired at both the places on a nominal fee.
Ice Skating: A very special entertainment of the city at its first-in-Asia open-air ice skating rink. Ice skating season generally starts in November (depending on ground temperatures) and lasts till early January, before the first snowfall. The Club organises special carnival/competition for X-Mas and New Year. Equipment and instruction is also provided on nominal fees. Details from The secretary, Ice Skating Club of Shimla, near Rivoli Bus Stand.
The Heritage Trails
Shimla, the summer capital during the British Raj, was first settled during the earlier part of the nineteenth century. Since then it was adorned by a number of fine buildings, both government and private, that used a variety of architectural styles and craftsmanship. Many important personalities of that time are also connected with some of these structures. This presents a very at¬tractive facet of the city. Some of these have survived the ravages of time and of¬fer a glimpse into the history and heritage.
The department of tourism has identified walking circuits to admire some of the more important structures, which a visitor can take as part of an experience and entertainment of the city. The circuits vary in distance from 5 km to less than 2 km. A detailed brochure on the subject is available at the tourist information offices in the city. Assistance of a guide can also be arranged, if required, through these offices.
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