Shimla Kullu Manali Tour from Jaipur

A Himalayan Escape from the Desert Heat

For travelers visiting Jaipur who want to combine Rajasthan's desert grandeur with the cool mountain air of the Himalayas, our Shimla–Kullu–Manali tour package offers the perfect contrast. This 5 to 6-day journey takes you from the Pink City to the British Raj's beloved "Queen of Hills" and onwards to the breathtaking Kullu and Manali valleys — a journey through apple orchards, rushing rivers, snow-capped peaks, and ancient Himalayan temples.

Shimla — Queen of the Hills

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, sits at an altitude of 2,205 meters in the Himalayan foothills. Once the summer capital of British India, it retains a distinctive colonial character — Victorian-era churches, mock-Tudor houses, and the famous Mall Road promenade where no motorized vehicles are allowed.

The Mall & Ridge: The heart of Shimla, the Mall Road is lined with restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and colonial-era buildings. The adjacent Ridge — an open space with panoramic mountain views — is where Shimla's social life unfolds. The Neo-Gothic Christ Church (1857) and the mock-Tudor library are architectural highlights.

Jakhu Temple: A 30-minute steep hike (or a short rope-car ride) from the Ridge takes you to the hilltop Jakhu Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The 33-meter statue of Hanuman is visible from across Shimla, and the temple complex offers the best 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

Kufri: A small hill station 13 km from Shimla, Kufri is famous for its skiing slopes in winter and lush meadows in summer. Horse riding, yak rides, and a small amusement park make it popular with families.

Toy Train (Kalka–Shimla Railway): A UNESCO World Heritage railway, the narrow-gauge toy train from Kalka to Shimla is one of the great railway journeys in the world. The 5-hour journey crosses 103 tunnels, 919 bridges, and 919 curves through spectacular mountain scenery. We can arrange for your car to meet you at Shimla while you take the train up from Kalka.

Kullu — Valley of the Gods

The Kullu Valley, stretching along the Beas River between Kullu town and Manali, is one of India's most beautiful river valleys. Apple orchards line both banks of the Beas, interspersed with ancient temples dedicated to local deities (devtas). The valley is famous for its Kullu Dussehra festival (October) when deities from hundreds of temples across the valley are brought in procession to Kullu town in an extraordinary week-long celebration.

Great Himalayan National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with exceptional biodiversity, including snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, blue sheep, and thousands of plant species. Day treks into the park buffer zone are available from Kullu.

Bijli Mahadev Temple: A 14-km drive and a steep 2.5-km trek from Kullu, this ancient Shiva temple on a hilltop at 2,460 meters has the most spectacular views of the Kullu and Parvati Valleys. The 60-foot flagpole atop the temple is said to attract lightning (bijli = lightning) — a meteorological phenomenon that has fascinated visitors for centuries.

Manali — Gateway to the High Himalayas

Manali, at 2,050 meters, is where the broad Kullu Valley ends and the high mountains begin. It's the starting point for some of India's most iconic mountain passes — Rohtang Pass (3,978 m), Baralacha La, and the famous Leh–Manali Highway. The town itself is divided into the New Manali (busy, touristy) and the quieter, more atmospheric Old Manali village.

Hadimba Temple: Built in 1553, this extraordinary cave temple dedicated to the goddess Hadimba (wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata) is surrounded by a dense cedar forest. The pagoda-style wooden structure with four-tiered roof and elaborately carved doorway is one of Himachal Pradesh's most beautiful temples.

Solang Valley: A stunning glacial valley 14 km north of Manali, Solang is the adventure sports capital of Himachal Pradesh. In winter, skiing and snowboarding on the gentle slopes. In summer, paragliding, zorbing, zip-lining, and horse riding against a backdrop of spectacular snow-capped peaks.

Rohtang Pass (3,978 m): Subject to permit and weather conditions (open May–November), the drive up to Rohtang Pass is a bucket-list experience. Snow is visible year-round, and on clear days the views of the high Himalayan peaks are simply staggering. The pass opens the route to Lahaul, Spiti, and ultimately Leh.

Old Manali: The original village of Manali, connected to the main town by a narrow bridge over the Beas River, has a completely different character — Tibetan-influenced cafes, Israeli bakeries, budget guesthouses in apple orchards, and a relaxed, alternative atmosphere that has attracted travelers for decades.

Suggested Itinerary (5 Nights / 6 Days)

Day 1: Depart Jaipur → drive to Delhi/Chandigarh (overnight or early morning). Day 2: Drive to Shimla via Kalka (or take toy train). Explore Mall Road. Day 3: Shimla sightseeing — Jakhu Temple, Kufri. Drive to Kullu (4 hours). Day 4: Explore Kullu Valley — Bijli Mahadev, Kasol, Manikaran. Drive to Manali. Day 5: Manali — Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley, Old Manali. Day 6: Rohtang Pass (if open) or Naggar Castle. Depart for Jaipur via Chandigarh.