Shimla and Manali are the two hill towns most first trips to Himachal Pradesh pair together, and six days from Delhi is enough to see both without rushing. This Shimla Manali itinerary gives two nights to Shimla, three to Manali, and covers the toy train, the Kullu valley drive, Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel.
Know before you go
- Route: Delhi to Shimla (2 nights), Shimla to Manali (3 nights), then back to Delhi on Day 6.
- Road distances: Delhi to Shimla about 385 km, Shimla to Manali about 245 km, by OpenStreetMap routing.
- Toy train: the Kalka Shimla Railway is part of the UNESCO Mountain Railways of India site.
- Rohtang Pass: vehicles need an online permit from the official Rohtang permit portal.
- Atal Tunnel: about 9 km long, it links the Manali side to Sissu in Lahaul.
- Last checked: 27 October 2026 (sources under Official resources below).
In this Article
Shimla Manali itinerary for 6 days at a glance
| Day | Base | Plan | Road distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shimla | Delhi to Shimla by road, or by train via Kalka | about 385 km |
| 2 | Shimla | The Ridge, Mall Road, Jakhu Temple, Kufri | |
| 3 | Manali | Drive through the Kullu valley | about 245 km |
| 4 | Manali | Hadimba Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht | |
| 5 | Manali | Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel, or Rohtang | about 13 km to Solang |
| 6 | Delhi | Naggar Castle, then the overnight return |
Distances are road distances from OpenStreetMap routing, rounded. Mountain roads are slow, so leave early on road days and avoid driving after dark where you can.
Day 1: Delhi to Shimla
There are two ways up. The road from Delhi is about 385 km through Haryana and Chandigarh, then up the hills from Kalka. The other option is to take a train from Delhi to Kalka and change to the Kalka Shimla Railway, the narrow gauge line that winds up to Shimla through tunnels and bridges.
The Kalka Shimla line is part of the Mountain Railways of India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Darjeeling and Nilgiri lines. It is slower than the road, so the train suits travellers who want the ride itself. Book seats in advance through Indian Railways.
Reach Shimla by evening and walk up to the Mall Road for dinner.
Day 2: Shimla
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and the old town along the ridge keeps much of that look. Start on the Ridge, the open space at the top of the town, and see Christ Church, the yellow church whose tower is visible from much of Shimla.
Walk the Mall Road below the Ridge, with its shops, cafes and colonial buildings, and the Lakkar Bazaar for wooden crafts. Then climb to Jakhu Temple, the Hanuman temple on Shimla’s highest hill, which has a very tall Hanuman statue. The monkeys at Jakhu snatch glasses, phones and food, so keep them in a bag.
In the afternoon, you could drive out to Kufri, a small hill station east of Shimla with views of the ranges, or visit the Viceregal Lodge at Summer Hill. Our Shimla guide covers more places to see.
Day 3: Shimla to Manali
The drive from Shimla to Manali is about 245 km and is the longest of the trip, so leave early. The road runs through Mandi, then follows the Beas river up the Kullu valley. Stops along the way include Pandoh Dam, the Kullu shawl shops, and the river banks where rafting is offered in season.
Arrive in Manali by evening and stay near the Mall Road or in Old Manali.
Day 4: Manali
Start at the Hadimba Devi Temple, a wooden temple in a cedar forest at Dhungri, built in the pagoda style of the region. Then walk to Old Manali, the original village across the Manalsu stream, with its guesthouses, cafes and the Manu temple.
In the afternoon, visit Vashisht, a village on the other side of the Beas known for its hot springs and temple. End the day on the Mall Road, the centre of the new town. For more ideas around Manali, see our Manali guide.
Day 5: Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel or Rohtang
Solang Valley is about 13 km north of Manali. It is a wide slope used for paragliding, zorbing and ropeway rides in the warmer months, and for snow sports in winter. Activities are seasonal and depend on the weather, so check what is running on the day.
Beyond Solang, the road reaches the south portal of the Atal Tunnel, about 28 km from Manali. The tunnel, about 9 km long and opened in 2020, runs under the Rohtang range to Sissu in Lahaul. Driving through it gives you the change from the green Kullu side to the drier Lahaul valley in a short time.
Rohtang Pass, on the old road over the range, is the other option. Tourist vehicles need an online permit from the official portal, issued for one day against a daily vehicle quota, and vehicles older than 10 years are not allowed. The pass is closed in winter because of snow. If you hire a Manali taxi, ask whether the operator will arrange the permit.
Day 6: Naggar and the return
On the way down the valley, stop at Naggar Castle, a stone and timber building above the Beas that was once a royal seat of the Kullu rulers and is now a heritage hotel. The Nicholas Roerich art gallery is a short walk up the hill.
From here, take an overnight Volvo bus or drive back towards Delhi, or fly from Bhuntar airport near Kullu if a flight suits your timing.
Changing the plan
Shimla Manali itinerary for 5 days
Skip Naggar and Kufri, and leave Manali on the evening of Day 5 by overnight bus.
Shimla Manali itinerary for 8 days
Add two nights in the Parvati valley. Kasol is about 78 km from Manali by road, and our Kasol and Kheerganga trek guide covers the walk to Kheerganga’s hot springs.
Shimla Manali with family
Take the toy train one way for the children and keep the Shimla to Manali drive to a single day with plenty of stops. In Manali, choose a hotel with easy road access rather than a steep walk.
Getting around
A car with a driver from Delhi or Chandigarh is the simplest choice, since it covers the Shimla to Manali stretch and the side trips. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation and private operators run buses between Delhi, Shimla and Manali, including overnight Volvo services. Shimla’s old town is largely pedestrian, so plan to walk or use the lift from the Cart Road to the Mall.
Before you go
- Carry warm layers in every season. Nights are cold, and Solang and the Atal Tunnel area are much colder than Manali.
- In winter, check road and snow conditions before you drive to Solang or the tunnel.
- Apply for a Rohtang permit only on the official Rohtang permit portal.
- Book hotels ahead for long weekends and school holidays, which can be busy in Shimla and Manali.
FAQ
Is 6 days enough for Shimla and Manali?
Six days covers both towns with two nights in Shimla and three in Manali, including Solang and the Atal Tunnel. Add two days for Kasol or a night in Lahaul.
How far is Manali from Shimla?
About 245 km by road through Mandi and the Kullu valley, by OpenStreetMap routing.
Do I need a permit for Rohtang Pass?
Yes, tourist vehicles going to Rohtang Pass need an online permit from the official portal. The Atal Tunnel route is a separate road.
Which is better first, Shimla or Manali?
Shimla first makes the drive more gradual, since it is closer to Delhi. Ending in Manali puts the longer mountain days in the middle of the trip.
Can I see snow on a Shimla Manali trip?
In winter, Solang, the Atal Tunnel area and Kufri can get snow. In summer, the higher points near Rohtang and the Lahaul side are more likely to have snow.
What is the best way to travel from Delhi to Shimla?
By road, or by train to Kalka and then the Kalka Shimla Railway. The toy train is slower but is a UNESCO listed line.
Official resources: Rohtang permit information, Tourism Development Council Manali; District Kullu: Rohtang permit; Mountain Railways of India, UNESCO
Photo credits
Featured image: Bleezebub / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 1: Delhi to Shimla: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Day 2: Shimla: Slyronit / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 2: Shimla: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0; Day 2: Shimla: VasuVR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Day 3: Shimla to Manali: Shijoy M Mathew / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 4: Manali: Ganesh Mohan T / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 5: Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel or Rohtang: Jagseer S Sidhu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 5: Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel or Rohtang: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 6: Naggar and the return: Pratishkhedekar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
