Circuit · Himachal
Shimla hills
Shimla, Kasauli and Chail — the classic colonial hill stations.
- Places
- 3
- Altitude
- 1,800–2,454 m
- Fly / train to
- Chandigarh
- Daily spend
- about ₹2,800
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Best for most places here: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov. Each place here needs 2–4 days on the ground; places in one circuit share travel days, so pair two or three.
Places in this circuit
Chail
A former princely summer capital with the world's highest cricket ground and deodar forest all around.
Kasauli
A small colonial cantonment town on a ridge an hour above Chandigarh, with pine walks and old churches.
Shimla
The former summer capital of British India — the Mall, Ridge, Jakhoo temple and the toy train.
What to pack for Shimla hills
Everything the places in this circuit call for, most widely needed first. Each place's page has its full list with reasons.
- Fleece or light sweater
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom)
- Down or padded jacket
- Woollen cap that covers the ears
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs
- Waterproof gloves
- Neck gaiter or balaclava
- Hand warmers
- Compact umbrella
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Waterproof snow boots
- Day pack, 20–30 litres
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total
- Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines
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Where to stay
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Pickups & drivers
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Shimla hills: questions people ask
Which places are in the Shimla hills circuit?
The Shimla hills circuit in Himachal covers Chail, Kasauli and Shimla. They share a gateway, so two or three are usually combined in one trip.
What is the best time to visit Shimla hills?
March to June and September to November suit most places in Shimla hills. Individual places differ, so check each one.
How do you reach Shimla hills?
Travel to Chandigarh, then continue by road.
How much does a Shimla hills trip cost per day?
About ₹2,800 per person per day on the ground for a mid-range trip, averaged across the places in this circuit.
Which is the easiest place in Shimla hills, and which is the highest?
Kasauli is the easiest (easy). Shimla is the highest at 2,454 m.