Overview
India's most-booked hill holiday, done properly in five days: two nights in Shimla, the old summer capital of British India, and two in Manali at the head of the Kullu valley. Starting in Chandigarh keeps the plains out of the trip, so the first day is a three to four hour climb rather than a nine-hour haul from Delhi. You get Kufri and the Mall in Shimla, the long and beautiful drive along the Beas, and a full day for snow at Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel. Hotels include breakfast and dinner, and one car and driver stays with you throughout.
Best for: First-time visitors and families who want India's two best-known hill stations in under a week
- Two nights in Shimla, two in Manali
- Kufri and the Ridge on a relaxed first full day
- The Sutlej and Beas valleys on the drive across
- Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel for snow
- Hadimba temple and Old Manali
- One car and driver for all five days
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Shimla
About 115 kmOvernight: Shimla
Your driver collects you from Chandigarh airport, railway station or hotel for the climb through Parwanoo and Solan. Arrive by early afternoon, check in, and walk up to the Ridge and Christ Church for sunset before an evening stroll along the Mall.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Shimla → - Day2
Kufri and Shimla sightseeing
About 80 kmOvernight: Shimla
A morning drive to Kufri for the views and, in winter, the snow; the nature park and horse rides to Mahasu peak are optional. Back in Shimla, visit Jakhu temple in the afternoon and leave time for Lakkar Bazaar's wooden crafts.
Road guide: Shimla to Kufri → - Day3
Shimla to Manali
About 250 kmOvernight: Manali
The longest day: down to the Sutlej, through Sundernagar and Mandi, then into the Kullu valley along the Beas. Stops are your choice, from the Pandoh dam to a shawl factory near Kullu. Expect seven to eight hours with breaks, arriving by evening.
Road guide: Shimla to Manali → - Day4
Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel
About 70 kmOvernight: Manali
Up to Solang for the ropeway, paragliding in season or snow play in winter, then on through the 9 km Atal Tunnel to Sissu for the Chandra valley views. In the afternoon, Hadimba temple's cedar grove and the cafés of Old Manali.
Road guide: Manali to Solang Valley → - Day5
Manali to Chandigarh
About 305 km
An early start for the drive down the Kullu valley and back across the hills to Chandigarh, which takes seven to nine hours. We'll time the run to an evening train or flight, or drop you at a hotel in the city.
Road guide: Manali to Chandigarh →
Why Shimla first, then Manali
Going up to Shimla on day one is a short, easy start, and it lets you break the long Chandigarh to Manali run into two pieces. Shimla also makes a gentle introduction to the hills at about 2,200 m before Manali and the tunnel area, which are higher.
Coming back from Manali in one day is long, but the road is mostly downhill and the scenery along the Beas keeps it interesting. If you'd rather not, we can break it with a night at Kasauli or Chandigarh.
What the hotels are like
On the standard tier you stay in well-reviewed 3-star hotels close to the Mall in Shimla and near Mall Road or the Aleo area in Manali. Comfort hotels are 4-star or boutique properties, often with valley views and more space.
Breakfast and dinner are included at every hotel; lunch is on the road, where dhabas and cafés are easy to find.
Ways to change the plan
Add a night in Manali for Rohtang Pass in season, when permits allow, or for Naggar and Kullu. Add a night in Kasauli or Chail on the way up for a quieter start.
If you're flying, start at Chandigarh airport rather than the city; it's on the way out of town. For snow-only trips in winter, our Manali snow package skips Shimla and spends more time around Solang and the tunnel.
Honeymooners can upgrade to the comfort tier and ask for a candle-light dinner or room decoration, which hotels arrange for a small charge.
Route and price at a glance
The Shimla and Manali trip covers about 820 km by road over 5 days, with overnight stops in Shimla and Manali. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 1,250 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 4 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹15,000 for 4 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹30,350 for the car and driver and a ₹6,802 service fee: ₹52,152 in all, or ₹26,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla (about 115 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 2: Kufri and Shimla sightseeing (about 80 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 3: Shimla to Manali (about 250 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 4: Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel (about 70 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 5: Manali to Chandigarh (about 305 km)
Shimla and Manali price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹26,000 ≈ US$305 | ₹52,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹20,500 ≈ US$240 | ₹82,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹21,500 ≈ US$255 | ₹1,29,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹15,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹30,350
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹6,802
- Total for both₹52,152
Included
- 4 nights in Shimla and Manali, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 5 days (sedan or Innova for two, Innova for four, Tempo Traveller for six), including fuel, tolls, parking, state taxes and the driver's allowances
- Pickup from Chandigarh and drop at Chandigarh
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Chandigarh
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Entry fees, ropeways, activities and snow gear hire
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
Good to know: roads, permits and safety
- No permits are needed for this route. Rohtang Pass is not included; it needs a separate vehicle permit with a daily cap, and we can add it on request in season.
- The Shimla to Manali drive is about 250 km on mountain roads; motion-sickness tablets help some travellers.
- Shimla's Mall and Ridge are pedestrian zones; the car drops you at the nearest point and hotels near the Mall may need a short walk.
When to go
The whole year at a glance
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • March to June is the main season, with pleasant days and full hotels in May and June.
- • July to mid-September is monsoon: the drive between Shimla and Manali can be slow after landslides.
- • December to February usually brings snow to Kufri and Solang; Atal Tunnel access is sometimes limited after heavy falls.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Shimla and Manali package cost?+
About ₹21,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹26,000 per person for a couple, for all 5 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
Is five days enough for Shimla and Manali?+
Yes for the highlights, with one full day in each town. Add a night in Manali if you want Rohtang or a slower pace.
Can we start from Delhi instead?+
Yes. Delhi adds about 250 km each way; see our 7-day Shimla Manali package from Delhi, which builds that in.
Will we see snow?+
Most likely between December and February at Kufri and Solang. In spring, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu area often still has snow.
Can we visit Rohtang Pass on this package?+
We can add it if permits are available, usually from May. It needs an extra day or replaces the Solang day.
Which car do we get on the Shimla and Manali trip?+
A sedan for two travellers, an Innova for up to four and a Tempo Traveller for six, with the same driver for the whole trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Shimla · Wikipedia: Manali, Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Atal Tunnel · TravelTriangle: Himachal tour packages and prices · Shimla Manali Tourism: package prices by tier
