Overview
The Delhi version of the classic hill trip, with an extra night in Manali so the long drives don't eat the holiday. A private car picks you up anywhere in Delhi, NCR or at the airport and stays with you for all seven days. You spend two nights in Shimla and four in Manali, which leaves room for Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu, Naggar's castle and a slow day in Old Manali. The first and last days are long, about nine and twelve hours, but there are no train or bus connections to manage with luggage and children.
Best for: Delhi-based families and visitors arriving at Delhi airport who want door-to-door travel
- Door-to-door from Delhi, NCR or Delhi airport
- Two nights in Shimla with Kufri
- Four nights in Manali, so nothing is rushed
- Atal Tunnel and Sissu in Lahaul
- Naggar castle and the Roerich gallery
- Same car and driver throughout
Day by day
- Day1
Delhi to Shimla
About 350 kmOvernight: Shimla
Leave Delhi early to beat the traffic and head up the Grand Trunk road past Panipat and Ambala, with a breakfast stop at one of the famous Murthal dhabas. After Chandigarh the road climbs through Solan into Shimla, reached by late afternoon.
Road guide: Delhi to Shimla → - Day2
Shimla, Kufri and the Mall
About 80 kmOvernight: Shimla
Start at Kufri for the mountain views before the crowds arrive, then return for Jakhu temple and its giant Hanuman statue. Spend the late afternoon on the Ridge, at Christ Church and in the lanes of Lakkar Bazaar.
Road guide: Shimla to Kufri → - Day3
Shimla to Manali
About 250 kmOvernight: Manali
Drive down to the Sutlej and across to Mandi, then follow the Beas through the Kullu valley. Stop where you like for tea, river views or the Bhuntar shawl shops, and settle into Manali by evening.
Road guide: Shimla to Manali → - Day4
Solang valley
About 30 kmOvernight: Manali
A day for Solang: the ropeway to the upper slopes, paragliding when the weather allows, and snow sports from about December to March. Come back via the Vashisht hot springs and temple for a late-afternoon soak.
Road guide: Manali to Solang Valley → - Day5
Atal Tunnel and Sissu
About 90 kmOvernight: Manali
Through the Atal Tunnel to the Chandra valley in Lahaul, where Sissu's waterfall and wide river flats feel like a different world from green Manali. Return in time for Mall Road in the evening.
Road guide: Manali to Sissu (Atal Tunnel) → - Day6
Naggar and Old Manali
About 45 kmOvernight: Manali
A gentler day down the left bank of the Beas to Naggar castle, its little temples and the Roerich art gallery. Back in Manali, walk up to Hadimba temple and spend the evening in Old Manali's cafés.
- Day7
Manali to Delhi
About 540 km
The long run home, about twelve to fourteen hours with breaks. We start early, stop for meals along the way and drop you at your Delhi home, hotel or the airport for a late flight.
Road guide: Manali to Delhi →
Delhi start: car or Volvo bus?
Many budget packages from Delhi use overnight Volvo buses to Manali. A private car costs more, but you travel by day, stop when you want and avoid the early-morning arrival on an overnight bus. For families and older travellers, the car is usually worth it.
If you'd prefer to fly part of the way, Chandigarh is the closest big airport; our 5-day Shimla Manali package starts there.
Pace of the trip
Seven days with two long driving days leaves five days in the hills. The middle days are short drives, so mornings can be slow and you're back at the hotel by late afternoon. We keep day 6 free of long drives on purpose, as a spare in case weather spoils an earlier day.
- Driving days: 1, 3 and 7
- Short-drive days: 2, 4, 5 and 6
Who this suits
This is the trip for families who don't want to deal with trains or flights: one car from the front door and back, with child seats on request. It also suits visitors arriving at Delhi airport who want to head straight for the hills.
If you're short of time, our 5-day version from Chandigarh covers the same highlights with less driving. If you have more, add Dharamshala on the way back; it's on the route to Delhi via Pathankot and adds two days.
Route and price at a glance
The Shimla and Manali from Delhi trip covers about 1,385 km by road over 7 days, with overnight stops in Shimla and Manali. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 1,750 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 6 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹22,000 for 6 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹42,650 for the car and driver and a ₹9,698 service fee: ₹74,348 in all, or ₹37,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Delhi to Shimla (about 350 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 2: Shimla, Kufri and the Mall (about 80 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 3: Shimla to Manali (about 250 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 4: Solang valley (about 30 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 5: Atal Tunnel and Sissu (about 90 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 6: Naggar and Old Manali (about 45 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 7: Manali to Delhi (about 540 km)
Shimla and Manali from Delhi 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 | ₹37,000 ≈ US$435 | ₹74,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹29,500 ≈ US$345 | ₹1,18,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹30,500 ≈ US$360 | ₹1,83,000 | 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)₹22,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹42,650
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹9,698
- Total for both₹74,348
Included
- 6 nights in Shimla and Manali, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 7 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 Delhi and drop at Delhi
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Delhi
- ×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. Rohtang Pass isn't in the plan because of its vehicle permit cap; we can swap it for the Sissu day if permits are available.
- Day 1 and day 7 are long; bring snacks, pillows and entertainment for children.
- Traffic into Shimla can be slow on Friday evenings and holiday weekends; we start early to avoid the worst of it.
When to go
The whole year at a glance
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • April to June is busy with Delhi families escaping the heat; book hotels well ahead.
- • In the July to September monsoon, landslides on the Mandi–Kullu road can add hours; we keep the plan flexible.
- • Snow is likeliest from December to February, when Solang and the Atal Tunnel area are at their best.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Shimla and Manali from Delhi package cost?+
About ₹30,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹37,000 per person for a couple, for all 7 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
How long is the drive from Delhi to Shimla?+
About 350 km and seven to nine hours with breaks.
Can you pick us up from Delhi airport?+
Yes. Morning arrivals can go straight to Shimla; late arrivals are better with a Delhi hotel night first.
Why four nights in Manali and only two in Shimla?+
Most of the variety is around Manali: Solang, the tunnel, Sissu and Naggar. Shimla's sights fit into one full day.
Can we break the drive back to Delhi?+
Yes, with a night in Chandigarh or Kasauli. It adds a day and a hotel to the price.
Which car do we get on the Shimla and Manali from Delhi 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 · TravelTriangle: Himachal tour packages and prices · Shimla Manali Tourism: package prices by tier · WanderOn: Himachal tour packages
