WHICH IS BETTER A TRIP TO SHIMLA OR A TRIP TO MANALI: MYSTERY SOLVED
Both the hill stations are on the to-do list of every person wishing to visit the north once in his lifetime. When speaking about Shimla one can prefer going to Shimla for its peace and tranquility and when speaking about Manali one can prefer going to Manali for its adventure, for its religious significance, and some of the views of the most beautiful valley. Both the places are ideal get-aways for romantic trips and honeymoons.
HOW TO REACH
Manali and Shimla both can be reached in various ways. One of the popular ways to reach Manali/Shimla is via New Delhi, by hiring a cab or Volvo. It's a 13 to 15 hours Journey to Manali via Delhi and an 8 to 9 hours Journey to Shimla via Delhi.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT
The Best Time to Visit Shimla is between Mid April to Mid June and then from November to January. The Best Time to Visit Manali is between April to Mid June and then from October to Mid January.
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TEMPERATURE
While visiting both these regions one must take utmost care of the weather and climatic changes. Visiting during the peak summers is the best option as you get to sneak away from the hot weather of different regions and enjoy the cool climate in these hilly ranges. While it is best to avoid visiting these places during the rainy seasons as most of the places are shut due to unfavorable climate. The winters are usually very chilly and one can also get to experience the snowfalls during the winters. Winters have places such as Rohtang shut due to heavy snowfall. So if one wants to enjoy the Rohtang Pass road view then summers are the ideal time to visit and if one wants to enjoy ad experience the snowfalls then winters are the best time to visit.
Comparison Between Shimla and Manali
Here's a comparison of Shimla and Manali for travel, highlighting key aspects to help decide which might be better for your travel preferences:
| Aspect | Shimla | Manali |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Family trips, honeymoon, and relaxed sightseeing | Adventure activities, honeymoon, and nature lovers |
| Location & Accessibility | Closer to Delhi, accessible by train (Kalka) and road | Further from Delhi, accessible by road and flights (Bhuntar airport) |
| Climate | Pleasant in summer, cool in winter; light snowfall in winter | Cooler overall; heavy snowfall in winter |
| Popular Attractions | Mall Road, The Ridge, Jakhoo Temple, Kufri, Christ Church | Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Old Manali, Hadimba Temple |
| Activities | Shopping, heritage walks, sightseeing, toy train rides | Trekking, paragliding, skiing, river rafting |
| Scenic Beauty | Pine forests, colonial architecture, gentle hills | Majestic snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and scenic river views |
| Crowd Level | Busy throughout the year, especially in peak season | Busy in peak season; fewer crowds in off-season |
| Adventure Options | Limited – skiing and hiking around Kufri and Naldehra | Wide range – skiing, paragliding, river rafting, and trekking |
| Nightlife | Limited – some restaurants and cafes, but generally quieter evenings | Better nightlife – popular cafes, bars, and lively local spots |
| Best Time to Visit | March to June (summer), December to February (winter) | October to June, and December to February for snow |
Summary:
- Choose Shimla if you're looking for a more accessible, relaxed trip with colonial charm and family-friendly attractions.
- Choose Manali if you prefer adventure, stunning landscapes, and activities like skiing, paragliding, and river rafting.
PLACES TO VISIT IN SHIMLA AND TO DO ACTIVITIES:
DAY 1:
1. Starting with a religious place: Tara Devi Temple, Christ Church, and Jakhoo Hills.
2. Followed by an activity: Indulge in horse riding.
3. Followed by a historic place: Kunthar fort.
4. Visit a heritage place: Himalayan Bird Park and Himalayan Nature Park.
5. Divulge yourself n a marketplace: Mall road.
DAY 2:
1. Starting with a refreshing place: Chadwick's waterfalls.
2. Followed by an activity: Indulge in Ropeway fun.
3. Visit a Hilly place: The Ridge.
4. Followed by a heritage place: Army Heritage Museum.
5. Visit a Forest: Kiala Forest.
DAY 3:
1. Starting with famous museums: Shimla's State museum and Jonnie's wax museum.
2. Followed by an activity: Indulge in Toy train journey.
3. Visit some places close to nature: Water catchment wildlife sanctuary and Manjathal Sanctuary.
4. Have some peaky fun: Shaily Peak.
5. Visit some royal place: Gorton castle and Botany Castle.
6. Shopping fun: Lakkar Bazaar.
DAY 4:
You can also prefer visiting the nearby hilly places with a few KMS ranging from Shimla which include: Naldera, Kasauli, Kufri, Fagu, and Pabbar Valley amongst a few.
PLACES TO VISIT IN MANALI AND TO DO ACTIVITIES:
DAY 1.
1. Starting with a religious place: Hidimba Devi Temple and Manu Temple.
2. Followed by an activity: Indulge in river rafting, Hot air Ballon ride, and paragliding in Kasol.
3. Visit a serene place: Bhrigu Lake.
4. Divulge yourself n a marketplace: Mall road.
DAY 2
1. Starting with a refreshing place: Jogini waterfalls and Jana Falls.
2. Visiting a snowy place: Gulabo.
3. Indulging in amusing activities: Clubhouse.
4. Visiting a peaceful place: Manali Garden.
DAY 3
1. Rivery Experience: Sit around and enjoy the Beas river.
2. Rohtang Get-away: Move on for a full day Rohtang Experience.
DAY 4:
1. Visit a miraculous place: Vashist Temple.
2. Visit a sacred place : Manikaran Gurudawara Sahib Ji.
3. Rest in a while and enjoy Himalayan Culture at Him Valley and the Museum of Himalayan Culture.
DAY 5
1. Start early at Solang Valley.
2. Go ahead at a Dam: Pandoh Dam.
3. Ring a bell at the Monastry: Godhan Thekchhokling Gommpa Monastry
4. Visit some places close to nature: Manali Sanctuary.
DAY 6
If you plan to have an extra day or if you skip visiting Rohtang Pass then you can visit a nearby place from Manali such as Keylong and Rani Nala.
