Shimla Manali Tour Package from Delhi

Snow-covered hills and pine forest around Shimla

A good Shimla Manali tour package from Delhi fits comfortably into six days: two nights in Shimla, three in Manali, and a scenic drive between them. You travel up from Delhi overnight by Volvo or by private cab, see Kufri and Naldehra around Shimla, then head to Manali for Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel and Old Manali. Below is the exact plan we follow, plus honest advice on transport, seasons and what drives the cost.

Shimla–Manali trip at a glance

Detail	What to expect
Duration	6 days / 5 nights (Shimla 2N, Manali 3N)
Starts from	Delhi (overnight Volvo or private cab)
Shimla altitude	About 2,276 m
Manali altitude	About 2,050 m
Highest point on the trip	Around 3,000 m near the Atal Tunnel / Sissu side
Shimla to Manali by road	Roughly 245–250 km via Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu; plan on 7–9 hours with stops
Season	Year-round; snow most likely December to February
Best for	Families, couples and honeymooners, friends, senior groups

How to reach Shimla from Delhi: Volvo or private cab?

Delhi to Shimla is roughly 350 km, and most travellers cover it overnight or as an early-morning drive. Both options work; the right one depends on your group.

Overnight Volvo

Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and private operators run AC Volvo and semi-sleeper coaches from Delhi to Shimla. You board at night and wake up in the hills, which saves a hotel night and a day of travel. It suits solo travellers, young couples and friends on a budget. The trade-off is sleep: hill roads are winding, and anyone prone to motion sickness should carry medicine and pick a front-half seat.

Private cab

A private cab picks you up from home, the airport or the railway station and stays with you for the entire trip, including the Shimla–Manali leg and local sightseeing. For families with children, senior travellers and honeymooners, this is usually worth it: you stop when you want, luggage stays in the car, and the return to Delhi is door to door. A sedan suits two to three people; an SUV or tempo traveller makes sense for larger groups.

Coming from other cities

From Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata or Hyderabad, fly into Delhi or Chandigarh and start the road journey from there. Chandigarh is much closer to Shimla, so it can shorten day one. Rail lovers can take a train to Kalka and ride the Kalka–Shimla toy train, part of the UNESCO-listed Mountain Railways of India; it is slow and scenic, so budget most of a day for it.

6-day Shimla Manali itinerary, day by day

This is the plan behind our Shimla & Manali 5N/6D itinerary. We adjust pace for children, seniors and honeymooners.

Day 1: Arrive in Shimla, evening on Mall Road

Check in, rest after the journey, and walk up to the Ridge and Mall Road in the evening. Keep this day light; the colonial-era buildings, Christ Church and the sunset over the hills are the highlight.

Day 2: Kufri, Naldehra and Mashobra

Drive out to Kufri for mountain views and pony rides, then continue to the pine-fringed meadows of Naldehra and the quieter orchards around Mashobra. Families like the open spaces; couples like the cafés and viewpoints.

Day 3: Shimla to Manali

Start early for the long drive via Bilaspur, Sundernagar and Mandi, then along the Beas river through the Kullu valley. Break the drive for lunch and short photo stops. Expect to reach Manali by evening.

Day 4: Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel

This is the big day. Solang Valley offers snow play in winter and adventure activities such as paragliding and ropeway rides in fair weather. Beyond it, the Atal Tunnel, a roughly 9 km highway tunnel built by the Border Roads Organisation at around 3,000 m, takes you under the Pir Panjal range to Sissu in Lahaul, where the landscape changes completely. No Rohtang permit is needed to use the tunnel.

Day 5: Hadimba Temple, Vashisht and Old Manali

Visit the wooden Hadimba Devi temple set in a deodar forest, the hot springs at Vashisht, and the cafés and lanes of Old Manali. Keep the evening free for shopping on Mall Road.

Day 6: Departure

After breakfast, check out and head back towards Delhi by cab, or catch the evening Volvo.

Best time for a Shimla Manali trip

March to June: Pleasant days and cool nights. Busy in May and June with school holidays, so book early.
July to mid-September: Monsoon. Green and quieter, but landslides can delay the Shimla–Manali drive. Keep a buffer.
Late September to November: Clear skies, crisp air and good mountain views. A favourite for couples.
December to February: The snow season. Shimla often gets snowfall in this window and Solang usually holds snow, but no one can guarantee it on specific dates. Heavy snow can also close roads or restrict vehicle movement beyond Solang and at the Atal Tunnel for a day or two.

If snow is the main reason for your trip, aim for late December to February, stay flexible on the Solang day, and pack proper winter wear.

Tips for families and honeymooners

Family trips

Choose a private cab rather than a Volvo if you have young children or elderly parents.
Ask for hotels near Mall Road in Shimla so you avoid long uphill walks.
Keep day 3 as a travel-only day; the drive is long and children tire quickly.
Carry motion-sickness medicine, snacks and layers for everyone.

Honeymoon packages

Ask for a room with a valley or mountain view, especially in Manali.
Stay a little outside the busy centre, such as near Old Manali or on the Naggar side, for quieter evenings.
A candlelight dinner, flower decoration or cake can be arranged on request; ask for it in writing when you get your quote.
Late September to November and the snow months are the most popular windows for couples.

What a good Shimla Manali package should include

Packages vary a lot, so compare them on inclusions, not headline price. A transparent package should state clearly:

Hotels: the property names or category, room type and number of nights in each town.
Meals: usually breakfast and dinner (MAP), or breakfast only.
Transport: Volvo tickets or a private cab, with vehicle type, and whether the cab stays with you for all sightseeing.
Sightseeing: which places are covered, and which are optional.
Taxes, tolls, parking and driver allowance: included or extra.
Exclusions: activity charges (paragliding, ropeway, snow gear rental), entry tickets, local union taxis at Solang, lunches and personal expenses.

If any of these is vague, ask before you pay.

What affects the cost

We price every Shimla–Manali trip on enquiry because the numbers genuinely depend on your choices. The main factors are:

Season: peak summer weeks, Christmas–New Year and long weekends cost more; off-season dates are gentler.
Hotel category: budget, standard, premium or boutique stays.
Transport: Volvo versus a sedan, SUV or tempo traveller.
Group size: cab and some fixed costs are shared, so larger groups often pay less per head.
Meal plan and add-ons: honeymoon extras, activities, extra nights.

Plan your Shimla Manali trip with Mountain’s Greet

Mountain’s Greet was born in Shimla, so these hills are home ground for us. We plan this route for couples, families, friends, college groups, corporate teams and senior travellers, starting from Delhi by overnight Volvo or private cab. Every quote lists inclusions and exclusions in writing, so there are no surprises on the road. You can read more about how we work or browse real photos in our gallery.

Ready for dates and a quote? Send an enquiry for the Shimla & Manali trip or message us on WhatsApp. For a shorter break, look at the Manali Getaway; for more time, the Shimla, Manali & Dharamshala trip adds McLeod Ganj.

FAQs

How many days are enough for Shimla and Manali from Delhi?

Six days and five nights is the comfortable minimum: two nights in Shimla, three in Manali. With fewer days you spend most of the trip on the road.

Is Volvo or a private cab better for a Shimla Manali trip?

An overnight Volvo is economical and suits young travellers. A private cab is better for families, seniors and honeymooners because it stays with you for all sightseeing and the Shimla–Manali leg.

When will I see snow in Shimla and Manali?

Snow is most likely between December and February, and Solang Valley usually holds snow through much of winter. Snowfall on specific dates can never be guaranteed, so keep some flexibility.

Do I need a permit for the Atal Tunnel?

No permit is needed to drive through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu. The separate Rohtang Pass route needs an online permit for vehicles, and that pass is not part of this itinerary.

Is the Shimla Manali trip suitable for elderly parents?

Yes. Altitudes are moderate and the plan can be slowed down. Choose a private cab, hotels close to the main roads, and skip long walks where needed.

How much does a Shimla Manali tour package from Delhi cost?

It depends on season, hotel category, transport and group size. We share a written, itemised quote on enquiry so you can see exactly what is included.