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48h of Shimla

The closest stop to the Himalayas.

By Javi Lorbada

July 9^th, 2018

In order to reach Shimla we had to overnight at Kalka. So here is where the journey started. In Kalka we just spent the night, why did we go to Shimla?

That's a great question, but to India by Train journey it really made sense, the Toy Train from Kalka to Shimla was without a doubt the most special one to me, and Shimla in 1864 was declared as the summer capital of British India, after independence became the capital of today's Himachal Pradesh state.

So reasons to visit this area where more than enough to us, totally worth the detour.

Before arrival I was expecting snow, a lot, kind of a winter wonderland in the north of India, hence why we planned just about 2 days, which turned out not to be enough for us.

Let's get into the story details!

Expectations

VS REALITY

Kalka 🚂 Shimla

We woke up at 4:30 am, very tired but excited about the day, walked down to the train station, our Toy Train was departing at 5:20, and... our Toy Train was delayed for 3h 15min, totally shocked, but we knew it could happen whether this train or another there were too many words out there saying Indian trains have delays. So head back to the hotel for a couple hours of sleep, but I couldn't, and I wasted my time looking at the ceiling.

7:50 was the second attempt, it seems our train is there, very excited again, but we are departing not at 8:35 but at 9:40, at least we are departing! sigh!

Long story short, the train ride was amazing, it really looks like a toy train going uphill visiting Himalayan villages, the landscape is gorgeous, mountains everywhere, wicked road and train rails, a joy ride if it wasn't for my completed tiredness that got me sleeping a few times.

To finish the day, we arrived at Shimla, wonderful English style town, but I got either cold or food poisoning, so I didn't feel well and headed to the hotel to have some rest.

Our start in the capital of the north didn't go as planned, and that's ok, sometimes we have to roll with the punches.

Shimla Heritage Walk - Viceregal Lodge - Chadwick Falls

We had a hard time choosing between a town tour walk or heading into the woods, but knowing I definitely got cold and I felt a bit weak, we did the town tour.

It wasn’t the greatest ever, but the surroundings are wonderful, early in the morning we could see a glimpse of the Himalayas and I regretted a bit not staying longer in here if only I did know there wasn’t snow roads and beautiful peaks around… I guess I would have needed more research.

Nevertheless, in the afternoon, we headed to Chadwick Falls, an easy hike of 2km and finding ourselves first contact with nature, like I said, Shimla surroundings are too beautiful, and there are a lot of things to do around the Summer Capital of India.

On our departure day, we woke up 6:30 sharp ready for the sunrise the first one of the trip or at least the one that we saw the sun rising.

It was an amazing moment, once again, those Himalayas raising on the horizon and the early sun lighting like candles their snow-capped peaks.

In my head, I had framed this picture of Jakhu Temple from above, and early in the morning, I took the drone up. Not much experience I had flying but it was great, seeing the whole city from above was unreal.

The funny part came when I wanted to land, a couple of dogs, barking non stop, just were going where the drone was, made almost impossible to land, after a few attempts I decided I had to do it no matter how, one of the dogs got really close and got afraid of it, maybe she touched the propellers, and finally I could land safely. Such a stressful moment.

Finished that moment, we had to head back to the hotel and pack everything for our train traveling day, first, again the Toy Train, Shimla to Kalka, and again, so amazed by the dramatic view, the hill stations, the villages and the mountains around, this is so similar to my recent visit Nepal.