Tours · IND-16

8-Day Himalayan Heritage Rail: Toy Train, Kullu Valley & McLeod Ganj

Delhi · Kalka · Shimla · Mandi · Naggar · Manali · Vashisht · Bir · Dharamshala/McLeod Ganj

Duration8 Days, 7 Nights

PaceFast pace

Best timeApr–May, Sep–Oct

Journey typeHimalayan Escapes

PricePrivate quotation in 24 h

The journey

The UNESCO Toy Train, colonial Shimla, the Kullu Valley and the Tibetan hills of McLeod Ganj in eight days.

Rides the UNESCO-inscribed Mountain Railways of India (Kalka-Shimla) and immerses travelers in Tibetan Buddhist and indigenous Himalayan sacred traditions. Full days with several long drives. Best for energetic travellers.

Highlights

UNESCO Kalka-Shimla Toy Train ride.
Shimla's Vice Regal Lodge and Mall Road.
Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Estate, and Tripura Sundari Temple.
Hadimba Temple in Manali, Vashisht Hot Springs, and optional paragliding at Bir-Billing (seasonal, not included).
McLeod Ganj Dalai Lama Residence, Norbulingka Institute, and St. John in the Wilderness.

Route and day by day

Schematic route, not to scale.

Day 1Kalka-Shimla Heritage Toy Train

Transit from Delhi to Kalka (approx. 4–5 hours by morning train or road; pre-book the toy-train seats). Board the UNESCO Kalka–Shimla narrow-gauge Toy Train to Shimla (approx. 5–6 hours), passing through more than 100 tunnels. Overnight in Shimla.

Day 2Colonial Shimla Exploration

Tour Vice Regal Lodge, Jakhu Temple, Christ Church, and Mall Road. Overnight in Shimla.

Day 3Drive to Kullu Valley & Naggar

Drive to Naggar via Mandi (approx. 7–8 hours including stops). Photo stop at Pandoh Dam and Bhootnath Temple. Optional Beas River rafting. Overnight in Naggar.

Day 4Art & Heritage of Naggar

Tour Naggar Castle, Tripura Sundari Temple, and Nicholas Roerich Estate & Art Gallery. Overnight in Naggar.

Day 5Manali Sightseeing & Bir Heights

Drive to Manali (approx. 1 hour). Visit Hadimba Temple and Vashisht Hot Springs. Continue to Bir (approx. 6–7 hours). Optional tandem paragliding at Bir-Billing (seasonal and weather-dependent). Overnight in Bir.

Day 6Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj (Little Lhasa)

Drive to Dharamshala/McLeod Ganj. Tour Tsuglagkhang Complex (Dalai Lama's temple & residence exterior), Tibetan Refugee Settlement, and St. John in the Wilderness church. Overnight in Dharamshala.

Day 7Tibetan Arts & Cultural Immersion

Visit Tibet Museum and Norbulingka Institute. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Dharamshala.

Day 8Departure via Kangra (Gaggal) Airport

Transfer to Kangra (Gaggal) Airport for the flight to Delhi (flight not included).

Best time to visit

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Best Fair Avoid

Best time: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Also good: Mar, Jun, Nov.

April to June and September to November are the clearest months. Heavy monsoon rain (July and August) can cause landslides and delays on mountain roads, and snow can close high roads from December to February. The Toy Train usually runs all year but can be interrupted by monsoon landslides.