Tour and Travels in Shimla: A Guide to Exploring the Queen of Hills

Tourism in Shimla: Discovery of the Queen of Hills Shimla holds an enduring colonial charm, scenic beauty, and a pleasant climate that has been India's favorite hill station for ages. As the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla promises an all-round experience from historical sites to adventure activities, nature trails, and the excited local markets. With professional tour and travel services, visitors can make the most of the many highlights and hidden gems found in Shimla. Here's a guide to the best tours and travel services that can make your Shimla experience even better.

1. Sightseeing Tour and Travels in Shimla
Many local travel agencies and tour operators offer guided sightseeing tours of Shimla that cover popular attractions such as:

The Mall Road: Tour and Travels in Shimla, lined with shops, cafes, and all colonial buildings.
The Ridge: An open, scenic area that is the social hub of the town with beautiful views.
Jakhoo Temple: Hilltop temple to Lord Hanuman that offers panoramic views.
Christ Church: North India's oldest church, famous for stained glass windows and Gothic architecture.
Indian Institute of Advanced Study: Historic building with interesting architecture and history.
These are good to take for first time visitors, which also take around 4-6 hours. Most tour operators will have options of both group and private tours, based on requirements of interests and budget.

2. Adventure and Outdoors
Shimla can be an amazing adventure base. There are enough tour operators who offer packages for the outdoor enthusiast:

Trek to Shali Tibba, Chadwick Falls trek, and Shimla-Kufri trek. 
Camping Overnight camping in forests or scenic areas of Mashobra, Chail, or Narkanda. 
Paragliding and Ziplining: Have a thrilling experience of free flying at nearby locations like Kufri and Naldehra by paragliding or zip-line it at Kufri Fun World.
Skiing and Snowboarding (Seasonal - Winter only): Kufri and Narkanda have skiings in winter. Rentals and lessons are available from several operators.
These tours include most of the equipment, guides, and transportation to activity sites, so are designed for the visitor who wants an active experience in the mountains.

3. Heritage and Cultural Tours
The history of Shimla as a British summer retreat is seen in its colonial architecture and cultural landmarks. Heritage tours comprise: Colonial Architecture Colonial buildings Viceregal Lodge, Gaiety Theatre, and the Town Hall. Walking Tours Explore Shimla on foot with an expert guide as he regales you with stories about the colonial past, folklore, and local culture of the city.
Temple Tours - This includes visiting some of the more popular temples around Shimla like Jakhoo Temple, Kali Bari Temple, and Tara Devi Temple.
Heritage tours take you through the culture, history, and architectural beauty of Shimla. For the people who are interested in history and cultures, heritage tours are an ideal choice.

4. Nature and Wildlife Tours
For nature enthusiasts, there are some intriguing eco-tours and nature walks in and around Shimla. Some of the notable ones include:

Nature Walks: Take walks in the cedar and pine-wood forests in Mashobra, Kufri, or Summer Hill
Bird Watching: Many operators can arrange for bird watching within Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary and various Himalayan Birds.
Wildlife Safari: Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is about 45 km from Shimla. One gets to see Himalayan black bears and leopards there, along with many other species. Guided wildlife safari takes one closer to the local fauna and their unique ecosystem in Shimla.
These safaris are usually carried out in smaller groups and are conducted in an environment-friendly manner, keeping in mind conservation and appreciation of the natural environment.

5. Day Excursions and Trips
There are several travel agencies that organize day-long excursions from Shimla to some beautiful places around, which can be studied in more detail. The best excursions are:
Kufri: Known for its scenic views and adventure activities, horse ride and ski in the winter season.
Naldehra: This place is very popular due to its golf course and beautiful cedar forest where one can really enjoy spending a day out.
Chail: A beautiful town that boasts of its scenic beauty, royal palace, and wildlife sanctuary.
Tattapani: It is famous by hot springs and river rafting, an ideal day for relaxation and fun.
Narkanda: Small town with apple orchids and skiing slopes, especially visited in winters.
Day excursions provide transportation, guide services as well as entry fees into attractions, hence it becomes easy to spend some tour time outside of Shimla without hassle in organizing logistics.
6. Local Travel Agencies specialty Services
Many local tour operators of Shimla offer customized travel services, such as hotel booking and packages or help in getting the best place in Shimla to stay, ranging from a budgeted hotel to luxury resort. Then, there are transport services like cab services for local tourist visits, airport transfers, and intercity travel. Customized itineraries according to your preferences, and special arrangements also exist for honeymooners, families, and adventure seekers.
Seasonal Packages: Other travel agencies also provide seasonal packages in peak seasons. This includes summer holiday packages and winter snow packages.
Tourists can enjoy an excellent traveling experience by using local services based on interests and demands.

Best Travel Agencies in Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC): As HPTDC mainly focuses on its reliable service and properly planned tours, hotel bookings and local transport are also provided by the corporation.
Shimla Travels is a domestic company that deals in state-standard and custom tours.
Kufri Holiday Adventure: The adventure tour can present skiing and paragliding packages.
Himalayan Bliss Holidays: This company caters to environmentally friendly tours, nature walks, and trekking options in the Shimla region.
Holiday in the Hills: Good option for family packages and holiday tour offers, seasonal.