More adventures

Five other things to see and do around Shimla.

1. Toy train journey

Hop on Himachal Pradesh’s famous toy train at Shimla, and weave through the forests to Taradevi station. From here, take the two-hour trek through the magnificent cedars up to Taradevi temple, where you’ll be greeted by lovely views of the distant low-lying hills.

2. Jakhu Temple

Crowned with a 33m range statue of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman, Jakhu temple watches over Shimla from the top of the town’s highest peak, Jakhu Hill. Take the steep 30-minute hike from the east end of The Ridge to see it up close, but beware the loitering rhesus macaques.

3. Whitewater rafting

Himachal Pradesh is renowned for drawing adrenaline seekers with activities like skiing and trekking. If you’re one of them, take the 2.5-hour drive to picturesque Malgi, where you can raft down the rapids of the Sutlej river.

4. Tattapani hot springs

If pampering’s more your thing, take the two-hour scenic drive to the hot sulphur springs of Tattapani, known for its therapeutic power. Afterwards, visit the Shiva Caves 4km away, where 181 shivlings (the holy symbol of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva) have formed.

5. Naldehra

Golfers can take the 40-minute drive from Wildflower Hall to the verdant hill station Naldehra, India’s first nine-hole golf course, and a very pretty one at that.