Shimla is a beautiful city in India. It is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh. Located in the Himalayas, Shimla is known for its cool climate and scenic beauty. The city is surrounded by green hills and tall pine trees, making it a popular place for tourists. Shimla was once the summer capital of British India. The British built many buildings here in a style called "colonial architecture." You can see these old, pretty buildings all over the city. In winter, Shimla gets snow, and people come to enjoy the snow-covered landscape. Kufri, a nearby hill station, is great for skiing. In summer, the weather is cool, making it a perfect escape from the hot plains. Shimla is a charming city that you should explore once. For some of these reasons, me and my friends decided to explore the wonderful place. 

I was very excited about my trip to Shimla because that was my first time there. We chose Shimla for our trip because we had only three days to plan, and its proximity to Chandigarh, being just 120 km away, made it a convenient destination. So we all are set to explore the heaven on earth. We want to go with planning so that we can enjoy ourselves without any problems. After deciding all the locations we have to visit in Shimla, we are thinking about the mode of transportation there. We have researched everything online and found out that traveling with self drive car rental Chandigarh will be the best option to enjoy the whole trip. We did not want to waste our time while finding public buses and taxis. We want to drive on our own with privacy and comfort. We know that if we rely on public transportation then we can not enjoy the trip. They have fixed schedules and fixed paths which can make us very inconvenient. So we decided to go with self drive car rental and our decision was perfect. It added another level of comfort to our trip. We need not rely on public transportation and taxis to go somewhere. We have our own car to explore everything. We have complete freedom and privacy everywhere and a personal space for bags too. We can not make our trip special without a self drive car hire Chandigarh. Here are some benefits that we feel with car rental Chandigarh:

- Customizable Itinerary: Travel at your own pace, stopping wherever and whenever you want. You can easily explore off-the-beaten-path locations and make sudden decisions about where to go.

- Extended Stays: If you find a particularly charming spot, you can choose to stay longer without worrying about taxi schedules or availability.

- No Driver Fees: Save money by not having to pay for a driver s accommodation and meals.

- Even self drive car rental was becoming more cost-efficient to us than any other method. 

- Personal Space: Enjoy the journey in the privacy of your own rental car without the presence of a driver.

- Luggage Management: Manage your luggage and personal items without any constraints, allowing for a more comfortable travel experience.

- Direct Access: Reach your accommodation or destinations directly without having to transfer between different modes of transport.

- 24/7 Availability: Unlike taxi services, your rental car is available at any time, providing convenience for early morning or late-night travel.

- Local Experience: Explore Shimla and its surroundings like a local, discovering hidden gems and local favorites that are not on the typical tourist radar.

- Scenic Routes: Enjoy the scenic routes and make stops to take in the beautiful landscapes of Himachal Pradesh.

- Independence: Avoid dependency on public transportation schedules, ride-sharing availability, or taxi services, which can sometimes be unreliable in remote areas.

- You have complete freedom on your trip, you can select any music and control the temperature of the car as you want.

Our Memorable Journey From Chandigarh to Shimla

Our adventure began early in the morning from Chandigarh. We were really excited as we packed our bags and put them in the self drive car. The distance from Chandigarh to Shimla is about 120 kilometers, which usually takes around 3-4 hours by road, depending on the traffic and road conditions.

As we drove out of Chandigarh, the landscape began to change gradually. The plains are turning into hills, and the air started to feel cooler and fresher. The drive was scenic, with winding roads that offered breathtaking views of the Shivalik Range. We stopped our self drive car at Timber Trail Resort in Parwanoo to take in the panoramic views of the surrounding hills. It is a popular spot where you can take a cable car ride for an even better view, but we decided to save time and continue our journey.

We arrived in Shimla just before noon. The town, surrounded by green hills and filled with old colonial buildings, looked magical. Shimla, once the summer capital of British India, still has its old-fashioned charm with narrow streets and charming buildings. It was really a great first-time experience while watching the high hills. 

By this time, we were famished and decided to head straight for lunch. We chose Cafe Simla Times, located near Mall Road. The cafe has a cozy atmosphere with a blend of modern and vintage decorations. We tried several dishes like pasta, sandwiches, and a local Himachali dish called Chana Madra. The food was tasty and just what we needed after our trip.

After lunch we drove our self drive car straight to Mall Road, we enjoyed a slow, relaxed walk along Mall Road, which is the main shopping street in Shimla. It is ideal for a peaceful stroll. The street is filled with various shops selling woolen clothes, handicrafts, books, and souvenirs. We also visited the well-known Gaiety Theatre, a beautiful Victorian-style building that continues to host plays and cultural events. This made our walk not only enjoyable but also interesting, as we explored both the shops and the historical site. The combination of shopping and sightseeing made it a delightful experience.

As the afternoon turned into evening, we made our way to The Ridge in Shimla. The Ridge is a large open space in the center of the city, providing amazing views of the nearby mountains. While there, we visited Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in North India. It is famous for its stunning stained-glass windows. The Ridge is also an excellent spot to watch the sunset. As the sun sets, the sky changes to beautiful shades of orange and pink. We stayed there, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and the breathtaking views as the day turned into night.

The Ridge is a popular gathering place for both locals and tourists, with plenty of space to walk around and relax. We saw many people taking photos and enjoying the scenery. There are also several benches where you can sit and take in the views. The cool mountain air and the vibrant colors of the sunset made it a memorable experience. As the light faded, the twinkling lights of Shimla added to the charm of the place, making The Ridge a must-visit spot in the city.

For dinner, we decided to try some authentic local cuisine at Himachali Rasoi, a small restaurant known for its traditional Himachali thali. The thali included dishes like Siddu (steamed bread), Babru (stuffed bread), and Dham (a festive meal). We really enjoyed the food and got to try lots of delicious dishes that are popular in the area.

On our second day, we began by going to Jakhoo Temple, a special place dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is perched up high on Jakhoo Hill, which is the tallest point in Shimla. From there, you can see all around the town and the hills nearby. The temple is really well-known because it has a huge statue of Hanuman that is 108 feet tall You can even spot it from different parts of Shimla.

After we came down from Jakhoo Hill, we drove our self drive car rental Chandigarh to Kufri, a cute little hill town just 16 kilometers away from Shimla. Kufri is known for its beautiful scenery and exciting things to do. We went to the Himalayan Nature Park, where we saw lots of different animals that live in the area. Then, we had a really fun time riding horses up to Mahasu Peak, the tallest point in Kufri. From up there, we could see amazing views of all the mountains around us.

For lunch, we stopped at Kufri Fun World, an amusement park with various rides and activities. The park's restaurant served a variety of cuisines, and we enjoyed a hearty meal while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

During our time in Shimla, we had the opportunity to explore The Indian Institute of Advanced Study, which is located in the impressive former Viceregal Lodge. This magnificent building is not only stunning to look at but also holds significant historical importance, as it was witness to numerous important events during the British rule.

In the evening, we went to Annandale, which is a beautiful meadow and playground about 4 kilometers away from the town center. It is surrounded by dense forests, making it a calm and peaceful place for a leisurely stroll. While we were there, we checked out the Army Heritage Museum, which is located in Annandale. This museum is all about the history and accomplishments of the Indian Army.

We treated ourselves to a fancy dinner at The Oberoi Cecil, which is one of the fanciest hotels in Shimla. The restaurant there is really nice and has food from all over the world, not just India. The place is so fancy and the people who work there are super nice. It was such a special night, and we will definitely remember it for a long time.

On our final day of the trip, we chose to have some fun in Naldehra, a little town not far from Shimla, about 22 kilometers away. Naldehra is famous for its lovely golf course, which happens to be one of the oldest ones in India. We gave golfing a shot, and even though we were newbies, we had a blast. For those seeking more thrills, there are other activities available too, like rafting on the river and riding horses.

We went from Naldehra to Tattapani, known for its warm sulfur springs. People think that soaking in these natural hot springs can make you feel better. It was really calming and a great way to relax and let go of stress.

For lunch, we chose a riverside caf  in Tattapani that offered simple yet delicious local food. The setting was beautiful, with the river flowing gently nearby and the sound of birds chirping adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

After lunch, it was time to head back to Chandigarh. The drive back was equally entertaining, with the mountains bidding us a gentle goodbye. It was truly a memorable trip for us. I strongly recommend you to choose self drive car hire Chandigarh for the complete adventure and entertainment. 

We reached Chandigarh by early evening, feeling content and refreshed from our trip. Shimla offered us a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences, making it a truly memorable journey.

Self drive car rental means you will get a car for your whole trip and you can drive it as you want and anytime. It will give the freedom and privacy for your whole trip and you can explore the hidden gems of Shimla at your own pace. 

The process is very simple, you can book directly from car4hires.com by selecting the locations and time of pickup and drop.

You should have your valid driving license and original government ID proof to rent a self drive car in Chandigarh.

You should be above 20 years old to rent a self drive car in Chandigarh.

You can select any pickup location including bus stops, railway stations, airports, or any specific location that will be most convenient for you and you can get the car there at your scheduled pickup time. 

The price depends on various factors including the model and type of car and rental period. The price also varies from season to season. Give us a phone call at 7528904589 to get the exact price of your desired car.