The fresh mountain breeze in Shimla gently teased our senses, carrying the aroma of trees and the faint scent of sizzling momos in the distance. Our family, consisting of two eager parents, myself and my husband Amit, our lively 8-year-old daughter Maya, and our always curious 5-year-old son Rohan, had finally reached our much-anticipated vacation destination. Known as the “Queen of Hills,” Shimla offered a needed escape from city life, and right from the moment we disembarked from the train, it began to work its magic.
Our Shimla adventure kicked off with a journey on the Kalka Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rhythmic sounds of the train’s movement soon lulled Rohan into a nap while Maya was captivated by the views around her, like a living camera capturing every waterfall and lush valley with wide-eyed wonder. The train ride itself was an experience to remember, passing through tunnels carved into mountainsides, crossing bridges that seemed to hang in mid-air, and providing vistas of the Himalayas.
Arriving in Shimla felt like stepping back in time to a colonial-era postcard. The bustling Mall Road, which serves as Shimla’s hub, was alive with activity as tourists mingled with locals. We leisurely walked past buildings that seemed to whisper stories of a past, their exteriors adorned with shades of yellow, blue, green, and soft pink. The scarves on display at the street vendors’ stalls captivated Maya, an aspiring fashion enthusiast. Watching her spin around with the scarf fluttering in the mountain breeze brought a smile to her face. On the other hand, Rohan found himself drawn to the vendors selling chestnuts. The scent and crackling fire used for roasting held his attention until we finally gave in and bought him a steaming treat.
The day we opted to explore the Ridge, an open space overlooking the valley. As we strolled along, the fresh mountain air filled our lungs as we gazed at a view of the Himalayas. Rohan’s inquisitive nature led her to bombard me with questions about the peaks while tracing their shapes in the air with his finger. Meanwhile, Maya spotted a group of kids playing badminton and eagerly wanted to join them. We chuckled as she enthusiastically participated despite her skills, managing to hold her own against opponents and spreading laughter all around.
Our afternoon was spent visiting the Himachal State Museum. The intricately crafted wooden toys and the vibrant tribal clothing particularly captivated Maya, who was curious about what they did. On the other hand, Rohan found joy in a form of entertainment, the lifelike animal statues in the natural history section of the museum fascinated him. He mimicked the sounds of creatures, roaring like a lion, trumpeting like an elephant, and attempting a monkey screech, much to the delight of fellow visitors.
A trip to Shimla wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Gaiety Theatre, known as the oldest surviving theater in Asia. The stunning architecture, adorned with decorated balconies and a stage, left us awestruck. Peeking inside, Maya, harboring dreams of acting herself, envisioned gracing that stage one day. Rohan was intrigued by the velvet curtains, plush seating and remarked softly, “This place feels like a royal palace fit for kings and queens!”
One of the moments from our journey was riding up the Jakhu Ropeway. The majestic Himalayas opened up in front of us as our cable car rose. Their snow-capped peaks glistened like a myriad of diamonds under the midday sun.
Maya, feeling a bit anxious at first, quickly gathered her courage. She leaned close to the window, eagerly pointing out each eagle and fluffy cloud. Rohan, who had been unusually quiet during the ascent, couldn’t contain his joy when we reached the summit. Stepping off the cable car, we arrived at the foot of Jakhu Hill where the Jakhu Temple stood proudly and left us feeling humble. The journey up to the temple was an adventure in itself. Mischievous macaques with their eyes darting around, swung from tree to tree to Rohan’s delight. Maya watched in awe from a distance as they showcased their nimbleness. After a series of laughs, deep breaths, and words of encouragement, we finally made it to the temple entrance.
The atmosphere inside the temple was filled with a tranquil aura. Maya, typically talkative, turned solemn and whispered prayers with folded hands. Rohan was mesmerized by the towering Hanuman statue as he playfully circled it while chanting “Jai Hanuman!” The view from the temple’s balcony was simply stunning. Verdant valleys spread out endlessly before us, speckled with quaint villages resembling dollhouses.
That day, we decided to savor some specialties.
We stumbled upon an eatery tucked away in a serene corner of Mall Road. The tantalizing aroma of spices drifting from the kitchen instantly stirred our appetites. We opted for plates of momos, crunchy samosas, and a comforting thukpa – a noodle soup that perfectly suited the mountain weather. Initially hesitant to try something, Maya cautiously sampled a momo, and her eyes lit up with pleasure. “This is amazing!” she exclaimed, relishing the rest eagerly. Rohan, up for adventures, enthusiastically dug into his thukpa, savoring the noodles with audible contentment.
The next day, we set off on a trek through the lush forests enveloping Shimla. Maya sat proudly atop her pony named Rani (Queen), feeling like royalty on her mount. Initially unsure about riding, Rohan was matched with a pony named Raju. With some encouragement, he regained his confidence and laughed joyfully as Raju followed Rani along the winding trails. The fragrance of pine needles filled our senses, and the rhythmic sound of hooves clopping was like music in the woods. We caught sight of birds flitting among the branches, and Maya’s passion for nature led her to try identifying them using her birdwatching guidebook.
No trip to Shimla could be considered complete without a visit to the Viceregal Lodge, once home to British Viceroys. The grand estate, adorned with architecture and well-kept gardens, transported us back in time. During our guided tour, we absorbed every detail shared by the guide about events, gatherings, and the lives of the residents. Maya, showing an interest in history, marveled at features like fireplaces, luxurious chandeliers, and shelves filled with antique books. Meanwhile, Rohan’s curiosity led him to explore every corner of the mansion as if he were its resident.
Evenings were spent by a crackling bonfire at our hotel, where we roasted marshmallows and exchanged stories. The starlit sky, free from city glare, was truly mesmerizing. While lying on a rug, Maya pointed out constellations and narrated their myths, and legends. Rohan snuggled close, between us, looked up at the glittering stars, and whispered with excitement, “This vacation is amazing!”
We fondly remembered the day’s escapades, with the sounds of laughter lingering in the night breeze.
One day, we decided to explore some Himachali crafts. We visited a workshop where a local artist patiently guided us through the art of wood carving. Maya, with her hands, crafted a wooden bird effortlessly. Rohan faced some difficulty handling the chisel but persisted, eventually creating a charming, albeit uneven, heart shape. The workshop owner, a woman, chuckled at his creation and gifted him a small wooden car as a memento.
As our time in Shimla drew to a close, we ventured to the Himalayan Nature Park. Spanning across an area, the park housed indigenous animals and birds. We were anticipating to see a variety of animals, such as snow leopards and musk deer. But, as our guide told us, because we are traveling a regular path, animals try to steer away from it, but we did see some colorful pheasants. The park served as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect incredible species for future generations to enjoy.
With feelings of nostalgia, we reluctantly boarded the train for our journey home. It didn’t take long before a comforting warmth enveloped us, bringing back memories we shared. Shimla wasn’t just a destination; it was a journey, brimming with joy, discovery, a love for nature, and the happiness of being together as a family. We left behind a piece of our hearts in the Queen of Hills, yet it carried with us an abundance of moments that would always evoke the enchantment of Shimla.