Shimla Itinerary for 2 Days
A practical 2-day Shimla itinerary shaped by local knowledge and real travel experience.
Planning a short trip to Shimla? This Shimla itinerary for 2 days is designed to give you a balanced experience of the city, combining historic landmarks, temples, peaceful places, mountain views and popular attractions.
Instead of spending both days only around Mall Road, this two days Shimla Itinerary takes you to a few quieter places on the first day before covering Shimla’s famous central attractions. The second day is dedicated to Kufri, Fagu, Green Valley and nearby sightseeing before shopping or departure. If you prefer a planned trip with transportation and accommodation arranged for you, you can also explore our Shimla tour packages.
Shimla Itinerary for 2 Days at a Glance
Day 1
Morning →
Tara Devi Temple → Shiv Temple near Tara Devi → Sankat Mochan Temple
Afternoon →
Indian Institute of Advanced Study → Lunch → Jakhu Temple
Evening →
Mall Road → The Ridge → Christ Church → Lakkar Bazaar
Day 1
Morning →
Green Valley → Kufri
Afternoon →
Kufri → Fagu → nearby sightseeing
Evening →
Return to Shimla → Shopping / Departure
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
Tara Devi Temple → Shiv Temple near Tara Devi→ Sankat Mochan Temple |
Indian Institute of Advanced Study→ Lunch→ Jakhu Temple |
Mall Road→ The Ridge→ Christ Church→ Lakkar Bazaar |
|
Day 2 |
Green Valley→ Kufri |
Kufri → Fagu → nearby sightseeing |
Return to Shimla → Shopping / Departure |
The Shimla Itinerary for Two Days is flexible and the actual time at each place can vary depending on traffic, weather, crowds and how long you want to spend at each attraction.
Day 1: Temples, Heritage and Central Shimla
After breakfast at your hotel, begin your first day with some of Shimla’s quieter and culturally significant places before heading towards the heart of the city.
1. Tara Devi Temple
Start your morning with a visit to Tara Devi Temple, located on Tara Devi Hill.
The temple is surrounded by forested hills and offers a peaceful atmosphere away from the busier parts of Shimla. Spend some time at the temple and enjoy the views before continuing towards the nearby Shiv Temple.
Time to explore
Around 45–60 minutes
2. Shiv Temple Near Tara Devi
Next, visit the Shiv Temple near Tara Devi.
This can be a good stop for travellers looking for a quieter and more peaceful experience away from Shimla’s main tourist circuit. Because it is a lesser-known stop, it can add a more local and offbeat element to your itinerary.
Time to explore
Around 20–30 minutes
3. Sankat Mochan Temple
Continue towards Sankat Mochan Temple, a well-known Hanuman temple in Shimla.
The temple is located away from the busy Mall Road area and provides another peaceful stop during your morning sightseeing.
Time to explore
Around 30–45 minutes
4. Indian Institute of Advanced Study
After visiting the temples, continue towards the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, housed in the historic Viceregal Lodge at Observatory Hill.
The building is notable for its colonial-era architecture and historical importance. Visitors can explore the designated areas of the complex and learn about its history.
Time to explore
Around 1–1.5 hours
Entry Fee
The entry fee for the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (Viceregal Lodge) is ₹200 for Indian adults, while children aged 6–12 years pay ₹50. For foreign nationals above 5 years, the entry fee is ₹1,000.
If you only want to visit the gardens, the fee is ₹60 for Indian visitors and ₹100 for foreign nationals.
The institute is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and remains closed on Mondays and national holidays. Guided tours generally last around 30 minutes.
Visiting information
- Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Closed: Mondays and national holidays
- Guided tour: Approximately 30 minutes
- First guided tour: Around 10:30 AM
- Final guided tour: Around 4:30 PM
Afternoon: Lunch and Central Shimla
After completing your morning sightseeing, stop for lunch before heading towards central Shimla.
Try to have lunch before starting the Mall Road circuit so that you can spend the afternoon and evening exploring the main attractions without rushing.
5. Jakhu Temple after lunch
After lunch, visit Jakhu Temple, situated on Jakhu Hill.
You have several ways to reach the temple depending on your preference:
- Jakhu Ropeway: A convenient option and an experience in itself.
- Cab: Suitable if you prefer road transport.
- Walking: An option for travellers who enjoy walking and are comfortable with uphill routes.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is surrounded by forested slopes.
Time to explore
Around 1–1.5 hours
6. Mall Road
After lunch, head towards Mall Road, the centre of Shimla’s shopping and leisure area.
Mall Road is primarily pedestrian and is best explored on foot. Take your time to walk through the area, explore shops and cafés and enjoy the atmosphere of Shimla.
Time to explore
Around 1–1.5 hours
7. The Ridge
From Mall Road, continue towards The Ridge.
The Ridge is one of Shimla’s most recognizable open spaces and offers views of the surrounding mountains. It is also connected to several important landmarks in central Shimla.
Time to explore
Around 30–45 minutes
8. Christ Church
Located on The Ridge, Christ Church is one of Shimla’s most prominent historic landmarks.
Its distinctive neo-Gothic architecture makes it an important stop while exploring central Shimla.
Time to explore
Around 20–30 minutes
9. Lakkar Bazaar
Continue towards Lakkar Bazaar, known for its wooden handicrafts, souvenirs and local shopping.
It is a convenient place to browse for small souvenirs before continuing towards Jakhu.
Time to explore
Around 30–45 minutes
Evening: Dinner at Your Hotel
After returning from Lakkar Bazaar, head back to your hotel, have dinner and rest for the next day’s sightseeing.
Day 1 Route
Hotel → Tara Devi Temple → Shiv Temple → Sankat Mochan Temple → Indian Institute of Advanced Study → Lunch → Jakhu Temple→ Mall Road → The Ridge → Christ Church → Lakkar Bazaar → Hotel
Day 2: Kufri, Fagu and the Surrounding Hills
Start your second day after breakfast and head towards the scenic areas outside central Shimla.
Keep some flexibility in your schedule because traffic on the Shimla–Kufri road can vary, particularly during weekends, holidays and snowfall.
1. Green Valley
Begin with a stop at Green Valley, a scenic area surrounded by forested mountain slopes.
It is primarily a viewpoint and photo stop, so you don’t need to spend a large part of your day here.
Time to explore
Around 20–30 minutes
2. Kufri
Continue towards Kufri, one of the most popular destinations near Shimla.
Kufri is known for its mountain scenery and seasonal activities. During winter, the area can receive snowfall, while other seasons offer a different landscape and outdoor experience.
The time you spend here will depend heavily on which attractions or activities you choose.
Time to explore
Around 2–3 hours
Afternoon: Lunch
After exploring Kufri, stop for lunch before continuing towards Fagu.
3. Fagu
Continue towards Fagu, a quieter destination in the hills around Shimla.
Fagu is surrounded by forests and mountain landscapes and can be a good choice if you want to experience a calmer side of the region.
Time to explore
Around 45–60 minutes
4. Local Sightseeing Around Kufri and Fagu
Depending on your available time, weather and travel plans, you can explore additional viewpoints or nearby attractions around the Kufri–Fagu route.
Don’t try to add too many destinations if you have an evening departure. Leaving enough time to return to Shimla is more important than checking another attraction off your list.
Time to explore
Flexible, depending on the places selected
Evening: Return to Shimla, Shopping or Departure
Return to Shimla in the evening.
If you have a late departure, you can use your remaining time for shopping around Mall Road or Lakkar Bazaar.
If you have an early departure, leave Kufri/Fagu with enough buffer for traffic and road conditions.
Day 2 Route
Hotel → Green Valley → Kufri → Lunch → Fagu → Local Sightseeing → Shimla → Shopping / Departure
Which Places Need a Cab and Which Can Be Explored on Foot?
Shimla’s central attractions are close enough to explore on foot, while places outside the main town are better covered by cab or other local transport.
Best Explored by Cab
For this itinerary, you will need a cab or other road transport for:
- Tara Devi Temple
- Shiv Temple near Tara Devi ( 15 min Walk )
- Sankat Mochan Temple
- Indian Institute of Advanced Study
- Kufri
- Fagu
- Green Valley
A cab is particularly convenient for Day 2 because Kufri, Fagu and Green Valley are spread along the route outside central Shimla.
Explored on Foot
Once you reach central Shimla, several attractions can be explored on foot:
- Mall Road
- The Ridge
- Christ Church
- Lakkar Bazaar
These places are connected through the pedestrian areas of central Shimla, making walking the easiest way to explore them.
Jakhu Temple
For Jakhu Temple, you have three options:
- Ropeway – convenient and offers a scenic ride.
- Cab – suitable if you prefer road transport.
- Walking – possible for travellers comfortable with an uphill walk.
For a 2-day trip, combining cab travel for the spread-out attractions with walking around central Shimla is a practical way to explore the destination without spending too much time travelling between nearby places.
How Much Time Do You Need for a 2-Day Shimla Trip?
For this itinerary, the approximate sightseeing time is:
- Tara Devi Temple: 45–60 minutes
- Shiv Temple near Tara Devi: 20–30 minutes
- Sankat Mochan Temple: 30–45 minutes
- Indian Institute of Advanced Study: 1–1.5 hours
- Mall Road: 1–1.5 hours
- The Ridge: 30–45 minutes
- Christ Church: 20–30 minutes
- Lakkar Bazaar: 30–60 minutes
- Jakhu Temple: 1–1.5 hours
- Green Valley: 20–30 minutes
- Kufri: 2–3 hours
- Fagu: 45–60 minutes
These are approximate exploration times and do not include all travel, parking, waiting or traffic time.
Is 2 Days Enough for Shimla?
Yes, two days can be enough for a short Shimla trip, especially if your goal is to experience the city’s major attractions and visit one or two nearby destinations.
However, two days will not allow you to explore every corner of the Shimla region. If you want to include more offbeat destinations, longer walks, treks or places farther from Shimla, consider staying for three or more days.
For a first visit, the combination of central Shimla on Day 1 and Kufri/Fagu on Day 2 gives you a good balance between sightseeing and exploring the surrounding mountains.
Want to Explore Shimla Beyond This 2-Day Shimla Itinerary?
Two days are enough for a first introduction to Shimla, but they are not enough to explore the quieter and less-visited parts of the region.
If you want to explore offbeat destinations, peaceful villages, lesser-known viewpoints and places away from the regular tourist circuit, plan at least 2–3 additional days.
Explore our 24 Offbeat Places Near Shimla to discover more places you can add to a longer Shimla trip.
If you’re visiting during the colder months and specifically want to find snowy destinations, check our guide to 20 Places to Visit in Shimla in Winter.
Planning a Shimla Trip?
If you don’t want to arrange hotels, transportation and sightseeing separately, you can explore our Shimla tour packages for planned trips to Shimla.
For travellers who want to explore the destination at their own pace, you can also use this itinerary as a starting point and customize the route according to your interests, season and available time.
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A Note from the Founder
This Shimla Itinerary for 2 Days is designed for travellers who want to cover as many places as possible in just 2 days while still getting a mix of Shimla’s well-known attractions and a few quieter places along the way.
The first day combines peaceful temples and the historic side of Shimla before taking you through Jakhu Temple, Mall Road, The Ridge, Christ Church and Lakkar Bazaar. On the second day, you can experience the mountain landscapes around Green Valley, Kufri and Fagu.
Our mission at GhumneChlo.com is to help travellers discover the offbeat side of the mountains, where they can find more peace and enjoy a different experience away from the usual tourist crowds. That’s why we have included a few less-popular places in this itinerary. From my experience, these places are genuinely worth visiting for travellers who want to experience the mountains beyond the usual tourist circuit.
If you are a slow traveller, I recommend choosing the places that interest you most instead of trying to cover everything. Pick a few destinations, spend more time there and enjoy the journey at your own pace.
If you have a few extra days, I would always recommend slowing down further and exploring some of the lesser-known places around Shimla rather than keeping your trip packed from morning to evening.
— Lakshay Bramta
Founder, GhumneChlo.com
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Quick FAQs
1. Is 2 days enough for Shimla?
Yes. Two days are enough to experience many of Shimla’s major attractions, including The Ridge, Christ Church, Mall Road, Lakkar Bazaar and Jakhu Temple, along with a short trip towards Kufri.
2. Which places can I cover in Shimla in 2 days?
A two-day trip can include The Ridge, Christ Church, Mall Road, Scandal Point, Lakkar Bazaar, Jakhu Temple, Green Valley, Kufri and Fagu, depending on your travel pace.
3. Can I visit Kufri and Shimla in 2 days?
Yes. You can explore central Shimla on the first day and keep the second day for Kufri and nearby destinations.
4. Which is better for a 2-day trip, Shimla or Manali?
Both offer different experiences. Shimla is particularly convenient for a short trip because many of its central attractions are concentrated around the Ridge and Mall Road. Manali has a different landscape and offers access to attractions such as Solang Valley and the Rohtang/Atal Tunnel region depending on season and access.
5. What should I avoid on a 2-day Shimla trip?
Avoid packing too many distant destinations into the itinerary. Long travel times can leave you with very little time to actually experience the places you visit.