Call 01306 744 656 or
Call 01306 744 656 or
Discover Shimla’s famous houses and fairytale forests on this half-day walking tour…
Learn the history of Shimla and explore its famous houses and fairytale forests on this half-day walking tour. I devised this trail to offer a blend of architecture, history and nature, leading from Shimla around one of the surrounding seven hills, Elysium. We start from the main town and head north-east, passing historic houses that tell the stories of Shimla’s past. A highlight is the iconic Sterling Castle, which was one of the first houses built in Shimla by the British in 1833.
Other landmarks you’ll see include Belvedere, the house of the gem dealer Alexander Malcolm Jacob who had a shop in Shimla where he sold antique pieces from all over the world. Some say he was a Russian spy. He was ruined by a bad deal that involved selling one of the world’s largest diamonds, at 185 carats, to the Nizam of Hyderabad. You can see the jewel today, known as the Jacob Diamond, in a museum in Hyderabad.
As we walk you get incredible views of the Great Himalayan Range and northern hills, covering about five kilometres in all. Eventually we pass Northwood where the last British lady who lived in Shimla stayed with her 15 dogs and many cats – it’s now been converted into a school for local children. The last part of the trail leads towards a cedar forest and a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, which has views over Shimla and the mountains. Guests love the feel of the forest, the stories behind the houses and uncovering Shimla’s past.
Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.
Freephone an expert 01306 744 656
