Visit the winter capital of the British Raj for over a century, Shimla
An escape from the loud, hot urban city life to the foothills of the Himalayas, see the real Simla, which struggles with its share of burgeoning tourists, a rabid influx of new constructions, traffic and gentrification. While the days of British royalty are long over, we focus on the shadows of the building left behind and the fusion of rich indigenous culture.
We’d explore uncomfortable themes of exclusionism by the British Raj, to the redevelopment and deforestation of the mountains today, the role of the middle class in shaping the city and how the state balances a significant portion of its income via tourism, while also being the capital of the state.
This is an experience of nostalgia, imagined royalty, and a relaxing evening full of old-school charm
Itinerary:
Guided tour of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study / Viceregal Lodge, including gardens. Built in 1888 by British architect Henry Irwin, this Jacobethan stone mansion was designed as a Himalayan Scottish castle—combining imperial power, advanced engineering, and elite British lifestyle in colonial India.
Take the intimidating but efficient Jakhu Ropeway to travel via a cable car through the mountains to catch an aerial view of the whole city
Perched on Shimla’s highest peak, the Jakhu Temple marks the spot where legend says the monkey god paused mid-flight, making the sacred site long before the city even existed
Created by the British as a European-style promenade, The Ridge is now Shimla’s central social heart. We walk through the mountain square built over hidden water reservoirs with colonial urban design, including ancient antiques
Right next follows the old British high street in the 19th century, the Mall Road, featuring people watching and some window shopping, artefacts and jewellery
Himachal State Museum – anthropologically see the discovery of life in the Himalayas and how humans survived in these harsh conditions
An inside, detailed guided tour of the Rashtrapati Niwas Shimla. Built in 1888 as the Viceroy’s summer residence, this Jacobethan mansion later became the President’s retreat to now transforming into one of India’s top research institutes, Indian Institute of Advanced Study Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
Guided inside tour of the towering heart of British presence in the Himalayas, the Christ Church made in 1857 in stone masonry, in classic Victorian Gothic style
An inside guided tour and an art performance at the Bantony Castle, made in the 1880s by the Raja of Sirmaur. It is a rare example of Indian royalty adopting European castle architecture to fit into the elite colonial world of Shimla
Guided detailed inside tour of the Gaiety Theatre, designed by Henry Irwin in 1887 to bring London-style theatrical performances and social life to Shimla
Guided tour of the Raj Bhavan, originally built as Barnes Court for the British Commander-in-Chief, this colonial bungalow is now the Governor’s residence, representing continuity from empire to modern Indian administration
Includes:
All entry tickets
Train tickets included!
All photography tickets
All local taxis to and from destinations
All mandatory government chaperones where compulsorily applicable
Excludes:
Tips / Gratuity
Food, snacks, and beverages
Hotel stays
Visit the winter capital of the British Raj for over a century, Shimla
An escape from the loud, hot urban city life to the foothills of the Himalayas, see the real Simla, which struggles with its share of burgeoning tourists, a rabid influx of new constructions, traffic and gentrification. While the days of British royalty are long over, we focus on the shadows of the building left behind and the fusion of rich indigenous culture.
We’d explore uncomfortable themes of exclusionism by the British Raj, to the redevelopment and deforestation of the mountains today, the role of the middle class in shaping the city and how the state balances a significant portion of its income via tourism, while also being the capital of the state.
This is an experience of nostalgia, imagined royalty, and a relaxing evening full of old-school charm
Itinerary:
Guided tour of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study / Viceregal Lodge, including gardens. Built in 1888 by British architect Henry Irwin, this Jacobethan stone mansion was designed as a Himalayan Scottish castle—combining imperial power, advanced engineering, and elite British lifestyle in colonial India.
Take the intimidating but efficient Jakhu Ropeway to travel via a cable car through the mountains to catch an aerial view of the whole city
Perched on Shimla’s highest peak, the Jakhu Temple marks the spot where legend says the monkey god paused mid-flight, making the sacred site long before the city even existed
Created by the British as a European-style promenade, The Ridge is now Shimla’s central social heart. We walk through the mountain square built over hidden water reservoirs with colonial urban design, including ancient antiques
Right next follows the old British high street in the 19th century, the Mall Road, featuring people watching and some window shopping, artefacts and jewellery
Himachal State Museum – anthropologically see the discovery of life in the Himalayas and how humans survived in these harsh conditions
An inside, detailed guided tour of the Rashtrapati Niwas Shimla. Built in 1888 as the Viceroy’s summer residence, this Jacobethan mansion later became the President’s retreat to now transforming into one of India’s top research institutes, Indian Institute of Advanced Study Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
Guided inside tour of the towering heart of British presence in the Himalayas, the Christ Church made in 1857 in stone masonry, in classic Victorian Gothic style
An inside guided tour and an art performance at the Bantony Castle, made in the 1880s by the Raja of Sirmaur. It is a rare example of Indian royalty adopting European castle architecture to fit into the elite colonial world of Shimla
Guided detailed inside tour of the Gaiety Theatre, designed by Henry Irwin in 1887 to bring London-style theatrical performances and social life to Shimla
Guided tour of the Raj Bhavan, originally built as Barnes Court for the British Commander-in-Chief, this colonial bungalow is now the Governor’s residence, representing continuity from empire to modern Indian administration
Includes:
All entry tickets
Train tickets included!
All photography tickets
All local taxis to and from destinations
All mandatory government chaperones where compulsorily applicable
Excludes:
Tips / Gratuity
Food, snacks, and beverages
Hotel stays
