8 Best Places To Visit In Shimla In December To Stretch Your Limits

Oh Shimla, you are the ‘White Winter Queen of India’. Above all, you elegantly control the thoughts of snow-loving couples, family travellers, and solo travelers. You are in one of the beautiful Himalayan settlements in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, and your topography shows a cold climate in December. Hence, all the snow loving wanderers must go together like winter and a sweater at the trending places to visit in Shimla in December 2021.

Thanks to the snow god in Himachal Pradesh who made the snow shine like a tiny sun in Shimla in December. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, this hill station manages to produce dazzling white snow in December. As a result, every single tourist attraction of Shimla is flooded with tourists in its peak tourist month.

What makes Shimla trip in December special?

Shimla is one of the top tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh due to certain snowfall in December. As a result, the ice skating carnival attracts tourists to Shimla to visit annually during December. Moreover, Shimla locals or tourists alike celebrate Christmas in Shimla with full enthusiasm during December to drive away evil spirits. Also, Shimla is the basecamp for many trekking trails which are more hit in winters especially from November to February.

8 Top Attractions in Shimla in December 2021 for Winter-Esting Holidays

• The Ridge of Shimla
• Jakhoo Hill
• Annandale
• Kiala Forest
• Mall Road
• Mashobra
• Shaily Peak
• Kufri

1. The Ridge of Shimla

December sees Shimla’s ridge in full mode due to the decorated craft market (Lakkar Bazaar), and the Neo-Gothic style Christ Church is the highlight of the visit. The Ridge is a large open space situated one level above the Mall Road. Also, it is one of the famous places to see snowfall in Shimla in December. To the west of The Ridge is Scandal Point. Most importantly, the ridge of Shimla is the playground for the cultural activities organized in Shimla during summer and winter.

The Ridge of Shimla is the same place that gets featured in news articles when Shimla received snow for the first time. After a month of 2022 you will have a great time on the ridge of Shimla. Apart from this, several great restaurants, souvenir shops, lavish bar clubs allow tourists to witness the snowfall with the views. If you’re a shutterbug, take a spare battery because you’ll be spoiled by snowfall laden on trees and roofs.

Distance between Mall Road and Ridge: A stone’s throw away, a few miles of walk!

Visiting Hours: 8 AM – 9 PM

2. Jakhoo Hill/Jakhu Temple

Once you locate the Mall Road or Christ Church, resolve to cross Jakhoo Hill or get there by ropeway or taxi. The hill is famous for the temple of Lord Hanuman, and a hike from dawn to daylight offers a spectacular panorama of the snow-clad Himalayas. Jakhu Temple is situated at the highest altitude of Shimla, about 2,455 m. Hence, it is one of the places to visit in Shimla in December for Lord Hanuman devotees. From ropeway to hiking, take your pick and continue up the ridge.

December is the perfect time for hiking Jakhoo Hill in the company of like-minded tourists. Young people will love the steep climb, but family tourists will love the short ropeway from the ridge. If you choose to trek, the 30-metre tall orange concrete statue of Lord Hanuman features tech-friendly monkeys who love to eat bananas. Make sure you don’t display your gadgets as they are gadget-loving monkeys and can snatch them from you!

Temple Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM

Trek Distance from the Ridge Shimla to Jakhoo Hill: 2 kilometers (approx.)

Duration of Trek: 30-45 minutes (approx.) depending on the endurance

Ropeway Distance Between Jakhu Hill and Ridge Ground: 8 kilometers (approx.)

Ropeway Timings: 9.30 AM – 5 PM

3. Annandale

Some places are not on the radar of tourists, and that is what sets them apart. If you want to go bowling for December holidays from one such offbeat place in Shimla, then bookmark Annadale. Situated at an altitude of about 6,117 feet, this flat terrain of Shimla is surrounded by deodar, oak, pine trees. Consequently, when Shimla was a British territory, Annadale was a recreational playground for the royal British.

Now to intensify the winters in Shimla, there is a series of Army Heritage Museum and magnificent gardens. Consider taking a trip to Annadale from Shimla Railway Station and Ridge with friends. Also, you can hire a cab if you are traveling with family or senior citizens.

Distance from Shimla Railway Station: 2 kilometers (approx.)

Distance from Shimla’s Ridge: 5 kilometers (approx.)

Timings of Army Heritage Museum: 10 AM – 2 PM, 3 PM – 5 PM, Monday close

Annandale Army Heritage Museum Entry Fee: Free for all

4. Kiala Forest

How about escaping the chaos of Shimla on a half day excursion to Kiala Forest? As the name suggests, it is a forest in the illustrated Kotkhai Valley and is covered with lush and varied vegetation. Kiala Forest is one of the least explored attractions of Shimla. Enjoy nature walks, photography and trekking at Kiala Forest when you are in Shimla during your December trip. This quaint village is located in the Kotkhai Valley and is known for its picturesque stretches of apple orchards.

Distance Between Shimla and Kiala Forest: 58 kilometers (approx.)

Travel Time: 2.5 hours (approx.)

How to Reach from Shimla: Cab, local buses

Ideal Duration: 5-6 hours (approx.)

Homestays Price (approx.): ₹ 800 per person and subject to change in a different season

5. Mall Road

Can the list of best places to visit in Shimla in December for couples be considered complete without the mention of Mall Road? Of course not! Apart from romance seekers, leisure travelers, shoppers and families alike love to stroll along Mall Road, located one level below the ridge.

Distance Between Mall Road and The Ridge: Stone throw distance, a few miles walk!

Visiting Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM

Distance from Shimla Old Bus Stand: Within 2 kilometers (approx.)

Advice: Keep in mind that Mall Road is an automobile free zone so meander via foot

6. Mashobra

Listen to Delhiites (especially); If you want to replace Shimla with its peaceful alternative, think about Mashobra. It is located very close to Shimla and will provide you with the perfect snowy backdrop to master your village game. Whatever your tourists, you will love your road trip from Shimla to Mashobra via the iconic Hindustan Tibet Road. As a result, Jackals, Himalayan Eagles, Baboons in Shimla Forest Sanctuary will add strokes of wildlife encounters. Apart from this, skiing, paragliding, rappelling are some of the must-do activities in Mashobra in winter.

Distance Between Mashobra and Shimla: 11 kilometers (approx.)

Travel Time: 40 minutes (approx.)

How to Reach: Taxi, local bus

Ideal Duration: 2 days (approx.)

Best Hotels in Mashobra: Wildflower Hall, Nature Home, Kothi Resorts

7. Shaily Peak

It is no wonder that Shaily Peak is one of the best places for trekking in and around Shimla in December. It has an elevation of 9,423 feet (approx), and hence, you snow-loving couples get to enjoy spectacular snowfall during their December trip. However, there are three ways to reach Shelly Peak, which include Pony Ride, Trek and Motorable Road. But the trekking route is the most talked about for youth and even adults above 40+ years.

Trek Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM (Sunrise to before sunset)

Base Village of Shaily Peak Trek: Khatnol

Trek Distance from the Base Village: 8 kilometers (approx.)

Total Duration of Trek: 5-6 hours (approx.) including ascend and descend with halts

Pony Ride Price to Reach Summit: ₹ 100 – ₹ 150 (approx.) per person for one way

8. Kufri

Kufri is another popular resort hill town of Shimla which is the epitome of adventurous souls vying for skiing. Whatever the year, Kufri is great to visit. But especially in December, snow is covered everywhere, and Kufri beacon Europeans feel under thick shiny snow. Finally, Kufri marks itself as the best place to travel around Shimla in under 50 kms (approx) in December.

Distance Between Kufri and Shimla: 15 kilometers (approx.)

Travel Time: 40 minutes (approx.)

How to Reach: Taxi, local bus

Ideal Duration: 4-5 hours (approx.)

Best Hotels in Kufri: Galleu Hill Resort, Sterling Kufri, Kufri Pacific Resort