Shimla and Manali are the two most prominent hill stations in India. You might have often heard people opting for a combined Shimla Manali tour packages. But have you queried why both and not one? This might be because both are the best hill stations of India and none is to be left unexplored. But have you ever wondered, which among Shimla and Manali is better for the new year’s holiday? So, now let us make a comparison of Shimla vs Manali and find it out.
Accessibility- Shimla vs Manali
Shimla
Shimla is one of the easily accessible hill stations. It is properly connected to all the main cities in the country. If you are a bus traveler then the good news for you is that there are direct buses from Delhi to Shimla. Both private and government Bus operators run the buses on this route. The major reason behind doing so is to gain maximum profit since this route remains busy due to a large number of tourists.
Talking about railway connectivity, Kalka Railway Station is the most proximate railway station to Shimla. There you can ride on the toy train to reach Shimla. This also offers you splendid scenic views throughout the way. The Kalka Railway Station is connected to other big railway stations.
You can also reach Shimla by airplane since there is an airport nearby. The closest airport to Shimla is Jabarhatti Airport which is 30 minutes away from the main city.
In case you prefer the roadways then private vehicles will be the best option. The city has good roadways connectivity. Although, somewhere in between you may encounter traffic the views that you will witness in the ways are mesmerizing.
Manali
The easiest way to reach Manali s by bus. There are numerous public and private bus operators who are running buses directly from Delhi to Manali. Along with being the easiest way, it also offers you the best sceneries. Buses are the widely opted means to reach Manali.
There is no direct railway connectivity to Manali due to the absence of Railway stations. To reach Manali by train, you need to reach Chandigarh and then travel by bus to Manali. This itself is a difficult process.
The airways can also be the option to reach Manali. The closest airport for Manali is the Bhuntar airport which is 50 km away from Manali. Also, since the ticket availability is sparse so try to make the advance bookings. Going by road is also a great choice. If you own a personal vehicle then go by road enjoying the views.
Accommodations- Shimla vs Manali
Shimla
Shimla is a widely popular tourist destination. And because of its growing popularity, there are sufficient options available for accommodation. But this high popularity also has demerits and that is full booking during the tourist season. So, you need to make sure that you are making the advance bookings before 2 to 3 weeks. If you miss out on the early bookings, then there is a high chance that you need to pay extra money. In some cases, you will not find the hotel rooms to meet your standards. Although you will find plenty of options in the tourist seasons it won’t be cost-effective. This is because the hotel owners hike the price of the room during the tourist seasons.
Manali
Similar to Shimla, Manali does not lack accommodation facilities. It has all kinds of accommodations options available such as guests’ houses, homestays, budget hotels, luxury hotels, etc. You will never go out of the options here. But the only predicament is that you require to make the early booking before the tourist season. The hiked price during the tourist season prevails here as well. So, book the most suitable hotel rooms for yourself in advance. The best thing about this place is that it also has accommodation facilities in Solang Valley and Kullu.
Attractions- Shimla vs Manali
Shimla
The major attractions in Shimla are generally closer to each other. The major holy places and temples of Shimla are Jakhoo Temple, Kali Bari Temple, and the Tara Devi Temple. Among these, the Jakhoo temple is famous for trekking and the giant Hanuman Statue. For the people who are great story lovers and love to discover ancient things, there are some prominent places. These places include Viceregal Lodge, Kuthar Fort, and the Annandale.
Now moving towards the viewpoints in Shimla. Hatu Peak and the Shaily Peak are the two major viewpoints. Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary is famous from a wildlife point of view. This is also the best place for wildlife lovers. They can spot different animals such as rhesus macaques and Langurs. Apart from these places, there are further numerous places in Shimla to visit. But these are the major attractions which one must not miss in their Shimla tour.
Manali
The major attractions in Manali are scattered all over the city. But the major temples in the center of the city are the Hadimba Temple and the Vashisht Temple. Apart from the central region, the other temples found in Manali are Bijli Mahadev Temple and the Basheshwar Mahadev Temple. There are numerous beautiful natural attractions in Manali among which the major is Rahala Waterfalls, Jogini Waterfalls, and the Jana Waterfalls. If you are on vacation with your family then you must try visiting Van Vihar Park. The other major attraction of Manali is where you can enjoy several activities in Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, and the Beas River. To complete your excursions in all these places will require a maximum of 2 days.
Conclusion
Therefore, after a proper comparison, it totally depends upon you whether you will prefer Shimla or Manali. On one hand, Shimla is the most enchanting hill station in India. It has all the major places situated inside the city close to each other. Although the activities you can perform here will depend upon the season.
On the other hand, the major attractions of Manali have scattered all-overs the city. So, you must have your vehicle t cover all distances. But for the adventure lover, it is a comprehensive place. There are bunches of activities available that you can do in Manali. So, now you can decide the one that amuses your type.