Category: Kalka Shimla Train - Page 5

Shivalik Deluxe Express – Journey from Kalka to Shimla

Shimla is a beautiful place especially for nature lovers. To enjoy the nature, the best way to travel to Shimla would be by train from Kalka to Shimla. The train runs through this route on meter gauge track. The distance covered by this wonderful train journey is 96km and it passes through 103 tunnels to reach Shimla . It takes 5-51/2 hours to reach Shimla railway station from Kalka. The train route passes through beautiful valley and hills moving upwards throughout its journey upto Shimla. There are deluxe, honeymoon and chair car compartments in these trains. The ticket fare is very reasonable varying from Rs.19 to Rs.290/. There are different trains varying in their timings of departure and their classes. The names of these trains are Kalka Shimla Passenger, Rail Motor, Shivalik Deluxe Express, Kalka Shimla Express and Himalayan Queen.

The best train to travel by this route is the Shivalik Deluxe Express, which starts in the early morning at 5.30 am from Kalka. This train connects many trains which reaches Kalka in the early morning hours. The journey in the early hours through the beautiful valley would be wonderful treat to our eyes. The train starts from Shimla back to Kalka at 5.40 pm and reaches 10.20 pm in the night to Kalka. It is very convenient for the tourists who are going to travel back by Howrah Mail to Delhi and other places.

The Shivalik Express is best known for its ambiance. The coaches are well equipped with reversible cushioned seats, foldable tables for serving food, wall to wall carpeting and wide glass windows , which can be opened so you can enjoy the nature. Good relaxing music is played to enhance a more pleasant atmosphere.

The Shivalik Express does not have any official stops throughout the journey except for the Barog station, to load the food packets. The breakfast is complementary in the up journey to Shimla and dinner during the down journey to Kalka. There is a choice of food for the passenger, they can order either vegetarian or non-vegetarian food.

Travelling by these trains especially during the snow season would be a retreat to our lives. The wonderful experience of the scenic beauty would be a lifetime reward by God. The scene would be like this:

The Shivalik Express is a connecting service for Howrah – Kalka Mail and also in return journey back to Delhi or Howrah. It accomodates 120 passengers and reaches the destination in 4.45 hours. The one way fare for a person is Rs.290/.

There are premium Shivalik coaches named by The Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach and The Shivalik Queen Tourist Coach. The Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach provided a luxurious ambience accomodating a part of six persons and is equipped with folding cushioned bed, refrigerator, on board kitchen and dining table. The fare includes complementary accomodation of two luxurious retiring rooms at Shimla and free meals enroute. The Shivalik Queen tourist coach is also a luxury coach with ultra modern facilities. These luxury coaches are attached to other trains as per special requirements.

Please not that the Kalka Shimla toy train bookings open only one month in advance (except Shivalik Deluxe train, it will open three months before from travel date), not like other trains which open two months in advance.

Shimla hotels near railway station

Shimla’s healthful atmosphere, countless attractions and being easy approachability is the reason that it has become very popular hill station of India. Hill queen, Shimla has endless locations for visitors. This is the tourist heaven. The snow peaks, deep valleys, continuous rivers, numerous temples, waterfalls and serpentine roads depict the panoramic view of the nature. Railway station of Shimla is just a 15 minutes’ walk from the heart of city. Shimla is well connected to narrow guage to kalka, which is linked to all metros and big cities of India Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, Mumbai and Amritsar to name a few by broad gauge rail links. Kalka to shimla is 96 km distance and takes about 6 hrs. the journey is travelled by a toy train, and the experience of mini train is unmatched while the views in between are calming and spectacular. The following are some of the Shimla hotels near railway station.

Oberoi Cecil

Oberoi Cecil is a five star century old hotel, situated just above the NH 22, Northern railway station and near to town’s main street Mall road. The hotel is brilliantly constructed with wooden work and fabulous décor with 75 rooms. Spas and indoor swimming pool will reduce your tiredness and relieve your mind, body and soul. A nice wine collection will quench your thirst. Service oriented staff will not disappoint. Awesome food will add to good things about the hotel. The room charges starts from Rs 10,574. For royal feel and exhilarating experience the hotel stay is must.

Address: The Oberoi Cecil, Chaura Maidan, Shimla-171004 (HP) India

Tel.:+91-177-2804848

srikant.peri@oberoihotels.com

Peterhof Hotel

The hotel is one of the premium hotels of HPTDC. The Peterhof is a heritage hotel, which housed seven Viceroys and Governor Generals during the British Raj. After independence the structure also served as Punjab High Court and it was the place of trial of killer Nathu ram Godsey for assassination of Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. After statehood of Himachal it became Raj Bhawan. Unfortunately it caught fire in 1981 and rebuild in 1991 as heritage Luxury Hotel. The Peterhof hotel facing with a panoramic view of Choorchandani, Dhauladhar ranges to its western and Kinner Kailash to its eastern side. The hotel is also situated near the heritage structure, Viceroy legal lodge now named as Institute of Advance Studies and State Museum having collections of pahari miniatures, stone sculptures, local handicrafts, textiles and embroidery. The hotel also houses a conference hall with a capacity of 800 persons. The stay at hotel will give an experience of a peaceful location, with grand views and impeccable services. The rooms are elegant, clean and equipped with all comforts. Foods and restaurant is best and worth the bucks. Visitors recall yesteryears and historical events associated with the hotel.

Address: The Peterhof, shimla – 171004 (HP) India

Tel.: +91-177-2812236, 2652538

E mail: peterhof@hptdc.in

Shimla British Resort

Shimla British Resort is just 10 minutes walk away from the railway station. Being near to railway station the famous Mall Road of Shimla, visitors can easily reach the main market of shimla. Earlier it was the residence of a British Architect. The resort is surrounded by the dense forest of cedar and pine trees. The scenic view from the resort is really breathtaking which gives opportunity for the tourist to explore the nature closely and experience the adventures and spectacular view of the Himalayas. Various movies shootings had been shot in the Shimla British Resort. Rooms are spacious and family suit includes a separate living room with a fire place and four poster bed. Teak floors in the guest rooms reflect the colonial heritage and traditional skills of local craftsmen. Shimla British Resort serves continental, Indian and Chinese cuisines. The cutlery used is designed in Great Britain. A kid’s restaurant is a special attraction where live ducks, rabbits, ginnie fowls, cock and hens act as their playmates. The room tariff starts from ` 1650-11000. To be a part of nature and away from crowd and hustle and bustle, the resort is a heaven as a tourist home.

Address: Shimla British Resort, near Vidhan Sabha, Annadale Road, Shimla-171003

Tel.: +91-0177-2655254, 9816326000

E mail: info@britishresortshimla.com, britishresort@gmail.com

Loveena Palace hotel

Loveena Palace is situated near Railway station shimla. The hotel has been restored as a heritage hotel. Rooms are classified as deluxe, double and queen suite double with tariff ranging from ` 2000-3500. One can enjoy best location with impressive hospitable services. The view from hotel is picturesque it may be enticing snow capped mountains of the hills in winter, surreal lush green forests and varied flora and fauna in spring or seductive misty valleys and landscapes. Sulekha.com and clickindia.com will provide info related to the hotel.

Address: Hotel Loveena Palace, near railway station, shimla 171001 (HP) India

Tel.: +91-177-2835745

Hotel Lords Grey

Hotel Lords Grey is budget visitor’s home away from home. The hotel is around 500 meters from bus stand and railway station shimla. Rooms are luxurious and equipped with all latest comforts. Free stay for children under 5. Terrace garden is attractive and provides the enchanting view of hill tops, lush green forests, sunrise/sunset and overlooking huge blue sky. The Cave restaurant served varied choice of Indian, Chinese and continental fares which will be a great satisfaction for body and soul. The room service is quite prompt and staff is well behaved and friendly.

Address: Hotel Lords Grey, the Mall, shimla- 171003 (HP) India.

Tel. : +91-177-2860601, 2860630, 2661073

E mail: booking@himachalhotels.in

Hotel Harsha

Hotel Harsha is located near Railway Station Shimla just 0.5 kilometers and it’s the feasibility which makes hotel a much sought stay. The hotel offers a total of 19 well equipped and spacious rooms. To make the stay comfortable and homely hotel rooms are all empowered with modern facilities. Hotel has one multi-cuisine restaurant called Kadambari. Perfect interiors of Kadambari provides mouthwatering Indian, Continental and Chinese meals so a taste to eyes as well as to visitors tongue, finally complete satisfaction.

Address: Hotel Harsha, The Mall, shimla -171004 (HP)

Tel. +91-177-2658442

Email: mail@hotelharshashimla.com

Wingait inn

Hotel Wingait Inn another name for Comfort of luxury and experience of fineness. Located just at 1 km away from railway station the hotel offers a wide view as well as hospitality. The rooms are spacious clean and well equipped. The décor is elegant and king size beds are really a great comfort. Multicuisine rooftop restaurant and terrace garden serves a wide range of delicious dishes besides overlooking a panaromic view of sunrise or sunset and the shimla city. A special attraction is a four-seater terrace at one corner of the restaurant, if booked for special occasions.

Address: Hotel Wingait Inn, The Mall, Chaura Maidan, shimla, (HP) India

Tel. +91-177-6451501

Email: info@wingaitinn.com

Tirupati Palace

Hotel Tirupati Palace, place where guests can find unmatched style and service. Numerous attractions of shimla, green splendid beauty can be experience with gracious hostility and comfortful amenities of Tirupati Palace. It’s a budget hotel in range of around `1000.The rooms are fully furnished and equipped so as to enable guests to avail comforts and homeliness. Rooms are categorized as deluxe and double bed. Separate kitchen on demand are also available. Restaurant in hotel offers tasteful, fresh and hygienic Indian, Chinese, Continental and Guajarati cuisines for satisfying the appetite.

Address: Hotel Tirupati Palace, Near Tara Hall, North Bank, Estate, Shimla – 171001

Tel. : +91-98109-21293

E mail : hoteltirupatipalaceshimla@yahoo.co.in

Delhi Shimla train schedule

Shimla is situated at a height of 2000 meters, a perfect destination for travelers but there is no direct train from Delhi to Shimla. While travelling from Delhi to Shimla through train one has to travel first to Kalka and from there to Shimla. The train from Delhi to Kalka is a broad gauge train but from Kalka to Shimla its narrow gauge and toy trains run over this track. The important stops in between Delhi and Kalka are Sonepat, panipat, Karnal, Ambala, Chandigarh and then Kalka, situated in the basin of shivalik ranges. Depending upon your budget and affordability you can choose ordinary or luxury trains. Do check about the days of service by different trains.

Indian Railway website irctc.com will provide complete information regarding the Delhi Shimla train schedules, timings and fares.

The Shatabadi express is the best from Delhi which leaves at around 7:40 in the morning, reach at Chandigarh at 10:45 and finally the Kalka station at 11:45. This journey will cost around 550 Rs/person. In this express one can have meals, snacks and juices.

Trains schedules from Delhi to Kalka are given below

S No	Train Name	Number	Departure New Delhi	Arrival Kalka
1	Himalyan Queen	14095	05:40 AM	11:10 AM
2	Kalka Shtbdi	12011	07:40 AM	11:45 AM
3	Kalka Shtbdi	12005	05:25 PM	09:20 PM
4	Hwh Dli Klk Mail	12311	09:40 PM (Delhi)	04:40 AM
5	PASCHIM EXPRESS	12925	10:03 AM	04:45 PM

The toy train runs very slow but if you have time and want to experience the nature, this would be the best mode of transport to Shimla. This train takes around six hours from Kalka to reach Shimla. The best thing about this train is that having so much nature scenes, reasonable fare and it just stops at heart of city.

These are the trains from Kalka to Shimla according to the categories.

Economical class include: – Kalka Shimla rail and Himalayan queen.
Deluxe category includes: – The Kalka Shimla Special and The Shivalik Deluxe Express.
Premium includes: – The Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach and The Shivalik Queen Tourist Coach.

Note:

The transparent roof Vistadome coach is attached to Kalka Shimla Express train ( 52453/52454)
Kalka Shimla Special is the newest and most expensive train on this Kalka Shimla toy train Route

Kalka to Shimla train timings / timetable

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
52455	Himalayan Queen	Kalka	12:10	Shimla	17:20
52457	KLK SML Pass	Kalka	03:30	Shimla	08:55
52459	KLK SML Special	Kalka	05:10	Shimla	09:50
52451	Shivalik Deluxe	Kalka	05:45	Shimla	10:35
52453	KLK SML express	Kalka	06:20	Shimla	11:35
52459	Him Darshan Express	Kalka	07:00	Shimla	12:55

Kalka Shimla holiday special trains run in the peak tourist season only

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
02451	Kalka Shimla Special	Kalka	07:00	Shimla	12:10
02453	Kalka Holiday Special	Kalka	12:45	Shimla	06:10

Shimla to Kalka train timings / timetable

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
52456	Himalayan Queen	Shimla	10:40	Kalka	16:10
52458	SML KLK Pass	Shimla	14:20	Kalka	20:10
52460	SML KLK Special	Shimla	17:25	Kalka	22:05
52452	Shivalik Deluxe	Shimla	17:50	Kalka	22:45
52454	SML KLK express	Shimla	18:30	Kalka	23:30
52460	Him Darshan Express	Shimla	03:50	Kalka	09:15

Shimla Kalka Holiday Special trains: these run in the peak tourist season only

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
02452	Kalka Shimla Spl	Shimla	15:50	Kalka	21:10
02454	Kalka Holiday Spl	Shimla	09:25	Kalka	15:20

Unlike other long distance trains, these bookings open one month in advance only. While, in peak tourist season, summer and winter and holidays such as Dussehra and special occasions like Christmas Eve and New Year, large number of tourists are visiting Shimla, so hurry and book at earliest.