High in the densely forested foothills of the Himalayas, Shimla is a land of wildlife-rich valleys, snow-dusted peaks and shimmering lakes. The hill resort was once the holiday capital of former British India, though it remains a popular destination for those seeking to escape the heat of the sultry Indian summer. On clear days the Himalayas are visible on the distant horizon, though much of the action is centred around the beautiful private gardens, fine colonial houses and the famous Kalka-Shimla toy train. Constructed in 1903, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features 103 tunnels and 700 bridges in just 96 kilometres of track, which is best seen on board the famous train.

The narrow-gauge railway is an engineering marvel and one of the steepest in the world, traversing a mountainous route of bridges, tunnels and curves through dense oak and maple forests, offering magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. Travelling at a leisurely pace of 22 kilometres per hour, you’ll have ample opportunity to take photographs and absorb the sights and sounds around you.