Visit Foothills of The Himalaya
At over 2,100 metres above sea level, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh was once the cool summer retreat for the British colonial government escaping from the heat of the plains. Today, crumbling remnants of the Raj such as the mock Tudor bungalows, church, library, club and theatre are just a small part of a now much larger hill station. A great introduction to the town is to arrive on the old narrow gauge railway which winds its way up the mountain in a series of steep switchbacks, through small country stations and more than 100 tunnels. On the pedestrian Mall above the busy bazaar you will find boys in traditional English school uniforms rushing to lessons, wigged and robed lawyers sharing cases and happy honeymoon couples enjoying the views. This is a good base to explore the hills beyond, or perhaps make an excursion to Naldehra for a round of golf on India’s highest course, designed by Lord Curzon.