Agartala - the capital of Tripura

Overview

Tucked in north-eastern part of India, Agartala is the capital of Tripura state. With its strategic location close to the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, Agartala enjoys a special place in India’s political map. A historic place, Agartala rose to prominence in the 19th century, when Maharaja Krishna Manikya declared the city his capital. The magnificent palaces, architectural masterpieces, temples and churches altogether display the rich past of the city. Nature has blessed the charming city with rich and varied flora & fauna, lush hills, picturesque lakes, pleasant atmosphere and unmatched beauty. Agartala is a major commercial centre of the region and serves a major market for rice, tea, oilseed and other ingredients. Agartala is a cultural melting pot of the region and home to people of diverse cultures. Experience the unique culture of the region in the lifestyle of locals including eating habits and dress senses. Fairs and festivals also provide a fine glimpse of the varied culture and traditions. The rich heritage of cane and bamboo handicrafts also adds more charm to the city of Agartala. Get ready for a holiday in Agartala, where many hidden jewells are waiting for you.

Agartala

Fast Facts

Main languages: Bengali is widely spoken and used in Agartala by locals along with Tripuri language ‘Kokborok’. Manipuri, Chakma, Nepali and basic Hindi are also spoken.

When to go: Agartala experiences a moderate climate all round the year that makes it ideal to visit any time. Summers (April to July) are pleasant with maximum temperature touches a high of 35 degree Celsius, while monsoons (July to September) bring heavy rains. Winter season (October to March) is also pleasant with temperature dips to a low of 5 degree Celsius. October to March is the best time to visit Agartala. 

Local Transport: Cycle rickshaws are main mode of local transport in Agartala. Auto-rickshaws locally called ‘tempu’ also ply in specific routes of the city. Buses are also available for long routes and day trips to nearby places. 

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR) 1 USD is approximately 48 INR

Voltage: 230V / 50Hz

Time Zone: Indian Standard Time (UTC +5:30)

Location: North-East India, along the banks of Haora River

Nearest Metropolis: Guwahati - 510 km away, Kolkata – 1680 km away

Eating

Like the normal lifestyle, the cuisine of Agartala is also highly influenced from the Bengali culture. Fish dominates in almost all the meals and served with boiled rice. Despite the strong influence of Bengali cuisine, Tripuri cuisine also flourishes in Agartala. Like Bengali cuisine, fish and rice are the main components of Tripuri cuisine. Locally called as ‘Berma’, the dried ‘puthi’ fish is used as a spice in most of the Tripuri dishes. Bamboo shoots, ginger, green chili and other natural ingredients are also used for the preparation of local dishes. Generally the Tripuri dishes are prepared without the use of oil. Some of the popular Tripuri dishes are Awandru, Bwtwi, Chakhwi, Chakhwtwi, Chatang, Deng, Gudok, Mosodeng, Peng, Rabra, Ser, Sok and Yohk. Many restaurants in Agartala serve traditional Tripuri dishes along with Bengali dishes.

Shopping

If you are a discerning shopper and wish to buy something for yourself or near and dear ones, then Agartala is a perfect place for you. In fact, Agartala is a paradise for avid shoppers and offers a vast collection of traditional handicrafts along with other interesting objects. The forestland of Tripura produces bamboo and wood in large quantity that have been used as the raw material for manufacturing of the handicrafts. Besides these, clay and palm leaves are also used by the local craftsmen for making exquisite artifacts. The bamboo and cane handicrafts of Agartala can be used to decorate the home interiors. Explore the markets of Agartala to buy the bamboo or cane made objects like floor mats, tablemats, room dividers, decorated lampshades, wall panels and furniture (sofa sets, baby chairs garden chairs, tables, morah and apple morah). You may also pick up hand-woven fabrics available in a variety of designs and colors. ‘Travel Agartala’ – a government run shop is a perfect place to buy authentic artifacts at reasonable prices. You may also visit the private shops in the main market area that offer a wide array of items including traditional handicrafts.

Sightseeing

The city of Agartala houses plenty of attractions in its small area that include magnificent palaces, important Hindu and Buddhist temples, massive churches, wonderful museums, picturesque natural lakes, and beautifully managed parks and gardens. Built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1901, Ujjayanta Palace is a two storied building and now operational as the state legislative assembly. Just one km from Ujjayanta Palace is Kunjaban Palace also called Pushbanta Palace, which is perched atop a hillock called ‘Kunjaban’. The palace is now the official residence of Governor of Tripura and houses well laid gardens. The southern side of the garden is named as ‘Rabindra Kanan’ and is open for public. Malancha Niwas is another attraction close to Kunjaban Palace and deserves a visit. After covering the palaces, move towards the temples situated in the Palace Compound. Laxmi Narayan Bari Temple and Durga Bari Temple are the main temples of the Palace Compound. Jagannath Temple, Venuban Vihar, Buddha Mandir and Umamaheswar Temple are other noted temples of Agartala. Next, visit the churches of Agartala such as Agartala Baptist Church and Agartala City Baptist Church. After visiting the temples and churches, visit Tripura Government Museum to see an excellent collection of rare images, sculptures and other interesting objects. Located in the heart of city, Sukanta Academy is a science museum and houses a small planetarium. Puratan Agartala, Tripura University, Maharaja Bir Bikram College, New Capital Complex, Akhaura Checkpost, Nazrul Kalakshetra, Agartala Railway Station and Gedu Miar Masjid are other places of tourist interest in Agartala.

Activities

Usually the visitors to Agartala spend relaxing moments amidst tranquil natural surroundings. However, if you are looking for some leisure options then take a stroll and cover the major spots of the city. With leisurely walks, you can burn extra calories from your body and easily explore the city. Rose Valley Amusement Park is a famous leisure spot in Agartala and thronged by tourists as well as locals in large numbers. You can indulge in a variety of leisure activities in the amusement park. Nehru Park and Children’s Park are also ideal spots to spend relaxing moments with family members and friends. Enjoy boating in the lakes of Agartala along with magnificent view of the surroundings. If you wish to experience some high adrenaline adventure activities, then undertake short to long treks to the hills around Agartala. Wildlife safari in nearby wildlife sanctuaries is also a good leisure option.

Events

Agartala is a happening city and celebrates many festivals round the year that draw a large number of tourists as well as pilgrims. Hindu population predominates in Agartala and most the festivals revolve around Hindu traditions. Agartala is dominated by the Bengalis and Bengali culture flourishes in the city. Like West Bengal, in Agartala too the festival of Durga Puja (October / November) is celebrated at a large scale with great fanfare. Along with Durga Puja, the Bengali culture can also be observed in the celebration of Saraswati Puja. Holi also called ‘Rong Khela’ and Kali Puja (Diwali) are other famous Hindu festival of Agartala. The city of Agartala also has a fair population of the native Tripuri people, who celebrates several regional as well as religious festivals that display rich culture and traditions. Kharchi Festival (July), Garia and Gajan Festival (April), Charak Puja (April), Ashokastami Festival (April), Ratha Jatra (June), Manasa Mangal (August) and Rasha Festival (November) are some of the famous ethnic Tripuri festivals celebrated in Agartala. Eid-ul-Fitr and Christmas are other important religious festivals celebrated in Agartala by Muslims and Christians respectively. The state tourism department organizes several special events in Agartala every year. The year begins with the annual Book Fair in Agartala that provides a good opportunity to buy books at discounted rates. The birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (January 23) is also celebrated at a grand level in Agartala with colourful processions and parades in the morning hours on the streets. Rabindra / Nazrul Jayanti (May) is another important day celebrated in Agartala.  

Nightlife

Nightlife options are not available in Agartala and you have to remain stuck inside your hotel in the nights. But you can make your nights happening by attending special programmes organised across the city. During winters ‘Kirtans’ (special religious musical programmes) are organised at the major spots of the city that go till the early hours of the morning. You can pass the night by attending a Kirtan Party and enjoy the re-mix of the filmi songs in religious themes sung by the chorus. A classical dance form, ‘Raas’ is also performed at Radha Madhav Temple in Agartala each year during the full moon night of the Hindu month ‘Aghrayan’ to mark the love of Lord Krishna for his consort Radha. During the festival, the local artists dressed up in traditional attire dance around the idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha all through the night.

Excursions

Agartala itself has plenty of natural and man-made attractions to enthrall the visitors. But a short trip to nearby places increases the excitement of the trip many folds. A calm and serene lake, Damboor Lake is thronged by nature lovers, adventure seekers as well as leisure travelers from Agartala. Damboor Lake offers a wonderful opportunity to indulge in water sports activities along with other entertainment options. Known as the ‘mother of the tribals of Tripura’, Raima Valley is a famous tourist spot and abounds with well laid-out gardens and plantations.  Situated at a distance of 35 km from Agartala, Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary provides shelter to a wide range of wildlife, avian species as well as primates. Spread over an area of 18.5 sq km, the Wildlife Sanctuary has five distinct sections, namely Carnivores Section, Primate Section, Reptile Section, Ungulate Section and Aviary Section. The wildlife sanctuary also has Abasarika and Amrit Sagar lakes that offer boating facilities. Close to Agartala, Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is another famous wildlife sanctuary and home to interesting animal, plant and birds species. Also pay a visit to Gondacherra Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can completely surrender yourself to unspoiled atmosphere and experience the nature at its best. Explore the wildlife sanctuary and see the animals in their natural habitat. Constructed in 1930 as the summer resort for the King Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, Neermahal or Water Palace (50 km away from Agartala) is an Engineering marvel and presents a fine blend of Hindu and Islamic architectures. Located 175 km from Agartala, Unakoti is known for housing exquisite rock cut carvings and stone images. Although located at a distance of 240 km from Agartala, but Jampui Hill deserves a visit due to treasure trove of a variety of Orchids, oranges and unmatched natural beauty. Jampui Hill is the highest hill range in the state bordering Mizoram. The rock cut carvings and stone images at Deotamura (75), Pilak (100 km) and Unakoti (175) are also considered among must visit places around Agartala.

Getting There

Air: Agartala Airport is connected to Kolkata and Guwahati by daily flight. The airport also has flights from Delhi and Chennai via Kolkata. Auto-rickshaws are available from the airport to various places of the city.

Rail: Agartala Railway Station is linked with a metro gauge line with Assam. Lumding Agartala Express plies everyday between Lumding (a railway station on Guwahati – Dibrugarh route) and Agartala. The train journey between Lumding and Agartala takes around 16 hours. Kumarghat (160 km) and Dharmanagar (200 km) are the nearest railway stations from Agartala. You can hire a taxi from these railway stations that costs about Rs 2500 – 3000.

Road: NH 44 connects Agartala with other parts of Tripura and neighbouring state of Assam and Meghalaya. Direct bus services are available from Guwahati (510 km), Silchar (279 km) and Shillong (475 km) to Agartala.

Driving directions: From Guwahati – drive South on Assam Trunk Road (NH 37) till you reach NH 40. After crossing Shillong and Jaintia Hills proceed onto Agartala – Assam Highway (NH 44) that takes you to Agartala (15 hours, 510 km).

Recommended for:

Agartala is an ideal place for all types of travelers such as singles / couples / friends / single woman / senior travellers and family with children

Top 5 Must See

• Ujjayanta Palace: the palace of erstwhile Tripura Kings and now the state legislative assembly
• Kunjaban Palace: a marvelous monument providing a glimpse of the bygone era
• Jagannath Temple:  a Hindu temple of Vaishnava school of thought
• Tripura State Museum: to see a rich collection of rare artifacts
• Jampui Hill: home to a variety of orchids and oranges

Vijaypur - a secluded hill station in Uttarakhand

From Delhi – 475 km

From Ranikhet – 120 km

From Kathgodam – 214 km

Overview – 

Far from the maddening crowds, Vijaypur is perfect place to enjoy a peaceful vacation amidst unspoiled natural environs. Vijaypur is situated atop a 2,050 mtr high ridge, overlooking the picturesque Himalayan range. A secluded place, Vijaypur offers breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Nanda Kot, Neel Kanth, Hathi Parvat, Panchchuli, Trishul and Appi (Annapurna). The town is flanked by a magnificent valley dotted with small hamlets, where people live a relaxed life and no one seems to be in a hurry!  

Vijaypur

Don’t Miss – 

When in Vijaypur enjoy the nature at its best. Watch the sunrise on Nanda Kot…a splendid sight. 

Getting There –

By Rail- Kathgodam railway station (214 km) is the nearest railhead from Vijaypur. Ranikhet Express and Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express run between Delhi and Kathgodam. From Kathgodam, take the road to reach Vijaypur, approximately seven hours away.

By Road – From Delhi, take NH 24 to reach Rampur and then turn left for Bilaspur. Move straight through Rudrapur to Haldwani and take NH 87 for Nainital to reach Almora. From there, take the road leading to Bageshwar via Ayar Puni and take a right on the State Highway to Vijaypur via Kanda.

Yamunotri - the sacred dham of Hindus

From Delhi – 487 km

From Dehradun – 172 km

From Rishikesh – 213 km

Overview – 

Perched at an elevation of 3,293 mtr above sea level, Yamunotri is the source of the sacred River Yamuna. Situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Yamunotri is one of the four (char) sacred dhams (places) according to Hindu mythology. According to Hindu mythology, it was the home of an ancient sage - Asit Muni. Thousands of pilgrims flock to the holy shrine here, which remains open between May and November. Yamunotri lies on the western side of the Bandarpunch Mountain (6,315 mtr) close to the Indo-China border. The Yamunotri Temple dedicated to goddess Yamuna and the hot water springs in the vicinity are the major attractions of this pilgrimage destination.  

Yamunotri

Don’t Miss – 

A dip in hot springs and cooking rice in its water are popular rituals performed by the devotees at Yamunotri. Surya Kund, an important thermal spring and Divya Shila, a huge rock pillar are other attractions. Jankichatti located 7 km from Yamunotri is famous for its hot water springs. Hanumanchatti - the confluence of River Yamuna and Hanuman Ganga, at a distance of 13 km, is the starting point for the thrilling Dodi Tal Trek.

Getting There –

Rail – Dehradun (172 km) and Rishikesh (213 km) are the nearest railheads from Yamunotri. Both these railway stations are linked to Delhi by a number of express trains. 

Road – From Delhi, take NH 58 to reach Rishikesh, via Modinagar and Roorkee. The journey takes around 6 hours. From Rishikesh, a 213 km road journey takes one to Hanumanchatti, where the motorable road ends. From here, one has to cover the 13 km trek either on foot or on ponies. Porters and palanquins are available on hire and the route passes through rugged mountains and dense forests. 

Vapi - the industrial town in Southern Gujarat

From Mumbai – 193 km

From Surat – 100 km

Overview - 

Vapi is an industrial town in southern Gujarat, approximately 28 km south of district headquarters Valsad. A fast growing city, Vapi is home to large number of industries such as chemicals, dyes, food products, glass, paints, paper, plastics, pharmaceuticals, packaging, rubber, textiles and woods. Set on the banks of Damanganga River, Vapi serves as a base to visit the union territory of Daman. From Vapi, taxis and auto-rickshaws to Daman are available at regular intervals. 

Vapi Beach

Don’t Miss – 

Hardly 13 km from the industrial township of Vapi, the union territory of Daman is a favourite gateway for vacationers. Far from the hustle and bustle of cities, Daman welcomes discerning holidaymakers with soothing winds, clean white sands, tranquil environs, magnificent forts and massive churches.   

Getting There –

Rail – Vapi Railway Station is under the administrative control of Western Railways. Several intercity express trains connect Vapi with Ahmedabad and Mumbai, including the Shatabdi Express.

Road – Vapi is connected by NH 8 with Mumbai, Surat and other important places of Gujarat. 

Vadodara - the City of Culture

From Mumbai – 448 km

From Ahmedabad – 113 km

Overview - 

Earlier known as Baroda, Vadodara is often referred to as the Sayaji Nagari (Sayaji’s City) or Sanskari Nagari (The City of Culture). Situated on the banks of the River Vishwamitri, Vadodara is famous for the picturesque Laxmi Vilas Palace and Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. A historic city, Vadodara abounds with magnificent buildings, temples and monuments, old museums and well-maintained gardens. Besides a cultural and educational centre of Gujarat, the city is also home to big industries, shopping malls and multiplexes. 

A historical monument in Vadodara

Don’t Miss - 

Built by Maharaja Sayajirao in 1890, Laxmi Vilas Palace is a splendid Indo – Saracenic style building and a must visit place in Vadodara. The royal family’s residence has a well-ornate Darbar Hall and elegant walls with mosaic decorations. Laxmi Vilas Palace complex sprawling over 700 acres, houses several buildings including the Moti Baug Palace and Maharaj Fateh Singh Musuem which has a fine collection of old armoury and bronze sculptures. Other important places to visit in the city are Baroda Museum, Aurobindo Society, Kirti Mandir, Nazarbaug Palace, Makarpura Palace and Sayajibaug. 

Getting There –

Train – Vadodara Railway Station is a major rail head on the Mumbai – Delhi and Mumbai – Ahmedabad routes, served by several superfast and express trains.

Road – Take the NH 8 from Mumbai, passing through Navsari and Bharuch to reach Vadodara. The city is also connected through Indian National Expressway – 1 (97 km) with Ahmedabad.  

Uttarkashi – the sacred place for Hindus

From Delhi – 385 km

From Haridwar – 175 km 

Overview – 

Set at an elevation of 1,352 mtr above sea level, Uttarkashi is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus. The picturesque town, situated on the banks of Bhagirathi River, also draws adventure seekers in large numbers. Uttarkashi is home to several temples and ashrams, with Lord Vishwanath Temple being the most important. Other noted temples of the town are Gyaneshwar Temple, Bhairav Temple and Ekadash Rudra Temple. Every year on the occasion of ‘Magh Mela’ (January 14), devotees visit the town to take a holy dip in Bhagirathi River. 

Uttarkashi

Don’t Miss – 

Located 5 km from Uttarkashi, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering offers training in mountaineering to adventure enthusiasts. From the town, also pay a visit to Kuteti Devi Temple, perched atop a hill, about 1.5 km away. You may also take leisurely walks along the picturesque trails, leading to temples and ashrams in the vicinity. 

Getting There –

Train – Rishikesh railway station (170 km) is the major railhead close to Uttarkashi. From Delhi, a number of trains run to Rishikesh. From there, you have to travel by road to reach Uttarkashi, approximately six hours away. 

Rail – From Delhi, drive on NH 58, which takes you to Rishikesh via Modinagar and Roorkee. The journey should take you 6 hours. After crossing Rishikesh town, leave NH 58 and take a left turn towards NH 94. Further, NH 94 takes you to NH 108, which is directly connected to Uttarkashi. As the roads from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi pass through hilly terrain, the journey may take five to six hours.   

Thane - the suburb of Mumbai

From Mumbai – 35 km

Overview – 

Thane, literally meaning ‘station’ in Marathi, is an industrial town situated on Salsette Island, northeast of Mumbai. Set on the banks of Thane creek, the city is flanked by Yeour Hill and Parsik Hill, on the west and east respectively. Due to its strategic location, the city is a major hub of economic activity and is home to several industries. Thane is dotted with around 30 big and small lakes, making a perfect getaway for people living in Mumbai and nearby areas. Visitors throng the city to enjoy a pleasant break from their busy schedules.

Thane, Mumbai

Don’t Miss – 

While in Thane, visit the Masunda Talao, also called Talao Pali. Considered the most beautiful lake in the city, it offers excellent boating and water scooter facilities. Also visit Upavan Lake, another scenic lake in Thane to refresh yourself.  

Getting There –

Train – Thane railway station is an important railhead of the Central Railways and served by almost all trains running on the Konkan Railway route from Mumbai.  

Road – From Mumbai, a regular bus service to Thane is available at frequent intervals. You may also hire a local taxi from Mumbai to reach Thane.

Air – Mumbai airport is approximately 25 km from Thane, which is connected by numerous flights from important cities of the country. From the airport taxis are available to Thane, the journey takes around 30 minutes. 

Surat - The 'Diamond City' of India

From Mumbai – 263 km

From Ahmedabad – 255 km

Overview – 

Popularly called the ‘Silk City’ or ‘Diamond City’, Surat is renowned world over for its diamond and textile industries. A port city, situated on the left bank of the Tapi River, Surat is also renowned for its rich culture, scrumptious cuisine and numerous places of tourist interest. Chintamani Jain Temple, dating back to 15th century is a must visit place in the city. The temple is known for its delicate wood carvings and paintings and it houses some of the rarest paintings of Jain monk Acharya Hemchandra, King Kumarapal and Solanki King. Other interesting places in the city are Old Fort, Sardar Patel Museum, Dutch Garden, Dutch Cemetery and Choppati. 

Surat, Gujarat

Don’t Miss – 

Savour the traditional local cuisine, which is quite spicy and not typically sweet like Gujarati food usually is. From the city, take excursions to health resorts at Dumas (16 km) and Hajira (28 km), where you can relax and unwind. For a wild experience, visit the Vansada National Park in Valsad district to spot tigers, leopards and other animals. 

Getting There –

Train – Surat railway station is a major railhead of the Western Railways on the Mumbai – Delhi route. The railway station is served by several express and superfast trains from Mumbai and important cities of Gujarat.  

Road – From Mumbai, drive on the NH 8 that takes you to NH 6 (Surat – Kolkata Highway), a 16 km long connector highway to Surat. The city is also linked by the Golden Quadrilateral Highway. The road journey from Mumbai to Surat takes around five hours. 

Sonapani - a tranquil getaway closeby Mukteshwar

From Delhi – 360 km

From Kathgodam – 80 km

From Nainital – 55 km

Overview – 

Just 8 km from the famous hill station Mukteshwar, Sonapani is a small town in Nainital district. Far from bustling city life, the town is a tranquil getaway amidst ‘nature’s own abode’. Sonapani is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed vacation, both for discerning travellers and adventure sports lovers as well. Set amidst the lofty Himalayan peaks, it offers breathtaking views of snow clad mountain ranges, including Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Maiktoli, Panchchuli and Trishul. 

Sonapani, Uttarakhand

Don’t Miss – 

If you’re looking for a never before adventure experience, then Sonapani is the perfect place for you. Adventure options available at Sonapani are rock climbing, rappelling, jungle and village walks, trekking to Kapileshwar Temple and river crossing. You can also visit Almora, 23 km away, for a quaint hill station experience. 

Getting There –

Train – The nearest railhead from Sonapani is located at Kathgodam (80 km). From there, you have to take the road to Sonapani, approximately two hours away. Kathgodam railway station is connected by Ranikhet Express and Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express from Delhi. 

Road – Take NH 24 from Delhi, drive till you reach Rampur and then turn left towards Bilaspur. Drive further to reach Haldwani via Rudrapur and take NH 87 for Nainital. From there, take the road passing through Talla Ramgarh and Malla Ramgarh. After crossing these places, turn towards Sonapani by leaving the road leading to Mukteshwar. The trip from Delhi to Sonapani will take around 10 hours. 

Solan - the Gateway to Himachal Pradesh

From Delhi – 340 km

From Kalka – 42 km

From Shimla – 52 km

Overview – 

Often referred to as the Gateway of Himachal Pradesh, Solan is a quiet small town, suitable for family trips and romantic vacations alike. Basically an agricultural area, the town is known as the ‘mushroom city of India’, for producing large varieties of mushrooms. Solan is also famous for housing the Mohan Meakins brewery, the oldest in India. Besides being an industrial hub of the state, the town, situated at an average altitude of 1,467 mtr, boasts of numerous old temples, architectural wonders of the colonial era and quaint picnic spots. Sholoni Devi Temple, dedicated to goddess Sholini (after whom the town is named) is a must visit place while in Solan.

Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Don’t Miss – 

For adventure enthusiasts, the River Giri meandering through the town offers some fine angling spots like Mareog, Karkanu and Gaura. Solan is a trekking paradise for nature lovers with hilly and picturesque trails. Some of the major attractions in and around Solan are Jatoli Shiv Temple, Karol Tibba, Meteol Tibba, Kotla Nallah, Yungdrung Tibetan Monastery (close to Nauni) and Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Nauni. 

Getting There –

Train – Kalka railway station is the major railhead close to Solan. Board the overnight Kalka Mail from Delhi, which reaches Kalka early in the morning. From Kalka, take the toy train (Kalka – Shimla) to reach Solan. 

Road – From Delhi, drive on NH 1 till Ambala. Further, take the NH 21 and then NH 22 to reach Kalka. Solan is situated on the Shimla – Kalka Highway (NH 22), at a distance of 42 km from Kalka and 52 km from Shimla. From Kalka, buses and taxis are available at regular intervals to Solan. The road journey from Kalka to Solan takes around one and half hours.