IRCTC Launches 8-Day Shimla-Manali Winter Tour From Chennai
IRCTC Tourism has introduced an eight-day winter tour package departing from Chennai to Himachal Pradesh, with prices starting at Rs 48,250 per person. The itinerary covers Shimla, Kufri, Manali, and Chandigarh, including flights, accommodation, and select sightseeing.
What happened
The promotional tour, identified by package code SMA72, is scheduled to depart on November 26, 2026. It spans seven nights and eight days, offering travelers a comprehensive look at popular hill stations during the winter season. The base fare of Rs 48,250 applies to specific occupancy types, though costs rise significantly for single travelers. Single occupancy rooms are priced at Rs 73,500 per person, while double occupancy is Rs 54,800. Triple occupancy brings the cost down to Rs 52,000 per person. Children aged five to eleven years with a bed pay Rs 44,600, and those without a bed pay Rs 39,600.
The package includes return flights between Chennai and Chandigarh, seven nights of hotel accommodation, breakfast, and dinner. Local sightseeing is conducted in an air-conditioned tempo traveller. A notable feature is the journey on the heritage Kalka-Shimla Toy Train. The itinerary begins in Chandigarh with visits to Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sector 17 Plaza, Elante Mall, the Art Museum, and Mansa Devi Temple. Travelers then proceed to Shimla to explore Mall Road, Kali Bari Temple, Jakhu Temple, Kufri, Green Valley, Fun World, and the Himalayan Natural Park.
The route continues to Kufri, Kullu, and Manali. Stops include Sunder Nagar Lake, Pandoh Dam, Vaishno Devi Temple, and a Kullu shawl factory. Manali sightseeing features Hidimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple, Van Vihar, Club House, a Buddhist monastery, and the Tibetan Market. The schedule also includes Atal Tunnel and Solang Valley, provided local permissions and weather conditions allow. The tour concludes with a return to Chandigarh for the flight back to Chennai. Travel insurance is included, but lunches, entrance fees, shopping, laundry, tips, and optional activities are extra. Airport transfers in Chennai are not covered.
What it means for travelers
Passengers booking this package should anticipate higher costs if they prefer single occupancy. Sharing rooms with two or three other people reduces the per-person expense. Travelers must budget separately for lunches since only breakfast and dinner are provided. Entrance fees for attractions and any shopping or laundry services are additional expenses. Adventure sports and optional activities can further increase the total cost. Those planning to visit should keep extra cash for snacks and unexpected charges.
Booking early is recommended to secure fares and avoid last-minute price hikes. Using public transport or shared cabs locally can help manage transportation costs. The package offers a structured way to see multiple destinations without arranging individual transport links. However, the exclusion of airport transfers in Chennai means travelers must arrange their own transport to the airport before the flight.
Key details
- Package code SMA72 departs from Chennai on November 26, 2026
- Prices range from Rs 39,600 for children without beds to Rs 73,500 for single occupancy
- Includes flights, hotel stays, meals, tempo traveller sightseeing, and toy train ride
- Excludes lunches, entrance fees, shopping, laundry, tips, and Chennai airport transfers
