Day 1
at the Annandale Army Heritage Museum
Back in June 2026, my small family—my wife, our 4.5-year-old child, and I—headed off on a quick 2-day trip to Shimla. We stayed for one night and returned the next day, but managed to hit some of the most famous spots in the area.
If you’re curious about our itinerary, here is how our journey unfolded!
Getting There: Panchkula to Annandale
We set off early in the morning from Panchkula and reached the Annandale Military Museum around 11: 45 AM.
Navigating Shimla with your own vehicle can be an adventure in itself. We took the Circular Road—which is essentially the main loop around the city center. Keep in mind that vehicles aren't allowed near the Mall Road or the Ridge, so you either have to park in designated lots or walk.
While the main Circular Road is well-maintained and wide enough for two-way traffic, the narrow bypasses and steep downhill roads leading off it are a different story. If you aren't comfortable driving on tight, steep mountain lanes, I’d strongly recommend parking your car and relying on local cabs. Being a confident driver, I decided to drive my own car down toward the Annandale valley.
Arriving at Annandale
The drive down to Annandale leads toward a famous historical ground. It’s not just any cricket ground—it serves as an army training site and is home to one of the regional Army Commands. The public isn't allowed on the main ground, but you can visit the incredible Army Heritage Museum located right next to it.
Parking Tip: There is no dedicated parking lot right outside the museum because space is tight on the hillside. When I tried to pull slightly inside the main entry gate, an Army sentry kindly informed me that parking inside wasn't allowed. I had to park along the roadside instead.
Despite the minor parking hassle, the location is breathtaking. Surrounded by lush, towering deodar trees and crisp mountain air, the peaceful ambiance instantly refreshes you.
Inside the Museum: History & Virtual Reality
We spent about an hour exploring the museum. The main building showcases rich military history, including historical uniforms and memorabilia from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
In a second building nearby, they offer an immersive VR Battle Simulator game. You put on a VR headset and get thrown into a simulated battleground scenario complete with realistic surround sound. It’s a paid activity, but definitely worth trying! Though we missed it because there was a bit of a tourist crowd at the place, and I sensed that we would be late.
Artillery Legends & Quick Bites
Outside, near a cozy cafe serving local staples like hot Maggi and snacks, you get a beautiful elevated view of the ground. Surrounding the museum area are several historic artillery guns on display:
100mm Artillery Gun
106mm Recoilless Anti-Tank Gun: The display pedestal notes that this formidable US-origin weapon was used in the 1971 Indo-Pak War in the Western Sector. Mounted on 4x4 Jeeps for quick "shoot-and-scoot" mobility, this legendary weapon was famously used by CQMH Abdul Hamid to destroy Pakistani Patton tanks during the Battle of Asal Uttar in September 1965, earning him the Param Vir Chakra.
Before moving on to our next destination, we took plenty of photos near the heavy artillery displays and a model of the HAL Rudra helicopter.
A few other clicks at the Army Museum:
A Heart-Pounding Drive & Checking In
After spending about an hour at the museum, we packed up and hit the road again around 1:30 PM.
Instead of turning back, we decided to drive forward along the same route toward the Kaithu area. Looking back, this led to the most nerve-wracking part of the entire drive!
I took a sharp right onto an uphill road that proved insanely steep. As we neared the top—right where this road merges back onto the main Circular Road near the historic Victoria Tunnel—the gradient became so extreme that our car started struggling to pull forward. It was a genuine heart-thumping moment! My heart was racing as I scrambled to find a safe spot to pull over.
Crucial Driving Tip: Unless you're driving a high-torque vehicle or are extremely confident in extreme hill starts, do not take the steep shortcut uphill from Kaithu. Continue straight through the gentler route toward Kaithu to rejoin the Circular Road smoothly.
To lighten the load, I had my wife and child step out of the car for a moment. With just me inside, I managed to pull the car up the final stretch safely—much to everyone's relief!
Reaching the Hotel: Treebo The Alpine Heritage
Once back on the main Circular Road, we drove through the bustling Sanjouli area toward our hotel, which I had pre-booked via MakeMyTrip: Treebo The Alpine Heritage Residence.
The location was ideal—situated right below the main Circular Road, right next to the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. It offered easy accessibility while keeping us close to the main route for the rest of our sightseeing.
Hotel Review: Treebo The Alpine Heritage
We arrived a bit earlier than standard check-in time, but the hotel staff was accommodating and allowed us to check in early without any hassle.
Because the hotel is built into the hillside, the reception area is on the top level. Our room was two floors below reception, so we had to carry our luggage down two flights of stairs. The helper offered to help, but we carried only one light bag, so I did it myself.
To be completely honest, the room left a lot to be desired—especially given the ₹3,500 per night tariff:
The Room & Amenities: The room was very basic. The walls had peeling paint in a few spots, the door looked worn out, and the door lock mechanism was partially broken. The TV wasn't functional either. The worst - there was not a single window to peek outside.
The Positives: On the bright side, the bathroom had hot running water and a working shower, which is an absolute essential in the mountains! As for air conditioning, there wasn't one, but given Shimla’s cool weather, it wasn't needed anyway.
Our Take: Finding good, budget-friendly accommodation near the Circular Road on short notice via MakeMyTrip was tough, so we decided not to make a fuss. Since we only needed a place to sleep for one night, we settled in and made the best of it.
Heading to the Ridge & Mall Road
After resting for a couple of hours, we refreshed ourselves and got ready to explore the heart of Shimla.
The hotel staff gave us a handy local tip: instead of driving and struggling with parking again, we could catch a local public bus right from the main road to the Shimla Lift (located about 2 to 3 km from the hotel).
The bus ride was quick and convenient. Once at the Lift complex, we bought tickets for the two-stage elevator that takes you straight up the hillside, dropping you right onto the iconic Mall Road and The Ridge.
Exploring The Ridge: Siddu, Sun, and Iconic Views
By around 3:30 PM, we had made our way from the Lift to The Ridge. It was a pleasant 15 to 20-minute walk—bustling with tourists, but because vehicle traffic is completely banned in the area, walking with a young child was easy and relaxed.
The sun was out, but the mountain air kept it comfortably cool. Naturally, we kicked things off with some ice cream before trying a local Himachali delicacy: Siddu (a traditional steamed, stuffed bread popular in Kullu and Shimla). At ₹100 a piece, it was surprisingly filling and kept our energy up for the rest of the afternoon!
After eating, we strolled around taking photos. We made sure to snap the classic tourist shot in front of the historic Christ Church—a must-visit photo spot for anyone visiting Shimla.
Travel Note: The Ridge ground was busy with crews setting up a stage and grandstands for the upcoming Shimla Summer Festival, scheduled to start in a day or two. Even with the setup underway, the atmosphere was lively and enjoyable.
Visiting Christ Church & Planning the Jakhu Hike
We popped inside the quiet interior of Christ Church. If you want to light a devotional candle inside, keep in mind that the counter only accepts cash (no UPI or Paytm options were available). Since we weren't carrying physical cash, we spent a few peaceful moments inside before heading back out.
With the sun still shining brightly, we decided to make our way toward the famous Jakhu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
The route from The Ridge to Jakhu Temple is a steep, continuous uphill hike. If you enjoy trekking and are in good physical shape, walking up on foot is a great experience—though if you're traveling with elderly family members or aren't up for an intense climb, you might want to consider alternative options.
The Hike to Jakhu Temple: Nostalgia vs. Modern Convenience
Having hiked up to Jakhu Temple over a decade ago—around 2011 or 2012—I couldn't help but notice how dramatically the trail has transformed.
Back then, the path was in its raw, pristine state: an unpaved, natural trail of stone, red earth, and pine needles. Today, that old-world mountain charm has given way to modern infrastructure. The entire route is now fully paved with concrete, complete with built-in steps and continuous handrails guiding you all the way to the base of the temple complex.
While purists and nature lovers might miss the untouched trail of the past, the new pathway is undoubtedly much safer and far easier to navigate for families, children, and elderly devotees.
Modern Amenities at the Summit
Upon reaching the top, I was surprised to find another major upgrade: a two-stage outdoor escalator! Similar to what you see in airports or shopping malls, these covered electric escalators effortlessly carry visitors up the final steep incline toward the main temple shrine.
Reaching the summit is certainly much more convenient now than it was a decade ago. Standing tall at the peak is the iconic, vibrant saffron-colored statue of Lord Hanuman. Soaring over 108 feet high, this massive monument can be spotted from miles away across various peaks and viewpoints throughout Shimla!
Prayers, Bubbles, and the Walk Back Down
Inside the main temple, we paid our respects and offered our prayers to Lord Hanuman, completing a traditional parikrama (circumambulation) around the sanctum sanctorum. After soaking in the peaceful atmosphere and taking a few photos around the iconic 108-foot statue, we began our descent.
We took the escalators down first and then followed the paved concrete pathway back toward the Ridge.
Traveler’s Note: Walking downhill on steep, paved slopes can actually be tougher on your joints than climbing up! My right knee started acting up with a bit of a strain during the descent—nothing too severe, but a good reminder to take short, easy steps on steep declines.
For our 4.5-year-old, Piyush, the highlight of the descent was a bubble-blower toy we had picked up from a roadside vendor on our way up. He spent the entire walk down happily chasing soap bubbles, which kept his energy high and made the trek fun for him!
A Quick Change of Snack Plans
By the time we made it back near the base of the trail—just above the Ridge—we were ready for a quick break. We spotted a cozy cafe with great outdoor seating and decided to order some hot tea and steamed momos.
However, the cafe was packed. After waiting about 15 minutes with no food in sight, we realized it might take another 30 to 40 minutes just to get our order. Not wanting to waste precious evening time sitting around, I cancelled the order, and we decided to grab chaat papdi from a nearby roadside vendor instead.
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