Shali Tibba: A great space for trekkers, the people who love to climb mountain tops for hours and reach the top for a scintillating view and to take pride in their fitness to visit places. This is the name given to the highest of the Shimla hills. (Altitude of 9423 ft.) This statement alone encouraged us to go visit the place. It is 35 kms away from Shimla and there resides a temple people rest in after reaching the top, exhausted. Location: The trek starts from Mashobra You can either take the local bus from Shimla to Mashobra or drive your vehicle ad park it right where you can't drive further on! Once the trek starts it will take you atleast 4 hours to climb uphill and reach the Shali top. Things you need: Non-slippery shoes irrespective of the weather, bottles of water, coke, chocolate bars, chips. (Anything that gives you energy) A bag to carry all this stuff, and if you stay the night=camping bags and all the necessities. Warning: If you slip and fall on snow, you might end up getting a frost bite ( I did ) and be sure to carry lighters or matches in case that happens and heat your hands or the affected area well and you'll be better immediately. The Top: We were a group of 8. 2 of our friends gave up halfway up and went back. They weren't willing enough in the first place. The 6 of us continued. 3 of us were from Shimla so they knew the trek in and out. The trek, for them was like going to the movies or the restaurant to eat and chill! Once we reached the top, we climbed up the stairs to the temple which was quite risky as we had to enter the temple like a thief would, walking on the edges around it. It had snowed and each one of us took a calm deep breath before the little adventure. Once inside, the priest served us tea and even rolled a joint for us in a beedi paper since we forgot our OCB in the car. So yes, peace all the way! Outside the temple, we sat for hours taking in the view of the beautiful Himalayas. We had decided to come back down the trail since one of us had work the next morning. We regretted it since the road down at night was scary for the boys who were driving. but we fortunately made it back and the rest of us stayed back in Shimla to relax. I will advise you to take 2 days for the trek to stay overnight at the temple for the real experience since I really missed out on that and I regret it. It will be a great weekend escape and the top is mesmerizing :)
We spent the night in Shimla at a friend's house and enjoyed a quiet evening with dinner and drinks at Moti Mahal and strolls in the famous Mall road. Eating patties at Trishul Bakery on the mall road: A must!
You need to be there to experience it. The temple, the view, the trek.. All will take your breath away
Written By- Seerat Sethi