Shimla |
In a major boost to Himachal Pradesh tourism, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Shimla to jointly roll out integrated tourism packages, beginning with the Shimla Toy Train Weekend Getaway.
The collaboration aims to offer tourists a seamless travel experience by combining rail travel, accommodation and local sightseeing under a single booking platform, reducing planning hassles and improving service reliability.
HPTDC Managing Director Rajeev Kumar said,
“The MoU was signed today in Shimla with IRCTC to offer seamless and affordable travel solutions to tourists.
This collaboration will allow us to combine the strength of Indian Railways with HPTDC’s hospitality network, improve hotel occupancy and promote Himachal Pradesh as a convenient, well-organised tourist destination.”
Toy Train, Hill Stay and Sightseeing
The first offering under the MoU is a 2 Nights / 3 Days Shimla Toy Train Weekend Getaway, scheduled from March 27 to March 29, 2026.
The tour begins at Kalka, with tourists travelling to Shimla in a chartered coach on the iconic Kalka–Shimla toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage rail route known for its scenic tunnels and bridges.
Accommodation has been arranged at Hotel Holiday Home, a HPTDC property in Shimla. Day one includes local sightseeing, while day two features an excursion to Kufri, along with visits to popular attractions such as the Himalayan Nature Park and Jakhoo Temple.
The package includes three breakfasts and is priced starting at ₹8,255 per person (inclusive of taxes).
Wide Appeal Among Tourists
Tourism officials said the package is drawing interest from families, couples, senior citizens, solo travellers and working professionals, particularly those looking for short, well-structured hill getaways without the uncertainty of multiple bookings.
Officials added that such rail-linked tourism products will help HPTDC compete more effectively with private hospitality players, improve occupancy in government hotels and enhance last-mile connectivity for tourists.
With domestic tourism witnessing a steady rise and demand growing for value-for-money, organised travel options, the IRCTC–HPTDC partnership is expected to play a key role in promoting Himachal Pradesh as an accessible and tourist-friendly destination.
Bookings for the Shimla Toy Train Weekend Getaway are available on www.irctctourism.com.
