Day 1, Delhi to Shimla by Train - Shatabdi & Himalayan Queen I Railway Cutlet + Shimla Food Walk

The first episode of Flavours of Spiti series marks the beginning of our long-awaited journey into the Himalayas. We begin our journey from Delhi aboard a train to Kalka, the historic gateway to the mountains. From here, we board the iconic Kalka-Shimla toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage mountain railway built in 1903, slowly winding its way through pine forests, tunnels, tiny railway stations, and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. As the train moves deeper into the hills, we pause for simple mountain comforts , hot Maggi, samosa, chole, and chai enjoyed with beautiful views outside. By evening, we finally arrive in Shimla, the beloved Queen of Hills and the starting point for many journeys into Spiti Valley. Once in Shimla, we reunite with our friend and host Savitoj, who takes us through some of the city’s local food spots and mountain charm. One of the most special moments of the episode is meeting Ratanlal Ji again after 7 years at his humble roadside setup. Sitting beside him once again, we enjoyed simple servings of moongphali and chana while revisiting memories from our previous trip to Shimla. Later in the evening, we head to Wood street Cafe for a cosy meal in the hills. Along with comforting bowls of Khao Suey and creamy Basque cheesecake, we also try caprese on toast, hummus with pita bread, and spend time speaking to the owner about his journey and the story behind the café. The food trail then takes us to the beloved Kalyan Dhaba, a no-frills local favourite known for its comforting flavours and old-school charm. Here, we enjoy soulful dal roti along with meethi aalu in a setting filled with locals and everyday mountain life. Before ending the day, we stop at Rasa Rajasthan, where the enthusiastic owner warmly welcomes us with traditional desserts like lapsi, mawa kheer, and churma, the perfect sweet ending to our first day in the mountains. This episode is about the joy of slow travel, comforting food, unexpected conversations, and the feeling of finally entering the Himalayas.