Best time to visit : September to June
Serenity, scenery and seclusion describe the fascinating hill station of Kufri, located in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla District. Backdrops of snow-covered mountains and some amazing views of natural vistas attract nature lovers and honeymooners to this place. Adventure tourists are equally attracted to this North India destination, which is among the most visited tourist places around Shimla. Nature parks and a small zoo in Kufri are homes to rare Himalayan fauna and offer a fair share of entertainment to the wildlife lovers as well. The following sections of Kufri city guide can help you plan and enjoy a memorable holiday experience.
Facts
‘Kufri’ is believed to have been derived from ‘kufr’ which in local language means ‘lake’. The hill station came into limelight when the British chose nearby Shimla as their summer capital. With time, adventure tourism in Kufri has helped it gain attention among various communities of tourists. While summers open the opportunities for hiking and trekking, winters in Kufri are meant for thrilling skiing and tobogganing experiences. Demand tourist information from your tour operators to learn about the snowfall season when the place dons the white blanket of snow. It is worth mentioning that winters here can be extremely chilly due to an average elevation of 2,743 m.
It is amazing to enjoy hot tea and light snacks (especially pakoras) at a small stall while experiencing the cool climate. Maggie noodles and chaat are easily available at these stalls. The place also has few restaurants in the market area, the most popular one being Bhasoli which serves Indian and international cuisines.
Fresh fruits like cherry and plum are extremely delicious here and can be purchased from the local fruit vendors. An interesting item to buy is saffron, but you must have the knowledge to buy the authentic variety, as many people may try to sell the fake varieties.
Nearby Places:
- Shimla (about 14 km.): Probably the most popular hill station of North India, Shimla has timeless colonial charm, bounteous natural beauty and attractions like Mall Road, Jhakhu Temple and skiing resorts.
- Naldehra (about 20 km.): Apart from India’s oldest golf course, the place has amazing greenery and Mahunag Temple, dedicated to the God of Serpents.
- Chail (about 34 km.): Home to the world’s highest cricket pitch, it is well-known for its royal palace, old temples and scenic beauty.
- Tattapani (about 50 km.): Known for sulphurous hot water springs, it is located on the bank of River Sutlej and has many ancient Hindu temples and sacred caves.
- Kasauli (about 98 km.): It is secluded hill station with long nature walking trails and extremely soothing environment, along with vintage points offering mesmerizing beauty.
- Chandigarh (about 145 km.): Popular as the City Beautiful, Chandigarh is among the cleanest and most well-planned Indian cities and is known for its lush green gardens, a lake and modern lifestyle.
Rampur, Narkanda, Shoghi and Solan are other destinations for excursions from Kufri.