Located in the southern part of Himalayas at an altitude of 2510 meters above sea level, Kufri is a tiny hill station near Shimla, famous for trekking and hiking. Winter finds it crowded with trekkers and skiers who come to enjoy on the slopes covered in snow. The place was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal, and was then a favoured hill station of the British. Here are some things not to miss at Kufri:
Also Read: What To Do In Chopta – The Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand
Skiing
One of the most popular things to do in Kufri (especially in winter) is skiing. There are a number of skiing slopes in Kufri, from gentle beginner slopes to more seep ones fro experts. The beautiful snowy slopes are at their best from mid-December to early February. You can also hire skiing equipment on some slopes and in the town.
Visit the Kufri Fun Campus
One of the most exciting things to do in Kufri is to visit the Kufri Fun World. Located 2800m above sea level amidst the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, it is one of the highest amusement parks in the world. There are lots of exciting rides that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. From valley crossing, zip lining, go-karting, and a sky swinger that takes you high above to give a view of the valley. You can also visit the haunted house, a mirror maze, an infinity room and even a 5D theatre.
Ride To Mahasu Peak
Mahasu Peak is the highest peak in Kufri, and has stunning views of the incredible Kedarnath and Badrinath mountain ranges. It is near the Kufri Fun World and is best reached by on horse/mule back. While it is possible to hike to the tops, the path can get quite muddy and become treacherous.
Tobogganing
One of the popular things to do in Kufri is another winter sport – tobogganing. This modified form of sledging involves riding sledges directly down the snowy peaks, either alone or in groups. This popular sport takes place at Kufri between April to June and from September to February.
Visit The Himalayan National Park
The Himalayan National Park covers an area of 90 hectares. It has hundreds of species of Western Himalayan flora and fauna, including a large variety of rare animals and birds. Here you will find the barking deer, and the much rarer musk deer, as well as brown bears amidst the deodar trees and incredible views of the Himalayan mountains. Whether you go on a guided tour of the park or explore it by yourself, a visit to the Himalayan Nature Park is one of the most wonderful things to do in Kufri.
See the Indira Tourist Park
Close to the Himalayan National Park, the Indira Tourist Park is a great place to relax with good food and coffee. Named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, this park has a small bar, a video game parlour, an ice-cream parlour as well as a cafe run by the Himachal Tourism board, as well as stunning views.
Yak Rides
One of the must-try things when visiting Kufri is to go on a Yak ride. This experience is entirely different from horseback riding; these slow fluffy animals plod almost effortlessly through the bumpy terrain and past the edge of the mountains. The yaks are often colourfully decorated, standing out against the often cold and bleak landscape.
Just remember to use authorised Yak riding companies (such as the Travel and Tourism Department of Himachal Pradesh). Also, always respect yaks and do not agitate them.
So Have you been to Kufri? If so, do share your experiences in the comments below.
