Kufri is a small hill station, which is located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. The hill station is located at a distance of 20 km from the capital city of Shimla. The name Kufri has been derived from the word "kufr", which means "lake" in the local language. Kufri is located at 31.10 ° N and 77.25 ° E at an elevation of 2630 meters.
History of Kufri
Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British `discovered` it in 1819. The British made Shimla their summer capital in 1864 and it remained so until 1939. As Shimla gained importance, Kufri also began to be recognized as an important place to visit near Shimla.
Climate in Kufri
Summers (April-June) are mild in Kufri while winters (November-February) are very cold. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. Generally heavy snowfall covers the region from December to January.
Tourism in Kufri
There are certain places in Kufri, which are popular tourist spots. It is famous for its trekking and hiking trails. Adventure-seeking travelers throng Kufri in winters to enjoy skiing and tobogganing along its snow-covered slopes. Apart from that, there are some other tourist spots and they are:
Himalayan Nature Park: This park hosts rare antelopes, felines and birds including the Himalayan monal, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh until 2007. During winter, a meandering path through the potato plantations turns into a popular ski track.
Indira Tourist Park: The Indira Tourist Park is located near the Himalayan Nature Park and it provides panoramic view of the locations around. This is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kufri.
Chini Bunglow: This Bunglow is a popular place among tourists for its statues and architecture.
Mahasu Peak: One can hike through thick forest around Kufri to the Mahasu Peak- the highest peak in Kufri.
Visiting Information to Kufri
The best time to visit this place is during winters (November-February). Kufri is 19 km from Shimla. Shimla airport and railway station are the nearest to this place. Kufri can also be reached by road via National Highway 22.
