Only 16 kilometres from Shimla, stay at Kufri to explore its fabulous countryside and some good hiking trails. In case you are here between December and February, you can have some fun-skiing; the trail isn't quite as rigorous as the European slopes but wholesome fun nevertheless. The well-kept Himalayan Nature Park is a sprawling open-air zoo and houses some of the rare Himalayan fauna.

BASICS

STD Code: 0177.
How to go: Regular, ordinary buses going from Shimla to Narkanda or Rampur, stop at Kufri. But having own transport is more convenient.

Best time: Round the year, except for the monsoon period between July and early September. December to February is the skiing season, if there is adequate snow on the slopes

Accommodation: Hotel Snow Shelter, Kufri Holiday Resorts (Tel: 480341). Book in advance during high season in summer.

Local transport: must have own arrangements, if you are staying here. Regular sightseeing buses cover Kufri enroute to Chail.

Contact: Himachal Pradesh tourist office at Shimla (Tel: 252561).