Kufri Mahasu Peak

Kufri and Kufri Mahasu Peak Near Shimla – Dos and Don't Before you Visit this Overrated Place near Shimla

Kufri is a small hill station located at around 13 km from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Located at an altitude of about 2,622 metres above sea level, this is one of the most overrated tourist place near Shimla. It is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Shimla and attracts visitors throughout the year. 

I recently visited this place during my Spiti tour and I found no reason to spend one day at this place by considering the commercial activities to reach at Mahasu peak and throughout the routes and over Mahasu peak. 

Here are few reasons why you should not visit Kufri and instead, you should go to Naldehra Golf Course - especially if you are travelling with kids and family.

• In Kufri, there is no fix rate for horse riding and jeep safari to reach at Mahasu peak. Ofcourse they display it but they do charge whatever they want by considering tourist's needs.
• There are lot of string attached like, if you buy ticket with park, it will include few visit like apple garden and few ride. But when you reach there, there is no one to guide you. I feel, they are more interested in just selling you garden ticket, ride or activities but there is no safety or anyone to attend you. You will end up finding where to go and had to pay extra to reach that apple garden. 
• Avoid buying any ticket like jeep + apple garden or Horse + adventure park. You will have to bargain - do maximum bargain as I found one tourist paid 4000 vs other paid just 500 for jeep.
• Where as in Naldehra Golf Course, you can do better horse riding in the middle of forest and meadows at just INR 500 per person.
• Horse operator at Naldehra are very friendly and I feel very safe in riding as they were 2 persons operating 3 horse where as at Kufri, 1 person was operating 5-6 horse. Just imagine your kid is riding on cliff with horse and no one is there to attend the horse. Go for Naldehra for this one reason.

Lets talk about Kufri as a place and why it is famous

In winter, the slopes around Kufri get a thick covering of snow, making it a favourite for snow play. In summer and spring, the green meadows, forest trails, and yak rides draw families and trekkers.

The town is surrounded by dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and deodar. The Himalayan Nature Park, also known as Kufri Zoo, is located within the Kufri area and is home to Himalayan wildlife including snow leopards, Himalayan bears, and various bird species. Mahasu Peak, the highest point in the area at around 2,900 metres, offers sweeping views of snow-covered Himalayan ranges on clear days.

Kufri can be explored in a few hours. Most visitors combine it with Fagu, Chail, or Narkanda as part of a longer Himachal road trip. Entry to the Kufri area is free. The Himalayan Nature Park charges a separate entry fee.

Quick Information – Kufri, Shimla

Location	Kufri, Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh – 171012
Famous For	Yak rides, Himalayan Nature Park, Mahasu Peak
Entry Fee (Kufri area)	Free
Himalayan Nature Park Entry	Rs. 50 (Indians), Rs. 200 (Foreigners)
Nature Park Timings	10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, all days
Distance from Shimla	13 km
Best Time to Visit	Dec–Feb for Snow view; Apr–Jun for nature and trekking

History and Background of Kufri

Kufri developed as a tourist destination during the British colonial era, when Shimla served as India's summer capital. British officers would ride to the higher reaches around Shimla for cooler temperatures and fresh air. The name Kufri comes from the local Pahari word "kufr" meaning "lake." After independence, the Himachal Pradesh government developed the area for winter sports tourism in the 1970s and 1980s. The Himalayan Nature Park was established in 1984.

Why Kufri is Famous

Kufri Shimla is famous for being a year-round hill station that offers different experiences depending on the season. It is the closest snowy destination from Shimla in winter and a green trekking retreat in summer.

• Skiing and snow activities in December, January, and February
• Yak rides on snow and green meadows, popular with families and children
• Himalayan Nature Park – a wildlife sanctuary with snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan birds
• Mahasu Peak – the highest accessible viewpoint in the area, with panoramic Himalayan views
• Kufri Fun World – said to have one of the highest go-kart tracks in the world (Highly overrated and I found no reason to go for it)
• Apple and cherry orchards in surrounding villages during spring and summer (They are selling tickets by telling you apple garden but there is nothing to view especially at the time I visited in April 2026 end)

Kufri Entry Fee and Ticket Price

Himalayan Nature Park – Indian Adults	Rs. 50
Himalayan Nature Park – Indian Students	Rs. 30
Himalayan Nature Park – Foreign Nationals	Rs. 200
Himalayan Nature Park – Foreign Students	Rs. 100
Camera Fee (Indians)	Rs. 150
Camera Fee (Foreigners)	Rs. 500
Yak Ride (per person)	Approx. Rs. 300

Kufri Timings

Kufri as a destination has no fixed opening or closing time. The Himalayan Nature Park is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days. Yak rides are available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

Travel Tips for Kufri Shimla

• Do heavy bargain with Jeep ride or horse ride provider as they charge whatever they want
• Don't combine ticket with park or garden - do visit them once you reach at Mahasu peak.
• Do talk with other tourist as inquire about pricing as they just loot tourist and charge whatever they want
• Carry heavy woollen clothes if visiting in December and January – temperatures drop well below freezing at night.
• Wear waterproof shoes or snow boots in winter – slopes get slippery.
• The road from Shimla to Kufri can get icy in January and February – check road conditions before driving.
• Book your Shimla hotel in advance if visiting during Christmas–New Year period.
• Carry your own water and snacks as options in Kufri can be pricier than in Shimla.
• Start early if you plan to trek to Mahasu Peak – the trail is best done in the morning.

More Himachal Pradesh Places to Explore on TheIndia

• Shimla – Complete guide to Himachal's capital hill station
• Narkanda – Skiing destination and apple country
• Manali – North India's most famous hill station
• Kasol – Parvati Valley's backpacker haven
• Kalpa – High-altitude Kinnaur village
• Dhankar Lake – Remote Spiti Valley lake
• Hadimba Temple, Manali – Ancient wooden temple