Shimla Chail Kufri Narkanda
Preface
These places don't need any introductions as everybody knows about them, at least in North India. These places proximate to each others and makes what I termed as a Golden Triangle. I had done this ride twice on my car and believe or not I made my maiden attempt to drive a car into hills, by doing this circle only. The total distance one can cover is 250km ex Chandigarh.Shimla: It is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills", located in the north-west Himalayas at an altitude of 2128 msl (6982 ft). People can experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters here. This is now capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Chail: It is situated at an altitude of 2250 msl. Shimla and Kasauli can also be viewed in day or at night from here. It is pleasant in summers and cold in winter. Chail is connected by road. From Shimla via Kufri the distance is 45 km and via Kandaghat is 61 km. Kalka is 86 km away. Opposite to Shimla this is very calm and peaceful.Kufri: It is a tiny hill station near Shimla. It is located 13 km from the state capital on the National Highway No.22 at an altitude of 2700mts. This is only famous for skiing in winter; else there is nothing to see in this area.
Shimla
We friends decided to took an excursion for Shimla on weekends. Tickets were booked in Shivalik Delux Train for to & fro. This is the utmost luxury train, departed from Kalka Railway station at 5:30AM. It’s a very long time since my last visit to this place.We left Chandigarh at 5AM and reached Kalka railway station at 5:20AM (Kalka is only 20-25kms from Chandigarh). This was the first time I had ever seen a toy train from that close. I was very excited while thinking of a toy train ride to Shimla. Shivalik Delux is very good train with luxury & reclined seats, arranging in the order of 1*2 order. The train left Kalka at 5:30 sharp.
We had served with fruit juice followed by delicious breakfast, through the coach attendant. Every compartment of train having an attendant that takes care of passengers requirements. The windows are big and meant for enjoying the views only. I highly recommends train journey over any other mode of transport. The views are superb and the as train passes from numerous tunnels and bridges that enhance its beauty.
The whole surrounding was engulfing by mist and it seems that we had been floating in clouds rather walk. It’s a 1km walk towards ridge from station. When we reached at ridge we came to knew that the most of the shops were closed on Sunday, this would not let our spirit down as there are many more things that one can enjoy there. We decided to take a walk to Jakhu temple. This temple located at the highest point in Shimla and roughly 3kms very steep climb from ridge. This temple dedicated to Lord Hanumana and you can find many monkeys on the way, who dare to snatch anything eatable from your hands or pockets. It is advisable not to show any food items in front of them.It took us 1.5 hrs to reach Jakhu as most of our members were not in that good shape (thanks to urban lifestyle and moreover sitting job). Everyone was tired and needed some rest before Darshan. After some rest and clicking some photographs we had Darshan in the temple. Girls were busy in playing with swing (kind of Jhulla) and boys as usual busy in staring galsJ.
We returned to Ridge and wandering and enjoying the beauty of nature. The mall road is at little distance from ridge, where you can find lots of shops for buying souvenirs or enjoy the testy chat & ice cream. Most of the shops were closed due to Sunday. We had lunch at Gopal’s Restaurant, food was ok types. There are many bakeries along the mall road and the aromas coming out make you feel really hungry. We had tested many eatable there or you can say waste most of that.On the ridge you can find an old & huge Church, which is perhaps the landmark of ridge area. It is said that Indians were not allowed here in colonial time. On ridge there are many Ice cream parlors which gracefully added waste on the ridge. There dustbins were full of waste such that most of litter pop out on the ridge itself. This was very sad. On the other side of ridge, Lakkad Bazar (Wood Market) is located where you can buy the article made up of wood only. You can indeed find lots of verities there, bargain hard.
It was getting past 4PM and time to head back to station. The Shivalik Deluxe returned at 5:30PM to Kalka. Weather was still fogy with occasional sun light. We took some superb shots and headed back to Chandigarh. The dinner was served in train itself. We reached Chandigarh at 11:30PM. It was really a wonderful journey with friends.Train timings: (please book well in advance as almost all trains fully booked during long weekends or on public holidays)
Kufri
This is situated some 28kms from Chail and 12kms from Shimla. I had visited this place many times but with relatives. I personally believe that Kufri is only for the skiing and can look stunned in winters or Monsoon. But then the road conditions here become worse to worst. Other time this place is seems to be a pony station rather than a hill station. Long queue of vehicles make the ride disaster. One can trek to Temple located at the high hill, some 2 kms away from parking. But the initial stretch is full of pony’s droppings and it’s impossible for one to cover that path by foot. In this way people will force to look for pony which can be hired anywhere between Rs150-250.
In summers the temperature is not much differs than what we have in plains but in shade the air becomes pleasant and bearable. There is a zoo, which is just a time pass but the Snow Leopard is worth watching. Apart from this trek and a zoo, there is nothing which can need more writing.In winters apart from the road conditions this place turned to heaven. The white blanket of snow make this place stunning, weather dropped below freezing point. The entire Chail -> Kufri -> Shimla road covered in a thick envelope of ice. One can enjoy skiing here in winters, local authorities also offers various courses in skiing. When you coming from Shimla, Kufri located on the right side of NH22, a road bifurcates and reaches Kufri. In winter many shopkeepers at this bifurcation point mislead the people by saying that this point is Kufri and sometimes they erased the actually distance from milestone and overwrite it with another false value.
Chail
I had visited this place twice, once with my friends and recently with my family. There is nothing in this place except very few views. One can have the view of Shimla for here. This is very less crowded place with tranquility spread all over. The NH22 bifurcates from Kandaghat, right towards Chail and other road goes towards Shimla.
There are many places which are pretend to be tourist places by locals but believe me one can regret upon his/her decision after visiting these places. The highest cricket ground is nothing but a large circular open area, which is very difficult to find in such hills. Chail is a perfact paradise for nature lovers and not for those who want to roam into mall road and believe in crowded place. You can find almost deserted road here.
Narkanda
This beautiful small town situated at an attitude of 2700 meters on the Hindustan Tibet road (NH - 22), 65km from Shimla. This place no doubt providing a splendid view of snow peaks of Kinnaur. The fresh cool air and serenity add a charm to this place. There are few small hotels, from budget to classy, present here. It is advisable to book the accommodation in advance to avoid any trouble in season time.
Hatu peak is the must visit place situated at 3300 meter and 5km from Narkanda. One can have 3km trek to hatu peak or can opt for 7km road journey. Hatu peak provides you a breathtaking panoramic view of Himalaya. In winters one can enjoy skiing here, although I never enjoyed that privilege so far.I must say that this place is far better than Kufri, no hustle and bustle of life, surely a must visit place. I went there many a times in past and still ready to visit this place at any time if given the opportunity. You must cross Narkanda on the way, if planning for Jalori Pass or Kinnaur and beyond. There is a petrol pump in this town.
We once stayed in Hotel Hatu (run by HPTDC), a very well maintained exclusive hotel in this area. Room rates are: Super Deluxe - Rs1500; Deluxe - Rs1300 & Budget - Rs900. This sounds quite expensive but the rooms are worth to this cost and very well maintained and clean. Moreover according to my wife, the bathroom is the only place which can let you know the slandered of hotel and believe me even she agreed that the rooms were worth at this price. So no doubt on my wife, if she said its worth, it’s actually worth.