Weekend getaways near Shimla

• Operating hours: Craignano Nature Park is open daily to visitors from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closes around 5:00 PM in deep winter).
• Admission fees:
  • Entry ticket to Craignano Nature Park: ₹50 per adult; ₹20 for children.
  • Adventure activities (zipline, Burma bridge, rock climbing): Charged separately at regulated rates (typically ₹100 to ₹250 per activity).
• Parking charges: Nominal municipal parking fee (approx. ₹50 per car).
• Photography: Personal still photography and mobile videography of the gardens, trails, and mountain views are freely permitted. Commercial drone filming requires prior written authorization from the Forest Department.

Mashobra is located approximately 12 km northeast of Scandal Point and the Ridge. From central Shimla, private cars and taxis travel along the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH5) past Sanjauli and Dhalli, passing through the historic Dhalli tunnel before branching off onto the Mashobra-Naldehra road. Driving time is typically 35 to 45 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Regular HRTC commuter buses operate frequently from the Lakkar Bazaar bus stand in Shimla to Mashobra bazaar, from where Craignano Park is a pleasant 2.5 km uphill walk or a short local taxi hop. Spacious paved vehicle parking is available directly outside the main entrance of Craignano Nature Park.

• Operating hours: The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM (extended to 8:30 PM during Navratri and summer weekends).
  • Morning Aarti: 7:00 AM.
  • Evening Aarti: 6:30 PM.
• Admission fees: Entry to Tara Devi Temple and its viewing terraces is completely free of charge.
• Photography: Photography of the temple exterior, gardens, and surrounding mountain viewpoints is freely permitted. Photography inside the inner sanctum where the deity is consecrated is strictly barred.
• Conduct: Modest attire covering shoulders and knees is required; consumption of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and tobacco anywhere on the sacred hill is strictly prohibited.

Tara Devi Temple is located about 12 km south of Scandal Point and the Ridge. From central Shimla, private cars and taxis drive along the Kalka-Shimla National Highway (NH5) past Tutikandi and Shoghi to the Taradevi junction, where a well-paved, winding 5 km mountain road ascends through pine forests directly to the temple parking lot at the summit (driving time approx. 30 to 40 minutes). Regular HRTC buses connect Shimla with Taradevi village along NH5, from where local shared cabs operate up the hill. Heritage rail travelers can alight at the historic Tara Devi station on the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla Toy Train line, which sits in the valley below the mountain.

• Operating hours:
  • Himalayan Nature Park: Open Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Closed: Strictly closed on all Tuesdays and select national holidays.
  • Mahasu Peak viewpoints and trails: Accessible daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Kufri Fun World: Open daily 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
• Admission fees:
  • Himalayan Nature Park: ₹50 for Indian adults; ₹25 for children; ₹100 for foreign nationals.
  • Still camera fee inside Nature Park: ₹25; video camera ₹100.
  • Mahasu Peak pony ride: Regulated by the local horse owners' union at fixed municipal tariff rates (typically ₹600 to ₹1,000 per horse for the round trip; always verify rates on the official municipal display board before hiring).
• Photography: Personal photography of animals, landscapes, and mountain ranges is permitted. Tapping glass enclosures or using flash photography around nocturnal and predator enclosures is strictly prohibited.

Kufri is situated roughly 15 km east of Scandal Point and the Ridge in Shimla. Vehicles travel via Sanjauli and Dhalli along the well-surfaced National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road), reaching Kufri in about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on seasonal traffic bottlenecks near Dhalli. Regular HRTC state transport buses and frequent private shared taxis run between Shimla’s Lakkar Bazaar or Dhalli bus terminals and Kufri bazaar throughout the day. Ample paid vehicle parking is available along the national highway outside the entrance to the Himalayan Nature Park and the main horse stand.

• Operating hours: The golf course and grounds are open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 5:00 PM in winter).
• Admission fees:
  • Non-playing visitors (perimeter walking ticket): Nominal entry fee of ₹50 per adult.
  • Green fees for golfing (HPTDC Club): ₹500 for Indian nationals (9 holes) / ₹1,000 (18 holes); ₹1,000 for foreign golfers (9 holes) / ₹2,000 (18 holes).
  • Golf club rental and caddie fees: Available at the clubhouse at regulated HPTDC tariffs.
  • Pony rides: Regulated by the local pony union (approx. ₹400 to ₹700 for a guided loop).
• Photography: Still landscape photography from the perimeter paths is permitted. Flash photography or obstructing players on the fairways is strictly prohibited.

Naldehra is situated about 22 km north of Scandal Point and the Ridge in Shimla. From central Shimla, private cars and taxis travel along the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH5) past Dhalli, then turn north onto the scenic Mashobra-Naldehra mountain highway (approx. 50 to the onward journey). Regular HRTC buses connect Shimla’s Lakkar Bazaar bus stand with Naldehra bazaar every hour. Spacious paved vehicle parking is available near the entrance of the HPTDC Golf Club House and the adjoining forest rest house.

• Operating hours:
  • Chail Palace grounds and royal public rooms: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Kali Ka Tibba Temple: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  • Chail Cricket Ground: The exterior perimeter viewing area is visible daily from the public road; interior access to the pitch is regulated by the Rashtriya Military School.
  • Chail Wildlife Sanctuary: Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
• Admission fees:
  • The Chail Palace entry ticket for day visitors: ₹100 per person (redeemable against meals or refreshments at the palace restaurant).
  • Kali Ka Tibba: Free entry.
  • Chail Wildlife Sanctuary: Nominal eco-cess fee (~₹50 per person) collected at forest checkposts.
• Photography: Photography of the palace exterior, gardens, and forest landscapes is permitted. Commercial film shoots or drone flying require prior written clearance from HPTDC and the Solan District Administration.

Chail is located in Solan district, about 44 km south of Scandal Point / The Ridge in Shimla. There are two primary road approaches: the scenic route via Kufri and Chail-Kufri road (approx. 44 km, 1.5 to 2 hours drive), or the highway route descending NH5 via Kandaghat and then climbing 29 km up to Chail (approx. 45 km, 1.5 to 2 hours drive). Taxis can be hired for a dedicated full-day return circuit from Shimla’s Old Bus Stand or Cart Road. Regular HRTC buses connect Shimla with Chail bazaar twice daily, while frequent buses run between Kandaghat on the Kalka-Shimla highway and Chail. Paved visitor parking is available at the Chail Palace gates and Chail main bazaar.

• Operating hours:
  • Thermal hot spring baths and hydrotherapy pools: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  • River rafting and water sports: Operates daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (subject to daylight and river current safety).
  • Shiva Gupha cave: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Admission fees:
  • Public municipal thermal baths: Nominal fee of ₹50 to ₹100 per person.
  • Private resort mineral pools and jacuzzis: ₹200 to ₹500 per person (typically for 45 minutes to 1 hour).
  • Sutlej River rafting (Chabba to Tattapani, 12 km stretch): Regulated tariffs typically range between ₹800 and ₹1,500 per person, including life jackets, helmets, and certified river guides.
  • Motorboat rides on Kol Dam lake: Approx. ₹200 to ₹400 per passenger for a 20-minute cruise.
• Photography: Landscape photography of the river canyon, lake, and mountains is permitted. Photography inside private thermal bath suites and changing rooms is strictly prohibited.

Tattapani is situated in Mandi district, roughly 50 km north of Scandal Point / The Ridge in Shimla. Private vehicles and taxis follow the scenic mountain road via Sanjauli, Mashobra, and the pine forests of Naldehra, descending through Suni town down to the river bridge at Tattapani (typical driving time is 1.5 to 2 hours). Regular HRTC buses connect Shimla’s Lakkar Bazaar bus stand with Tattapani and Suni at regular intervals throughout the day. Ample vehicle parking is available on both the Mandi and Shimla sides of the Sutlej River bridge.

• Operating hours:
  • Hatu Peak and Hatu Mata Temple: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (temple gates close around dusk; visitors must descend before dark).
  • Tannu Jubbar Lake: Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • Dhumri ski slopes: Operational during daylight hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) during active snow cover (January - February).
• Admission fees: Entry to Narkanda town, Hatu Peak, Tannu Jubbar Lake, and Hatu Mata Temple is completely free of charge.
• Ski rentals: Basic ski equipment and instructor charges at Dhumri are regulated by HPTDC (typically ₹500 to ₹1,000 per session).
• Photography: Landscape and mountain photography is permitted. Photography inside the inner sanctum of Hatu Mata Temple is barred.

Narkanda is located about 60 km northeast of Scandal Point / The Ridge in Shimla. From central Shimla, private cars and taxis travel along the well-engineered National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) through Kufri, Theog, and Matiana, reaching Narkanda bazaar in about 2 to 2.5 hours. From Narkanda bazaar, the mountain summit of Hatu Peak is an additional 8 km uphill drive along a single-lane mountain road (approx. 25 - 30 minutes) or a 2.5-hour forest trek. Regular HRTC express and deluxe buses connecting Shimla with Rampur Bushahr, Kinnaur, and Spiti stop at Narkanda throughout the day. Paved parking is available in Narkanda bazaar and on a small flat terrace near the Hatu Mata Temple summit.