Page 118 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

116  DELHI & THE NOR TH

Kufri, under a heavy blanket of snow in winter
Exploring Shimla of Chhota Shimla. Deeper into sloping meadows and fringed by
the hills and along the same deodar and blue pine. A British
The best way to explore Shimla ridge system as Shimla, are a legacy dating from the 19th cen-
is to walk along the many number of places to visit. At tury, the golf course was designed
meandering roads and byways. Charabra, 13 km (8 miles) north by the viceroy, Lord Curzon. About
Beyond the centre (see pp114– of Shimla, Wildflower Hall, the 16 km (10 miles) east of Shimla, is
15), the glade of Annandale is former retreat of the Commander- the picturesque little village of
accessed by a sharp slope and in-Chief, Lord Kitchner, is now a Kufri, which is at an altitude
is 5 km (3 miles) northwest of plush hotel of 2,650 m (8,694 ft). Kufri’s small
the Ridge. During the (see p695). zoo, the Himalayan Nature
Raj, several social About 10 km Park, counts the Himalayan
and sporting events (6 miles) north black bear and the musk deer
such as fancy fairs, along the old among its residents.
races and cricket Hindustan-Tibet
matches were held (HT) Road, just above the O Seog Wildlife Sanctuary
here. Today, it has a diversion to the left leading For permission contact: Divisional
nine-hole golf course to the village of Forest Officer, Shimla Municipal
and a fine museum Musk deer in the Himalayan Mashobra, a gravel Corporation. Tel (0177) 265 2911. &
of army history. The Nature Park road barred by a O Himalayan Nature Park
Glen, another popular gate to the right, Kufri. Open daily. &
picnic spot is further west. Both indicates the entrance to the
can be reached by a road that Seog Wildlife Sanctuary and
branches off near the Oberoi the old Seog rest house. The 2 Chail
Cecil. This grand colonial sanctuary, accessible with Solan district. 45 km (28 miles) SE of
structure, built on a precipice, is permits only, is home to local Shimla. @ n Hotel Chail Palace,
reminiscent of Raj-era luxury. A species of wildlife, including (01792) 248 141.
4-km (2-mile) long forest road, deer, hill fox and monal
starting from Christ Church on pheasants. At Mashobra, a steep This tiny hill station is situated
the Ridge, continues along the forest pathway leads to a lovely on a wooded ridge at a similar
wooded slopes of Jakhu Hill. This little temple dedicated to a local altitude to Shimla. Chail was
road winds southeast to end deity, set in a grove of deodars. developed as the summer capital
near one of Shimla’s oldest The annual Sipi Fair is held here. of the Patiala maharajas (see p106)
educational institutions, St Bede’s Further up is the temple of Sipur. in the 1920s. Chail Palace, a stone
College for Women, en route Continuing north from mansion occupying a flattened
overlooking the quaint bazaar Mashobra, 3-km (2-mile) along a hilltop, amid beautiful orchards
motor road, is the and garden, is now a deluxe
Carignano Rest hotel. The cricket pitch, near the
House. Once the top of a hill, is said to be one of
home of an Italian the highest in the world. The
chef, the Chevalier Patiala rulers, enthusiastic
Peliti, it commands cricketers themselves, invited
superb views from the Marylebone Cricket Club (the
its hilltop garden. MCC) to play here in 1933. Walks
Further north through the deodar forests of the
(10 km/6 miles) is Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, where
Naldehra with a Scottish red deer were introduced,
nine-hole golf are the best way to discover
Naldehra’s scenic golf course course set amidst Chail’s natural beauty.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p695 and p707

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