Chail, Shimla and Kufri: Complete 3-Day Trip Plan, Distances and Route Guide 2026
Chail-Shimla-Kufri Trip: At a Glance
Planning a Stay in Kufri?
Kufri Heritage Resort and Spa | 5-Star Luxury Resort | 13 km from Shimla | Rooms from ₹6,999
| Ideal Duration | 3 nights, 4 days (from Delhi); 2 nights, 3 days (from Chandigarh) |
| Shimla to Kufri | 13 km, 30 to 40 minutes |
| Shimla to Chail | 45 km, 1.5 hours via Kandaghat route |
| Kufri to Chail | 35 km, 1 hour via Shimla Bypass |
| Best Time | October to February for clear weather and possible snow |
| Budget (per person, 3N) | Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 including hotel, food and activities |
Chail, Shimla and Kufri form a natural triangle of Himachal Pradesh hill stations within 50 km of each other. Combining all three in one trip gives you the best variety the region offers: colonial heritage in Shimla, royal Himalayan history in Chail and skiing and wildlife in Kufri. This guide gives you the exact distances, a practical day-by-day itinerary and the best base for the circuit.
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Distance Chart: Chail, Shimla and Kufri
| Route | Distance | Drive Time | Road Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimla to Kufri | 13 km | 30 to 40 minutes | Paved hill road, narrow in places |
| Shimla to Chail | 45 km | 1.5 hours | Mountain road via Kandaghat or Shoghi |
| Kufri to Chail | 35 km | 1 to 1.5 hours | Via Shimla Bypass or direct mountain road |
| Delhi to Shimla | 365 km | 8 to 9 hours | NH44 + NH5 via Chandigarh and Kalka |
| Chandigarh to Shimla | 117 km | 3.5 to 4 hours | NH5 via Kalka and Solan |
Skip the OTAs. Book direct with the resort.
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3-Day Chail, Shimla and Kufri Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Shimla and Evening on The Mall
If driving from Delhi (365 km), start at 4-5 AM to arrive in Shimla by 1-2 PM. See the Delhi to Shimla travel guide for the full route. Check in, freshen up and have lunch. Late afternoon: walk The Mall Road and The Ridge. Evening: Christ Church and sunset from Scandal Point. Dinner on The Mall. Stay in Shimla or drive up to Kufri (13 km, 30-40 min) and stay at a Kufri resort.
Day 2: Full Day in Kufri
If staying in Shimla, drive to Kufri after breakfast (30-40 min). Full day at Kufri Fun World (skiing in winter, horse riding in summer), Himalayan Nature Park and Mahasu Peak. Allow 4-5 hours for all three. Evening back in Shimla or overnight in Kufri for a sunrise mountain view next morning.
Day 3: Chail Day Trip and Departure
Chail is 45 km from Shimla (1.5 hours) via Kandaghat. Start by 8-9 AM to arrive by 10-10:30 AM. Visit Chail Palace (now a heritage hotel open to visitors), the highest cricket ground in the world and Chail Wildlife Sanctuary for a short nature walk. Lunch in Chail at the Forest Rest House canteen or a local dhaba. Drive back to Shimla by 3-4 PM. Departure to Delhi or Chandigarh from Shimla.
Best Base: Kufri vs Shimla
Staying in Kufri gives you the mountain feel, quiet evenings, direct access to skiing and wildlife, and Shimla as an easy 30-minute day trip. Staying in Shimla gives more dining and shopping options and is cheaper for budget travelers, but requires a 30-minute drive to reach Kufri activities.
For the Chail-Shimla-Kufri circuit, Kufri is the better base. It sits geographically between Shimla (13 km north) and Chail (35 km south), minimizing total driving. Most resorts in Kufri offer Chail and Shimla sightseeing packages for guests.
What to See in Chail
Chail Palace: Built in 1891 by the Maharaja of Patiala. Heritage hotel with open access to palace grounds. The architecture is colonial hill-station style with Himalayan touches. Rs 200 entry for non-guests.
Chail Cricket Ground: Highest cricket ground in the world at 2,444 m, built by army sappers on a leveled hilltop. Surrounded by deodar forest. No admission charge, open during daylight hours.
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary: 185 sq km of Himalayan forest. Best for bird watching and gentle wildlife walks. Entry Rs 100 per person with a permit from the forest office in Chail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cover Chail, Shimla and Kufri in 3 days?
How far is Chail from Kufri?
Which is better to visit, Chail or Kufri?
Stay at Kufri Heritage Resort & Spa
Ideal base for the Chail-Shimla-Kufri circuit. 13 km from Shimla, 35 km from Chail, walking distance to Kufri Fun World.
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Make Kufri your first night above Shimla
13 km past Shimla, complimentary parking for 60+ cars and check-in from 12 noon. Send your travel date and we will hold a room.
