“While mountains provide us with challenge and nourish our spirits, they are also powerful and potentially destructive places that must be respected.”
16 Best Places To Visit In Mussoorie which One Must Visit For A Relaxing Vacation!
Mussoorie is a hill station and a municipal board in the Dehradun district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is about 35 kilometres from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km north of the national capital of New Delhi. The hill station is in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan range Perched on a ridge 2km high, the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ vies with Nainital as Uttarakhand’s favourite holiday destination. When the mist clears, views of the green Doon Valley and the distant white-capped Himalayan peaks are superb, and in the hot months the cooler temperatures and fresh mountain air make a welcome break from the plains below. Established by the British in 1823, Mussoorie became hugely popular with the Raj set. The ghosts of that era linger on in the architecture of the churches, libraries, hotels and summer palaces. The town is swamped with affluent Indian tourists between May and July, when it can seem like a tacky holiday camp for families and honeymooners, but at other times many of the 300 hotels have vacancies and their prices drop dramatically. During monsoon, the town is often shrouded in clouds.
How to Reach Mussoorie:-
By Air : Travellers from outside India can reach the international airports in Delhi or Mumbai, and board a connecting flight to Dehradun. Several private taxis are available at the airport which will take visitors to Mussoorie. Nearest Airport: The Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport from Mussoorie.
By Railway : Dehradun Railway Station, located around 36 km away serves as the nearest railway station to Mussoorie. Dehradun is well connected by trains from major cities of India After reaching Dehradun by train, visitors can board local taxis or buses for Mussoorie , 38 Kms / one and half hour .
By Road: Mussoorie is well conneCted Mussoorie is well connected through road network. You can either drive to Mussoorie or hire a cab/taxi to reach Mussoorie from Delhi or any other nearby cities
Best time to Visit Mussoorie: January, February , March, April, May, June, September , October , November and December . July & August : Not recommended , as this is the monsoon season and Uttarakhand is prone to landslides , henceforth not advisable to travel . Nonetheless if you want to explore Mussoorie during rains then this period could offer you great deals on hotels as the occupancy remains low during the off-season.
Tourist Attractions : Sights of Mussoorie :
1. HAPPY VALLEY: Only 3 Kms northwest of town, this scenic outlying region of Mussoorie is famous as the site where the Dalai Lama and fellow exiles arrived in 1959, after escaping from Tibet following Chinese occupation. The spiritual leader stayed for one year before relocating the exiled Tibetan government to Dharamsala. It’s a beautiful valley with the atmospheric Shedup Choephelling Temple where the local Tibetan community pray, and a nearby hilltop stupa at Dalai Hills with a large Buddha statue, prayer flags and Himalayan views.
2. GUN HILL : From midway along The Mall, a cable car uns up to Gun Hill (2530m), which, on a clear day, has views of several big peaks. A steep path also winds up to the viewpoint. The most popular time to go up is an hour or so before sunset. There’s a minicarnival atmosphere in high season, with kids’ rides, food stalls, magic shops and honeymooners having their photos taken in Garhwali costumes. Enjoy the ropeway on Gunhill
3. MUSSOORIE LAKE : Famous among family and couples for a perfect picnic spot near Mussoorie, a newly developed Mussoorie Lake is a newly developed tourist spot by City Board. Located at just 6 km before Mussoorie in Dehradun-Mussoorie Rd, Mussoorie Lake is perfect place for a day out picnic with boating as well. This picturesque lake is now a favourite picnic spot in Mussoorie. Tourists can enjoy boating in the lake. The lake also offers beautiful views of Doon Valley and the surrounding places. This lake also offers several outdoor activities for children. Mussoorie Lake can be visited through the year, while monsoon is the best season. The road leading to the lake is quite scenic with refreshing greenery and slopes. Entry Fee: Rs. 15 per person. Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM.
4. KEMPTY FALLS : Kempty Falls is said to be one of the most prominent waterfalls in Uttarakhand. The falls are encircled by a high mountain cliff. Since the waterfalls from a great height. Being present on the Mussoorie-Dehradun Highway, the Kempty Falls attracts a number of tourists from across the country. The name Kempty has been derived from Camp-Tea.- the place where the British officials used to organize tea parties and camps. Kempty Falls and surrounding hills offer great opportunities for trekking enthusiasts. Kempty Falls was initiated as a picnic spot in 1835 by the British officer John Makinen. It has a perennial waterfall making it an interesting picnic spot for all. You can even take a bath under the fresh waters of the waterfall.
Location: Kempty Falls is located about 15 km from Mussoorie and lies at an altitude of about 4500 feet above the sea level. The sacred River Yamuna is about 12 km from here.
Best Time: Summer months of March and June are ideal since the weather is pleasant.
5. CAMELS BACK ROAD : A beautiful peaceful walk under the nature will always boost calmness and inner peace. Camel Back Road provides the same experience in Mussoorie. This 3 km long road is named as Camel Back Rd due to the presence of natural layout of rocks shaped like a camels hump at the end of road. From the Camel Back Road the visitors can enjoy the romantic sunrise and sunset with some snacks and the amazing backdrop of the Doon Valley.
Location: The Camel Back Road starts from the Library Point and goes up to the Kulri Bazaar. Dehradun railway station is 34 km from here and the Jolly Grant airport is 56 km from here.
Best Time: You can visit the Camel’s Back road anytime but keep in mind during the summer months the road is extremely crowded especially during morning or evening.
6. THE MALL ROAD : Most famous promenade in Queen of the Hills, Mussoorie is The Mall. At an height of above 2000 mtrs, The Mall is major attraction in Mussoorie. Almost every visitor of Mussoorie have to visit the beautiful Mall Road which stretches from Picture Palace at east to the Library at the west. The visit to the Mall road is enough to give you greater insight to the city. There are a bunch of restaurants, shops and other establishments located here. The Mall road is closed to traffic from morning (approx 8-9 am) to evening (9-10pm). Only Private vehicles can enter by paying an entry fee of Rs 150 per vehicle. Location: The Mall road is located at a distance of some 15 km from the Kempty Falls.
Best Time: Can be visited at any hour of the day.
7. MOSSY FALLS : Mossy Falls is located in a dense forest and is surrounded by lush greenery. All the nature lovers can rejuvenate themselves with serenity here and enjoy the cold water straight out of the mountains! This perennial waterfall is a perfect picnic spot as it is barely crowded. Pay a visit to this waterfall to hear the melodious gush of water as it descends from great heights sending out heavenly white mist pure bliss. Mossy Falls is a must-see travel attraction in Mussoorie. Falling down from a height of 145 feet, this tourist spot lies 7 kilometers from Mussoorie. Mossy Falls is a horsetail waterfall and is surrounded by mosses that fetched the name Mossy Falls to this place. People, especially trekkers, visit Mossy Falls frequently. Due to its location close to a forest, it also serves as a perfect destination for camping. During the monsoons, the beauty of this waterfall doubles up and looks even enchanting
Best Time To Visit:- Being a famous tourist spot, Mossy Falls is visited across the year. Whether it is the autumn or spring, it welcomes numerous visitors on a daily basis. However, the best time for visiting this waterfall is during monsoons and winters. During monsoons, the beauty of this entire place gleams as the rain showers refresh the surroundings. During winters, one can relish the fun of trekking in the forests nearby during the daytime.
Location: Mossy Falls lay 7 kilometers away from the main town of Mussoorie. It can be easily reached by hiring the service of the local cabs and buses. Also, one can take lifts with a tempo and make the journey memorable
8. LAL TIBBA : Lal Tibba of Mussoorie is located at 4.5 kms from Mussoorie city at Landour Rd. One can reach easily at Lal Tibba hiring cab . At a distance of 5.5 km from Mussoorie Library Bus Stand, Lal Tibba is the highest point in Mussoorie situated in Landour area.This place offers scenic views of sunrise and sunset and is one of the best places to visit in Mussoorie. Lal Tibba (or Red Hill) was also referred as a Depot Hill owing to the presence of a depot, also houses a camp of the Indian Military Services, towers of Doordarshan and All India Radio. In 1967, a telescope was placed at the tower on a cliff by municipality to offer scenic views of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Banderpunch, and other Himalayan ranges. The place is known for its scenic beauty courtesy the pleasant sunrise and sunset that leave the visitors spellbound. Do carry woollens irrespective of the month of the visit. There are several buildings constructed during colonial period here. There is an old market area called the sister bazaar where one can buy local goods. The road to Lal Tibba is very picturesque and is surrounded by Conifers, Pine and Rhododendron. Avoid visiting this place during the monsoons to this place is infested with leeches.
Location: It is situated in the Landour area and lies at an altitude of 8000 metres above sea level. Best Time: The best and the most ideal time to visit Lal Tibba is the summer months of March and June. Avoid travel during the monsoon months as there may be leeches here.
9. LIBRARY BAZAAR : At a distance of 350 m from Library Bus Stand, Library Bazaar, also known as Gandhi Chowk, is located in close vicinity of old library in Mussoorie. It is located strategically in Mussoorie’s bustling Mall Road. The name of the bazaar is derived from the Victorian-style Library, which was constructed in mid-19th century. The market houses a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and often called as Gandhi Chowk. The Library Bazaar is beautifully tucked between the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Gurudwara Singh Sabha, the Amania mosque and the christian church and it stretches up to the Mall road . One of the prominent attractions of the place is the Band Stand, where tourists can enjoy song of the historic colonial days. The famous Savoy Hotel, which earlier housed the Maddock School, is an attraction here. The Criterion building next to the library was famous for its bar. The Library Bazaar is so-called library found in 1843 that is present on the first floor of the fantastic building. This is also one of the few libraries found in India. The bazaar is one of the busiest parts of Mussoorie with all the shops, eateries and gaming parlours.
Best Time: The library is open on all days between 09:00 am – 08:00 pm.
10. COMPANY GARDEN : This scenic spot is painted with a variety of colourful flowers and an amusement park with adventurous rides for kids. Also known as ‘Company Bagh’, this park is perfect to have a picnic with your friends or family. Famous as Company Bagh or the Municipal Garden, Company Garden is a renowned place nearby Mussoorie. Ideally, it is a beautiful place that has different flowers and various colorful plants planted to give a vibrant appeal overall. Company garden experiences huge footfall by tourists each year. The park is remains open round the year and is a stunning amusement park that enthralls children from far and wide. The place also has a mini lake that has a small and artificial waterfall that adds to its beauty and richness. One can even enjoy boating in it. Later after done with a picnic, you can buy some memorable items from a small market inside the park. There is a food court also in case you get hungry again. Some of the scenes of this garden due to Flower and waterfall create amazing photographic opportunity. Entry Fees to Company Garden- Rs 18 • Boating Charges-Rs75 • Timings- 9:00 am-6:00 pm
How to Reach Company Garden, Mussoorie Company garden at Mussoorie is situated at a distance of 3kms from the city of Mussoorie at Kempty Road. In to reach here, one can tire a taxi or an auto rickshaw from Library. The nearest railway station is Dehradun railway station only 34kms and the nearest airport strip Jolly Grant Airport- 57kms.
Best Time: Throughout the year.
11.SISTERS BAZAAR : This is a fully loaded market where you can calm down the shopaholic monster in you and buy gifts and souvenirs for your near and dears. It is an age-old market which offers you all sort of traditional as well as modern stuff. You can find vendors selling more mouth-watering delicious food items. Sisters Bazaar is an age old market that was popularized by its mention in Ruskin Bond’s books. This market is thronged by tourists and is famous for handmade chocolates, jams and such stuff that you find here. You can get the most delicious homemade Peanut Butter, Cheddar Cheese so don’t forget to get it all. Do use your bargain skills to get some amazing items at a good price.
Best Time: Summers is the best time to escape from the heat. 08:00 am to 08:00 pm. And don’t forget to collect your souvenirs before ending your tour . So, lets go for shopping, local people of Mussoorie offer lot of things among which the maximum are hand-made. The main things that could be bought from here are silver jewellery, sleeping bags, shawls, sweaters, antiques, etc. Also, if you are fond of numerous informative books, then don’t forget to visit Cambridge Book Store, the oldest book store of Mussoorie. Don’t forget to shop for the Wooden Handicrafts, Himalayan Weavers and lots of branded stores. Tibetan market is also good choice for shopping different types of stylish things.
12. JHARIPANI FALL: The cascading Jharipani Falls is located on Mussoorie-Jharipani road about 9 km from Mussoorie. From here one needs to cover a favourable distance of 1.5 km either by bus, car or on foot to reach the waterfall. The enchanting Jharipani Falls offers a picturesque view of the Shivalik Range. If you are a nature lover, then you must visit the famous Jharipani Falls, located close to Mussoorie. Trekkers love the area around the waterfalls as the scenery is amazing. Picnics with loved ones can be planned while enjoying the peace and serenity of this place. The beautiful sights are worth capturing and one of the most enjoyable places to see in Mussoorie. The Jharipani Falls is an ideal place for practicing some adventure sports and picnicking. It is definitely a must visit for all. With the backdrop of the scenic waterfalls, forested hills and the tranquility of the nature, make it a sight to capture in photographs. This place is great for Trekking and enjoy a small little picnic here you can enjoy a spellbinding view of Shivalik Range Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm Entry fee: Free
Location: Jharipani Rd, Jharipani
How to reach: By local taxi or private car Ideal Duration: 2 hours.
13. BHATTA FALLS : Located 7 km away from the hill station, Bhatta Falls is a quaint space, away from the pains of commercialization. Today, this place has developed into a nice picnic spot where locals and tourists love to spend time. It is one of the best places to see in Mussoorie. A perfect backdrop for photography enthusiasts, the waterfall is among the best places to visit in Mussoorie. Enjoy yourself and have a bath in the freshwater pond, go for a picnic, and engage in some photography sessions, as this place is very much famous for picnicking in its peaceful natural surroundings and photography Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm Entry fee: Free
Location: Mussoorie Rd, Bhatta Gaon
How to reach: By bus or taxi Ideal Duration: 1 hour
14. LAKE MIST: Kempty falls and its gushing waters make the Lake Mist. This lake has a well-known eco-friendly resort located in Mussoorie, known as Lake Mist Resort. A stunning natural beauty, Lake Mist has a good name among the nature lovers. It can be visited all around the year as it looks equally bewitching at all times. It is one of the top places to visit in Mussoorie. Things to do: Go boating, click pictures around and enjoy fast food. This is famous for boating amidst the serene surroundings Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Entry fee: INR 125
Location: Kempty Fall Road, Kempty, Mussoori Range
How to reach: Hire a local taxi Ideal Duration: 2 hours
15. DHANULTI : Perched at an altitude of 2,286 m, Dhanaulti is among the most beautiful places to visit around Mussoorie. Visitors love the mesmerizing views of the daunting Himalayas from here. Also, the place is far from the touristy rush seen in Mussoorie. Eco Twin Park, here, has a huge green space and rides for kids. The tranquil and serene atmosphere make people enjoy their visit and makes this one of the most charming places to visit near Mussoorie. Best Time To Visit: September to June Distance from Mussoorie: 32 km Time taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Things to do: Enjoy fast food, shop for handmade stoles, shawls, and scarves Famous for: Dashavatar Temple, Deogarh fort and Chanderi Town
How to reach: By local taxi or private car Ideal Duration: 2 Days
16. BENOG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY : One of the most famous tourist spot of Queen of Hills. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary a part of Rajaji National Park is located about 11 km from Library Point in the ‘Queen of Hills’ Mussoorie. It is surrounded by the benedictory pines, old cedar trees, and medicinal plants that grow in abundance in this area. The sanctuary has developed as a bird watching haven and is a home to a wide variety of birds such as White Capped Water Redstart and Red Billed Blue Magpie to name a few. One can also admire an eye-captivating view of the snow-clad Chaukhamba and Bandarpunch peaks from here. The popular tourist spots near the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary are the Hathipaon Estate and Cloud’s End. All days of the week 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Famous places for Shopping in Mussoorie The Mall Road: Take A Stroll And Shop
Tibetan Market: For Artifacts And Carpets
Library Bazaar: Famed As The Gandhi Chowk
Kulri Bazaar: Shop For Silver Jewelery
Classic Emporium: Splurge On Tibetan Sculptures
Himalayan Weavers: Scarves, Shawls And Sweaters
Sisters Bazaar: Buy Bakery Items And Antiques
“The Mountains are calling and I must go”
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