Dehradun-Mussoorie-Dhanaulti Trip
This was our escape plan to beat the summer in Rajasthan but it was an eye-opener for me as I have decided never to travel any Hill station during June (School summer vacation) as no one wants to get stuck in traffic for hours. Dhanaulti day trip made me realize why it is always better to explore the unexplored!
Days required– 3-4 days
Nearby places to go – Tehri, Kanatal, Haridwar, Rishikesh
Best time to visit – After monsoon or during winter. For snowfall, visit in January and February.
Avoid summer vacation.
How to reach –
By air – There is an airport in Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) with direct flights from major cities.
By train – There is good train connectivity to Dehradun.
By road – Buses also available from Delhi and Chandigarh.
How we travelled – We boarded the bus from Jaipur for a 14 hours journey to Dehradun. Buses usually run during the night. I would suggest booking a govt. buses, as they will drop you at ISBT Dehradun on the other hand Private buses will drop you outside the city on highway from where you will have to take an auto/taxi and they will overcharge to drop you at ISBT or your Hotel.
From there, we reached Mussoorie bus stand (ask the auto driver. This is different from ISBT).
Buses and taxi for Mussoorie are available from here. There is also a taxi union counter inside if you want to hire a taxi. They usually Charge Rs600-1000(fix rate), but during peak season the price can be twice or thrice of this. So either bargain with them or go for the pool option(shared taxi).
A cheaper option is also available which is, taking a bus which charges only Rs.60 but only if you are okay with a huge crowd in the bus during peak season. Also, there are two bus stops in Mussoorie – Picture palace and Library Chowk so take bus according to your hotel location to avoid wasting both time and money.
These bus stands have taxi union counters nearby to drop you back to Dehradun and for local sightseeing.
Where to stay –
Mussoorie – To book a hotel, you should have an idea about the place. As I mentioned above, there are two bus stops at Library Chowk and Picture Palace. They are few km apart from each other and the road connecting them is Mall Road. So book your hotel accordingly. I would suggest booking a hotel near these two bus stop to avoid fatigue by carrying luggage to long distances as no motor vehicles are allowed on Mall road.
Dehradun – stay near ISBT or railway station as you can find accommodation according to your budget.
How to go around – Mussoorie – only rickshaws run on mall road which has a fixed-rate list written somewhere on the road. I prefer walking as you can enjoy shopping and food on the Mall road.
Now for tourist destinations, there is a taxi counter near Library Chowk with a fixed price, listed outside the counter. You can share the taxi with other passengers.
Dehradun – you can hire a cab/taxi to cover the tourist attractions. Use your bargaining skills to get the best deal.
Places to visit
Mussoorie
The Mall – located at the heart of Mussoorie city, it stretches from Picture Palace to Library Chowk. Benches and lamp posts are fixed at every viewpoint. Indulge yourself in shopping spree here.
Camel’s back road – This 3 km long road ideal for a romantic walk with a picturesque view.
Kempty falls –it is the most fascinating picnic spot near Mussoorie at a distance of 15 km. Hire a cab to reach here. There is an entry fee for Kempty which includes swimming and boat ride. Avoid bathing anywhere other than water directly from kempty falls. There you will find the facility of changing rooms, lockers, swimming suits. Better to carry your swimwear and waterproof case for the mobile phone to enjoy capture the memories while bathing at this amazing place. Wear sandals/slippers while entering the pool as it has stones beneath (natural pool).
Kempty falls is the must-visit place in Mussoorie and is always heavily crowded. There is another waterfall- Bhatta falls which is lesser-known and less crowded.
Gun hill viewpoint – the second highest peak of Mussoorie, Gun Hill is a favourite place for viewing picturesque Himalayan range and Doon Valley. You have to buy a ticket for the cable car to reach the viewpoint.
Lal tibba – The highest peak in Mussoorie provides amazing views of the mountains and a telescope is installed there for visitors.
Cloud’s end – 6km from Library Chowk, it marks the end of Mussoorie. Ideal for trekking.
Mussoorie lake – a recently developed picnic spot where you can enjoy boating.
Company Bagh – Also known as Municipal Garden, it is a well-maintained garden ideal for picnics and evening walks.
Buddhist monastery – located in Happy Valley, this place will give a feel of mini Tibet in Mussoorie.
Dhanaulti – hire a cab to reach there. It’s a 1.5-hour ride in the hilly area. Dhanaulti is a less crowded and more beautiful version of Mussoorie. Dhanaulti includes an area with two eco-parks, “Amber” and “Dhara”, about 200 m apart. They have been developed by the Forest Department of Uttarakhand (Ambar Eco-park is larger one). You can plan for a night stay there in camps.
Dehradun
FRI-Forest Research Institute- Though an institute with limited access for visitors, it’s a beautiful campus and building. There is a museum inside. Many movies have been shot here in this institute.
Robber’s cave – A must visit place in Dehradun. One of its kind – beautiful cave formation which is more scenic in monsoon.
Tapkeshwar temple
Shahastradhara – once a beautiful waterfall and religious place now fully commercialised and destroyed by local shopkeepers and tourists. Avoid this place.
Where to eat
Mussoorie – Mall road is full of eateries and street food. You will get everything from panipuri to pizza there.
Do try these restaurants/Cafe
Casa Mia Bakery
Tavern
Lovely Omelette Centre
Cafe by the way
Char Dukaan
Little Llama Cafe
Itinerary –
Day 1 – Reach Dehradun by bus/flight/train. Go to Mussoorie by bus/taxi. Check-in your hotel. Take rest. In the evening, go for a walk on camel’s back road before sunset. Ask locals for directions. It is more pleasant, secluded and scenic than the Mall road, which is more of a shopping street and very crowded. Go there after sunset and enjoy shopping and street food.
Day 2 – Drive to Dhanaulti or hire a cab. Enjoy the beautiful views and weather. Plan a night stay there.
Day 3 – On the way to library chowk, you will find gun hill ropeway counter which charges Rs.125 for the ropeway. It’s a viewpoint that has been destroyed by local shopkeepers which have built shops all around it. You can avoid this place. Near Library Chowk, there is taxi association counter from where you can take a taxi to all places near Mussoorie. They have a fix price list for all destinations. Hire a taxi to Kempty falls.
Cab will take you to Buddhist monastery in Happy Valley and Company Bagh. Visit Lal Tibaa and Cloud’s End if you have time spared.
Day 4 – Reach Dehradoon by bus/cab. Hire a taxi for local sightseeing. Bargain heavily here for the best price. Visit FRI-Forest Research Institute, Robber’s Cave, Tapkeshwar temple and Shahastradhara.
Take bus/flight/train for your city.
Few tips for fellow travellers –
- Avoid peak season like June (summer holidays of schools). There is heavy traffic everywhere. Crowded streets. Everything is expensive. Pricy hotel rooms (I paid Rs3000 for the room which is usually priced at Rs900-1000).
- You can share a Taxi/cab for sightseeing with other passengers to save money.
- Don’t spend the night in Dehradun. After reaching Dehradun, go straight to Mussoorie. Dehradun is very polluted and crowded.
- If you can manage, try at least 1-night camping in Dhanaulti.
Ratings (it is subjective and my personal opinion)
Destination overall rating 7/10 – Dehradun is just dusty and humid. Mussoorie is commercialised and polluted. Dhanaulti is beautiful. I regret not spending a night there.
Travel Expense – 3/10 mostly depends on you and the time when you are travelling. Accommodation is very costly during peak season.
Travel ease 7.5/10 – easy to reach. Bus stand and taxi counter are located on Picture Palace as well as Library Chowk.
Food 7/10 – you must visit Little Llama Cafe, Lovely Omelette centre and Cafe By the Way.