Mussoorie is one
of India's most well-known hill stations, and it's easy to see why it's known
as "The Queen of the Hills" after just one visit. It is located in
the state of Uttarakhand, at an elevation of 2,005 metres (6,580 feet), and has
a diverse flora and fauna as well as stunning panoramic views of the
surrounding snow-capped Himalayan peaks. With our first-guide timer's to Mussoorie,
anyone who enjoys getting out in nature, hiking, and taking in breath-taking
mountain views will feel right at home in no time.
Below is a quick glimpse of Mussoorie:
Places to See in Mussoorie
Visit Kempty
Falls
Kempty Falls, just fifteen kilometres from
Mussoorie's middle, is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. The waterfalls
are simply breathtaking, cascading down the rock face from a height of twelve
metres. Of course, you can either stand and admire nature at work, or you can
jump right in! Visitors may leap into a large pool under the drop, which we
strongly suggest. A wide pool is open to tourists underneath the falls, and we
highly recommend taking a swim in this stunning place. If you're looking for a
serene, zen swimming experience, come during off-peak hours and avoid weekends.
Take Views From Gun Hill
This hilltop was named after a gun that was mounted
on top and shot every day at noon during colonial times so that people could
adjust their watches to the correct time.
Although there is no longer a gun on top, it still
provides stunning 360-degree views of Doon Valley and the Garhwal Himalayas.
This is the area's second highest point, at over 6,640 feet (2,024 metres),
making it a perfect place to take epic mountain landscape pictures. It takes
about 20 minutes to walk up to the summit, which is 400 metres above The Mall,
Mussoorie's commercial centre. Alternatively, a cable car runs every day from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so get up early in the morning if you want those views to
yourself.
When you get to the bottom of the hill, you can go shopping at The Mall.
Spot Birds And Wildlife At Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
At Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, you could get lucky
and see some amazing wildlife.
This sanctuary, which is part of the Rajaji National Park, is well-known for its diverse collection of endangered and indigenous bird species. Mountain quails, red-billed blue magpies, and white-capped water redstarts all call it home. If you're a nature lover or birdwatcher looking for a chance to see some wildlife, this is the place to go in Mussoorie. It's worth remembering that this would include walking, hiking, or trekking since it is the only way in and out of the sanctuary.
The Library is a four-hour walk each way, or
three-and-a-half hours round trip from Hathi Paon. You could see Himalayan
bears, goats, deer, and even leopards and panthers in their natural habitat if
you're lucky and keep your eyes peeled.
The sanctuary also has stunning views of the
snowcapped Chaukhamba and Bandarpunch peaks, making it a popular spot for
sunrise viewing in the area.
Every day from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the sanctuary is open.
Chill Out At Lake Mist
On the path
to Kempty Falls, about 10 kilometres from Mussoorie, is the serene, emerald
green Lake Mist. It is surrounded by mountain streams and natural waterfalls,
so if you want to spend some time in nature away from the hustle and bustle,
you won't find a better place. The lake's secluded beauty is strengthened by
the lush forest atmosphere, and it's a popular picnic spot.
If
you want to learn more about Tibetan culture, you can go to Happy Valley, which
is known for its Tibetan-style Buddhist temples. After being expelled from
Tibet during the 1959 Tibetan Uprising, the Dalai Lama first settled here.
Although the Dalai Lama now lives in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, the
influence of his original settlement can still be seen in Happy Valley, which
has become home to many Tibetans.
You'll
find a heavy Tibetan influence here, and you'll have the opportunity to learn
about Tibetan culture.
Happy Valley also has another claim to fame it was the temporary home of Mahatma Gandhi, the prominent Indian civil rights leader.
Get Into The Mountains
Mussoorie is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding mountains. As anticipated of a hill station, hiking and trekking options abound, ranging from short walks and one-day treks to multi-day overnight treks. We prefer to trek independently whenever possible, but since this area lacks teahouses and/or shelters, you'll need to bring your own camping gear, food, water, and cooking equipment for overnight treks. If you don't have much trekking experience and don't want to organise all your own food, water, and supplies, hiring a guide or trekking company is recommended for overnight multiday treks.
Nag Tibba Hike
Nag Tibba, or 'Serpent's Peak,' is
the highest peak in the region, standing at 3,022 metres (9,915 feet). It is
possible to reach the summit, and the trek normally takes two days. You can get
to the base of Nag Tibba at Pantwari village using public transportation and
shared jeeps. It's a 5- to 6-hour hike to camp one, and you can either bring
all of your own gear or hire a trekking company to organise everything for you
and guide you.
The following day, an early start is
needed to reach the summit, which takes about two hours, followed by a long
walk to Pantwari, which takes about 4-5 hours.
Hathi Paon Trail
It's all about the Himalayas here, so you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of Doon Valley on one side and the snow-capped Himalayan ranges on the other. This is a simple day hike that can also be done on a clear night under a dazzling star-filled sky.
Wet Your Feet At Robber’s Cave River Trail
This fascinating trail will lead you
through Robber's Cave, where you will be forced to get a little wet in order to
get to the other side. Robber's Cave is a must-see for those looking for a
certain kind of thrill in Mussoorie. Just make sure you have a change of
clothes.
Robber’s Cave is
8km from Dehradun and should take you about an hour to reach.
Get Your Adrenaline Rush
On
Mussoorie will not
disappoint you if adventure is on your agenda! From mountain biking to bungee
jumping, zip lining to rock climbing, paragliding to paintballing, there's sure
to be something to excite even the most ardent adrenaline junkie!
Only make sure the
weather and/or season are appropriate for the adrenaline-pumping activity you
want to do.
Best Time To Visit Mussoorie
Enjoy epic sunsets like this every evening by visiting
during the best weather conditions!
The best time to visit Mussoorie is in the summer,
particularly between April and June. Since the temperature ranges between 25
and 35 degrees Celsius, this is the best time of year to enjoy all of the
outdoor activities and sights described in this Mussoorie travel guide.
Monsoon season lasts from July to September. Due to
widespread landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains, it is usually
recommended that you do not visit during this period, as is the case in most
mountainous regions.
Winter lasts from October to February, with temperatures
falling to below zero at night. Heavy snowfall often obstructs the roads,
making travel challenging during this time of year. Though visiting Mussoorie
in the winter is not recommended, if you're willing to brave the cold and
embrace the likelihood of road closures and difficult access, we're confident
that the snowfall will only enhance your experience.
Getting There
By Air
The Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, which is about 19
miles away, is the closest airport to Mussoorie. From Delhi, there are direct
flights to Dehradun. If you're flying in from another part of the country,
you'll have to stop in Delhi first before arriving in Dehradun. You can also
travel to Mussoorie from Dehradun.
By Train
The closest train station to Mussoorie is Dehradun railway
station. The Delhi-Dehradun Shatabdi Express, Nizamuddin AC Special, or
Mussoorie Express are all options for getting there from Delhi. Many of these
trains run via Haridwar. Expect to fly for about five and a half hours. If you
are travelling from somewhere other than Delhi, Kolkata and Amritsar are both
well connected to Dehradun station by rail.
By Bus
You can take the bus from Dehradun train station to Mussoorie.
Look
for buses going to Yamunotri, Barkot, or Nainbagh if you want to visit Kempty
Falls. From there, you can also go to The Mall. A bus ride from Dehradun
station to Mussoorie costs about Rs.50 ($1).
By Car
From Dehradun Station, taxi services are also available.
Normally, they charge about Rs. 1,000 ($16) or more. If you can share a taxi
with another rider, the cost will be about Rs.300 ($5).
Self-Driving
If
you're driving from Delhi to Mussoorie, the best route is to take the NH58 road
until you reach the town of Roorkee. Then, before you reach Dehradun, turn to
the NH72-A. Simply follow the New Mussoorie Road and you'll be in Mussoorie in
no time.
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