Mussoorie (Uttarakhand)

Himalayan Gem

The winding roads from Dehradun take you all the way up, amidst the tall deodars, and the pines. The wayside flowers nod their heads as the cool breeze pass through them. And just as you thought the road winds all the way up, you reach the top. Beyond, you see the snowcapped Himalayas, and down in the valley you see the holy rivers of Ganges and Yamuna gushing happily down through the foothills. Welcome to Mussoorie. Despite being a sea of humanity, she still retains a mystic charm.

At a Glance

Nestled in the Garhwal range of the Himalayas, Mussoorie is part of the newly formed state of Uttaranchal. She offers beautiful views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks on the northeast and the Doon valley on the south.

When to Visit:

Mussoorie at an altitude of 6,950 ft (2,000 m) above sea level offers a pleasant weather. Summer temperatures range between 29C-7C. Winter temperatures can dip to 1.0C. The monsoon pours down on the hill station from June to August, causing landslides and even cutting off road links with Dehradun. The summer rush remains from April to July. The evergreen forests around Mussoorie break out in bloom in September, and remain so till November, making it a good time to visit. If you want to see Mussoorie under snow, then end December-early February is your best bet.

Orientation & Getting Around:

Mussoorie is best explored on foot. Cycle rickshaws and horse rides are most popular. For sightseeing, it's best to hire a cab from the numerous cab stands/hotels. Rates are negotiable.

Dial in code(s): City code: 0135

Distance(s):

• 30 km from Dehradun
• 14 km from Sahastra Dhara Falls
• 35 km from Dhanaulti
• 270 km from Delhi

How to Reach

Road: 

Mussoorie is motorable from Delhi (270 km), Chandigarh (215 km), and of course Dehradun. There are regular buses, both state transport as well private luxury coaches that will ferry you to Mussoorie from these cities.

Rail: 

Mussoorie does not have a direct rail link. Dehradun railway station (34 km away) is where you have to get down to head to Mussoorie. Express and superfast trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Allahabad and Amritsar link Dehradun.

Air: 

Dehradun's Jollygrant airport about 60km away is the nearest airport, with regular flights to Delhi. From here, one has to hit the road. Luxury buses as well as cabs are easily available.

Must See, Must Do

Not always does one get a chance to visit heaven on earth, so make the most of your visit.Walk to Clouds End and watch the clouds merge with the mighty Himalayas. Revel in rare sights like these and do not forget your camera!Explore the routes less travelled, provided you are not alone!Walk through the bazaars at Landour, Mussoorie and Kulri. Here is where Mussoorie bubbles with life. Take hitchhike rides on ponies.

Activities

Lakes and Waterfalls

Mussoorie LakeAbout 7 km on the road to Dehradun, there is a nominal entry fee charged per person. One can enjoy boating. Kempty FallsThe most popular getaway is on the new road to Yamunotri, about 15 km from Mussoorie. A bath in the pool at the foot of the falls is a must-do for tourists thronging the spot. You can buy towels, bathing suits or warm up with a hot cuppa on the way to the falls. The other main waterfalls are Jharipani Falls, (8 km away), Bhatta Falls (7 km, on the Mussoorie-Dehradun Road) and Mossey Falls (7 km, past Barlowganj).

Around Town

Lace up those walking shoes. Mussoorie is best enjoyed in a leisurely stroll. You can start with The Mall. Dotted with a number of shops, this is the main artery of Mussoorie. Pick up a gift or two, take a rickshaw ride down the Mall, watch the sunset, or simply watch life pass by. The Mall is just the place to do all this and much more. The Mall of late has become too crowded due to unchecked building activity. Yet if you want a place throbbing with life, going there is a must. But if you wish to move to more tranquil zones, shift to Sisters Bazaar on the other side of the town, which is pristine and placid. Kulri Bazaar and Library Chowk are two other interesting places that you should not miss. Check out the 3 km long stretch between Kulri Bazaar and Library Point, which is Camel's Back Road. The road, they say, is named after the Camel Rock, a lifelike resemblance to the animal, that can be seen from Mussoorie Public School. The old graveyards, made unforgettable by Ruskin Bond's stories, pop up on a walk down this road, where you may find the tombstones of a few people you might actually recognize! Want a bird's eye view of Mussoorie. Then, walk up to Gun Hill, the second highest point in Mussoorie. In the days of the British, there was a gun mounted atop this hill, which was fired every noon, to enable people to set their watches. You can either take the cable car from the Mall or walk up to peak. A horse ride on the steep incline is also an experience in itself. Municipal Gardens or Company (Bagh) Gardens (as it was known prior to Independence) is a botanist's dream. The famous geologist Dr. H. Fackner laid out these gardens. The cantonment area of Landour is about 5 km beyond Kulri Bazaar. Relax over a hot cuppa. The bazaar sells Raj memorabilia, silver jewellery and books. This landmark, like many others in the town of Mussoorie, has been immortalised by Ruskin Bond in his books. The highest point in Mussoorie, Lal Tibba is in the Landour area. On a clean day, you can see Badrinath, Kedarnath, Bandar Poonch, and even the Nanda Devi peaks from here. Cloud's End, now a resort, was among the first buildings to come up in Mussoorie. It was built in 1838 and is still surrounded by dense forests that open out to spellbinding views of snow peaks and the River Yamuna. Cloud's End is about 8 km from the Library. Childer's Lodge, the highest point in the area, is 5 km from the Tourist Office. Reached by foot or on ponies, the summit offers great views of snow peaks. Van Chetna Kendra, 2 km from Mussoorie on the Tehri Bypass, is a spectacular picnic spot. The lovely park here surrounded by pine forests and flowering shrubs, is visually enchanting. The wildlife population of the park, which includes Ghurar, Kakar, Himalayan peacock, Monal etc is another major attraction. Sir George Everest, the first Surveyor General of India, and the one after whom the highest mountain peak in the world is named, lived in Mussoorie's Park Estate. The laboratory he worked from and his house still remain there for people to see. Mussoorie is also known for its academic institutions that include the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Waverley Convent, Wynberg Allen School, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Academy and the Defense Institute of Work Studies.

Religious Places

There are several shrines surrounding Mussoorie. The Nag Devta Temple and the Jwalaji Temple, atop Benog Hill, in addition to being places of worship, offer excellent views of the Himalayas. Bhadraj Temple is about 15 km from Mussoorie. The principal deity here is the brother of Lord Krishna, Balram. Every year, on Shravan Sankranti day, in the third week of August, a festival is celebrated here. Sarkunda Devi is 35 km from Mussoorie. To reach here, one has to drive till Khaddu Khal and then cover the last 2 km on foot or on ponies. This spot is also considered as a trekker's dream.

Festivals

Thanks to the temples in and around, Navratri (October/November) is a grand celebration with processions and plenty of music and dance. At all other times, the commercial nature of the town takes over and it's New Year and Christmas parties that become festivals.

Shopping

The Mall is the place to go shopping while in Mussoorie. Tibetan prayer wheels, wooden boxes and pen stands, hand-carved walking sticks and Ladakhi shawls are some of the things to pick up from here. Pure Ladakhi shawls are a bit pricey, but worth it. The antique jamawar shawls carry heavy price tags, but they are worth having a look at even if not being purchased. Nowadays modern techniques are being used to weave these shawls, which have reduced their price. So, if the shopkeeper asks for the sky, bargain!

Tips for you

Tourist office(s):

U P Tourism

Government of UP Tourist Bureau, The Mall, Kulri Bazaar

0135 - 2632863

Travel Tips

• Bring along your woollens, Mussoorie can get nippy anytime.

• When on a hill hike, unless otherwise you are very familiar with it all, take a guide along or you may lose yourself in the Himalayas!

• Do not park vehicles on Mall Road or any part of the market.

• Extinguish any burning cigarettes and dispose off glass bottles properly. Carry away all non-degradable litter. Avoid using pollutants like detergents in streams and springs.

Emergency Info

Hospital:
Civil Hospital
Landour
Ph: 0135 - 632891.

Community Hospital
Landour
Ph: 0135 - 632891, 631188, 632053.

St Mary's Hospital
Gunhill Road
Ph: 0135 - 632845.