Mussoorie

A bid to escape from the heat of Northern Plains during summers and affinity towards limitless natural beauty of Himalayas encouraged the British officials to discover many hill resorts in India, Mussoorie definitely being among the best in the lot. Located in the lower Garhwal range of Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, the hill station is a favourite among nature lovers, honeymooners as well as adventure tourists. Main highlights of this North India tourist destination include boundless greenery, enticing views of Himalayan peaks and a complete array of interesting tourist places like waterfalls, lakes, colonial structures, vintage points, gardens and historic temples.

Founded in 1820s, Mussoorie is a young yet popular tourist resort for all great reasons. Enjoying an average elevation of 1,880 m., the place is a preferred summer retreat, though it experiences extreme cold (accompanied by snowfall) during winters. Its unrivalled beauty has earned Mussoorie the title of ‘The Queen of the Hills’. Home to India’s largest rink for roller skating, Himalayas’ oldest church and first Tibetan Temple of India, the hill station is admired by one and all. It is also known across India by the name of Mansoori, believed to have been derived from an abundantly found shrub called mansoor. The following travel guide will help you prepare an outstanding trip to Mussoorie.

October to June

The restaurant scene in Mussoorie offers the blend of cuisines from all across the world. A good recommendation is to taste deliciously cooked rice preparations using the locally grown varieties. The Mall has all good eating points, the best ones being Four Seasons, Uphaar, Clarks The Mall and Rice Bowl. Renowned fast food chains and coffee houses have their presence in Mussoorie.

Attractive handicrafts prepared from wood are definitely the best items to purchase. A shop named Hilly Cottage Industries is a good venue for the same. The Mall has outlets for many international brands. Classic Emporium is worth visiting if you have interest in antiques.

Mussoorie is conveniently accessible by road as it has good connectivity with the nearby cities via public and private transportation modes. Dehradun has the nearest railhead (about 30 km. away) and also the closest airport (about 55 km. away). To get around, one can hire taxis and cycle-rickshaws. Shared jeeps can also be used to visit the attractions of Mussoorie located few miles away.

Other attractions in Mussoorie include Happy Valley, Jawahar Aquarium, Himalayan Weavers (popular for handmade environment-friendly products like shawls and scarves from silk, pashmina and wool), St. Mary’s Church (oldest in Himalayas), Tibetan Buddhist Temple (first of its kind in India), Jwalaji Temple and Naag Devta Temple. Adventure activities like nature walking (at Camel’s Back Road), trekking, hiking and rock climbing can also be enjoyed with the right tourist information in hand.

Dehradun (about 30 km.): It is the state capital and home to popular attractions like Tapkeshwar Temple, Santala Devi Temple, Tapovan, Chandrabani and more. Dhanaulti (about 33 km.): Quite environments and breathtaking views of Himalayas make it another popular hill station dominated by dense alpine forests and eco parks. Kanatal (about 40 km.): The picturesque hamlet is a romantic getaway offering scenic beauty and attractions like Kodia Jungle and Tehri Dam. Chamba (about 57 km.): Unspoilt and charming, the town is a perfect venue to relax and relish on the pleasant beauty all around. New Tehri (about 68 km.): It is the home to many religious places and gateway to numerous thrilling trekking routes. Nag Tibba (about 82 km.): The highest peak in the lesser Garhwal range, Nag Tibba is popular among trekkers for an adventurous trekking experience. Haridwar (about 83 km.): One of the holiest pilgrimage city for Hindus, it is located on the bank of River Ganges and has arrays of sacred temples.