A busy marketplace with fancy shops and cafes stand overlooking the spectacular vistas of lower Himalayas. Hoards of leisure seeking visitors shopping, eating and clicking all around. But walk a few hundred meters away from the chaos, you have the serenity and tranquillity in your disposal that perhaps you were looking for. In clouds and sunshine, in chaos and peace, Mussoorie shines like a gem. From the time we tied the nuptial knot to the day we completed a decade, we share a special bond with the lovely hill station. Mussoorie, for lots of personal reasons and memories, will always remain a special place in my heart.
{To learn more, check out: Best places in Mussoorie ||| Landour in Mussoorie}
At about 270 kms from Delhi, and 35 kms from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Mussoorie is quite convenient for Delhiites for a weekend trip. Besides, its average elevation of 6578 feet (~2005 meters) makes it an all-weather destination. So, Mussoorie remains a hotspot for tourists almost throughout the year. However, in spite of the crowd, with a bit of planning, one can have their own little peaceful sojourn.
{For more destinations from Uttarakhand, check out: Kasar Devi |||| Nainital}
Mussoorie, indeed a special place
Early times:
Mussoorie was destined to grow as a popular hill station way back in 1815, when the British defeated the Gurkhas and took control of the place. A decade later, in 1825, a British officer- Captain Frederick Young (and FJ Shore) laid the founding stones of the town. He built a Shooting Lodge on the Camel’s Back Road, which became the first point of interest in Mussoorie. Gradually, buildings started mushrooming everywhere around the place, and it had grown to be a town by the beginning of the twentieth century. So, to begin with, it was largely a British leisure town, which continued to get more popular after independence.
Whether the Shooting Lodge still is there or not, one can witness another landmark from those days- the Scandal Point on Camel’s Back Road. Have a look in the pictures below, how it has remained the same over the years!
Mussoorie, a special place for heritage and culture lovers:
Today, Mussoorie is a melting pot of Garhwali, Tibetan and Buddhist cultures. Besides, since Mussoorie had a British beginning, one can still see the signs of colonial buildings and religious institutions. From Landour to the Mall Road, Camel’s back Road, and Company Garden, the colonial heritage is all over the place. Like me, if you love Buddhist culture, head to the Happy Valley and Dalai Hill. Right along the Mall Road, you will also notice the reliefs of Garhwali culture on the sidewalls. Plus, Garhwali food, dresses, dance and festivals add layers of cultural experiences.
Mussoorie, a special place for nature lovers:
Hill stations are as much for relaxation and recreation as for spiritual connection with the nature. India is blessed with some of the most gorgeous hill stations like Dalhousie, Manali and Shimla in Himachal, Darjeeling and Aizawl in north-east, Kodaikanal and Ooty in Tamil Nadu to name a few. Because of the Himalayas, north Indian hill stations present with majestic views of snow-clad mountains. While south Indian hill stations have cute rolling hills. With an average elevation of less than 7000 feet, Mussoorie offers both- the views of snow-clad peaks of the high Himalayas along with the charm of lower mountains.
Besides, Mussoorie remains a special place throughout the year; it has a different charm in each season. Though pleasant weather during the summer gives a much-needed respite from the heat of the cities we live in, to me, monsoons are the most charming times. With clouds engulfing the mountains, the whole town seems in an eternal embrace. And winter offers you the most amazing sunsets.
Mussoorie, a special place for foodies and shoppers
Interestingly, most hill stations across north India have a Mall Road, basically happening market places. And perhaps Mussoorie has the most happening and beautiful Mall Road among all the hill stations. From shopping to culinary pleasure and fun activities, it’s indeed a special place for enjoying evenings. With great restaurants and cafes offering all kinds of food, Mussoorie won’t disappoint the foodies.
Mussoorie, a special place for us:
Last but not the least, our personal affinity to the place. Spread across a decade, our two visits have made us fall in love with the ‘queen of hills’. When we first visited Mussoorie in 2010, it was my first time visiting any Himalayan hill station. More importantly, it was our honeymoon trip! So, Mussoorie, by default became a special place for us for the rest of our life. I clearly remember the day we arrived in Mussoorie after visiting a few places across the hot and humid Odisha and Delhi. Mussoorie, quite literally, came as a breath of fresh air. More on our experiences and sweet memories in the next section.
Revisiting after a decade:
We had thought of revisiting the hill station to celebrate our 10th anniversary, but unfortunately, it was not to be, thanks to covid-19. However, we made it a point to visit the next year- Nov 2021. For the sake of nostalgia, we searched for, and found out the same hotel that we stayed in a decade ago! Interestingly, not much seemed to have changed there; Mussoorie remains a special place as always.
While on the first time we were tourists, the second time round, we explored Mussoorie better like proper travellers. We rode a bike, enjoyed sunsets, ate at better places, explored not-so-touristy corners of the town. Mussoorie indeed is a special place; in this article, I explain why. This includes the top five things to do there and some helpful travel tips.
Fond memories of Mussoorie, a special place
1. Clouds, clouds and clouds everywhere:
The first thing I remember from our first trip, and first day was clouds, clouds and clouds. From the valleys below to the mountains above, from the roads to right into our hotel room, clouds were floating everywhere. And it was so charming! On our first trip, I don’t remember exploring many places. We just walked around the town enjoying the views, and amazing monsoon vibes. It literally felt like walking in the clouds!
Being from the eastern coast of India, I am no stranger to clouds. But in the later part of life, I have been living in not-so-rainy areas. So, when came across the clouds up close after a long time, it was a soulful feeling. First impression lasts long, and truly, Mussoorie still captures a special place in my heart.
2. Enjoying the hustle and bustle of the Mall Road:
Opposed to the general notion of people not liking crowded streets, I actually liked the hustle and bustle of the Mall Road. Maybe, it was not too crowded because it was July, an off-season in Mussoorie. From Library Bazar to Kulri Bazar, it was a long (~2 kms) enjoyable walk, especially in the evening.
Beautiful buildings perched over each other in layers on one side, and the spectacular Doon Valley on the other, the Mall Road in Mussoorie is a joy. It offers amazing view of the lower Himalayas, a beautiful sunset in the evening, and the most bustling market place for shopping and having fun. It’s a bit crowded most of the times, but you will enjoy the ambiance (we certainly did).
3. A rickshaw ride on the Mall Road:
Another sweet memory from our first trip to Mussoorie was taking a rickshaw ride from the market to a little outside of the crowded place, and enjoy the views with cool air brushing past our faces.
What’s so special about a paddle rickshaw? Well, it’s nostalgia. In my childhood days, it was the quintessential conveyance mode. These days, paddle rickshaws are all but extinct. One would see hand-pulled rickshaws on the streets on Kolkata, or battery-run rickshaws elsewhere. So, seeing and taking a ride in one of those rickshaws was a special nostalgic feeling.
4. Meeting Ruskin Bond at Cambridge Book Store:
How about meeting the person whose books have enchanted you for years? Ruskin Bond’s lyrical words in prose pieces have always coloured my imagination about mountains and forests. But I had never thought I would meet him in flesh and blood!
One evening, walking around the Mall Road, we came across a book store that seemed more crowded than one expected at a book store. So, being curious, we inched closer to the shop, and realized that the famous author, Padma Bhusan Awardee, Ruskin Bond was there signing books for his fans. It was such an amazingly pleasant surprise! We did purchase a book from the Cambridge book store, and signed it off by him. And he was generous enough to click a picture with us. The experience will remain etched in our memory forever. Most definitely, Ruskin Bond also makes Mussoorie a special place.
5. That Winter-Line sunset at Lal Tibba:
At an altitude of 7464 feet (2275 meters), Lal Tibba (~4 kms from the main town) is the highest point in Mussoorie. Through a little bit of prior research, I knew about the unique sunset that is viewed from Lal Tibba. If Mussoorie is such a special place, this sunset from Lal Tibba is a major reason. Though one can witness the sunset from the Mall Road in Mussoorie itself, it is best viewed from Lal Tibba. So, what’s so special about this sunset?
It’s called the ‘Winter Line’- a rare phenomenon that happens at only a few mountainous sites across the globe. The other place famous for ‘Winter Line’ is the Swiss Alps. Winter Line creates a false horizon, prominently visible across the sky. Have a look at the picture below. Hanging around the Lal Tibba area during sunset was indeed an amazing experience. Since our second trip was in November, we were lucky to clearly witness prominent ‘Winter Line’.
6. A walk around Landour:
Landour is a serene and quaint little place on the way to Lal Tibba. Riding on a bike over a narrow road from the Mall Road, about 2.5 kms, we reached this lovely place. Since the 2.5 kms stretch takes one from ~6500 ft to ~7500 ft, it’s quite a steep ride. The Landour area starts somewhere towards the end of Mall Road after the Picture Palace.
On the way, we stopped over at Landour Clock Tower, a view point near Doma’s Inn and Char Dukan. Basically, it’s Char Dukan where a lot of tourists had converged. Char Dukan (meaning four shops) is sort of frozen in time. During last several decades, four shops have become six shops, and nothing more has changed! Most of these shops are basically small eateries. Just next to the shops, there’s a cute little church- St. Mary’s church. A little ahead of the church is a small market place called Sister Bazar.
At the heart of Sister Bazar is Landour Bakehouse. When we arrived at the popular café, they were about to close. However, we did pack some cakes for ourselves. Its interiors were curated so well that we would have loved hanging out in the café. Anyway, there’s always a next time!
With thick pine forests around and old houses in between, this charming little place was perhaps the most special place for us in Mussoorie. The best way to experience Landour is by foot; a walk around the sleepy village will fill your heart with joy. It’s a poetry in time. I wish the place remains the same way in times to come.
7. A bike ride to Dhanaulti:
On our second trip, one day we decided to go on a long ride to Dhanaulti, about 30 kms from Mussoorie. Since it was November, the temperature was still in low-20s (c). The onward ride was mostly a pleasant ride through sunshine. But while coming back, it felt a bit too cold to our comfort.
The best part of the ride was the ride itself. Winding roads over the hill slopes with green valleys on one side made the ride absolutely enjoyable. On the far side, below the horizon, were the snow-capped mountain peaks of Kedarnath and Badrinath. On reaching Dhanaulti, we did nothing except walking around and having some street food. We could have entered the Eco Park nearby, but the views and ambiance outside was no less enjoyable! After spending about an hour or so, we rode back to Mussoorie.
8. Tea with a view on the way to Kempty Falls:
Another beautiful memory from our second trip was having tea at a small café on the way to Kempty Falls. On that day, we took a bike from Mussoorie, and rode up to Kempty Falls, some 20 kms away. Yes, the waterfall was beautiful, but the more memorable thing was spending time at that small café- The Edge on our way back. Quite literally, the café was on the edge of the mountain! They have built the café in such a way that it almost gives a feeling of hanging by the mountain side.
In the backdrop, the Himalayan landscape looked absolutely stunning! We ordered some masala chai and sat down like there was no worries in the world!
Top 5 things to do in Mussoorie
Moving away from our fond memories, if you are looking for the top things to do in Mussoorie, here’s a list of five things you must try. Of course, some of them are part of our memories too!
- Watch the sunset in Lal Tibba, especially in the winters
- Take a stroll in Landour area, have some coffee at Landour Bakehouse/ Ivy Cafe
- Take a cable car ride to Gun Hill, take a picture in Garhwali traditional attire
- Spend half a day at Kempty Falls, though it becomes too crowded for comfort
- Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Mall Road, take a rickshaw ride, if you like.
Notable other things to do:
Apart from the above, if you are fond of flowers, head to the Company Garden. Heritage lovers can walk around the town exploring the colonial buildings, especially the old churches. If you are a Buddhist, or love Buddhist culture, there’s a Buddhist monastery nearby. Adventure seekers can undertake a light trekking up to George Everest Peak. On the way, don’t forget to visit George Everest’s erstwhile bungalow.
Food lovers must have a Garhwali Thali at a local restaurant, and have some cakes at the Chic Chocolate cafe. Of course, there are quite a few other good cafes/ restaurants to explore (check below). Mall Road is a great place for shoppers, shop till you drop, if you have the money!
However, if you are there for leisure, Mussoorie is the best place to do nothing! Sit back, relax, have some tea/ coffee, read a book, and enjoy the view from wherever you are.
Day Trip Options:
- Chakrata, a small hill station, 85 kms away
- Dehradun, at 35 kms, is the state capital, and has some nice places like the Robber’s cave
- At 74 kms, Rishikesh is not far too. Know more: Best things to do in Rishikesh
- Tehri dam, 75 kms; dam site with backwaters.
Mussoorie Travel Tips
Best time to visit:
- It’s always good to get your timing right to visit a special place like Mussoorie
- For pleasant weather: Spring- Summer months of March to June
- For romantic weather: Monsoon months of July to September
- Winters (Nov-Feb) are not the best times
How to reach:
- The nearest city to Mussoorie is Dehradun, which is well connected by trains and buses from Delhi.
- Nearest airport is Jollygrant airport near Dehradun
- One can take a taxi from Dehradun to Mussoorie, just 35 kms away.
- Shared taxis are available at the local bus station as well
- Local buses frequently ply between Dehradun and Mussoorie
Moving around:
- Taking a bike is the best option to explore Mussoorie, and the nearby places as well
- No rented bikes are allowed on Mall Road though. Thus, walking on the Mall Road is the best way to enjoy the views (especially during sunset) and the ambience
- It feels nice to take a rickshaw-ride on- and- off the Mall Road; we really enjoyed the rides
- And of course, one can always take a taxi to explore the nearby places
Where to stay:
Special places in Mussoorie to eat:
- The Chick Chocolate (European, Fast food)
- Doma’s café- Mussoorie to Landour (Tibetan, Asian food)
- Kalsang Friend’s Corner- Mall Road (Momos, Thukpa)
- Cafe Ivy- Char Dukan (Pizza, Pasta)
- Little Llama cafe- Kulri (Asian, Continental)
- Lovely Omelette Center- Mall Road (omelette, snacks)
- Urban Turban- Mall Road (Punjabi, North Indian)
- The Tavern- Mall Road (Pizza, Pasta)
An end note on Mussoorie, a special place
There are places that we like, and then there are places that strike an emotional chord. Mussoorie does this to me, and Parina. I have been there three times, and yet I feel like going back. Moreover, Mussoorie will always have a special place in my heart.
However, as the hill station is in the vicinity of Dehradun, and Delhi is not far, it’s becoming really crowded by the day. If you don’t like too much crowd, escape to the nearby places for day trips and enjoy the evenings in Mussoorie.
Hope you liked my list of top five things to do in Mussoorie, and agree with me that it’s a special place. Please write to us about your favorite things to do in Mussoorie.
Jignesh Patel
I love this place very much… Two time visited this place… Hope around this Diwali plan with family…
Will Asking for more details on it…
Keep it up!!!
stampedmoments
Yes, this is a special place.
We will be happy to share more details whenever you reach out.
Thanks a lot. Keep connected.
Soumen Chatterjee
I now must say that I have visited Mussoorie this year itself and it was a short trip and not explored that much but after reading the blog I think I have missed a lot of things.
Coming back to the blog I must say it’s again a detailed one Mussoorie definitely counts among the top five hill stations in India. Because, it has everything that one looks for in a hill station- amazing views, entertainment options and great food. it’s true that Hill stations have a special charm in the rainy season. The clouds, rain soaked pine trees all around, an all-the-more green look of the hills…it was so charming. Beautifully explained the top 5 places to visit in Mussoorie which includes Watch sunset from La Tibba where the capture of the sun set and the beautiful sky is really breadth taking, 2nd is Landour and specially the bakehouse which is just interesting with classy interiors with meaningful posters and a cute book shelf. It offers a nice variety of cakes, cookies, croissants, sandwiches, tea and coffee and watch beautiful deodhar from the window must be an exciting and peaceful one , 3rd is the husle bussel Mall road and most interesting is u got a chance to meet the famous Ruskin Bond , 4th is the Kempty Fall which has a really stunning view but when I went there it was really croudy , the special mention is the small cafe On the Edge which gives a stunning view of Himalayas, 5th important place is Dhanaulti where u get to see the views of Kedarnath and Badrinath , the other places to watch out for is the Gun hill and company garden which I have also visited. Over all the travel trips are full of information and I must plan once again 😊😊
stampedmoments
I am sure you would like to go back, it’s such a lovely place!
The variety of activities to do, and especially Landour and Mall Road are great places to hang around.
Thanks Soumen.
Jayvanti
V.nice
stampedmoments
Thank you.
Tirupati travels
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stampedmoments
Great!
Do write to us, if you want to partner with us.
Tirupati travels
its very hard to manage all the accommodation at a time. You can contact Tirupati travels in Dehradun who will give you a Best trip which is best in both service and charges both.
stampedmoments
Good to know, thanks.