Mussoorie is known to almost every Indian as one of the best hill stations in the country. Aptly known as the Queen of Hill stations, Mussoorie stands out with its breath-taking scenic beauty, equally captivating surroundings and easy accessibility.
With the Shivalik range of Himalayas as its backdrop, Mussoorie is located at 7000 feet above sea level. Nestled in the state of Uttarakhand and a few hours away from the city of Dehradun, this hill station welcomes tourists into a pleasant world of nature and peace.
Verdant hills, rich flora and fauna, awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas and shimmering lakes when accompanied by modern comforts and ancient architecture, creates a holidaying destination that’s unequivocally unique. This is why, Mussoorie tour is a must for every nature enthusiast and travel lover.
What makes a trip to Mussoorie even more special is its proximity to various other breathtaking destinations such as Dhanaulti, New Tehri, Kanatal and Chamba. Dehradun is also a city to explore while on a Mussoorie tour. The hill station of Mussoorie is also known as the gateway to the revered Hindu shrines of Gangotri and the Yamunotri.
Whether looking for a honeymoon or family vacation, religious tour or an adventure trip, Mussoorie is an ideal destination for all kinds of holidays.
Location and History of Mussoorie
Mussoorie is in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan range, in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is close to 34 kms away from the capital city of Dehradun and hence well connected to the rest of the country.
The name Mussoorie can be traced back to a shrub, named ‘Mansoor’, which is commonly found in this region.
Mussoorie was captured and included into their territory by Gurkhas under Umer Singh Thapa in 1803. Later by 1819, it came under the East India Company which was dominant in the province during the time. It was used secretly by British soldiers as their holidaying destination. However, in 1827, Captain Frederick Young, a British national along with FJ Shore, discovered Mussoorie and its extraordinary views and climatic condition. Since then, the hill station has become a popular spot for holidaying.
Places to visit in Mussoorie
Mussoorie has many beautiful sightseeing places, ranging from waterfalls and lakes to mesmerising views and temples. The hill station is also known for its colonial architecture.
1. Surkanda Devi Temple- One of the prominent shakti peeth, Shri Surkanda Devi Temple is an important Hindu Shrine, visited by lakhs of devotees from around the country. It is believed that Goddess Sati’s head fell at this place during Lord Shiva’s tandav with her physical self. Located on the top of a hill, it can be reached by trekking for almost 2 km from Kaddukhal village.
2. Bhatta Falls- Around 8 km away from Mussoorie, Bhatta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in and around the hill station. The view of the lush greenery around is worth visiting.
3. Jharipani Falls- At a distance of 9 km Mussoorie, Jharipani Falls is another sightseeing place that can not be missed. Popular for picnics, this waterfall can be accessed via a 1.5 km trek.
4. Landour- Named after a village in Wales, Llanddowror, Landour is located at the eastern end of Mussoorie. This part of the town gives a glimpse into the British era as many houses here still have names which are inspired by the novels of author Sir Walter Scott, such as Kenilworth, Waverly and Ivanhoe. Woodstock, now a school, also belongs to the colonial times. Landour market is also popular for shopping.
5. George Everest House- Located in Khanij Nagar, George Estate House is a mansion and a laboratory that belonged to Sir George Everest, who was the Surveyor-General of India ( 1830-1843). Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is also named after him. This place offers stunning views of the Doon valley and Aglar River valley. One can also see the majestic Himalayan range from here.
6. Company Bagh- Also known as the Municipal Gardens, these are the Botanical Gardens of Colonial India. Home to a wide array of colourful and unique flowers, this garden also has an amusement park, food court and boating facility.
7. Camel’s Back Road- Ideal place to visit for a walk, one can also visit this place for its heavenly view of sunset in the Himalayas. It has received its name after a rock formation which can be seen from here. Its structure is similar to a sitting camel.
8. Lal Tibba- The highest hill in Mussoorie, Lal Tibba is located at an altitude of 2,438 m above sea level. Once a military Cantonment area during the British era, it now offers one of the best views of Himalayan range, especially at sunrise.
9. Mussoorie Lake- A place visited by locals and tourists alike, it is an artificial lake offering scenic views and a serene atmosphere for picnics and other activities. Paddle boating is quite popular at the lake.
10. Gun Hill- Accessible via cable car, it is the highest point at Mall road. Once at the Gun hill, tourists can bask in the stunning beauty of the surrounding hills amid a blissful atmosphere.
Mossy Fall, Nag Devta Temple, Jwalaji Temple (Benog Hill), Cloud End, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, Van Chetna Kendra, Dalai Hills Mussoorie, Happy Valley, Lake Mist, Bhadraj Temple, Christ Church, Kempty Falls are few more sightseeing places in Mussoorie.
There are many beautiful locations to visit near Mussoorie as well. Dehradun, the capital city with many interesting tourist attractions, is only 34 km away from the hill station. Kanatal, another popular destination, is only 49 km away from Mussoorie and can be reached within 2 hours by road.
Another popular place to visit from Mussoorie is Chamba which is around 60 km away. Dhanaulti, known for its snowy scenic beauty is also 60 km from Mussoorie and can be reached within 2 and half hours of drive. The religious towns of Haridwar (83 km) and Rishikesh (76 km) are also located nearby. They are also accessible by road from Mussoorie, which takes around 2 and half hours of time.
Things to do in Mussoorie
A tour to Mussoorie is not just for nature lovers, this hill station offers umpteen range of adventure activities and shopping opportunities.
1. Trekking- This picturesque hill station has many scenic trails of varying degree of difficulty for trekking and hiking. If you love untouched nature and thrill then Hathi-Paon trail is the ideal choice.
2. Angling- If interested, travellers can try Trout angling as well, although a prior permission from the forest department is required.
3. Mussoorie Adventure Park- Zip Lining, rock climbing, skywalk, zip swings and zip lines, rappelling, skiing and paragliding at the Mussoorie Adventure Park are also a few activities to add fun to your Mussoorie tour.
4. Winter-line- Another popular activity in Mussoorie is watching the Winterline. Seen only in a few places in the world, the winter line is a natural phenomenon, where the sky gets filled with various shades of red, orange, yellow, grey and mauve. It is visible from the month of mid-October to mid-January.
5. Shopping- Mall Road in Mussoorie is the best place for shopping. Best accessed by walking, it offers everything from souvenirs to winter wear and street foods to authentic handicrafts. It also connects Kulri bazaar and Library Chowk, which are other two shopping sites of the town.
Best time to visit Mussoorie
The best time to visit Mussoorie is from the month of April to mid-July. Apart from summers, some tourists also prefer to visit during the months of winter to admire the snow-capped Himalayas as well as experience snow in the areas such as Dhanaulti.
However, it is advisable to avoid travelling to the hill station during the months of Monsoon, from mid-July to September, owing to heavy rainfall.
How to reach Mussoorie
By Flight- The Jolly Grant at Dehradun is the nearest airport to Mussoorie. There are direct flights to Dehradun airport from all the major cities in the country. The distance between Jolly grant airport and Mussoorie is around 61 km, which takes around 2 hours by road. There are many taxis and buses available for travellers to choose from.
By Train- Dehradun Railway Station, at a distance of 35 km, is the nearest railway to Mussoorie. There are regular trains from cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Amritsar, etc. to Dehradun. Tourists can hire taxis or board a local bus to Mussoorie from the railway station.
By Road- Once in Dehradun, tourists can travel to Mussoorie via road. There are many local buses running between the two destinations. One can also find buses from Delhi, and also from various towns of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to Mussoorie.
