Everyone knows Mussoorie as the Queen of Hills. It is a charming and peaceful hamlet positioned within the Garhwal Hills. Mussoorie has always been a popular pick for tourists over the years. It has its own special charm, with the beautiful Mall Road, attractively styled lamp posts, quaint churches and lovely hotels. Mussoorie draws trekkers visiting Uttarakhand and offers lush natural greenery throughout the monsoons as well.
Mussoorie lies at 7464 ft in the Dehradun District and there is snowfall during winters around Dhanolti and Surkanda Devi. The best time to visit is between the months of April and June. The monsoon is worth avoiding since the entire stretch is prone to landslides. Those looking to witness snowfall should visit between December and February. Temperatures are usually pleasant in the summer months of May and June while winters can get chilly at times.
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Travelling to Mussoorie
Mussoorie is well connected by road to New Delhi. For reaching, you will have to first arrive at Dehradun. You can drive up to Mussoorie directly if possible. You can also land at the Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport which is 60 kilometres away from Mussoorie. It will take you approximately two hours. You can also arrive at the Dehradun railway station which is 35 kilometres away from Mussoorie. The regular route for accessing Mussoorie is Delhi-Mohan Nagar-Modi Nagar-Khatauli-Muzaffarnagar-Roorkee-Dehradun-Mussoorie. The journey requires close to seven hours in total.
There are URTC and UPSRTC buses going to Dehradun from Kashmiri Gate. You can take another bus for Mussoorie which requires approximately 90 minutes to reach the hill station. You can connect to Dehradun via the railway network and then hire a private cab for going to Mussoorie.
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What to Do in Mussoorie
Mussoorie offers ample fun and excitement throughout the year, especially in the winter and summer seasons. You will have a ball exploring the Mall Road and Camel’s Back Road which offer spectacular views along with a plethora of other attractions. You will enjoy visiting the quaint cafes in this stretch along with wonderful temples, gardens and lakes alike. The waterfalls are simply stunning to say the least. The Tibetan influence is clearly visible along the Mall Road. Some of the other attractions that you should visit include Lal Tibba, Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Happy Valley, Sir George’s Everest House, Christ Church, Mussoorie Lake and the Library.
You will also enjoy taking the cable car ride to Gun Hill from Jhulaghat as well. Being a tourist town in its own right, Mussoorie offers plentiful opportunities for shopping as well, particularly at The Mall. You can also indulge in several offbeat activities including mountain climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, skywalks and ziplining along with ATV rides, paragliding and a lot more. Try angling for the highly desirable trout fish or take a dekko at the Benog Sanctuary or Jabarkhet Wildlife Sanctuary.
Make sure that you do not miss Lal Tibba, which is the highest point in Mussoorie town. Tickets are available at nominal prices and the views are simply breath-taking to say the least! Trying the local cuisine on Mall Road is also a must. Once you get settled into the Himalayan lifestyle, you should catch the sunrise early in the morning. You can also visit Dhanaulti which is roughly 24 kilometres away from Mussoorie. This hill station is known for its sheer charm and the journey will need approximately 90-100 minutes. The Dhanaulti eco-park makes for a truly pleasurable visit.
The Surkanda Devi Temple is another key landmark at Dhanaulti and it worships Goddess Parvati. The visit here will require a 1.5 kilometre trek on your part, starting from the Kaddukhal Village.
Top Food Choices in Mussoorie
Mussoorie offers a plethora of choices for those who love food. The Mall Road is where you can feast on sumptuous local cuisine. Some of the top options also include:
• Café de Tavern- This is a wonderful hangout spot, reminiscent of quaint and genuine pubs in England with a relaxed atmosphere. You should not miss the red wine sizzler here while the overall food quality is excellent.
• Lovely Omelette Centre- This joint lies on the Mall Road and is a famous spot in Mussoorie. You will love the sheer variety of omelettes being rustled up by the chefs here!
• Little Llama Café- Another charming and wonderful café, this one offers spectacular views with several continental delicacies.
• Kalsang Friends Corner- Kalsang Friends Corner is a two-storied Mall Road eatery that whips up highly authentic and tasty Chinese eats with a vast menu. You will love the food here, especially the Thupka and momos. Pricing is quite reasonable too.
• Café by the Way- This is an elegant little café offering the best brews and shakes. Located on the Mall Road, this one offers fantastic desserts and Nutella Cakes which will delight you immensely to say the least!
• Chic Chocolate- This is a café cum restaurant in Mussoorie that is known for its exquisite home-crafted chocolates along with the best pizzas you will find! The Sticky Jaw toffees are amazing gifting options as well.
Now that you have a guide to Mussoorie at your fingertips, check for nearby accommodation and book TheSqua.re serviced apartments. Rest assured, you will find plush and comfortable apartments with the best amenities and other facilities. Here’s to a delightful trip ahead!
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