Mussoorie - Queen of Hills

Beauty of Snow Clad Mussoorie

Mussorie is about 26 kms by road from dehradun(Uttaranchal), though arial distance will be hardly 4-5 kms. You can easily see mussoorie hill from the western side(chakrata road) of the dehradun city. Infact in the night the hill look beautiful with thousands of bulbs giving an impression of a finely knitted illuminated net, being spread over the hill by some divine power.

The beauty of that sight is only challenged by the night view of dehradun from mussoorie, the light is many fold more intense and dense, lakhs of homes, well within your view, loosing there separate identity together, as they just fill the valley with light.

But surely there is a lot more to see in mussoorie than seeing the night view of dehradun.

After all, it needs good reasons to be called the Queen of Hills. Due to its serene environment, great views of snow clad mountains and cool and refreshing climate, it attracts lots of tourists. The place is full of energy with all these tourists roaming and shopping in a carefree manner, away from daily life/job pressure, enjoying some relaxing moments. So what you see is lots of newly wed couples exchanging roles of cameraman and the emerging supermodel(So what? if he/she is a bit shy :) ) for each other every now and then. This is the beauty of this place that forces them to stop after every 5-10 steps.. gaze the new scene, and then capitulate against the desire to capture/save that scene for ever.

There are two roads to get to this place, the more popular one goes directly from Dehradun to Mussoorie, Other one goes from Yamunotri -Doon Highway to Mussoorie(from western side)
If you are traveling from Dehradun, you can stop at Bhatta Falls(about 7.5 kms from Mussoorie, serves as a good picnic stop or just refresh here before finally reaching your destination) and Nag Devta Temple.

Path to Lal Tibba - whether summers or winters its always fascinating

In Mussorie you can enjoy while strolling on the busy mall road, or more purposefully you can enjoy the ropeway ride to and from GunHill, you may take a beautiful path that leads you to the LalTibba(the highest peak in mussoorie), or you can visit the beautiful company garden.

Nearby there are many falls, the most famous of them is the Kempty Falls, about 15 kms from Mussorie towards Yamunotri. It is a beautiful fall having a height of about 50 feet and enormous amount of water spread into 5 streams, giving it a wider look.

Snow clad mountains, as seen from mussoorie, Kempty falls and the Ropeway in boxes

During winter this place is one of the first in lower hills to attract snowfall, that gives this plae a totally new look, as most of the people around are on holidays, this town itself gets into that mood, So you can see groups of people suddenly engaged in catapulting snow balls to some passing by group, and then all the people bursting into laughter after sometime of friendly rivalry.

Overall whether the season is summer or winter, this place is a great spot to go on holidays, and as it is so near to dehradun, these two together form an irresistible combination.

It is a must visit to all of those who appreciate the nature and the abundant beauty of the Himalaya. Definetly you can not miss to see the Queen of Hills.

The best place to stay here is the Jaypee Residency, and their service justifies the extreme price they ask for providing you the stay.

Park Plaza Sylverton is almost of the same league.

For midway range HoneyMoon Inn and green castle are good options, anyway there are tons of hotels/ resorts/ Guest houses in Mussoorie, suitable for everyone’s budget.

My suggestions:-

• Be ready for a quick climate change, even between Mussoorie and dehradun there is normally a temperature diffrenece of 5 degrees, So be ready with your warm clothes. Afterall you don’t want to catch fewer or cold and than see the beaty of HillQueen from your hotel room or pass your time watching TV, it is not a bad idea to keep some god antibiotic pills ready.
• If you are planning to visit mussoorie during snowfalls, please keep a buffer of 2-3 days, and decide about that once you reach dehradun. Don’t drive towards Mussoorie when it is already witnessing heavy snowfall, because many people will rush towards that and as road will jam because of heavy snow fall, you will stuck in a big traffic, maybe for more than 12 hours. Plan your trip to visit mussoorie during normal days and than pray for the snowfall when you are staying there, don’t worry! the beauty of the hill will not allow you to complain, even if you doesn’t witness a snowfall.
• If you are going there during winter, please ensure that there facility of hot water in the hotel/lodge where you are staying, there are chances of power cuts during heavy rain/snow fall, and after long walks on snow clad paths, putting your feet in hot water will slowly drive away all the pain.
• Also after snow falls put on the warmest cloths(it gets colder once the snow fall stops and the ice starts melting), and water proof boots/footwear. You will be inviting sickness if you let the snow/cold water(melting ice) to enter your shoes.
• Plan before and purchase all important things(Like camera betteries/Film rolls/memory sticks/ torches) in dehradun itself, you may have to spend double the money once you reach mussoorie, this one being an exclusive tourist place.