10 Best Things To Do In Mussoorie: A Honeymoon Escape
Popularly known as the Queen of Hills, Mussoorie, India is dotted with varied flora and fauna, valleys, and snow clad mountains. This fascinating hill resort is located in the Dehradun District of Uttarakhand, 300 km (186.41 miles) north of the national capital, Delhi.
The “Honeymoon Capital of India,” Mussoorie, offers numerous adventure activities and breathtaking landscapes to domestic and international tourists. The town once presented a ‘fairyland’ atmosphere to tourists, with its spectacular views of the snowy Himalayas, glittering Doon Valley, and Shiwalik Range in the south. It offers distant views of the holy river Ganga from one end of the ridge and the Jamuna River from the other.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the premier training institute for officers of the Indian Administrative Service (I.A.S.) and other civil services is also located here. The library area houses the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Academy, an elite central police organization of the Government of India.
Mussoorie also serves as the gateway to Yamunotri and Gangotri, popular Hindu shrines of northern India. The highest point of Mussoorie is Lal Tibba with a height of over 2,290 meters (7,500 ft). If you are planning to visit Mussoorie, don’t miss these top attractions:
1. Lal Tibba
Surrounded by dense clusters of pine and deodar trees, Lal Tibba offers a breathtaking view of the Garhwal Mountains and on a clear, sunny day, you may have a grand 360-degree view of the Himalayan Mountains. The best way to reach Lal Tibba is a 30 minute walk via the beautiful lane from Char Dukaan. At the top, there is a cafe with an old telescope through which a beautiful view of hills and villages can be seen. You can sit at the top and just enjoy the views while the wind blows through your hair. It’s a superb feeling.
Lal Tibba
Address: Cantt Seekwaali, Landour, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179
2. Camel's Back Road
Camel’s Back Road is a 4 km (2.48 mile) long stretch of road that is popular for its Camel Hump rocks formed on the mountain. From the road, you can enjoy fascinating views of Doon Valley. With a telescope, you can see places like Lal Tibba, Nagdevata Temple, Lover’s Point, Sachin Tendulkar’s summer resort, a village in the valley, and more.
The serenity and the enveloping greenery make this road ideal for refreshing morning walks. The temperature of Camel’s Back Road and Mall Road (the main promenade of Mussoorie) is always 2 to 3 degrees cooler than rest of Mussoorie. You can also indulge in horseback riding on this pathway.
3. Kempty Falls
This gushing waterfall, perched more than 1,371.6 m (4,500 ft) above sea level emerges from the mountains and flows down the plains. There are a number of activities for visitors such as bathing in the shallow waters of the falls, swimming, and fishing. Seeing a waterfall converted into pools is unique. There is also a cable car facility here. You can walk or take the cable car (both ways costs INR 120 / 1.85 USD per person) to reach the waterfall.
Kempty Falls
Address: 19 km (11.80 mile) away from Mall Road
4. Gun Hill
Perched 122 m (400 ft) above Camel Back Road and accessible by a cable car, Gun Hill is popular for providing fascinating views of the snow clad Himalayas, Gangotri, Doon Valley, and to watch the sunset at dusk. The point has many shops, restaurants, and stalls offering games like balloon shooting and hoopla. Reportedly, from this hilltop the British used to fire a cannon every afternoon to indicate the time.
Gun Hill
Address: Above the central Mall Road
5. Jwala Devi Temple
Dedicated to Goddess Durga, the ancient Jwala Devi Temple is perched atop Benog Tibba with a stone idol of the goddess Durga in the inner sanctum. The temple can be accessed through a small trek uphill via beautiful pine and deodar forests. The trail starts just before Cloud’s End Resort. The hike takes a total of 2-3 hours up and down. Thousands of devotees throng this highly revered site to seek blessings of Maa Durga.
The splendid view of the snow-capped Shivalik Range and Yamuna Valley from the top of the hill is awesome. The temple and views it provides is a delight for nature lovers.
Jwala Devi Temple
Address: 6 km (3.72 mile) from Mall Road
6. Paragliding and roller skating
Source: Public Domain Pictures
Mussoorie is one of the best destinations to taste the thrill and fun of free flight. Paragliding operators in Mussoorie offer 1 hour, 15 km (9.32 mile) long joyrides on a two-seater glider operated by professional pilots where you can reach up to 3,048 m (10,000 ft) high.
Mussoorie has India’s largest roller skating arena. If you are good at balancing, get set and roll. Jaypee Resort’s rink, Kulri Bazaar Rink, and Disco Skating Rink behind the Tourist Office, are the most popular rinks.
Paragliding and Roller Skating
Address: MussoorieWebsite: Paragliding in Mussoorie
7. Cloud's End
Source: Cloud End
Cloud’s End is a private property and forest resort with nominal entry fees. The way through the forests is adventurous. You can combine the visit to George Everest’s House and Cloud’s End in the same trip. With a good number of pine trees and a gentle breeze, Echo Point is very cool and quiet. This scenic and serene place offers a great view of Aglar River Valley with opportunities to birdwatch and marvel at the scenic beauty.
Cloud's End
Address: 8 km (4.97 mile) from MussoorieWebsite: Cloud’s End
8. Mall Road
Mall Road is an iconic place in Mussoorie, with shops and some of the top eateries in Mussoorie. Spanning between Picture Palace and Library Chowk, you can have a glimpse of mini India here. Mall Road is amongst the best places to be in this hill station. People from other countries can also be seen on Mall Road, enjoying the misty nature of Mussoorie. A walk down Mall Road gives a picturesque view of the valley and hills around it.
9. SOHAM Heritage & Art Centre
The SOHAM Heritage & Art Centre gives a complete view of Uttarakhand Heritage and is a must visit place for all those who love Kamau Garhwal and the Himalayan Mountains. Replete with relics of Garhwal and Kamau cultures, unique artifacts and historical items, paintings, sculptures, authentic colorful architectural design, and more.
SOHAM Heritage & Art Centre
Address: 1 km ( 0.62 mile) from Mall Road
10. Happy Valley
Happy Valley is the abode of Tibetans and was the Dalai Lama’s first home in India. It still houses a fairly large Tibetan settlement. One can visit the serene Buddha Temple, view Tibetan houses and schools in the vicinity, and get an idea about the life and culture of the people. The Buddhist Temple also provides a place for visitors to sit and enjoy beautiful views of the whole valley.
Fairyland
The Queen of Hills, Mussoorie is dotted with snow clad mountains, varied flora and fauna, breathtaking landscapes, and numerous adventurous activities that offer a fairyland experience to both domestic and international tourists. It’s a must see place in India.
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