A quiet and quaint little town, snuggled in the folds of the Himalayas, where time seems to have stopped somewhere in the 19th century, lies the hilly hamlet of Mussoorie. With a picture-perfect landscape of alpine forests and glacial rivers and a culture that boasts of its colonial heritage, this hilly retreat at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan Range is as exotic as it could get. If you are looking to wake up to the fresh mountain air, sans the frills and fancy of commercialization, then Mussoorie could be your next holiday destination.
Reaching there
It all starts from Delhi. You hire a car from Delhi and take the Saharanpur Road to reach Mussoorie in nearly six hours.
The town is replete with cozy mountain cabins, magnificent old bungalows turned into guest houses and hotels, and
Exploring Mussoorie
Mussoorie is one of those antiquated towns of India, which exist in the present but has managed to restore its old-world charm in its structures, the environment, and its people. And to absorb its true vibes, you have to explore and experience the sights, tastes, and smell of this Himalayan town.
To see
The Christ Church is one of the oldest churches and historic structures of the town. Built in the early 19th century, it reflects classic Gothic architecture with pointed arches, stone carved columns, ribbed vaults, and stained glass windows.
The mansion of Sir George Everest stands in relics within a forested estate, about 6 Km from the town center. The white-washed walls, with exposed concrete and the hollow interiors still reflect traces of its past.
Lal Tibba (translated- Red Hill), about 6 Km outside the town, is the highest point of Mussoorie. The location offers the most stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the valleys below including some popular peaks like the Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Nilkantha.
To eat
The food culture of Mussoorie is a nice mix of modern and a blast from the past. Old cafes and bakeries to modern restaurants, the town has a few places you must dig into.
The two-storied, red house of Kalsang Friends Corner offers an exhaustive menu of Chinese, Tibetan, and Thai specialties, wrapped in a warm ambiance.
Emily’s at the Rokeby Manor in Landour has a wide range of Indian, European, and American menu. Its brown-bricked structure with floral wallpapers and wooden fixtures adds a touch of vintage country.
Landour Bakehouse in Landour serves confections and deli goodies from 100-years old recipes of the British era and is the perfect place to relive the past.
Stop by at Chic Chocolate– a food landmark of Mussoorie. With home-made chocolates, artisan bread, and house-special shakes, this café-cum-chocolaterie is worth not one but multiple visits.
To discover
Mussoorie is one of the famous spots in India for paragliding. Go for an hour-long flight accompanied by an expert glider and enjoy the awe-inspiring views from a height of 10000 feet.
Visit the Kempty Waterfalls on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road for a view of a glacial stream cascading from 40 feet. You can also take a trek in the surrounding nature trails, take a swim in the pond or go mountain fishing in the natural streams.
Explore Dehradun at about one and half-hour drive from Mussoorie. You can opt for a car rental in Dehradun and explore Mussoorie’s sister city.
Head to Rishikesh, at two and half-hour drive from Mussoorie for all kinds of adventure sports. Whitewater rafting on the Upper Ganges is the best and most popular activity here.
Take a 10-15 minutes’ cable car ride from Jhulaghat to Gun Hill or walk the Sky Bridge- the longest hanging bridge of the country, suspended from a height of 80 feet.
Whether you want to explore and discover hidden treasures of nature, experience the town’s culture, or simply unwind in the laps of the Himalayas, Mussoorie promises you excitement in every activity and trip that you would cherish for a lifetime!
