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Mussoorie City Guide
Mussoorie, Popularly known as the Queen of Hills, this charming hill station,
34 kms from Dehradun is situated at an altitude of 2003 mts in the Garhwal
hills. above sea-level. Mussoorie is one of the beautiful hill stations in
India and the most frequently visited. It provides excellent respite to
people who want relief from the hot sultry conditions of the plains, especially
since it is close enough to the capital to make just weekend trip. Also,
major Hindu pilgrimage sites like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri,
Haridwar, Rishikesh are not far from this place.
In 1820, Captain Young of the British army was influenced by the beauty
of this place and made it his residence. The name, Mussoorie is derived
from plants of 'Mussoorie' which were found in abundance here. After its
discovery, this hill station gradually developed as a centre of education,
business, tourism and beauty.
Mussoorie (Places to See)
Gun Hill
Enjoy a Ropeway ride to the second highest peak of Mussoorie. It can also
be negotiated by bridles path which forks-off from Mall Road near Kutchery
and to reach takes about twenty minutes. The Ropeway distance is only 400
mtrs. And the sheer thrill of the ride is memorable. Gun Hill offers a beautiful
panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges namely Bunderpunch, Srikantha, Pithwara
and Gangotri group etc. and a bird's eye view of Mussoorie town and Doon
Valley. During pre-ind ependence days a gun mounted on this top used to be
fired heralding mid-day to enable people to adjust their watches and hence
this name.
Municipal Garden
A picnic spot having a beautiful garden and an artificial mini lake with
boating facilities. It is located at a distance of 4kms by cycle rickshaw,
pony or by car and only 2 kms on foot via Waverly Convent Road.
Childer's Lodge
Highest Peak of Mussoorie near Lal Tibba. It is about 5 kms from the Tourist
Office and one can go on horse back or on foot. Snow view from this spot
is exhilarating.
Camel's Back Road
It starts from Kulri Bazar near Rink Hall and ends at Library Bazar covering
a total distance of about 3 kms. The main charm of this froad is horse riding
and wlking. Sunset view of the Himalayas is superb. Camel's Rock with a
life like resemblace can be seen from the spot near Mussoorie Public school.
Jharipani Fall
8.5 kms from Mussoorie on Mussoorie- Jharipani Road. Visitors can go by
bus or by car upto 7 kms to Jharipani from where the fall is 1.5 kms, on
foot.
Bhatta Fall
7 kms from Mussoorie on Mussoorie-Dehradun road. Access by car or bus upto
Balta village from where the fall is 3kms by car or foot. An ideal spot
for bathing anf picnics.
Kempty Fall
15 kms from Mussoorie on the Yamunotri Road having an altitude of 4500 ft.
It has the distinction of being the biggest and prettiest waterfall located
in a beautiful valley and is surrounded by high mountains. Bath at the foot
of the falls is refresshing and enjoyabled for children and adults alike.
Nag Devta Temple
An ancient temple situated on Cart Mackenjie Road and is about 6 kms from
Mussoorie. Vehicles can go right upto the spot. It Provies a charming view
of Doon Valley as well as of Mussoorie.
Mussoorie Lake
A newly developed picnic spot, situated on Mussoorie- Dehradun road
and is about 6 kms from Mussoorie. It is a delightful spot. Pedal boats
are availble. It commands an enchanting view of Doon Valley and nearby villages.
Van Chetna Kendra
At a distance of about 2 kms on Tehri bye pass road, this place is developed
as a picnic spot and has a park surrounded with pine forest and flowering
shrubs, and is approachable by foot or taxi/car. The main attraction is
the wildilife of the park like Ghurar, Kanankar, Himalayan Peacock, Monal
etc.
Sir George Everest House
6 kms The Park Estate of sir George Everest, First Surveyor General
of India, Who had his offce and residence here, is approachable by road.
The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, is named after him.
Jwalaji Temple (Benog Hill) 9 kms 6to the west of Mussoorie
and at an altitude of 2104 mtrs. Is the Jwalaji Temple. It is situated on
the top of the Benog Hill and has an idol of Mata Durga in it. The temple
is surrounded by thick forests and offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan
peaks, Doon valley and Yamuna valley.
Clous End
The bungalow built in 1838 by a British Major was one of the First Four
buildings of Mussoorie. The bungalow has since then been converted into
a hotel called Clouds End, and is situated at the extreme west of Mussoorie
Hill, 8 kms from Library. The resort is surrounded by thick forest, offers
a wide variety of flora and fauna besides a panoramic view of snow clad
Himalayas, and Yamuna river. The most ideally suited resort for fireigners
and honeymoon couples.
Mussoorie (Institution)
Rich in history and beauty, Mussoorie has given birth to many institutions
that are known virtually all over the country. Since 1959, the Lal Bahadur
Shastri National Academy of Administration has been training and molding
batch after batch of raw probationers into the country's finest bureaucrats,
foreign service officers, and police officers. the Academy, situated at
Charleville, continues to train officers for the Indian Administrative Service
and the Indian Police Service. A fire broke out in the Academy some years
ago and destroyed, among other buildings and papers, its precious library
rated amongst the best in the country. While many of the books destroyed
in the fire are difficult to replace, a new beginning has already been made
by acquiring a fine collection of books.
While the Academy belongs to the post-Independence period, most of Mussoorie's
institutions date back more than a century. The Waverley Convent, a school
for girls, was established in 1845 and has commemorated 150 years of distinguished
existence. While some of its buildings were destroyed in an earthquake in
the early years of this century, then by a fire, and then again in the recent
earthquake, Waverley still retains much of the old-world architectural charm.
The cable cars swing between the Hall and Gun Hill more than 100 times a
day.
Mussoorie (Excursion)
Naga Tibba
About 55km, an ideal spot for trekking. Naga Tibba is the highest peak around
Mussoorie at 10,000 feet and is covered by thick forests.
Dhanolti
On Mussoorie-Tehri Road 25km away, it has deodhar forests and mountainscapes.
Surkhanda Devi
Surkhanda Devi Temple at 10,000 feet, 35 km down the Mussoorie - Tehri road.
Perched on a peak, the temple demands a stiff two-km climb form devotees.
The temple, goes the legend, was built on the site where the head  of Shiva's
consort (Shiva is the destroyer in the Hindu trinity) fell after it was
chopped off to stop Shiva's terrifying dance of death that was shaking the
universe to its very core.
Lakha Mandal
80 km away on the Mussoorie-Yamunotri Road. Linked with the Mahabharata
with idols of archaeological importance.
Mussoorie (When to visit )
Mussoorie is a hill station which has pleasant climate around the year.
It is a very cool place
with greenery at its full bloom during September
to November. The best seasons to visit Mussoorie is between April to June
and again during September to November. When the plains of North India experience
heat waves, Mussoorie provides a welcome break. September - November is
spring time here. During this season Himalayas are clearly visible. It is
better to avoid monsoons as the roads to Mussoorie are in bad shape. Same
thing applies for the winter when roads are blocked due to snowfall
Mussoorie (Travel Information)
There are regular flights from Delhi to Doon Valley (Jolly Grant). From
the Jolly Grant airport, taxis and buses ply to Dehradun, from where they
go up to Mussoorie (2¼ hours, 60 km). The overnight Mussoorie Express
links Delhi to Dehradun, the railhead for Mussoorie.
Delhi to Mussoorie is 290 km by road. Dehradun to Mussoorie is 35 km. There
are direct buses from Delhi to Mussoorie, along with private taxis. Buses
ply every half hour from Dehradun to Mussoorie. Private taxis and shared
taxis are favored by a majority of visitors. 
Mussoorie - Local Transport
Hand pulled rickshaws, taxis and cars are not allowed on the Mall,
but can move in other motorable parts of Mussoorie.
Mussoorie (Accommodation)
Mussoorie has more than a hundred hotels to choose.
Mussoorie (What to Wear)
In summer, light woolens are advisable while heavy woolens are a
necessity during winter.
The summer season extends from April to June. The winter season is from
September to December.
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