Mall Road
The main promenade of the town, lined with shops and eating places, with views over the Doon Valley. It is best explored on foot.
- Distance
- In the town centre
- Entry
- Free (public street)
- Timings
- Open all day
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours
Mussoorie
Colonial-era hill station above Dehradun with ridge walks, waterfalls and Himalayan views.
FamousHill-stationWaterfallHeritage
Mussoorie sits on a ridge about 35 km above Dehradun, with views of the Doon Valley on one side and the snow peaks on the other. It suits families, couples and first-time hill travellers who want easy walks, viewpoints and a busy market street rather than hard trekking. It is one of the easiest hill stations to reach from Delhi.
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Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to April | Spring. About 5 to 18 degrees C, mild and clear with flowers in bloom. Light woollens are enough. |
| May to June | Summer and peak season. About 10 to 25 degrees C, sometimes up to 30 in June. Rooms are costly and hard to find, so book ahead. |
| July to September | Monsoon. About 12 to 20 degrees C with moderate to heavy rain. Very green, but paths are slippery and landslides can block roads. |
| October to November | Autumn. About 5 to 15 degrees C, clear and crisp with the best mountain views and fewer crowds. |
| December to February | Winter. About -2 to 10 degrees C, cold winds and occasional snowfall, mostly from late December to February. |
Sights and activities
Gun Hill
The second highest point in Mussoorie at about 2,122 m, with views of the Himalayan ranges. A ropeway goes up from Jhula Ghar on Mall Road.
- Distance
- Ropeway starts on Mall Road
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
Camel's Back Road
A level walking road of about 3 km between Kulri and Library Point, named after a rock shaped like a sitting camel. It is known for sunset views.
- Distance
- Starts at Library Point or Kulri
- Entry
- Free
- Timings
- Open all day
- Time needed
- 1 hour
Lal Tibba
The highest point of Mussoorie at about 2,275 m, in the Landour area, with telescopes on cafe decks for picking out distant peaks. The road passes through pine and rhododendron forest.
- Distance
- About 5.5 km from Library Bus Stand
- Timings
- 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
Kempty Falls
A waterfall of about 50 feet that drops in several steps, on the road towards Yamunotri. There are pools for bathing, and a short cable trolley helps visitors avoid the long stairs.
- Distance
- About 15 km from Library Bus Stand
- Timings
- 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours, half a day with travel
Company Garden
A laid-out garden and picnic spot with boating, shaded seating and a small food court.
- Distance
- About 3.5 km from Library Bus Stand
- Entry
- Boating extra
- Timings
- 9 am to 6 pm
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
George Everest's House
The hilltop home of surveyor Sir George Everest, reached by the Hathipaon road. Clear mornings from October to December give long views of the snow range.
- Distance
- About 6 km from Gandhi Chowk (Library)
- Timings
- 10 am to 6 pm
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
Mussoorie Lake
A small artificial lake and picnic spot on the Dehradun road, with boating and pay parking.
- Distance
- About 6.5 km from Library Bus Stand
- Entry
- 15 per person; boating extra
- Timings
- 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
Getting there
- By bus
- Direct buses run from Delhi (ISBT Kashmiri Gate and other points) to Mussoorie, about 280 to 300 km. Frequent buses and taxis also climb from Dehradun in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- By train
- Dehradun Railway Station, about 34 to 36 km away. Trains from Delhi include the Dehradun Shatabdi, Dehradun Jan Shatabdi, Mussoorie Express and Nanda Devi Express.
- By air
- Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, about 58 to 60 km away, with taxis to Mussoorie.
- Where to base yourself
- Stay on or near Mall Road between Library Chowk (Gandhi Chowk) and Kulri for walking access, or in Landour for a quieter stay.
Getting around
- Mall Road and Camel's Back Road are best covered on foot.
- Taxis are the usual way to reach Kempty Falls, Lal Tibba, George Everest's House and Company Garden.
- A one-way taxi between Dehradun and Mussoorie costs about 1,480 to 1,530 rupees for a small car or sedan and takes about 1.5 hours.
- Buses between Dehradun and Mussoorie run through the day; Online listings start at about 399 rupees
- Local buses leave from Masonic Bus Stand a few times a day, and ponies are available on some routes.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
- Dhanaulti: Road, about 1 to 1.5 hours, about 45 km by road. See the Chakrata, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Kanatal and Harsil trip
- Chakrata: Road via Kempty Falls, about 3 hours, about 85 km by road. See the Chakrata, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Kanatal and Harsil trip
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Where to stay
| Budget level | Type | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hostels and budget hotels | ₹1,300 to ₹2,500 |
| Mid-range | 3-star hotels near Mall Road | ₹2,700 to ₹4,000 |
| Luxury | 5-star and heritage hotels | ₹12,000 to ₹30,000 |
Food
Most eating places are along Mall Road and in Kulri. Besides Indian food, restaurants serve Chinese, Italian, Thai and Continental dishes, and Tibetan momos are common.
Try these
- Momos (Tibetan steamed dumplings)
- Aloo ke Gutke (spiced potato dish of Uttarakhand)
- Bhaang ki Khatai (local preparation listed among regional dishes)
- Rus (a local dal preparation)
Indian vegetarian food is widely served.
Daily costs
| Budget level | Stay per room | Food per person | Local transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,500 | ₹500 | ₹150 per person |
| Mid-range | ₹3,400 | ₹1,200 | ₹1,500 per vehicle |
| Luxury | ₹18,600 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 per vehicle |
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit requirement was found for Indian visitors. In peak season not all vehicles are allowed up without proof of a hotel booking, and a pre-registration system for peak periods is being introduced; check the current rule before travel. Carry a photo ID for hotel check-in.
Safety
- By day
- A busy, well-visited town. Arrive early at the Gun Hill ropeway and Kempty Falls to avoid queues and crowds.
- Roads
- The hill road from Dehradun takes 1.5 to 2 hours and is slow in peak season. In the monsoon, heavy rain can cause landslides and closures.
- Emergency numbers
- 112 (all emergencies)
Practical
- Mobile network
- All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.
- ATMs and cash
- ATMs are reported to be few; carry some cash, including for small viewpoint fees.
- Fuel
- There is a petrol pump within about 6 km of the centre.
- Medical
- There are several hospitals within about 6 km, including St. Marry Hospital Mussoorie and Wynberg Health Center. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states.
Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem
Accessibility
- Seniors
- The ropeway to Gun Hill and the cable trolley at Kempty Falls reduce climbing. Camel's Back Road is a level walk.
- Children
- Company Garden and Mussoorie Lake have boating and picnic space suited to families.
Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
Culture and responsible travel
- Lal Tibba and Landour have military installations; keep to public areas.
- Happy Valley is a Tibetan settlement; be respectful around homes and places of worship.
- Do not litter at waterfalls and viewpoints, and carry your waste back to town.
- Avoid the forest road to Lal Tibba in the monsoon, when leeches are common.
What to pack
- Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
- Proper winter wear: a heavy jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap
- Enough cash for the whole stay, a power bank and offline maps
- Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts
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