Mussoorie Tourism | Hotels in Mussoorie

About Mussoorie:

Mussoorie is a city and a municipal board in the Dehradun District of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located about 35 km from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km north from the national capital of New Delhi. This hill station, situated in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, is also known as the Queen of the Hills. The adjoining town of Landour, which includes a military cantonment, is considered part of 'greater Mussoorie', as are the townships of Barlowganj and Jharipani.

Being at an average altitude of 1,880 metres (6,170 ft), Mussoorie,with its green hills and varied flora and fauna, is a fascinating hill resort. Commanding snow ranges to the north-east, and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges in the south, the town was once said to present a 'fairyland' atmosphere to tourists. The highest point is Lal Tibba with a height of over 2,290 metres (7,510 ft)

History of Mussoorie:

In 1832, Mussourie was the intended terminus of the Great Survey of India that began at the southern tip of India. Although unsuccessful,the Surveyor General of India wanted to have the new office of the Survey of India based in Mussoorie. A compromise was to have it in Dehradun, where it still located.

By 1901 Mussoorie's population had grown to 6461, rising to 15,000 in the summer season. Earlier, Mussoorie was approachable by road from Saharanpur, 58 miles (93 km) away. Accessibility became easier in 1900 with the railway coming to Dehradun, thus shortening the road trip to 21 miles (34 km).

The name Mussoorie is often attributed to a derivation of 'mansoor', a shrub which is indigenous to the area. The town is in fact often referred to as 'Mansoori' by most Indians.

The main promenade in Mussoorie is called, as in other hill stations, the Mall. In Mussoorie, the Mall stretches from Picture Palace at its eastern end to the Public Library (shortened to 'Library') at its western end. During the British Raj, signs on the Mall expressly stated: "Indians and Dogs Not Allowed"; racist signs of this type were commonplace in hill stations, which were founded 'by and for' the British. Motilal Nehru, the father of Jawaharlal Nehru, deliberately broke this rule every day whenever he was in Mussoorie, and would pay the fine. The Nehru family, including Nehru's daughter Indira (later Indira Gandhi) were frequent visitors to Mussoorie in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, and stayed at the Savoy Hotel. They also spent much time in nearby Dehradun, where Nehru's sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit ultimately settled full-time.

During the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion, the Central Tibetan Administration of the 14th Dalai Lama was at first established in Mussoorie before being moved to its present location in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. The first Tibetan school was established in Mussoorie in 1960. Tibetans settled mainly in Happy Valley in Mussoorie. Today, some 5,000 Tibetans live in Mussoorie.

Now, Mussoorie suffers from over-development of hotels and tourist lodges, given its relative proximity to Delhi, Ambala and Chandigarh,and has serious problems of garbage collection, water scarcity and parking shortages, especially during the summer tourist season. Landour, Jharipani and Barlowganj have fewer such problems.

Weather in Mussoorie:

Summer Temperature: Minimum - 10oC, Maximum - 30oC
Winter Temperature: Minimum - 1oC, Maximum - 10oC
Annual Rainfall: 180 cm

Places to visit in Mussoorie:

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-independence 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.

Lake Mist:

About 5 km before Kempty falls on the Mussoorie-Kempty road is a developed good picnic spot with accommodation and restaurant facilities, boating is also available. The place showcases nature in an exquisite manner. With the Kempty river flowing through it, Lake Mist has many small but beautiful waterfalls made by the river. Thus, this is a gem in the queen of hills.

Ivy Bank Guest House- Landour Cantt:

It is a pretty little guest house with white window panes and comfort available at inexpensive rates. It overlooks the beautiful valley of mussoorie and you can spot St. george's and Woodstock School easily. A small road shoots off to get to the guest house which is situated close to the highest point i.e. Lal Tibba. This cozy inn is situated very close to Landour Language School and is run by A very nice family(The Sharmas).

Municipal Garden:

It is picnic spot having a beautiful garden and an artificial mini lake with paddled boating facility. It is located at a distance of 4 km by rickshaw cycles, pony or by a car and 2 km via Waverly Convent School road on foot.

Mussoorie Lake:

A newly developed picnic spot build by City Board & Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority, is situated at 6 km on Mussoorie-Dehradun road having a facility of pedaled boats. It offers an enchanting view of Doon Valley and nearby villages. View during Night is marvelous.

Childer's Lodge:

Also known as "Nahata Estate" is a huge property of more than 300 acres (1.2 km2), owned by the Harakh Chand Nahata family, is also the highest peak of Mussoorie near Lal Tibba, it is situated at 5 km from the Tourist Office and one can go on horse back or on foot. The view of snow-clad mountains is exhilarating.

Bhatta Falls:

7 km from Mussoorie on Mussoorie-Dehradun Road near Bhatta Village. Accessible by car or bus up to Bhatta from where the fall is 3 km by foot. A fall with different ponds for bathing and water amusements, ideal place for picnic.

Jharipani Fall:

Located at 8.5 km from Mussoorie on Mussoorie-Jharipani road. One can go by local bus or car up to Jharipani from where the fall is about 1.5 km on foot.

Mossy Fall:

The fall is surrounded by a dense forest and is 7 km from Mussoorie. One can go there via Barlowganj or Balahisar.

Sir George Everest's House:

Park Estate is where one can find the remains of the building and laboratory of Sir George Everest,the Surveyor-General of India from 1830 to 1843. It is after George Everest that the world's highest peak Mt. Everest is named.[5] It is 6 km from Gandhi Chowk / Library Bazaar and is accessible by vehicle, although the road is very rough beyond Haathi Paon. The place provides an enchanting view of Doon Valley on one side and a panoramic view of the Aglar River valley and the snow peaks of the Himalayan ranges on the other. It is a wonderful walk from Library Bazaar and a beautiful spot for a picnic.

Nag Devta Temple:

An ancient temple dedicated to Snake God Lord Shiva and is situated on Cart Mackenzie Road about 6 km from Mussoorie on the way to Dehradun. Vehicles can go right up to the temple. This place provides an enchanting view of Mussoorie and the Doon Valley.

Jwalaji Temple (Benog Hill):

Situated at an altitude of 2240 m, this temple is 9 km west of Mussoorie. It is situated on the top of Benog Tibba (Hill) and contains an old idol of Goddess Durga. There is a marvelous view of the Aglar River valley. It can not be accessed by vehicle although a motor road goes most of the way from Mussoorie.

Himalayan Weavers:

Located 8 km. from Mussoorie on Mussoorie Dhanaulti Road is Himalayan Weavers, which produces hand-woven shawls, stoles, scarves and throws using only natural dyes and wool, eri silk and pashmina. Their aim is to produce high quality handloom products, popularize the use of environmentally friendly natural dyes and provide a market for craft products made in the Himalayan region.

Best time to visit:

The best time to visit is from mid-March to mid-November though the downpours could be an inhibiting factor in the monsoon months of July to September.

How to Reach Mussoorie:

By Air:

The nearest airport to reach Mussoorie is the Jolly Grant Airport, located 24 km from Dehradun. Daily flights (Indian Airlines and Air Deccan) from this airport connect Mussoorie to Delhi. You can easily board a bus/ taxi/ private car from the airport to reach Mussoorie.

By Rail:

The nearest railhead is located in Dehradun, 34 km from Mussoorie. It connects Dehradun to important cities like Delhi, Bombay, Amritsar, Varanasi and Lucknow. Shatabdi Express is the most convenient option, if you plan your trip from Delhi to Dehradun by train.

By Road:

Well maintained and motorable roads connect Mussoorie to all the major cities nearby. Delhi is 269 km from Mussoorie, and one can easily drive via Meerut, Roorkie, Chuttmalpur, and Dehradun to reach Mussoorie from Delhi. Various buses of 'Uttaranchal State Transport' shuttle between Delhi and Mussoorie.

Hotels in Mussoorie:

5 Star Hotels in Mussoorie:

Jaypee Residency Manor
Royal Orchid Fort Resort
Park Plaza Sylverton

4 Star Hotels in Mussoorie:

Hotel Drive Inn
Fortune Resort Grace
Avalon Resorts
Kanatal Resorts

3 Star Hotels in Mussoorie:

Hotel Rink Pavilion
Green N Breeze Resort
Karma Vilas Resort
The Pearl - A Royal Residency
Green Castle
Honeymoon Inn
Brentwood
Hotel Carlton Plaisance

Budget Hotels in Mussoorie:

Hotel Nishima
Hotel Himalayan Club
Hotel Crystal Palace
Hotel Ambica Palace
Luxmount Hotel
Wild Flower House
Hotel Shiva Continental
Hotel Sun N Star
Hotel Basera
Hotel Nand Residency
Hotel Vishnu Palace