A short trip to Mussoorie

The Queen of Hills will give you more than just a breath of fresh air

by YUVASH VAIDYA

FROM ISSUE # 168 (December 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
	REFER TO FRIEND		PRINT THIS ARTICLE

YUVASH VAIDYA

How much money to take (in IC): The taxi rate is usually Rs 1400 to Rs 1600 for the entire day. One-way taxis cost much less if they have been booked by tourists who are returning. A traditional lunch is quite cheap in the heart of the city. Boat rides are also available for Rs 150. Horse rides depend on how far one wants to go while the rickshaws are quite cheap. Souvenirs depend on one's bargaining strength.

What to take along: Water, a camera, a good wind-cheater and some snacks for the road.

Best time to go: From mid-March to May when the skies are clear. But many take winter trips to avoid the rain (July to September) and the crowds during tourist season in the springtime.

A standalone shop in Mussoorie-Kempty road.

The windy city of Mussoorie lies 2000m above sea level, in the state of Uttarakhand, an hour's drive from Dehradun. The winding, uphill road is full of taxis and buses escorting tourists to the city. Situated in the heart of the city is Mall Road. Here, shops offering coffee and chai to locals and tourists alike are abundant, and stretch from the Picture Palace at the eastern end to the Public Library in the west.

Along the Mussoorie-Kempty road lies the famous picnic spot of Lake Mist where boating is also available. Lake Mist has many small but beautiful waterfalls. One of the main attractions of Mussoorie is Kempty Falls. This waterfall is located at the bottom of a staircase lined with shops selling cheap gift items and souvenirs. One can also find cherry blossom trees scattered here and there. The funny part is they bloom here in November while elsewhere cherry blossoms bloom in the spring. 1959 saw the Dalai Lama establish the Tibetan government in exile in Mussoorie. This government eventually moved to Dharamsala in 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 are living in the area.

Pony rides are famous in Mussoorie.

Walking through the streets of Mussoorie, one finds famous paths lined with shops and hotels. Mussoorie also has India's largest roller skating rink. Rickshaw rides and ponies are available to take tourists to popular places like the Municipal Garden. There are also a lot of places to trek around Mussoorie.

Gun Hill is where the cannons once used for the defense of Mussoorie are. The site is accessible by cable car on Mall Road though there is usually a long wait to get on. The oldest Christian church in the Himalayas, St Mary's, is situated above Mall Road.

Away from Mall Road, there is a clock tower, and you could even drive to Camel's Back, a mountain named quite appropriately. Schools originally set up for the children of British government officers and army personnel during the days of the Raj have a great view.

Looking upon a cherry blossom tree near the Kempty falls.

The walks along the roads of Mussoorie are much more peaceful away from the central city crowded with shops. Also, along the pathways are neat resting places with park chairs where one can take a break from sightseeing. Telescopes with guides give tourists better views of the hills around.

A newly developed picnic spot has been built by the City Board & Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority 6km down the Mussoorie-Dehradun road. The spot offers an enchanting view of the Doon Valley and nearby villages, as well as boat-pedaling opportunities.
 
Mussoorie is a perfect destination for a day trip. But traffic increases in the evening when tourists and locals alike come to catch a night's stay in the beautiful hotels along the hills. The wind provides refreshingly breezy conditions for a family holiday or a college tour. This was one comfortable trip!