Mussoorie On My Mind: Extensive Guide

published on 10 April 2023
Mussoorie: Queen Of Hills
Mussoorie: Queen Of Hills

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WARNINGS:

  1. Once done, you will immediately book your tickets to Mussoorie
  2. Once you’re back from Mussoorie, you will have gained a few kilograms

Before we get into the nitty gritties, let me familiarise you with a few basic landmarks of Mussoorie. The town has two ends. Library End to the west and Picture Palace to the east. Mall Road connects the two ends.

Library End (west) <<< Mall Road >>> Picture Palace End (east)

Got it? Good.

Let’s get another thing out of the way. Mussoorie, like any other hill station is about walking, eating and then walking more.

How to get here?

Car / Taxi

Having your own car while traveling anywhere is freedom. If you can, bring your own set of wheels. There’s so many destinations in and around Mussoorie that having your own vehicle will make life less stressful. The only restriction on private vehicles is within the Mall Road and sometimes while entering the Landour Cantonment to reach Lal Tibba / Sister Bazaar. The rules keep changing as per the expected seasonal traffic.

Mall Road and Lal Tibba are best experienced on foot, anyway. Private cars are allowed in Mall Road until 4:00pm, in case your hotel is in Mall Road and you want to drop off luggage and passengers. Most good hotels arrange for pick-up on either side of Mall Road.

Distance, approximate travel time and tentative taxi rates to Mussoorie from:

Gurugram - 320 kms, 6 hours, 14500/-

New Delhi - 290 kms, 5 1/2 hours, 15000/-

Chandigarh - 200 km, 5 hours, 11500/-

Above rates are for an AC Innova carrying four passengers, one way.

For taxi from Dehradun to Mussoorie, here are some contacts:

Sultan: 9690784009

Satya SIngh: 9634691152

Rahul Kumar: 8266043211

Train

If you’re coming from New Delhi, there are plenty of train options. But! The most fun you will have is on Dehradun Shatabdi Express (12017). Why? Well, first of all they only have two seat options - Executive Chair Car and AC Chair Car, so you can sit, relax and enjoy the view from anywhere you get a seat. Second, it runs every day of the week. Third, the catering is amazing. The six hour journey goes by so quick because you are constantly being pampered with tea, coffee, juice, biscuits, breakfast. Most importantly, you reach Dehradun by 1:00pm and can be in Mussoorie by 4:00pm via taxi. You still get the entire evening to enjoy.

AC Chair Car: 905/-, Executive Chair Car: 1405/-

New Delhi Railway Station: NDLS, Dehradun Railway Station: DDN

Flight

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) is the domestic airport serving Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar. The airport is 25 km south of Dehradun and it will take you approximately two and a half to three hours to reach Mussoorie via taxi.

Bus

Redbus.in shows around 14 options for AC buses leaving Delhi at night and reaching Mussoorie early in the morning. Average fares are 1000 - 1200/- range. There are multiple departure locations - Kashmiri Gate, Dhaula Kuan, Morigate and Rajendra Palace.

Cycling

The cycling route is through the motorable road that connects Dehradun to Mussoorie, 25 kms long. Cyclists cover this distance in an average of 5 hours. The earlier you leave the better. Make sure you carry enough water, electrolytes along. There are various dhabas where you can stop for breakfast and snacks.

Trek

This is by far the most adventurous way to go from Dehradun to Mussoorie and definitely on my bucket list. Before proper road were built for automobiles and buses to travel, Kipling Trail or Kipling Road as it is called was the original walking route that connected Dehradun to Mussoorie. Tale has it that the famous English novelist Rudyard Kipling walked on it in the 1880’s. The 9 km trail takes around 3 hours to complete and begins in Shahanshai Ashram, Rajpur village, Dehradun.

In his book ‘The Kipling Road’ the famous author Ruskin Bond writes “The railway came to Dehradun in 1904, and a few years later the first motor car made it to Mussoorie, the motor road following the winding contours and hairpin bends of the old bullock-cart road. Rajpur went out of business; no one stopped there any more, the hotels became redundant, and the bridle path was seldom used except by those of us who thought it would be fun to come up on foot.”

If you want spectacular views of Doon Valley, taste history and experience what famous authors have, do this trek. If this is not romance, then I don’t know what is!

Irrespective of how you travel to Mussoorie, stop for a sumptuous meal at Desi Chulah on the outskirts of Dehradun enroute to Mussoorie. The Mutton Thaali would jumpstart your Gharwali adventure. Contact Sonu: 9638965555

It is possible and safe to travel from Dehradun to Mussoorie at night in case your flight or train comes into Dehradun late and don’t want to spend a night there.

Where to stay? (include costs)

Mussoorie can be divided in three zones - Library end, Picture Palace End and Landour.

A few rules of thumb -

  1. Budget Hotels within Mussoorie will not provide great views or parking but will be very accessible from main Mall Road.
  2. Hotels outside the Mall Road will provide parking, great views but you will need to walk a bit to get to the action.
  3. You don’t have to stay in one place for your entire trip

Alright, so let’s map out what your best options are for accommodation in Mussoorie.

Library End

The Savoy (5 star): Swirled in the mist of time and set against a splendid backdrop of the Garhwal Himalayan range, ITC’s The Savoy, Mussoorie is an elegant and historic hotel built in English Gothic architecture. The century old hotel offers a wonderful mix of old-world charm and new-age conveniences.

Double occupancy room / night: 18k

√ Spectacular views √ Luxury Accommodation √ Access to Mall Road X Budget Friendly

The Three Oaks Boutique Hotel: The hotel is situated right in the middle of Mall Road, near Gun Hill Ropeway. Location wise, it’s great.

Double occupancy room / night: 3k - 5k

√ Parking √ Access to Mall Road √ Budget Friendly X Spectacular views

Picture Palace End

Rokeby Manor (4 star): If you want to understand why the Britishers selected Landour to recuperate, spending a few nights at the Rokeby Manor will provide you with the answers. Rokeby Manor is an awe-inspiring English-style country estate hotel nestled in the hills of Landour, Mussoorie. This heritage home has been restored to its original 19th Century décor.

If you don’t end up staying here, at least enjoy a nice cool Ceasar Salad in their restaurant Emily’s.

Double occupancy room / night: 16k - 25k

√ Spectacular views √ Luxury Accommodation X Access to Mall Road X Budget Friendly

Jaypee Residency Manor: Double occupancy room / night: 13k

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When to go?

To figure out when to go to Mussoorie you need to decide when not to go to Mussoorie. These questions will help -

  1. Do kids in Delhi have vacations?
  2. Is it a holiday weekend?
  3. Is it a weekend?

As you can imagine, due to its proximity to New Delhi & Chandigarh, Mussoorie gets crowded on long weekends and whenever kids are out of school. Dehradun youngsters drive up on their two wheelers just for maggi at Lal Tibba!

Weather has become so unpredictable anywhere around the globe that the old weather patterns are just not trustworthy. I was there for the first 2 weeks of May, 2022 and had to wear a sweater during day time also. The day we were leaving, the temperature in Mussoorie was 18ºC. When we reached Delhi the temperature there was 48ºC and Nagpur was 37ºC. My parents were there in September and it rained for the first week they were there. Go figure!

Be prepared for anything, anytime. Pack a light jacket and a windcheater if you go between April - September. From November to March, you need to carry warm clothes.

Snowfall in Mussoorie is unpredictable too. The trend has been from mid-December to February.

How to get around locally?

I’m a mountaineer, we like to walk. Everywhere. I know I’m biased but there are so many benefits of walking when you’re in a new place. You don’t have to worry about parking. When you see an interesting restaurant or cafe you can just stop for a quick bite. See an interesting scenery and want a selfie, No problem. Walking provides the most wholesome experience in a new city.

Got feet? Walk.

If you get tired walking, rickshaws are easily available also.

Mussoorie is filled with places to rent two wheelers - 100 cc to 500 cc - they have it all. Pay attention to signages and within minutes you will find a few vendors.

You can easily find taxis in either ends of Mall Road for excursions outside Mussoorie.

What to do?

(*** before and after a name signifies a MUST DO activity)

Kempty Falls

Kempty falls is around 15 km from Library End. A pool is build around the falls it so that people can bathe and enjoy the chilled water. A ropeway is constructed to assist if you don’t prefer to take stairs and will cost you 200/- per person.

As a kid I remember going to Kempty Falls with a lot of excitement. Then, once my dad decided to scare the hell out of me by renting a yellow python and hanging it around my mom’s neck. She looked horrified. I still haven’t forgiven him and cannot enter Kempty Falls without looking over my shoulder. But, you guys enjoy.

***Bhatta Falls ***

Bhatta Falls is located on Dehradun-Mussoorie road, 11km from Library End. Besides the pretty fall there’s boating, zipline, swings, garden, battery operated cars for kids and a restaurant. A few small shops have placed tables and chairs in the water itself, so one can have a meal with their feet dipped in cold water.

Based on my research, folks prefer Bhatta over Kempty falls because of less crowd. There’s a ropeway to take you down and costs 250/- per person.

This could be an item on your agenda while leaving Mussoorie, on your way back to Dehradun.

**Gun Hill Ropeway ***

If you have kids on this trip, this is so much fun to do. Take the ropeway up to Gun Hill for a fun filled few hours of playing games, eating maggi, soaking in the spectacular views.

Look, people complain that it’s all commercialized and vendors are there to loot you. My two cents. If there weren’t any vendors and if it was just a flat ground you will be complaining about lack of facilities. So, if you don’t like it don’t buy it. But, understand that hill stations rely on tourism. Trees were cut, highways were built, houses were ruined so you can get here. Now, if you have to shell out some money to support the locals, be happy about it.

Try the Garhwali costumes, get pictures clicked, let your inner Madonna out.

As a kid, my parents used to stay at the Hill Queen Hotel. From the balcony you can watch the trolley zoom past your room. I have memories of sitting and watching the trolley go up and down for hours, like a tennis match.

The ropeway ticket is 180/- per person and gets you up in 4 minutes. It’s located right in the middle of the Mall Road.

If you want get away from the traffic, noise and crowds; if you’re not interested in shopping; if you rather walk on a meadow than on the Mall road; if you prefer to hear the sounds of the forest rather than the city there there are tons of options for you:

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PICTURE PALACE / LANDOUR AREA

Jabarkhet Natural Reserve (JNR)

The forests of Jabarkhet and the surrounding areas have immense ecological values both for the biodiversity they harbor and the services they provide. As one of the few remaining natural forest patches near Mussoorie with connections to the Sivalik Hills and the middle Himalayas, they form an important wildlife corridor. They also sustain a critical water source that feeds into the Kolti Nala, which is the source of water supply for a large section of Mussoorie residents.

JNR is located just 4km from the Landour bazaar. You can easily get a taxi from Mussoorie to reach JNR. There are guided day walks all throughout the year and expert walks on selected weekend. Parking is available outside the entrance if you are planning to bring your own vehicle.

Reserve Entry: 350/- per adult. Expert guided walks: 650/- per adult

Ady - 9761947849, Virendra - 8171264710

Email info@jabarkhetnature.com, www.jabarkhetnature.com

**Camel Back Road ***

Most days when I am in Mussoorie, I go for a morning walk on Camel Back Road. This is a 3 km long path that starts from Kulri Bazaar near Picture Palace and ends up at Gandhi Chowk near Library End. Think of it as Mussoorie’s bypass. Mall Road is all action, Camel Back Road is all scenery. The road got its name because of rock formations, you guessed it, that look like the hump of a camel. The road is levelled unlike the ups and downs of Mall Road. But that is not the only reason you should check out this place.

The walk itself is so scenic as it overlooks the Doon Valley. Then there’s the 195 year old british cemetery where most of the early settlers of Mussoorie are buried. Amongst them is John Lang, an Australian writer and barrister, who had represented Rani Laxmibai in a lawsuit with the British. Major Hughes Frases of the British contingent that fought against Rani Laxmibai near Gwalior is also buried in this cemetery. Also resting here are Fredrick Wilson (also known as ‘Pahadi’ Wilson) a 19th century adventurer and his Indian wife Gulabo. The design of the cemetery gate and walls is gorgeous. Spend a few minutes to soak in the history.

Mid-way on your journey, you will reach Nirankari canteen. Here you can find the best Besan Ke Ladoo, coffee and parathas. Perfect snack to refuel yourself.

The starting point if you are closer to Picture Palace is Kulri Bazaar which is at the base of the steep climb of Mall Road. Take a right turn from The Green Vegetarian Restaurant and the winding road will put you on Camel Back Road. Carry your binoculars.

Soham Himalayan Center

The Himalayan Center is part museum part art gallery. You can find murals, paintings, weapons, coins, scriptures, books and a whole lot on Uttaranchal Himalayan culture.

The efforts of “Heritage Keepers Of Uttarakhand” Mr Sameer & Mrs. Kavita Shukl can be witnessed in every nook and corner of the center. Dedicating a majority portion of their lives to preserving the Himalayan culture deserves applause and our admiration. The couple take their time to attend and guide you through the center, sharing stories and reminding that if you are passionate about something it is worth pursuing.

Please make a purchase from the souvenir shop as there are a lot of local handmade goods through which you can support local livelihood.

Center entry fee: 100/-

Contact: 9897241261. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Tue / Thu

Address: 3 Mayfair Cottages, Bala Hisar (Near Big Bend)

**Lal Tibba / Chaar Dukaan / Sister Bazaar ***

Lal Tibba is the highest point of Mussoorie. ‘Tibba’ is a Punjabi word that means ‘a higher place’. So a hill and even a peak is at times called Tibba. When the sun sets, a bald patch of the peak gets a red glow. Hence the name.

You can take your private vehicle or go by taxi but the most fun is going by foot. There are so many interesting places to stop in between that you would miss the whole point of reaching Lal Tibba if you just zoom past in your car. I like to break my journey into small pieces, halting every half hour or so for some grub.

Why don’t we make this into a food trek, shall we? It’s a steep trek, be prepared.

From Clocktower you proceed through the narrow Landour market and the first place I usually stop is the Lotte’s Homebaked Goods & Cafe. A cute little cafe with cakes, bakes, shakes and lattes. My son enjoys their Waffle Chips.

Make a move as the next half hour is the steepest part of the entire climb. Hydrate.

Your next destination is Mudcap Cafe, just before the Bataghat’s Sunrise Point. Order a cappuccino and a german apple cake. Both are delicious! Stop at the sunrise point and take photographs.

Alright, let’s get going. This next stop on your way to Lal Tibba is sooooo good! Domas, famous for its authentic Tibetan cuisine is a must. The vibrant colourful interiors, quick service and palette satisfying food makes this place one of the highlights of Mussoorie. Did I mention that Ruskin Bond lives next door? The Pork Ramen was amazing.

From Domas keep heading up and enjoy the canopy of trees and cobbled road. The shade is truly appreciated on a hot day. Your next stop is Char Dukaan - four shops set up a century ago to provide tea and snacks. The beauty of the place is in its simplicity - chai, pakoda, maggi aur pancakes. If you time it right, you can witness beautiful sunrise / sunset. Pay a visit to St. Paul’s church next to Char Dukaan and ask for forgiveness for all the gluttony you’ve had on the way.

Yay! The tough climb is over, what’s left is just walking on levelled ground.

From Char Dukaan, you can take the trail on the left or on the right (near St. Paul church). Either of them will take you to Lal Tibba viewpoint and circle you back to Char Dukaan. If you take the trail on the left within a few minutes you will pass by a house with white picket fences. This house belongs to the famous India actor Victor Banerjee who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2022.

Keep walking on this trail and you will reach ‘Lal Tibba Binoculars Cafe’, viewpoint of Lal Tibba. The cafe owner charges 50/- if you just want to come in and check out the view without buying anything. I have never eaten and the reviews online encourage me not to. On a clear day you can see a few of the big mountains - Swargrohni, Bandarpooch, Nilkantha and Kedarnath.

Continue walking past the Lal Tibba viewpoint and you will hit Sister Bazaar, named after the nuns that served during the British. Here, you will find, Mussoorie’s jewel - The Landour Bakehouse. Your last stop to fill your mouth and guts with slabs and slabs of lemon cake. TLB is the icing on the cake, the pinnacle of the summit, the climax of, I think you get it.

In the early 1800’s, American missionaries came to Mussoorie and brought with them their classic staple food, peanut butter. The Prakash family has carried the tradition of making peanut butter, jellies and assorted cheese to the delight of tourists and international students studying in the valley. Pick up a jar or two of crunchy peanut butter from Prakash and Co store in Sister Bazaar.

Lal Tibba is a foodies paradise. Allocate half a day in your itinerary for Lal Tibba, it’s worth it.

Distance from Picture Palace, Mall Road: 5 km

Travel time on foot, one way: 1 1/2 hours (non-stop), 3 hours (multiple stops)

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LIBRARY END

George Everest Museum

Sir George Everest was a British surveyor and geographer who served as a Surveyor General of India from 1830 - 1843. Even though the highest mountain of the world is named after him, George never even saw Mt. Everest, forget calculating its height. He was responsible for hiring Andrew Waugh who along with Radhanath Sikdar calculated its height. Just how you pass on the credit to your boss or seniors out of respect, I’m guessing Andrew did the same thing. If Andrew didn’t like George there’s a chance Peak XV would have been named Mt. Waugh. Laugh, Laugh.

Sir Everest owned a house in Mussoorie for 11 year. Built in 1832, the house is known today as Sir George Everest's House and Laboratory, or Park House. The house is situated in Park Estate about 6 kilometres west of Gandhi Chowk / Library Bazaar.

In 2021, the iconic house was renovated by Uttarakhand Tourism Department and opened for public viewing. From the main road you will need to hike about 1.5 km to get to the house and a small little more hike around the house to reach the scenic viewpoint with Tibetan prayer flags.

Winterline Carnival

Winterline phenomenon is when a false horizon is formed at dusk due to refraction of light. This phenomenon can be viewed only from certain mountainous regions. Few areas in Switzerland and parts of the Himalayan regions are where this phenomenon can be experienced. Mussoorie and Mizoram in India get the most prominent winterline.

Every year, the carnival is planned around end of December to coincide with the year-end festivities. The Mussoorie Winterline Carnival 2022 is doing a grand comeback after a gap of almost two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organizers plan a host of events including heritage walks, star-gazing, nature walks, performances by various artists including folk artists. The Carnival is around four to five days and the activities happen all over the town.

The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board organises this event. Call Mr. Jaspal Chauhan at 7060038440 to know more.

**Nag Tibba Trek ***

Nag Tibba literally translates to snake hill. No need to panic. The locals worship the mountain to protect their cattles from snake bites.

This is a quick half day trek if you’re in decent shape. From Mussoorie you will need to reach Nainbagh which is 40 km away and then take a shared taxi to Pantwari village, 15 km away. Like I said before, if you have your own wheels, freedom.

Day Trips Around Mussoorie

***Dhanaulti***

Drive 60 kms East from Mussoorie and you are in an another picturesque hill station - Dhanaulti. Mussoorie’s quieter little cousin. As the vehicle makes the last few turns on the mountain’s curves, tall Deodhar trees appear and suddenly the temperature drops by a few degrees. The familiar woody, spicy smell of resin makes you feel like you’ve entered an aromatherapy session. I say familiar because cedar wood (deodhar) is one of the most common perfume notes.

The state’s forest department has developed a beautiful ecological park called Eco Park. Roam around, breathe fresh air, soak in views of Himalayas, get a caricature made, gobble up mixed vegetable pakodas, chai and maggi.

While in Dhanaulti, you can pay your respect at Surkanda Devi Temple, one of the various Shakti Peethas in India. The temple is a short 3 km trek from Dhanaulti and a new ropeway was inaugurated to cut short the travel time.

Rishikesh

***River Rafting***

Reach Rishikesh early in the morning before the day gets really and you can experience one of the few places in India where white water rafting can be safely done. But first, let’s cover some basic general knowledge so you can decide the level of adventure you want to sign up for.

Rapids are what makes river rafting an adventure filled activity. Rapids are sections of the river where the river bed has a steep gradient causing turbulence and higher velocity of water. In simple words, a huge hole in the river. They are categorised based on the level of difficulty they offer. Level 1 being the easiest and then moving up the ladder of difficulty. There are rapids from level 1 - 4 in Rishikesh, hence there’s enough adrenaline rush available for a beginner and an intermediate experience level person.

The Shivpuri - Rishikesh rafting stretch is 9 kms and ideal for kids, families, elderly who are trying rafting for the first time. The rapids are of level 1 & 2 and it will take you 2 hours to finish. Average cost is 500/- per person.

The Marine Drive - Rishikesh rafting stretch is 16 kms and ideal for anyone looking for more thrill. The rapids reach level 3 and it will take you 3 hours to finish. Average cost is 800/- per person

The Kaudiyala - Rishikesh stretch is 27 km long and recommended only for experts.

The best time to go rafting in Rishikesh is from mid February to May and mid September to November.

Bungee Jumping

Rishikesh offers India’s highest bungee jump from 83 meters / 270 feet. That is higher than the length of a Boeing 747. Average rates are around 3700/- per person. The jump point is in Mohan Chatti village which is about 15 kms further south east of Rishikesh. If you’re planning to do both rafting and bungee jump, I recommend do the rafting as early as possible in the day and the move to the jump. Jumpin Heights: 9810995172

Chotiwala Restaurant

It’s rare for someone to have gone to Rishikesh and not visited the iconic Chotiwala Restaurant. The main attraction is a big man sitting right outside the restaurant with a ‘choti’ (pony) and tons of makeup. Forget the food, which the last time I was there was good enough, most people go for the experience and selfies. The restaurant started way back in 1958 and has been entertaining tourists since. It’s located in Swargashram near Ram Jhula. Ask anyone in Rishikesh and they will be able to guide you how to reach this place. Call: +91 1352432970

***Aarti on the banks of Ganges***

The evening Aarti (spiritual ritual) is held at various different spots on the banks of the river Ganges. It’s an hour of pure bliss as vedic priests chant mantras and spread positivity with fire. The aarti begins at 6pm and lasts an hour. We got there early to find good seats and the vibe is pure bliss.

Here’s how I would plan if I had a single day in Rishikesh. Reach early in the morning to get rafting out of the way. Then head to Chotiwala for a nice thaali followed by bungee jumping. End the day with aarti before heading back to Mussoorie.

***Chakrata / Tiger Falls***

I bet you didn’t know that Tiger Falls at an altitude of 312 feet is the highest direct waterfall in India. The Falls itself are hidden in the hilly terrains of Chakrata and requires a 1 km trek from the main road.

I went there way back in 2006 / 2007 along with my family. My grandfather who was 80 years old trekked from the main road down to the base of the fall. Mid-way as he was struggling on the rocky path, a Garhwali woman who was older than my grandfather offered to help him. She held his hand and slowly guided him all the way till it was flat enough for him to walk without help. Such is the strength of our pahadi men and women.

The water is cold and pristine. Carry an extra pair of clothes because once you see the fall you won’t be able to stop yourself from getting drenched.

A few stalls offer tea, maggi and pakodas.

Distance from Mussoorie: 100 km | 4 hours

Uttarkashi

In the Mahabharata, the city of Varanasi is referred to as Kashi originating from the Sanskrit word that means ‘to shine’. Uttar = north, Kashi = ‘to shine’ means the ‘shining city of the north’

Uttarkashi is a holy city, home to many sacred temples, ashrams and my alma mater Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The most important and ancient holy shrine here is of Vishwanath Temple, where Shivji are the presiding deity.

Distance from Mussoorie: 115 km | 5 hours

Food / Beverages

Here’s a list of tried and tested places to eat while you’re in Mussoorie. They all deserve a * next to their name. I have arranged the list from West to East. Starting from Library End to Picture Palace End to Landour. Bon Appetit, feaster!

Udapi / South Indian: Mall Road, Near Library End

Kalsang / Asian: Survey Colony, Mall Road, 9897339788

Lovely Omelette: Kulri Bazaar, Mall Road,

Amar Chat Corner: Kulri Bazaar, Mall Road

My Shop / Tandoori: Mall Road, Picture Palace End, 9997077331

The Tavern: Mall Road, Picture Palace End, 01352632829

Little Llama / Italian : Picture Palace End, 8126383273

Clock Tower Cafe: Clock Tower, Landour, 9997055999

Lotte’s Homebaked Goods & Cafe: Shankar Bhavan, Mullingar, Landour, 7454812887

Mudcup cafe: Clairmount Cantonment, Landour, 9760786047

Doma’s / Tibetan: Ivy Cottage, Landour, 7302191644

Char Dukaan: Landour

Landour Bakehouse: Sisters Bazaar, Landour, 8755343343

Banaras Paan House / Chocolate Paan, Softie: Kulri Bazaar, Mall Road

Souvenir Shopping

U.P. Cottage & Village Industries: Opposite LIC Office, Mall Road, 01352631729. Ask for the wooden pencil boxes with lid.

Himalayan Weavers: A Mussoorie based company which produces beautiful hand-made shawls and scarves using only natural dyes. It uses Himalayan wool, pashmina and eri silk and works with a large number of local people.

Tibetan Market: There are a few places where small shops clubbed together sell everything from clothes to cheap gadgets. One is a little ahead of ropeway going towards Library End and the other is if you take a u-turn from the ropeway and walk towards Kalsang.

Keychains: A few shops down The Tavern is a cute little shop where you can get your and your kids names inscribed on keychains. Typical, hill station vibes.

Important Contacts

JK Wine Shop: Picture Palace End

Madhur Sharma Wine Shop: Kulri Bazaar, Mall Road, 7665621198

James Pharmacy: Picture Palace End, 9897250859

Landour Community Hospital: Rajmandi, Landour, 01352632053

Final Note

Himalayas are a treasure. People from far away lands come to India to enjoy what we have in our backyard. Let’s take care of the mountains for us, others and future generations. At least, let’s not destroy them. When traveling in the mountains, be mindful where you throw your trash.

I hope you enjoy Mussoorie as much as I do.

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