With art centres, British-built landmarks, busy bazaars, rolling green hills and glimpses of the Himalayas, Mussoorie is India’s Queen of Hills.
Mussoorie is the Queen of Hills, a picturesque hill town overlooking the verdant Doon Valley and distant snow-peaked Himalayas. Visit colonial-era remains, explore bazaars, discover Tibetan culture and hike to breathtaking viewpoints. Members of the British Raj established Mussoorie in the 1820s as a holiday resort and retreat from the dusty plains of northern India. Today it’s one of Uttarakhand’s most-loved hill stations and a favourite destination for honeymooners and families.
Start your visit at The Mall, a bustling promenade and commercial centre linking the town’s two main districts. East is Kulri Bazaar, a marketplace home to shops packed floor-to-ceiling with antiques, jewellery, saris and textiles. Find restaurants serving everything from Chinese to Mughal and Tibetan cuisine. Investigate Himalayan artefacts at the nearby SOHAM Heritage and Art Centre.
Toward the west is Gandhi Chowk, where you’ll find British-built monuments such as Mussoorie Christ Church and the Victorian-style Mussoorie Library. Walk uphill through lush forest to the Tibetan community, Happy Valley. Peek inside traditional homes, browse handicraft stores and visit the Tibetan Buddhist Temple.
Mussoorie’s lookouts present spectacular views of the surrounding valley and snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Walk or ride the cable car to Gun Hill. Ride on horseback along Camel’s Back Road. Hike to Childer’s Lodge and Cloud End, a 19th-century chateau encompassed by dense woodland.
Visit the stunning Kempty Falls. Enjoy boating, scenic picnics and family-friendly activities at Company Garden, Lake Mist and Mussoorie Lake. Alternatively, spot mountain wildlife at Vinog Mountain Quail Sanctuary and Van Chetna Kendra.
Mussoorie is about a 6-hour drive from either Delhi or Shimla and well connected by intercity buses. The nearest train station is in Dehradun, 21 miles (34 kilometres) south. Getting around is enjoyable on foot, although steep roads can make walking tiring. Use affordable auto-rickshaws to get to most of the major attractions. March to June and September are great times to visit, when the temperatures are mild, valleys are green and the mist clears to showcase the majestic mountains.
