Who doesn’t know the Queen of Hills, Mussoorie? A place quite popular among all the groups of travellers. From newly wedded couples to elderly couples, Mussoorie is loved by everyone equally.

So what was I doing in the town that is heavily touristy and cliched?
Well, I was there to dig the off-beat places, something not on everyone’s radar when they visit Mussoorie.

A little research, beyond google search pages, is all it takes to discover the best-kept secrets of a place. While I visited the famous cafes in Mussoorie because I cannot resist food, I tried to avoid all places that had a lot of people for obvious reasons.

I was mesmerized to find the hidden waterfalls in the middle of a jungle, corners of the town to capture the best sunsets and a hotel with absolutely breathtaking views of the town, Mussoorie.

Here’s your travel guide for Queen of Hills, off-beat style.

How to Reach Mussoorie?

Mussoorie is easily accessible by any means of transport, one of the advantages when you visit popular destinations.

By Train

The nearest railway stations are in Dehradun and Rishikesh, 32 KM & 73 KM respectively.

By Air

The nearest airport is in Dehradun, 58 KM away. Cabs and buses for Mussoorie are conveniently available at the airport.

By Road

A major chunk of tourists arrives in Mussoorie from New Delhi. Thanks to 6.5 hours long beautiful stretch of circular bending roads that make the journey memorable for many.

Plenty of buses, both state and private, ply from cities like Dehradun, New Delhi and Rishikesh for Mussoorie.

I was mesmerized to find the hidden waterfalls in the middle of a jungle, corners of the town to capture the best sunsets and a hotel with absolutely breathtaking views of the town, Mussoorie.

Here’s your travel guide for Queen of Hills, off-beat style.

Where to Stay in Mussoorie?

Mussoorie is flooded with hotels, and when I say flooded, I mean it. There’s no area in the town where you cannot find a place to stay. You would see brokers standing in the streets, calling out the tourists looking for hotels.

From resorts to boutique hotels to economical hotels, all options are readily available in Mussoorie. Club Mahindra, Larisa Resort, Sterling and all other of leading hotel chains have their presence in Mussoorie.

Well, if you are willing to spend a little more from your pocket, I would recommend staying in a classic boutique hotel in Landour. La Villa Bethany and Rokeby Manor good options.

Landour is a tiny cantonment area approximately 6KM uphill from Mussoorie.

ry Chowk, towards the road leading to Geroge Everest’s house. I chose Omkar Hotel for two reasons, it was secluded and had an awesome view from the window right in front of the bed.

For backpackers, Zostel is a good option, but it is 11 KM ahead of Mussorie near a village called Baglo ki Kandi.

I stayed at a hotel 1 KM ahead Library Chowk, towards the road leading to Geroge Everest’s house. I chose Omkar Hotel for two reasons, it was secluded and had an awesome view from the window right in front of the bed.

Best time to visit Mussoorie

Months between October to February are part of Winter season in the town. Winter is the best time to visit Mussoorie. During Winters, between December to February, Mussoorie receives a considerable amount of snowfall, resulting in a surge in tourist influx.

To escape the heat of North India, visit Mussoorie between April to June for breezy Summers.

Off-Beat Places to Explore in Mussoorie

Sainji – The Corn Village

Visiting Sainji village would undoubtedly be a unique experience for you. It is situated 5 KM ahead of the famous Kempty Falls in Mussoorie. Every house in Sainji adorns bunches of corns hung upside down, turning the hues of surrounding into golden yellow. 

The main purpose of hanging corns is to dry them up so that the same can be used as seed for the next year, but it works as house decor as well for the entire village. 

You can stroll around the village, interact with the villagers, and binge eat local delicacies made out of corns. I loved makke di roti with fresh coriander chutney. 

Jharipani Waterfalls

Unlike Kempty falls and Bhatta falls, Jharipani waterfalls managed to save itself from the wrath of over-tourism mainly because one needs to hike for 2KM through the jungle to reach the falls. Jharipani is situated 7 KM away from Mussoorie in Barlow Ganj.

This colossal waterfall creates a cold water pool at the verdant foothills in the middle of a jungle. If you’re visiting during the summer, drench yourself in the ice-cold water and enjoy your time here. It’s an ideal spot for photographers to capture vivid flora and birds surrounding the hills and the waterfall. 

Tips- 

• Be very cautious while driving to the falls. The roads are narrow and go steep downhill. 
• You can park your vehicle near the starting point of the hike. 
• Plan to go in a group as the location is secluded from any habitation.  

Happy Valley

While the usual tourist spots in Mussoorie remain overcrowded, Happy Valley still stands in tranquillity. It is only 2 KM from Library Chowk in Mussoorie. It’s eerie, but I think the lack of popularity of Happy Valley makes it’s worth visiting. Happy Valley is a Tibetan Refugee settlement similar to the one in Coorg. But it is much more than a mere refugee settlement.

It has splendid views of the valley, Shedup Choepelling Temple (Buddhist Monastery), and Panoramic Dalai Hill. However, the Monastery was closed due to pandemic restrictions.

A small hike of 500 meter takes you to Dalai Hills. Zillions of Tibetan flags are fluttering in the wind all through the well-marked trail. There is a majestic statue of Buddha soaring at the hill-top. When you move past the statue, there’s a meadow where you can enjoy evening snacks while admiring the sun setting behind the mountains. 

Interestingly, LBSNAA, the premier institute for civil service officers training, is clearly visible from Dalai Hills.

Mossy Falls and the Hidden Shiva Temple

On the way to Jharipaani waterfall lies a small waterfall called Mossy Falls. The fascinating fact about Mossy falls is that there is a hidden Lord Shiva temple just beside the falls. A cave-like structure makes the temple premise that is accessible by a bridge passing over a brook coming from the falls.

Bunglow-ki-Kaandi Village

Backpacker’s favourite chain of hostels, Zostel, has its presence in Mussoorie also. It is situated on the outskirts of the town, Bunglow ki Kaandi, a gorgeous village in the foothills of mountains. 

If you’re someone who loves discovering little joys in the woods and hamlet, you would absolutely enjoy a walk through this traditional Gharwali village. 

Nature Walk along with Benog Wildlife Sanctuary

For all the nature and wildlife lovers, a day-long hike across the Benog wildlife sanctuary would take them through several water streams, natural ponds and abundance of flora and fauna. Catch the butterflies, click great photographs and enjoy the views of majestic Himalayas. 

Top Tourist Places to See in Mussoorie

Jwala Devi Temple

Jwala Devi temple is one of the oldest temples in Mussoorie. Every year the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims and nature enthusiasts. As the temple lies atop Begong Hills at 2100 meters, one has to hike for 2 KM through the shades of pine and deodar trees to reach the shrine. The reason for its popularity among nature enthusiasts is that it offers a panoramic view of Shivalik Range of the Himalayas on one side and Mussoorie on the other.

Sir George Everest House & George Everest Peak

This colonial-era house, built in 1832, is a famous heritage site that brings back the memories of British India. Sir George Everest served as the Surveyor General of India (from 1830 to 1843). And the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest was named after him to by the British to acknowledge his invaluable contributions. 

To reach Geroge Everest house, one has to hike through a well-marked cemented trail. It took me around 20 minutes to finish the hike. The trail ahead of the ruins of the house leads to George Everet Peak surrounded with Tibetan prayer flags. The view from the top is surreal. You can also pitch camps near George Everest Peak. 

Recently the Government of Uttarakhand announced the Hot Air Balloon facility in Mussoorie. And I was lucky enough to witness the inauguration of the same at George Everest Peak. 

Pro-Tip

Don’t miss watching Sunset from George Everest Peak.

Nag Devta Temple

Nag Devta Temple is another ancient temple situated 6 KM away from the main town of Mussoorie. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who carries snake around his neck. Lord Shiva is believed to visit the temple as a snake to bless the pilgrims on the occasion of Nag Panchami. The temple premises has spectacular views of Doon valley and Mussoorie.

Landour

Laal Tibba

Just a 15 minutes walk from Char Dukaan junction, Lal Tibba is a famous viewpoint from where the gorgeous Himalayas are clearly visible. Admire the beauty of mother nature while sipping your hot tea. Nothing can be better than this feeling. 

Char Dukaan

It’s a popular junction in Landour where you’ll find four cafes serving delicious snacks. All the cafes in Char Dukaan have their loyal customer base, and these cafes remain crowded, especially during weekends. Honestly, I didn’t try anything from there as I hogged on food at Cafe Ivy. 

Cafe Hopping 

If you’re a food lover then my dear friend Mussoorie and Landour won’t disappoint you. There are several cafes in Landour and Mussoorie that serve scrumptious food. Don’t miss the burgers of Cafe By the Way, Banana Walnut Cake at Landour Bakehouse, Pizza at Little Llama Cafe, Aglio e Olio Sppagehtti at Cafe Ivy. 

Meet Ruskin Bond

I believe all of us have read the epic stories of Ruskin Bond back in school days. I still read his stories because nobody can portray the image of the Himalayas as he does. And this legend lives in Landour. He often comes to Cambridge Book Depot at Mall Road in Mussoorie to meet and greet his fans. Who knows if you get lucky and meet him? 

Please confirm the timings and days with the book depot before making your plans. Earlier it used to be every Saturday between 3:30 to 5:30 PM. 

Stroll Around the Town and Gaze the Himalayas

Landour is just like a postcard, small yet holds so much emotions within it. Take a stroll around this little town and snuggle in the shade of pine trees that play peek-a-boo with the sun rays. While these canopies make a perfect frame for your photographs, they send good vibes for your soul. 

Other Tourist Attractions in and around Mussoorie

• Christ Church
• Lake Mist
• Gun Hill
• Kempty Falls
• Bhatta Falls
• Company Garden
• Cloud End
• Soham Heritage & Art Center

Now that you know all the great places in and around Mussoorie, plan your next trip to explore “Queen of Hills” like never before. Also, if you know any other place in Mussoorie that we missed out, drop your suggestion in the comment box.

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Feature image credits- Unsplash