Festivals

Haridwar is the site of many religious festivals. Most notably, once every twelve years it is the venue for the Kumbh Mela, humanity’s largest festival, which drew a record 70 million in 2003. (The festival rotates between Haridwar and Allahabad, Ujjain and Nashik.) The Ardh Mela, or “half mela”, is held every six years. Both will be held in Haridwar for the next time in 2010.

Other yearly festivals include:

• Baisakhi, April.
• Kanwar Mela, July. The largest yearly festival, drawing up to 300,000 visitors.
• Somwati Amavasya, July. Almost as large as the Kanwar Mela.
• Kartik Purnima, held 15 days after Diwali on the first night of the full moon in November.

See the Haridwar city website for a complete listing. While the festivals are colorful and fascinating, they also strain the town’s limited infrastructure to the breaking point and sometimes beyond. Book rooms and tickets well in advance, and avoid travel by road as the traffic jams can be horrendous.

Get inHaridwar is about 200 kms from Delhi, the capital of India and is well connected by road and rail network from all parts of India. It is better to avoid travelling to Haridwar during the hindu month of sawan (around july) since there is a heavy crowd and all important roads are blocked and most of the hotels/busses/trains are crowded.

By plane

Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport, with twice daily service to Delhi on Air Deccan , is 20 km from Haridwar.

By train

Haridwar Junction (IR station code : HW) is well-connected by train. The railway station is located on the south side of the town, within walking distance of most hotels.

By bus

Haridwar’s bus station, a stone’s throw from the train station, is chaotic and has no signage whatsoever in English. There are regular bus services from Delhi (4-5 hours), Rishikesh (1 hour) and other important towns of North India to Haridwar. Though they claim they reach New Delhi in 4-5 hours they take at least 6-7 hours. Due to the traffic jams in the roads leading in and out of Delhi it can even take 7-8 hours. Before booking the bus check the bus condition. Always go for cushioned and push-back seats. The long and bumpy ride will take a toll on your mood and body.

Get around

Central Haridwar can be reasonably comfortably covered on foot. Cyclerickshaws abound, and most trips in town should not cost more than Rs. 20. Taxis and autorickshaws congregate at the train and bus stations.

See

• Hari-ki-Pairi (or Har-ki-Pairi). To the north of the center, this is Haridwar’s focal point, where devotees gather to bathe and worship on the Ganges. According to legend, this is where a drop of nectar fell from the churning of the oceans when the world was created, and a stone wall has Vishnu’s footprint. Each evening around 7 PM, thousands gather and worship the river Goddess by putting diyas (floating lamps) in the river. You may be asked to make a donation if you linger near the ghats. Beware of con artists posing as officials. If you would like to make a donation there are boxes at the center of the ghats around the light poles.
• Maya Devi Mandir , located on upper road. This temple is one of the 51 “shakti peeths” and its the presiding deity of Haridwar. It is from this temple Haridwar derives its other name Mayapur.
• Mansa Devi Mandir, atop a hill near the center of town. Can be reached by cable car (Rs 48 for a return ticket) or by a road that gently winds uphill (about 2 km), starting from Railway Rd. The temple is aesthetically not particularly noteworthy, but the views are grand. Expect to queue to board the cable car and once more to enter the temple: despite some rudimentary attempts at crowd control, the crowds of jostling devotees can make this a pretty intense experience.
• Bharat Mata Mandir, 5 km north of the center. Dedicated to Mother India, this is half temple, half nation building exercise, with seven floors stacked with deities, saints, and secular heroes of all Indian faiths. Some signage in English.
• Chandidevi Mandir,8-9KM from railway station, you get the combi package to see both the temples by AC bus including bus and ropeway charges
• Daksh mandir,7-8 km from railway station,you get rickshaw or you can hire a auto,near also many mandirs to see at kankhal.
• Bilkeshwar Mahadev Mandir , Shiva temple located on a hill.
• Vaishno Devi Mandir
• Ma Anandamayee Ashram, Located at Kankhal. The samadhi of Shree Shree Ma Anandamayee is located here and is also the Head Office of the revered organisation. It is a must see. Devotees included late Mrs Indira Gandhi (ex Prime Minister of India). Attend the evening aarti near Ma’s samadhi and have a soul cleansing experience.

Do

• Divya Yog Mandir Trust University, 16 km from Haridvar. Founded by Baba Ramdev.

Buy

Haridwar, the holy city is one of the most renowned pilgrimage centers in India. Pilgrims from all over the world flock to this sacred city to take a dip in the holy waters of River Ganga.Being a destination for pilgrimage tourism, shopping in Haridwar is not on the itinerary of the tourist.

However shops in Haridwar have some interesting things to offer to the tourist. The main shopping centers are Moti bazaar, Upper Road, Jwalapur and Kankhal. You can also check out the Government Handloom and Handicrafts Emporiums and the Gandhi Ashram. Here you will find a range of handicraft decorative pieces. If you are interested in jewellery, then you can choose from a variety of imitation ones which make good fashion accessory.

In Haridwar, you will find neatly and intricately carved stone idols, which make unique souvenirs. It is fascinating that these stones have traversed with Ganga all along and they are eventually deposited in Rishikesh as the river enters the plains. This gives the stones amazing shapes and a natural polish. Besides idols, there are kitchen set toys made from stone, which are interesting buys.

Mythological Relation

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga – the daughter of heaven, took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath’s predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received Ganga into his matted locks to minimize the impact of her fall.

According to this legend, King Sagar, after slaying the demons on earth decided to stage in Ashwamegh Yagya as a proclamation of his supremacy. The horse which was to be taken on an uninterrupted journey around the earth was to be accompanied by the King’s 60,000 sons born to Queen Sumati and one son Asmanjas born of the second queen Kesani. Indra, supreme ruler of the gods feared that he might be deprived of his celestial throne if the ‘Yagya’ (worship with fire) succeeded and then took away the horse and tied it to the ashram of Sage Kapil, who was then in deep meditation. The sons of the King Sagar searched for the horse and finally found it tied near the meditating sage. Sixty thousand angry sons of King Sagar stormed the ashram of sage Kapil. When he opened his eyes, 60,000 sons had perished by the curse of sage Kapil. Bhagirath, grand son of King Sagar, is believed to have meditated to bring down the Ganga to cleanse the ashes of his ancestors and liberate their souls, granting them salvation or Moksha. The Bhagirathi ‘Shila’ is located near the temple of Ganga where the holy Ganga first descended on earth from heaven.

Get in

Airport : Jolly Grant, Dehradun 226 km.

Railhead : Haridwar, 230 km.

Road : Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi.

Important Road Distances : Dharasu ( 129 km), Yamunotri (224 km) Mussoorie ( 247 km), Tehri ( 172 km)

Do

• Nandavan Tapon (24 km )- An arduous trek along the left bank of the Gangotri Glacier leads to scenic Nandanvan – the base camp for the Bhagirathi peaks, that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Shivling peak. A trek across the snout of the Gangotri Glacier across the right bank leads to Tapovan known for its beautiful meadows that encircle the base of the Shivling peak. There is also a route from Tapovan across the Gangotri glacier to Nandanvan. From Nandanvan, one can trek further along the Kalindi Khal to Badrinath, which is a extremely difficult trek and has to be done with sufficient preparation.

• Uttarkashi ( 99 km) – An important pilgrimage centre, situated at an elevation of 1,150 mts. above sea level on the bank of river Bhagirathi. Some of the important temples worth visiting are – Vishwanath temple, Ekadash Rudra temple, Gyaneshwar temple and Kuteti Devi Temple. Nearby is the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Every year, during the ‘Magh Mela’ ( January 14 ), people visit Uttarkashi to take a holy dip in Bhagirathi along with the image of their village deity

• Kedar Tal ( 18 km) – An enchanting lake, 4425 mts. above sea level against the splendid backdrop of mighty Thalaiyasagar peak. Accessible through a rough mountain trail, it is the base camp for trekking to surrounding peaks. The trek to Kedartal needs a local guide.

• Gaumukh ( 18 km)- The snout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi river. Pilgrims trek upto the sacred spot on foot or on ponies to take a holy dip in the ice-cold water.

Buy

Ancient coins and wollens

Eat

Only local eating places (dhabas) are available. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are prohibited in Gangotri.

Drink

No Alcohol permitted here. Instead, drink plenty of natural mineral water full of medicinal values.

Sleep

Many cheap hotels and Ashrams. Money no problem, will even fit if you are broke.

There seems to be a confusion about who built the temple of Yamunotri. According to the website [uttarkashi.nic.in/Yamunotri.htm], the temple was originally constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal.

Get in

The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun. The nearest railway stations to Yamunotri are at Rishikesh and Kotdwa. There are regular buses operating to Yamunotri from Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Do

* Hot Geyser. There is a hot spring near the temple, and many saints live in the surrounding mountains all year round despite the harsh winter at such high elevations.

Buy

Wool, Ayurvedic medicine, Holy books, sacred threads, sea shells, temple requirements, aarti booklets, colourful beads and braceletes.

Get in

The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun, about 317 km from Badrinath. The nearest railway stations to Badrinath are at Rishikesh and Kotdwar, which are at a distance of 297 km and 327 km respectively. There are regular buses operating to Badrinath from Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Get around

Located only a few kilometers from the Indo-China (Tibet) border, Badrinath is generally a two-day-long journey from either Kedarnath, the site that precedes it in the Char Dham circuit, or one of the main disembarkation points on the plains. Hemkund Sahib, an important Sikh pilgrimage site, is on the way to Badrinath, so the road is especially crowded during the summer pilgrimage season. The temple and its substantial surrounding village are accessible by road.Many people prefer to reach Badrinath shrine starting early morning from Joshimath have darshan of Lord Vishnu and return to Joshimath by evening.

See

• Nar Narad Temple.

Do

• Vasudhara Waterfall, 8 km from Badrinath. The first 3 km can be travelled by a car or a bus. This stop is called “Mana”. First point after the village Mana, the last habitat in the indian side, is Bhim Pool. This is said to have been built by Bhim for his wife Draupadi who could not cross the ridge. From here there is a 4 km trek for the falls and no special gear for the trek is needed, only some good shoes.

• Hot Geyser. There is a hot spring near the temple, and many saints live in the surrounding mountains all year round despite the harsh winter at such high elevations.

Origin of Saraswati River, near mana village. this is said be origin of Saraswati river coming out and going underground again as this river is not visible anywhere from source upto Allahabad Sangam in UP where it is said to merge into Ganga river along with Yamuna river.Very close to visible river Saraswati there is very small water stream said to be water from Mansarover Lake in China.

Buy

Ancient coins, Wool, Ayurvedic medicine, Holy books, Counterfeit Electronic goods from China,sacred threads, sea shells, temple requirements, aarti booklets, colourful beads and braceletes.

Kedarnath is named after King Kedar who ruled in the Satya Yuga. He ruled the seven continents and was a very saintly king. He had a daughter named Vrinda who was a partial incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She performed austerities for 60000 years. Because of her, the land is named Vrindavan.

Temple and significance

The actual temple is an impressive stone edifice of unknown date. According to the Puranas, the Pandava brothers did a major penance in Kedarnath to please Lord Shiva. As a matter of fact, as one enters the main temple, the first hall contains statues of the five Pandava brothers, Lord Krishna, Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva and Virabhadra, one of the greatest guards of Shiva. An unusual feature of the temple is the head of a man carved in the triangular stone fascia of the temple. Such a head is seen carved in another temple nearby, namely the temple constructed on the site of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. No specific family of pujaris supervises rituals at Kedarnath, which focus around veneration of the stone lingam that rests in the inner sanctum of the temple.

Get In

There are 2 ways to reach Kedarnath ,one is by-foot for a steep 14 km trek through a paved path (horses or palanquins are available for rent) from Gaurikund, which is connected by road from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and other known hill stations of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttarakhand and the other way is through air travel. Recently government started the Pawan Hans Helicopter Service from Agastyamuni and Phata to Kedarnath. The fare is reasonable.

See

The temple itself is quite an exquisite example of stone work. Houses the lingam, a symbol of the Hindu God Shiva. The temple is located among astonishing mountain landscape surrounded by peaks that are over 6000 m in elevation. Close to the shrine lies Adi Shankaracharya’s samadhi, where he is believed to have taken rest after establishing the four dhams at an early age of 32 years. At a visible distance from the shrine also lies an ancient Bhairav Temple, beyond which one comes out to green glades and tiny streams, fed by the surrounding (and approachable) glaciers.

Treks leading out from Kedarnath are strenuous. If one arrives here early in the season, glaciers blocking these routes would be a common occurrence – and quite risky since one can never tell the thickness of the ice. Gandhi Sarovar (lake) -and the Chorabari Glacier that feeds the lake – lie the closest, at a distance of 3km, which makes for an hour of trek. Vasuki Tal – which is famous for its blue waters – is at 7km, and involves very difficult climb and crossing glaciers. It generally takes one 4-5 hours to reach there, so set out early.

Do

Puja and aarti at the temple if you are a Hindu. Treks to the adjacent valleys will take you through untouched forests and desolate paths. Some pilgrims even take a dip in the icy waters of Mandakini.

Sleep

Many ashrams and dharamshalas provide cheap accommodation. There are also many private hotels and restaurants although most have only basic facilities. Also beware that Kedarnath can be extremely crowded during peak pilgrim season. The state-run guest house is generally booked throughout, so arrive early if you want options.

History

Harsil was popular for the legend of ‘Pahari’ Wilson, or Raja Wilson. Frederick E. Wilson, an adventurer, deserted the British Army just after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. He escaped into Garhwal and met the Raja of Tehri seeking refuge. But the Raja was faithful to the British and refused to accommodate Wilson. Wilson moved into the mountains to escape detection. Fate landed him in Harsil, a remote beautiful village on the banks of the Bhagirathi river, with dense deodar slopes on either side. Wilson married a very beautiful pahari girl by the name of Gulabi. Then Wilson entered into a contract with a London-based company and built a fortune out of the export of skins, fur and musk. This was the time the British were building the Railways in India and there was great demand for quality wooden sleepers for the rails. Wilson cashed in on this and sent huge cut deodar trees floating down the river to the plains.

According to journalists Hugh & Colleen Gantzer, Wilson built a double-storeyed mansion in the village of Harsil on a deodar trunk frame filled with roughly dressed stones. But the ghost part of Wilson, comes with his building a swing bridge across the Bhagirathi. Wilson’s bridge has long since collapsed, but traces of it still remain. It was never rebuilt and today pilgrims walk down and cross a small footbridge on their way to Gangotri. But according to the locals, on moonlit nights one can still see the courageous Raja Wilson galloping down the area, where the bridge had been, in order to make the unwilling pilgrims have faith in his (alas) long vanished creation. Today a 410-feet iron bridge spans the river Jadganga.

Geography

Delhi-Hardwar-Harsil Ridge (DHHR), the basement ridge is a northerly extension of the Aravalli Mountain Belt, which also trends in a NNE-SSW direction and stretches from Amba Mata-Deri (Gujarat-Rajasthan) to Delhi via Ajmer and Jaipur .

Demographic

Over the years, a small number of Jadhs, an ethinic group of the Bhotiyas, have settled here, and speak a language closely resembling Tibetan.

Pilgrimage

The idol of the Hindu River Goddess Ganga (Ganges) is brought down from the shrine at Gangotri in the upper Himalayas after Diwali and kept at ‘Mukhba’ village near Harsil. It remains there throughout the winter when Gangotri is snowbound and inaccessible.

Buy

Ancient coins and wollens

Eat

Only local eating places (dhabas) are available. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are prohibited in Gangotri.

Drink

No Alcohol permitted here. Instead, drink plenty of natural mineral water full of medicinal values.

Feel the rush of air on your face, blaze a defiant trail as you go skiing on the well-dressed snow slopes. Or pelt each other with snow-balls on a blanket of snow. And if you’re a lover of natural splendor let your eyes feast on the breathtaking view of snow-capped peaks all around you.

Get In

Best Way: The best way to travel will be to take overnight train from Delhi and have a cab pick you up from Haridwar in the morning for onward journey to Auli.

By airFor those travelling by air, the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 273 km from Joshimath, 17 km from Rishikesh.

By railComing from any part of India, the nearest rail head is Haridwar 299 km from Auli. Catch a train to New Delhi Station. From New Delhi one can catch a train for Haridwar. It takes more than 7 hours to reach Haridwar (Shatabdi/JanShatabdi takes 6 hours).

By roadAuli is only 13 km drive from Joshimath. State transport and Union buses play regularly between Joshimath and Rishikesh (253 km). Local Transport Union Buses and State Transport buses operate between Joshimath and Rishikesh (253 km), Haridwar (277 km), Dehradun (298 km) and Delhi (500 km). From Joshimath onwards, both bus and taxi services are available for Auli. Deluxe coaches can also be arranged with prior notice for the group of 15 people or more. If you are dropping at New Delhi and want to go by Bus then take a Metro Train to ISBT – Kashmere Gate. From there one can catch Bus of DTC/UPSRTC/UTC. Only problem is that there are no fixed timetable and every person incharge will promise you many things. Don’t fall in the trap of private tour operator. They all will say bus is just leaving and what not. So be prepared for confusion. You may loose your temper. Check the bus condition before boaring as road from New Delhi to Haridwar is long [7-8 hrs] and some patches are in very bad conditions, comfortable seats are must. Once you are at Haridwar stay overnite and catch a bus leaving bus stand opp rly station at around 3:30AM. This bus is the only mean to reach Joshimath in 10+ hrs if you are planning to catch Cable Car (last ride 3:30PM). Other option is to book Car from the Car Union Off opp Bus stand they normally charge 3000+ for Joshimath Dropping for Ambassador which is best for 4 people. Whether in bus or car pls sit on right hand side window for magnificent view, road to Joshimath runs parallel to holy river Ganga and Alaknanda which falls on right side.

Cable Car  : The most popular way to drop in at Auli is by the famed cable car service which runs for 3 km. Travelling by the rope-way, it is impossible to resist the captive beauty of the snow covered peaks, the alpine forest and the bracing climate. This cable holds a record of longest in Asia with total length of 4.15 km. Its lower tower is at 1906 m from MSL and the upper tower is at 3016 m. It takes around 15 minutes to complete this ride at speed of 5 m/sec. Its the best start one can have for exciting Auli trip. Charges are Rs 400 for Return.

See

16 km from Joshimath and accessible by a good motor able road, is the ideal ski resort of Auli with its slopes comparable to the best in the world. The resort is run by GMVN, which, apart from providing accommodation also provides all facilities for skiing. The season extends from January to March, during this time skiing festivals and the National Championships are held. The Auli slopes, descending from 3049 to 2915 m are flanked by stately conifers and oaks, which cut wind velocity to the minimum. Adding to the thrill of skiing is a 180 degree view of Himalayan peaks, which include Nanda Devi (7817 m), Kamet (7756 m), Mana Parvat (7273 m) and Dunagiri (7066 m), seemingly only snowballs throw away.

The conditions for skiing are perfect at Auli. A 500 m long ski-lift and an 800 m long chair-lift link the upper and lower slopes, and snow beaters and snow-packing machines maintain the smoothness of the slopes. Skiers can enjoy almost 20 km of virgin slopes, which provide excellent opportunities for cross-country, slalom and down-hill skiing events. Auli has now become a leading tourist spot. While its slopes beckon daring and gallant skiing enthusiasts, its pristine natural beauty and its alpine atmosphere lure many tourists. A haven for those who want to escape the humdrum of everyday life, conquer their fear of heights, savour nature in its purest form or just throw snowballs at each other.

Tourists are advised to bring woollen clothings, cap, socks, dark glasses, gloves, mufflers, pullovers, wind-proof jacket, gum / snow boots and a torch light. These accessories are a must for the tourist keeping in mind the weather conditions at Auli where the temperatures drop to as low as -8° C in winters although it is moderately cold in the summers.

Do

Training Courses in Skiing:

Training courses are conducted in modules of 7 and 14 days. Training is imparted to the enrolled persons in modern skiing techniques by qualified instructors from Skiing and Tourist Resorts, Auli and Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg.

Best Option for those who want to learn basic skiing and save money enroll with the GMVNL basic course as the cost of the package is inclusive of Chair Lift + Accommodation + Food+ Gear.

Lansdowne is situated at an altitude of 6000 mtrs., Enroute Kotdwar – Pauri road, 45 km. from Kotdwar. Surrounded by thick oak and blue pine forest, it is a very charming place for a quiet holiday as it is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of hill stations.

History

Originally known as, Kaludanda, after Kalun (Black) and Danda (Hill) in local language, Lansdowne was founded and named after then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne in 1887, and by 1901 it had a population of 3943 . Lansdowne was developed by the British for catering for the Recruits Training center of the Garhwal Rifles. Lansdowne was a major place of the activities of freedom fighters from British Garhwal during British period. Nowadays, the famous Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army has its command office here .

Geography

Lansdowne is located at 29°50′N 78°41′E / 29.83, 78.68. It has an average elevation of 1,400 metres (4,593 feet). It is situated en route Kotdwara-Pauri road. Lansdowne is 81 km from Pauri and about 250 km from Delhi.

It is the nearest hill station from Delhi and is approachable by either Road or Train from Delhi. The nearest railway station is Kotdwara at a distance of 41 km. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, near Dehradun at a distance of 152 km via Kotdwara-Haridwar road.

Get in

Lansdowne in on the route from Kotdwar to Pauri. Kotdwar is the nearest railway station. Buses and taxis are available at the Kotdwar railway station. Having your own vehicle will enable you to easily visit nearby towns and temples.

 See

• Santoshi Mata Temple
• Tiffin Top – a view point
• Snow View – a view point
• Garhwal Rifles Museum
• The War Memorial at the Parade Ground of the Garhwal Rifles Center is an attraction for the visitors
• Bhulla Taal
• St. Mary’s Church.
• Bhairav Garhi temple
•  Annual ‘Sharadotsav’ (Festival of Autumn) is also organized at this hill station during autumn season.

Do

Travel to…

• Jwalpa Devi (47 km)
• Durga Devi temple (24 km)
• Tarkeshwar Mahadev (30 km)
• Karnva Ashram (14 km) – where Shakuntala is said to have given birth to Raja Bharat

Nainital is set in two parts, Tallital and Mallital, with the lake separating them. Tallital is the southern side of the lake, while Mallital consists of the northern upper reaches. The town was destroyed during the Landslip of 1880, and later rebuilt by the British. It is renowned for its lake, bird’s-eye views, and prestigous educational institutions.

Climate

The weather in Nainital is quite pleasant. Summers are mildly warm and temperatures may reach 22 C. During winters, temperatures are generally sub-zero. The town receives snowfall during December and January.

History

It is believed that Nainital figures in some ancient myths of India. In the Manas Khand of the Skand Puranas, Nainital Lake is called Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, hinting at the story of three sages (or rishis), Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who, upon finding no water in Nainital, dug a large hole at the location of the present day lake (sarovar = lake) and filled it with water from the holy lake Manasarovar in Tibet. According to lore, a dip in Naini Lake, “the lesser Manasarovar,” earns merit equal to a dip in the great lake.

Get in

The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, 35 km away.

There are daily bus services from Delhi. The buses leave from ISBT Anand Vihar and are run by Uttarakhand Roadways.
Driving to Nainital takes 7 to 8 hours. From Delhi, it’s highway driving throughout. NH 24 connects Delhi to Rampur via Hapur. At Rampur, turn and head north on NH 87 all the way upto Nainital. En-route halts include the Wonderland, Rwy crossing, Moradabad and The Cottage, Jeliokot.

Contrary to popular belief, flying into Nainital is the fastest way to reach the hill station. Nainital is served by PantNagar Airport, located about 2 hours away. It is served only by Jagson airlines. It is one of the least busy airports in the country, handling only 6 scheduled flights a week.

Get around

There are a few cycle rickshaws in town. Rates are fixed.However, there is no better way to explore Nainital than on foot. The mall has smooth pavements, making it extremely pedestrian-friendly. During the summer season, all traffic is denied entry on the mall from 6 to 9 pm, making the road a pedestrian’s dream. The town is not very large and there are some very interesting shops and emporiams on the mall, making the walk a pleasure.

See

• Snow View, Sher-Ka-Danda Ridge. Located at an altitude of 2270 m, Snow View offers spectacular views of the Naina Devi Peak. It can be reached by the Aerial Express Ropeway. Round trip:Rs 50. One-way: Rs 30.
• Nanda Devi Temple, Naini Lake. The temple was destroyed during the Landslip of 1880, and was later rebuilt. It is located on the lake’s northern shore.
• St. John in the Wilderness, Mallital. This charming church was named and founded by the Bishop of Calcutta.

• Tiffin Top, Aryapatta Hill. Altitude: 2292 m. To get here you can drive up to Sherwood College and then continue on a short scenic walk.
• Gurney House, Aryapatta Hill. This was the former home of Jim Corbett. It has been converted into a museum and houses Corbett memorabilia.
• Guano Hills, Pangot. These hills in the Pangot village are excellent for walks through forests of thick oak, bamboo and deodar. Some rare birds such as the grey woodpecker and black-chinned babbler are found in the forests.

Do

• Boating in Naini Lake is a must. Paddle boats can be hired by the hour. You can also hire a yacht from the Nainital Boat Club.
• Shopping – There are two main shopping areas, The Mall and Barra Bazaar. Traditional buys have included shawls, scarves, cardigans and local jams.
• Feed the animals at the Nainital Zoo, where you will find some high-altitude species that are native to the region. The zoo has an interesting sponsorship programme where you can sponsor the maintenance and food of the animal of your choice.
• Explore the caves: 2 Kms further up from Mallital (northern end of the lake) is a cave complex. This consists of a series of caves which get narrower as you progress. People who are claustrophobic should not explore the later ones and there is a facility to get out after every cave.

• Trek to Naina/China Peak, the highest point in the region(8622ft). You can get scenic views of the whole region. Hiking there takes around 60 mins and is not so strenuous. Also you can see a panoramic view of snow capped himalayas further north (in sep, oct and nov only). On the top of the mountain u can find a small tea shop serving bread omelet, some biscuits, tea and coffee for a reasonable price. Not many people go there and so its a good option to escape from this busy, greedy world
• Trek to Tiffin’s Top. Its a slightly touristy place and you can feel the rush there. You can get on a horse also to go to the top. But its not so tough to hike there. On the top of this hill, one can find all kinds of shops.
• Mountain Rovers. If you have a time and want to do some adventure activity.Mountain Rovers can arrange for you camping,Treeking,Rock climbing and lots more.

Its history dates back to 1827 when Captain Young, an adventurous military officer, explored the present site & laid the foundation of this holiday resort which now has few rivals. Mussoorie is famous for its scenic beauty and hectic social life. It provides all kinds of amusement & every facility for domestic & foreign tourists.

This hill station, situated in the foothills of the Himalaya ranges, is also known as the Queen of the Hills.

Climate

At an altitude of over 6000 ft (2000m), Mussoorie is a popular retreat from the heat of the plains. Be prepared for the cold if you come in the Winter (Dec-Feb), when you can expect freezing weather and snow. The monsoon arrives in July and stays through mid-September.

Get in

Buses leave from Dehradun train station. There are two buses which go to opposite ends of the Mussoorie Mall, Library and Picture Palace. It is quite a hike from one to the other, so make sure you catch the right one. To reach Kempty Falls directly from Dehra Dun catch a bus from the Dehra Dun Railway station Hill Bus Services Section or take a taxi. One should look for buses heading for destinations like Barkot, Nainbagh, Yamunotri, and Purola. You can also take a bus to the Library end of Mussoorie and walk to the Kempty Bus stop and take a bus or taxi or a milkvan or even hitch a ride with a tourist going in that direction!

It is possible to hire a taxi for the trip up to Mussoorie. Shared or chartered taxis too are available near the same Hill Section Bus terminal and the rates are controlled by the taxi union.

See

• Kempty Falls – about 15 km from Mussoorie, this now over-built spot is a popular tourist destination. Catch a taxi or a bus from the Library stand.
• Happy Valley – a couple kilometers from the Library end of the Mall, Happy Valley is a 5,000 strong Tibetan settlement. This is a beautiful spot for a short hike. Taxis and possibly bicycle rickshaws ply this route.
• Lake Mist – About 5 km before Kempty falls on the Mussoorie-Kempty road is a newly developed good picnic spot with accommodation and restaurant facilities, boating is also available.

• 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 a enchanting view of Doon Valley and nearby villages. View during Night is marvelous.
• Children lodge – 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.
• Beautiful Dhanaulti is about 24 kilometers from Mussorie. Mussoorie also had India’s largest roller skating rink.

Buy

• Antiques Couple of shops on the Mall road offers good antique british furniture.
• Wooden Handicrafts – Here you can choose from a wide variety of wooden walking sticks, hand carved jewelry boxes, magazine racks, wooden bowls & trays and various wooden show pieces.
• Woolen clothes.