Mussoorie is nostalgia for all nature-lovers, immortalized in the many tales of Ruskin Bond. This beautiful idyllic hill station, popularly known as the “Queen of Hills” is snuggled in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the state of Uttarakhand. Mussoorie is one of the most enjoyed hill stations in India as this quiet town is home to innumerable waterfalls, rich greenery, captivating hills, and offers marvellous views of the Himalayan range. The best time to visit Mussoorie is from March to mid-November, as the rainy season is marked by heavy torrential rains and the winters are extremely cold.
Mussoorie has everything to please your spirit, from its cool ambience, its waterfalls, refreshing mountain breeze, and serene lakes to a bevy of adventure activities including its famous treks, roller-skating, paragliding, and horse riding.
However, Mussoorie has more in store for you if you decide to stay for a week or so. It is close to many quaint and offbeat locations that you can explore for unforgettable
Kanatal is one of the most picturesque suburb towns in Mussoorie, located on the Chamba-Mussoorie road. If you are looking for a short and sweet holiday, away from touristy crowds, this is the location for you! You can enjoy a peaceful vacation here with great scenery all around, and it is an ideal picnic spot near Mussoorie too. You can choose to stay at a property that has accommodations on the terraces of the mountains, for a unique experience. In summer, you will come across a variety of beautiful flowers here.
Not to forget, Kanatal offers a hoard of exciting adventure activities like rock-climbing, trekking, zip lines, zip swings, and rope walking across the longest hanging adventure bridge, popularly known as the Sky Bridge. It is offbeat but perfect.
Distance from Mussoorie: 46.5 km
Govind Ghat is a quiet hamlet adored by pilgrims, nature lovers and adventurous people alike. This quiet beauty lies 1800 meters above sea level. It is the ideal place to catch refreshing views of the alpine hills cloaked in clouds. It is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on the banks of the Alaknanda River. As a result, this location suffered major destruction by the Uttarakhand floods of 2013, but most of it has been restored. The weather here is pleasant all throughout the year, except for winters, when it is harsh and cold. Therefore it remains closed from the months of November to April.
Govind Ghat is also the starting point to the revered ‘Sikh’ foot trek to Hemkund Sahib (standing tall at an elevation of 4500 metres), and the famous Valley of Flowers. The treks start from Ghangaria base camp where you can arrive by hiring a mule or taking a local porter service.
Distance from Mussoorie: 311 km
Dhanaulti is situated on the Mussoorie to Chamba road, reaching an altitude of 2,250 meters. It is a relaxing and tranquil spot ideal for a brief getaway. Dhanaulti is totally detached from the squabbles of the crowd and pollution. It houses dense virgin forests of oaks, rhododendrons and deodars. Besides the towering trees and grassy meadows, you will be able to savour soulful views of the Himalayan peaks. The ideal time to visit this place is between March and June. The monsoons are marked by heavy rainfall and are best avoided. You can also visit during the winter months, from November to February, when the temperature ranges from 6 to around -1 degree Celsius. It will be dry and cold, and ideal for sightseeing.
Dhanaulti serves as the base for many popular tourist treks to the Himalayan mountains via the thick alpine forests, mostly the pilgrimage peaks such as Surkanda Devi temple (a devout Hindu temple at an altitude of 3,030 meters), Kunjapuri Devi temple, and Chandrabadni Devi temple on the Chandrabadni mountain: the three sacred Shaktipeeths, or “pilgrim stops” of the ‘Devi (Goddess Sati, or Durga) and Darshan’ triangle.
Distance from Mussoorie: 60 km
The name Haridwar originates from the word ‘Hari’, one of the names of Lord Vishnu, and ‘Dwar’ meaning gateway. It is also the origin of the four famous Hindu pilgrimages: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. The city of Haridwar is nestled along the banks of the river Ganga in the state of Uttarakhand. Haridwar is the embodiment of Hindu religion and culture, and visited by tourists from all over the world intending to seek peace and relaxation from the bustles of everyday life. You will be enlightened about the infinite Indian mythologies associated with this mystical place in the foothills of Himalayas. One of the most fascinating things to behold in Haridwar is the ‘Aarti’ of the river Ganga, every sunrise and sunset.
One of the best times to visit Haridwar is between the months of May and October, known as the ‘pilgrimage season’. It is cold yet pleasant enough for moving around. In July, lakhs of Shiva devotees called ‘Kanwarias’ flock the city to walk and bathe in the flowing Ganges. Without an iota of doubt, Haridwar is the most revered and sacred places for the Hindu religion, welcoming one and all.
Distance from Mussoorie: 84.5 km
Kedarnath, flanked by snow-white mountain peaks, is a small town located in the state of Uttarakhand rising up to a majestic altitude of 3583 meters above sea level. Kedarnath derives its name from “Kedara” meaning field, and “Natha” meaning Lord. The Hindu epic Mahabharata keeps account of Kedarnath as the place where Shiva released the holy waters of the river Ganges from his hair.
The place gained timeless historic and cultural significance due to the Kedarnath temple with its mythological associations with the Indian culture and Hindu religion. Kedarnath temple is one of the holiest temples in Indian mythology, dating back to the times of Mahabharata from where it is believed to be built by the five Pandavas to absolve their sins after killing millions in the Great War of Kurukshetra. The weather is pleasant all around the year, but the monsoons make the area inaccessible due to heavy rainfall and landslides.
Distance from Mussoorie: 100 km
Another secret small town near Mussoorie is Kufri situated at an altitude of 2744 metres. The name Kufri came from the word ‘kufr’ meaning lake. You can enjoy several beautiful attractions in this small quaint town such as the Great Himalayan Nature Park, Fagu, and Mahasu Peak. The Mahasu Peak is one of the highest points in the region, opening the gates to spectacular views of the Kedarnath and Badrinath ranges. The best way to explore Kufri amidst the dense deodar forests is hiking. If you visit Mahasu in the winter, you will be welcomed by pristine white snowfall.
The Great Himalayan Nature Park is home to more than 180 species of flora and fauna. Fagu is a picturesque land surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and is another popular and tranquil stop near Kufri, situated at a distance of 6 km. If you want to get adventurous, Kufri offers you the best of skiing, tobogganing, go-karting, hiking, trekking, camping and more.
Distance from Mussoorie: 272 km
Nako is a dreamy beautiful village and is propitiously situated at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea-level in Kinnaur district, right beside the Tibetan border of Himachal Pradesh. Nako is one of the remotest villages in India, an ideal picnic spot near Mussoorie, so secluded that mobile or internet connectivity can be hardly accessed here. The beauty of the village is heightened by the friendly locals. It mostly remains empty and isolated from crowds, almost like a secret. If you are looking to get away from the city din, this place is for you.
The best things you can enjoy in Nako include visiting the 11th-century Buddhist monastery, or the Nako monastery, making it one of the most coveted destinations for pilgrims to travel to. The pristine Nako Lake is another gem to witness located amidst lush green hilly terrains, perfect for a relaxing vacation. The village is very small and hence tourists can walk and explore the place on foot. Since it lies close to the Tibetan border, tourists are required to collect inner line permit for travelling. Foreign nationals who wish to stay overnight in the village also require inner line permits.
Distance from Mussoorie: 463 km
Though Mussoorie is a hotspot for tourists from all over the world, the places near it are no less amazing, as you can surely see from the list above. It is simple to drive to most of these locations for weekend trips from Mussoorie, whether you are travelling alone or with friends and family. So, depending on your taste and budget, choose the places you would like to explore and get started. From serenity and natural beauty to adventure activities, a whole new world is waiting for you.
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