Dehradun is a popular hill station in India and this hill city is known for its warm hospitality and great sights. There are a number of tourist places around Dehradun as well, which you can visit by making Dehradun your base. You will be amazed to find so many other wonderful places around to visit. Here are some of them and there are places to visit near Dehradun within 100 km.
It is a comparatively lesser known region in Uttarakhand and is located in the Garhwal Hills and is about 42 m from Dehradun. One can reach this quaint hill town from Dehradun by taking a bus ride and makes for a romantic getaway. Amongst other things, Dhanaulti is famous for the vampire stories that prevail here and some still want to venture out at night in search of them. It is located at a height of 2300 meters above sea level and can get very cold at night during winters, with temperatures dropping below 7 degree Celsius. Those who wish to travel deeper into the Himalayas, stop here for a while. A number sightseeing places are here like Deogarh Fort, Eco Park Farms, along with camping sites.
Chakrata is a cantonment area near Dehradun and is located about 90 km away. It is situated by the rivers Yamuna and Tons. The region is a great amalgamation of forest, hills, valleys and waterfalls and will have stunning views to mesmerize you. Chakrata is about 7250 feet above sea level so pack up your woolens. There are lovely spots to visit here like the Tiger Falls, Budher Meadow, Mundali Meadows and others. The hills station is quite remote actually, and does not have any of the cacophony that most tourist places have.
People mostly visit Har ki Dun to experience the magnificent Har ki Dun trek. It is a hanging valley and there is a new vista unfolding with every step you take. About 45 km long, the valley is covered with alpine forests and you will get to witness some of the most stunning views of the Garhwal Himalayas. The valley starts from the Govind National Park and further in the interiors you will come across the Baspa valley which is filled with snow for the most of the year. The five day trek through the valley attracts adventure enthusiasts which leave you breathless with its beauty. The valley is located about 213.5 km away from Dehradun. The best to visit is from April to June and from September to December. It is one of the oldest mountain passes and sages of the past who went to the Himalayas to pray and meditate, took this route.
This valley indeed stays true to its name and is the most fun region around Dehradun because of its great amusement park. The park is located at region equidistant from Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun and is a popular haunt among the youngsters. A variety of rides and entertainment is to be found here like Dragon Coaster, Water Slides, Go Karting, Wave Pool and there are quite a few multi-cuisine restaurants here as well. The park operates from 9 am to 7 pm and considering that some come here from quite a distance, locker facilities are also available to keep the belongings. The park is about 30 km from Dehradun via the Dehradun- Haridwar highway. It is probably the most popular picnic spot near Dehradun.
Catching a glimpse of the tiger in the wild is an experience beyond expression and you just might have a chance to experience it at the Tiger View Jungle Camp. The thrill of spotting a tiger in its natural habitat is only few other things could surpass. The visitors get the opportunity to stay outdoors, surrounded by the wild beauty of nature. The tiger safari is the most looked forward to experience and something that draws adventure enthusiasts in great numbers. The best time to visit is during the months of March to June. It is a popular weekend getaway from Dehradun.
The Tapkeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, whose abode is considered to be the Himalayas. The temple is located in the forest and the main Shivalinga is placed in a natural cave, where the trickling of water can be heard within the walls and falls directly on the top of the Shivalinga. This makes it a sight to behold and holds deep significance in the minds of the devotees. It is said that the temple is located from the time of the Mahabharata and is strategically located within two hills. It is only about 6.3 km from the city of Dehradun and any cab will take you there. You can visit at any time of the year but the forest road is best avoided during rainy season.
The Bali Pass is a paradise for trekkers and it connects two amazingly beautiful locations- the Yamunotri, which is the origin of the River Yamuna, and the Har ki Dun Valley. To reach the Pass, one has to first reach the Sankri Village to stark the trek. It is one of the more challenging and rigorous trails and only seasoned trekkers come here mostly. The trek ends in Janki Chatti and offers amazing views of the Himalayas, and peaks like Bandarpoonch, Kalang and Swargarohini. The trails are covered with snow in winters for the most part. It is located about 172 km from Dehradun.
The Tapovan Temple is a magnificent spot if you are looking forward to enjoying some peace and quiet. This temple has a lot of stories pertaining to Hindu mythology. The temple is situated in the banks of the River Ganga and it is great place to meditate. A number of yoga classes are also held here and one can enroll for yoga courses as well. The location is just about 5 km from Dehradun and can be easily reached by road. The best time to visit is from April to July.
Located about 44 km from Dehradun, Kalsi is located en route to Chakrata. It is located on the banks of the river Ganga and has an importance place in the history of India. There are inscriptions of Ashoka on rock edicts and they are the only examples of its kind from the Mauryan empire which are still surviving today in North India. The edicts have been preserved by the archeological society in India. The surrounding land is full of lush green hills and the river Yamuna, where you can find a calm spot and enjoy some fishing. It is best to avoid the extremely cold months and the best time to visit is between March to December.
One of the most amazing peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas is the Nag Tibba and it attracts trekkers like a magnet and is a popular tourist place near Dehradun. There is a hidden trail from Mussoorie that leads to the peak and it passes through lush meadows, verdant valleys and along rough mountain streams. There are also halting camps in between because the trek requires more than one day to be completed. It is a treat for the eyes to see the sunrise in the morning from the peak and there are distinct flora and fauna along the way which will pique your interest. And yet, it is not a very difficult hike and beginners can have their first taste of trekking here. It is best to go during the summer months because the paths are mostly blocked during winters.
The Assan Barrage is a small dam that is made on the Asan River to divert its water to the East Yamuna Canal. By doing so, a small reservoir has been created on the Dhalipur Lake and now it has become a haven for birdwatchers because migratory birds in huge numbers come here. There are already 53 species of birds to be found here which are indigenous to the region and another 19 species of migratory birds come here during the winters. The lake is calm and tranquil and tourists are requested not to make loud noise. It is great spot for some stunning photography as well. The barrage is located just about 41.6 km from Dehradun via that highway that goes towards Poanta Sahib. It is best not to go in the months of August and September as birds are hardly to be seen in the monsoons.
This is a high altitude Pass in the Himalayas and is about 4650 m high and it attracts adventure enthusiasts in huge numbers. There is a very old shepherd route here that goes from Dhaula in Dehradun to Sangla in Himachal Pradesh. The sceneries change continuously as you go along the route. There are rocky wooden bridges, snowy meadows and stunning views of the hills to be enjoyed along the route. This high mountain pass will make you feel that you will travelled back in time because this region is free from commercialization mostly. It is best to avoid the monsoons but at any other time of the year, you are sure to floored by the beauty. The pass is about 227.8 km from Dehradun.
So, be sure to visit these places around Dehradun as well and you will want to come back to this region again and again.
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