Here is a complete Mussoorie travel guide. Know in details about different places to see and visit in Mussoorie such as Library, Mall road, George Everest, Lal Tibba, Landour and more along with things to do.
Page Contents
Places to See in Mussoorie
Mussoorie library
Library at night, Gandhi chowk
An archetype building influenced by British architecture from mid 19th century.Standing with head held high at the end of mall road. Entry access only to members. You can catch a glimpse of Ruskin Bond on Sunday, If you are lucky enough.
The Mall road, Mussoorie
Places to eat on the Mall road, Mussoorie:
- Local band-tikki, paranthes, jalebi: at local shops (I love them)
- Boiled/roasted corns & ground nuts: try them from a road side hawker
- Momos, thukpa, noodles, soup, spring rolls etc: Rice bowl restaurant and/or Kalsang restaurant near state bank of India, mall road
- South Indian dish: Udupi walking distance from Jhula ghar, mall road
- Pastries, fruit cream, jelly, lemon tarts, souffles,waffles, muffins: Casa mia, near state bank of India
- Homemade chocolates, apple pie, cheesecake, frozen drinks: Chick chocolates, walking distance from state bank of India
- Hot chocolate pancake: Shops near St. paul’s church (My personal fav)
What to purchase in Mussoorie?
- Garhwali dresses, Ladakhi shawls, Jamawar Shawls
- Antique furniture, candle stands, walking sticks, brass sculptures
- Wooden and metallic handicraft
- Taking a look at road-side Tibetan market is not bad though (Higher chances are there that you end up buying something)
See Doon valley at night from the Mall road
Doon valley at night from Mussoorie
Take a stroll along chilling mall road at night. Play hide and seek with plunging fog. Eat boiled hot corn and look down at the valley from above like an angel from the sky. Doon valley appears like a glittering bubbles of thousand lights sparkling miraculously in the dark.
Fun at gaming cafes: Discover the child inside you. Play air-hockey, virtually shoot the enemies, hear your kids’ laugh (I tried it first time in life there and I still have hunger for this aero game- air hockey). Discover new games and try hands out on few too
Rope way to Gun-hill: Discover Himalayan peaks
Himalayas at dusk from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Popular time to go up in cable car is around evening. In winters, you can see winter line on the sky before sunset and this phenomenon is seen either in Switzerland or in Mussoorie (You should have enough luck to witness it)
As the cable car crawls up along the steel wire, equally you see the Himalayan peaks. for Rs. 55, see the silvery white shining peaks under sun on a clear day. A steep path also leads to the Gun hill point from mall road but people prefer cable car. There is a mini carnival atmosphere is up there at Gun hill with food stalls, photo shops, magic shops. Couples taking pictures in Garhwali traditional outfits (Try it! your partner would love it)
Winter line- a rare phenomenon while sunset (picture taken from internet)
Childer’s Lodge / Nahata Estate near Lal Tibba also called red hill: The highest point in Mussoorie
Mussoorie and Doon valley
A 5 km uphill walk from picture palace via Landour Bazaar or you can take a horse ride to the site. A rental taxi charges INR 350 to take visitors back and forth. Childer’s Lodge is the highest point in Mussoorie situated by lal tibba. Enjoy breathtaking view of hills and valley stretching miles and miles and spend some peace time over there.
Path to the lodge is covered wild blossoms and the other side with thick pine woods. is thick with pine and Deodar woods. You won’t find any eating places, restrooms or souvenir shops. It is advisable to carry your own picnic basket and a few bottles of drinking water. The air is more weary and colder here compared so at least a layer of woolens is advisable
Kempty falls:
Almost 15 kms from mussorie. Buses / taxis available from library bus stand. Enjoy sitting under cold water falling from a height and feel the chill down your spine
George Everest house or the park estate:
2 hours trek walk from library (heavily recommended). Vehicles can also be rented. it was home and laboratory of Sir George Everest, a great surveyor. The house is situated in a picturesque place from where one can catch the panoramic view of Doon valley on one side and a panoramic view of the Aglar river valley and snow bound Himalayan ranges on the other. Swallow clouds, see mountain goats and spend some peace time with Tibetan prayer flag tied there.
Company Garden / Municipal garden:
Situated cornered to Mussoorie town in thick woods. you can see dews formed on leaves; hanging with tins; holding and resting on twigs and grasses. Walking along the streets just above company garden is serene and peaceful. The woods are darker and thicker where stately bungalows are interspersed with schools and old structures and the mist as always, wrapping itself up in the pine tops.
Enjoy boating, horticulture and a vast variety of flowers in garden and have some peaceful time walking along the silent streets closer to the garden
Happy valley: In to the Tibetan world
A couple of kilometers from picture palace. Get amazed with Tibetan culture, their temples, paintings etc. A beautiful spot for a short hike. Taxis and rickshaws ply this route.
Tibetan Buddhist Temple – Also known as Shedup Choepelling temple. Located on the Happy Valley road close to the IAS Academy. Is open between 7 am to 5 pm. Its magnificent and quiet.
Cambridge book store
The oldest book shop opposite to state bank of India. Ruskin bond is sometimes seen here on Sundays (Give it a try)
His best-selling books are available here.
Nag Devta temple:
Mussoorie early morning from Nag devta temple. 6 Kms from Mussoorie. Vehicles go there or you can trek to the temple too. Splendid view of Mussoorie and Doon valley from here.
Jwala ji temple / Benog hill:
9 kms west of Mussoorie, situated on the top of the Benog Hill. Temple dedicated to goddess Durga. Surrounded by thick pine forests. It offers a panoramic view of Himalayan peaks and the Doon valley. Can be accessed on foot or motor bikes
Cloud’s end:
As the name suggests, A forest resort situated at the end of Mussoorie. Almost 6 kms west of Library. Can be reached through Hathipaon road. A vast aura of flora and fauna around covered with thick forests. Can be traveled on foot or car
Kulri, clock tower, Landour: The archetype Mussoorie
Older part of Mussoorie: ahead of picture palace towards landour. Get a feel of walk through through some old countryside village of England. (recommended to get alive your test buds). Full of old shops, old people, archaic houses, old vehicles and older cultural too.
Night view of Mussoorie from Landour
Char Dukaan
As the name suggests, the shop consists of four shops. Char dukaan has a history of more than 50 years and boasts of being the most frequently traveled shops in Mussoorie. Char dukaan offers one of the best breakfast and tea menu you may ever come across. The cinnamon waffles, banana pancakes, pan pizzas, etc. are some of the most famous items which are very common among the visitors.
St. Paul’s Church
It is one of the oldest and historic churches in Mussoorie. St. Paul’s Church was built in 1840 and was regularly used by the British soldiers to rest and pray. St. Paul’s is located right next to Char Dukaan. It is a must visit as this spectacular church is surrounded by mountains and deodar trees.
Lal Tibba
The name Lal Tibba or Red Hill is mostly because of the red soil found on this mountain. It is the highest mountain peak in Landour. You will find 2-3 very small cafes where you can place orders for Maggie, tea or coffee and enjoy the scenic view of different Himalayan peaks. You can also pay RS.50 and use binoculars placed on the terrace for enjoying the view. Most of the people visit Lal Tibba to enjoy the sunrise or the sunset.
Sisters Bazaar
At one end of Landour you may locate a road shaped ‘8’, it is known as sisters bazaar. You may find some of the best cafes and bake houses in this place. Famously this area of the Landour is known as “Meeting Point”.
Rokeby Manor
The most famous and luxurious hotel with the colonial architecture which is very rare to find in India. This hotel was built in the 1800’s and has become a major tourist attraction because of it’s warm hospitality and beautiful architecture. Famous personalities like Sachin Tendulkar, Ruskin Bond, and many film personalities visiting Mussoorie have graced this hotel.
Lal Tibba walking Experience:
Warmth of sun under cool breeze; dark lonely woods; aloof ridges; silent echoing valley; see Mussoorie from the highest point. Have you ever been to the highest point of Mussoorie? Let me take you to the Lal tibba and the places around the Wolfburn estate, St.peters: Another part of Mussoorie almost 5-7 Kms from library where, it is said that, celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Shahrukh khan take a stroll away from the hectic Mussoorie.
With great entrance into some classy town of old England marked with roof tins, circuitous and congested but clean-cold streets, small windows, chimney on roofs etc. the same streets would have never been so mesmerizing again. When picture palace is left behind ascending up along the way gets tougher.
Sweating under cold winds from Garhwal valleys beside you. Town is left behind and fewer humans are seen on the way. Yeah, if you ask me, then there would be very few tourists preferring to walk along this route (most of them prefer taxi from Library to Lal Tibba) nonetheless walking had its own charm.
With a Desi burger in my hand and equipped with water bottle and camera, we kept on walking up the street. Initially, it was warm but as we ascended up it began to get cooler. Woods were darker, colder and groundbreaking silence was prevailing there – Pleasing.
Lonely streets after Landour
This part of Mussoorie (called Landour) is mostly occupied by personal villas and huts.
We kept walking. We kept on wondering about woods. We kept on wondering about weather and air. And, soon we were at Chaardukan near St. Paul’s Church.
St. Paul’s Church, Mussoorie
We decided not to stop at chaardukan as Lal Tibba is just 10 minutes of walk from there.
Mussoorie from Lal Tibba
Though we reached at the top but we were not so lucky to see Shivalik ranges of mountains. Since, it was summer and visibility was restricted nonetheless missing Shivalik ranges was compensated by awesomeness of weather. We chose a corner to sit and enjoyed the nice view that Mussoorie gave across the valley. At one side of the Lal Tibba was Mussoorie and at other side was, Shivalik mountains and Garhwal hills.
The serenity was high there as were the peace. The breeze carried the smell of woods. Pines and spruces welcomed us with their conifer leaves. Valleys sent us a special cold breezes. Mussoorie was distant apart and so were Shivaliks. It was a place where you can talk with your own and realize the presence of life.
There was complete silence. Only thing which was disturbing the silence was the whispering of wind. Winds were enchanting the prayers in our ears. There was so much to wonder about.
- -The woods
- The lonely streets
- The loneliness inside
- Distant mountains and so on…
How we spent two hours was like a miracle being witnessed live. We decided to return as I had to pick my brother after his school hours too. We returned but we chose the path which goes to Kellogg’s memorial church and from there we would go to Chaardukaan to have something.
Behind St. Paul’s Church
The most lonely street of MussoorieThis street is said to be the loneliest street of Mussoorie. The tea-shopkeeper said us that sometimes celebrities would walk along these streets to avoid huge fan rush and have their own favorite time in Mussoorie.
Someone said it was favorite walking spot of Sachin Tendulkar too. That must be because it was full of nice views of valleys and it was so peaceful. Within 20 minutes we reached Kellogg Memorial Church. I thought of going inside the church but now they run a school in there. From this church, chaardukaan is just a km down the street. And believe me walking down amid lonely street was itself fun too.
At Kellogg Memorial Church
The heaven was under our feet as well as above our heads too. The lazy afternoon and lonely streets were close to eternity. Dry mosses along the standing walls and warm sun in cold winds were making the perfect ambiance of remembering something for a lifetime. We kept walking and we kept wondering. We reached chaardukaan.
Chaardukan (Famous for Pancakes)
And ordered a pancake.
How to reach Lal Tibba, Mussoorie?
Library -> walk along mall road -> take a left at picture palace -> keep on walking and ask for Lal Tibba route -> chaardukaan -> Lal Tibba
What to see the way along?
Dense and old woods, Pines, Oaks, Spruces, Deodars, dry mosses clinging with the wall and a variety of wild flowers found at higher altitude. Shoe makers of Landour, Old Mussoorie culture, archaic houses, tin roofs, chimney, Century-old shops and Garhwali culture.
Walk to the St. George’s Everest Experience Story:
After having a thrilling night out for pancake in Mussoorie., So, this time we decided to go to Sir George Everest’s house and laboratory, also known as the Park Estate, which is situated at about 4 km of distance from Gandhi chowk / Library Bazaar, (West end of the Mall Road, in Mussoorie)
Few words about Sir George Everest:
Colonel Sir George Everest was a surveyor, geographer and Surveyor-General of India from 1830 to 1843. Sir George was largely responsible for completing the section of the Great Trigonometric Survey of India along the meridian arc from the south of India extending north to Nepal, a distance of approximately 2,400 kilometers.
In 1865, Mount Everest was named in his honor despite his objections.
We got up early in the morning around 7 but, we were still feeling drowsy and never wanted to come out of the warm quilt ever in cold winter. The window panes were hazy and covered with fog; air was still blowing high since last night and water were freezing.
Anyhow, I had to see that place and after eating four heavy and hot paranthe with coffee, we stepped out from our room fully covered like a guerrilla army in jackets and shoes and the scenery outside was just breathtaking.
A fine morning in Mussoorie
The Doon valley was painted in different gradient of blue color. A lil bit of jade with aqua deep blue dark valley and azure sky. Looking at the clear sky, Saurav predicted, “It’s going to be a clear day”. The town still looked sleepy and cold silent. We could listen the rustling of winds running down the valley. Leaving behind the modern civilization of 21st century, we were going almost 200 years back to see one of the greatest surveyors house from the 19th century.
An Oak tree in Autumn
Route to George’s Everest house from Library, Mussoorie
We were walking through cold mountain streets while last night had been really cold and chillness was still there in air. Dews were formed on leaves and shrubs; hanging with tins and roofs; holding and resting on twigs and grasses while we?
Walking along the streets just above company garden. This part of Mussoorie is at little higher altitude. And so, if the day is clear you can see the Himalayas. These streets are tacit and rare with little quieter town. The woods are darker where stately bungalows are interspersed with schools and old structures and the mist as always, wrapping itself up in the pine tops. Nothing could be more refreshing than this.
Himalayas at dusk from, Mussoorie
Lonely and silent woods along the streets just above Company garden
After walking almost 500 meters along this street, we were walking along a road behind Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary Girls School. Beyond this part of town, there is sparse civilization comprising few small huts here and there. The road passing through the forest is so silent that you can even listen to the sound of your own foot-steps and if you stop for a while you can also listen to the rare sounds of rare birds.
The sun was almost visible now. The orange rays of the sun were trying to percolate through shielding dense woods as if they were thirsty to embrace ground. And, this plot of untold story was giving birth to thousand of vivid colors.
Black metallic road, orange sunrays of the morning, green leaves and their sister pale leaves, dark black trunk of hundreds of years old trees, white fog, yellow autumn leaves etc. were making a graphical picture that takes place every new day in morning at Mussoorie.
A morning giving birth to thousand of colors and it happens almost each morning
We kept on walking along the road until a point from where, you see a few huts across the darker wood. Either you take left road which takes you directly to Park Estate or continue walking straight on cloud’s end road and leave it in between and follow the wishing well route to reach the house. Path along this route was more rugged, animal and futile.
There were more of shrubs and bushes along the way. Pine, cedars and Devdar trees were left behind now. The bare Hathipaon hill topis visible from here. Shying autumn grasses were dead asleep along the way. The earth looks like a light bitten copper with minor dents replaced by the grasses and major dents replaced by shrubs and pocks.
Light Copper bitten ground with mix flavor of continental climate and autumns
We left the road and entered the raw and rugged path covered with high dark woods at one side and deep blued silent valley on the other, to the wishing well. The path was little bouldery, the reason being, it had been freshly cut along the slope of the hill. After 20 minutes of walk, we were at wishing-well now.
Time out for a few minutes. The well is almost there in a valley in between two hills meeting water-level at lower depth but why would anyone dig well totally outside the town and where there are no villages around?
The wishing well, rugged path along the slope in background
The curiosity to see the Park estate did not let me us down for much time and we decided to move again. We could have just walked for almost 20 minutes and we saw a distant old and white building covered in fog and this was certainly Sir George Everest’s house sitting silently for decades just above the valley holding thousands of memories in it. Life looked so selfless and motivating to me.
Mountain goats at George Everest
It was now fun time. Go at the ridge of the valley, lean forward at a cliff and lie down there; Shout your name; imagine and see your voices getting lost in the foggy valley and you feel like a child when you hear the echo after few instants.
At George Everest:
I was on hill-top over the edge of the valley now. The clouds were creeping up slowly along the slope of the valley and engulfing us, caressing me with their coolness and softness more than a rose petal. I, with my open mouth, was trying to swallow clouds. I felt like I was lying over a white water lake with vast ghostly white clouds around me.
I, even, couldn’t see more than two feet ahead of me. We were getting drifted into an endless channel of clouds. A glimpse of a hilltop cottage there seemed like a firm trekker standing there against all withering weathering throughout the day and night. When it used to get clear, wisps of clouds trailed the peaks as if the mountains were steaming.
The Park Estate
Built in 1832, it was the home and laboratory of Sir George Everest. The house was situated in a picturesque place from where one can catch the panoramic view of Doon Valley on one side and a panoramic view of the Aglar River valley and snow bound Himalayan ranges on the other.
The underground water cisterns could still be seen, outside the house. These underground water tanks were quite deep and lie uncovered. The interior had been stripped but fireplaces and the door and window frames still remain. The wooden beams that supported the ceiling also seemed to be in good condition.
The floor was littered with bricks, stones and cow dung. The house was also used as shelter from rain and snow, by the cows, goats and horses, from the nearby village. The walls were covered with graffiti, which mostly are declarations of love.
Inside Sir George Everest’s house, the fireplace seen in front
To the left of the house was a sacred grove festooned with hundreds of Tibetan prayer flags. The multi-pied prayer flags flapping in the mist must had been carrying prayers for years. At the end of a long walk, there’s no better place to sit and let the clouds wash over you, while the flags flutter in the breeze, blowing its prayers out over the endless chain of valleys and mountains.
Landour
Landour is a small town that is offbeat, peaceful, and unexplored by many tourists who visit Mussoorie. On a sunny and clear sky day, people are able to see Gangotri, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and many other Himalayan mountain peaks with their naked eyes from Landour. This town has a very old history as the first home was built in 1825. Till today the streets, houses, architecture, culture, and cafes have the very same resemblance as that of the British Era. Landour is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone who wants to get away from their busy city life and spend some quality time in the mountains.
Landour is around 4 KM from picture palace, Mussoorie. My suggestion will be to walk and reach Landour. You can also reach there by your private vehicle or you can hire a taxi which I will not recommend as it may cost you anywhere from RS.300 to RS.400.
Walking to Landour will be the most beautiful and surreal experience you will ever have. The winding roads with an amazing woody smell will be the experience of a lifetime. The peace and quietness of the town are another positive which you can enjoy while walking to Landour from Mussoorie.
This is an all-season town. Many people from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and many other neighboring states visit this place during summer to beat the heat but the rainy season has its own charm. Many people plan to visit Landour in winter to enjoy the snow but mind you in winter the town is more crowded and hotels are full so plan your trip accordingly during winters.
If you want to enjoy peace and calmness and don’t like more people and vehicles than plan your trip during weekdays as weekends can be crowded and costly in comparison to the weekdays.
Exploring the Town
Landour has always been far away from the traffic chaos and over-commercialization. The most important thing which will fascinate people visiting this place is that there has been 0 tree cutting or any kind of mining in the last 100 years and there has been no new structure added to the town since 1924 as building new structures is unlawful in Landour. Let me tell you an interesting fact that during the time of Independence, Landour had 24 houses and still this town has that many houses only. There is a very famous line in Hindi for Landour, ‘Choubis Makaan aur Char Dukaan – Itna hi hai Landour’.
My Personal Thoughts
There is alot to cover, travel and to enjoy here in Landour. When I visited Landour, I had first booked a scooty on rent as you can not cover everything on foot and visiting every place on a rented car could be very costly. There are many options to book a scooty on the spot in the Landour or Mussoorie. Carry a shrug or a jacket as the weather will cold most of the time. Plan your trip for 2 days and try to cover all the places. Take a night walk around the town and try to eat the local roadside momos and noodles for better local taste and experience.
Mussoorie Pictures:
Images and photographs of natural beauty of Mussoorie telling the story about different locations, mood of the weather, sunset point, Himalayan view, foggy climate lonely hills & different natural sightseeing locations around Mussoorie.
Foggy valley of Mussoorie
I took this picture of foggy valley in the month of January on the way to Landour, Mussoorie
A remote village of Garhwal ranges in lower Himayas
This picture of a remote Garhwal village was taken in the month of May from Lal Tibba, the highest point in Mussoorie. Many of the daily workers like porters, rickshaw pullers and even small hut-shop keepers almost walk everyday to Mussoorie for their bread and butter. Garhwal villages are mostly not seen during winters due to foggy weather as you can see in the first picture.
A mansion on the top of the hill from Company Gardens
This Picture of a lonely wooden mansion situated on top of the hill was taken on the way to company Gardens from Library. Mussoorie has been the summer capital of not only Britishers but also in modern days, its the summer gateway for rich people. They are mostly seen in summers spending vacations while the wooden mansion is guarded by the local people throughout the year mostly when inhabitants are not there.
A road leading to a near by Garhwal villages in the valleys around Mussoorie
On the way to clouds’end, this morning image was taken. Clouds’end is a resort situated at the Western most point.
Sunset over Mussoorie from Sunset point
From Sunset point near ITBP hill, this picture was shot showing the contrasting shades of the sunset over Mussoorie hill. You can also see the TV tower, located at the second-most highest point in Mussoorie. in Winter, Mussoorie displays the phenomena of ‘Winter-line’ which is rare. Winter line is a red line drawn in the sky along the horizon aorund Mussoorie in the west when sun sets in winter.
Doma’s Inn on the foggy night, Mussoorie
On a cold winter and foggy night of Mussoorie, this foggy picture of Domma’s inn was taken in January. Doma’s inn offers a stay in Tibetan style unlike most of the modern stay places and Mussoorie and is famous for its Tiebtan dishes.
Foggy woods along the mall road
It had rained that day and the weather suddenly turned thick and deep foggy after the rain on the mall road, Mussoorie. It was so dark and deep that nothing was visible beyond five to ten feet of distance. I was able to capture this black and white foggy woods along the mall road near picture palace in Mussoorie.
Himalayan view: snow peaks at sunset as seen from Mussoorie
If you want to take the look at the Himalayan peaks, the perfect climate would be summer when the air is thin and there is no foggy air to obstruct the view of lower Himalayan peaks from Mussoorie. I shot this high zoomed out shot from somewhere around on the way to company garden from library.
Lonely Horses at library, Mussoorie
As cars are not allowed on the mall road, horses & rickshaw forms the major way of seeing the hill station and the view points to Doon valley.
Lonely midnight street of Mussoorie
Hunger for the delicious pancake of Chaaardukaan, a famous place in Mussoorie, almost compelled us to walk to the Chaar dukaan for pancake in the night. While returning, we were walking along some old cemetery from British time. Saurav, the other guy, had studied in Mussoorie for years and while walking alone in the midnight of cold winter, he was also sharing some ghost stories. That was really a spine chilling experience.
Landour and the old Mussoorie
Landour is the oldest part of Mussoorie. When British came to Mussoorie, the settlement began from this area. This photo was taken on the way to Gun-hill point which is famous for Himalayan view of snow peaks. One can still see the old buildings, tin roofs, wooden architecture in the town of Landour. For a moment, it would feel like you are in some old town of England.
Tibetan prayer flags entangled to a dry tree on the way to george Everest Mussoorie
While on the way to George Everest, Mussoorie, I shot this picture. You can see the Tibetan prayer flags entangled to a dry tree. Prayer flags when flip up are believed to be taking divine blessings through the sky from the God and when it flips down it is believed to send message across earth along with the wind. George Everest is names after Sir George Everest, a great surveyor. Today, the place called ‘George Everest’ named after him holds the remnants of his laboratory. Even the highest peak Everest is named after him.
Two lonely trees and prayer flags at the dusk at George Everest, Mussoorie
I took this shot when I had reached at the George Everest. There is a proper walking way to this place through wishing well, another famous place or one can also drive motors up to there.
Dense pine hills and Mussoorie in background
This shot was snapped from the Lal tibba, the highest point in Mussoorie. The thick pine covering in the foreground is called ‘Wolfsburn estate’. One can walk to the Lal Tibba or simple go there by a vehicle.
Some Unknown place of Mussoorie
I shot this pic when I was on-foot exploration of the Mussoorie. I do not exactly know its location.
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