Photo: Kunal Parmar / UnsplashMussoorie
Uttarakhand, India
A colonial-era hill station on a ridge above Dehradun, with the quieter cantonment of Landour just above it. Easy to reach from Delhi and good for a slow weekend.
- Backpacker / day
- ₹2,000–3,500
- Mid-range / day
- ₹7,000–13,800
- Best time
- March to June and September to November
- Ideal length
- 2–3 days
- Gateway
- Dehradun (airport and station), about 35 km and 1–1.5 hours by road
- Altitude
- About 2,000 m; Landour slightly higher
Mussoorie sits at about 2,000 m on a ridge above Dehradun, with views of the Doon Valley on one side and, on clear days, the snowy Himalaya on the other. The Mall Road is its busy heart, lined with cafés, shops and old hotels.
Just uphill, Landour is a different world: a quiet cantonment of pine forests, old cottages and a short loop walk, made famous by writers like Ruskin Bond. Most travellers do best staying in or near Landour and visiting the Mall Road rather than the other way round.
Day by day
2-day itinerary
₹4,000–7,000per person on a backpacker budget (estimate), excluding travel to get there
- 1
Day 1: Landour loop
Walk the Landour loop past Char Dukan, Sisters' Bazaar and Lal Tibba for mountain views, then slow evening coffee.
- 2
Day 2: Mall Road and viewpoints
Morning at George Everest's House (Park Estate) for valley views, then Camel's Back Road and the Mall Road in the evening.
When to go
- Jan—
- Feb—
- Mar★ Best
- Apr★ Best
- May★ Best
- Jun★ Best
- Jul—
- Aug—
- Sep★ Best
- Oct★ Best
- Nov★ Best
- Dec—
- Mar–Jun: BestPleasant days and a break from the plains' heat; May and June weekends are very crowded.
- Sep–Nov: BestClear post-monsoon air and the best chance of Himalayan views.
- Dec–Feb: MixedCold, with occasional snow on the higher ridges; cosy and quiet midweek.
- Jul–Aug: AvoidHeavy monsoon rain, cloud and landslides on the roads.
Getting there
- By train
- Dehradun has fast Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains from Delhi (about 5 hours). Taxis and buses climb to Mussoorie in 1–1.5 hours.
- By road
- About 290 km from Delhi (around 7 hours). Weekend traffic on the climb from Dehradun can add hours.
- By air
- Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport is about 60 km away, roughly 2 hours by road.
Budget per person per day
| Item | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (hostel, homestay or hotel) | ₹900–1,800 | ₹4,000–8,000 |
| Food | ₹500–800 | ₹1,000–1,800 |
| Local transport | ₹200–500 | ₹1,500–3,000 |
| Ropeway, entry and extras | ₹100–400 | ₹500–1,000 |
| Typical day | ₹2,000–3,500 | ₹7,000–13,800 |
Prices climb on long weekends and in summer holidays; midweek stays are much cheaper. Walking between Mall Road and Landour saves taxi fares on the steep, narrow roads.
Highlights
Landour
Quiet pine-forest lanes, old churches and the famous Char Dukan cafés above Mussoorie.
Lal Tibba
A viewpoint in Landour with telescopes facing the snow peaks on clear days.
George Everest's House
The ruined home of the surveyor-general, on a ridge with wide Doon Valley views.
Camel's Back Road
A level walking road around the hill, quieter than the Mall Road.
Practical tips
- Weekend traffic
- The climb from Dehradun and the Mall Road jam badly on weekends and holidays. Arrive early, travel midweek if you can, and walk once there.
- Parking
- Parking is limited and some roads are closed to private cars at busy times; ask your stay where to park.
- Waterfalls
- Kempty Falls is very crowded and commercial; quieter walks in Landour and around Dhanaulti are often more rewarding.
Mussoorie FAQs
Is Landour better than Mussoorie?
Landour is quieter and greener, while Mussoorie's Mall Road is busier and livelier. Many travellers stay in or near Landour and visit Mussoorie.
How do I get from Delhi to Mussoorie?
Take a fast train to Dehradun (about 5 hours), then a taxi or bus up to Mussoorie (1–1.5 hours). Driving takes around 7 hours.
Can you see the Himalaya from Mussoorie?
On clear days, especially from September to November, Lal Tibba and other viewpoints have views of snow peaks.
Guide reviewed September 2026. Costs are estimates, not live prices. Check current prices, permits, weather, safety advice and schedules before you travel.