Dehradun Tourism and Travel Guide

If you are planning a trip to explore Dehradun tourism, the best time to visit is one factor you don’t have to consider. The temperature in the valley is always pleasant and you can seamlessly enjoy numerous sightseeing tours.

However, if you want to explore Dehradun tourism at its most beautiful, we recommend heading here in summer. The days might be slightly hot but the evenings are delightful owing to pleasant weather. We’d recommend planning your trip between March and June if travelling during summer is on your mind. 

Monsoon in Dehradun typically begins at the end of July and lasts till September. Owing to frequent flash floods and incessant rains in the region, we’d recommend avoiding Dehradun tourism during the monsoon. 

Winter, on the other hand, might be a great time for solo travellers and couples to make their way to explore Dehradun tourism. Though it’s cold, the valley sees the infrequent visitor and offers you plenty of time and peace to enjoy the city. October to February is considered the winter season in Dehradun. If you are exploring Dehradun tourism in winter, we suggest including a trip to Mussoorie as well. The small hill station is covered in snow and is a sight for nature lovers.

Robber’s Cave

For a long time, Robber’s Cave has been the most popular spot in all Dehradun tourism itineraries. This has led to an increase in tourists at the destination. If you aren’t fond of mainstream tourist sites, we would suggest skipping this one. However, if you’d like to explore Dehradun tourism in its entirety, Robber’s Cave should be ticked off your itinerary.

The caves are located about 8 km from the city. You can either take a local bus till the site or choose to hire a private cab, depending on your budget. Once you reach Anarwala Village, there is a short trek to reach the caves. The caves are 600 metres long and are divided into two parts. It should take you a couple of hours to explore Robber’s Cave and it would be best to head out in the morning before the tourist rush arrives.

The cavers are locally referred to as Gucchu Pani. The cave is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and is quite popular among locals. The cave itself is dark and we suggest being cautious if you are travelling with little ones. The water in the cave is very cold and perhaps that’s why it’s such a popular spot during summer. If you’d like to spend a few hours here, we suggest carrying a small picnic basket. While there are small stalls, you can carry your own food as well. As is with all tourist attractions, Robber’s Cave can get quite dirty with plastic strewn all around. As a responsible traveller, we urge you to minimise the use of plastic and carry a garbage bag to store your waste packets. 

Sahastradhara

Sahastradhara which translates to ‘thousand-fold spring’ is a tourist attraction that is featured in most Dehradun tourism itineraries. It is a beautiful waterfall that is almost layered and gives the impression of numerous waterfalls together. 

The waterfall contains huge amounts of sulphur and is said to have medicinal properties. While the water is always cold, a dip here instantly refreshes you. The waterfall is situated close to Robber’s Cave and if you don’t want to spend too much time at both places, you can cover both attractions on the same day. However, for those who want to enjoy a lavish picnic, we suggest setting aside time for both attractions. 

Since the area around the waterfalls is quite slippery, remember to carry a sturdy pair of walking shoes. For those who want to enjoy a picnic here, find a spot away from the waterfall. This will ensure that you are away from the noise and can enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this scenic attraction.

Lacchiwalla

A popular tourist attraction that is part of Dehradun tourism, Lachhiwala is situated in Rajaji National Park. If you are travelling with children, this is an attraction you should tick off your Dehradun tourism itinerary. Surrounded by lush forest cover, Lachhiwala is a crowd puller owing to the brook that runs through the area. 

One can take a dip here as well as enjoy a leisurely picnic in the surrounding gardens. We suggest carrying your swimwear since there isn’t a place to rent one. While there are a few food stalls around the park, it would be ideal to carry your snack and water. Lachhiwala is quite crowded during weekends and it would be best to plan a trip here during weekdays. The picnic site is situated almost 21 km from Dehradun and you will need a private cab to reach here. 

Forest Research Institute

If you had thought that there aren’t any historical sites that are part of Dehradun tourism, this might come as a surprise. Museums lovers and architecture buffs will certainly want to visit the Forest Research Institute. The institute houses six museums and is constructed using Greco-Roman and Colonial styles of architecture. 

The Forest Research Institute has featured in numerous Bollywood movies and if you are a cinema fan, you might even recognise it. Among the oldest institutes in India, it was primarily launched to encourage forestry research in the country. Today it is internationally acclaimed owing to its flawless infrastructure and the notable program that it offers students. 

If you are interested in learning more about forestry and the streams associated with it, we strongly recommend a visit here. The museums are focussed on pathology, social forestry, silviculture, timber, non-wood forest products and entomology. Not only do the museums offer insights into various subjects, but a tour here is also a delight for little ones and those with a curious mind. 

While the institute is open throughout the week, the guided tours take place from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The entry fee is nominal making the tourist attraction popular with budget travellers as well.

Shikhar Falls

Located 14 km from the city, Shikhar Falls typically doesn’t feature in most Dehradun tourism itineraries. Since the falls are a little far from the commercial tourist route, it’s missed by most travellers. The falls are situated in Kairwaan village in Raipur. To reach the falls, one has to trek for 1 km. The trekking route is a little challenging so if you are travelling with children, we’d suggest treading cautiously. 

The route to Shikhar falls offers an insightful peek into the local flora and fauna. Besides rare birds, you can spot a variety of butterflies accompanying you on your trek. It would also be advisable to wear sturdy shoes and carry a jacket with you, irrespective of the season in which you are travelling. 

If this is your first trip exploring Dehradun tourism and you are an adventure enthusiast, Shikhar Falls should certainly feature in your Dehradun tourism itinerary.

Head for a picnic to Malsi Deer Park

If you are travelling with little ones, a picnic at Malsi Deer Park should feature on your Dehradun tourism itinerary. The Malsi Deer Park is also referred to as the Malsi Zoo. It is known for its large population of deer. The park is a delight for nature lovers and offers a break from mainstream tourist sites. 

While there are a few food stalls here, we suggest carrying a big picnic basket and reliving old days when picnics were a common sight. Giving you a glimpse of the local flora and fauna, you can expect to spot a few peacocks, tigers, rabbits and Himalayan antelopes. The zoo is part of Malsi Forest Reserve so you will also get a chance to admire lush forests while making your way to the zoo. We suggest keeping aside atleast 3 to 4 hours in your Dehradun tourism itinerary if you plan to enjoy a picnic here. 

Malsi Deer Park is situated on Mussoorie Dehradun Road and is 10 km away from the city. You can either take the local bus or hire a private cab to reach here. 

Take a day trip to the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie

Undoubtedly the most popular tourist attraction on any Dehradun tourism itinerary is the neighbouring hill station of Mussoorie. Reminiscent of an era gone by, Mussoorie is like most hill stations in India and yet it charms travellers with its small-town vibe, beautiful cafes and crooked lanes. 

Mussoorie can easily be covered in a day trip but if you have time, we strongly recommend spending atleast two to three days here. Situated 30 km from Dehradun, it will take you about an hour to reach the hill station. There are numerous places to see at the hill station including the popular Kempty Falls, Lal Tibba, Lake Mist and more. However, if you simply want to relax and enjoy the surreal natural beauty, we suggest booking a boutique homestay in Dehradun. From short walks in the forest, day long hiking tours to exploring forgotten shops on the mall road – an offbeat Mussoorie itinerary has a lot in store for travellers.

Head out for shopping

One might think that Dehradun tourism doesn’t offer much for shopping enthusiasts. But, you’ll be surprised at the number of local markets that are part of Dehradun tourism. Not only do they offer a plethora of things to take back but also offer a peek into the local culture of the city. 

There are dedicated markets for furniture, brass items and apparel as well as decade-old shops selling hand-embroidered shawls, jams and bakery goods. Among the ones that you should include in your Dehradun tourism itinerary, we highly recommend Paltan Bazaar for antique jewellery, handicrafts from the region, pre-loved books and home decor. Offering you a similar range of things is the popular Tibetan Markets. You can bring back prayer flags, scrolls with sayings of Dalai Lama, home decor, incense sticks and cones as well as antiques that you won’t find anywhere else.

Gandhi Road market is another attraction that should feature in your Dehradun tourism itinerary. The market offers a wide variety of antiques and home decor items and is a surprising find for shopping enthusiasts. As is the case with most markets, bargaining is an asset and one that you must use before making the final purchase. 

Enjoy an afternoon at Mindrolling Monastery

Immerse yourself in the peace and tranquillity that the splendid Mindrolling Monastery offers. An integral part of Dehradun tourism, the monastery is also called Tibetan Monastery and is well known for its mesmerising architecture. 

The monastery is home to the tallest stupa in Asia and is built in the Japanese style of architecture. The prayer hall inside the monastery is home to a 130 feet tall statue of Lord Buddha. There are five floors in the monastery and the top-most floors offer mesmerizing views of the valley below. Accessible to the general public only on Sunday, the floors are limited to only students during the weekdays. We suggest keeping aside at least a couple of hours when you are exploring the monastery since the peace and quiet of the place will keep you hooked. 

Mindrolling Monastery is among the six major monasteries of the Tibetan Nyingma School and is home to the Ngagyur Nyingma College as well. The monastery offers Buddhist studies to monks and is also a residential complex for a large number of students.

Owing to the popularity of Dehradun tourism, it sees a steady stream of tourists throughout the year. This has given rise to a variety of accommodation options. Whether you want to enjoy the luxury of a five star hotel or revel in the warm hospitality that homestays offer – Dehradun has it all. The accommodation will also depend on your budget and your itinerary. Let’s take a look at different accommodation options that are part of Dehradun tourism. 

Luxury hotels in Dehradun

Luxury hotels that are part of Dehradun tourism span from boutique resorts to traditional five-star properties. With spacious rooms, efficient service and in house restaurants, the hotels are an ideal choice for luxury travellers who’d like to explore Dehradun tourism. Some of the luxury hotels that you can consider are:

• Ramada 
• IDA hotel
• Four Points By Sheraton
• Hotel Saffron Leaf
• Lemon Tree Hotel
• Tree of Life Resort

Mid-budget hotels in Dehradun

If you are a mid-budget traveller looking for a hotel in Dehradun, you will be surprised at the large number of options at your disposal. Dehradun tourism strives to offer travellers a fulfilling experience and the mid-budget hotels that have come up recently are a fine example of this effort. Spacious rooms, warm service, spa facilities and local tours are part of most package deals if you are booking a mid-budget hotel in Dehradun. Here are some of the popular mid-budget hotels in Dehradun tourism.

• Ghughuti Baasa - Home Stay
• Saffron Leaf
• Mango Tree Courtyard
• The Sylvan Retreat
• Song Valley Resort
• Hotel Forest Avenue

Budget hotels in Dehradun

Budget travellers looking for comfortable stay options in Dehradun tourism will be relieved to know that the city offers homestays, hotels and boutique stays. Travellers can expect comfortable rooms, local information and fresh food at the hotels. While the kind of budget hotel you choose will depend on your budget – there isn’t a dearth of options when one is exploring Dehradun tourism.

• Colonel's Quarters
• Divine Paradise Homestay
• Doon Valley Home Stay
• Doon Regency

Dehradun is among the few cities in Uttarakhand that offers travellers a variety of cuisines. A number of restaurants have come up in an effort to cater to different tastes and you will find that most restaurants serve Chinese, Italian, Continental and Indian street food. Dehradun is in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and so one can also experience the local pahadi food.

Some of the popular dishes that you can try while exploring Dehradun tourism are gahat ki dal, kulath phanu, aloo ke gutke, kaafli and singodi. This might be a little difficult to find in big restaurants but you can always look for small, local dhabas. The local food in Dehradun is prepared using local vegetables, herbs and spices so you can expect a memorable culinary experience. 

One can explore local cafes and try their rendition of international cuisines. We highly recommend the local bakeries in Dehradun as well. Some of the restaurants that you should visit when exploring Dehradun tourism are KC Restaurant for delicious, hot momos, dosa at Chakrata Road, Chetan Poori Wala for aloo puri and everyone’s favourite, Sardarji ke pakode for mixed pakode.

Marigold Cafe, Old Monkeys Cafe, Chhaya’s Cafe, Y Café And Restaurant, Café De Piccolo, Kalsang Ama Cafe are a few cafes that you can visit for Italian, Chinese and Continental cuisines. Among the bakeries, we suggest Eddie’s Patisserie, Rising Dough and Eltham Bakery & Coffee House.

One of the best things about travelling in India is that one can travel on any budget and still have a memorable trip. This holds true for Dehradun tourism as well. Your experience will be different depending on the budget but you can rest assured that the city welcomes all kinds of travellers. Let's take a look at per day costs of exploring Dehradun tourism at different budgets.

Luxury travellers

The per-day costs for luxury travellers exploring Dehradun tourism can be between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000. This cost includes sightseeing tours, food, activities and other experiences you might want to include in your Dehradun tourism itinerary.

Mid budget travellers

Mid budget travellers exploring Dehradun tourism can expect to spend between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per day. This estimate is on the higher side and includes local travel, sightseeing within the city and outside as well as activities. If you choose to travel by local transport, this cost will come down significantly.

Budget travellers

Budget travellers have a variety of options when exploring Dehradun tourism. You have the option of significantly reducing the per-day cost if you choose public transport, local restaurants and budget homestays. Per day cost for budget travellers exploring Dehradun tourism can be between Rs 500 and Rs 2500. If you book your hotel in advance, this amount will reduce even further.

One of the best things about travelling in India is that one can travel on any budget and still have a memorable trip. This holds true for Dehradun tourism as well. Your experience will be different depending on the budget but you can rest assured that the city welcomes all kinds of travellers. Let's take a look at per day costs of exploring Dehradun tourism at different budgets.

Luxury travellers

The per-day costs for luxury travellers exploring Dehradun tourism can be between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000. This cost includes sightseeing tours, food, activities and other experiences you might want to include in your Dehradun tourism itinerary.

Mid budget travellers

Mid budget travellers exploring Dehradun tourism can expect to spend between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per day. This estimate is on the higher side and includes local travel, sightseeing within the city and outside as well as activities. If you choose to travel by local transport, this cost will come down significantly.

Budget travellers

Budget travellers have a variety of options when exploring Dehradun tourism. You have the option of significantly reducing the per-day cost if you choose public transport, local restaurants and budget homestays. Per day cost for budget travellers exploring Dehradun tourism can be between Rs 500 and Rs 2500. If you book your hotel in advance, this amount will reduce even further.

1. How many days do I need to explore Dehradun?

Dehradun tourism has grown tremendously in recent years. Even though it is a growing urban city, it has held on to its charm as a small valley town. This has led travellers to come back to this charming city over and over again. If this is your first trip exploring Dehradun tourism, it’s best to keep aside 3 to 4 days. This will cover tourist attractions in the city as well as a few places outside the city. If you want to visit neighbouring towns such as Mussoorie and Rishikesh, you will need a few more days when exploring Dehradun tourism. 

2. What are the things I should pack for a trip to Dehradun?

Dehradun is situated amidst Doon valley and witnesses pleasant summers and cold winters. What you pack for your Dehradun trip will depend on the season in which you are travelling. Among the essentials, we suggest packing a good pair of walking shoes, a light jacket (if travelling in summer), sunscreen, prescription medicines and an overnight bag if you want to take a camping trip.

3. Suggest three tips for planning a trip to Dehradun.

As we know travel tips make a world of difference when exploring a new place. For those who want to explore Dehradun tourism, there are a few travel tips that can make your experience memorable. Here are three important travel tips if you are exploring Dehradun tourism.

• If you are booking a Dehradun tourism package, it’s best to check the activities included. We also recommend including the cost of transport in your package.
• Another tip that helps in bringing costs down is – advance booking. It’s best to make all your bookings in advance, especially if you are exploring Dehradun tourism during the peak season. 
• While Dehradun is a growing urban city, we suggest carrying extra cash incase you are visiting nearby tourist attractions.

4. Which are the lesser-known Dehradun tourist places?

Dehradun tourism is popular with solo travellers, backpackers, families and couples since it offers something different for everyone. If you are exploring Dehradun tourism in the hope of discovering hidden spots, you might have to work a little hard. There are a few hidden spots in Dehradun tourism but we suggest asking locals for more authentic information. Some of the hidden gems in Dehradun tourism are Kalsi known for its rock edicts, Assan barrage, Nag Tibba and Nagthat.

5. Which are the best places to visit near Dehradun?

Dehradun tourism offers a number of places you can visit within the city. However, if you are exploring the city for a longer duration, we do suggest including a few places nearby. There are a plethora of tourist attractions around Dehradun that make for memorable day trips and weekend getaways. Some of the most popular places near Dehradun tourism are Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Nag Tibba, Dhanaulti, Nagthat, Chamba and Tehri Dam.

6. Which are the most popular markets in Dehradun for shopping?

Shopping enthusiasts will have a memorable experience in exploring Dehradun tourism. Not only can you bring back a plethora of things but the local markets are a great way to learn about the city and the people. Paltan Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Tibetan Market, Gandhi Road Market and Arhat Bazaar are a few markets that are part of Dehradun tourism. There are numerous things you can bring back from your trip to Dehradun such as antiques, jewellery, prayer flags, brass items, Tibetan jewellery and local handicrafts.

7. Which are the most popular hikes around Dehradun?

If you are an enthusiastic hiker and trekker, there are numerous treks around the city that you can include in your Dehradun tourism itinerary. Some of the treks might take a few hours while others will take 3 to 4 days. We suggest planning your trek itinerary according to the time you have. Some of the popular treks that are part of Dehradun tourism are:

• Barlow Ganj
• Kipling Trail
• Bhadraj Hill Trek
• Lambi Dehar Mines
• Chakrata Trek
• Nag Tibba Trek

Written by Kirat Sodhi. She is a proud mom of three cats and lives for lemon tea, a good book and spontaneous travel plans.