Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, sits in a verdant valley surrounded by the Shivalik Hills and serves as the gateway to some of India's most beloved hill stations. Known for its pleasant yea...
Dehradun
The Valley of Wonders
Uttarakhand, India
4.7
Robber's CaveMussoorieSahastradhara
cityhillStation
Duration: 2–3 Days
Budget/day: ₹1,500 – ₹4,000
Best season: Mar – Jun, Sep – Nov
Altitude: 435 m
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport (25 km)
Nearest railway: Dehradun Railway Station (city center)
Best places to visit in Dehradun
Things to do in Dehradun
- No photoNature / AdventureView full guide
1–2 hours
Cave Exploration
Venture into Robber's Cave (Guchhupani), a 600-metre-long natural cave gorge where a seasonal stream disappears and reappears mysteriously underground. Wade through ankle-deep water channels, squeeze through narrow rock formations, and enjoy the eerie natural beauty inside.
- No photoCultural / SightseeingView full guide
Full day
City Sightseeing
Discover Dehradun's colonial and natural landmarks — from the iconic Clock Tower at Paltan Bazaar and the historic Survey of India headquarters to Tapkeshwar Temple, Mindrolling Monastery, and the scenic Lacchiwala nature park.
- No photoEducational / SightseeingView full guide
2–3 hours
Forest Research Institute Visit
Explore one of Asia's largest and most beautiful forest research institutes — a colonial-era Greco-Roman architectural masterpiece set among 450 hectares of lush gardens. The complex houses six museums on forest ecology, pathology, entomology, and timber technology.
Best Time to Visit and Weather Info
Best time: March to June and September to November
Summer is pleasant unlike plains. Monsoon brings heavy rain but lush greenery.
Summer
Best Time ⭐Mar – Jun
20°C – 35°C
Pleasant weather, ideal for sightseeing, waterfalls, and day trips to Mussoorie and Rishikesh.
- Great base for Mussoorie and Haridwar
- Robber's Cave best visited now
Autumn
Best Time ⭐Sep – Nov
15°C – 28°C
Post-monsoon greenery at its peak. Clear skies and cool weather make this ideal for exploration.
- Best for photography
- Waterfalls are at full flow
Monsoon
Good 🟡Jul – Aug
22°C – 32°C
Lush and green but heavy rainfall. Sahastradhara and waterfalls are spectacular.
- Carry rain gear
- Some roads may be blocked
Winter
Good 🟡Dec – Feb
5°C – 18°C
Cold but manageable. Occasional snowfall on the outskirts. Fewer crowds.
- Carry warm clothes
- Great for budget travel — fewer tourists
How to Reach
✈️By Air
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (25 km)
Duration: ~40 mins
Regular flights from Delhi. Airport taxis and pre-booked cabs available.
Taxi: ₹600 – ₹800
Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet
🚂By Train
Station: Dehradun Railway Station
Dehradun is well connected to Delhi and other major cities via direct trains.
- Shatabdi Express — Delhi (5 hrs)
- Nanda Devi Express — Delhi (6.5 hrs)
- Mussoorie Express — Delhi (7 hrs)
🚌By Road
Excellent road connectivity via NH-72A. UPSRTC Volvo buses run overnight from Delhi.
- Delhi: 290 km, 5.5–6.5 hrs via NH-72A
- Haridwar: 54 km, 1.5 hrs via NH-72A
- Rishikesh: 43 km, 1 hr via NH-72
- Mussoorie: 35 km, 1 hr via Library Road
Itineraries
Local Food
Dehradun has a rich food culture mixing Garhwali cuisine with modern cafés and street food.
Kafuli
Traditional Garhwali green curry made from spinach and fenugreek — nutritious and delicious.
Where: Local Garhwali restaurants
₹80 – ₹150
Jhangora Ki Kheer
Barnyard millet pudding — a traditional Garhwali dessert sweetened with jaggery.
Where: Local sweet shops
₹40 – ₹80
Bal Mithai
Roasted khoya fudge coated in white sugar balls — originally from Kumaon but popular here.
Where: Suresh Mithai Wala, Paltan Bazaar
₹50 – ₹200/250g
Singori
Khoya wrapped in maalu leaf — a unique and aromatic Kumaoni sweet.
Where: Traditional sweet shops
₹20 – ₹30 per piece
Momos
Steamed or fried dumplings — wildly popular street food in Dehradun.
Where: Clock Tower area stalls
₹50 – ₹100
Baadi
Traditional Garhwali dish made from black lentils — earthy and filling.
Where: Local Garhwali dhabas
₹60 – ₹120
Dehradun has a great café culture near Rajpur Road and Clock Tower area for modern dining options too.
FAQs
- Dehradun is famous for the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Robber's Cave (Guchhupani), Sahastradhara waterfalls, the Mindrolling Monastery, and as the gateway to Mussoorie, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.
Best Places Similar
Mussoorie
Perched at an altitude of 2,000 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, Mussoorie — the Queen of the Hills — has been captivating visitors with its panoramic mountain views, lush forests, and cool misty climate since the British colonial era. The bustling Mall Road lined with shops and eateries, the cascading Kempty Falls, and the scenic Gun Hill viewpoint are among the top attractions. Whether you're honeymooning or escaping the summer heat, Mussoorie offers a perfect blend of romance, nature, and adventure.
Shimla
Shimla, the former summer capital of British India and now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, enchants visitors with its Victorian-era architecture, crisp mountain air, and sweeping Himalayan vistas. The iconic Ridge and Mall Road at the heart of the town bustle with activity year-round, while the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla toy train journey is a scenic marvel in itself. From adventure activities like skiing and trekking to exploring colonial-era buildings and temples, Shimla is one of India's most beloved hill station destinations.
Nainital
Nainital, the lake district jewel of Uttarakhand, is built around the serene Naini Lake nestled among seven hills at an altitude of 2,084 meters. This charming hill station offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Kumaon Himalayas, with boating on the lake, a cable car ride to Snow View Point, and the bustling Mall Road shopping strip among the top experiences. The Naina Devi Temple on the northern shore of the lake adds a deep spiritual dimension to this naturally stunning destination.
Nearby destinations
Mussoorie
16 km · Perched at an altitude of 2,000 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, Mussoorie — the Queen of the Hills — has been captivating visitors with its panoramic mountain views, lush forests, and cool misty climate since the British colonial era. The bustling Mall Road lined with shops and eateries, the cascading Kempty Falls, and the scenic Gun Hill viewpoint are among the top attractions. Whether you're honeymooning or escaping the summer heat, Mussoorie offers a perfect blend of romance, nature, and adventure.
Rishikesh
34 km · Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas along the banks of the sacred Ganges, Rishikesh is celebrated as the Yoga Capital of the World and a premier adventure destination in India. Spiritual seekers flock here for ashrams, meditation retreats, and the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, while thrill-seekers come for world-class white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and trekking. The iconic Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge and the vibrant café culture of the Beatles Ashram make Rishikesh an unmissable stop on any northern India itinerary.
Haridwar
43 km · The holy city of Haridwar translates to "Gateway to God," and this breathtaking destination, replete with ancient temples and sacred ghats, is a magnet for religious pilgrims from all over the globe. Religious festivals like Kumbh Mela and Kanwar Yatra hold further draw, and visitors can't help but be compelled by the city's aura of intense spirituality. Don't miss the iconic Har ki Pauri ghat and the hilltop Chandi Devi Temple.