Dehra Dun to Bhuntar Kullu Flights

  About Dehradun

Nestled perfectly on the lap of the Doon Valley is the beautiful hill station Dehradun. The city is actually the capital of Uttarakhand as we and resides on the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. The hill station sees a mild climate thanks to its geographical location. The rivers Gangs and Yamuna also flow on either side of Dehradun. Bring the capital of the state, Dehradun has impeccable flight connectivity to and from other metropolitan cities. Not to mention, the city transport also allows travellers to explore other Himalayan destinations such as Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Auli, to name a few. Dehradun also boasts quaint accommodations. You can book hotels in Dehradun as a wide range of options are available.

Best time to visit Fehradun

The summers in Dehradun are pleasant as the sky is clear, and the air is refreshing. The months between March to June are ideal as the summers of Dehradun allow you to venture out exploring and don't put a damper on your travel plans. The maximum the temperature rises to is 35 degrees Celsius while it can drop ho to 17 degrees Celsius.

Interestingly, the monsoons are just as pleasant. The lush green expanses of Dehradun turn into pristine hues and worth visiting. The city looks lively with the nature springing to life during monsoon. The months between July to September are also a good bet for those who wish to enjoy piping hot kullad chais and exquisite views.

Although Dehradun doesn't experience snow as the maximum temperature drop is close to 3 degrees Celsius, it still offers a beautiful sight. The cold winds blowing across the city while the winter sun teases the landscape is yet again a picturesque sight. Besides, one can easily take this time to venture out and see more of what the hill station has to offer.

The concept of the best season to visit Dehradun does not exist as it caters to all kinds of audience and is open all-year-round.

Places to see in Dehradun

The leisure town of Dehradun perfectly connects with several beautiful places such as Mussoorie and Rishikesh, to name a few. While a majority of crowd chooses to head straight to these places instead, you should know about some of the highlights that make Dehradun touristy.

Tapkeshwar Temple

Uttarakhand has numerous temples and shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the famous temples in the State is the Tapkeshwar Temple. What makes this temple extraordinary is the fact that the Shivlinga has been sacredly placed within a cave. To visit the temple, you will have to go through thick forests and enter a cave as the deity's idol is placed within. The way the temple is constructed makes the setting quite the visual spectacle. The location is barely 6 km from the city centre and can be covered easily. The caves are especially lit during Shivratri as devotees from all corners of the world flock over to offer their prayers.

Malsi Deer Park

Malsi Deer Park is a zoological setting curated by the wildlife department of the State. It's a smaller version of the Rajaji National Park with more expansive areas to explore and excursions to be conducted. Aside from the natural beauty and the abundant flora and fauna that the park inhabits, the place also offers joyrides to engage kids. There are spaces of rides and games to entertain kids within the park. Deer Park is on the Mussoorie road and just 10 km away from the city.

Robber's Cave

Another favourite picnic spot in Dehradun is the Robber's cave. Well, technically, it is more of a romantic escapade for newlyweds or couples in love. These natural caves in Dehradun have unusual cold springs within that make it an attraction. Along with some eccentric attributes, there are quite a few waterfalls within the caves too which make for a refreshing experience. The beauty of the caves makes travellers visit the place more than once. Plus, it also gives people a chance to trek a little.

Aside from these highlights, there are various temples and monasteries within the city that should be explored. Places such as Shiv Mandir, Fun Valley, Maldevta, Tapovan are some tourist attractions in the town of Dehradun.

Things to do in Dehradun

Chopta Tungnath Trek

Doon Valley plays an excellent host to adventure junkies who wish to explore more of the valley's natural beauty and serenity. Chopta Tungnath trek is one such trek that you can pick as the summit is located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. The trekking trails through Tungnath is rich in biodiversity and makes for a fun expedition. On your journey, you will witness some gorgeous tall deodar and pine trees interspersed with coloured rhododendrons and silver oaks. As you reach the Chandrashila peak, you'll be met with the views of the snowcapped Himalayas with sunrays escaping through the gaps. The breath-taking sights would undoubtedly be worth all the trek. The locals would also tell you tales and folklore that connects Tungnath to Lord Shiva.

Har Ki Dun Trek

One of the popular treks often chosen by travellers is the Har Ki Dun Trek which leads to a combined view of Babdarpoonch, Ruinsara and Black peak mountain tops, also known as Swargarohini. A little away from the city of Dehradun, this trek is quite spiritually driven as the valley is tied to stories of Duryodhana from Mahabharata. The villagers believe and worship him and have some intriguing accounts to explain what makes him such a venerated personality.

You can take this trek in all seasons as it is not risky. The Himalayan trails will acquaint you with some exotic alpine trees, Rhododendron flowers, expanses of green grass, glaciers, quaint temples, Tamsa river and more.

Paltan Bazaar

For the shopaholic in you, Paltan Bazaar with it's happening vibe is the best place to indulge in Dehradun after a long day. Starting from Clock Tower, the bazaar stretches up to the Dehradun railway station. From exciting and inexpensive handicrafts, clothes, bags, shoes, etc., street food binge, the Paltan Bazaar will keep you entertained.

Food and Restaurants in Dehradun

Dehradun's cuisine is a mix of Indian teamed with Tibetan, Chinese and South Indian too! From Chetan Poori Wala's lip-smacking platter to Kalsang's Momo magic, the hill station houses some of the best street food that you should definitely check out. The sheer variety of delicious food is wholesome and perfect for pleasant weather.

Kalsang has quite a few branches across the State where you'll be served some of the best authentic Tibetan and Chinese cuisine. The must-have dishes include thupka, thenthuk and chilli momos which come with spicey gravy made out of bell peppers and shallots. Plus, do not forget to try the Tibetan buns along with fruit beers.

Chetan Puri Wala is another major highlight of Dehradun's street food. Located at main Hanuman Chowk, the quaint shop gives wholesome meal plates comprising of chole, aloo, methi sabzi and more along with hot fluffy pooris. The shop has been covered by NDTV Good Times too by the foodie duo Rocky and Mayur's food show.

Besides these three famous shops, you should also visit Maggi Points, Kumar Sweet, Gaylord Ice cream Parlour, Bobby Fast Food Corner, Buffet Snacks Shop and Ellora Bakery, to name a few. You'll be thoroughly amazed by the variety and taste.

How to reach Dehradun

By Air

Dehradun's prominence as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India has made its travel connectivity strong. The Jolly Grant Airport, located 22km away from the city of Dehradun, has excellent flight connectivity to and from major cities. There are direct flights from metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and more. Airlines such as SpiceJet, GoAir have regular flights flying to and from Dehradun, making it perfect for travel. You can book cheap flight tickets to Dehradun in advance to avoid the expensive costs. Simultaneously, you can also book hotel rooms in Dehradun, who can send vehicles to pick you up from the airport. The distance is not a lot, and there are transport services available at Dehradun airport too.

By Rail

As an established tourist destination in India, the train connectivity to and from Dehradun is also commendable. There are trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and Varanasi that are directly connected to Dehradun Railway Station. The railway station is located within the city, so transport from the station becomes easier. Although the duration spent to reach Dehradun by train is more than one would want to pay. There are taxi cabs and vehicles that you can rent from the station during your stay in the popular hill station.

By Road

Bus facilities to Dehradun are also available and can be found from New Delhi's Kashmere Gate. Since the trip can be completed overnight, a majority of buses heading to Dehradun from Delhi depart from the city in the evenings. You can find a plethora of bus services from Kashmere Gate ranging from Deluxe AC buses to seater Volvo buses. In fact, the State-owned Uttarakhand transport service also has buses that depart and arrive in the city of Dehradun regularly. Many tourists even consider road trips to Dehradun from Delhi and can choose the domestic route via NH 72 for the same.

  About Bhuntar Kullu 

Located beautifully at the confluence of the rivers Beas and Parvati rests this quaint town of Bhuntar. From the banks of the rivers, you can see the two varied hues of white and blue converging as the rivers meet. It certainly is a sight for sore eyes. Bhuntar is prominent for playing host to the Bhuntar Airport as well as being the point from which, travellers can pick varied domestic routes to explore Himachal Pradesh. Bhuntar connects to various notable hill stations around such as Manali, Kasol, Shimla, Dharamshala and more. Beautiful green landscapes have blessed the quaint town while the majestic Himalayan mountains surround it. The Beas River also flows through Bhuntar, making fishing a source of occupation.

Bhuntar is a small town and does not have expensive accommodation or tourist perks. However, as it plays the focal point from which travellers can traverse to other parts of the State, it automatically gains popularity. The domestic routes from Bhuntar are connected to some impeccable places and valleys such as Tirthan, Parvati, etc. It is basically a place that you can cover within a day as the accommodation is also not exemplary. However, there are some excellent hotels facing the Beas river. One can book hotels at Bhuntar and spend a day to complete checking off the list of things to do. The flight connectivity to Bhuntar and the domestic routes to and from Bhuntar Kullu are tremendously good.

Best time to visit Bhuntar Kullu

Bhuntar has no specific rule to visit as it is pleasant throughout the year. However, if you do wish to make the most of the quaint town and continue with your other plans, then the next thing for you to do would be to opt for a summer vacation. The summers in Bhuntar fall between April to June and are ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities. Monsoons can get pretty hectic and risky as the chances of landslides are quite high. The river continued to flow without much hassle. During winters, the temperatures do drop quite a lot, but it is still bearable as the cool breezes don't result in snow.

Places to visit in Bhuntar Kullu

Bhuntar has quite a handful of temples around which shows their devotion towards religious beliefs. From the Basheshwar Mahadev Temple to Jagannath Temple, most of the temples are built as a tribute to Lord Shiva.

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple

The Basheshwar Mahadev Temple is one of the famous tourist attractions of Bhuntar. The temple is also known by the name Visveshwara Mahadev Temple and has an exemplary architecture with exceptional sculptures. It is located close to the Bhuntar airport and is in fact, only 4 km away. It is believed that the temple came into existence in the 8th century and is easily one of the largest temples that you will find in Kullu. The stone carvings and shikaras further add to the magnificent beauty of the temple.

Jagannath Temple

At the Jagannath Temple, while you will find a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, the place also observes Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. The temple is just 3 km away from the main city of Bhuntar. Located at a surprising elevation of 5000 ft from sea level, the Jagannath Temple possibly has the best view that one can find in all of Kullu. You can get a bird's eye view of the small town and feel at peace. It is necessary to be careful when climbing the steep hill where the temple is located. Since the path is quite steep, it can get risky.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Yet another Lord Shiva temple, the Bijli Mahadev Temple is located in close proximity to Bhuntar. It is at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, atop the Mathan Hill. Since it is situated at a height, the view from the temple is simply breath-taking. The architecture is also quite exquisite as it has followed the Kash style of construction. There is a belief that every time an individual comes across a flash of light, it is a result of the Shivlinga breaking into pieces. While people are yet to witness this marvel, another belief further states that sincere prayers of the devotees could bring good rainfall in the district to help with agriculture and cultivation.

Himalayan National Park

The Himalayan National Park, also known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Great Indian National Park, is a humongous meadow of preserved environment that is sprawled over the Kullu district and can be found in Bhuntar's locality as well. The park inhabits bears, both brown and black, langurs, Himalayan musk deer rhesus macaques, wild sheep and more such animals. The place also boasts rich biodiversity with some impeccable plants and flowers. Overall, the place is gorgeous and makes for a good stroll for photographers and nature-lovers.

Adi Brahma Temple

Although Pushkar in Rajasthan is known to be the only place in the entire world with a Brahma temple, Bhuntar also has a shrine dedicated to the God who created the universe. Going by the name Adi Brahma Temple, the enormous wooden temple is only 4 km away from Bhuntar and is close to the Khokhan village. At the centre of the temple vicinity, you will find a giant statue of Lord Brahma. The premise also has gorgeous chariots made of silver and brass mohras.

Things to do in Bhuntar Kullu

Rafting at Beas river

Beas river is sparkling blue and calmer as compared to the Parvati river. Hence, river rafting is mostly conducted on the banks of the Beas river in Kullu. You can opt for this once in a lifetime experience and dive straight into a raft that will give you an exquisite sight of the Himalayan ranges while you're in the water. It is certainly something you should pick up because rafting in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are adrenaline-charged and extremely fun.

Trek to Sar Pass and Malana Village

To go on trekking expeditions, you will have to travel to Mandi village, which is not very far from Bhuntar. As you reach Mandi, you will have the option to explore Malana and Sar Pass. Since Sar Pass requires you to be healthy and have six to seven days in hand to reach the summit, it needs to planned out properly. As for Malana village, you can take a taxi ride to the foothills of the village and trek up to the holy hill station. You need to avoid touching any of the structures in the Malana village as you will be fined for it.

Explore Bhuntar Kullu on a bicycle

The best way to spend your time in Bhuntar Kullu would be to rent a bicycle and explore more of the green expanses that envelop the hill station. The lovely dense forests of Bhuntar would keep your attention engaged, and you will be thoroughly amazed by how gorgeous the city and its outskirts are.

Food and restaurants

Since Bhuntar is more of a stop-over for many travellers before they can pick their next destination, the place doesn't have a lot of restaurants or food joints that are memorable. You will be happy and satiated by the food served at the bus and airport junctions, but that's about it. Dhabas and restaurants here serve Mughlai and Indian cuisine along with Maggi and corn. To get some fancy food, you will have to either head to Kullu or Kasol.

How to reach Bhuntar Kullu (Transportation)

By Air

Bhuntar Airport or Kullu Manali Airport rests perfectly atop the banks of the Beas river, offering tourists a fabulous view of the valley. The closest way to reach Manali, Kasol, Mandi, Kullu and other such tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh is via Bhuntar Airport. Considering how Kullu Manali is one of the top travel destinations in India, direct flights fly to and from Bhuntar Airport. The flight connectivity to and from Bhuntar and major cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla and Dharamshala is top-notch. Since there is only one runway available, the flights have layovers in Delhi. Quite a handful of airlines have also reserved dedicated flights to Bhuntar Kullu.

By Rail

Pathankot is the central railway station in North India that connects domestic routes of major tourist destinations. From Dharamshala to Manali to Kullu, all the top hill stations can easily be connected via Pathankot. Trains from metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai Lucknow, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, etc., travel to Pathankot. From here, tourists can pick taxi cabs or rentals or even motorcycles to travel to Bhuntar, Kullu and other parts of Himachal Pradesh. Reaching Kullu is quite easy as all modes of transport will take you right here. A dedicated railway station does not exist in Bhuntar.

By Road

Buses are usually the most sought-after choice when travelling to Bhuntar from other parts of the northern cities. Often people take the Rajdhani to reach Delhi, and from here, dedicated buses taking domestic routes to reach Bhuntar are taken. You can find these buses at Kashmere Gate in Delhi from where the buses usually start. Aside from the luxury buses and Volvo AC services, the state also provided bus services for cheap tickets. The Himachal Pradesh State Board Transport Corporation (HPSRTC) has reserved buses that connect Bhuntar and Kullu to the other parts of the state. From Kullu, you can easily travel to other hill stations such as Shimla, Rampur, Mandi, Kasol, Manali, etc.

  About Dehradun Airport

Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant Airport is located about 25 km away from the main city of Dehradun. The airport's commercial operations kicked off in 2008 after the runway was extended with a view to accommodating larger aircraft. Later in 2009, Dehradun Airport introduced the new terminal building and opened operations for the same. Jolly Grant Airport is only 20 km away from Rishikesh and about 35 km away from Haridwar. The airport access from these towns in Uttarakhand is quite strong. You can drive down to the airport from Rishikesh and Haridwar in approximately 30 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. Dehradun Airport is known to be the 37th busiest airport in the country with annual passenger traffic of 1,240,173. The airport is also called the Air Gateway of Garhwal and plays a pivotal role in contributing to the tourism of Uttarakhand. Jolly Grant is actually the name of the place in Dehradun district where the airport has been established. It is close to 27 km away from the main city. In the initial years of the airport's genesis, a regional airline called Vayudoot was operated to connect to cities such as New Delhi, Pantnagar and Lucknow.

Vayudoot operated services from 1982 to 1995. Later in 2004, Air Deccan started flight operations between Dehradun and New Delhi. The flights were operated on a daily basis and eventually, in 2006, a second flight was also added. As the Airport Authority of India toom charge, they eventually suspended all flight operations from 2007 and ordered to execute a renewed airport modernization plan. The airport authority also extended the runway of Dehradun Airport from 3,500 ft to 7,000 ft. Simultaneously, they also broadened the runway from 23 metres to 45 metres. With this, they have managed to enable accommodation of narrow-body jets such as Boeing 737 as well as Airbus 320. The airport also started a night landing system with a new terminal building as well as an Air Traffic Control tower was developed. By 2010, Air India also launched its flight connection from Dehradun to Delhi, followed by SpiceJet in 2012.

About Dehradun Airport Terminals

Jolly Grant Airport has one domestic terminal that was refurbished to bring forth the New Domestic Terminal Building. The terminal is sprawled across 4,200 square metres made of glass and steel. The structure has central air conditioning, and heating facilities are available. A specific Flight Information Displace System (FIDS) is also present within the premise of the airport. Not to mention a CCTV surveillance system that ensures strong security. The airport is known to have a capacity of handling close to 150 passengers per hour. It has been recorded that the airport can handle about 122,000 passengers annually. Currently, the new domestic terminal has 11 check-in counters, three security booths in the departure section, an X-ray baggage scanner and two conveyor belts for baggage claim. Meanwhile, the airport apron that is adjoined to the terminal has two category 'C' type of aircraft. With respect to the expansion plans as proposed by the Airport Authority of India, they will be constructing a new integrated terminal along with allied facilities to make travel efficient for passengers.

About airport authority

Dehradun Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India, a statutory body that functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of India. The statutory body is basically responsible for management, upgradation and maintenance of the infrastructure of Dehradun Airport. Along with Dehradun Airport, the Airports Authority of India manages a total of about 126 airports in India. These include 11 international airports and 11 customs airports with 89 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves located on military airfields. After its initial installation, AAI has been working on the expansion of the airport. Their plan is to expand the runway to accommodate more aircraft and passenger traffic. They also wish to get more airlines to fly in and out of Dehradun Airport. The new integrated terminal building that the airport is building right now is worth INR 3448 million.

Facilities at Dehradun Airport

Lounge - The airport has a dedicated waiting lounge for the passengers. The waiting lounge has a clean and hygienic restrooms and comfortable seating for passengers. The airport's lounge also provides WiFi services as well as good food. Travellers can relax in the lounge while they wait for boarding. The lounge also has modern amenities to cater to the needs of the passengers.

Baggage - The airport's baggage facilities include trolleys, wrapping services and more. The baggage services can be access at the Pantnagar terminal. The airport's terminal also has trolleys available to help passengers. The airport also has baggage claim conveyor belts to get hold of the checked luggage.

Food joints - Although Dehradun Airport doesn't have a proper restaurant facility, it does have enough food stalls and snacks joints. One can get coffee, tea and other hot beverages at the airport's departures and arrivals section of the terminal. You can avail some light refreshments while you wait at the airport for boarding.

ATMs - There are ATM kiosks also available at the airport. To help passengers withdraw money and avail some snacks or keep money in hand, the airport has installed ATM kiosks of domestic banks. The kiosk accepts all kinds of cards so the passenger would not have to worry about it.

Special assistance - Special assistance for passengers with mobility issues or other health concerns are also available. One might need to inform the airlines beforehand to get hold of special assistance from the airport. The staff is helpful and would provide wheelchairs and other assistance required.

Smoking zone - Smoking is not allowed in the premise of the airport. The airport has installed a dedicated room for smoking. Individuals can make use of the room to smoke. Purchases of cigarettes are also available at the airport, in case the passenger cannot get hold of them.

Duty-free shops - To kill time at the airport while you wait to board the flight, the airport has also installed some duty-free shops where you can get some authentic goods and items that are famous in Uttarakhand. These include perishable goods such as sweets and dry fruits as well.

Top airlines flying from Dehradun Airport

The top three airlines that are currently operating from Jolly Grant Airport are IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet. While IndiGo has three dedicated flights flying in and out of Dehradun Airport daily, both, Air India and SpiceJet have two flights respectively. Earlier, Jet Airways also operated from Jolly Grant Airport and had the highest number of flights functioning from the airport. They have six daily flights flying to and from Dehradun Airport. However, following the airline's shut down, the airport now witnesses only three airlines functioning from their airport premise. The airlines have been given slots for functioning. Since the airport's runway is small and the terminal cannot accommodate a big crowd, the schedules of the flights of the airlines have been shared on the respective airline's websites. It is essential that you go through the timings ahead of the travel. In case there are any changes in the schedules of the flights, following a weather condition, the airlines and the airport would intimate passengers about the same.

How to reach Dehradun Airport

By Bus

Dehradun's primary mode of transportation is the bus. The state also promotes its bus services. These interstate buses are available at all times during the day and have an exemplary connection. In fact, to reach Dehradun Airport, taking a bus is the best and most viable option. The buses will directly reach you to Jolly Grant Airport as they have a dedicated bus stand right outside the airport. These buses can be taken from anywhere within the state, including Rishikesh and Haridwar. Along with buses, you can also avail the services of taxi cabs and private vehicles that are present at the hill station. It might cost you more than the bus fare, but you will have a comfortable journey as you reach Dehradun Airport. It is recommended that you haggle with the private cab or taxi before you start your journey. They might charge exorbitant amounts for smaller distance. Taxicab services to reach Jolly Grant Airport can be availed from within anywhere in the state. Reaching Dehradun Airport by road is quite convenient and comfortable.

By Train

The train is another viable and cheap option to reach Jolly Grant Airport. Dehradun and Haridwar are the nearest railway stations to reach Jolly Grant Airport. The railways are also well-connected to the airport and see scheduled trains coming in from other parts of Uttarakhand. If you plan to save some money, it is advised that you take up the train as the mode of transport to reach Jolly Grant Airport. In case you are trying to reach Dehradun Airport from places in the Garhwal region such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and Mussoorie then you can find cabs to reach the nearest railway station.