A travel Guide to Dehradun

Dehradun Tourism

Known as the winter capital of Uttrakhand, Dehradun is a hill station situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. The natural beauty of this city is blessed with caves, natural springs, and waterfalls. Dehradun, India, is a gateway to the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It’s a balanced mixture of religious, colonial and modern architecture. The famous Dehradun tourist attractions include Robber's Cave, Lacchiwalla, the Clock Tower, Daat Kali Temple, Forest Research Institute, and many more. There are many other tourist attractions including Mussoorie, Haridwar, and Rishikesh that are in the proximity of Dehradun.

The altitude of this destination from sea level is 1400 feet which creates a pleasant climate throughout the year. Dehradun tours are also famous for many festivals, including Jhanda Fair, Tapkeshwar Fair and Bissu Fair that this city hosts and witness huge footfalls during them. Shopping sprees in various markets such as Paltan Bazar, Tibetan Market, and Indira Market is also an interesting aspect of Dehradun tourism.

Whether you prefer to travel solo or with others, you can have a smooth trip to this city with a prior hotel reservation. The city of Dehradun is home to several family-friendly places that everyone can enjoy. This Dehradun travel guide will help you organise your trip efficiently.

Places to visit in Dehradun

1. Robber's Cave

Locally known as Gucchi Pani, this river cave is an important part of Dehradun tourism and is widely believed to be an abode of Lord Shiva. Located at a distance of 8 km from Dehradun city, this river cave is a cave-like gorge created between a consolidated limestone formation. It's famous for the mystery movie vibe it gives, with gushing streams, echoing inside the caves. There are underground springs that are extraordinary and calm down visitors from the hot summer afternoons. Sahastradhara, which is also known as "The Thousandfold Springs", is located very close to this destination.

2. Lachhiwala

Situated in the Rajaji forest area, Lacchiwalla is a famous picnic spot near Dehradun and is highly recommended by any Dehradun travel guide. Visitors can enjoy and indulge in many water activities here, such as boating and swimming. There are no facilities here to provide swimming equipment. It’s advised that you carry your equipment with you. It's a fun family destination with a garden where you can see monkeys jumping from one tree to another.

3. Tapkeshwar Temple

Tapkeshwar temple is among the top Dehradun tourist places as it attracts a huge crowd every year. Situated 6.5 km from the city centre, it's a cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. This cave is believed to be the abode of Guru Dronacharya in the past. There’s a sulphur water spring here for pilgrims to take a bath before entering the main temple. The Shiva Linga here is believed to grant the wishes of the devotees. Apart from religious tourists, this place also attracts a young crowd for its picnic spot.

4. Sahastradhara

Sahastradhara is a sulphur water spring that's among the top Dehradun attractions for all the medicinal and therapeutic value it holds. The waterfall falls down the limestone stalactites, which is the reason why the water is rich with sulphur. Visitors can enjoy a dip in the remarkable refreshing water here. There's also a facility of ropeway rides that tourists can enjoy. The picturesque surroundings of rich Himalayan vegetation and brownish-orange elements in the caves let you enjoy the serenity and tranquillity of this destination.

5. Assan Barrage

Assan Barrage is a blue-green, man-made lake that attracts a wide range of bird species every year. Among these, there are various endangered and rare bird species from all around the world. This is a beautiful marvel and is also known as Dhalipur lake. Assan Barrage is full of biodiversity and is a heaven for bird watchers and nature lovers. The uniqueness of this destination puts it on the list of top Dehradun attractions.

Things to do in Dehradun

With so many places worth visiting comes several different activities for tourists. Here's a list of some things to do in Dehradun for you:

Camping

Dehradun is a city that's known for being a getaway for adventurers and nature lovers. With camping in the valleys of Dehradun isolated from the city, you get to enjoy and relax in a tranquil atmosphere. While camping, you can enjoy bonfires and food out in nature, surrounded by scenic beauty. There are also many adventure activities available at various campsites in Dehradun. Many camping agencies can provide the necessary equipment.

Paragliding

Paragliding over the canvas of Dehradun will give you an airborne experience. It's an exhilarating activity letting you enjoy the beauty of many places such as Mussoorie, Chakrata, and Tehri Lake. Properly trained professionals are available at sites to assist you in a two-seat ride. You can book for such activities in advance and it usually lasts 8 to 20 minutes.

Picnic at Malsi Deer Park

Malsi Deer Park is a famous picnic spot in Dehradun. It's different from other picnic spots as here visitors get to enjoy the soothing greenery along with deers and different exotic species of birds. There are also water bodies, slides, and a canteen to add more fun to your visit.

Best time to visit Dehradun

Dehradun is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, which blesses this destination with a soothing environment throughout the year. The temperature of Dehradun hardly crosses 35 degree Celsius which makes this city pleasant to explore even in summers, from April to June, making it the best time to visit Dehradun. Monsoon, from July to September, enhances the beauty of this hill station with blooming lush greenery and waterfalls. It's a good time to visit Dehradun for adventurous purposes and have great scenic views from the hotels in Dehradun. Winters from October to February can get cold here. It’s not the best season to visit Dehradun. You'll need to carry overcoats, gloves and woollens to cover you up. For people who can tolerate low temperatures, there are several places like Mindrolling Monastery and Forest Research Institute that they can enjoy during winters. It's also a good time of the year to enjoy the luscious food cuisine of Dehradun.

How to reach Dehradun

Dehradun is very well connected with the rest of the country via airways, roadways, and railways. Here's a little guide on how to reach Dehradun:

By Airways: There are frequently available flights to Dehradun. You can board a flight and land at the Jolly Grant Airport, which is a domestic airport in Dehradun. International travellers can board a flight to Delhi or Mumbai international airports and then take a flight to Dehradun from there.

By Roadways: Dehradun enjoys good connectivity with many North-Indian major cities. There are regular private and public bus services operating to and from Dehradun.

By Railways: The Indian Railways connects this destination directly to many major cities across the country, like Kolkata, Delhi, Indore and so on. Dehradun Railway Station is only a few km away from the city. From the railway station, you can take a bus or taxi towards your destination.