Dehra Dun to Ajaccio 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 Ajaccio

Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica, an island in the south of France, that is worth exploring. That Ajaccio is the late ruler, Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace is what attracts tourists to the place. Of course, Ajaccio's proximity to the ocean and its culture are some of the other major reasons for tourists to plan a trip to Corsica. The city offers you a breathtaking view of the ocean and has a lot of beaches nearby that you will not want to leave at all. Make sure you book a hotel in Ajaccio that is either closer to the beach or has ocean view rooms for you to wake up to every day till your holiday ends. You can learn more about the French culture, the lifestyle of the locals, Ajaccio's history or you can head to the beach and indulge in a lot of water-based activities. Since Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica, it is easily accessible to a lot of other cities, beaches and major tourist attractions. The people here are quite friendly, and you will have absolutely no trouble getting along with anyone here.

Best Time to Visit Ajaccio

January and February are favourable months to plan your trip to Ajaccio. The temperature ranges from 3 to 11 degree Celsius. Though it might get difficult for you to hit the beach and indulge in water activities since it is already cold and the water will also be really cold, but you won't regret it at all. March to July is also considered to be the best months to fly to Ajaccio with the temperature ranging from 3 to 30 degree Celsius. June and July are some of the best months to hit the beach. You can put on your fanciest swimwear and head to the beach to beat the heat. Make sure you book your hotels to Ajaccio several weeks in advance. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Ajaccio in advance, so you get a better deal. You can indulge in beach activities like parasailing, boating, surfing and so on. You can also attend the events that happen in the city during this time. The weather is quite sunny in August with the temperature ranging from 16 to 35 degree Celsius. August witnesses the maximum heat, and if you don't want to battle the heat, you can book your flight tickets to Ajaccio for any time other than August.

September to November sees a dip in the number of tourists. The temperature ranges from 2 to 27 degree Celsius. With the increase in humidity, the weather might get slightly uncomfortable for you to venture out. The hotel fares drop during this time, and you might even get cheap flight tickets to Ajaccio during this time. December is a peak season for the city. The temperature ranges from 3 to 17 degree Celsius, and the weather does not affect any of your plans to try outdoor activities or go sightseeing. You might even come across exciting flight deals to Ajaccio if you book several weeks in advance.

Places to Visit in Ajaccio

Maison Bonaparte Museum in Ajaccio is one of the major tourist attractions in the city. You can visit the house where Napoleon was born. You can learn a lot about his life and struggles. You will also find a medallion here that has a lock of his hair. If you are an art lover, you must visit Palais Fesch – Musée des Beaux-Arts. You will find French collection of Italian paintings that will take your breath away. The museum has masterpieces by Fra Bartolomeo, Bellini, Botticelli,

Titian and Veronese. You will also find several rooms that are dedicated to Napoleon. If you are staying in Ajaccio, you must definitely head to the Plage de Porticcio beach. It is about a 20-minute ferry ride and is 6 km away from the city by water. The pristine beach is a perfect getaway from the city, and you can indulge in a lot of water activities here. You can also head to Cupabia Beach, which is the perfect beach to head to if you want to laze and soak in the scenic view. The turquoise waters and soft sand will only help you relax better.

The St Marie Cathedral dates back to the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the city. You can also head to Old Town and explore the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, which is an important landmark in the city. TIt is also an architectural marvel, and you will find yourself admiring the beautiful features. Make sure you also check out the Citadel, a fortress that was built in the 16th century for military purposes. Though it still belongs to the army, it has been vacant for several years now and is not open for tourists.

Things to do in Ajaccio

You can go on a sightseeing tour of the city and cover all the museums and other historical landmarks in the city. Ajaccio also has quite a lot of beaches for tourists to visit. You can go beach hopping and find your favourite one. You can also sign up for a boat tour of the nearby beaches, or you can explore marine life underwater. There are quite a few packages that you can sign up for, to spend time with the marine animals. You can go snorkelling or scuba diving. The city also offers other activities like boating, surfing and so on. Apart from water activities, you can also explore trekking and other such activities in the city. You will even end up making a lot of new friends if you are visiting during peak season since there are a lot of tourists in Ajaccio.

Apart from the stunning beaches, Ajaccio is also known for its seafood and delicious cheeses. You can enjoy a variety of seafood at the eateries near the harbour. You can sign up for a food tour of the city and treat yourself at some of the best restaurants in Ajaccio. You can also explore the food scene on your own and randomly try all of the restaurants that you find interesting. Though this is not the most popular activity, you can explore the city on foot. The locals are extremely friendly and helpful, and even if you get lost, they will make sure that you reach your hotel safely. The nightlife in Ajaccio is quite vibrant, and you can also go bar hopping here, or head to a different club every night. The city also has quite a lot of cafes and unique breakfast places that you can try. You can also ask the locals to help you with options.

Foods and Restaurants in Ajaccio

Corsica is famous for its cheese, the beaches, parties and everything that makes for a romantic holiday. There are a lot of restaurants and bistros in Ajaccio that you will love. Le 20123 is a unique restaurant with a quirky decor that attracts a lot of tourists. The restaurant has a water fountain, central square and life-sized dolls. A Nepita is a bistro that serves modern French food and traditional Corsican food. The speciality of the bistro is that the menu changes daily. The dishes are made of fresh local produce. Don Quichotte is a brewery that you will find in an alleyway behind the fish market. It serves light food with generous quantities, and it won't burn a hole in your pocket. It would be best if you tried the Corsican style mussels with pancetta, cream, chestnut onion and tomato. Boulangerie Galeani is a popular bakery in Ajaccio that will serve you lip-smacking pastries and fresh sandwiches. You can order the pastries that are made of chestnut flour. Le Roi de Rome is one of the busiest restaurants in Ajaccio that serves the finest wine and the most delicious Corsican food. Make sure you order the Charolais beef carpaccio and the Corsican veal with olives or pork.

How to reach Ajaccio

Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport is the main airport in Corsica. It has been named after Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born in Ajaccio. The flight connectivity to Ajaccio from India is excellent. Air France and KLM have frequent flights to Ajaccio from India with layovers at Paris, Marseille and Amsterdam. If you book at the right time, you might even come across great flight deals to Ajaccio online. During a low tourist season, there are high chances of you getting cheap flight tickets to Ajaccio. While flying directly to Ajaccio is one of the most convenient options to reach the city, if you are also going to visit other cities in France, you can take a ferry from Marseille and reach the port in Ajaccio. There are several ports in southern France from where you can take a ferry to reach Corsica. You can take your pick. Getting around the city in Ajaccio is also pretty convenient. It is also quite convenient to get a cab or car rental services from the airport to your hotel.

  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.