Dehra Dun to Nairobi 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 Nairobi

The populous city of Nairobi is the capital of Kenya. Located in East Africa, the city actually replaced Mombasa, the former capital of Kenya, owing to the thriving economic and cultural development. Nairobi has been recognised as the financial and cultural hub of the country. Nairobi is also exclusively known to be home to more than 100 major international companies.

Best time to visit Nairobi

Nairobi's geographical positioning is elevated as it stands at an altitude of 5450 feet. Due to this, the city experiences a mild climate throughout the year. This is despite its proximity to the Equator. However, it still witnesses torrential rains, which would put quite a damper on your travel plans. Keeping a tab on the weather conditions ahead of planning a trip to East Africa is highly recommended. The rains could make or break the possibility of your trip, and hence, it is essential that you keep a check on the weather. Nairobi witnesses hot, wet and cold climates. Even though it is mild most of the year, little rain can be quite a change in the humidity level. The city witnessed two monsoons, a long one from mid-March through May and a mild one from late-October to December. During these two monsoon seasons, the months April and November are the wettest months as the rains are at a peak during these two months. The dry months in Nairobi are from July through October and January through February. The dry months actually help ease the heat and humidity in the air.

In terms of months, July and February are the best months to pick for a Nairobian rendezvous. The rain is extremely less to non-existent, and the climate is quite pleasant. You can undertake various outdoor activities too during these months and not worry about the scorching heat or humid weather. The temperatures during this time are also quite low and pleasant for Nairobi standards. July and August are recorded as the driest months in Nairobi, which works perfectly for you if you are planning for an excursion. You should make sure to carry the right clothes for your trip as the temperatures often confuse people. It can turn from hot to humid to cold in erratic schedules. Layering up would be ideal. The hotel prices don't really see a massive difference during the off and peak seasons. As there are many travellers who constantly travel to the city for professional reasons and conferences, the hotel prices in Nairobi remain constant. However, with the demand for accommodation, you might have a tough time booking a hotel in Nairobi. Hence, it would be best to make prior hotel bookings in Nairobi.

Places to visit in Nairobi

Nairobi's wildlife and green expanses are what draws tourists to the city of Kenya. The Nairobi National Park was established back in 1946 and has been fenced on three sides. The southern boundary has been kept open to enable migration of wildlife to move from the park to the Kitengela plains. The park is going through some concerns in the recent past due to the increasing exposure to humans and the rise in the livestock population. The city also has an adorable Giraffe Centre which is dedicated to protecting endangered giraffe from extinction. The natural sanctuary also works as an educational centre to teach visitors about the necessity of conserving wildlife. The city also has an Elephant and Rhino Nursery where African elephants and rhinos are bred. The place ensures to safeguard the lives of these two animals. The Ngong Hills is a famous place in Nairobi. The hills especially have a beautiful green landscape. You can trek up to the hill and watch the sunrise or the sunset at the summit as it is worth all the expedition. Close to the Nyong Hills was once a location for traditional colonial houses.

Things to do in Nairobi

At the foot of the towering Ngong Hills, you will find the beautiful and quaint Karen Blixen Museum. Although it is 10 km away from the city of Nairobi, the place has historical significance. It actually exhibits the life of the famous Danish author, Karen Blixen. While this is a lovely place to start learning more about the author and African history, you should also indulge in some outdoor activities. The Nairobi Safari Walk is basically crossing a specific bridge with nature on all four sides. While you walk on the bridge, you will actually get to witness some rhinos and other animals hanging around the estate too. You cannot miss the Maasai Market, which offers a plethora of colourful artefacts with traditional African designs. You can actually use this expedition to purchase some souvenirs for a friend and close family members from here.

Food and Restaurants in Nairobi

Kenya's capital is making quite a name for itself in the culinary world too. Nairobi's tea and coffee trade might be the most recognised worldwide. However, their fusion food is just as delicious as their coffee. You would be surprised and even slightly amazed by the beautiful melange of flavours and cuisines that the city's food establishments curate regularly. In fact, they continue to add more interesting dishes and meals on their menu as they experiment with spices and ingredients. There are dishes that range from slow-cooked Indian meat barbequed to a crisp to the classic Japanese sushi. Some of the food establishments in Nairobi will definitely amaze you and leave you wanting for more. You can start your food rendezvous in Nairobi from Hashmi BBQ, run by an Indian family. It is one of the most popular food joints In Nairobi and for all the right reasons. With their chooza chicken's sizzling sauce, poussin chips and a generous helping of garden salads, indulging here for some food would take you to nirvana and back. The spice is really spicy, so if you're not up for it, do not risk your gut.

Tamarind is another local restaurant which favours seafood and meat meals. Their highlights are deep-fried crab claws, garlic jumbo prawns and some South African sauvignon blanc. The place also serves vegetarian food, in case you are not too thrilled by their eccentric seafood spread. For the classic sushi, head to Misono. Not just their sushi but even their sashimi and teppanyaki will strike a chord with you. Plus, the place is run by a Japanese family so you wouldn't have to worry about authenticity. The food here is as authentic as it can get. Some other famous food establishments in Nairobi are Soi, Tatu, Maru's Bhajia Cage, AA Mithaiwalla, Talisman and Mambo Italia. Do not be surprised by the well-known Indian restaurants and food joints. They are quite popular in the city and one of the most sought-after ones too. However, if you do wish to explore something different, you should visit J's Fresh Bar. It is basically a British gastropub and has meals from the UK. You will find battered fish and chips, peppered squid and smoked scotch eggs. Plus, an in-house DJ would entertain you with whack music.

How to reach Nairobi (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Nairobi from India is quite decent. Although it could be better than what the current state is of travelling to Nairobi from India, it's still quite good. There are many flights that fly to Nairobi. The most popular route to Nairobi is from Mumbai. In fact, you will find direct flights to Nairobi from Mumbai and at a very cheap ticket price. There are several African airlines that fly to the city from India. Airlines such as Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Oman Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, EgyptAir, are the most prominent ones that have great connectivity from India to Nairobi. Another popular domestic route to Nairobi from India that has better connectivity aside from Mumbai is Ahmedabad. A majority of flights to Nairobi from India require layovers and connecting flights to reach Nairobi. Cities such as Addis Ababa, Kigali, Muscat, Dubai and Doha are some of the international routes taken to reach Nairobi. However, if you pick an African airline, especially Kenya Airways, you will be able to avoid all the layovers and changing of flights.

The flight duration to Nairobi from Mumbai is also quite decent as it would take approximately six hours and fifteen minutes to reach the Kenyan capital. Depending on which airlines you pick, the travel duration will also change as layovers will have to be taken into consideration. Nairobi to India is quite an expensive endeavour. However, from Mumbai, it is not so expensive. You can book cheap flight tickets to Nairobi from Mumbai. It wouldn't cost you much, and you wouldn't have to compromise on the flight duration as well. It costs between INR 22,000 to INR 25,000, to reach Nairobi from Mumbai. However, if you book from any other Indian city, the prices would see a tremendous surge. Another way how you can snag some cheap flight tickets to Nairobi would be by opting for online flight deals. It would be tough, and you will have to spend a lot of time on the internet to get a cheap flight deal to Nairobi. Since the accommodation prices remain close to constant in Nairobi, the best thing to do would be to club the flight and hotel bookings to Nairobi.

  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.