Mussoorie

Mussoorie, perched at 2,005 metres in the Garhwal Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, has been India's most beloved hill station for nearly two centuries. Christened the "Queen of Hill Stations" by the British who built it as a summer retreat in 1823, Mussoorie retains much of its colonial elegance — in its grand heritage hotels, the iconic Mall Road promenade, the Victorian architecture of Landour Cantonment, and the charming library building where authors like Ruskin Bond have made their home.

The town sprawls along a horseshoe-shaped ridge with views stretching across the Doon Valley to the south and to the snow-capped Himalayan peaks to the north — including the Bandarpunch and Gangotri ranges on clear days. The famous Kempty Falls, cascading 40 metres into a rocky pool 15km from town, draws enormous crowds on weekends. Gun Hill, reachable by ropeway, offers a sweeping 180° panorama of the main Himalayan chain.

Landour — a quieter, older cantonment neighbourhood above Mussoorie — is where author Ruskin Bond lives and has his bookshop. The charming Char Dukan (Four Shops) chowk here is a beloved gathering spot for chai and momos. For families, adventure seekers, honeymooners, and nature lovers alike, Mussoorie offers a perfect blend of hill-town romance, outdoor activities, and easy accessibility from Delhi — making it one of the most visited destinations in all of India.