Dehradun travel guide

Uttarakhand’s green valley capital – forest institutes, river caves and the road up to Mussoorie

📍 Uttarakhand 7 places to visit 🏨 1 stay to book Updated 31 Oct 2026

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand, in the wide Doon valley between the Shivalik hills and the Mussoorie ridge. With pleasant weather, famous schools and institutes, cafés on Rajpur Road and nature spots like Sahastradhara and Robber’s Cave, it is also the gateway to Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Haridwar.

History of Dehradun

The city takes its name from the dera (camp) of Guru Ram Rai, son of the seventh Sikh Guru, who settled in the valley – the doon – in the late 17th century. His Darbar Sahib still stands in the old city.

The valley was ruled by the Garhwal kings and then the Gorkhas; after the Anglo-Gorkha war of 1814–16 it passed to the British. Dehradun became a centre of institutions: the Survey of India, the Forest Research Institute (founded 1906, its grand building finished in 1929) and the Indian Military Academy (1932), along with famous schools such as the Doon School.

When Uttarakhand was formed in 2000, Dehradun became its capital. Its basmati rice and lychee orchards were once famous across India.

Best time to visit Dehradun

October–March is pleasant; March–June is warm but fine for Mussoorie trips. July–September is very rainy.

Oct–Nov

Autumn · Pleasant, about 12–28°C

Clear and comfortable for sightseeing.

Best

Dec–Feb

Winter · Cool, about 5–20°C

Sunny days; snow sometimes in Mussoorie.

Best

Mar–Jun

Spring & summer · Warm, up to the mid-30s

Good for cooler Mussoorie trips.

Good

Jul–Sep

Monsoon · Very heavy rain

Rivers rise; avoid Robber’s Cave after heavy rain.

Avoid

How to reach Dehradun

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Nearest airport

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED)

About 25 km from the city centre (45 minutes–1 hour).

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Nearest railway station

Dehradun (DDN) – Shatabdi and Vande Bharat from Delhi

In the city.

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Bus stand

ISBT Dehradun (Clement Town side) – buses to Delhi, Chandigarh, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Shimla and the hills. Mussoorie buses leave from near the railway station.

From	Distance by road	Travel time
Delhi	About 250 km	5–6 hours
Mussoorie	About 35 km	1–1.5 hours
Rishikesh	About 45 km	1–1.5 hours
Haridwar	About 55 km	1.5 hours
Chandigarh	About 170 km	4 hours
Nahan	About 90 km	2.5–3 hours

Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.

Famous places to visit in Dehradun

1Sahastradhara

Waterfall 📍 About 15 km 🕘 Day time · busy on weekends

Sulphur springs dripping from limestone caves into the Baldi river – “the thousand-fold spring”, with a ropeway and pools.

2Robber’s Cave (Guchhupani)

Nature 📍 About 8 km 🕘 Day time · small fee

A narrow river gorge where you walk through cold, ankle-deep water between high rock walls – a fun half-day outing.

3Forest Research Institute

Heritage 📍 About 7 km 🕘 Day time · museums closed some days

A huge red-brick colonial building in wide lawns with six forestry museums – one of Dehradun’s most photographed sights.

4Tapkeshwar Temple

Temple 📍 About 6 km 🕘 Day time

A Shiva temple in a cave by a stream, where water drips on to the shivling from the rock above.

5Mindrolling Monastery

Monastery 📍 Clement Town, about 8 km 🕘 Day time

A large Tibetan Buddhist monastery with a tall stupa, gardens and a giant Buddha statue.

6Rajpur Road

Market 📍 City 🕘 Day and evening

Dehradun’s café and shopping street running up towards Mussoorie, with bakeries, bookshops and restaurants.

7Mussoorie

Viewpoint 📍 About 35 km 🕘 Day trip or stay

The “Queen of the Hills” on the ridge above the valley – Mall Road, Gun Hill, Landour and Kempty Falls.

Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.

🚗 Day trips from Dehradun

Mussoorie: About 35 km – Mall Road, Landour, Kempty Falls
Rishikesh: About 45 km – Ganga aarti, Laxman Jhula area, rafting
Haridwar: About 55 km – Har ki Pauri evening aarti
Dhanaulti: About 60 km – forests and eco parks beyond Mussoorie

Weekend traffic on the Mussoorie road can be heavy – start early.

Dehradun itinerary

2 days in Dehradun

Day 1

Forest Research Institute in the morning.
Robber’s Cave, then evening on Rajpur Road.

Day 2

Sahastradhara and Tapkeshwar temple.
Mindrolling Monastery at sunset.

3 days – Doon, Mussoorie & Rishikesh

Day 1

Dehradun sights.

Day 2

Mussoorie and Landour.

Day 3

Rishikesh and the Ganga aarti.

Trip budget for Dehradun

Item	Cost	Note
Stay (homestay / apartment / hotel)	About ₹1,500–5,000 / night
Food	About ₹400–900 per person / day	Cafés on Rajpur Road
Taxi to Mussoorie and back	About ₹2,000–3,000	Day trip
Weekend for 2 (approx.)	₹8,000–15,000	2 nights’ stay + food + a taxi day

Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026.

Dehradun vs Mussoorie and Rishikesh

Where to base yourself in the Doon area?

Place	From Delhi	Vibe	Best for
Dehradun	About 250 km, 5–6 h	City in a green valley	Base for day trips, families
Mussoorie	About 290 km, 6–7 h	Busy hill town	Hill views, Mall Road
Rishikesh	About 240 km, 5–6 h	River, yoga, adventure	Rafting, aarti

Where to stay in Dehradun

Stay on Rajpur Road or the Sahastradhara Road side for quiet, green surroundings and quick access to Mussoorie and the nature spots. Central Dehradun is handy for the station and the bus stand.