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Mussoorie [1] is a city in Uttarakhand.

[edit] Overview

Mussoorie, with its green hills & varied flora & fauna, is a fascinating hill resort and a fabulous honeymoon spot [2]. Commanding a wonderful view of extensive Himalyan snow ranges to the northeast, & glittering views of the Doon Valley, Roorkee, Saharanpur & Haridwar to the South, the town presents a fairyland atmosphere to the tourists. Its history dates back to 1827 when Captain Young, an adventurous military officer, explored the present site & laid the foundation of this holiday resort which now has few rivals. Mussoorie is famous for its scenic beauty and hectic social life. It provides all kinds of amusement & every facility for domestic & foreign tourists.

Mussooorie is conveniently connected by road to Delhi & by rail to other major Cities & is the gateway to Yamunotri [3] and Gangotri [4] shrines of Northern India which are very important pilgrimage places for the Hindus of India".

[edit] Climate

At an altitude of over 6000 ft (2000m), Mussoorie is a popular retreat from the heat of the plains. Be prepared for the cold if you come in the Winter (Dec-Feb), when you can expect freezing weather and snow. The monsoon arrives in July and stays through mid-September.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

Buses leave from Dehradun train station. There are two buses which go to opposite ends of the Mussoorie Mall, Library and Picture Palace. It is quite a hike from one to the other, so make sure you catch the right one. To reach Kempty Falls directly from Dehra Dun catch a bus from the Dehra Dun Railway station Hill Bus Services Section or take a taxi. One should look for buses heading for destinations like Barkot, Nainbagh, Yamunotri, and Purola (Caution:sometimes Purola buses go via Vikas nagar which may take you off the route completely so be careful). You can also take a bus to the Library end of Mussoorie and walk to the Kempty Bus stop and take a bus or taxi or a milkvan or even hitch a ride with a tourist going in that direction!! Bus fee for Library end or Kurli end (from Dehradun) is around INR30 (April 2008). Toll Tax is payable on entering Kempty Village per bus/taxi/car/scooter. Bus fare from library end to kempty is around INR15 (april 2008).

[edit] By taxi

It is possible to hire a taxi for the trip up to Mussoorie. Rates should be around Rupees 400-550 but one can pay per seat as well in a shared taxi which normally accommodates upto five passengers.Shared or chartered taxis too are available near the same Hill Section Bus terminal and the rates are controlled by the taxi union. These rates are generally displayed on a board outside their office.

[edit] Get around

For the most part you will want to get around on foot. The Mall is closed to most vehicles.

[edit] By rickshaw

A relatively flat section of the Mall allows a fleet of rickshaws to ply their trade. You can catch a ride from the Library end of the Mall to about the midpoint.

[edit] By taxi

Within Mussoorie, taxis are not very useful. If you are heading up to Landour with your luggage, it would be wise to catch a ride. They can also be hired for outings to places such as Kempty Falls or Happy Valley. There are taxi stands at both ends of the Mall. Many locals offer 'taxi' services, and if you are staying longer you will likely find these (slightly cheaper) alternatives.

[edit] Places of Interest

• Kempty Falls - about 15 km from Mussoorie, this now over-built spot is a popular tourist destination. Catch a taxi or a bus from the Library stand.

• Happy Valley - a couple kilometers from the Library end of the Mall, Happy Valley is a 5,000 strong Tibetan settlement. This is a beautiful spot for a short hike. Taxis and possibly bicycle rickshaws ply this route.

[edit] Activities

• Cambridge Book Store (Opposite State Bank of India) The oldest Book Shop here, the well-read and well-known owner of the shop is a genial and helpful guy. You can find any type of books and magazines here. Ruskin Bond, the famous writer is a regular here, as well his books which are among the bestsellers!
• Landour Language School [5] (about 2km above Landour Bazaar) The school offers classes in Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit and the local dialect of Garhwali.

• FastTrack Gaming Cafe (opposite Clarks Hotel, Mall Road, Tel: 0135-2632154) - while you shop around the mall, your kids can keep themselves occupied playing latest games. Some of the gaming consoles available here are the PlayStation2 and X-Box 360.

59.99.85.253 04:01, 19 May 2008 (EDT)==Buy==

• Tailoring Landour Bazaar is known for its many tailors, who will sew up a new outfit for you in a jiffy (well, by Indian standards). Check out Abdul Haq and Sons, run by one of the teachers at the Landour Language School and his brother.

• G. Dass & Co. (opp. Clarks Hotel, Mall Road, tel: 0135-2632154) is the oldest photography shop in Mussorie. Located centrally on the Mall road, this shop offers facilities like printing photographs (digital and manual). Over here cameras are available for sale and it is one of the few places where you can get them on rent as well.

• Antiques Couple of shops on the Mall road offers good antique british furniture.

• Branded Stores - A variety of branded store like, Reebok, Liberty, Koutons, Music world, PlanetM,Wingsfield,have come up on the main mall road.

• Wooden Handicrafts - Hilly Cottage Industries(Ropeways Shopping Centre, The Mall Road, Phone: +91-135-2631373) is one of the famous shops on The Mall Road. Here you can choose from a wide variety of wooden walking sticks, hand carved jewelry boxes, magazine racks, wooden bowls & trays and various wooden show pieces.
• Woolen clothes - Wingsfield knitwear(Library and kulri market) is a branded woolen store for all.

[edit] Eating Joints

• Green The Mall, Kurli. Known to serve an amazing biryani from locally grown basmati rice makes it a treat to dine here. The Chinese food comes as a close second favourite

• JP's Residency Manor, Barlowganj. Only five star in Mussorie, offers variety of cuisines and wines.

• Clarks The Mall, Kurli. This multi-cuisine place has a bar and a bakery that are part of the menu.

• There is an renouned Century Old Sweet Shop in Landour Bazaar by the name OMI SWEET SHOP, serving delicious sweets and other products since 1860.

• There are a couple of nice Tibetan places. One is called 'Meeting Point' and the other something like 'Kalsang'.

[edit] Cup of Coffee

• Cafe Coffee Day (on the Mall near the Bank of India) If you are craving a real cup of coffee, or even a cappucino, then Cafe Coffee Day is the only place in Mussoorie for you. Boasting not-quite-Western prices, this chain cafe will offer you a brief respite from the surrounding sea of chai.

[edit] Hotels

Mussoorie hotels provide both luxury and budget accommodation facilities [6].

• Hotel Dwaper (Opp. Kempty Taxi Stand - 150 mtrs from THE MALL, LIBRARY) Roof Top Parking with Homely Food and good budget rooms. you can call for booking on (0135-2632925, 2630825) & email at mittalashwani@hotmail.com

• Shiva Continental (Kulri) Near the main mall road away from the daily commotion. Nice food, and good rooms.

• Hotel Ashoka Continental (The Mall, Library Chowk)Situated in the heart of the City Queen of Hill -Mussoorie, is one of the best area with a panoramic view of hills and valley, most enchanting view of sun kissing Shivalik Peaks. Tariff Ranges from INR 1350-2500. Tel : +91-11-42437263-66, Fax : +9111-26133299, E-mail : uhl@uttrakhandhotels.com.

• Broadway (Kulri Bazaar) Phone: +91 135 634423. Although Broadway is very close to the Mall and all its attractions, it is located in a quiet spot (except for the call to prayer from the nearby masjid) overlooking the valley. It offers reasonable rates, and friendly staff.

• Country Inn Mussorie Kincreg, Dehradun Tel: (+91)- (0135)-2631 196 Credit cards: not accepted Tariff: Rs 1,150 (non air-conditioned double room), Rs 1,650 (air-conditioned double room), Rs 1,850 (suite)

• Honeymoon Inn - The Mall Tel: (+91)-(0135)- 2632 378 Tariff: Rs 1,100 (single room), Rs 1,300 (double room).

• H. Grand (near to Honeymoon Inn on the opposite side of the street, opposite to the aquarium) -- its a old (100yrs+) hotel/building, the rooms are huge clean but basic. But the ambiance is great if you like this type. Room rents are super low -- Rs 500 (april 2008) for double room (probably the only type of rooms they have).

[edit] Contact

[edit] Mobile phones

One need to provide a Photo ID and a photograph to subscribe for either a postpaid or prepaid mobile phone connection.

• Cellone GSM Triband
• Airtel GSM Triband

[edit] Internet

• Banaras Cyber Cafe (Next to Green Vegetarian restaurant, Kulri, Tel: (+91)-(0135)-2633 703) Brand spanking new lenovo desktops (as of this posting on 02April2008), lenovo lcd monitors and laser printouts. You can have ur mouth watering biryani @ the Green Vegetarian restaurant mentioned above and come here 2 browse.

• FastTrack Cyber Cafe (Opp. Clarks Hotel, Mall Road, Tel: (+91)-(0135)-2632 154) In addition to all the regular Internet services, you can also copy your pictures on CDs and get them printed as well.

[edit] Tours & Tickets

• Mital Tours & Travels (in Jain Dharamshala, near Clock Tower) E-Ticketing (The easy Way to Travel). Authorized Agents of Indian Railways for Rail Tickets & also agents for National & International Air Tickets. Tel: (+91)-(0135)-329 5656) email : mittalashwani@hotmail.com

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