Trip to Mussoorie

Mussoorie, a beautiful hillstation located in the Shivaliks, in the Indian state of Uttrakhand -approx 30 kms from Dehradoon, capital of Uttrakhand.  A convenient way to reach Mussoorie is take a Shatabdi express from Delhi (NDLS) that goes to Dehradoon at 6:50 AM and reaches there 12:30 PM. From there, one can get taxis from the station itself. The process of getting  a taxi is pretty hastle free, unlike other places in India. The fares are regulated by the Uttrakhand government, and one can just queue up and get the taxi which costs 450/- per trip to Mussoorie. One can also share a cab and pay lesser, for there are many people going to Mussoorie from the station.  The uphill trip takes about an hour, and the change in temperature is just superb. Mussoorie, also called the queen of hills, is very pleasant during October as well, and a light breeze can make the weather very cold. The two sides to the Mall are the Picture Palace (crowded) and the Library side (less crowded). The route to Kempty falls etc is also from Library side. There are loads of hotels to choose from on the mall, and the rooms are available at almost all prices. Hotel Pallavi Mussoorie on the mall, on the library side, is a beautiful and cozy resort with beautiful views and helpful staff. There is a Barista on the Library side, and the Picture Palace side as well.  Its a small quintessential town, with a small mall that can be walked in about 45 minutes end to end. like other hillstations in north india, there are horse rides on the mall, and street vendors - and there are vendors who come out in the evening selling shawls, which are quite nice and cheap - just to take advantage of the sudden change in temperature, like true entrepreneurs. Take a  short weekend break to Mussoorie, and you wont regret it.