Complete Dehradun Travel Guide
Top Places to Visit in Dehradun
Forest Research Institute (FRI): A UNESCO World Heritage building — the colonial Greco-Roman architecture of the FRI complex (built 1906–1929) is one of the finest examples of institutional architecture in India. The 450-acre campus has a forestry museum, botanical gardens and deer park. Entry: ₹40 (Indian), ₹100 (foreign). Best visited 10 AM–12 PM when the light on the building façade is best for photography.
Robber's Cave (Gucchupani): A 600m natural cave formed by the Asan River cutting through limestone — the river disappears underground and re-emerges at the far end of the cave. Walking through the ankle-deep river inside the cave to reach the waterfall at the end is the main activity. Entry: ₹25. 8 km from Dehradun city. Best: October–June (monsoon floods the cave).
Sahastradhara (Thousand Springs): A sulphur spring waterfall complex 14 km from Dehradun — the spring water cascades over limestone formations; the sulphur content is said to have medicinal properties. Ropeway across the Asan gorge. A popular local day trip destination.
Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple: A Shiva cave temple on the banks of the Tons river, 7 km from Dehradun. The Shiva lingam inside the cave has water naturally dripping on it from the cave ceiling — hence "Tapkeshwar" (dripping lord). One of Dehradun's most sacred temples. Accessible by auto.
Mindrolling Monastery: One of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet — the Great Stupa is 185 feet high and is decorated with thangka paintings and Buddhist iconography. A beautiful and peaceful complex. 4 km from Dehradun city. Entry: free.
Paltan Bazaar: Dehradun's main commercial street — a busy, colourful market with Uttarakhand honey, local herbs, basmati rice, woollens and the famous Dehradun litchis (in season, May–June). The Clock Tower at the centre of Paltan Bazaar is the city's landmark.
Dehradun as a Transit Hub
Dehradun's primary value for most visitors is as a transit hub — the city is located centrally in Garhwal, making it the most convenient overnight stop between Delhi and Mussoorie/Rishikesh, or the point where different Uttarakhand routes diverge. Jolly Grant Airport (35 km) makes it the main air entry point for Garhwal. The city itself warrants 1 day of exploration.
How to Reach Dehradun
| Origin | Distance | Time | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 300 km | 5–6 hrs | Car (NH-72 or NH-58), Shatabdi (5 hrs), Volvo bus |
| Rishikesh | 43 km | 1 hr | Bus (₹40–₅₀), taxi ₹600–₈₀₀ |
| Haridwar | 52 km | 1.5 hrs | Bus (₹40–₅₀), taxi ₹700–₉₀₀ |
| Mussoorie | 35 km | 1 hr | Bus from Gandhi Park ₹60–₈₀, taxi ₹600–₈₀₀ |
How to Reach Dehradun
300 km from Delhi (5–6 hrs). Dehradun railway station has direct trains from Delhi including the Shatabdi Express (5 hrs). Jolly Grant Airport (35 km) has daily flights from Delhi (30–40 min).
Budget, Hotels & Travel Tips
- Best time: October–November and February–March. April–June is pleasant but increasingly warm. July–August (monsoon) is wet — FRI and Sahastradhara are still accessible but Robber's Cave is flooded.
- 1-day Dehradun itinerary: FRI (10 AM) → lunch at Paltan Bazaar → Tapkeshwar temple (3 PM) → Mindrolling Monastery (5 PM). A clean, easy day in the city before continuing to Mussoorie or Rishikesh.
- Litchis: Dehradun's Mussoorie Litchis (May–June) are among the finest in India — pick them up at Paltan Bazaar or the Clock Tower market if visiting in season.
FAQs
- Is Dehradun worth visiting?
- Yes — Dehradun is worth one day of exploration for the FRI (one of India's most beautiful institutional buildings), Robber's Cave and the Mindrolling Monastery. As a destination in its own right, Dehradun is pleasant but secondary to Mussoorie (35 km) and Rishikesh (43 km). Most visitors spend a night in Dehradun en route to Mussoorie or Rishikesh and use the day for FRI and Robber's Cave. For those flying into Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun city is the logical first stop before continuing onward.
- What is Dehradun known for?
- Dehradun is known for: its educational institutions (The Doon School, Welham's Girls School, DRDO, Survey of India, FRI), the Doon Valley's mild pleasant climate, the Forest Research Institute building, the Dehradun litchis (India's finest) and as the capital city and gateway hub of Uttarakhand. For travellers, it's primarily known as the transit point before Mussoorie and Rishikesh.