Dehradun, one of the oldest city in India is situated in the lower Himalayan mountain range between the two important rivers Ganga and Yamuna. At an altitude of 1400ft in the Garhwal region, the Doon Valley is famous for its weather and natural beauty.  It is a major tourist spot which attracts footfall from all over the country and the world as well. Famous for its Char Dham Yatra and other hill stations. The city is packed with visitors mostly in the summer season. People come here to get relieved from the scorching heat. Summer destinations such as Queen of hills- Mussoorie, Nainital, and Winter destination- Auli top the charts. The valley is rich in flora and fauna. The Rajaji National Park is home to several elephants and other wildlife creatures. 
Educational institutes such as Doon school, Welham School and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology are part of the city. National organizations like Indian Military Academy (IMA), the ONGC, Survey of India and the Forest Search Insitute is also located here. Therefore making the city an educational hub of the state. 
One can travel Dehradun via railways, roadways, and airways. By road, it takes 6 hours from the capital from where one can take luxury buses also. The nearest railhead is the Dehradun Railway Station. And the Jolly Grand Airport is about 25km from the city.  
In Doon, you can find mainly two type of regional people- Garhwalis and Kumaoni. But lately, many ethnic groups have migrated here. It is also considered as a safe haven for elderly couples as after retirement settlement destination. 
Let's explore the Top 5 places to visit in Dehradun!

1. Buddha Temple- The Mindrolling Monastery 

Location: Clement Town, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248002
Distance: 4.5 km from ISBT Dehradun
Exploration Time: 2 hours

Mindrolling Monastery or Buddha Temple is a Tibetian monastery was built in the year 1965. The monetary is build in Japanese style. The temple has an extravagant Buddhist structure which can be seen from far off. Being located in the Clement town it is one of the most visited sites by tourist.

It is interesting to note that the monastery is not only visited by people of Buddhist religion but other religions and international tourists also. 
Being the largest Buddhist reliquary in Asia it attracts a good amount of foot-fall. The mega temple is 220ft in height with a five-floor with statues of the Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava. Here on the first three floors, you will be mesmerized by the ornate wall paintings. They illustrate the life of Lord Buddha. The paintings were painted in pure gold color by some 50 artists for over three years.

Through the fourth floor, you will be stunned as the open platform gives you a breathtaking 360-degree view of Dehradun. Another attraction is the statue of Lord Buddha which stands tall at 103ft. Other than these are the well-maintained gardens and the grass field. Adjacent to the temple is a thick forest. 

2. Tibetian Market

Location: Pant Rd, Race Course, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001
Distance: 8 km from ISBT Dehradun
Exploration Time: 2 hours

The Tibetian Market is another good option for shopping lovers. Here you will find young crows as the market is famous for colorful tees, dresses, and stuff which is famous among the youngsters. Considered as a hub for fashionistas it is among one of the best places to shop in the city. 

Best known for handmade woolen sweaters and antiques. The items are relatively cheap and at affordable prices. Restaurants and street vendors serve delicious Tibetian dishes like momos which can be relished while shopping.

3. Wildlife Safari At Rajaji National Park

Location: Ansari Road, Mohand Range, Dehradun
Distance: 63 km from ISBT Dehradun
Exploration Time: 2-3 hours

One of the best things to do list in Dehradun is to take a wildlife safari in the Rajaji National Park. For all the nature lovers this place is a heaven for you. From capturing the panoramic views to spotting flora and fauna. Being an Adobe to about 400 bird species you will find a variety of birds which you might have seen in magazines. 

Though the park is popular for Asian Elephants, others include Tiger, Cheetah, Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Deer, King Cobra, Indian Cobra, barking deer, hog deer, lizards among many more. 

The timings for the morning are from 6 AM to 10 AM and for the afternoon are from 2 PM to 6 PM.

4. Robbers Cave

Location: Gucchupani, Malsi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248003
Distance: 14 km from ISBT Dehradun
Exploration Time: 3-4 hours

Robbers Cave or guchu pani is a rare place where nature captures the best picture naturally. It is a well-known tourist place among youngsters, especially couples. It is a picnic spot and a tourist destination resting among the scenic abundance of Uttrakhand.

Here you can simply enjoy the calmness of the aura. As its name goes earlier it was infamous for robbers hideout. The cave was formed as a result of natural formation by the geological impact of the plateau. 

 5. Malsi Deer Park

 Location: Mussoorie Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248009
Distance: 16 km from ISBT Dehradun
Exploration Time: 1-2 hours

 Malsi Deer Park is a mini- zoological park situated on Mussoorie Road. Established in 1976 it is spread across 25 hectares of land. Surrounded by Malsi Reserve Forest which is situated on the foothills of Shivalik range. The park offers natural habitat to animals such as two-horned deer, tiger, and neelgai. 

 People can come here with friends and family. The park has children play arena also. You can also find canteen where eatables are served. The par is open throughout the year.

10 MUST-HAVES IN YOUR CHECKLIST FOR A TRIP

Kanatal: The lost one-eyed Lake


Early morning, as I was all set to start my trip while loading the luggage, pops a question 'Did I pack my sunglasses'? Well, what about the selfie stick I bought especially for this trip? And the medicines which I don't think will be available at my destination. Have you ever been there? And just like everytime I take a pledge to make a 'Checklist' for my next trip. 

P.S. DONT BE ME!

Whether it's your first trip to someplace or you're a seasoned globetrotter. Remember to always have a list of must-haves which you might need on a trip. A rundown of the below-mentioned points will save you from last minute worries. One of the most important advice I can give is to organize each everything. Bookmark this page for every trip you take. Let's begin from the start, shall we? The first and foremost thing to sort is which kind of bag to do you to take. This totally depends on where you are traveling and for how many days. My personal funda for the most trip is to carry one trolley bag and a backpack. Trolley bag mostly rests at the hotel while my backpack goes with me everywhere. 

Here Checkout The Top 10 Essentials You Must Pack For A Trip 

 

1. Choice of Bags

Imagine yourself on a trek with a trolley bag. This is the kind of choice I am here to discourage. To select a proper carry bag is not a skill that takes time to perfect. It is a simple technique wherein you match your needs with the bag. Best bags are those which has proper space and different sections so that you can organize your clothes, shoes, etc.

One backpack/ sling bag should always be carried for items that you might need frequently. Most people go with stylish bags which provide poor service. The purpose of a bag is to ease the load and not add on. Perhaps choose wisely. 

2. Sources of Power

Today we are so dependent on technology that it has become an essential part of our lives. I am sure you would want to upload instant trip pictures. Carrying a power bank is even more useful than carrying a charger. As you might not always spot a working charging point but you can always rely on power banks.

Make it a habit to charge your power bank one night before the trip. These days we mostly click pictures with smartphones making is a necessary gadget. 

3. Eatables and drinkables

We often ignore carrying our own food and water bottles. The dominant thought 'le lenge' is what we have to change. One must carry some instant energy food with themselves. On tourists places, the food is often solved above the MRP. I know you can shell a few bucks on food but there can be situations when you won't find a stall then what? 

Carrying your own water bottles should not only be done for yourself but also for environmental reasons. Use of plastic bottles must be discontinued. Save yourself and the environment from contamination. 

4. Correct Footwear

One of the most important must-haves you should be concerned about on a trip is on what will you be walking. Besides shoes do carry your flip-flops. We tend to ignore this essential item which turns out to be very important. Do not go with new shoes on a trip it is better to opt for the old ones which are trusted. As the new ones can give you unwanted surprises. 

5. Carry your entertainment tools with yourself

Among strangers and don't know how to interact? A deck of cards is all it will take to break the ice. For an introvert, a good book or his/her headphones might do the work against an extrovert who might want to carry speakers. My point is that it is better to carry your own entertainment tools.  

6. First Aid and Medicines

How many of you really carry a small pouch with medicines. This is something we all agree to have in your checklist but we never actually have them. Some of the top essential medicines which you should carry are disprin, avomine, paracetamol among others which are prescribed to you. 

My personal advice is to always carry sanitizer in your bag and to use it frequently. This must come under the most important item on your checklist.

7. To be or to not be in shades

Many a time considered as a styling accessory but wearing sunglasses is actually more important than you think it is.  It protects your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. So next time while packing do remember to keep them.

8. Toiletry 

 Other than toothpaste, toothbrush, and body wash what we tend to forget are other must-haves for a trip. Items such as sunscreen and face location, personal hygiene items and travel towel. Whether is a 5-star hotel you are staying at or in a camp, these items must be carried by you. 

 9. Cash in my pocket

 Even though the PM wants us to go digital there are many places where you will not find a card machine. Mostly remote areas come in this arena. But not only for this reason, there could a problem with your card or the machine. Therefore it is best to carry some cash with you on trips. 

 10. Home alone

 This happens quite a lot that when going on a trip we ignore the other facts such as our house will be alone for a few or more days and we must make arrangements before going. Some essential measures like stopping the newspaper delivery, care of plants and lawn, emptying the refrigerator and unplugging appliances should be taken care of.

 Now that you have a checklist for your trip. Travel Well!


 Mount Abu is a treat for hill station lovers in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan. It is the only hill station in the state and lives up to all the expectations. It is situated at a height of 1200m above the sea level. Guru Shikhar which is the highest peak is at 5650ft from the sea level. Often referred to as 'An oasis in the desert". Mount Abu is home to lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. 

Aravallies are calling 


I Started from the City of Lakes, Udaipur. The way to Mount Abu was in simple words is wonderful. The roads were in good condition with no traffic. The views on the way were equally amazing. The hill station was 163km and it took us three hours to reach there excluding a tiny lunch break. And slowly the sand gave way to the spiraling roads to Mount Abu. As soon as we hit the mountain roads it got me up from my slumber mode.


The hill station had a much cooler feel than that of Udaipur. The weather was pleasant for December. Mount Abu gives a respite from the otherwise scorching heat of the desert. The mountain gives picturesque views and is crowded with travelers throughout the year. For me, it was surprising to find so much greenery here in as a stark contrast to the other parts of the state. And I was curious as to what all will I discover more here.

Nakki Lake - Mount Abu


Amid the lush green Aravali hills lies the famous shimmering Nakki Lake. According to the legends, it is believed that the lake was dug out by the gods using nails. Making Nakki lake a landmark of the hill town. 

The lake is surrounded by mountains and rock formations. It is half a mile long and is deeper towards the dam which is on the west. The water contains fishes and I was also able to spot a snake basking in the sun. Nakki lake which is situated at a height of 1200km above the sea level is the only artificial Indian lake to be situated at this height.

Activities such as boat riding are famous among visitors which also turned out informational as my boatman told me that the lake was also famous for suicides. 

It was past noon so I decided to stop at a hotel to put the cravings at rest. Enroute to Guru Shikhar was this beautiful hotel where I had my lunch.


The food was good though a little expensive. But my attention was captured by the surrounding of the hotel which left me totally awestruck. The hotel had rooms for pets also. As I own a pet myself and sometimes wish could take him along with me on trips I liked the concept. After having lunch I went straight to the highest point of Mount Abu. 

Guru Shikhar- Mount Abu


The highest point of the hill station Guru Shikhar is located at an altitude of 1772m above the sea level. The hill peak is at a distance of 15km from the town in the Aravalli range. From here I could see the Guru Dattatreya temple. He is said to be the incarnation of Lords Hindu, Brahma, and Shiva.

At the mountain peak, one can also see other important temples like Chamundi Temple, Shiva Temple, and Mira Temple.

The wind speed was good enough to send a chill down the spine. After a little local shopping here I bid adieu to the Arawallies and the hill station. Mount Abu had definitely surprised me with its greenery and pleasant weather. I will visit the hill station soon to explore the other places which could not be covered in my quest due to the shortage of time.


Read a related Travelogue:-


My trip to Udaipur, a city in the state of Rajasthan was planned two weeks before execution. While deciding between Jaipur and Udaipur a relative of mine suggested going for Udaipur. So the flights were booked the hotel was booked along with a taxi driver to pick us from Airport. Even though planned much earlier I was not getting any jitters that I used to get before a trip. This was my first time in this state and to be honest I was not really in much favor of this trip. But It was all going to change as soon as I stepped in Udaipur. 

Udaipur which is also known as The City of Lakes. Once it was the historic capital of the Kingdom of Mewar. It is located in the southernmost part of the state of Rajasthan near to the Gujrat border. The city offers some fantastical palaces and havelis and is a paradise for those who love architecture. The temples are awestruck. The countless narrow streets can puzzle your mind which only adds to its charm. Markets are filled with vibrant antiques and clothes. Rajasthan is a popular destination for all of these.

Journey To Udaipur

It was the month of December. A cab from my place to Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 3. On my way to the city while on the plane I got to know why it is called The City of Lake. I could spot many lakes, some huge some small from above. As we came out of the Airport after a mandatory Airport selfie there was our driver who looked no less than a shaahi driver all credit to his big mustache. As I made my way into the city to my surprise it was much greener than what I had anticipated. 

I had booked a three-star hotel which was beside a lake and near to the main market. After a quick shower, I headed for breakfast which was complimentary. Now with my stomach full, I was ready to explore the city. Outside the hotel, my driver was waiting. 

Fateh Sagar Lake


Udaipur is famous in India as the Lake City. Also known as Venice of the East. In my journey, I visited three lakes in total. And each of them had their own story to tell. Fateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake. It is situated beside the entrance to Moti Magri Hill. The lake is named after Maharana Fateh Singh and was built in 1678 AD. It comprises of three islands and is surrounded by the mighty Aravalli Mountains.

 I took a motorboat ride to the Nehru Park. The park has lush green gardens. After spending two hours here I headed to my next destination.

Saheliyon Ki Bari- A tale of passionate love



Courtyard of Maidens or Saheliyon ki Bari is a token of love by Maharana Sangram Singh for his beloved queen. It is situated in the northern fringes of Udaipur and was built in the year 1710. The garden is spread across a huge area. The suction of water from the lake through channels allows the fountains to run for free. 

It is monsoon here in this garden every single day! There are pools, ponds, fountains, flowers, and greenery all around. These marble elephants which are sculptured from a single piece of stone are my personal favorite. 

After this, I went to Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal. Here you can witness cultural shows and concerts. It is situated in Udaipur only near the Chetak Circle. If you want to get a glimpse of the folk dance, song and puppetry than this is the place. I was totally mesmerized after the show got over. The artists were very talented and I thoroughly enjoyed there. 

After this, I concluded the day by having dinner in a restaurant which gave a perfect view of the Fateh Sagar and went back to my hotel.

Next morning I woke up fully charged and ready to explore another new place. Today I had planned to go to the magnificent Kumbhalgarh which is 65 km from the city. So, I had had to leave a little early in the morning. 

Kumbhalgarh - The Second Longest Stretch of Wall



It was two and a half hour drive from Udaipur. One thing I loved about Rajasthan is that the roads here are in great shape. The journey provided me with some beautiful views. The mighty ramparts of the fort along with unique appearance were enough to get me excited. 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site protected fort has a mark in the history for being the second largest wall after the Great Wall of China it is 3600ft tall and 38km long!

The fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. Located at a height of 1100m above the sea level it offers a panoramic view of the countryside. Here I hired a guide who told me an interesting story about the entrance of the fort- Hanuman Pol.

As the king was frustrated after several attempts to built the fort. A sage told him it would require a human sacrifice to build the fort. Therefore the entrance gate is built where the man's head fell.

The birthplace of the great Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap is must visit. Witnessed a number of wars the in Mewar the hill serves as a boundary which is unbreakable. The fort has seven fortified gates and many temples. Along with this is the very famous Lakhola Tank constructed by Rana Lakha. 

The place was quite hot for December and I was wondering what happens here in summers. This place was the highlight of my trip. Half of the day went in exploring the fort which is humongous. 

Haldighati- A Battle to Remember


Been reading about Haldighati throughout the school days I felt nostalgic on arriving here. This battle is considered as a turning point in the history of the Rajputs and the Mughals. The famous battle of haldighati was between the Mughals and Maharana Pratap. According to legends, there was so much bloodshed due to which the place is known as Rakt Talai meaning pond of blood.

Now you must be aware of the story of how Chetak the loyal and beloved horse of Maharana saved him while he was injured himself. And while saving his master he gave his own life. The horse who flew on three legs as one got injured in the battle still remains a symbol of loyalty and companionship. 

A private museum exhibits the details of Maharana Pratap and of the historic battle. A theatre plays a small movie of  5-10 minutes in which the battle is displayed. After visiting the museum Chetak emerged as my favorite.

Pichola Lake- The Biggest Freshwater Lake of Udaipur



This was my last day in this city and I still had two important places left to explore. My flight was sometime in the evening giving me another full day to myself. Taking the opportunity I left for the biggest freshwater lake Pichola.

A boat ride in the lake around the sunrise offered a breathtaking view of the lake as well as the City Palace. On the eastern bank of the lake lies the City Palace. The boat ride took me to Jag Mandir an isolated island on the lake. 


The island has pretty gardens and is a great place to get some photos clicked. After spending some time here I headed to my last destination. 

City Palace- Royalty at its Best



City Palace is an amalgamation of palaces and gardens. Various kings over the centuries built and extended it. The palace has always been an important historic mark as the Maharanas administered the kingdom from here. 

The majestic palace provides a panoramic view of the city which is simply beautiful.


And with that comes the end of my Journey to Udaipur. All those who have not been here I would highly recommend for you to see the beauty yourself.




 Quick Facts
State: Uttrakhand
District: Tehri Garhwal
Language: Garhwali, Hindi
Best Season To Visit: Throughout the year
Summer Temperature: 25-38°C
Winter Temperature: 01-15°C
Altitude: 8497 ft

The scenic town of Kanatal is located in the state of Uttrakhand at an altitude of 1814m. Being situated amongst the mountains and rivers makes it a beautiful and a quiet destination. As it is not much popular among tourists it has a low population and dense forest. For those who wish to spend a few days away from the crowd can find solace here. 
If we break the name 'Kanatal' it literally means Kana: One-eyed and Tal: Lake, therefore One-Eyed Lake. According to the locals a few decades ago there was a lake named Kanatal. But now since the lake has dried up nobody knows where it was situated exactly. 

Kanatal is mainly for those who wish to go camping. There are not many hotels and camp service is also provided by a limited people. It serves as a perfect weekend getaway. The dense forest of Kodia Jungle surrounds the town just a kilometer away, here you can spot natural springs also.
It was the month of June and me and my family made a plan to visit a not-so-popular place this time. Hailing from the state of Uttrakhand it took less time for us to decide where we need to go. 

Enroute to Kanatal
My Journey started from Jolly Grant, Dehradun Airport. There are two routes to reach Kanatal. One being through Mussoorie and the other one is via Rishikesh. Since we wanted to avoid the crowd of Mussoorie where most of the people we chose to take the other one.

 The start was smooth from there to Rishikesh. The road from Jolly Grant to Rishikesh is surrounded with forest on each side. And the curvy road sets the mood perfectly. The road to Kanatal was in good shape and the weather was bearable. With each altitude, the weather was becoming pleasant. 


 On the way, we visited the Kunjapuri Temple. The temple is famous for sunrise and sunset.  It is located at the top of a hill with an altitude of 1676m. Being just 15 km away from Rishikesh. Here one has to climb an endless number of stairs to reach the top hill where the temple is. On reaching the top I realized it was worth all the struggle.
I got a mesmerizing view from the Himalayan peak. Here you can shoot photographs along with enjoying the surrounding beauty.

After taking a short breakfast break at Narendra Nagar we were good to go to our ultimate destination.

Kanatal is a small town with less population amongst the forest a destination which has no markets and less population. From here we could get a view of the beautiful valley. You can spot a few Eco camps and even fewer hotels. We had not booked any camp and were lucky enough to find one as most people had booked online. So my advice would be to book beforehand.

If your frame of mind is to get away from the maddening city crowd this is the place for you, my friend. 


 Camps were well equipped and included a three-time meal.  So after refreshing and placing my bags in the camps, I went out of the camp to take a view of the surroundings and boy it was amazing.

It was lunch time and we were served with a variety of food. 
The camps did not have any fans which took me by surprise. But as the sun went down the breeze got cooler with each passing minute, all my doubts had gone.

As the sun went down it was pitch dark all around me with just the camp lights. I had to cover myself with a shawl as there was what we can call 'gulabi-thand'. Arrangements for a bonfire were also there. After snacks and dinner, I sat near the bonfire to keep myself from cold. And the night went singing and dancing under the starry sky. 


 Next morning we went for a hike in the woods which were lush green with deodar trees all around. An eerie calmness surrounded the forest. Here I filled my lungs with as much oxygen as I could. As far as my eyes could go I could see the color green. 


While sitting under the trees, watching the freshly blossomed flowers, and inhaling the thick scented air. I realized at this moment I was at total peace. And this was the highlight of my journey. 

  Check out my other travelogue: Journey To Udaipur - The City Of Lakes  

10 Must-Haves In Your Checklist For A Trip

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