We wanted to go somewhere when Sruthi is here on vacation and narrowed the destination to Mussoorie, the Queen of hills. Initially I wished to take my / Srikanth’s car by engaging a driver but could not get a good driver for 4 day trip. At last by 2000 hrs on Friday, I engaged a Tavera for the trip. Self, Raji, Sruthi and Sujani are confirmed and later Sandhya also joined with us.
Asked driver to come to our house for pick-up at 0530 hrs and we were ready by 0600 Hrs. But the driver reached home by 0615 and by 0620 we started our trip. It was good weather at that time.
Before entering UP, we have to pay road Tax for commercial vehicle Rs. 260/- per day and we paid the same.
We reached Muradnagar by 0745 hours. It is famous for “Shikanji” and Jain Shikanji is very famous shop for this. Being morning hour, we could not take it.
After Modi Nagar, there was lot of NH expansion going on and we could travel slowly. We should avoid entering Meerut and have to take the by-pass to go beyond.
By 0830 we reached Nathu’s restaurant in Meerut by-pass. We took Dosas, Dhahi Papdi, and Kulcha Channa. Good and well maintained restaurant.
Google map suggested us to take route towards Sharanpur after Muzafar Nagar but driver suggested to travel on Haridwar / Roorkee route which is NH road and can have comfortable journey. Once you reach Roorkee, you have to take left towards Dehradun and proceed.
We reached Dehradun by 1330 hours and had our lunch in a dhaba on way to Mussoorie. The road towards Mussoorie was good, wide and one can easily drive this stretch. After enjoying the valley site and good nice weather, we reached Mussoorie by 1530 hours.
Being holiday period and that too it was a Saturday, all hotels were full and our driver took us to a hotel he knew (about 1.5 KM away from Mall Road) and used to visit. It was a good Hotel and we got 2 rooms on top floor, good Mountain View from room and also had a big open terrace. Both rooms were interconnected, with 24 hour hot water supply. In Mussoorie you won’t find fan or AC in any room as you can enjoy the natural weather itself.
By 1700 hours we left for Mall road and here cars were not allowed to enter. Non tourist cars will be allowed in mall road till 1000 hours and after 2000 hours by payment of Rs. 100/-. Driver dropped us near Mall Road and we started walking around the road. There was heavy rush on the road and everyone was busy in purchasing something from the street vendor. On the other side of the road, Ropeway is available to go to Gun Hill Top. Purchased ticket (Rs. 55 per head) at about 1815 hours and it was informed that our turn will come around 1915 hrs as only 2 trolleys are there to carry passengers. We walked around for some time and went to top of Gun Hill at about 1930 Hrs. The journey through ropeway is only for about 2 minutes. Nothing special at the top and only some shops were available. There are view points available there from where you can see the valley and enjoy. Took some photos and started coming back. It was very cold and everyone started shivering in the cold. We got only one Shawl with us and Raji, Sujani and Sandhya used the same to protect them. It took almost 30 min to get our chance to come back. If anyone wants to enjoy the Ropeway travel, they can use it otherwise nothing interesting on the top.
On way back we saw Sagar Ratna, famous hotel group and entered for dinner. Not good and badly driven by the name.
Called back the driver to come to Mall Road to pick us back and thus ended the day 1
Day 2 (6th June 2010)
After morning routine and breakfast in the hotel, started for Kempty Falls which is about 15 KMs from the town. You have to go further and the road will take you down the hill. You will be droped on main road and have to walk down to reach the falls. There were well laid road available with both side full of shops. The way is some what difficult to go down and walk back even for young person like me !! Here also one ropeway is available and they are charging Rs. 80 per person. There was not much rush for this and within 5 to 10 min using this ropeway we were near Kempty falls. There was lot of change in Kempty as it becomes totally commercial place today. Water falling at low intensity and there was only a small pond of water. More than the visitors, shop keepers and promoters to sell bath dress were more. We did not take bath here. You will get dress to take bath, towels for rent (Rs. 25 per piece) and room for changing dress (Rs 10 per person). It is advisable to go to kempty falls early in the morning itself as after 1100 hours rush is too much. After watching and enjoying the location, we left after about 2 hours.
During my last visit, we enjoyed a lot to visit the Municipal garden. Again Commercial cars were stopped about a KM from this garden and anyhow other cars are allowed. Many cycle rickshaws are available to reach the garden but charging Rs. 100/- . As the way towards the garden is excellent and along the valley, we preferred to walk. With the same hope, we reached the garden and to my surprise it is also totally changed and almost all places are taken over by small hotels and snack bars. You won’t even find a comfortable space to sit and enjoy. Apart from this, a small garden with much variety of flowers is available and you can take photos. People are renting Gadwal and Kashmir dress for Rs. 30/- and you can wear it and can take photos. Sruthi, Sujani and Sandhya did the same. We left the garden by 1700 hours and again reached Mall Road by 1730 Hours.
We had the plan to see “Camel Back”, another point in Mussoorie. There is a long (about 4.5 KM) valley view road and we have to walk along the same. As we all were tired, we thought of going by rickshaw (Rs. 80 per head !!!). On the way we saw this Camel Back. This is pieces of rocks on top of a hill that looks like camel back if we see it from a distance. Below this point, two three persons are keeping telescope to see this and also some other points. Initially he asked me to give Rs. 500/- and at last settled for Rs. 50/- to show 5 points through telescope. The rickshaw wala dropped us on the other end of Mall road and we walked back to the other end to catch our car. Reached hotel by 2030 hrs. Had dinner and slept
Day 3 (7th June 2010)
We planned to start by 0800 hrs to go to Tehri Dam and Dhanaulti. At about 0700 hrs our driver called over phone and informed that he is having pain due to kidney stone and got himself hospitalized. I searched for another local Taxi for this trip and we started by 1000 hrs. Tehri is about 70 KM from Mussoorie. All along the way, road was nice and had wonderful natural views. Tehri dam was built in between two mountains by blocking flow of water and at the back end made huge space for storing water in between mountains. Because of this dam, learnt about 200 villages submerged in water and we could see some of the broken houses at some places inside water. Today due to lack of rain, water level came down by more than 40 to 50 feet. We were of the opinion that any one can go around visiting the dam like we are going for Metur Dam or other dams in Tamilnadu and no one told us anything about this dam. On reaching the dam site, we were not allowed to go inside near the dam stating that permission from ED is required and you have to apply in advance and someone working in the project has to give guarantee for you. We left out with no option but to see the dam from distance only. The construction of Hydro Power unit is still under installation and may be the reason why all general public is not allowed. After spending some half an hour, we returned back.
I heard from other friends and also from internet that the place “Champa” is good place for resting with nature views and a calm village. To the contrary, it was a big town with all sort of shops and hotels. Champa is about 25 KMs from Tehri towards Mussorrie. Seeing this, we didn’t stop in Champa and travelled further about 25 KMs and reached Dhanaulti.
When we cross Champa, climate got changed and started raining. We thought it was a passing cloud but rain did not stop. We reached Dhanaulti by 1330 hours and decided to take lunch so that rain also can stop by that time. Dhanaulti is a big village but had good hotel (Hotel Drive Inn). Meals were cheap (Rs. 500 for 5 of us) and of good quality but when I asked him about room rent, it was a shock to me (Rs. 4000/- per room per day is min.). People are coming and staying in this place just to relax themselves and to keep themselves away from crowed city. A well maintained town and there were 2 Eco friendly parks available for going around. After lunch, we moved towards one of the park and again waited in car for rain to stop. After sometime it was drizzling and we moved out. Ticket to enter the park is Rs. 10 and we went inside. Really a good place to spend and you can enjoy the stay. But because of heavy rain, we could not sit any where and moved to the top of the hill (about say 200 feet) with the help of well laid way/steps. During this time again rain started with cold wind and everyone started shivering. Anyhow we enjoyed the location and within 30 min. we started our further journey and reached Mussorrie by 1800 hours. Had hot tea and warmed our self from the outside cold temperature. Sruthi, Sujani and Sandhya started to take many photos of themselves. After dinner, in the hotel, went for early sleep by 2100 hrs.
Day 4 (8th June 2010)
Our driver got discharged himself in the morning and we were ready to move back by 0900 hours. Our plan was to reach Delhi via Hardwar. We don’t find much difficulty in coming down the hill, and reached Hardwar via Dehradun by 1230 hours. Google weather was stating that it is raining in Hardwar but it was a hot day there. Last time I went to Hardwar in 2006 and there is again a lot of change in the city (Really India is shining). A huge parking lot was made just near river and one can easily park and go for bath. Every one of us enjoyed a good bath. Water was so chill initially when we put out leg and after 5 min bath, we don’t have mind to come out of the river. That is the beauty of Ganga. All our body pain due to travel was gone once we took bath in Ganga. Almost one and half hour we were in Ganga and visiting Ganga ma temple, had lunch and left Hardwar at about 1530 hours. Reached Delhi at about 2030 hours.
Chitra prepared dinner for us and after good meals we concluded the happy journey. In the entire journey about 75% is on hill and no need for any air-condition in car. But we booked an A/c car and it helped not to feel the heat (which was too high) in the 25% journey and kept us fresh to enjoy the trip. This comfort costs us only Rs. 500/- and I think one should consider this while planning a holiday trip.
Asked driver to come to our house for pick-up at 0530 hrs and we were ready by 0600 Hrs. But the driver reached home by 0615 and by 0620 we started our trip. It was good weather at that time.
Before entering UP, we have to pay road Tax for commercial vehicle Rs. 260/- per day and we paid the same.
We reached Muradnagar by 0745 hours. It is famous for “Shikanji” and Jain Shikanji is very famous shop for this. Being morning hour, we could not take it.
After Modi Nagar, there was lot of NH expansion going on and we could travel slowly. We should avoid entering Meerut and have to take the by-pass to go beyond.
By 0830 we reached Nathu’s restaurant in Meerut by-pass. We took Dosas, Dhahi Papdi, and Kulcha Channa. Good and well maintained restaurant.
Google map suggested us to take route towards Sharanpur after Muzafar Nagar but driver suggested to travel on Haridwar / Roorkee route which is NH road and can have comfortable journey. Once you reach Roorkee, you have to take left towards Dehradun and proceed.
We reached Dehradun by 1330 hours and had our lunch in a dhaba on way to Mussoorie. The road towards Mussoorie was good, wide and one can easily drive this stretch. After enjoying the valley site and good nice weather, we reached Mussoorie by 1530 hours.
Being holiday period and that too it was a Saturday, all hotels were full and our driver took us to a hotel he knew (about 1.5 KM away from Mall Road) and used to visit. It was a good Hotel and we got 2 rooms on top floor, good Mountain View from room and also had a big open terrace. Both rooms were interconnected, with 24 hour hot water supply. In Mussoorie you won’t find fan or AC in any room as you can enjoy the natural weather itself.
By 1700 hours we left for Mall road and here cars were not allowed to enter. Non tourist cars will be allowed in mall road till 1000 hours and after 2000 hours by payment of Rs. 100/-. Driver dropped us near Mall Road and we started walking around the road. There was heavy rush on the road and everyone was busy in purchasing something from the street vendor. On the other side of the road, Ropeway is available to go to Gun Hill Top. Purchased ticket (Rs. 55 per head) at about 1815 hours and it was informed that our turn will come around 1915 hrs as only 2 trolleys are there to carry passengers. We walked around for some time and went to top of Gun Hill at about 1930 Hrs. The journey through ropeway is only for about 2 minutes. Nothing special at the top and only some shops were available. There are view points available there from where you can see the valley and enjoy. Took some photos and started coming back. It was very cold and everyone started shivering in the cold. We got only one Shawl with us and Raji, Sujani and Sandhya used the same to protect them. It took almost 30 min to get our chance to come back. If anyone wants to enjoy the Ropeway travel, they can use it otherwise nothing interesting on the top.
On way back we saw Sagar Ratna, famous hotel group and entered for dinner. Not good and badly driven by the name.
Called back the driver to come to Mall Road to pick us back and thus ended the day 1
Day 2 (6th June 2010)
After morning routine and breakfast in the hotel, started for Kempty Falls which is about 15 KMs from the town. You have to go further and the road will take you down the hill. You will be droped on main road and have to walk down to reach the falls. There were well laid road available with both side full of shops. The way is some what difficult to go down and walk back even for young person like me !! Here also one ropeway is available and they are charging Rs. 80 per person. There was not much rush for this and within 5 to 10 min using this ropeway we were near Kempty falls. There was lot of change in Kempty as it becomes totally commercial place today. Water falling at low intensity and there was only a small pond of water. More than the visitors, shop keepers and promoters to sell bath dress were more. We did not take bath here. You will get dress to take bath, towels for rent (Rs. 25 per piece) and room for changing dress (Rs 10 per person). It is advisable to go to kempty falls early in the morning itself as after 1100 hours rush is too much. After watching and enjoying the location, we left after about 2 hours.
During my last visit, we enjoyed a lot to visit the Municipal garden. Again Commercial cars were stopped about a KM from this garden and anyhow other cars are allowed. Many cycle rickshaws are available to reach the garden but charging Rs. 100/- . As the way towards the garden is excellent and along the valley, we preferred to walk. With the same hope, we reached the garden and to my surprise it is also totally changed and almost all places are taken over by small hotels and snack bars. You won’t even find a comfortable space to sit and enjoy. Apart from this, a small garden with much variety of flowers is available and you can take photos. People are renting Gadwal and Kashmir dress for Rs. 30/- and you can wear it and can take photos. Sruthi, Sujani and Sandhya did the same. We left the garden by 1700 hours and again reached Mall Road by 1730 Hours.
We had the plan to see “Camel Back”, another point in Mussoorie. There is a long (about 4.5 KM) valley view road and we have to walk along the same. As we all were tired, we thought of going by rickshaw (Rs. 80 per head !!!). On the way we saw this Camel Back. This is pieces of rocks on top of a hill that looks like camel back if we see it from a distance. Below this point, two three persons are keeping telescope to see this and also some other points. Initially he asked me to give Rs. 500/- and at last settled for Rs. 50/- to show 5 points through telescope. The rickshaw wala dropped us on the other end of Mall road and we walked back to the other end to catch our car. Reached hotel by 2030 hrs. Had dinner and slept
Day 3 (7th June 2010)
We planned to start by 0800 hrs to go to Tehri Dam and Dhanaulti. At about 0700 hrs our driver called over phone and informed that he is having pain due to kidney stone and got himself hospitalized. I searched for another local Taxi for this trip and we started by 1000 hrs. Tehri is about 70 KM from Mussoorie. All along the way, road was nice and had wonderful natural views. Tehri dam was built in between two mountains by blocking flow of water and at the back end made huge space for storing water in between mountains. Because of this dam, learnt about 200 villages submerged in water and we could see some of the broken houses at some places inside water. Today due to lack of rain, water level came down by more than 40 to 50 feet. We were of the opinion that any one can go around visiting the dam like we are going for Metur Dam or other dams in Tamilnadu and no one told us anything about this dam. On reaching the dam site, we were not allowed to go inside near the dam stating that permission from ED is required and you have to apply in advance and someone working in the project has to give guarantee for you. We left out with no option but to see the dam from distance only. The construction of Hydro Power unit is still under installation and may be the reason why all general public is not allowed. After spending some half an hour, we returned back.
I heard from other friends and also from internet that the place “Champa” is good place for resting with nature views and a calm village. To the contrary, it was a big town with all sort of shops and hotels. Champa is about 25 KMs from Tehri towards Mussorrie. Seeing this, we didn’t stop in Champa and travelled further about 25 KMs and reached Dhanaulti.
When we cross Champa, climate got changed and started raining. We thought it was a passing cloud but rain did not stop. We reached Dhanaulti by 1330 hours and decided to take lunch so that rain also can stop by that time. Dhanaulti is a big village but had good hotel (Hotel Drive Inn). Meals were cheap (Rs. 500 for 5 of us) and of good quality but when I asked him about room rent, it was a shock to me (Rs. 4000/- per room per day is min.). People are coming and staying in this place just to relax themselves and to keep themselves away from crowed city. A well maintained town and there were 2 Eco friendly parks available for going around. After lunch, we moved towards one of the park and again waited in car for rain to stop. After sometime it was drizzling and we moved out. Ticket to enter the park is Rs. 10 and we went inside. Really a good place to spend and you can enjoy the stay. But because of heavy rain, we could not sit any where and moved to the top of the hill (about say 200 feet) with the help of well laid way/steps. During this time again rain started with cold wind and everyone started shivering. Anyhow we enjoyed the location and within 30 min. we started our further journey and reached Mussorrie by 1800 hours. Had hot tea and warmed our self from the outside cold temperature. Sruthi, Sujani and Sandhya started to take many photos of themselves. After dinner, in the hotel, went for early sleep by 2100 hrs.
Day 4 (8th June 2010)
Our driver got discharged himself in the morning and we were ready to move back by 0900 hours. Our plan was to reach Delhi via Hardwar. We don’t find much difficulty in coming down the hill, and reached Hardwar via Dehradun by 1230 hours. Google weather was stating that it is raining in Hardwar but it was a hot day there. Last time I went to Hardwar in 2006 and there is again a lot of change in the city (Really India is shining). A huge parking lot was made just near river and one can easily park and go for bath. Every one of us enjoyed a good bath. Water was so chill initially when we put out leg and after 5 min bath, we don’t have mind to come out of the river. That is the beauty of Ganga. All our body pain due to travel was gone once we took bath in Ganga. Almost one and half hour we were in Ganga and visiting Ganga ma temple, had lunch and left Hardwar at about 1530 hours. Reached Delhi at about 2030 hours.
Chitra prepared dinner for us and after good meals we concluded the happy journey. In the entire journey about 75% is on hill and no need for any air-condition in car. But we booked an A/c car and it helped not to feel the heat (which was too high) in the 25% journey and kept us fresh to enjoy the trip. This comfort costs us only Rs. 500/- and I think one should consider this while planning a holiday trip.
4 comments:
நல்ல ஒரு விரிவான பயணக் கட்டுரை. சுஜனி, சந்த்யா, ஸ்ருதி ஆகிய மூவரும் நன்கு அனுபவித்திருக்கிறார்கள்.
ஆயினும், என்னைப் போன்றவர்களுக்கு இந்த ஊர் பெயர்களும், போகும் வழியும் -- ஒன்றுமே புரியவில்லை !! ஏதோ் இமயமலையில் போனீர்கள் என்பது மட்டும் என் புத்திக்கு எட்டியது.
விவரமாக எழுதியதற்கு மகிழ்ச்சி; எப்போதாவது நான் அந்தப் பக்கம் போனால் மிகவும் பயனுள்ளதாக அமையும்.
ராஜப்பா
28-06-2010
Nice write up. It brought me the feeling as if I have been travelling with you.
Photos are also very good, especially sujani and her image in the mirror.
you must have had good measure of respite from scorching weather at Delhi during that time
Suresh
01 Jul 2010
its good!!
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