Dehradun
The capital of Uttarakhand, and the valley gateway most Uttarakhand trips pass through.
Less a destination, more the door to everywhere else.
Dehradun sits in a wide valley between the Shivalik hills and the higher Himalaya, and functions mainly as the state's transport hub — nearly every trip to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, or the wider Char Dham circuit passes through here first. It's worth a stop in its own right, though: a genuine institutional and colonial-era history, and a handful of easy day-trip sights.
We usually build in a night here at the start or end of a longer Uttarakhand route, rather than as a standalone base.
Beyond the transit stop.
- 01Mindrolling MonasteryOne of the largest Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet, with a towering golden stupa.
- 02Tapkeshwar TempleA cave temple built around a natural Shiva lingam, fed by dripping water year-round.
- 03Paltan BazaarThe city's central market, good for a walk between transit connections.
- 04Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar)The six-faced clock tower marking the middle of the old city.
A colonial institute, and a cave stream.
Forest Research Institute
A grand colonial-era building housing a museum on India's forestry history — one of Dehradun's more distinctive sights.
Robber's Cave (Guchhupani)
A shallow stream-fed cave walk, popular as an easy, cooling half-day outing.
Sahastradhara
Sulphur springs on the edge of town, a traditional stop for a relaxed afternoon.
Best Time to Visit
March–June and September–November, year-round as a transit stop.