A Trip to the Valley with Family

Mussoorie - A bustling ( specially in the Summers ) North Indian Hill-Station, adjoining Dehradun, about 270 Kms from Delhi. We chose to go there on Bapu's birthday, that's the time when the Holiday season officially kicks off in India. I like travelling and specially when it's me driving, but I'd never drove in the slopy hills before, plus this was with family so it was a cautious adventure, I'd say.

So v3 started from Noida at about 10 am, took the Khatauli-Muzzafarnagar route, that has a narrow road stretch with traffic moving either ways, and a stream on one side. I'd recommend this route only in the day for safety reasons.

Now we stocked up a lot of biscuits, Sandwiches, namkeen packets and a few parathas thinking there'll be nothing worthy on the way I'll be able to get my hands on to stop and munch courtesy my well travelled brother-in-law. Well there's McDonald's Subway KFC and Others about 100 Kms away from Noida, where you could make your 1st stop over, you could just freshen up, re-fuel your belly or pick-up your snack and just drive-through. I reached there in about 2 hours, why you ask ?! Family, I told you I was travelling with :) You could reach there in about an hour and a half latest.

The next 3 hours were non stop, except that we stopped at a few petrol pumps for the Universal Call of Nature, we were now at the brink of Mussoorie, well inside Dehradun.

Stopped - Stretched - Started
Once we were in, wanted to know which is the nearest route to Mussoorie, was told to take the Rajpur Road route that goes straight to the Hills.

Now, we were about 50-60 Kms roughly far from our Hotel in Mussoorie, which was about 500 mts from the  Mall Road, with the university of petroleum studies on my left, I told my wife am going to do this in 25 mins. She said I dare not, and take a 100 mins rather. Well, when in doubt, always do what the wife says. It took me exactly an hour and a half to my hotel Amatra Dunsvirk Court, the Hotel. This was partly because I was instructed to go slow, and partly due to the picturesque surroundings.

Stopped - Clicked , Clicked - Started

Just about 25 Kms short of Mussoorie we stopped at a Maggi Point, and clicked some pics and had Maggi with Tea/ Bun Maska. There are many Maggi Points you'll find on the way so you won't have to say you missed any certain one. All cook the Maggi the same way, actually the smell and taste of the Hilly Maggi is all the more amazing.

So after I drove the Honda City for about 278 Kms and 6.5 hours we were at Amatra Dunsvirk Hotel at about 4:30 pm, our abode for the next 3 days. My tank was half full when I began the trip, re-fueled at Dehradun with Rs. 2000 worth of petrol and I reached back Noida with the Tank still half full.

The Hotel, a 4 star property that I booked via Goibibo was a screamer of a deal. It'll test your and your car's hill holding skills, I didn't take a chance and called for the hotel driver. But, this is at the last stretch about 10 mins away, its easily located at the highest point in Mussoorie ( not counting Dhanaulti, mind you).

The 4* property otherwise costs you about 7K / nite, but I got the same in about 4Kite, courtesy the off season & Goibibo.

Enjoyed the views from the Hotel, Dined at the hotel and Hit the sack, the Driver was done for the day :)

Well, when you've booked a good hotel, be rest assured that even before the trip has ended you've ensured it's going to be a good one.
There was plenty of time for me to catch up on my sleep, and for the other two pearls of mine to have their time in the hotel.

I joined them, when I woke up at 10 am, and planned to stroll through the Mall Road, for some breakfast and lunch or probably Brunch.

We strolled, strolled and strolled some more. Enjoying the weather, the lovely breeze and the company of my two li'l munchkins.

Stopped at Lovely Omelette, once  touted as Indian's best omelette joint. A couple of his buttersome omelettes and you'll be full for sure.

Then in order to digest what we just had, it was another stroll of the Mall Road we opted for, until we reached the Taxi Stand. Well, there were many famous points on the Mall Road when one can go to relish food, including lovely omelette, one of them was a sweet shop near Green Restaurant, popular for his Kadhaai Milk. The other a Chinese restaurant - Kalsang, the Momos taste better than the ones in Delhi. I also bought a Kilogram of Chestnuts from the Mall Road.

Well, I'd Reached one end point of the Mall Road the taxi stand so enquired and took a ride till CHAAR DUKAAN, you've to be to this place to know why's it knows so, it's actually because of the 4 shops side by side, and an unforgettable IVY Cafe just opposite the CHAAR DUKAAN.

Ivy Cafe was good to Relax, munch and admire. The service is quick, hardly any time to waste, the food is delicious pasta and the frappe were just too much, we packed as well :p, if you get a place out in the small picturesque balcony go for it, that'll make your food taste even better.

We spend about a coupl of hours there and then stayed back at the CHAAR DUKAAN for like an hour, my li'l baby enjoyed the two huge dogs roaming there, they seemed like hosts.

We missed it, but you don't miss the Landour Bakehouse just about 5 mins from Char Dukaan, the bake house is like the grandparents of Theos ( am told).

Well we reached the hotel at 5:30 pm, it was just about an hour before it was to get dark and we used it for photography.

We hit the sack at 7:00 pm and boom, woke up at 9:00 pm. Ordered for dinner, and planned to stay back at the hotel that evening.

Well this was one day we wanted to relax and there were many options we had in mind - Dhanaulti, Mossy Falls, Kempty Falls, Landour Bakehouse ( that we missed) or the J W MARRIOTT, It did take us a while but then we opted for MARIOTT, and boy was it good.

We called for the Taxi, they charge you Rs. 1000 both sides included and you can stay over 2-3 hours.

We are both foodies, and we just loved the Buffet, when we were stuffed with the starters we wanted some time off our table, we went around the restaurants to get a view of the Mountain peaks, Shivalik range, the Naag Tibba, so strategically is the MARIOTT constructed, that you get marvelous view of the mountains from all around the hotel.

Buffet - 2100 pp
If you have some cards they've got offers on you get a Flat 20% off

After another round of our photography sessions we came back to complete lunch, and then we went to their coffee shop which had just mesmerizing looks.
Even if you use your phone for calls you're going to take it out and take a picture of what you see.

Stunning is the word.

The Return Day.

Woke up at 9:00 pm left at 11 am , reached
Noida at 7 pm. Took the Meerut route, the longer one. Stopped only at Ama Cafe, Rajpur Road, Dehradun at 1 :00 pm and at 5:00 at the McDonalds drive through.

In the day -
Visited the Shiv Temple called Shri Prakasheshwar Mandir, it's just a few kms before you reach Dehradun on your left.

Always a good thing to say Thanks to the Almighty!
 
Fuel - 3K
Hotel - 14K
Food@MallRoad - 2K ( all 3 days inclusive)
Mariott - 3.5 K
Toll - (130+85) *2
Taxis - They'll charge you about 200-300 to come to the hotel from Mall Road, and about a 1000 - 2500 to take you to Chaar Dukaan, Landour Bakehouse, Mariott or Dhanaulti respectively. All in all a Trip worth 25K