|
|
How to Get There:
• By Air: Dehradun has a small airport suitable for 16-20 seater aircraft, 25 km east of the city. A heliport is much closer. People prefer the faster trains such as the Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi to Delhi, as the airport has only taxies, an expensive proposition there.
• By Rail: Dehradun is linked with major cities of the country such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Indore, Ujjain, Ahmedabad, etc., with dedicated trains. It is also linked to Chennai, way down south.
• By Road: Dehradun is very well networked with major cities of the country, by both Deluxe and standard buses.
• Internal: Dehradun has a city bus service run by private owners, which are crowded and may not have destinations written in English. The cheapest way to get around town is via the ubiquitous blue three wheelers called Vikrams. These vehicles are often crammed to capacity. The Vikrams are numbered according to their routes through the city and are popular. Tourists are not harassed by anybody.
Where to Stay: Dehradun has 16 rated hotels. All hotels in Dehradun can be booked online. Prominent names are Hotel Madhuban; Hotel Aketa; Hotel Relax; Camp Redstone; The Competent Palace and Hotel Ajanta Continental, which come recommended. |
What to See: The Kalinga War Memorial, Sahastradhara Road. The only war memorial of its kind in the world which was erected by the British to honour their foe, the Gurkhas (or the Gorkhas).
The Gurkha Fort, Tapovan Forest Area; Chetwoode Hall, The Indian Military Academy; The Museum; Mindrolling Monastery; Ram Rai Darbar, Jhanda Mohalla; Tapkeshwar Temple, Garhi Cantt; Sai Darbar Temple; Tapovan; Robber's Cave, also known as Guchchu Pani and
Sahastradhara, around 14 km from Dehradun, a cold Sulphur water spring believed to have exceptional medicinal value. A bath in the dripping caves and in the Baldi River near the spring is said to rejuvenate the body and soul. Dehradun is a base for trekking and adventure tourism, and many people just stay overnight in the city before heading into the Garhwal Hills.
Where to Eat: Rajpur Road has an abundance of eateries from McDonalds to Nirula's to roadside buffets; Kumar's; Moti Mahal; Vatika; Pizza Hut; Lhasa, one of the best restaurants for authentic Tibetan fare and Swasteek-The Himalayan Resort.
Miscellaneous: Dehradun has sub-tropical climate with cold winters, warm and crisp springs, hot summers and a wet monsoon. The mountains around Dehradun receive sustained snowfall in winter, but the temperature in the city rarely drops below freezing. Take a trip to the hill station of Mussoorie just 36 km away.
|
