Dehradoon Excursion : Places nearby Dehradoon - Uttranchal

Places to visit nearby destination - Dehradoon

Chakrata

Situated at the distance of 92 kilometres from Dehradun is the 112-year-old town of Chakrata. Its altitude of 7000 m adds to the charm of this haven for nature buffs and trekkers. Covered with lush, dense forest, the area has quaint little villages, inhabited by the Jaunsari tribe. The tribe is said to have descended from the Aryan hordes that had invaded the Indus Valley Civilization. Around Chakrata are several other sites like Mundali, Tiger falls and Lakhamandal that are worth a visit. While Mundali at 9000 m provides excellent opportunities for skiing, the Tiger Falls is the highest fall in the state. Near the fall is the Mahusu Devta temple, which has some beautiful sculptures of the Gupta period. At Lakhamandal or the House of Lac, there are several temples dedicated to Shiva, the Pandavas and Parasuram. However, foreigners are not allowed to enter into the Chakrata region.

Kalsi

Located on the outskirts of the city is Kalsi where you can have a look at a third century rock inscription discovered here in 1860. The rock inscription is the earliest tangible evidence of the history of the city of Dehradun. There are 14 edicts carved on a rock and adjacent to these is the site where Raja Shilvarma of the Vrisheri dynasty made three horse sacrifices during his rule in the third century BC. At the site, large inscribed bricks are arranged in the shape of a bird with a fire altar in the middle.

Mussoorie

The single major attraction for tourists visiting Dehradun is a trip to Mussoorie, which is only 34 kilometres away. Situated at an altitude of 2000 m, Mussoorie used to be a popular getaway during the time of the British rule and till today it has retained its attraction. Getting to Mussoorie from Dehradun is quite convenient as there are buses, taxis and other modes of transport available round the clock that take a maximum of 90 minutes to reach there. It has almost become a tradition for all those visiting Dehradun to also make a trip to Mussoorie.

Rajaji National Park

Rajaji National Park is situated at a distance of 23 kilometres from Dehradun. This densely forested sanctuary is known for its elephants, barking deer, leopards, sambar and peafowl and a variety of birds

. The forest around this region contained 3 sanctuaries, Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla. In 1983, these three parks were merged into one and named Rajaji National Park, after the great freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari. Spread over 830 kilometres on the foothills of the Shivalik range, the park is known for its elephant population. The park is also home to the forest tribe of Gujjars who have lived in these forests for over 200 years. Rajaji is a magnificent ecosystem at the beginning of the vast Indo–Gangetic plains and has the vegetation of several zones and forest types. It is home to as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 species of birds.