10 Best Places To Visit In Dehradun During Summer Vacation!

Dehradun is one of the most popular hill stations in India. People from across the globe prefer this location as their holiday destination owing to the flourishing tourism, hospitality, natural specialties, and a lot more. The place is the capital city of the state of Uttarakhand in India. If you are a beginner at exploring hill stations in India, Dehradun would be the ideal choice to get started with.

The cultural history of the place is also quite rich dating back to the reign of the King, Ashoka. This would be around 2200 years ago. Moreover, many reputed institutions and organizations of national importance are established in the city such as the Indian Military Academy, Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India, and so on.

Apart from all these, there are a bunch of tourists who just visit the place to enjoy the matchless sunsets and sunrises in the country. Pilgrim tourism is also happening inside the city owing to its mythological and spiritual significance of it. Proximity to the Himalayan ranges is another peculiarity making the city, the favorite of tourists.

Even though the city is a renowned hill station in the country, it will not irritate the tourists with its harsh weather making it appropriate for all kinds of tourists. There are unlimited tourist destinations in Dehradun to choose from. However, we would recommend you not miss out on these. 

Tapovan Temple

This is a pilgrim center located on the banks of the sacred river, Ganga. The temple is quite near the center of the city barely a distance of 5km. Even though the place is known as a “temple” this is more of an Ashram. Devotees visit the location not just to pay religious respects but to surrender themselves to the god within. Spiritual peace and mindfulness are the major ideals inside the Ashram.

Hence a lot of devotees irrespective of the religions they belong to, visit the Ashram and find tranquillity and bliss in the most unadulterated form. However, Hinduism and its ideologies are observed in the Ashram. The temple also gives due importance to Yoga and its advantages in human lives. Hence training and practice sessions of Yoga are conducted by the Ashram and its volunteers.

Apart from the spiritual significance of the temple, the surroundings are best for calming your mind and filling it with peaceful energy directly from nature. Hence if you wish to relax internally on your trip to Dehradun, Tapovan Temple should be your priority. 

Chopta Tungnath Trek 

Apart from being just an adventurous activity, the Chopta Tungnath Trek is one of the major pilgrim treks found in the city of Dehradun. The elevation of the temple is quite high and this makes the accessibility to the location possible only through trekking. But the trek to the temple would not just give you the experience of a pilgrimage.

You will get the chance to feel the pulse of the lives of the locals inhabiting the areas covering the trek. Interacting and understanding these locals would be a one-of-a-kind experience. Forest patches with trees of maple, pine, and oak are another magnificent view. You will also come across lakes with crystal clear beds and a lot more.

This is regarded as one of the best weekend treks you can have in the location. 13000 feet is the distance in height of the trek. The snowy nature can be a soul-filling experience overall. Try choosing the months from April to November for your Chopta Tungnath Trek. Weather won’t be appropriate during the winter for a smooth trekking experience.

Moreover, the vegetation and the sights of biodiversity you will get to see while trekking would be the richest and the most splendid during the summer and spring months of the year. 

Shikhar Fall Dehradun

If you are planning a family getaway to Dehradun, try not to miss out on the destination. This is ideal for family picnics in the lap of refreshing nature. Moreover, you can easily get to the location of the waterfall from the city center of Dehradun. You can have a fun time with the family members by trekking through the flowing water and rocks of the fall.

There is also a shallow pool in the location which would be great to splash and play with water. This waterfall and the pool along with it are comparatively safer to enjoy with kids and older people since the water flow is not that forceful. To reach the waterfall, a trek of 1km is required and this can be quite easy for almost everyone with a decent health condition.

Remember to keep in handy a pair of good-quality shoes as protection from the slippery floor and leeches. The biodiversity and vegetation of the place are also quite impressive and give you that perfect nature vibes all around. You can also click a lot of pictures from the location as a souvenir of your Dehradun trip. Apart from groups of family, biodiversity enthusiasts, and friends’ gangs are also found in the location in plenty. 

Shiv Mandir Dehradun

The popular Shiv Mandir in Dehradun is also known by the name of Shri Prakasheshwar Mahadev Mandir. Mussoorie road is the exact location where you can find the Shiva Mandir in the city. This is one of the prominent religious destinations for Hindus in the city. The temple is devoted to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva.

The location of the temple is in a valley with a picturesque landscape. Such elements accentuate the natural charm of the temple and make it more captivating to visitors and pilgrim tourists. Natives, local tourists, as well as foreign tourists are found in the temple alike with various purposes of visit.

The idol of Lord Shiva in the temple has got some peculiar features and is commonly known as “Sphatik Shivlinga”. Shivaratri is one of the major festive seasons in the temple. Many devotees and visitors from all over the world flock to the temple to take part in the celebration and enjoy the distinctive vibes. Apart from Shivratri, there is also a special occasion in the temple and this is celebrated during the monsoon months of the year in the name “Saawan”. 

Robber’s Cave

This is yet another natural tourist attraction found in the city of Dehradun. This is a natural formation of caves by the river. The caves are formed in the Himalayan ranges. Locals of the place called the cave the name of “Gucchu Pani”. The cave has also got certain religious significance it. Locals believe the caves to be the residence of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva.

The location of the Robber’s Cave is in proximity to the famous “Sahasradhara” otherwise known as the “Thousandfold Springs”. River water is seen to have a flow from the center portion of the cave which forms the peculiarity of the same. The Robber’s Cave is basically a formation of limestone. The area of the cave is quite narrow and so the accessibility would not be as smooth as expected.

The noise of the gushing stream would be the only voice you can hear inside the caves and this sets the atmosphere in a mystic or gothic mood. But if you are excited about nature, this would be the most mesmerizing experience to have in the city. The water of the spring inside the caves would be extremely cold and you wouldn’t be able to tolerate the freezing temperature. But the surrounding is an excellent picnic destination and something worth experiencing on your Dehradun trip. 

Deer Park 

If you are excited to feel the nature, wildlife, and vegetation of the city, Deer Park is where you should go to. Deer Park is a properly maintained tourist location in the city of Dehradun. The park is not a full-fledged zoological park but something in its miniature form. It is located in the Doon Valley in its Shivalik range.

Hit straight to the location of the park if you are not that fond of city tourism and always prefer something serene, peaceful, and quiet. The Himalayas of the Dehradun can be experienced and enjoyed in their full colors from this Deer Park. The location of the park would not be that easily accessible and being in the rural outskirts is something that is enhancing the charm and elegance of the park.

Some of the exotic plant and animal species that are particular to the Himalayas are the other distinctive features of the park making it a favorite for the biodiversity enthusiasts visiting the city. Wildlife photographers are often found in the location and the park feasts them well with a lot of rare clicks and views. SUV rides to the park are also available to ease accessibility. 

Mindrolling Monastery

This is yet another pilgrim destination in Dehradun. Since it is a monastery, the destination is devoted to the Lord Buddha. The monastery is also known by the name Buddha Temple Complex. It was in 1965 that Khochhen Rinpoche established this monastery in the Clement Town of Dehradun.

This monastery is also located amidst the lush green environment provided by the proximity of the Himalayas, which is a blessing to most of the pilgrim destinations in the city of Dehradun. This monastery has also got national prominence in being the largest Buddhist center in the entire country. Hence people belonging to the community from all over India and from neighboring countries like Nepal, China, and Bangladesh are often found taking tours in the location of the Mindrolling Monastery.

Most of the visitors to the monastery are seekers of spirituality. Apart from the supremacy in the spiritual benefits, there are also aestheticians and observers of art who come to the monastery to learn and get inspired by the architectural brilliance visualized in the construction of the same. The garden nearby the monastery and also the university complex are elements adding to its power and repute. 

Kalsi 

This is a quaint village town in the city of Dehradun. Visit this city if you are fond of living with the varieties of cultures in your trips. The inhabitants of this village would be an integrated populace of village and tribal races. Hence the lifestyle and behavioral patterns of the people here would be quite strange but exciting for sure. This is the entrance to the tribal region in Dehradun known as the Jaunsar-Bawar.

The village is located on the banks of the river Yamuna and so their agriculture and livelihood are mainly based upon the same. Even though this village is known to be in the city of Dehradun, the location of the village is in the middle of Dehradun and Chakrata to be precise. Other than the river, Yamuna, the river, Ton is also seen flowing through the village. Khits, Mundar, and Bhutis are the caste communities inhabiting the place.

You can enjoy a homely feeling away from home in this location. Oak and Sal trees are the major vegetation found in the region. The green meadows and valleys are quaint and picturesque to gift you the perfect natural getaway. Garhwal Himalayan ranges are the other tourist attractions of the village. 

Sahasradhara

Sahasradhara when gets translated into English reads as “Thousand-fold spring”. This is a waterfall attracting thousands of tourists to the location. The major tourist activity of the location is nothing but the ropeway passing above the spectacular view of the falls. Even though the waterfalls may not be appropriate for kids and old age people, they can definitely enjoy the view of the same by trying their hands on the ropeway.

You will be engaged in a total of 103 minutes in the ropeway, hence making it a relaxing and rejuvenating experience at a slow pace. The Himalayan ranges of the Dehradun will also get unfolded before you when you take the ropeway here. You can be assured of the safety measures and protocols observed by the authorities and so that no need to doubt having a seat in this exciting aerial drive.

Moreover, as a part of promoting tourism, the government has also set up a counter for snacks and drinks nearby the falls where you will be able to have some refreshments after the ropeway. And if you are more into the adventure side, climbing rock walls would be an activity of interest to you. There are also provisions for disco dancing and shooting as well. 

Har Ki Dun 

This is one most popular trekking routes in Dehradun. It is quite distant from the center of the city. Cradle-shaped valley is the specialty of the location. The scenic views from the place are also famous among tourists.

This location is also known as the name of “Valley of Gods”. Forest trails with pine trees and snow-clad mountain peaks are the peculiar feature of the location. The rustic lifestyle of the people inhabiting these areas would excite you and can give you certain distinctive insights. Houses with carvings are a signature element present in the houses of the area. 

Wade through the creamy snow on the Har ki Dun trek! A week- long trek, Har ki Dun is distanced at 46 km from Uttarkashi. The trek offers breath-taking views of Himalayan peaks namely- Kala Nag, Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch. Tag your tribe to go on this magical Har ki Dun trek! pic.twitter.com/PIkM9KxPaS

— Uttarakhand Tourism (@UTDBofficial) November 1, 2022

Best Time To Visit Dehradun 

March to June can be ideal to visit this hill station. Domestic tourists flock to the location during these summer months to take rescue from the scorching sun and dried-up weather in other parts of the country. 

How To Reach Dehradun?

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport

Nearest railway station: Dehradun Railway Station (DDN)

Conclusion

All in all, Dehradun is the perfect destination for your summer holiday plans. Dehradun is an all-in-one package of nature, spirituality, adventure, developed tourism, and many more. People prefer this location on account of the friendly weather they can have while setting out on a hill station vacation. Cultural elements and shopping facilities, and historic tales are also present in the area providing the best for you on the trip. 

Read More:

10 Attractive Destinations To Visit In Vizag (Visakhapatnam)

Cheap Places In India To Visit This December