Posted 31 January 2023 in Winter wandering

Why you should visit Dehradun for a magical winter

Dehradun is the largest city and the capital of Uttarakhand. It lies between the stunning Himalayan and Shivalik mountain ranges at a height of approximately 435 m above sea level and doubles down as the populated city in Uttarakhand. The city is situated in Doon Valley, nestled between both the prolific rivers, Ganga and Yamuna, offering a picturesque backdrop like no other. Dehradun is famous for beautiful mountains, zoological parks, cascading waterfalls and revered shrines.

Offering panoramic views of the scintillating landscape, Dehradun is a tourist hotspot that sees a huge influx of visitors around the year. Even though it is considered a yearly destination, the winter season is the coveted time for travellers because of the automatic transformation of snow-capped mountains, making it a winter wonderland. You can experience a fairytale-like winter in Dehradun when you visit in the snowfall season.

Dehradun is surrounded by the Shivalik range and the foothills of the Himalayas, and to the other side, it borders the districts situated on the river Ganga. It is bordered by Himachal Pradesh on the east side. You will find a plethora of sightseeing attractions in this city along with reputed educational institutions such as Doon School, Welham School and Forest Research Institute among others.

Reasons you should visit Dehradun in winters

Dehradun is the perfect destination to visit for solo travellers, couples, families and friends, and more so in the winter season. The season commences in December and continues up to the end of February. The snow all over gives it romantic vibes, making it a popular honeymoon destination as well. The temperature varies from 3°C to 22°C, and there is a low cool breeze circulating along with the cloudy mist at all times, more so in the mornings and evenings, making you experience a fairytale-like winter in Dehradun.

1. Great climate

The weather conditions get cooler and frostier during winters, giving you a cosy and dim setting. The temperature ranges from 3°C to 22° C and can even drop further down from late nights to early mornings. Winter is specifically considered from December to February but it does carry forward to the beginning of March and dates back to November. March and November are also extremely pleasant months to visit.

2. Take in the beauty

The winter months bring in snowfall that covers mountain peaks and creates a magical white carpet throughout the city. The weather is mystical with the mist flowing over the peaks and making its way into the streets and corners of the city. Sit on the balcony of your hotel, in an open-air restaurant or walk in the streets to experience a fairytale-like winter in Dehradun.

3. Indulge in the local delicacies

Cold weather always makes you hungry, and nothing is more satisfying than sinking your teeth into hot traditional dishes. Some must-try food items of the Doon Valley cuisine are chhole puri, bun tikka, chowmein, momos, bread pakora, paneer samosas and rava dosa. These are available at all street food stalls and in restaurants.

4. Visit attractive places

There is no dearth of impressive tourist attractions in Dehradun. Some summer dependent spots might be closed or open for shorter times but some open up especially for the winter season. A few you must not give a miss to are Robber’s Cave, Mindrolling Monastery, Hark ki Dun and Tapkeshwar Temple among others.

5. Shop till you drop

No trip is complete without bringing back some souvenirs as memories. While you might have lovely pictures taken at scenic spots, actual local items serve as a physical memory of your holiday to last you a lifetime. This place is filled with malls, bazaars, markets and boutiques, making you quench your inner shopaholic. Paltan Bazaar, Tibetan Market, Indira Market, Astley Hall and Gandhi Road Market will satisfy your retail thirst.

Things to do in Dehradun

Dehradun is abundant with natural beauty and undulating landscape, yet, offers a bustling city vibe as well. The beautiful city of Dehradun is surrounded by cultural and beautiful sites which can provide a rich experience for you when there. A few things and diverse activities you must engage in, depending on your preferences, are:

Visit Robber’s Cave, an adventurous spot for thrill seekers where they can trek amidst the sheer stunning beauty of the surroundings.
Take a dip in the medicinal waters of Sahastradhara, a therapeutic water body that is reputed for its limestone flowing sulphur-rich waters.
Dance the night away in the vibrant nightlife of the city at many pubs and bars dotted all over.
Marvel at the architecture of the prolific Forest Research Institute.
Go for a fun family picnic at the beautiful Nature’s Park.
Get your adrenalin rush by paragliding through the mystical mountains while you soar amidst them.
Engage in the café culture by visiting a new café every day that you are there.
Seek utmost spiritual comfort at the famous Tapkeshwar Temple.
Witness some exotic migratory birds at Asan
Awaken your inner spiritual soul by meditating at Tapovan Temple.
Take a day trip to Malsi Deer Park and watch the stealthy creatures in their natural habitat.
Take a stroll in the city and discover unexpected and hidden gems,
Go hiking and trekking and explore some of the beautiful trails all over the landscape.
Watch the gushing waters cascading down the Tiger Falls.

Travel tips

Dehradun is home to many accommodation options ranging from bed and breakfasts to 5-star hotels. Many capture the scintillating view of the city and due to lesser crowds in winter, you can easily get availability. They also have winter deals constantly on offer which help to make a budget for the trip. If you can bear the winter, then you should definitely visit at this time. A few tips and tricks you can take advantage of are:

Try and avoid being out of your hotels from 10 pm till 7 am to avoid harsher temperatures
Carry your jackets, mittens, socks, sweaters, shawls, etc. to stay comfortable at all times
Keep your camera with you at all times as you may never know when you will find an unmissable view that you would want to capture forever
Always keep a small amount of cash handy as small vendors may not accept digital payment methods

How to reach Dehradun?

In the world of tourism, a place as popular as Dehradun has good connections via road, rail and air.

Via air: Dehradun’s main airport is Jolly Grant Airport. It is located around 20 km from the city centre. It has good connections from all the major cities in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Several prolific airlines operate to and from this airport, including IndiGo. The closest international airport is in Delhi from where you can take an IndiGo flight to Dehradun for as little as 50 min.
Via road: Dehradun, being a popular tourist destination, has roads that make driving a pleasant experience for those who are hiring a car or self-driving. You can get there from Delhi via NH8 and NH72 within 4 to 5 hr. Chandigarh is located at approximately 167 km, and you can get there in around 3 hr. Dehradun is also well-connected to cities such as Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Via bus: Cities such as Shimla, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Delhi, Agra and Mussoorie have regular buses operating to and from Dehradun. Volvo buses, deluxe buses and semi-deluxe buses are available to choose from. They depart from and arrive at Dehradun Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT). Buses depart every 15 min from here so you can choose which one works best for you in terms of duration, budget and comfort.
Via rail: Dehradun is connected to several cities via rail. Train services run to and from Delhi, Allahabad, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Varanasi and Ujjain to name a few. The main railway station is situated at a distance of only 1-2 km from the city centre and top-line trains operate from there.

Where to stay in Dehradun?

For a sweet stay in the foothills of the Himalayas, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the plethora of accommodation options. You will find quaint bed and breakfasts, hospitable homestays, budget hotels, luxury resorts and private villas dotted all over the city. The Four Points by Sheraton offers good prices for a five star and provides unequalled hospitality. Lemon Tree Hotel has modern and luxurious rooms with huge picture windows that overlook the serene landscape. The Regenta LP Villas will give you a royal experience with stunning views in the lap of the Himalayas. If these seem too expensive, then you can go with mid-range and budget hotels such as The Solitaire, Hotel Saffron Leaf and Hotel Softel Plaza among others.

Best time to visit Dehradun

Dehradun enjoys a humid and subtropical climate. Typically, it is most visited during the months of summer which range from March to June due to warmer weather and pleasant temperatures. However, the city has exciting things to offer in every season throughout the year, and this includes the beautiful but cold months of winter. You should consider what works best for you and make an informed decision.

March to June: These months are considered the summer season, and the temperature can go up to around 35°C and the minimum is around 17°C. In this season, you will have a clear view of the surroundings since there is no rain, mist or snow. You can carry light cotton clothes and be comfortable in this season.
July to September: These months are when the monsoon season sets in and brings out the vibrancy of the landscape of Dehradun. The lush green terrain comes to life, and people choose to visit it to get some serenity. The hotels are priced lesser at this time due to it not being peak season so you can make the most of lower costs.
October to November: Essentially, this is when the autumn season makes an appearance and the splendour of the landscape takes a turn. The temperature starts to drop further, and the onset of winter is observed. This is a pleasant time to visit, and activities are still open for tourists.
December to February: The much ignored winter months are the best time to take a trip to Dehradun. While many activities and sports might be closed due to heavy snowfall, the atmosphere becomes mystical. Temperature can drop down to 3°C and reach a maximum of 22°C. The day stays sunny till the afternoon, and you can enjoy strolls and visit attractions at that time if you want to capture most of the daylight. Hotels and flights at this time are extremely reasonable, making it further more tempting to visit.

Conclusion

Surrounded by the natural splendour and grandeur of the Indian northern landscape, Dehradun is a dream destination for travellers of all types. To experience a fairytale-like winter in Dehradun, you can take in all the spectacular sites and enjoy clean and pure air atop the hills. It is home to temples, rivers, waterfalls, caves and viewpoints all over the city. A frosty trip to the heavenly town of Dehradun is sure to leave you spellbound and reeling for more.