Lower Himalayas – Native Style: 7 Days (Dehradun + Mussoorie + Chakrata)

a. Enjoy a Dehradun breakfast with your group.

b. Let’s start with somewhere peaceful for the summer month - we will head to Buddha Temple, Clement Town (Timing 10:00 Am)

c. This famous Tibetan Buddhist temple lies along the Raja Ji National Park & is an ideal stop for some peace.

d. After visiting the monastery & seeping in some quiet, if you are carrying your laptops you can work from the restaurants here. Enjoy a Tibetan menu from the restaurant within the premises or outside the temple. You can even shop for some souvenirs from their market settlement.

e. After exploring Clement town, we will take you to a cherished bakery of Dehradun, Sunrise Bakers, established in 1956. One of the oldest & popular bakeries in town, Sunrise Bakers has a vast range of bakeries like Milk Rusks, Pista Biscuits, Pastries, Butter Toffees( a must have if you want the native taste). Pack some tuck for your home as well, as you are sure to be craving for more.

f. Now we are all set for the evening with the Forest Researchers at FRI Dehradun. The FRI Museum is an architectural marvel spread over 2000 acres of green fields & trees. It has 6 museums based on forest products which closes by 5.00 pm. The institute is one of the oldest in India dedicated to the field of studying Himalayan forestry.

g. If nothing, just visit the place for its Graeco roman architecture amidst the lower Shivalik ranges in the backdrop.

h. Having checklisted 3 major locations natives of Dehradun frequent, lets hit the road back to our homestay in a drive of 30 minutes.

i. On the way we will cross the heart of the city, the Clock Tower which lights up at night for a surreal old school feel!

j. Post Dinner, retire to bed just like the Dehradun gentry would - Early to bed!

a. Get up early in the morning & enjoy a pahari chai.

b. Post breakfast, head to Mussoorie in a drive of 1.5 hours (Depending on the traffic). At Mussoorie we will not do the regular touristy things, instead we will jump to the good part of traveling with us.

g. From the hotel we will be driven to The Happy Valley, Shedup Choepelling Buddhist Temple in a drive of 30 minutes. Shedup Choepelling Buddhist Temple - was built by the Tibetan natives of Mussoorie in The Happy Valley. The foundation of this temple was laid by the Tibetan community of Mussoorie & is a host to kaleidoscopic colors of Tibetan architecture.
The fluttering prayer flags, and the serenity in the prayer of an odd monk sitting on the staircase, is all you would want to see.

h. Towards the other side of the hill you will see house-like structures similar to the architecture of Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan which are carved on a mountain. Spend quality time here, as the place closes by 5.00 pm.

i. Next we will drive towards LBSNA ( a civil service training institute for the IAS cadre) & can take a seat at The Charleville Book Store.

j. We highly recommend Peach Ice Tea, fries & Chicken Burger here. Now that you have relished every bite, take a stroll around at the splendid collections of books here & if you are not a bibliophile, then just unwind at the sheer peace of this place.

k. From LBSNA we will drive past the Mall Road, if you like you can shop here or just spend some time at the Cambridge Book Store & Kulri market, that’s the old charm of Mussoorie.

l. If you like you can enjoy a good Tibetan meal at Kalsung near Cambridge Book store. It;s at Cambridge where every Saturday, Mussoorie’s beloved author, Ruskin Bond sits to sign the books.

m. Overnight in Mussoorie

CHAKRATA

Popularly known as the Jaunsar Bawar region, Chakrata is a military cantonment hill station perched between the Yamuna & Tons rivers. Culturally distinct, the Jaunsari believe themselves to be descendants of the Pandavas. A very important part of the culture of Chakrata is its festive sports and dances.Surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan views, Chakrata is an ideal mix of culture, destinations & people.

a. From Mussoorie check out & be driven to Chakrata township.

b. Chakrata is essentially a cantonment area, hence the supervision here is at an all time high. We will pass through the Yamuna bridge & will take a pit stop at Chilmirii Top.

c. Chilmiri Top/ Neck is a bird's eye view point, which goes 3 kms from Primary School Lal Kurti, Chakrata.

d. One needs to park their vehicle in the meadow below & hike for about 5 -7 minutes to reach the stairway leading to the view point. Surrounded by prayer flags & a beautiful outdoor seating,

e. Chilmiri Top is an exquisite location to view the layers of mountains of the Jaunsar Bawar region. From here you can spot umpteen birds & nature at its best.

f. From Chilmiri we will drive for about 3 kms to reach the Chakrata Main Market.

g. Chakrata market has a famous momo shop, Chandana’s, with Himalayan warm interiors. Apart from that lentils like Rajmah (Red Beans) are a must take away from the market.

h. You can also pick some local handicrafts or simply walk along the typical Himalayan market & be delighted by the traditional outfits of natives of Jaunsar region.

i. From the market we will drive ahead for 25 kms to reach our Hotel in Lokhandi.

j. Check in to the hotel, and go on an evening stroll along the Tiuni road to catch the sunset!

k. Dinner & Overnight in the hotel.

a. Today we will rise early & be driven to the Forest Rest House, Budher. Its a quick drive along a forest thicket and comforting peace in the jungle.

b. You will have to get off at the Guest house, which is the starting point of this trek.

c. The trek is grade easy - moderate & goes past the oldest of oak trees on the valley side of the trail which are allotted to the local families of Chakrata.

d. The king of Tehri had made a pact during the British reign to allot one tree to each family of this region for their personal use.Walking further as you gain height the way will open up to a paradise of meadows, the first on you left train would lead to Miola Tibba.

e. Miola Tibba is a huge green meadow on top which hosts an old Shiva Temple, also known as the “Temple of Fairies”.

f. At an altitude of 2590 m here you will be greeted by a vast Himalayan snow capped view. You can lay down on the slopes or just watch the views while sipping tea/snacks.

g. From Miola Tibba, we will hike downhill on the meadow to take a peek at the Budher Caves.

h. Budher Cave - Legend has it that this 150 Km long cave was built by Pandavas during the Mahabharata. Made of stalagmite formations, the cave entrance is a small way, hence inaccessible for the public to go inside. But you can trace the depth of the cave right from the entrance by just taking a peek. The vast meadows along the cave are in abundance and the hike back until the Forest Guest house will now be moderate to steep. Once you reach the roadhead you get on to your car & be driven back to the Hotel at Lokhandi.

i. Lokhandi offers a splendid Himalayan landscape, just take a seat on any of the milestones facing the valley & watch the setting sun.

j. Amidst the hustle of village folks returning home from Tiuni stand, you will come full circle to the life of Jaunsar Bawar region.

k. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

a. In the morning head out to witness a spell binding sunrise from the road.

b. Walk along the direction of the sunrays & you will find the right spot to immerse yourself in a Himalayan sunrise.

c. Post breakfast, check out from the hotel in Lokhandi & drive back to Dehradun.

d. On the way take a halt at the celebrated Ashoka Edict in Vikasnagar.

e. Ashoka Rock Edict - After the Kalinga war, Mauryan King, Ashoka converted himself into a Buddhist. It is here at Kalsi that one of the major rock edicts found in the inscriptions depict the life of King Ashoka & his policies to commit non violence.

f. Built in 450 BC , this rock structure is preserved under the Archaeological Department of India. The inscriptions on the edict are in Pali and are perched in between the lush green of Kalsi.

g. From there be driven to your hotel in Dehradun.

h. Dinner & Overnight stay in the hotel.

a. Today post breakfast, check out from the hotel.

b. Be driven to Jollygrant Airport in Dehradun.

c. Trip ends here.