Located about 35 km from Dehradun, the capital of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, near the Himalayan foothills, Dhanaulti is an ideal destination for tourists to rejuvenate themselves
By Muskan Aggarwal
An offbeat destination ensconced in the majestic Himalayas, Dhanaulti is famous for the native Burans flower, its apple orchards, and its potato farms. A variety of flora and fauna can be spotted here, and while one can witness a pleasant and chilly weather throughout the year, one is sure to get mesmerised by the heavy snowfall during the winter months of December, January and February.
A delight for tourists, Dhanaulti is just 20 km from Mussoorie and about 35 km from Dehradun. There are buses available from Mussoorie to New Tehri every 1-2 hours that go via Dhanaulti. It is advisable to travel in one’s private vehicle as the frequency of local transport is not very high.
If you are somewhere in the peaceful lush green valleys of Dhanaulti, 
you can see the snow-clad Himalayas from the front and the sparkling Dehradun valley from the other side. Those who wish to rejuvenate themselves and come closer to nature, this is the ideal place to be.
Apart from several other facilities, the place has multi-cuisine restaurants that serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, as well as organic food, veggies etc. that are grown locally. One can find Indian, Chinese, Italian, and American cuisines here. Then there are local Garhwali dishes like Jhangora Ki Kheer, Kandalee Ka Saag, Gulgula on demand.
For adventure seekers, Dhanaulti offers activities like mountain climbing, mountain biking, and valley ropeway crossing. Those wishing to go the extra mile can ask for trekking routes and guides.
What to do in Dhanaulti:
- Surkanda Mata Mandir is one of the most popular tourist places in Dhanaulti. One has to trek for 2 km to reach
the place, which is situated at an altitude of about 2,756 metres. Spectacular views of the valley can be seen from here.
- Eco Park is dedicated to the unique flora and fauna of the Himalayas. With swings and fountains, it is a good place to have a family picnic.
- Dhanaulti is ideal for adventure and trekking lovers. The breath-taking views can be seen from different peaks, giving a glimpse of the Himalayas and the life on mountains.
- One may visit Kaudia Forest if one wishes to see and experience nature from close. One will have to take
permission from the Forest Department to enter the forest as wild animals including bears, tigers, and deer can be easily spotted here. It is best to hire a local guide if one plans to visit it.
- Tehri is around a four-hour comfortable drive from Dhanaulti. Here, one can see the Tehri Dam, the highest dam in India, and also do water activities and boating in the reservoir.
(Muskan Aggarwal is a travel writer)
