After being strained from work and our hectic, stressful routines, we wanted a break — some fresh air and a bit of peace. So, we planned a 3-day Mussoorie trip with two other couples. I was, as always, the planner of the group. Whenever it comes to trips, I’m the one holding the itinerary, doing research, and listing all the famous places to cover. This time was no different — I had everything ready about what to see and where to eat, except for one thing: where to stay. We all decided to go with our usual style — booking on the spot.
We started late and reached Mussoorie around 8:30 PM (if I remember correctly, as it’s been more than six months now). Our vehicle was stopped at one point, and we were asked if we had a hotel booking, especially for those wanting to stay on Mall Road. Since we hadn’t booked anything, we immediately started looking for hotels.
Luckily, someone randomly approached us and offered rooms for ₹1500 per night. We went to check and found the place decent enough for at least one night’s stay. We decided to take the rooms and requested dinner, as it was quite late and the kitchen was about to close. Thankfully, they agreed and served us dinner, which was good. While eating, we discussed that we’d stay there for the night and look for a better place in the morning.
That night, we stayed at Hotel Himalayan Club on Nagar Palika Road — a calm and cosy spot to rest after a long day.
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The next morning, I woke up early, as I usually don’t sleep well in new places. The weather was pleasantly cold. I wrapped myself in a shawl and stepped outside through the backyard door of our room. The quiet hills stood still under the early light, and the air felt so fresh. Soon, my husband joined me, and then one of our friends too. We stood there, sipping hot tea and watching the mist roll over the mountains.
By the time everyone was still sleeping, the three of us decided to look for hotels nearby before breakfast. We walked down toward Mall Road, checking out almost every property. On our way, a street dog began following us. He seemed friendly at first, but suddenly, a few more dogs appeared — and chaos followed. One came too close and almost bit my leg! I screamed in fear while the boys laughed like it was some kind of morning entertainment. Some shopkeepers stopped sweeping and started watching our little drama unfold.
After visiting many places, we realised the best one was right next to where we were already staying! We couldn’t help but laugh at our little morning adventure. We finally found a beautiful hotel with a cosy, modern vibe — just the kind we were looking for — “Romeo Lane: The Courtyard House.” However, the price was ₹5,500 per night per couple, which felt too high for us since it was only for a night’s stay. We took their contact details and returned to our current hotel to discuss it with everyone.
Romeo Lane, Mussoorie
By now, everyone was awake and hungry. We ordered a full breakfast spread — aloo parathas, poha, bread toast, tea, curd, and aloo puri. The table looked like a mini feast! Everyone had different cravings, and the laughter over breakfast made the morning even better.
After discussing it all, we decided to stay another night in the same hotel since we found premium rooms on the first floor. We shifted our luggage, got ready, and left for Kempty Falls.
Kempty Fall, Mussoorie
The drive was long — nearly an hour — even though it’s only around 15 km. The roads were narrow, traffic was slow, but the view made it worth it. When we reached, there were endless stairs leading down, lined with small shops selling souvenirs and snacks. But as we reached the base, the sight wasn’t very pleasant — the water was dirty, filled with plastic bottles. We went up to the bridge to get a better view. The bridge was narrow and crowded, but still, the waterfall looked grand from there.
We stopped at a small stall above the stream. The owner agreed to let us sit only if we ordered something, so we ordered Maggi and tea — a must-have in the hills! The kids happily enjoyed their Maggi while we clicked pictures and picked up a few souvenirs before heading back.
While the kids napped, my husband and I went for a walk around Mall Road. We explored little shops, spotted the famous Lovely Omelette Shop, and wandered into a Japanese store where I bought a few beauty items and a sanitiser I had forgotten to carry.
By evening, we felt hungry again. We spotted Kalsang, one of Mussoorie’s most popular Tibetan eateries. The place was packed, but we got a table upstairs. The decor was vibrant — colourful prayer flags, Dalai Lama quotes, and cheerful energy everywhere.
Kalsang, Mussoorie
As I’m a vegetarian, I ordered gravy momos and noodles — and they turned out to be the best I’ve ever had. The momos were soft, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The noodles were perfect too. One of the most unique things about Kalsang was how they collected feedback — guests wrote on tissues, which were placed under the glass tabletops. You could literally read others’ experiences while eating!
Later, our friends joined us there, and after finishing our meal, we all strolled to the far end of Mall Road — Library Bazaar. The road was filled with tourists, vendors, police whistles, and warm golden lights reflecting on the hills.
Library Bazaar, Mussoorie
We skipped the fancy cafés and instead went to Urban Turban Bistro — a Punjabi-style restaurant with a cosy, homely feel. We ordered dal makhni, paneer, chapati, and salad — pure comfort food. The owner, a cheerful uncle from Ludhiana, came over to chat and shared how he’d been running the place for years.
After dinner, while others went for desserts, my husband and I walked into Snowy Owl Gelato Co. They offered free hot chocolate samples — one sip, and I couldn’t resist! We ordered choco gelato with marshmallows and strolled back with our cups, laughing under the lights of Mall Road.
Snowy Owl Gelato Co. Mussoorie
By the time we returned to our hotel, tired and full, it felt like one of those perfect travel days — where everything just fits right.
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The next morning, we were all ready by 8 AM, planning to have breakfast at Char Dukan, one of the most talked-about spots in Landour. Since we had to head home the same day, we checked out early and kept our luggage in the car parked in the hotel premises.
When the final bill came, we couldn’t stop laughing — our stay was cheaper than our food! Dinner and breakfast together cost us around ₹5000, and what was more shocking — one chapati cost ₹20!
Our hotel was just about 2 km away from Char Dukan, so we decided to walk instead of driving, unaware that 2 km in the hills means an hour of constant hiking!
Clock Tower, Landour
Halfway through, we passed the Clock Tower, a tall red-brick structure with a big clock hanging on it. We clicked pictures and continued walking, often stepping aside for vehicles passing through the narrow, hilly road.
Along the way, we saw small tea stalls and a vintage shop selling old clocks, binoculars, and tape recorders. My husband bought a pair of binoculars that could focus on faraway objects with just a twist.
We crossed Doma’s Café, the one everyone talks about, but kept going as our friends with the kids had already reached Char Dukan. The road was peaceful — lined with tall deodar trees, the air slightly misty, and everything so quiet that it almost felt like time had slowed down for us.
When we finally reached Char Dukan, I realised why people love it so much. Just a few cafés on one side offering pancakes, sandwiches, and coffee, and an open space on the other with a big tree, parking, and the State Bank of India nearby. Our friends were already sitting under that tree, waiting and clearly hungry after the hike.
Char Dukan, Landour
We found a table at one of the cafés since Anil’s Café was full and ordered everything our eyes landed on — pancakes, sandwiches, fries, tea, coffee, and omelettes for the kids. It all tasted divine, maybe because we were starving after the long walk, but every bite felt perfect.
After breakfast, none of us wanted to leave just yet, so we decided to keep walking ahead. Locals said the trail led to Lal Tibba, so we followed it without overthinking. The path was magical — green pine trees on both sides, the soft chill in the air, and that mountain silence that makes you feel at peace.
At Lal Tibba, there was a small café with a terrace and binoculars set up for tourists to see the faraway hills. We didn’t go up, but we took a bunch of group selfies and made fun reels, laughing the whole time.
Doma’s Cafe, Landour
On our way back, we stopped at Doma’s Café to see what it was like inside. The walls were covered with old cinema posters, old décor, and vintage charm everywhere. I ordered Maggi, which turned out to be quite expensive and honestly not tasty at all, so not something I’d recommend. Others just had tea and soft drinks before we continued our way down.
By evening, it was time to head home. We stopped at Paonta Sahib Gurudwara to seek blessings and have langar — the perfect ending before a long drive. But as luck would have it, we took a wrong turn near Dehradun and ended up on a road under maintenance. It slowed us down, and later we had to take a narrow village route where thick fog made visibility almost zero. Everyone in the car went silent, praying softly as we used an iPhone camera light to help the driver see through the fog.
Finally, we hit the main highway and reached home around 10:30 PM — tired, hungry, but full of memories.
This trip wasn’t fancy or perfect, but it had everything — laughter, chaos, unplanned turns, and little surprises that made it unforgettable. The kind of memories that stay with you long after the suitcases are unpacked.
Thank You for Reading!!