Dhanaulti is fast emerging as a gem among the major travel destinations in Uttarakhand. It is on Mussoorie – Chamba road , at an altitude of 2 ,250 m. It comes as a pleasant surprise for the enthusiastic weekend travelers , who find it peaceful , relaxed , and laid-back. It’s a different experience altogether.
Dhanaulti is away from the crowds , busy market places , and pollution. Set amidst thick virgin forests of Deodars , Oaks , and Rhododendrons , it is an ideal location that ensures absolute peace of mind and soul. The green meadows , towering trees , breathtaking view of the Himalayan peaks , make Dhanaulti an enticing hideaway for tourists.
Dhanaulti is the base point for numerous treks into the snow-capped Himalayas , especially to the Tehri region of Garhwal. The most popular treks are through the dense alpine forests that take you to Surkanda Devi , Chandrabadni , and Kunjapuri , the sacred three Shaktipeeths of the holy Devi Darshan triangle. The best time to visit Dhanaulti is between March and June.
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Dhanaulti situated at a distance of 83kms. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Dhanaulti is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are easily available from Jolly Grant Airport to Dhanaulti.
The nearest railway stations to Dhanaulti are situated in Rishikesh and Dehradun. Rishikesh and Dehradun both are well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh and Dehradun are frequent. Dhanaulti is well connected by motorable roads with Dehradun and Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are easily available from Rishikesh and Dehradun to Dhanaulti. Rishikesh Railway station is situated 83kms from Dhanaulti and Dehradun is situated 60kms before Dhanaulti.
Dhanaulti is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Rishikesh , Tehri , Dehradun , and Mussoorie are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Dhanaulti are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand. Dhanaulti is situated on Mussoorie - Chamba Road. March to June is the best time to visit Dhanaulti. This is the time you can have an amazing and clear view of the beautiful places near Dhanaulti and enjoy pleasant weather. Also , reaching the popular tourist places in Dhanaulti is more convenient during these months. Monsoon is anyhow not the best time to visit Uttarakhand since it is a landslide-prone region.
Cloaked in a serene vibe , Dhanaulti is a beautiful hill station located near Mussoorie , in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by thick forests of oaks , deodars , and rhododendrons , Dhanaulti remains untouched and unexplored by the rest of the world. This sleepy hamlet is dwarfed by the peaks of the snow-covered Himalayas. Exhilarate your senses as you trek on some scenic trails and go horse riding along the steep mountain slopes. The tall and gushing waterfalls of Barehipani and Joranda are a spellbinding sight to behold. Dhanaulti also offers some religious places to explore like Surkanda Devi Temple , Dashavatar Temple , and numerous Jain Temples. The imposing Deogarh Fort and the panoramic Eco Park are the other attractions in Dhanaulti. The tranquil surrounding of Matatila Dam is perfect for a picnic. The natural beauty and rich traditions of Dhanaulti are manifold.
After Reaching Dhanaulti , the next task was to find this Camp , which I had already checked reviews about on many websites , it goes by the name AWAARA Camp retreats. It was very easy to find as this is located very close to the ECO Park , which is another attraction of Dhanaulti.
Price was Rs 1399/- Per person per night , including Breakfast , Lunch , Evening Tea and snacks , and Dinner. This camp was a good find as the Location was breathtaking. Facing towards the Garhwali Himalayas , and to wake up every morning with such a view is so serene , and peaceful. Even , the night at this camp was brilliant , as every evening we had Bonfire and a bit of dancing and some good music.
Very close to this town are 2-3 attractions which one should not miss. Surkanda Devi Temple , Eco Park , Kanatal. Surkanda Devi temple located at a distance of about 8 km by road and 2.5 km of walking on the mountain , and you won't regret the views that you will see once you are on top of the Mountain. Eco-park is another brilliant place to visit and so is Kanatal.
If you have more time and a means of transport , then further down about 45 km is Tehri Lake and Chamba. Which are the two famous attractions of Garhwal , and you should visit?
My main reason to be on this trip was to get some Astro shots and some gorgeous panoramic views of the Himalayas. My 3 days stay at this place was worth every minute and worth all the effort to come down to this place. My tips for all of you as experienced.
- Prefer traveling by Road , either book a co-traveler at Bla Bla cars or Rent one. You can also take a bus to Dehradun from ISBT New Delhi ( Bus would cost more and so would trains)
- Once you reach Dehradun , the easiest way to reach is through Mussoorie or else Go to Rishikesh and then Rent a MotorBike. You can try to rent them from Dehradun also , though I couldn't find any.
- Mussoorie is a decent place to halt for a day , though I would suggest staying further up from Mussoorie at Landour.
- Check with the locals about public transport to Dhanaulti. Minivans run to and fro to Dhanaulti often and are very very cheap as compared to getting a taxi from Mussoorie.
- Do your pre-work to check about the weather in Dhanaulti , as in October the Temp was around 8-15 min and max. Better to carry a light jacket.
- Stay at Camping sites , and avoid staying at Hotels.
- Getting up early morning gives you some amazing Sunrise views and the glowing Himalayas.
- Carry all the booze you can , as the local market does not have much of an option.
- Go for a walk in Day or evening , try avoiding nights and mountain fox come on the streets , If you are in a group then it should be fine.
- Normally at night , there is minimal to no traffic on the roads so , one can have a stroll at night.
- Photographers Paradise , that is what I will call this place. Name it and you will get it. From Landscapes to Astro , and shots of the Himalayas , sunrise , sunset. This place would not let you down.
- Photographers always carry fully charged batteries and some spare ones too , as this place has power cuts that happen 4 hrs in a day.
- Keep some light bites with you , choco bars , cookies , etc , the closest market is about 1.5 km away.
Best Dhanaulti Tour Packages
| Dhanaulti | Duration | Price |
| Heart-warming 4 Days 3 Nights Mussoorie, Mussoorie Sightseeing Day, Mussoorie - Dhanaulti with Dhanaulti delhi Trip Package |
4 Days/ 3 Nights |
₹15,000 |
| 3 Days 2 Nights Dehradun to Dhanaulti Honeymoon Holiday Package |
3 Days/ 2 Nights |
₹20,000 |
| Pleasurable 3 Days 2 Nights Mussoorie Honeymoon Tour Package |
3 Days/ 2 Nights |
₹9,000 |
| Haridwar, Rishikesh , Mussoorie , Dhanulti Tour Package |
4 Days/ 3 Nights |
₹11,000 |
| UTTARAKHAND ALL INCLUSIVE 05 Nights/06 Days Tour Package |
6 Days/ 5 Nights |
₹19,500 |
| 6 Days 5 Nights Delhi to Mussoorie River Vacation Package |
6 Days/ 5 Nights |
₹38,000 |
| 4 NIGHTS 5 DAYS MUSSORIE ,HARIDWAR,RISHIKESH TOUR PACKAGE |
5 Days/ 4 Nights |
₹16,000 |
| Memorable 9 Days Delhi to Kausani Holiday Package |
9 Days/ 8 Nights |
₹30,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Dhanaulti ?
The best time to visit Dhanaulti is in the summer season and it begins from April to June and September to November. The temperature during these months ranges from 14 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius. This is a perfect time for sightseeing and other adventure activities.
How to reach Dhanaulti ?
There are many options to reach this destination like flight, bus, car, and train. If you are traveling by flight so you have to take a flight to Delhi, Chandigarh, or the nearest airport and then take a car or bus to reach Dhanaulti. Apart from that, tourists can easily reach Dhanaulti by bus, car, and train.
What is Dhanaulti famous for ?
Dhanaulti is famous for its natural beauty and it’s a popular hill station located. It’s a small town and well-known for its lush green and picturesque surroundings of the mountains.
How many days should I plan for Dhanaulti ?
Well, it totally depends on the traveler schedule but yes this is suggested to make a trip ranges from day 3 to day 6. If you want to spend extra days and want to explore nearby places as well so you should plan for 6 days.
For how many days should I plan for Dhanaulti ?
You can plan your trip for 3 days would be enough for you to explore DHANAULTI and cover the majority of renowned places in the town. If you wish to extend your trip furthermore this town always welcomes you to stay as long as you can.