Dhanaulti is one of the most popular hill stations of India, and a popular tourist destination for people in Delhi and all of India. A quaint little town further up from Mussoorie, it is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the serenity and beauty of snow peacefully.
With an exotic Eco Park and a wide scope for adventure activities in Dhanaulti, you will never run short of fun things to do in Dhanaulti. Whether it is enjoying the peace and calm of the weather in Dhanaulti or indulging in adventurous activities there, Dhanaulti will have exactly what you seek. People from nearby areas flock to Dhanaulti on the weekend, lured by the chill Dhanaulti weather and the beauty of the mountains. With a wide range of Dhanaulti hotels and camps to serve your needs, your Dhanaulti trip is bound to be a fun and mesmerizing time.
Where is Dhanaulti Located
Situated at 2,286 meters, Dhanaulti is located a little further up from the hill station of Mussoorie, in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand. Dhanaulti is nestled perfectly in the Himalayan range, away from the chaos and noise of cities and mainstream tourists.
- Distance from Mussoorie to Dhanaulti: 60 km / 2.5 hours via road (24 km away)
- Distance from Dehradun to Dhanaulti: 36 km / 2 hrs via road
- Distance from Delhi to Dhanaulti: 295 km / 7.5 hrs via road
How to Reach Dhanaulti
The nearest railway station from Dhanaulti is Dehradun. Jolly Grant Airport, also in Dehradun, is the nearest airport from Dhanaulti. You can catch a flight from the major airports of India to Jolly Grant Airport, situated 51 km away from Dhanaulti. You can catch a taxi to Dhanaulti from right outside the airport, for a 2 hr long road trip to Dhanaulti through winding mountains.
- Suggested Tour: Dhanaulti Tour Packages
Places to Visit in Dhanaulti
There are several tourist attractions in Dhanaulti, that will provide you with immense natural beauty and tranquility on your Dhanaulti trip. You can indulge in sightseeing, adventure activities and a lot of other things at the following tourist spots in Dhanaulti.
Surkanda Devi Temple
Set atop a cliff at an altitude of 10,000 ft, Surkanda Devi Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. It is regarded as one of the Shakti Peeths. The peaceful environment at the temple premises serves as the humble abode of several tourists and pilgrims every day.
Surkanda Devi Temple is located about 8 km from the main town of Dhanaulti, with flowers and mountains around. You will need to do a trek of 1.5 km after reaching Kaddukhal village. The temple offers panoramic views of the Higher Himalayas on one side and Rishikesh and Dehradun on the other side.
Dashavatar Temple
The Dashavatar Temple in Dhanaulti is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built during the Gupta Empire era, and bears intricate carvings on the walls of the temple. The carving and sculptures depict scenes from mythology related to Lord Vishnu.
Dashavatar Temple is unique for the fact that it is one of the few Panchayatan temples in India. This means that it has four shrines at each of its corners, and a fifth shrine at the center. It stands as an architectural masterpiece and one of the most important religious spots in Dhanaulti.
Eco Parks in Dhanaulti
Amber and Dhara are two famous eco parks in Dhanaulti. They offer beautiful landscapes with deodar and cedar trees all over. Built and maintained by the Forest Department for the purpose of boosting tourism, these eco parks are some of the best places to visit in Dhanaulti with family or kids.
The distance between Amber and Dhara is only 200 m, and the eco parks are ideal for taking a casual stroll or hikes down their beautiful wooded areas. Some tourists even visit the park in the early hours of the morning for enjoying their morning yoga sessions in the peace and calm of nature.
- Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm
- Entry fee: INR 15 for adults, INR 10 for kids
Tehri Dam
Tehri Dam is located in New Tehri and is definitely one of the must visit tourist spots for your Dhanaulti trip. The dam is a magnificent structure tucked perfectly into the lap of the mountains. The awe-inspiring views and beautiful gardens around the Tehri dam make for a beautiful day trip to Tehri Dam.
- Opening hours: Open 24×7
- Entry fee: Free
Potato Farm (Aloo Khet)
The potato farm in Dhanaulti is a state-operated potato farm spread over a large area of land. The land is used solely for the cultivation of potatoes, which are exported to other parts of India.
At the farm, locally known as Aloo Khet in Dhanaulti, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of potatoes the land holds. Providing a break from the otherwise mountainous terrain that surrounds Dhanaulti, you can spend an enjoyable afternoon at the potato farm taking casual strolls, laying out a nice picnic, riding horses around the farmland, etc. You can also catch great views from here, including panoramic views of Dehradun.
- Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm
- Best time to visit: It is advisable that you visit the potato farm during the summers, as the land will be covered in layers of snow during the winter months. You will not be able to enjoy the overwhelming views and natural beauty of potatoes growing extensively all around you in winters.
Adventure camps in Dhanaulti
There are several day-time adventure camps in Dhanaulti, that you can visit for a small entry fee. At the camps, you can indulge in several fun activities such as rock climbing, rappelling, bridge crossing, hiking, trekking, sightseeing, etc. Kanatal Adventure Camp and Camp Thangdhar, both located in Kanatal, are two of the most famous adventure camps in Dhanaulti.
These camps are equipped with high-quality facilities and people visit these camps to experience the wilder sides of Dhanaulti. Due to the less number of hotels in Dhanaulti, a number of tourists in Dhanaulti prefer to bring along their own tents to set up camp. Some of the camping sites in Dhanaulti are listed below.
Kanatal Adventure Camp
Kanatal Adventure Camp is one of the most famous of Dhanaulti camps. It offers good facilities as food that you will enjoy and attached washrooms, which most camps do not provide. You can stay at Kanatal Adventure Camp for INR 1,300 for one of the best camping in Dhanaulti. It opens at 12 pm every day, and you can have a relaxing and adventurous time by visiting.
Camp Thangdhar
Thangdhar in Dhanaulti is located in Kanatal, and is one of the best camps in Dhanaulti. Besides relaxing and sightseeing, you can indulge in trekking, hiking, rock climbing, bridge crossing, river crossing, rappelling, etc. You can also participate in sports such as badminton and mini basketball in the soothing and breathtaking environment of Dhanaulti. The camp opens at 9 am every day. Entry fee is INR 2,000 per person. However, if you are visiting Camp Thangdhar with a group of 15 or more, then admission charges will be INR 1,500 per person.
Things to Do in Dhanaulti
Dhanaulti offers you the mighty Himalayas and untouched natural beauty. Coupled with the chill Dhanaulti weather that often brings snowfall in Dhanaulti, it will serve as an ideal weekend getaway. Some of the fun things to do in Dhanaulti while on this getaway are as follows.
- Trekking, hiking and nature walks have a special charm in Dhanaulti as the deodar trees and snow there will make your experience enchanting. The Eco Parks in Dhanaulti are built just for this purpose, and you can visit them with family and kids.
- Since Dhanaulti does not have too many hotels, camping is popular in Dhanaulti. You can stay at one of the adventure camps in Dhanaulti or bring your own tent to set your own. You can enjoy bonfires at night in summers and the first-hand experience of snow if you are camping in Dhanaulti in winters.
- You can indulge in several adventure activities in Dhanaulti, such as rock climbing, trekking, horse-riding and crossing bridges built over the valleys of Dhanaulti.
- You can do a lot of shopping in Dhanaulti, as the group named Himalayan Weavers manufactures woollen items such as scarves, gloves and shawls. These are made completely from natural items such as wool, silk and natural dye.
Dhanaulti Weather
The average annual Dhanaulti temperature is pretty chill, as Dhanaulti is situated high in the mountains. In fact, it is the cold Dhanaulti weather that draws in tourists from all over the country. The season for Dhanaulti snowfall is during the months of January and February.
- Average annual temperature: 13.4 deg. C
- Maximum summer temperature: 26-27 deg. C
- Minimum winter temperature: -2 deg. C
Best Time to Visit Dhanaulti
The summer months of March to June are considered the best time to visit Dhanaulti. You can enjoy the clear and natural beauty of all the places to visit in Dhanaulti during these months, as there is no snowfall, but the weather in Dhanaulti is still pleasant. If you are planning your trip to savor the Dhanaulti snowfall, then January and February is the best time to visit Dhanaulti for you.
Food in Dhanaulti
Being a quaint little town away from all commotion, you will not find the most exquisite of the cuisines in Dhanaulti. Basic north Indian food and Garhwali food are prevalent in Dhanaulti. Some of the hotels in Dhanaulti have in-house restaurants where you will be able to feast on delectable international cuisines.
Places to Stay at in Dhanaulti
There are not too many hotels in Dhanaulti, as the hill sits pure still, majorly untouched by the wave of tourism. This has maintained the peaceful and natural vibe of Dhanaulti. Below are listed some Dhanaulti hotels that you could consider if you are planning to make this special trip. Make sure to check out the Uttarakhand government’s information page on Dhanaulti for the latest information before you finalize your Dhanaulti trip.
- Low-range: Silver Dew Resorts (INR 1,300/night), Ghughuti Resort (INR 1,500/night)
- Mid-range: Royal Residency (INR 2,200/night)
- High-range: Countryside Villa (INR 11,500/night)
Snow Adventure Camp
This is an overnight camping facility in Dhanaulti that provides you with an overnight stay in a bamboo tent with bonfires at night. Overnight stay at Snow Adventure Camp costs less than INR 3,000. You can rest assured that the tents are safe and clean, and your time at the camp will not only be enjoyable but also comfortable.
FAQs
Q- 1: Why is Dhanaulti famous?
Ans: Dhanaulti is famous for being a quiet town away from the commotion and hustle and bustle of the city. This is because of the fact that Dhanaulti is a popular but not mainstream tourist destination, as the majority of the people visiting the area prefer to travel to Mussoorie. This makes a Dhanaulti trip all the more special and enjoyable for the people you prefer Dhanaulti. Dhanaulti is famous for the amount of snow it gets during the winter season.
Q- 2: How can I reach Dhanaulti?
Ans: You can reach Dhanaulti through Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. You can reach Dehradun by air or by railway, as Dehradun is the last connected city by air and railway on the way to Dhanaulti. The road journey from Dehradun onwards will be 36 km long and take approximately 2 hours, via Maldevta Road.
Q- 3: Is there snowfall in Dhanaulti?
Ans: The months of January and February are the snowfall season in Dhanaulti. It can snow more than a few times during this time, which is the peak winter season. A large number of tourists flock to see the Dhanaulti snowfall, especially from nearby areas like Dehradun and Delhi. It snows more in Dhanaulti than in Mussoorie.
Q- 4: What is the difference between Dhanaulti and Mussoorie?
Ans: Albeit famous, Dhanaulti is way less crowded than its neighbouring counterpart of Mussoorie. Most tourists prefer to go to Mussoorie for the more hustle and bustle there. Dhanaulti on the other hand is situated higher up than Mussoorie, and is less mainstream, but that adds to the charm of Dhanaulti. Snowfall in Dhanaulti is more than in Mussoorie.
Q-5: What are the best places to visit in Dhanaulti with family?
Ans: The eco parks in Dhanaulti, i.e., Amber and Dhara, are top tourist spots in Dhanaulti for enjoying fun activities, causal strolls and picnics with family and kids. You can also visit the Potato Farm or Aloo Khet for spectacular views and a nice picnic with family. You can also visit Surkanda Devi Temple and Dashavatar Temple for an enjoyable time in Dhanaulti.
Q-6: What are the most romantic tourist spots in Dhanaulti?
Ans: The awe-inspiring beauty of the Potato Farm makes it one of the most romantic places to visit in Dhanaulti. You can also visit the Tehri Dam with your partner, and the gardens surrounding it for a special time. If you wish to engage in various fun activities in Dhanaulti with your special someone, then you can visit the adventure parks in Dhanaulti which will also provide you with opportunities for overnight camping.
Q-7: What is the best time to visit Dhanaulti?
Ans: March to June is the best time to visit Dhanaulti as you will be able to visit all of the tourist attractions in Dhanaulti during these months. Weather is chilly and pleasant, and the lack of snow makes it possible to avoid all hindrances on your Dhanaulti trip. These months are also free from rain, avoiding the possibility of landslides on the road to Dhanaulti.
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