Dhanaulti itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Dhanaulti

1. 01

   Day 1: Eco Park and Surkanda Devi

   Start at the Eco Park soon after it opens, when the deodar glades are quiet, and allow an hour or two for the Amber and Dhara sections. Drive on to Kaddukhal for the climb to Surkanda Devi temple, allowing a slow pace and rest stops, and eat a simple lunch at a dhaba or your hotel afterwards. If time and energy remain, stop at the Aaloo Khet viewpoint on the ridge in the late afternoon. Leave in daylight, since the mountain road back to Mussoorie or Dehradun is easier in good light.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Surkanda Devi Temple	2 to 3 hours including the climb and the drive	Demanding	Early morning, March to June and September to November
   Aaloo Khet (Potato Farm) Viewpoint	30 to 60 minutes	Easy	Sunrise or late afternoon, September to November and March to May

   Pace: Surkanda Devi Temple involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Surkanda Devi Temple: The route is steep, uneven in places and cold in wind. There is little seating on the way. Older visitors should go slowly, rest often and take a walking stick; consider skipping if heart or knee conditions apply. Check locally whether a ropeway at the base is running.

Plan 02

2 days in Dhanaulti

1. 01

   Day 1: Forest and ridge views

   Arrive by late morning and check in. In the afternoon, walk the Eco Park trails, then drive to the Aaloo Khet area for a sunset view over the ridges. Dinner is most likely at your hotel.

2. 02

   Day 2: Surkanda Devi and the road to Chamba

   Go up to Surkanda Devi early, when the view is clearest. Come down for a late breakfast, then drive towards Chamba, stopping for views of the Tehri reservoir if the weather is clear, before heading to Mussoorie or Rishikesh.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Chamba (Tehri Garhwal)	1 to 2 hours	Easy	Clear mornings, March to June and September to November

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 03

3 days in Dhanaulti

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and settle in

   Drive up from Dehradun or Mussoorie in daylight and check in. Take a short forest walk before dusk and have an early dinner.

2. 02

   Day 2: Eco Park, adventure and sunset

   Spend the morning at the Eco Park, then choose between a quiet afternoon and a few hours at the adventure park for zip lines and rope courses. Finish at the ridge viewpoint near Aaloo Khet.

3. 03

   Day 3: Surkanda Devi, then Tehri

   Climb to Surkanda Devi early, then drive towards Tehri Lake. Plan on a full day if you take in the lake, and consider an overnight in the Chamba or New Tehri direction instead of returning the same evening.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Chamba (Tehri Garhwal)	1 to 2 hours	Easy	Clear mornings, March to June and September to November

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Dhanaulti trip for parents and children

• Plan for altitude and cold: at about 2,300 metres evenings are chilly even in summer, so pack a jacket, cap and warm socks.
• Surkanda Devi is the one demanding sight. Go early, walk slowly, rest on the way and drop it from the plan if breathlessness or knee trouble is a concern.
• Hire a car and driver for the whole trip rather than relying on shared vehicles; hairpin roads are slower than the distance suggests.
• Book a stay with heating, hot water and parking close to the entrance, as options are limited and fill up on weekends and in school holidays.
• Avoid July and August: rain, cloud and landslides make the drives tiring and the views poor.
• Carry prescribed medicines, water and a few snacks; shops and pharmacies are few and distant from the sights.

Dhanaulti with elderly parents: the full guide →