India's North: On the road in Mussoorie

It is Friday after breakfast, the suitcases are packed, it goes to the airport. Planned are 10 days in the north of India. Our first destination is Mussoorie, a village in the mountains in the state of Uttarakhand.

We fly to Deradhun and are picked up there by our driver Prakash. From there it is a 3 hour drive to Mussoorie. Since we are staying in a homestay, we want to buy another bottle of wine - homestays do not have a liquor license. But it is a local holiday and so all liquer stores are closed. So we just stock up on cookies and soda before heading up the mountain.

Our homestay is a bit secluded right next to the Kempty Waterfalls. The name comes from the fact that people used to rest and drink tea at the waterfall: Camp Tea. In the course of time it became Kempty.

We have dinner on the large terrace and chat with other guests of the homestay and the owner. His view of Germany is quite outdated, the conversation is interesting but at some point also a bit exhausting.

The next morning we have an early start and after breakfast and go for a hike. We meet with Mr. Yash, our guide for the tour to Benog Tibba.

The trail leads through a national park with beautiful rhododendron trees. The ground is covered with leaves, sometimes gently sometimes steeply the path winds up the mountain to a small temple. Here we take a little break with cookies and water. Afterwards the path leads us back to the starting point.

After the hike we bolster ourselves with a Caramel Banana Muffin in a bookshop/cafe and from there drive into town to Mall Street. Here we plunge into the hustle and bustle. The street is narrow, bustling and a big construction site. If you stop for a moment too long, a hotel is built on your head, people say 😅.

Martin and I would like to buy some more alcohol and now it's getting exciting. The store itself is blocked with a big metal fence. Here you order your drinks and then get them handed through a small opening. The whole thing is not necessarily orderly. You have to fight your way through a lot of waiting people, and when you get to the front you try to attract the attention of the sellers and make yourself understood by shouting. We make it and can enjoy our dinner with a glass of wine.

The next morning we peel ourselves out of bed early and walk to the nearby Kempty Falls. Here we are not as alone as expected, a few young men are already splashing happily in the ice-cold water.

Before we leave for Rishikesh, we drive to the corn village. Here the Canadian lady Lori has opened a bakery, runs a school and seems to do quite a lot for the village. We walk around a bit, buy a Carrot Cake to go and then get back into the car with Prakash. Off we go to nearby Rishikesh.

Are you interested in more experiences? Then travel on with us through the north of India. Next stop: Rishikesh and the Ganges.
Read the article Rishikesh: A spiritual Center now.