1. Kempty Falls, MussoorieKempty Falls is one of the most beautiful and visually appealing places that attracts visitors in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The water coming down through the rocks, covered with green leaves, is a very captivating sight of nature, and it really attracts people to come and see one of the best falls in the Garhwal Himalayas. Kempty Falls is an amazing waterfall located at an altitude of 1,364 meters, in the mountains of the Garhwal Himalayas, about 13 kilometres from Mussoorie on Chakrata Road. There is an argument about the origin of the term "Kempty", which is said to come from the expression "Camp and Tea", referring to the colonial times when the area was a popular picnic spot for British officers. At present, Kempty Falls is not only a place where tourists can have fun but also a place to make memories. The waterfall drips water from the rocks for a height of around 40 feet and thus makes the water flow is divided into five streams, thereby making it a very beautiful scene to watch from the top. A place packed with fresh air is bordered by trees and mountains, and that is where you will find the water making a thundering sound that, through its beauty and nature, probably invites one of the best experiences for the visitors. Absolutely, the pool near the Waterfall becomes the best place for swimming and for taking a dip in the mountain’s cold water. Apart from the pure natural beauty, the area around Kempty includes a few food establishments serving local cuisine, and shops with local snacks, souvenirs, and handicrafts, which provide different sorts of fun and delight for both the followers of the Kempty band and the travellers.History of Kempty FallsKempty Waterfalls is a place remembered with the past when it was only an idea, and the earliest time of the place dates back to the 1830s when it was initially discovered by a British Officer, John Mekinan. During the British rule, Mussoorie was the place where foreigners came to spend their summer vacations, and the Britishers found Kempty Falls to be very useful for hosting their Tea Parties and other leisure activities. The word "Kempty" comes from which means "camp-tea", that is, the informal get-togethers in nature involving tea drinking, which are held close to the falls. Little by little, Kempty Waterfall became one of the most important parts of Mussoorie and the first tourist landmark. The British colonisation of the area can still be felt by people through the ancient buildings and the well-structured routes that lead to the waterfall. In the era after independence, Kempty Falls was noticed as a public place by the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, which has enhanced the area with better roads, viewing platforms and other facilities for the tourists. At present, Kempty Falls continues to be a place that every tourist has to go. It not only appeals to the visitors to view the nature but also gives an opportunity for historic Mussoorie to stay in their minds and hearts, along with the beauty of the waterfall and nature. Kempty Falls is the embodiment of the natural beauty of the mountains with the slight presence of British cultural heritage, making it not only a place for sightseeing but also a historical landmark reflecting the charm of Mussoorie’s hill station heritage.Nearby Places to Visit Kemptry FallsMussoorie Mall Road: Mall Road is where the grand Mussoorie starts, roughly 13 kilometres from Kempty Falls. Its attractions consist of colonial-era buildings, quaint cafés, souvenir marts, and local restaurants with stunning Doon Valley vistas. Shoppers and tourists really enjoy visiting here for the evening walks, purchase of street meals, and purchase of woollens and handcrafted items produced by local inhabitants. The dynamic atmosphere and scenery of Kempty Falls make it a destination worth seeing.Gun Hill Point: Mussoorie's second peak, Gun Hill, is only a bolt vehicle flight apart from Mall Road. From there, one may see Doon Valley grazing down below and mountain ranges covered with snow in all directions. The locals adjusted their clocks after seeing the time reflected by the cannonball’s shadow, so the name "Gun Hill" followed from the British launching every noon. Photographers, brief hikers, and ropeway riders currently love it most.Corporate Garden: Approximately 3 kilometres from Mall Road is Company Garden (also known as Municipal Garden), a beautifully planted park with boat amenities, brilliant flower beds, and modest amusement rides. Parents can bring their kids here to enjoy some fun and fresh air during the good weather season. Apart from this, the park has a little waterfall and a wax museum that make it very interesting.Lal Tibba: At the highest point in Mussoorie, Lal Tibba sits about 20 kilometres from Kempty Falls in Landour. It gives amazing vistas of the Himalayas, including summits like Badrinath and Kedarnath on clear days. Set up at the vista for the visitors are telescopes; the peaceful environment makes it a great escape for the urban throng.Cloud’s End: Literally the geographical end of Mussoorie, Cloud's End is about 7 kilometres distant. It's renowned for its immaculate oak and deodar woods, an ancient colonial bungalow (currently a heritage hotel), and peaceful walking paths. Lovers of nature and camera holders seeking quiet and stunning mountain vistas will find the location ideal.Best Time to Visit Kemptry FallsMarch through June: Visiting Kempty Falls at this is absolutely the ideal moment. The weather is still good, and temperatures range from 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius. As the cool waters of the falls make the ideal spot to escape the heat of summer, this period is therefore perfect for outdoor pursuits and sightseeing.July through September: More water cascading down Kempt Falls makes it at its most attractive during the monsoon. Visitors wanting to discover the natural beauty and take some pictures are drawn to the green flora and trees surrounding the waterfall. Visitors should remain cautious because the rain could create slick ground. Only those who adore nature in its most primaeval state ought to do so.October to February: The Mountain resort Mussoorie has frigid winters. It may even drop as low as 4 degrees Celsius. Usually very limited or maybe dry, the water flow in the waterfalls offers a stunning winter image surrounded by mist and snow-capped peaks. Photographers and those holidaymakers seeking calm and welcoming hill houses would find this season appealing.How to Reach Kemptry FallsBy Airport: From Kempty Falls, Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is about 59 kilometres distant. Travellers can reach the airport from Mussoorie by bus, cab, or rental personal vehicles.By Railway Station: Dehradun Railway Station is the nearest large railway station to Kempty Falls. Around 45 kilometres from the station, the station is well connected to Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Delhi. From the train station, passengers may arrange shared taxis or cabs heading toward Mussoorie and beyond Kempty Falls.By Road: Mussoorie is well linked to the main North Indian cities and towns by road. Buses are easily found travelling between Delhi (roughly 290 km), Dehradun, and Haridwar. By car from Mussoorie on the beautiful Mussoorie–Chakrata Road, Kempty Falls may be reached in roughly 30 minutes. Tourists can also reach their ultimate location by local cabs or vehicle rental.2. Bhatta Falls, MussoorieBhatta Falls can be considered as one of the least-known but best places of Mussoorie, which has a peaceful and soul-refreshing vibe and is suitable for a perfect city break. This pretty natural waterfall, which is only about 7 kilometres away from Mussoorie on the Mussoorie–Dehradun Road, has become a serene sanctuary of nature for tourists visiting the area. Picnic, click your pictures, and take peaceful walks, the surroundings of the falls with green hills and dense forest are simply fabulous. The water of the river goes down the rock face of approximately 30 feet into a natural and clean pool that is beneath it, where certain visitors might want to swim, and others would definitely lie down and hear the water flowing. Unlike the extensively commercialised Kempty Falls, Bhatta Falls is still eco-friendly and peaceful, which makes it a perfect choice for people with an inclination towards nature but in less noisy atmospheres. Some work around the falls has been accomplished by the local tourism department for the convenience of the visitors, like a children’s play area, food stalls, changing rooms, etc. One of the great attractions to be found here is the Bhatta Ropeway, which is a short and stunning cable car ride from Bhatta Village to the falls. During the ride in the ropeway, one enjoys amazing panoramic valley views as well as the mountain views near the falls. Due to its pure water, calm atmosphere, and stunning view of the Garhwal Himalayas, Bhatta Falls is a treat for nature lovers, families with children, and photographers.History of Bhatta FallsThe tale of Bhatta Falls goes back to the early 1900s, when it was just a serene and quiet water source for the locals of Bhatta Village. The name "Bhatta Falls" is derived from the name of the village that is situated near the water, which was occupied by the Bhatta community. After Mussoorie had become a popular hill station in the British colonial era, the people who were passing through the hill station began trekking to the adjacent areas where they found this waterfall, thus the history of Bhatta Falls came into existence. While other places were developed early during the British stay in Mussoorie, the Bhatta Falls were left relatively unspoiled for quite a long time. It gradually became the most talked-about place among the locals, especially those who prefer domestic tourism and are looking for a quiet alternative to Kempty Falls, and thus became their favourite. Later, the Uttarakhand Tourism Department took the initiative to facilitate the basic infrastructure, like paving the road, rest areas, and installation of a ropeway, after witnessing the potential of this place in recent years. Currently, Bhatta Falls is one of the most picturesque natural places that are well-kept and attractive in Mussoorie. It is a great synthesis of beauty, nature, and modern convenience, and, hence, it is the perfect destination for those who want to experience the calm and charm of Mussoorie’s pristine landscapes.Nearby Places to Visit Bhatta FallsMussoorie Mall Road: Mall Road is the place where the life and excitement of the hill station can be felt. It is situated about 7 km from Bhatta Falls and is the core of the whole of Mussoorie. The road is full of the latest trends, which include interesting shops, cafés, and restaurants, along with the red-brick buildings of the colonial era that reflect the town’s history. The people of the place and the tourists may eat the local food, buy the local products or just walk down the road while looking at the beautiful view of the Doon Valley. The entire road is decorated with lights during the evening, and because of this, it is the best place for a slow walk and taking pictures.Gun Hill Point: Just 10 km away from Bhatta Falls, Gun Hill Point is one of the most attractive places to visit in Mussoorie. From here, you can see the snow-covered Himalayan peaks and the Doon Valley below. A brief cable car ride or a walk up the hill can bring visitors to the summit. The origin of the name of the place is when a gun was fired to indicate the time to the people during the British era. This is an amazing spot to see the sunset and to take pictures of beautiful nature.Company Garden: Company Garden, located approximately 8 km is a stunningly landscaped area for a picnic that equally charms families and nature lovers. The park is dotted with lovely flower beds, and the facilities of boating and a small amusement park are also available. There is also a wax museum with famous personalities. The park, surrounded by nature, is the ideal place to relax and take photographs.Camel’s Back Road: Camel’s Back Road is a quaint 3-km-long stretch, which is about 9 km from Bhatta Falls and got its name from a rock formation that resembled a camel’s hump. The road offers great mountain and valley views, especially during sunrise and sunset. The place is famous for nature walks, horse riding, and a quiet time for self at a distance from the crowd.Jharipani Falls: Jharipani Falls is 6 km away from Bhatta Falls, and it is a very quiet waterfall that is surrounded by dense forest. It can be reached only by a short trek, and since it is not very popular, it is suitable for those travellers who prefer offbeat and natural places. The region around the waterfall is also rich in flora and fauna.Best Time to Visit Bhatta FallsSummer (March to June): Definitely, this is the best time to visit Bhatta Falls. The weather is comfortable and temperatures vary between 15°C and 25°C. Apart from the clean air, swimming and other water activities, the perfect sunlight makes the fall a nice photography location.Monsoon (July to September): Monsoon brings drama to Bhatta Falls when the water is abundant, making it appear even more beautiful than before. The nice weather also nicely transformed the hills into vibrant green that provide decent picnic spots. Alas, visitors had better not be overly confident because the trails may become slippery during the rain.Winter (October to February): The winter makes Bhatta Falls way different from the rest of the year, as the mist seems to have decided to engulf the hills and cold winds take their usual place. The water where the ice has not yet formed goes down, but the peaceful atmosphere and the chilly breath are big pluses to single people who love the view. 3°C or even less may be the temperature, so warm clothing is a must.How to Reach Bhatta FallsBy Airport: The closest airport to Bhatta Falls is Jolly Grant Airport, located in Dehradun, which is around 50 km away. Transportation to the city can be arranged by means of taxis or buses from the airport. After arriving in Mussoorie, you can proceed to Bhatta Falls by local transport.By Train: Bhatta Falls is about 30 km away from Dehradun Railway Station, which is the closest railhead. The station has good connections with big cities like Delhi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. There is a cab option from Dehradun to Mussoorie, plus buses for local departments to Bhatta Falls.By Road: Mussoorie can be easily reached by road from various places. There are quite a few buses and taxis running daily between Dehradun (around 33 km), Haridwar, and Delhi. The place is easily reachable from UpsGoogle by road in Mussoorie–Dehradun Road via Bhatta/Premji Village, where the trek to the fall and Mussoorie are juxtaposed between the 15-minute drive from Mussoorie to Bhatta Falls. Besides that, the Bhatta Ropeway is available if short and scenic rides are preferred to get to the waterfall.
