Land at Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) and transfer to your hotel to drop bags and acclimatize; good time to confirm next-day transport and winter clothing for the mountains.
Short walk and light stream-side exploration inside a narrow limestone cave with cool winter water channels — a scenic, easy outdoor intro to Uttarakhand. Typically open 9:00am–5:00pm; slippery in winter so wear good shoes.
One of Asia’s largest Buddhist centers, with colorful murals and a peaceful stupa complex — a calm cultural stop. Visitors usually welcome 9:30am–5:00pm.
Traditional, well-known eatery serving comforting local and Punjabi-style dishes — ideal for a warming dinner on your first night. Open into the evening.
Highest viewpoint in Mussoorie offering Himalayan panoramas on clear days — a must-see for sunrise/snow-capped views in February. Public access; check visibility on the day.
Popular waterfall about 15–20km from Mussoorie; in February the flow is lower and surroundings are brisk — open roughly 9:00am–5:00pm, but check local road/safety conditions in winter.
Cozy dinner at a hill-station restaurant for hot soups, gravies, and North Indian dishes to counter the cold; many options stay open late on Mall Road.
Ruined ashram with graffiti and riverside trails that became famous after the Beatles visit — ideal for photography and light exploration; typically open 9:00am–5:30pm (confirm local timings).
Start very early with packed breakfast or hotel tiffin — the drive to Chopta (via Rudraprayag) is long (6–8 hours) and scenic, so an early departure is recommended.
Arrive in Chopta, check into a guesthouse, and take a short walk to enjoy pine-scented meadows and views of surrounding peaks; temperatures will be cold — dress warmly.
Early hot breakfast and final check of warm layers, trekking shoes, poles and water; snow and icy patches are common in February so carry microspikes if available.
Trek ~4 km up from Chopta to Tungnath (world’s highest Shiva temple) through pine forests and meadows; temple access typically open during daylight hours (check for winter closures due to snow).
Short but steep ascent from Tungnath to Chandrashila for sweeping Himalayan panoramas — a rewarding summit with panoramic views of Nanda Devi and other peaks; spend time photographing (may be windy/cold).
Simple aloo/paratha and thali options at a local hotel or restaurant; take time to confirm gondola operations (Gondola usually runs within daylight hours but seasonal closures can occur).
Take the Auli ropeway (gondola) to Auli for snow slopes and views; typical ropeway hours are roughly 7:00am–5:00pm but can vary in winter — confirm locally before planning. If snow blocks the gondola, plan a road transfer or return plans.
Try a short ski lesson, snow-walk, or simply enjoy panoramic views of Nanda Devi from the meadows; ski operators usually run lessons 9:00am–4:00pm — book ahead in peak snow season.
Take a full ski session with a local instructor or rent gear for slope time (operators typically run 9:00am–4:00pm). February is prime snow season — perfect for beginners and intermediates.
Descend to Joshimath, finalize packing and prepare for your return to the plains tomorrow; confirm gondola closing times for the day (usually by late afternoon).
Early breakfast and check-out; ensure you have arranged road or airport transfer times keeping in mind winter driving conditions and the long return distance.
Long drive back to Dehradun (allow 7–9 hours depending on weather and stops). If you have a flight, aim to reach Jolly Grant with comfortable buffer time — consider breaking the journey in Rishikesh if needed.