7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Delhi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, Mussoorie in December 2023

1. Day 1: Delhi
   Indira Gandhi International Airport to Hotel (30 minutes, 9.5 miles)

   Start your trip with a visit to the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which served as the main residence of Mughal Emperors for over 200 years. Head to India Gate in the afternoon for a picnic and to enjoy the beautiful gardens and fountains. Spend the evening shopping and trying delicious street food at Chandni Chowk.

2. Day 2: Rishikesh
   Delhi to Rishikesh (5 hours, 150 miles)

   Visit Parmarth Niketan Ashram in the morning for a yoga and meditation session by the Ganges River. In the afternoon, explore the Beatles Ashram, a spiritual site where the Beatles stayed in the 60s. End your day with the famous Ganga Aarti, a Hindu ritual that takes place every evening at Triveni Ghat.

3. Day 3: Haridwar
   Rishikesh to Haridwar (1 hour, 21 miles)

   Begin your day with a visit to Har Ki Pauri, one of the most sacred ghats in India. Take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges River. Later, visit the Mansa Devi Temple and the Chandi Devi Temple, both located on hilltops with scenic views of the city. End the day with some shopping at Bara Bazaar.

4. Day 4: Dehradun
   Haridwar to Dehradun (1 hour, 21 miles)

   Visit the Robber's Cave in the morning, a scenic limestone cave with a river flowing through it. In the afternoon, visit the Forest Research Institute, a beautiful colonial-era building and a premier institute in the field of forestry research. Spend the evening at the Paltan Bazaar, shopping and trying local street food.

5. Day 5: Mussoorie
   Dehradun to Mussoorie (1 hour, 18 miles)

   Visit the Kempty Falls in the morning, a popular waterfall and picnic spot. In the afternoon, visit the famous Gun Hill, a scenic viewpoint and the second-highest peak in Mussoorie, reachable by a cable car ride. End your day with a relaxing walk on the Mall Road and some shopping for souvenirs.

6. Day 6: Mussoorie
   Mussoorie Sightseeing

   Visit the Municipal Garden in the morning, a beautiful park with a flower garden, an artificial lake, and a small amusement park. Later, visit the Mussoorie Adventure Park, a fun-filled experience with activities like zip lining, skywalk, and rappelling. Spend the evening at the Christ Church, a beautiful colonial-era church that comes alive during Christmas.

7. Day 7: Delhi
   Mussoorie to Delhi (6 hours, 177 miles)

   Visit the Qutub Minar in the morning, a 73-meter tall tower of victory made of red sandstone and marble. Later, visit the Lotus Temple, a Bahai House of Worship with a unique and stunning lotus-shaped architecture. End your day with some shopping and a delicious meal at the Connaught Place.

Recommendations

Consider taking a day trip to Auli, a scenic hill station with skiing and trekking options. Also, don't miss out on trying the famous street food of Delhi and Rishikesh. To maximize your fun, plan your itinerary in a way that allows you to experience local festivals and events like the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh and the Winter Carnival in Mussoorie.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Red Fort (2 hours, INR 500)
• India Gate (1 hour, free)
• Chandni Chowk (3 hours, INR 500)
• Parmarth Niketan Ashram (1 hour, free)
• Beatles Ashram (2 hours, INR 150)
• Ganga Aarti (1 hour, free)
• Har Ki Pauri (1 hour, free)
• Mansa Devi Temple (1 hour, INR 200)
• Chandi Devi Temple (1 hour, INR 200)
• Robber's Cave (2 hours, INR 50)
• Forest Research Institute (2 hours, INR 50)
• Kempty Falls (2 hours, INR 50)
• Gun Hill (2 hours, INR 100)
• Municipal Garden (1 hour, INR 50)
• Mussoorie Adventure Park (3 hours, INR 1000)
• Christ Church (1 hour, free)
• Qutub Minar (2 hours, INR 500)
• Lotus Temple (1 hour, free)
• Shopping and dining (3 hours, INR 1000)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 3450

To check hotel and flight prices, click here.