The Doon Valley: A Canvas Where Nature Paints Its Creations

Sometimes, the best therapy is a quiet vista and a peaceful mind. To ensure my New Year’s resolutions last all year, a perfect vacation is just what I need! After carefully matching days off with holidays, much like fitting puzzle pieces together, I finally found the ideal timeline to visit a dream destination. Hold on a minute, I didn’t even decide where to go (how dumb of me). Hmmm, how about Goa? But it will be off-season. How about Kanyakumari to live my Chennai Express dreams? But I have already been there. Perhaps it’s time to explore somewhere more niche.

We all have heard of cities like Rishikesh and Nainital; they are the heart and soul of the state of Uttarakhand, outshining our beloved Dehradun. However, the latter holds an inconspicuous charm that icites exploration, like the discreet middle child in a family. It offers a connection that is not forced and unexpected experiences to those who dare to dream. From natives to visionaries and visitors, Dehradun has something for all.

A Landscape Made Up Of Tales And Time

My first stop in the Himalayan foothills was what locals refer to as 'Gucchupani,' a paradise otherwise famously known as the Robber’s Cave, a natural river cave in the Himalayas in Dehar Plateau. A local legend relates its story: once, it was used by robbers as a hideout and a safe place for their loot from the British; it was the British who came to refer to it as the "Robber's Cave." Now, however, it serves as a fan favourite tourist attraction in the city, luring people in from all over the world. Sounds fancy, right? Just wait till you see its views. It features natural cave formations and a stream of crystal-clear water flowing through it. Sunlight pours into the cave as visitors wander barefoot, enjoying the feel of the cold stream of water and capturing the perfect Instagram-worthy shot.

Timings: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

Entry fee: INR 40 (Approx.)

Where The Forest Reveals The Forgotten

Approximately 10 kilometres away from Robber’s Cave lay our next stop.

Drumrolls…

It is a museum! You may be wondering how a museum can be amusing. I, too, initially doubted this place. But let me tell you, when culture calls, you dare not deny. I was asleep during my car ride when I suddenly felt the car come to a halt. “Are you awake yet?” my mother asked me in a hurry, urging me to wake up. No sooner had my eyes opened than they fell on the signboard reading "Forest Research Institute (FRI)." I questioned my mother, unaware of the site I was about to see. Instantly as we stepped in through the gate, we were surrounded by verdant flora. While we drove through the narrow roads, I gazed at the colonial architecture, highlighted by the sun's radiance. From a distance, I spotted the museum: a classic colonial affair spread out in unhurried grace; it was love at first sight. As we got closer to the museum, my heart started racing. I was curious to learn what knowledge a gorgeous place like this could hold, hidden in its carefully built shelter. These extravagant buildings were constructed under the British Raj. Fun fact: the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) is located on the FRI premises.

I got out of the car, picked up a little atmosphere, and whipped out my camera like it was some magical instrument. The building had long colonnades and vast corridors, and the sun was dripping in from the sides. I can’t even count the number of pictures I took there! There are six different museums to visit within the FRI. The foremost museum I visited, which I quite literally ran towards, was the Entomology Museum. Entomology is the study of insects, and I simply can’t get enough of things that my mother despises. I still vividly remember the look of disgust on her face, yet she, too, grew to appreciate it over time. I mean, how could you not? There were specimens of innumerable insect species, including butterflies. In one of the museums, a large cross-section of a tree trunk was kept on display, silently contrasting the longevity of nature with human life. It made me realise that my existence won’t make a dent on nature until I mark my life on it. This sparked a question within me: what mark will I leave? Just as nature records its passage through growth rings, I wondered how we can measure our own impact. I got inspired and turned out to be quite the writer, right? The scenery overall did make me feel like writing a piece. Maybe a Ruskin Bond-like book, the same as ‘Rusty Runs Away.’ Social Forestry Museum and Silviculture Museum felt like pages from my old geography textbooks, except this time I was far more eager to learn than I had been in my earlier days. The Non-Wood Forest Products Museum was quite the journey, from a wide variety of gums to countless medicinal herbs. It displayed almost everything imaginable and left my head spinning with information. All I had to do was mention how full at capacity my brain was, which my mother immediately understood (it’s a code for SOS between us, meaning I can’t comprehend anymore). We stepped outside to the front of the building, absorbing all we had learned against the breathtaking view of nature. Suddenly, philosophical thoughts filled my mind. Maybe that is the enchantment of this place, turning simple minds complex with nothing but the essence of the forest.

Timings: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Entry Fee: INR 30 (Approx.)

A Sanctuary Of Nature’s Secrets

Our next destination calls for a safari because it is about to be wild! A vast protected area spanning three cities in Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. This area is known as Rajaji National Park, famous for its rich biodiversity and mesmerising natural beauty. Once you reach the town, you have the option of booking a jeep safari or embarking on multiple treks, as the town serves as the starting point. The diversity is striking, with a landscape that is a magnificent confluence of grassland, dense jungles, and riverine forests. I was quite impressed by the wide range of flora and fauna, including Asian elephants, jungle cats, leopards, wild hyenas, and over several bird species. Aquatic habitats in rivers and streams host approximately 42 fish species. The scary thing, in my opinion, was the range of reptiles. Who isn’t scared of Common Krait, Burmese Python, or the great and mighty King Cobra? (I know I am deathly horrified by them).

Timings: From sunrise to sunset, twice a day

6:00 am – 9:00 am, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm (summer)

7:00 am – 10:00 am, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm (winter)

Tickets: Prices may vary according to the package or activity

Lessons Carried Beyond The Forest

There may come a point in life where you think that life is meaningless; when comparison steals the joy. In those moments, one must never forget to take a pause. Maybe if I had thought of my journey as pointless, comparing the few years I have lived so far with the long, beautiful lifespan of the tree at the museum, I wouldn’t be here, writing about one of many memories I’ll always cherish. When life allows you to explore yourself, take the opportunity without hesitation. So let me ask you a question this time: where will you go to rewrite your own history?

Getting There

Air: Jolly Grant Airport is well-connected and provides convenient access to Delhi, Mumbai, and other major cities across India. Upon arrival, travellers can easily reach the city by taxi, app-based rideshare, or other local transport options, with guidance from the airport’s information counters and city maps

Rail: Dehradun railway station links the city to numerous Indian cities and is a major stop for most North Indians

Road: The city enjoys excellent road connectivity throughout India. Whether by private or government-run buses, or by your own vehicle, the journey offers travellers the chance to explore the scenic route themselves

Vanya Sona is a Class 11 student who travels with a curious soul, finding joy in nature and the little moments she shares with her family.