Breakfast in Delhi, Lunch in Landour: 5 Weekend Trips Unlocked by the New Expressway

Part of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Report

The "Long Weekend" constraint is dead. With the Delhi-Dehradun drive shrinking to 2.5 hours, you don't need a 3-day weekend to hit the hills. You can decide on Saturday morning and be back by Sunday night.

Here are 5 destinations that just got "unlocked."

1. Landour (The British Cantonment)

• Old Time: 7-8 hours
• New Time: ~4 hours (via Dehradun)
• Review: Skip the crowds of Mussoorie. Head straight to Landour for pancakes at Char Dukan and a walk through the Deodar woods.

2. Kanatal (The Snow View)

• Old Time: 9+ hours (Punishing)
• New Time: ~5.5 hours
• Review: With Dehradun closer, Kanatal becomes the new "reachable" snow point. Perfect for camping and undisturbed views of the Nanda Devi peak.

3. Rishikesh (The Yoga Capital)

• Old Time: 6 hours
• New Time: ~3.5 hours (via Haridwar/Dehradun cut)
• Review: Rafting trips can now be day excursions. Leave Delhi at 6 AM, hit the rapids by 10 AM, late lunch, and drive back.

4. Chakrata (The Hidden Gem)

• Old Time: 9-10 hours
• New Time: ~6 hours
• Review: Still a bit of a drive, but much more accessible. ideal for those who want zero commercialization.

5. Dehradun City (The Food Trail)

• Old Time: 6 hours
• New Time: 2.5 hours
• Review: Just go for the food. Bun Tikki, Stick Jaws toffee, and Tibetan cafes. It’s now a viable "Lunch Run."

Traveler Tip

The expressway ends near Asharodi. To get to Landour or Kanatal, try to bypass the main Dehradun city traffic by using the outer ring roads or traveling early/late.