Fondly called the queen of hills, Mussoorie is an idyllic hill town known for its beautiful natural vistas. Nestled amidst the gorgeous Himalayan Mountains, this place experiences a huge visitor influx throughout the year. In summers, Mussoorie offers the much-needed respite from the scorching heat, and in winters, it turns into a wild wonderland with glistening snow all around. There are a number of breathtakingly beautiful spots in and around Mussoorie that helped it gain this reputation. Located only a few kilometres away from the main town, Kempty Waterfall is one of the must-visit attractions. If you are planning a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, this scenic waterfall is just the right place for you.
Know the Destination
Located at an approximate distance of 15 kilometres from Mussoorie, Kempty Falls is one of the most prominent waterfalls in Uttarakhand. Cascading down from a staggering height, this waterfall forms a natural pool at the bottom. Kempty Falls was discovered in 1835 by the British officer John Mekinan. The name 'Kempty' has been derived from the words 'camp' and 'tea'. During the colonial era, British officers used to organise their tea parties here, and slowly, it gained huge popularity among the locals as well. Currently, Kempty waterfall serves as a popular tourist spot where you can not only witness the natural beauty but also indulge in various water activities. Other than this, it also holds great cultural significance for the locals here. It is considered sacred, and people come here to perform several rituals and seek blessings.
While talking about the Kempty waterfall, there are several questions that come to mind. One of the most commonly asked questions is which river Kempty Falls is located on or which river flows in this waterfall. Contrary to common belief, no river flows in Kempty Falls. The origin of this waterfall is a small point located in the southwest of the village Banglow ki Kandi, and this stream further gets divided into 5 channels.
When to Visit Kempty Falls
Since Mussoorie is known for its excellent climatic conditions throughout the year, you can plan a trip to Kempty Waterfall at any time of the year. The ideal time to come here is between March and June when the weather remains mild and pleasant enough for all types of outdoor activities.
How to Reach
Being one of the major tourist attractions in the charming town of Mussoorie, Kempty Falls is known for its great accessibility. Here’s how you can get there:
- By Air: Located at a distance of 69 kilometres, Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest to Kempty Falls. You can easily find flights to this airport from several major Indian cities. Once you reach there, hiring a private taxi is the best option to get to Kempty Falls.
- By Road: Kempty Falls is well-connected by road to nearby major cities like Mussoorie, Dehradun, etc. From there, you can easily cover the distance to this waterfall with a car or take a bus.
- By Train: Dehradun is the nearest major railway station to Kempty Falls, with a distance of 45 kilometres. It is well connected to all other parts of the country, and you can find several trains to reach here. Once here, you can either book a private taxi or take a bus.
Daily Timing of Kempty Fall & Entry Fee
Kempty Falls is open to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on all days of the week. Although the timings of Kempty Falls don’t change, this place gets temporarily closed sometimes after unusually heavy downpours. So, it is best to check the visitor timings in advance. And you don’t have to pay any kind of entry fee to visit this waterfall.
Things to Do
Surrounded by mountains and lush greenery all around, Kempty Falls is a beautiful natural wonder near Mussoorie. You can plan a day-picnic here and enjoy a plethora of activities, such as:
Enjoy Swimming
This waterfall has a natural pool at the bottom where you can take a refreshing dip. The water is clean and pleasantly cool. Although the edges are shallow, in the middle, this pool has enough depth for swimming. However, make sure that you follow all the safety instructions.
Go for a Boat Ride
Another fun thing you can do here is go on a small boat ride. There are several different types of boats available, such as paddle boats, row boats, and motor boats.
Enjoy Fishing
You can also try your luck at fishing at Kempty Falls. The natural pool formed by this waterfall is home to a number of different fish, such as trout, carp, catfish, etc. For this, you can either bring your own fishing equipment, like a rod, net, etc. or get them on rent here.
Take a Ropeway Ride
Kempty Falls ropeway is the best way to get a bird’s-eye view of the waterfall and its surroundings. This ride takes a few minutes, and you can get a ticket for the two-way trip from the ticket counter.
Nearby Attractions You Can Cover
Apart from this beautiful waterfall, you can visit several other popular tourist attractions on your trip. Here are some of the popular places to visit in Mussoorie:
Gun Hill
Gun Hill is the second-highest peak in Mussoorie and provides a picturesque 360-degree view of the surrounding Himalayan Mountain Range. Although this place is easily accessible by cable car, some people choose to come here by trekking. So, if you are a nature lover or thrill-seeker, this is a place that you should definitely include in your Mussoorie tour package itinerary.
Lal Tibba
This is the highest point in Mussoorie which is known for offering absolutely stunning views of the surrounding mountain trails. Here, you can also indulge in a number of fun activities. There are several small food joints where you can enjoy delicious local food and click some Instagram-worthy pictures.
Mussoorie Lake
Bolstered by a scenic location, this artificial lake is another popular tourist attraction near Kempty waterfall. This lake is just 6 km away from Mussoorie and is on the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road. Here, you can either indulge in activities like boating or just sit and enjoy the calmness of this serene spot.
Now that you know how to enjoy your vacation in the Queen of Hills, plan a trip now and spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you don’t want any hassle that comes with trip planning, choose Veena World as your travel partner, as we have a tour package for everyone. If you are a newlywed couple planning a romantic getaway, you can book an all-inclusive Mussoorie honeymoon package with us.
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