Around 290km from New Delhi is a beautiful hill station, at the foot of the majestic Himalayan ranges. Named after the Mansur shrub that is commonly found in the area, the history of the hill station is dated back to 1825 when it was established by Captain Young. At an average altitude of 2,005 meters above the sea level, this popular winter destination is called The Queen of the Hills. 

Located in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, Mussoorie is blessed with a pleasant climate round the year but winters in Mussoorie is a magnet for tourists around the world at a temperature between 15°C and -5°C. With the snowfall and the rare phenomenon of “winter line”, November to February attracts a lot of tourist footfall to the region.  From hikers to honeymoon couples, this place is a winter wonderland and through this article, I am going to share some tips on choosing winter wear for men and women for the Mussoorie winters.

1. For the happy hiker

Mussoorie in winter is a hiker's paradise. Let it be the infamous Lal Tibba trek, which is the highest point in the region with a panoramic view of the city, or the Benog Tikka trek where you can touch the clouds, or the hiking to the Udan Top, Mussoorie never disappoints when it comes to hiking or trekking. 

Hiking during winter takes a lot of effort as the weather gets harsh as you climb up the hill. So it is important to be choosy while bringing your extreme cold weather thermals, let it be for men or women. As the temperature can go to subzero level, wear a breathable warm thermal wear, preferable merino wool base layer as the first layer. Top it off with 2 or more hoodies and sweatshirts depending on your body's reaction to the cold. It is okay to overdo it because if you are warm you can always take it off, unlike the base layer. Wear your best snow hiking jacket to protect you from the external elements like wind, snow, and rain. Do not forget to protect your extremities with your best wool socks for hiking, woolen beanie, and winter gloves.

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2. For the vibrant photographer

Not everyone is into adventure, for some capturing the naked beauty of the place to your camera lens is the biggest achievement. If you are a photographer in Mussoorie during winter, you will fall in love with the place. From the modern bungalows to the malls to the best Christian church and the Tibetan temple, this small city has a lot to offer. 

For a photographer, it is very important to have a light and soft layering that makes sure that the body is warm and comfortable at the same time not heavy enough to distract your work. The best option is to go for a wool blend thermal Tshirt. Top it off with one or more cool hoodie depending on the temperature. As a photographer in India, one important thing you have to keep in mind is that if you are opting for gloves, make sure you have touchscreen winter gloves. This makes it easy to manoeuvre the camera and equipment through the snow and winter photoshoot. With your favourite jeans and a multi-utility winter jacket to polish the look, it won't be too bad to take a few selfies as well. 

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3. For the memorable family road trips

Family road trips are a great way to get everyone together under one roof (or under one car) and spend quality time together with each other. It is a negative detox and Mussoorie is one of the most popular options for a leisure road trip. About 300 km away, New Delhi is the closest metro city to Mussoorie and is well connected through roadways. The best thing about the Delhi Mussoorie road trip is the scenery. Nature blossoms in its full charm and the roadways are covered in lush green hills with snow caps. 

During the road trips what happens is that you always end up either too warm or too cold. This is mainly due to the difference in the resistance to cold by the others in the vehicle. So always make sure that you have your base layer beneath your clothes that way you don't feel too cold. If you are travelling to Mussoorie from Gurgaon, Noida or Delhi or maybe Dehradoon, you can shop for winter wear online and go with a good temperature-regulating base layer. 

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4. For the romantic honeymooners

The honeymoon travel is an equal mix of fun and excitement and Mussoorie in winter has always been a favourite destination for honeymoon couples. The beautiful snow, the peek-a-boo sun rays, and the colonial pathway still holding the scent of a lost era make this the perfect romantic hill station. Whether it is a gentle stroll through the small lanes of the mall road or the snow-covered land in Dhanaulti or having a sizzling plate of Maggie from the Char Dukaan, Mussoorie makes everything charming and romantic for the honeymooners.

For the couples, the winter layering is suggested to be multipurpose and light. As most often there would be impromptu plans made, make sure that you have a good thermal on the go. Also if you are someone like me and cannot resist playing in the snow, then you definitely need your warmest winter socks and preferably, waterproof insulated gloves, something that you will use for skiing in India. Do not forget to take your woolen scarf and beanie as well. As you are bound to end up taking a lot of pictures, go with a thermal Tshirt that brings out your vibrancy and your favourite jeans. You can top it with your favourite boots and you are selfie-ready now.

Our favourite Bollywood winter style: Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani

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Now that you know all about the beauty that is Mussoorie and how to rock the different looks, don't forget to add it to your post-COVID 19 travel list. Also, each place is beautiful when it remains untouched by pollution. So make sure that we do everything within our reach to ensure that our travel is environmentally friendly and choose eco-conscious clothing and accessories in India.

This article was written by Kosha Team member: Reshma Rajendran

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Till next time!