Mussoorie Travel Diary: Jungle Challenges, Maggi & Missed Waterfalls

Mussoorie

Why Mussoorie Was Destined to Happen?

For years, I had missed every office-sponsored off-site like it was my secret talent. Either I was “too busy,” “too sick,” or the universe simply hated my suitcase. But this time, I swore on Maggi noodles that I’d show up. After weeks of meticulous planning, color-coded spreadsheets, and enough Google searches to crash a server, we locked in on Mussoorie – the Queen of Hills, the land of mist, Mall Road, and every North Indian’s Instagram fantasy.

We left Delhi on a Friday night. Or rather, Friday night left us, because thanks to my luck (aka the ‘Trip Jinx’), I was still buried under work at the office till the last minute. By midnight, 80 colleagues (and their inner party animals) piled into buses. Energy levels: Ultra-high. Alcohol levels: Even higher.

The Overnight Journey: A Comedy Roadshow

Once we hit the highway, the bus turned into a mix of “Comedy Nights” and “Bigg Boss.” Someone started singing 90s Bollywood songs, someone else tried to sleep in yoga poses. We stopped at a dhaba around 4 a.m. for snacks, where everyone ordered chai, Maggi, and paranthas as though they were about to trek Everest. After stuffing ourselves, we were back on the road.

I woke up at 10 a.m. to find we were crossing Dehradun. The view outside was so green, so fresh, it felt like a detox for my caffeine-addicted soul. Suddenly, coffee seemed overrated.

Arrival at Mussoorie: Land of Traffic Jams and Buffet Breakfasts

We reached Mussoorie at noon (thank you, traffic jam). Our hotel was right on Mall Road, which is basically the lifeline of Mussoorie — part marketplace, part people-watching arena, part food paradise. We dumped our bags, but instead of going to our rooms, we stormed the breakfast buffet like a team of hungry wrestlers. After plates of paranthas, cutlets, and questionable orange juice, we finally crawled to our rooms and collapsed.

Tree that Hi5'ed

The Adventure Trail: Corporate Meets “Man vs Wild”

At 2 p.m., our event management team announced an “Adventure Trail.” Think Bear Grylls but with HR watching. The first challenge: dragging colleagues out of bed after a 12-hour bus ride. We managed.

We were split into three teams and handed a hand-drawn jungle map (which looked like a 5-year-old’s art project). The challenges included:

* Collecting branches and making fire.

* Cooking our own food.

* Encountering wildlife (mostly insects, but we screamed like it was a tiger).

* Planting trees.

* Collecting half-eaten fruits (don’t ask).

We dove into the jungle like overgrown Scouts. The path was muddy, the slopes slippery, and our sense of direction questionable.

The challenges included collecting branches and making fire on the way, creating clothing, making food, encountering wild life insects, planting a tree, collecting half eaten fruits etc. We were given a hand drawn map and we had to follow the directions. Each team was given a different path and the team who returns first after completing all the challenges, would be declared as winner. 

The Challenges

Making the way through Jungle

Maggi in the Wild

Our biggest task: cook food using the resources provided. Of course, we chose Maggi — the official fuel of every Indian trip. The problem? We had to make fire using stones from a gas lighter. After multiple attempts (and some creative swearing), we lit a fire on dry leaves. The first spoon of Maggi we cooked tasted like five-star cuisine served with a side of pride and smoke.

Photography slowed us down. Every second person became a nature influencer. By the time we stumbled back to the hotel, we were dead last. But hey, at least we survived, planted a tree, and didn’t burn the jungle down.

Making Maggi

After Completing all Challenges

Mall Road Exploration: Names That Make No Sense

After a nap, my aching legs dragged me to Mall Road. This stretch is a buffet of shops selling woolens, curios, and snacks. I saw hotels with names so funny they deserve awards — “Hotel Brite” (which wasn’t bright at all) and “Beachwood Hotel” (where was the beach?!). Street food was tempting: hot momos steaming in bamboo baskets, roasted corn with masala, and thick chocolate milkshakes at Keventers.

The Party Night: HR Goes Wild

I rushed back to the hotel, suited up for the evening party, and witnessed HR turning DJs and managers dancing like TikTok stars. The party went on till late night and then the “after-party” started. By 2 a.m., people were doing karaoke to songs they didn’t know the lyrics of. I sneaked off to sleep like the responsible tourist I pretend to be.

The Morning After: Famous Sights… or Not

I had promised myself I’d wake up early to see Kempty Falls and Cloud’s End, but my bed said, “No.” I woke up at 8 a.m. instead. After breakfast (hello, aaloo paranthas and chai), I took a quiet stroll instead of sightseeing. Sometimes a slow walk on Mall Road with misty hills in the background is all you need to say goodbye to a place.

And Then I Puked

Yes, for the first time since 1998, I puked on a trip. Maybe it was the bus ride, maybe it was the Maggi, maybe the after-party snacks – but history was made. Goodbye, streak of being puke-free.

**Things to Do in Mussoorie (If You’re Not Me)**

* **Kempty Falls:** The iconic waterfall for that Bollywood-style splash photo.

* **Cloud’s End:** A tranquil spot with jaw-dropping valley views.

* **Camel’s Back Road:** A walk with views that’ll make your Instagram happy.

* **Mall Road:** Shop for woolens, curios, and eat your weight in street food.

Best Time to Visit

March to June for clear skies and pleasant weather. September to November if you love misty, romantic vibes. Winters are freezing but magical if you want snow.

How to Reach

• By Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (60 km away).
• By Train: Dehradun Railway Station (34 km away).
• By Road: A scenic 6-7 hour drive from Delhi. Bus or cab both work.

Food Recommendations

• Keventers: Hot chocolate, waffles, milkshakes.
• Lovely Omelette Centre: Legendary cheese omelettes.
• Chaar Dukaan: Pancakes and tea in a cozy setting.
• Street Food: Momos, Maggi, corn on the cob, and softy ice cream.

Final Thoughts

Mussoorie gave me my first real off-site adventure: jungle challenges, Maggi cooked over fire, hilarious hotel names, and an after-party that’ll go down in office legend. I may have missed the famous sights, but I returned with a stomach full of stories — and yes, also one embarrassing puke story.

To sum it up, Mussoorie is misty, magical, and a little bit mischievous.