Dehradun Tour from Rishikesh

Robber's Cave, locally Guchhupani, is a narrow gorge you walk up with a stream running through it — ankle to knee deep, cold, and more fun than its description. Take footwear you can get wet.

Sahastradhara is a set of sulphur springs and small cascades with a ropeway above them; busy at weekends and best early. Mindrolling Monastery has one of the larger stupas in India and a quiet, well-kept garden that is the most restful place in the city.

The Forest Research Institute, in a vast colonial building set in its own grounds, is worth it for the architecture alone and has a set of small museums inside.

As a half day from Rishikesh, pick two — Robber's Cave and the monastery make the best pairing, being at opposite ends in character and reachable in one loop.

As a full day you can do all four comfortably. If you are flying out, the airport is at Jolly Grant between Rishikesh and the city, so a morning in Dehradun before an afternoon flight needs no backtracking at all.

Any time of year. Dehradun sits at around 600 metres in the Doon valley, so it is warm in summer and mild in winter rather than extreme in either direction.

Robber's Cave is better in the warmer months, since the walk involves standing in cold water, and it can be closed or unpleasant in heavy monsoon flow. Weekdays are considerably quieter everywhere.