Uttarakhand New Year rush: 90% hotels full in tourist spots, police plan parking & shuttle service
Tourists are flocking to Uttarakhand for New Year celebrations, with hotel bookings crossing 90 percent in Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Auli, and other destinations. Authorities have prepared traffic and parking plans, along with shuttle services, to ensure smooth celebrations and avoid inconvenience for visitors in the hill towns.
Mussoorie: As the year 2025 ends and 2026 begins, Uttarakhand’s Garhwal division is witnessing a huge influx of tourists. Winter holidays in schools and colleges have added to the crowd. Popular destinations like Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Auli, Joshimath, Chakrata, Kanatal, Chopta, and Kedarkantha are packed with visitors.
Hotel and homestay bookings have already crossed 90 percent in most places. Tourists arriving without prior reservations are struggling to find rooms. Authorities and hoteliers are advising visitors to book hotels, resorts, camps, or homestays online in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
Festive atmosphere in Hill Stations
Mussoorie, known as the "Queen of the Hills,” has seen the highest tourist arrivals. Sanjay Agarwal, president of the Mussoorie Hotel Association, said the festive atmosphere is visible everywhere as thousands of tourists enjoy the winter charm. By Tuesday evening, around 18,000 tourists had reached Mussoorie, while Dhanaulti, Auli, and Chopta also reported heavy bookings. The highest rush is expected on December 31 and January 1, when New Year celebrations peak.
Current Booking Status
Mussoorie: 18,000 tourists, 85% bookings
Auli: 3,000 tourists, 80% bookings
Harshil: 2,000 tourists, 70% bookings
Lansdowne: 800 tourists, 50% bookings
Chakrata: 5,000 tourists, 95% bookings
Dhanaulti: 3,000 tourists, 90% bookings
Kanatal: 150 tourists, 60% bookings
Chopta: 4,000 tourists, 90% bookings
Kedarkantha: 5,000 tourists, 90% bookings
These figures show that most destinations are nearly full, with only limited availability in places like Lansdowne and Kanatal.
Parking plan in Mussoorie
To manage the rush, police have prepared a detailed parking plan for Mussoorie. Vehicles will first be parked at Kinkreig parking. If full, they will be diverted to MDDA parking at Library Chowk, Library Taxi Stand, and Campti Stand multi-storey parking.
If these are also full, vehicles will be parked at Modern School. Small vehicles will be sent towards Picture Palace, while bigger ones will remain at Kinkreig. This step-by-step plan aims to prevent traffic chaos in the hill station.
Shuttle service for tourists
Authorities have also prepared to launch a shuttle service in Mussoorie and Auli if traffic congestion increases. Under this system, tourists’ vehicles will be parked in designated lots, and they will be transported to their hotels or destinations in vehicles provided by the administration. This arrangement is expected to reduce jams and make travel easier for visitors during peak hours.
Tourists are advised to book in advance
Uttarakhand is ready to welcome the New Year with festive crowds, packed hotels, and scenic winter charm. With over 90 percent bookings in most destinations, tourists are advised to book in advance. Police and administration have prepared parking and shuttle services to ensure smooth celebrations across the hill towns.