Lansdowne is one of the hidden gems of Indian tourism. Not a lot of people know about this hill station which, even today, is not commercialized or over-crowded like other mountainous locations.
Not much information is available over the internet for things to do in Lansdowne. And that is the reason I was really excited about a road trip to Lansdowne from the word go.
We love traveling – mountains, nature, and stillness entice us beyond measures. And to top it, an unexplored destination, has its own mysterious aura surrounding it.
Such road trips are always heartening as they give us a chance to talk and talk a lot. It’s perhaps one of our most favorite ways of travel as nothing is better than the idea of getting stuck in the car, hitting the road, and traveling on our own whim.
Lansdowne is essentially a cantonment town – main base of the Garhwali Rifles. And that is the main reason for Lansdowne being so well-maintained, despite being rather remote. The township also carries traces of the colonial legacy with many buildings and churches dating back to that era. In fact, the town is named after Lord Lansdowne who served as the Viceroy of India from 1888-94.
Home of the veer garhwalis
Today, it has become a cozy little place where the few city folk who know of it, come for a weekend getaway. Since it is easily accessible via road from cities such as Delhi, a lot of road-trips are culminating at Lansdowne.
By Air: Those flying to Lansdowne should land at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun from where Lansdowne is about 152km away. Taxis can be hired easily from Jolly Airport to Lansdowne.
By Rail: Lansdowne is roughly 42kms away from Kotdwar Railway Station. Also, Kotdwar is well-linked to major cities of India by rail network. You can hire a taxi from railway station to reach Lansdowne.
By Road: Lansdowne is pretty well connected to Meerut, Delhi, Kotdwar, and significant Uttarakhand regions by road. From Delhi (250kms), it is a good 6-hour drive. You need to follow this route to reach Lansdowne from Delhi:
Here’s an overview of the route we followed to reach Lansdowne.
Road condition from Delhi to Lansdowne is pretty good but the flow can get a little rough from Meerut (as it is a two-lane highway). It is best to start as early as 5AM in the morning if you wish to reach Lansdowne in time and avoid unnecessary hassle on the road.
Started early morning at 5AM
There are thick patches of sugarcane trees on the farms along the entire stretch between Bijnor and Najibabad, but once you cross this stretch, the landscape takes a dramatic change. Till Kotdwar, you can expect dense green forests dotting both sides of the highway. There’s rarely any sign of human activity on the route. Forget about toilets!
After Kotdwar, the scenery is just beautiful, as you can see the roads touching the foothills of Himalayas. It gets just lovely with the oak and pine trees bordering the entire stretch, giving vision of a postcard-perfect village immersed in old-world charm. Make sure you tank up your vehicle at Kotdwar as there’s not even a single petrol pump in Lansdowne.
Somewhere in between Kotdwar and Lansdowne
There are a lot of accommodation options available for tourists in Lansdowne, even though it is a very tiny hill station. You can rest assured about a great stay at the Lansdowne hotel or resorts.
Initially, we had thought about booking Blue Pine Resort in Lansdowne for our stay, but someone suggested Lans Castle Hotel, which we finally went on to book.
We two happy souls
Lans Castle hotel is a boutique hotel strategically set in the most scenic setting in Lansdowne. I had an instant liking for this hotel as soon as we parked our car in the parking area. It looked nice from the outside with an extremely relaxing ambience that made for an entrancing stay. What I really liked about the whole place was the setting that cuts you from the maddening ruckus of city life.
Lans Castle hotel is located on the Deriyakhal Slopes offering a spectacular view of the valley from 1600 meters of altitude. Even Blue Pine Resort was about 5 minutes from there.
We had already booked Valley View room with balcony as the private terrace ones were already reserved. Oh! And I must tell you whether you opt for the private terrace ones or the ones with balconies; the view from there is ‘STUNNING’. I loved every moment of being there and didn’t, for a moment, move from my private little corner.
How these clouds and scenic beauty could entice anyone, really anyone!
We had our breakfast and dinner included in the hotel package, which we also strongly advise to all those planning a visit to Lansdowne. That is because there are no shops or restaurants around the Lansdowne hotel, though the market is about 15 minutes from there, where you can find one or two decent restaurants for dining.
Indian food was really nice at the hotel, but I definitely wasn’t a fan of their Chinese.
Lans Castle hotel has a gorgeous terrace, namely ‘The Himalaya Terrace’ where we spent a lot of time, enjoying the incredible Himalayan views, cloaked in mist.
To our delight, there were many activities we could indulge in for free, and that included access to TT table, carom board, and soccer table. They have a gym too with basic machines and equipment. Overall, the property has been well-maintained and it made our entire experience, way more pleasant.
As it is a bit overpriced (5000INR/75USD a night), those on budget-constraint can also consider booking budget hotel in Lansdowne like GMVN regulated tourist bungalows.
Lansdowne is prominently known for its magnificent setting and lesser commercialization – two factors that draw tourists towards this beauty. This hill station offers glimpse of well-maintained British heritage bungalows and peaceful Himalayan ranges.
There are a limited number of tourist attractions in Lansdowne so those with a mindset to explore, make merry, and dance the night away should stay away from this hill station. It is intended for those in search of some alone time in quietness, far away from city life.
No doubt we are so fond of road trips
Even though we were quite tired after the journey, we still had the evening for us. Rather than heading out to explore all nearby attractions, we just decided to trek to the lil mountain next to our hotel.
Our experience was just refreshing as the chilly air, uphill clouds, and street slopes, as we ascended up, were nothing short of breathtaking.
The whirling roads taking us uphill were whimsical and at the same time refreshing. The hide and seek of sunrays and clouds was magical. And the best part of all, the area was neat and clean.
We came back, spent some time on the Himalayan Terrace of our Lansdowne hotel, had dinner, and slept.
Himalaya Terrace at Lans Castle
Next morning, we woke up, had our breakfast and got all set to explore the local attractions.
There’s the Bhulla Taal, St Mary’s and St John’s Church, the Garwhal Rifles Regimental War Memorial, and the Tip-in-Top point.
From the Tip-in-Top point, one can feast their eyes to the glorious vistas of the mountains.
How I love cotton candy clad mountains
Some more stunning spectacles
It was an amazing vantage point for photography, perfect for capturing the zig-zag patterned roads from such height. Even the St. Mary’s Church was just a kilometer away from there.
Garwhal Rifles Regimental War Memorial
Jaswant Dwar while heading to the market
We also went on to explore the marketplace, which had a few decent eateries flanking both sides of not so glamorous streets. There are no commercial establishments which is probably because of the strict cantonment rules.
Though there are not many things to do in Lansdowne, but it definitely makes for a weekend getaway due to absence of touristy activities in the area, thus assuring an ecstatic experience.
All thick patches of oak and pine trees along the hill station ensure that the air is fresh. You’ll definitely yearn to go back to Lansdowne once you are back to the normal day-to-day routine.
Random pitstop in Lansdowne
Trying to catch hold the scenic beauty!
The most ideal time for you to plan a holiday in Lansdowne is during the months of March to June. In summers, the temperature is always in between 15 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius, which is perfect for the getaway.
You should totally avoid a visit to the hill station during monsoons, as the weather gets too cold and snowfall is common. With that, the chances of a landslide also increase.
Consider visiting Lansdowne to experience the serenity and virgin greenery of a lonely hill station!
India is always been on our travel list and we can’t wait to visit this country! We have a friend who lives there. The photos you posted are so beautiful. There are so many thing to do, cool 🙂
I love taking road trips with my husband! I feel like we always end up having the best conversations when we’re together in a car, driving to a new (or not new) place. I’ve never heard of Lansdowne, but it looks like a really nice place to getaway from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Everyone could use a weekend of relaxation and tranquility sometimes! Plus the views look stunning!
Great post! I love reading about hidden gems around the world! The photos look fabulous ! and thank you for sharing so many useful informations!
Lansdowne sounds like the perfect weekend getaway from any hectic city! The views are amazing and remind me of some of the views I saw in Darjeeling. I love learning about places not usually mentioned on the popular tourist track – thanks for sharing!
It sounds like the perfect place to escape the hectische indian cities!
You’ve given me a destination that fits my style of travel: nature-focused and relaxing. I’m always curious about the hidden wonders of the world, and I’m glad you’ve shared one with us. This just makes my travel list super, super long! Thanks for sharing!
i feel challenged exploring the outskirts… and you’re right… it is my first time to hear or read about Lansdowne… Thanks for sharing this guide to explore this hidden gem.
I am a loner… for sure I would love this place. ‘The things to do’ you presented just made me envious of your adventure in Lansdowne…
Interesting post! I really like finding out about hidden gems like this one, and that boutique hotel looks like a definite must when i make the trek to Lansdowne.
This is so cool! I love visiting places that aren’t over run with tourists yet! And those views! Incredible!
It’s nice to read a post on a new destination that I’ve never heard of
Thank you for sharing this original road trip! I really love those beautiful sceneries and coton candy clouds. Are there any great hikes or trekking opportunities in Lansdowne?
Hi!
I’ve been to India during 6 months, but didn’t get the chance to go to Uttarakhand. Yet, I was working for a travel agency and got the chance to travel a lot across India. I will consider it for my next trip !
Thanks 😀
Such a beautiful place.. we were supposed to go to Rokeby Manor in Nov last year but somehow the trip did not work out. Did u guys go to the corn village ?
Lansdowne views has captured both my mind and soul. Can’t wait to be there and experience the serenity of this place. Thanks for pulling the veil of this hidden gem.
This looks like such a great way to get outside of the major cities and tourist attractions. Those views are incredible as well, thanks for sharing!
This is the second time I’ve seen an article about Landsdowne. Like the other one, it shows how spectacular the landscapes are but didn’t mention that it’s by the Himalayas. Also great detail on how to get there as well as accommodation recommendation at Lans Castle Hotel, which looks like the perfect place to stay. Hopefully when I make it to India, I’ll be able to find time to visit Landsdowne.
Such a beautiful place! I love discovering this kind of hidden places that I had no idea even existed 🙂 the views of the hills with the clouds look just incredible!
Many times people focus on traveling for a distant country while actually we can visit places closer home taking advantage of weekends or one or two days holidays. Your post is an example of that! There are amazing places really close to our doorstep and your beautiful photos prove it
This place sounds really nice since I am usually very interested in non-commercialized or un-crowded areas. And especially such a mountain tour that you made here is something that you obviously enjoy the best while feeling somehow alone in the middle of nature. The view is really spectacular- I can imagine how great it feels to view over the mountains and clouds like this – truly a unique experience 🙂
Luckily, I was able to cover almost all the places you have listed down in just one day. I captured some of the amazing landscape shots of Lansdowne.
Hope you will like it too.