Lansdowne- ever heard of this hill station in India?
For North Indians like me, Hill Station will always be Manali, Shimla, Dalhousie or Mussoorie. We can never go beyond that. So, just like the rest, we wanted to go to Mussoorie as we wanted to escape Jaipur’s scorching sun. Then, someone from our group suggested Lansdowne. We looked for the place on Google and to our surprise , we were not at all disappointed.
This small hill station in Uttarakhand was exceptionally beautiful, tranquil and serene.
Want to know the best part?
Lansdowne is home to Garhwal Division, Indian Army which gives this town a different vibe altogether.
What is the best time to visit Lansdowne?
It is a hill station, so we rule out the Winter season completely
From March till June, it is exceptionally pleasant in Lansdowne, making it the perfect time to visit this place. July-September are monsoon months. Although rains make everything around Lansdowne gorgeous, but, it is better to check the weather conditions before you plan to go in these months.
How to reach Lansdowne from Jaipur?
Lansdowne is approximately 500 kms away from Jaipur and 287 kms away from Delhi. It is just an 11 hour run from Jaipur, so you can reach this place in one day even if you are travelling by road. So, we could plan a short trip and still make the most of it.
One can reach Lansdowne by car or by train.
- By Car
We started at 6 AM in the morning by our car and easily reached by 7.30 PM in the evening with lunch time and 2-3 breaks.
Tip 1 : If you are travelling to a hill station for the first time, we would suggest you to travel only during the day hours. If you are coming from Jaipur or any other part of North India, then stay in Delhi for one night and start your trip the next morning. From Delhi, it will take you just 4-5 hours!
Tip 2 : Get your car tank full in Kotdwar because there is no fuel station or petrol pump in Lansdowne. The nearest petrol pump is 20 kms away!
- By Train
Kotdwar is the nearest city to Lansdowne (40 Kms).
So, you can take a train to Kotdwar from your city and then hire a cab or take a bus to reach Lansdowne. Kotdwar is a well-connected town from all the major cities in India, so getting there would not be much of a problem.
Where to stay in Lansdowne?
Lansdowne is surrounded by splendid hotels overlooking the lofty hills and blue pine and oak forests.
But, it is only if you pick the right hotel!
We give a big NO to hotels around the main Lansdowne market. It is crowded and does not give the real vibe of the beauty that Lansdowne is.
Our choice was Hotel Hilltop Resort in Jaiharikhal.
Now:
Jaiharikhal is a small village 6 kms away from Lansdowne. It is peaceful, quiet and has some breathtaking views.
Our hotel was a budget hotel, but its location was extraordinary. And, the view from our room was simply out of this world. Here, take a look :
This hotel was exactly what we needed to unwind. Away from the city and closer to nature.
But, if you do not wish to stay this far from the main city, there are several hotels on Kotdwar Pauri Road which are just a few kilometers away from Lansdowne. They are definitely worth every penny.
We suggest :
- Blue Pine Resort
- Lans Castle
Places to visit in Lansdowne
Our stay in Lansdowne was effectively for 3 days which is quite enough to explore this town.
First Day
On the first day, we covered all the major tourist points of Lansdowne.
– Tip N Top
One of the highest points, Tip N Top offers a picturesque view of the entire Lansdowne. You can sit there, have a coffee, relax with your friends and revel in the gorgeous valley and the beautiful hills.
– St. Mary’s Church
1895. Its location, its architecture and the quiet and peace that surrounds it, would want you to just sit here the whole day.
– St. John’s Church
While on our way from the main Lansdowne market, to St. Mary Church, we came across another beautiful church, St. John’s Church. It was built around 1936, and boasts of some really splendid interiors.
Second Day
– War Memorial and Museum
One place that you should not miss on your trip to Lansdowne is the visit to the War Memorial and Darwan Singh Museum. The War Memorial is located near Parade Ground.
Although we were not allowed to enter the War Memorial or the Parade Ground, our hearts were filled with pride just by seeing the aura and the splendor of Indian Army. A visit to this place is an experience of its kind!
Darwan Singh Museum is a regimental museum situated nearby and it houses the pictures of the unsung heroes and army commanders along with different weapons and costumes that were prevalent during various times. If you are into history, then this place is a must-visit.
– Bhulla Taal
Bhulla Tal is a quiet and clean lake maintained by the Army. It is more like a picnic spot where you can sit in the evening and enjoy the lake and the surroundings.
– Lansdowne Market
We took some time off to explore the Lansdowne Market. However, we did not find anything extraordinary. Neither did we find any souvenirs to take back home. It majorly comprises restaurants, hotels and general stores. If you do not have much time, you can conveniently miss it.
Third Day
– Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Now, we dedicated our last day of the trip to just one place – Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple. It is approximately 40 kms from main Lansdowne and it takes around 2 hrs to reach there.
Although the way was a little risky, as there was some construction going on in the hills, but, once we reached Tarkeshwar, we knew it was worth it!
This place was beyond words. A temple amidst huge Deodar trees. Tarkeshwar Mahadev is a spiritual respite in every sense. Here, you can meditate or simply sit by yourself and enjoy nature. Moreover, it has immense religious significance, as devotees from all over India visit this temple.
There are other places in Lansdowne which we didn’t have time to visit such as Bhim Pakora, Kaleshwar Mahadev and Hawa Ghar. If you have some time at your disposal, do visit these places and let us know how they were in the comment box below!