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Lansdowne

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Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple Lansdowne image

About

Tucked amidst beautiful forest with a lush green view and calm mountains, Lansdowne is one of the most relaxing hill stations in Uttarakhand. Known for its colonial beauty, it is one of the closest hill stations to Delhi, located in Pauri Garhwal. Surrounded by dense oak and pine trees, Lansdowne is a pristine beauty of lush greenery in the Himalayas. Far from the city hustle and bustle, it is among such rare destinations where time seems to stand still. It is an ideal weekend getaway to enjoy a peaceful retreat.

Lansdowne - The Quietest Hill Station

Situated just 107 km from Haridwar, Lansdowne was originally known as Kaludanda, which means "black hills". Here, Kalu refers to Black and Danda in layman's language, called Hills. Though Uttarakhand is known for its popular hill stations, like Mussoorie and Nainital, the serenity of Lansdowne is remarkable. That's why it's known as the quietest hill station in India. Some of its major attractions are Bhulla Lake, Garhwal Regiment War Memorial, Tip n Top point, St. Mar’s Church, Dewan Singh Museum, Bhim Pakora, and others.

Named After

Established in 1887 as a British cantonment, Lansdowne was named after the then viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne. Today, Lansdowne serves as the headquarters of the Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army. Being a cantonment area, Lansdowne is known for its serenity and tranquillity. Its picturesque surroundings and refreshing climate draw several tourists from far and wide.

War Memorial

Although Lansdowne is surrounded by many popular places, the War Memorial located at the Parade Ground stands out. This memorial was set up by then Commander-in-Chief Lord Rawlinson to honour the valour and bravery of the Garhwal regiment on the front lines.

Why Lansdowne?

Its tranquillity and calmness often attract various visitors. The gushing cold breeze from the mountains, the peeking sun rays through the pine and oak trees, and the melodious birds chirping sound in the background make this place a perfect getaway.

It's the kind of place where you can sit all day long, simply enjoying and immersed in nature's beauty. Besides this, you can also go for a trek and boating. It's refreshing, clean air rejuvenates your lungs, at least until your next trip to Lansdowne.

Things to Do

Visitors can engage in some popular activities to make the most of their visit to Lansdowne, such as: -

Trekking	Adventure lovers will love this place, as Lansdowne offers short yet scenic treks. The trek to the snow viewpoint is known for its spectacular view. From here, you can see the mighty Chaukhumbha Parvat. Located just 2 km from Gandhi Park this scenic spot is freely accessible.
Hiking and Nature Walk	In the serenity of Lansdowne, you can enjoy hiking and a nature walk with your partner. The hike to Tip n Top viewpoint is popular in the region, known for its scenic and panoramic views.
Boating	Bhulla Lake is another major place in the region, where you can enjoy a romantic boat ride with your partner surrounded by a lush green view.
Bird Watching	The tranquil surroundings of Lansdowne are home to a variety of bird species. Bird lovers can spot then during the spring and post-monsoon season.
Experience wildlife	Lansdowne shares some part of the renowned Jim Corbett National Park, known as Kalagarh Tiger Reserve. Spread across 300 sq.km, this area offers a jungle safari from its Vatanvasa Gate, Pakhro Gate, and Kolhuchaur Gate. With more than 50 species of mammals and 25 types of reptiles, visitors can spot here the Tiger, Goral, Barking Deer, Sambhar, Hog deer, porcupine, rock python, monitor lizards, etc.
Ancient Landmarks	Lansdowne is known for some ancient places, and Bhim Pakora is one of them. Two massive stones placed above each other look like a pakora (Indian snack). At one instance, it looks like you can push them easily and they will fall off, but actually they don't. Interestingly, the upper stone can be moved easily with a deft touch, but never falls. A similar phenomenon can be seen at the Sem Mukhe Nagraja Temple in Tehri Garhwal.
Visit to Religious places	Lansdowne is home to sacred temples like Tarkeshwar Mahadev and Kaleshwar Temple, both dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Enjoy Sunset	You shouldn't miss a peaceful sunset in Lasndowne. As the sun dips, the sky turns magical when seen from a vantage point of Lansdowne.

Route Map

Lansdowne is around 276 km from Delhi via road and can be reached easily within 6 to 7 hours by following the route shared here: -

Delhi (276 km)→ Ghaziabad → Meerut → Khatauli → Miranpur → Bijnor → Najibabad → Kotdwar → Dugadda → Lansdowne.

Dehradun (155 km)→ Raiwala → Haridwar → Nimbuchaur → Kotdwar → Dugadda → Lansdowne.

Accommodation

Lansdowne offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors, including hotels, homestays, resorts, cottages, and more. Visitors can book their stays as per their needs and budget. Some popular lodging options are: -

Peaks and Pine Resort.
Oak Trek Resort.
Blue Pine Resort.
The Alpine Resort.
Eden Resort Lansdowne.
The Garhwali Inn.
Villa by Mountains Homes (Airbnb)
The Umri Home in Lansdowne (Airbnb)
Glamp Echo Corbett.

Important Tips for Travellers

Travelling by taxi is recommended, as public transport options are limited.
Avoid travelling during the monsoon season, as it can cause various problems.
Reach the bus stand early, as the direct bus departs from Dehradun Hill Bus Stand around 5:30 AM.
Accommodation must be booked in advance to avoid a last-minute rush.
Mobile network connectivity is low in the region, so carry sufficient cash.
Carry light woollens if visiting during summer, as morning and night can be cold.
Lansdowne does receive snowfall, so exercise caution while visiting during winter.
The road to Lansdowne is narrow, so drive cautiously.
Carry necessary medicines and essential items during the journey.

Nearby Attraction

You can also explore some popular places nearby Lansdowne, such as: -

Shri Siddhbali Temple.
Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple.
Kaleshwar Temple.
Kalagarh Tiger Reserve.
Tip in Top.
Bhulla Tal.
St. Mary's and St. John Church.
Darwan Singh Museum.
Garhwal Rifle Regiment War Memorial.
Khirsu.

How to Reach

By Road: Lansdowne is located around 107 km from Haridwar and 276 km from Delhi. It can be reached easily by bus, taxi and bike. A direct bus service is available from Dehradun Hill Bus Stand to Lansdowne. Alternatively, visitors can hire a taxi or rent a two-wheeler to reach the site.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kotdwar, approximately 40 km away. From there, visitors can take a taxi or board a bus from the nearby bus stand. Shared taxi services are also available to reach the site. Daily, two trains, namely Siddhbali Jan Shatabdi (12038) and ANVT KTW Express (14089) run from Old Delhi and Anand Vihar Terminal, respectively, to Kotdwar.

By Air: The closest airport is Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport, about 143 km away. From the airport, taxis are readily available to reach the destination.