Destination Features

First things first.  Lansdowne is the most closest hill station from Delhi, just 260 km away.

 

Unspoilt nature, bracing air and a magnificent view of the snow-covered peaks inspire peace and tranquility.  If you dream of the romance of the mountains than Lansdowne is the perfect place.

 

Surrounded with the world’s highest and most beautiful mountain ranges – the Himalayas, naturally Uttaranchal Hills are endowed with extraordinary beauty and most of it is unseen in the outside world.  This makes Lansdowne an ideal location for eco-tourism.  A clean fresh and invigorating environment makes Lansdowne a preferred destination to relax and unwind and it is a truly rejuvenating experience.

 

Lansdowne was originally a popular hill station with the Britishers. Attracted by its salubrious climate and natural beauty, they established a cantonment here.  It was founded by Lord Lansdowne in 1887 A.D., thus the place has been named after him.  The famous Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army also has its command office here.

Lansdowne is situated at an altitude of 1,706 m enroute Kotdwar-Pauri road, 45 km from Kotdwar, engulfed by thick oak and blue pine forests. It is a very charming place for a quiet holiday as it is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of hill stations.

 

The route is very simple.  Delhi-Meerut-Bijnor-Najibabad-Kotdwar-Dugadda-Lansdowne.  After reaching Begum pul in Meerut, take a right turn to Bijnor, state highway starts from here.  From Kotdwar, the hilly drive starts for around 45 km.  After 30 km uphill once you reach Dugadda, the journey becomes more beautiful and views more breathtaking and memorable.  You will be literally driving in Pine forests.

 

Nearest railway station is Kotdwar.  Trains are easily available from Delhi.  The best option is to take Mussoorie exp. from Delhi at around 2300 hrs, it will drop you to Kotdwar at around 0600 hrs in morning.  From there, you can hire a cab for 400-500 rupees to Lansdowne, just a two-hour journey.

These are the few options for the enthusiasts:

 

1.  Tarkeshwar Mahadev (30 km):  Lansdowne has its fair share of temples and shrines, most of them devoted to the various forms of the Mother Goddess, most notably Tarkeshwar Mahadev with its special Shivlinga.  This temple is one of the oldest Sidhpeeths in India.  It is at a height of 2100 m.  Surrounded by thick forests of deodar & Pine, it is an ideal place for those who seek for beauty in nature.  Best option to reach the place is to hire a jeep at Lansdowne as the drive is treacherous.

 

2.  Bhulla Lake:  On top of the town, Bhulla Lake offers an all-day fun to young and old both, maintained by the Garhwal Rifles.  The neat and clean lake has boating facilities, an amusement park and a number of beautiful birds.  The amazingly charming environment tempts you to visit the place again and again.  It is just a km away from main market, Gandhi Chowk.

 

3.  War museum:  Must visit.  Darwan Singh Sangrahalaya is just 1 km from Gandhi Chowk where you can have a look at war heroes, war weapons et al.  No cameras are allowed inside.

 

4.  St. John's Church:  It is one of the oldest church of this quaint little town, around 3 km from main market.

 

5.  Kanvashram:  Situated at a distance of around 40 Kms from Lansdowne or 14kms. from Kotdwar, Kanva Rishi Ashram is an important place from the historical and archaeological point of view.

The best way to explore Lansdowne is to go for trekking.  A tourist looking for nature trails can have all their demands fulfilled.  Camping and river crossing are the favorite pastimes of tourists who visit this place.  A number of treks into the hillside are launched from Lansdowne which is a popular base camp. The nature treks range from simple hiking trails of a few hours or one day’s duration, to tougher climbs lasting a couple of days.  Garhwal Tourism organizes these treks.

 

Or, just relax, feel the freshness of air and the chirping sound of birds.

 

Though the options are very few but very decent accommodation is available in Lansdowne.

 

1.  Blue pine resort - 2 km before reaching Lansdowne.

2.  Fairydale resort (my favorite) - 1 km up from Gandhi Chowk.

3.  GMVNL tourist rest house - 700 mts up from Gandhi Chowk.

4.  Hotel Mayur - suitably located at Gandhi Chowk.

 

Quite surprisingly, a lot of variety is available.  You can have South Indian, Chinese, n mughlai food in the main market.  Momos of Hotel Zayaka and gigantic aloo ka parantha of Hotel Mayur are must haves.  In fact, chat-papri and jalebis are also available in the market.  For boozers, one liquor shop is also available in main market but my advice is to carry your own liquor as there is hardly any variety.  PS:  Do not try Raffles rum.

Apart from beautiful nature walks at Lansdowne, there is something for everybody.  If you have the Siddhpeeth route for the pilgrims, than there is wildlife route for nature and animal lovers, adventure sports for the daring and health resorts and cultural tourism for the rest of others.

 

No softy stalls, no video game parlors, no fancy tandoori joints, and not even a movie hall. The Cantonment Board keeps the town fresh as a daisy for the bravest of them all. The proud Garhwal rifles which has the major presence in the town, this is where some of the bravest sons of India are trained on the huge parade ground right in the middle of the town. They also pride in the second best kept Regimental Mess in Asia, complete with old armoury, weapons, hundreds of animal trophies and the regimental ghost.