Lansdowne – A Peaceful Hill Station with Scenic Views and Rich History.
Lansdowne is a quaint village situated at a distance of about 250 km from Delhi in the Pauri district of Uttarakhand. It brims with the natural beauty of oak and pine trees sprinkled throughout the geography of this region.
So, if you are someone who loves nature, and who would like to spend time surrounded by the quiet of Herculean mountains while watching the clouds whizz so close from you that you could almost touch them, then, this place is for you.
It is said that this town was discovered by the Britishers and got its name from the then viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne.
History of Lansdowne
Earlier, Lansdowne was known by the name of Kalundanda which means Black hill in the Garhwali dialect.
It is said that close to 1857, the British forces established the Garhwal Rifles cantonment in this very region and the first battalion was shifted from Almora to Lansdowne - due to the lush natural environment of the region, it naturally became a great place for hiding and military activities.
Major Attractions in and Around Lansdowne
1. Bhulla Lake
This lake is an ideal picnic spot for the tourists. Interestingly, it is managed and maintained by the Indian army. Bhulla Lake is mainly adored for its calm and soothing environment thus, it won’t be wrong to suggest - consider your trip wasted if you didn’t enjoy boating here.
2. St. John Church
This church is located at Mall Road and is said to have been built in 1936. The beautiful interiors of the church are one of the few reasons to make a visit here and relish the diverse cultural aspects of India.
3. Jungle Safari
You may end up regretting your trip to Lansdowne if you don’t enjoy the wilderness of this place while you are here. For that, you can organize a jungle safari at Kalagarh Tiger Reserve for yourself along with your family and friends. The idea of the safaris to introduce you to the heart of the forest where you might just get lucky and spot some of the rare wildlife animals roaming in their natural habitat.
4. Bhim Pakora
To reach here you will need to trek for about 2 km. However, the struggle is worth it. As you reach here, you spot two big stones one above the other. The surprising thing is that they are perfectly balanced, while, due to their position, they shouldn’t be. And while you can move them with your finger, the stone up above will never fall. No one in a long time has been able to do guess the reason behind this phenomenon. However, due to this, it does attract a lot of visitors.
Things to Do in Lansdowne
- Trekking & Nature Walks
- Boating at Bhulla Lake
- Visit the Army Museum
- Camping & Bonfire
- Explore Local Markets
Best Time to Visit Lansdowne
- Summer (March – June): Pleasant weather (15°C - 30°C), perfect for sightseeing.
- Monsoon (July – September): Lush greenery but occasional landslides.
- Winter (October – February): Cold (2°C - 15°C), with occasional snowfall.
How to Reach Lansdowne
Lansdowne is a beautiful travel destination worth exploring and if you want to break the dull monotony of quotidian life, then you won’t find a place better than this. To travel here, you will need to cover an approximate distance of about 258, 1,659, 1,488, 2,374 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the following details on how you can easily reach Lansdowne by the following means of transportation available.
By Air
The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport aka Dehradun Airport (DED). Commercial operations began on this airport in the year 2008. Following this, in 2009, a new terminal building was also inaugurated. It is advised to take connecting flights via Delhi and Chandigarh to reach here. From the airport, you will need to book a taxi or some other means of public transport.
- From Delhi - Board Spicejet, Air India, IndiGo flights from Delhi Airport. The airfares start from INR 2,000- INR 3,000
- From Amritsar - Board Air India, IndiGo flights from Amritsar Airport. The airfares start from INR 5,000 - INR 6,000
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Lansdowne
By Train
The nearest railway station is the Kotdwar Train Station (KTW) situated about 40 km away. It has an overall okay connectivity with nearby towns and cities. Once you deboard at the station, consider booking some means of local conveyance to reach your destination.
By Road
You can also reach Lansdowne by roadways and national highways. From nearby cities like Delhi, Amritsar you can easily book interstate/private buses at affordable rates. Otherwise, you can also travel via your own four/two-wheeler. Lansdowne is sited at Kotdwara - Pauri Road, NH 119. From here, you will need to take a right turn where a large signboard has been fixed by the Garhwal Rifles mentioning the further direction.
- From Kotdwar - 38 km via NH534
- From Rishikesh - 125 km via NH34
- From Shamli - 194 km via Meerut - Pauri National Highway
Frequently Asked Questions about Lansdowne
Q. What is Lansdowne famous for?
A. Lansdowne is a popular hill station in the state of Uttarakhand, known for its scenic beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and colonial heritage.
Q. What are the top tourist attractions in Lansdowne?
A. Some of the top tourist attractions in Lansdowne include Bhulla Lake, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple, St. Mary's Church, and Tip-In-Top viewpoint.
Q. How many days are enough for Lansdowne?
A. A 2 to 3-day trip is ideal to explore Lansdowne’s attractions, enjoy trekking, relax by Bhulla Lake, and visit temples and army museums.
Q. Does Lansdowne get snowfall?
A. Yes, Lansdowne experiences snowfall between December and February, making it a winter paradise.
