Lansdowne is one of the quietest hill station located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state. This is one of the popular destinations among Delhi NCR region people due to its close proximity. It is located at a distance of 248 km and is a favorite weekend destination for the people away from the hectic busy city life.

History of Lansdowne

This place was called as Kaludanda by the local which is a combination of two words Kalu means Black and Danda means Hill. It was rechristened as Lansdowne after the British Viceroy Lord Lansdowne in 1887. This place served as the training institute for the recruits of Garhwal Rifles. The Garhwal Rifles battalion from Lansdowne region was a major happening place during the freedom struggle.  The Indian army also paid its due respect to the place by designating it as the command office of Garhwal Rifles.

People from different regions were available in the Garhwal Rifles which made the place bear a cosmopolitan look since earlier times. In the present time, one can find people of different religion, faith and community living in excellent harmony. Also, religious places like temples, churches, mosques and Gurudwara can be found here. This place is considered the most appropriate place for eco-tourism and it is being well preserved by the Uttarakhand government.

Climate and Best Time to Visit

The summer season commences at the end of March month and extends till June. The maximum temperature of the region remains at 30 degree Celsius. Summer months are usually humid and hot. The onset of monsoon in the month of July brings some delight from the hot climate and being a hilly area the region receives very heavy rainfall. The rainy season transforms the complete area into lush green. During the winter months which start from November and last till early March, the temperature remains very low and touches the zero level mark. The area also experiences snow fall in winter. This season is considered ideal for honeymoon couple. The period between October to February is the tourist period.

Things to Do

Lansdowne is basically a small and pretty little hill town. Tourists can plan a lot of outdoor activities while visiting this place which is very close to nature. Adventure enthusiasts can plan long walks and treks along the nearby forests. Also, you can carry some eating materials and arrange a picnic-cum-lunch in the nearby hills and organize some games like volleyball etc.  Sightseeing of the beautiful Himalayan ranges which provides the most striking panoramic and breathtaking views. This is an ideal location for relaxing amidst the nature. Wildlife enthusiasts can also visit the nearby Kalagarh Wildlife Sanctuary to experience the wildlife and also carry out bird watching.

Attractions

War Memorial

It was unveiled in November 1923 by Lord Rawlinson of Trent and it is a popular attraction among the visiting tourists.

The Garhwali Mess

This majestic Mess built in 1888 is considered as the oldest surviving building of the Lansdowne area. It is a symbol of British architecture and has been maintained well till date.

St. Mary’s Church

This ancient Church of the British Era constructed by Colonel Hume in the year 1896 has an excellent architecture. Tourists can get a spectacular view of the Himalayan ranges from this place.

Jungle Safari

The cool climate in the region gives a pleasant experience for wildlife enthusiasts. One can experience the life and atmosphere of the jungle in this popular safari.

Tarakeshwar Mahadev Temple

This temple which has the ruling deity as Lord Shiva is considered to be a powerful temple among the locals. The locals believe that the deity has the power to fulfill your wishes. The Shivaratri festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the temple.

Kanvashram

The popular place for Hindu pilgrims is visited by people round the year. The tourists can get an excellent view of the Malini River from this place.

Bhulla Lake

It is an artificial lake where one can experience boating and paddling.

Shopping

Other than the local handicrafts items, there is no much scope for shopping in this hill town. Lansdowne is all about relaxing and enjoying nature. 

Accommodations

In spite of Lansdowne being a small hill station, there are adequate number of hotels and restaurants in the area. Most of the hotels are newly constructed, however, there are some old ones also. There are few hotels which are best in terms of both accommodation and food. There are also some good resorts in the area. When in Lansdowne, it is advisable to taste the Garhwali dishes. These authentic dishes can be best tasted in the hill town. Baadi, Gahat Chhappatis, Jholi, Kappa, Kafuli, Lesu and Phanu are some of the delicacies of this region. However, keeping in view of the tourists requirements Chinese, Mughalai, South Indian and other North Indian dishes are available in the restaurants.

How to Reach

By Flight

Jolly Grant airport located in Dehra Dun is the nearest airport to Lansdowne located at a distance of 100 km. It is well connected with Delhi through low fare airlines. Jet Airways operates flights to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram. One can easily get taxis to reach Lansdowne.

By Road

Lansdowne is well connected by road and one can travel from Delhi to Lansdowne via Meerut, Bijnor and Kotdwar. Lansdowne is located at a distance of approximately 250 km from Delhi. The other nearby cities is Haridwar and Dehradun. Numerous State owned and private buses operate from important destinations to Lansdowne.

By Train

Kotdwar located at a distance of forty km is the nearest railway link to Lansdowne. A good number of trains operate between Delhi and other major cities of the country. Tourists can hire a taxi to reach the hill town with ease.