Lansdowne is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Delhi. Lansdowne is a popular hill station in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district and was founded as a military garrison under the British. The quaint hill station is known for its picturesque landscapes, untouched natural beauty, and pleasant atmosphere. For those living in the heat of cities like Delhi, Noida, Chandigarh, and nearby areas, Lansdowne has emerged as a perfect weekend getaway where people can enjoy some relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Sitting at an altitude of 1,780-meter sq, the hill station is located nearly 280 km from Delhi and 333 km from Chandigarh. It takes nearly 6 to 7 hours to drive to reach Lansdowne.
Lansdowne is a perfect place to explore when you have less than 2 days in hand. If we take Delhi as our starting point, the route to Lansdowne is really simple. Lansdowne is well connected to Delhi with NH 119. The best route from Delhi to Lansdowne is Delhi- Meerut- Bijnor- Kotdwar- Lansdowne. Even if the route is new for you, you can easily reach Lansdowne using Gps.
Another alternative way of reaching Lansdowne is by train. You can reach Kotdwar from Delhi via train and take a taxi or bus from there to Lansdowne. Also, if you are a bike enthusiast or traveling with friends in a group, riding your bike to the hill station can take your experience to the next level.
After you have reached Lansdowne, you can find various stay options as per your budget. You can stay in a hostel, a hotel or book your stay from online platforms like Airbnb. It is better to leave for Lansdowne Friday evening or late at night so that you can start exploring Lansdowne early morning the next day.
There are several places to visit in Lansdowne.
Exploring the Bhulla Tal:
Bhulla Tal is one of the tourist hotspots in Lansdowne. It is located just 1 km from the city center, and you can cover the distance on foot as it will help you explore the hill station better. Made and maintained by the Indian Army, Bhulla Tal is a clear water lake that has emerged as a popular picnic spot among tourists. You can click pictures near the lake, enjoy boating and simply soak in the beauty of the place. The entry fee for adults is Rs. 50.
Tip N Top:
Like any other hill station, Lansdowne has a hilltop viewpoint, and the viewpoint is called Tip N Top. Tip N Top has to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the hill station, if not the most important spot. Located nearly 1.5 km from the city center, Tip N Top is one of the highest points in the hill station. You can get a magnificent view of the mighty Shivalik Ranges from this point.
War Memorial Lansdowne:
Lansdowne is a cantonment town, and the war memorial here is referred to as the pride of Garhwal rifles. It was established in 1923 by Lord Rawlinson of Trent and is located at the Parade Ground in Lansdowne. The war memorial is located just 0.5 km from the main market. You can visit the war memorial and pay homage to the martyrs in less than an hour.
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You can club this with a few other spots, such as St John’s Church, after exploring Bhulla Tal and Tip N Top and enjoying the local food to mark the end of day 1.
On the second day of your trip, you can explore the local market, try some traditional mountain dishes, enjoy the view of the mountains and enjoy some other tourist attractions. While there aren’t many places to explore in Lansdowne, it is a perfect place for a weekend trip.
If traveling on a budget, you can complete the trip is Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 if traveling in a group. However, the trip may be a little costlier for solo travelers and is unlikely to cost more than Rs. 5,000. You can further cut your spendings by eating at street-side stalls and traveling by bus.
