Lansdowne is a Serene weekend gateway in the lap of Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. It lies in the district of Pauri Garhwal. It is primarily a cantonment area and headquarters Garhwal Regiment of Indian Army. It is named after the Viceroy of Indian in 1887, Lord Lansdowne. It is about 250 kilometers from Delhi and a beautiful weekend gateway. We had heard a lot about the place and one fine day we decided to explore it. It was a family road trip. We tool the following route:

Delhi -> Ghaiabad -> Merrut -> Bijnor by pass -> Najibabad -> Kotdwara -> Lansdowne via NH 58 and NH 119

Mountains start from Kotdwara area.

img_9426_up

Since we had visited just after the monsoon in the month of August, there was slush at many places and for a low GC (Ground Clearance) car it was at times difficult to cross the same. It tested all our driving skills. Garhwal area is prone to landslides during monsoon and one should be very careful while visiting during that period.

img_9431_up

The scenery kept on changing after crossing Kotdwara and we could enjoy the cool breeze of pine trees.

img_9437_up img_9438_up

There are few good staying options in Lansdowne and if visiting during season advance booking is recommended. There is nothing much to do here, but there are few places which pone should visit.

The War Memorial, at the Parade Ground of the Garhwal Rifles Center

Tip and Top View Point

Kaleshwar Mahadeo Temple

Tarkeshwar Dham Temple

Bulla tal (A small lake where boating is also organised)

St. Mary’s Church (Located near Tip and Top view point)

St. John Church

Other things to do: the area is good for birding and one should take nature walk in the forest. One can also ask the hotel to organise a village walk. Do not forget to have breakfast with the locals.

We went trekking to a village and had breakfast made in front of us of local ingredients available. I had written a separate post for the same. You can read the same here: https://wildtravellersblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/a-taste-of-village-life-in-garhwal/

Enjoy some beautiful photographs of the area:

img_9740_up
Bulla Tal (pond)
img_9737_up
Rabbits at Bulla Tal
img_9597_up
Trek to the village
img_9688_up
Local Breakfast in the village
img_9701_up
Beautiful Mountains

Few Sunset Pictures taken from our hotel

img_9574_up img_9581_up img_9583_up

Hope you enjoyed the place.