Lansdowne is a beautiful hill station in India's northeastern state. The city was developed as a military garrison by the British in Uttarakhand, and Lansdowne can trace its history back to the Garhwal Rifles regiment. At an elevation of 1780 meters, Lansdowne in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district is home to the centuries-old Kaleshwar Temple. The city's atmosphere, blue pine trees, and Colonial-style architecture cleanse the mind and soul.
Lansdowne has an artificial lake where you can enjoy boating and viewpoints with amazing views of the majestic Shivalik Range covered in snow. The city's historical significance connects you with the country's iconic past. Lansdowne is a fantastic bird-watching destination to catch a glimpse of rare and some endangered species of birds, national wildlife, and forest reserves to restore nature and delicious local cuisines for your healthy appetite.
Here, you’ll get Expert Insights regarding:
- Best time to visit Lansdowne
- Places to visit in Lansdowne
- Things to do in Lansdowne
- How to reach Lansdowne
In our travel guide, I'll provide some fantastic suggestions for visiting places in Lansdowne of Uttarakhand. But first, let's figure out when the ideal time to visit is -
Best time to visit Lansdowne
- Summers: Summers in Lansdowne are warm and extremely pleasant, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. If you are looking for a break from the city heat, and trekking is your solution, summers that last from March to June are perfect and most enjoyable.
- Winters:
- Monsoon: The Monsoon in Lansdowne is refreshing and green. The temperature remains at around 28 degrees Celsius, and the season lasts from June to September. The rainfall is not constant and mostly mediocre, but there's always a risk of landslides at a hill station. As long as you have good luck, the city exploration will be epic and romantic in Monsoons.
Top 9 Places to Visit in Lansdowne
Here are the best places in the city you can explore:
1. Tip-N-Top
A destination that provides a panoramic view of stunning mountain hills is also known as Tiffin-Top. It is located at an elevation of 1700 meters, approximately 1.5 kilometers away from the city center. This hilltop viewpoint is a popular picnic spot in the region and offers a promising view of Garhwal, Shivalik, other mountain ranges, and nearby forested areas.
How To Reach Tip-N-Top:
It is roughly 1.5 km away from the city, and you can always trek to the hilltop. However, taxis and buses are also available since Pauri Road connects to the destination.
2. Bhulla Tal
The artificial lake of the city, made and maintained by the Indian Army, is an excellent and most visited picnic spot in Lansdowne. This place offers a unique boating experience for kids, couples, and families. Bhulla Tal, or Bhulla Lake, is located 2 km away from Lansdowne Market and is surrounded by hilly lawns and trees. You can always spend quality time or a perfect evening with your loved ones here.
How To Reach Bhulla Tal:
It is located 2 kilometers away from Lansdowne market and has a bus stand approximately 1 kilometer away from the city center. You can always take a walk or book a local cab to reach this reposeful destination.
3. Bhim Pakora
This destination is highly famous, as many legendary tales are associated with it. One of its legends dates back to the Mahabharata era, which says that it was Bheem, one of the Pandavas, who placed the rock in the way that it is now during their exile period, and it never shifted. Bhim Pakora is basically two rocks on top of one another that never falls... NEVER! It just vibrates or moves, even if pushed hard. It can be said that they are perfectly balanced and a bit mystical. Believe in the legend or not, the rock says a lot, and thus, it is the most visited place in Lansdowne.
How To Reach Bhim Pakora:
This destination is located 2 kilometers away from Gandhi Chowk, Lansdowne, and can be reached via trekking.
4. Darwan Singh Regimental Museum
A two-storey museum named after Darwan Singh Negi, a Victoria Cross holder, has a collection of everything related to the origin and achievements of Garhwal Rifles. This place is considered the pride of Lansdowne, and it was established in 1923 at the parade ground. This museum stands close to the Garhwal Rifles War Memorial, and it houses the rarest photographs of army generals, arms, certificates, uniforms, and much more to honor the country's past.
Visiting hours at the museum: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Note: Kids below 10 years old are not allowed inside the museum.
How To Reach Darwan Singh Regimental Museum:
It is located at the parade ground in the city center. If you are in the town, you can take a walk or use road transportation services.
5. Kalagarh Tiger Reserve
A beautiful wildlife reserve where you can find exotic flora and fauna. The reserve is located at an approximate distance of 13 kilometers from the main center of Lansdowne. Kalagarh Tiger Reserve forms the north end of Jim Corbett National Park. The reserve covers 300 sq km and protects goral, barking deer, sambhar, porcupines, hog deer, and other endangered wildlife along with the tigers. Kalagarh Tiger Reserve offers jungle safari and forest rest houses as well.
How To Reach Kalagarh Tiger Reserve:
It is located 13.2 kilometers away from Lansdowne, and to reach here, you have to reach Duggan. You can use public transport to get to the destination.
6. Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple
The temple is named after Sage Kalun, who meditated here in the old days, and his samadhi can be found on the temple premises. Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple is a century-old temple, and the legend associated with this place goes back 5000 years. It is located 1.5 kilometers away from the main city center. This temple, along with nearby Dharamshala, was built around 1901, and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
How To Reach Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple:
If you are in the city, you can reach Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple on foot since it is only 1.5 kilometers away from Lansdowne's main center. You can also opt for roadways to reach the site.
7. St. Johns Church
St. John's Church is located near Tip-N-Top and St. Mary Church, with a history of being abandoned once back in 1947 for years. Later, in 1951, the government took charge of the place and re-established the church around 1983 to offer prayers. This is one of the few functioning churches in the town with beautiful interiors that offer unmatched ethos, making the church one of the popular places to visit in Lansdowne.
How To Reach St. John's Church:
It's approximately 1.8 kilometers away from the Lansdowne city market/city center, and it takes a 4-minute trek to reach the church. If you want to visit Tip-N-Top, you will come across St. John's Church on the way.
8. Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial
The Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial is dedicated to the soldiers of Garhwal Rifles who fought and sacrificed their lives in World War I and World War II. Established in the year 1923, this war memorial features a majestic war monument in the form of a tall pillar and provides a clear view of Lansdowne. It is situated at the parade ground and nearby is the Darwan Singh Regimental Museum. This is a place to pay respect to our martyrs and to honor the military history of the region.
How To Reach Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial:
This is located at the parade ground and can be easily reached if you are in the city center.