Lansdowne gets its name from the then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne, who served as the Governor-General and Viceroy of India from 1888 to 1894. Situated at about 5,000 ft above sea level, this cantonment town, back in the day, was used as a Recruits Training centre of the Garwhal Rifles, whose command office is now stationed here. The old-world charm of this quaint cantonment town nestled in the Himalayas will pull you in.
Take slow meandering walks around the town while taking in the sights - St Mary's Church, St John's Church, Tip & Top, and the Army Museum (or Darwan Singh Sangrahalaya, as it is known). Visit the Lansdowne primary market with its tiny lanes lined with shops and eateries serving excellent momos and beverages. Landour has a series of cafes serving delicious cold coffee, pizzas, pasta, burgers and honey ginger lemon tea.
Be it a humble meal of dal and rice or tukulu (pumpkin) sabzi or jhangore ke kheer, sampling some Garhwali cuisine is a must. Stop at any local dhaba and feast on the local cuisine. Some popular dishes include kaafuli (fenugreek and spinach) chainsoo (made of black pulses) jholi (curry made of gram and flour) til ki chutney (sesame seed dip), and arsa (a sweet dish made of jaggery and rice).
Life in the mountains is tough, but the people are warm and never fail to greet you with a smile. They will offer you a cup of freshly brewed lemon tea and, if you get lucky, some home-cooked food. The village in Deriyakhal on Tarkeshar road is an easy to moderate walk. Make sure you walk with a local or someone from the hotel staff to guide you if this is your first time.
Trek To Bhairav Garhi Mandir
In the mood for some adventure Opt for a trek to Bhairav Garhi - a Hindu temple in Sarown, about 7,000ft above sea level. The best time to do this easy-to-moderate trek is between November to March. When it comes to the views, there are 37 trans-Himalayan peaks you can see from here, the highest being the Nanda Devi peak.
Indian Army Fan Head To The Museum
If you are a fan of the Indian Army or interested in its history, head to the Army Museum, a two-storey building that houses a vast collection of old uniforms, arms, and rare photographs that reflect the century-old heritage of the Indian Army and Garhwal Rifles. One of the most prestigious army regiments, the latter is located within the Cantonment premises.
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Lansdowne at a distance of 152 km.
Take the Mussoorie Express to reach Kotdwar, the nearest railway station. Lansdowne is 40 km away from Kotdwar. Trains to and from Delhi for Kotdwar also operate daily.
Delhi to Lansdowne via road is 260 km. Most people prefer road trips to Lansdowne from Delhi.