Lansdowne #WeekendWorthy

Me and my best friend were planning to visit “Lansdowne” from last 5 years from our college time. Last year in April got a chance to visit.

So, we decided to go on a weekend, booked our tickets & hotel in advance as it was our first trip together and we did not want to keep anything for last minute.

On Friday evening we boarded our train from New Delhi Railway station at 9:00 PM to Kotdwar (from Kotdwar it takes 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Lansdowne). The train was good, and the best part was we got time to talk to each other and reliving old memories.

In the morning at 7:00 AM, we reached Kotdwar (train was on time) then we were asking people around how to reach Lansdowne (we knew one can hire private taxi to reach but we wanted to take explore other option). Then someone told us that many local buses go to Lansdowne and the fare is minimum.

We hopped on the bus and took the window seat and waited for the bus to move to our place “Lansdowne”. While moving, we were awe-struck by the amazing view coming in our way. Finally, at 11:00 AM we reached main market and then called our hotel reception to understand the route as the place was little far away.

We took a sharing Jeep and they dropped us near the hotel.

Our Hotel “Snow Cliff Resort” – Set on hilltop and the view from the balcony was breath- taking. It was a little expensive for us as we booked it at last moment. So, it costed us around Rs. 2500 for a day.

After check-in, we both decided the day itinerary what all to do and which all places to explore. In an hour so we got ready and again took sharing Jeep and they dropped us at a place where we saw a map on which all the tourist places were mentioned.

So, we started walking and got ourselves lost in nature and wilderness. First stop was “St. John Catholic Church” – Incredibly beautiful charming Church.

Second stop “Tip-n-Top” (1.5 kms from Main city) top viewpoint in Lansdowne. From where you can see complete skyline of Shivalik Range. We did not know that they have accommodation option as well. So, anyone who is visiting Lansdowne can book the place is worth staying and it is surrounded by pine & oak forest.

Third stop was Bhulla Tal (1 kms from Main city) a famous picnic spot where people come and have a good time. One can do boating as well at artificial man-made lake and click some good pictures on the bridge for their social media DP’s (Ha ha ha ha)

Then finally we decided to go back to main city to eat something, do shopping & explore it. It was quiet place no shopkeeper was calling you forcing you to buy anything like our city market. All the surrounding was clean, people were helpful, caring, talkative and one old uncle told us to visit Shiva temple which was made by the Army personals – We were so happy to see it to explore a new place which we didn’t knew about. While roaming we saw kids playing, women talking, and all were happy like seriously happy which I miss to see in normal city life.

It was 5’0 clock things were getting closed then we decided to head back to out hotel. Then sat on the balcony and starting about the day and seeing stars.

Next day, took the bus form Kotdwar to Delhi and it took 7 hours.

All In all, Lansdowne is a quiet hill station and a quick weekend getaway for anyone who like mountains and want to spend some quality time with their loved ones. 

“Go somewhere you feel most alive”