Lansdowne

Lansdowne is a hill station in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It was established as a military garrison during the British Raj. The entire area spans within a radius of 2 kilometers. Lansdowne is a quiet town, far removed from the noise of the city, and has yet to be discovered by tourists. I found out about it from my grandparents, who frequented this town to escape their city life.

My friend and I visited this haven for Christmas after a hectic month of work because we needed a vacation. Our days would begin with the breathtaking view of the mountains, followed by walks on the leopard trail. We visited churches and a quaint café.

One such gem that captivated us was Travel Cafe. With its quaint ambiance and panoramic views, the cafe had a handwritten and laminated menu wherein the introduction said that both the cafe and its founder left their busy city life to move here. Additionally, doubling as a vintage store, customers could buy any of the unique decor present.

The tip-top point showed a view of the entire valley spread across acres, a humbling reminder of our insignificance in the grandeur of nature.

After spending our days doing leisurely activities, at night we decided to go on a safari. A little disheartened by not being able to spot a leopard, we came back to our room and opened a bottle of wine, spending the rest of the night in our room overlooking the valley.

Being perpetual busybodies living in Delhi, it was a much-needed change of pace and honestly one of the calmest, stress-free days I've ever spent.

Places Visited

Bulla Tal

Saint John's Church Saint Mary's Church

Tip-in-Top Point

Leopard Trail

Travel Cafe