Landour, the hill station next to its much popular cousin, Mussoorie, is a quaint town that is reminiscent of the colonial era. The place, about 35 kilometres from Dehradun, paints a beautiful picture with its deodar trees, vintage-style cottages and views of the Himalayas, making it a favourite among travellers seeking peace. Here’s your complete travel guide to the hill station. By Anushka Goel
Landour has been named after a small village in Southwest Wales, named Llanddowror. The British cantonment in India was created in the early 19th century when the Gurkha conquest of Kumaon-Garhwal resulted in British intervention and creating a military base in the hills. The destination, since then, has been known to be a popular tourist hill station, well-connected by roads and the nearest airport is less than 40 kilometres away (Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport).
This Himalayan abode is also home to some eminent authors and personalities, including the famed author Ruskin Bond, Vishal Bhardwaj who owns a holiday home next to Bond’s residence, and journalists such as Pronnoy and Radhika Roy also have a vacation home here. The destination offers clear skies and pleasant weather in the summers, making it an ideal place to visit from Delhi.
All about Landour
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The town paints a poetic picture with its serene surroundings, sun-kissed mountains, and quiet lanes for you to walk through. Landour offers a sense of calm, that allows you to introspect and go into a zen-like mode. No wonder, that its bespoke charm has invited so many authors and creative persons over the years to visit and set up bases here! Draped in the scarlet hue of rhododendrons and mighty deodar trees, the place beckons one and all with its beauty.
Landour is also great in case you are looking for a workcation in the hills, but do not want to stay at its more popular (and hence crowded) sibling, Mussoorie. The place, with its colonial-era charm, also makes for great walks and hikes, to bring you one with nature and make you feel like you’re in the European countryside.
Find best hotels in Mussoorie for your next stay
Things to do in Landour
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The hill station offers some of the best nature walks. Clean alleys and a cool breeze that carries with it the scent of the rhododendrons and wildflowers, and the sunrays filtering through the forests not only paints a visual picture, but provides the right amount of warmth. So, when in Landour, be sure to make the most of these views as you go on a stroll or mountain hikes.
You can also spend time exploring places such as the St. Pauls Church, or walking around the streets to observe the beautiful European-style cottages. You may even bump into Ruskin Bond, who still resides in the town and has written plenty of stories from here! Also visit the Kellog Memorial Church as well as the Landour Language School for some amazing views and beautiful architecture.
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Be sure to visit the Landour Bakehouse, arguably the most famous eatery in Mussoorie and Landour. Take a stroll around Sisters’ Bazaar and Char Dukan, too, and sample delicious eats and local ware.
When to visit
Due to its location, the summer months are when Mussoorie and Landour get the most amount of tourists. The best time to visit, indeed, is April to June, to allow you to beat the summer heat of the plains. If not, even the winter months (October – February) are great times to visit this hill station.
How to get to Landour
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, from where you can hire cabs to take you to Landour. The nearest train station is also in Dehradun, while via road, the destination is easily accessible through cars, buses, and more.
Distance from Chandigarh: 205 kilometres
Distance from Delhi: 316 kilometres
Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy of Shutterstock
Related: Lockdown Birthday In Landour: A First-hand Account Of All That Can Go Wrong
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
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