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This is the travel newsletter of Untrails, a premium offbeat travel company. In this newsletter, I help you discover unique weekend getaways across India every week, so you can escape the crowds and create unforgettable experiences

Lansdowne is a hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located in the Pauri Garhwal area.

40 km from the nearest railway station, Kotdwar.

Lansdowne is the closest hill station to Delhi NCR.

But if you ask me why you should go there, I’d say for trekking, camping, birdwatching, rock climbing, and visiting museums. There are ancient Shiva temples that devotees still visit, but they are too crowded.

You can reach Lansdowne by road in about 6-7 hours from Delhi.

Lansdowne is considered offbeat because it remains less commercialised and receives far fewer tourists than popular hill stations like Mussoorie or Nainital.

It keeps the crowd away due to limited tourist infrastructure.

The town has its old-world colonial vibe, with heritage buildings, churches, and military sites maintained by the Garhwal Rifles regiment.

You’ll find pine forests, valleys, and easy hiking trails that don’t require you to come with a team.

Most importantly, strict local regulations help to protect Lansdowne’s ecological and cultural side.

What I would suggest is that if you’re going alone, you can easily catch a bus, or if you’re travelling with a small group, consider taking a tempo traveller, which will help you customise your journey to your needs.

Both daily rental and total cost are feasible. It’ll come to around 6-7k. Since you won’t find any Ola or Uber, you need to plan early.

The best way? Wake up a bit earlier on Friday, then pack your bags with essentials you won’t need later before heading to Lansdowne. So, after your office, depart for Lansdowne by tourist van or car around 9-10 PM. It’s an overnight journey (~6-7 hours from Delhi).

Optionally visit the Bhim Pakora rock formations.

Return to your hotel, check out around 3-4 PM.

Begin departure back to Delhi by tourist van/car.

Overnight journey back home, and reach early Monday morning. And enjoy your job, oops sorry!

(I won’t name any restaurant because I’ve not tried them personally.)

Travel – 1500 to 4000 by bus or train to Kolkata, 8000 to 18000 by intercity flight to Kolkata, and 800 to 1500 to reach Namkhana from Kolkata (this covers peak prices and last-minute booking situations)

Local travel – 400 to 800 (this covers ferry rides, return trips and multiple toto or van rides on the island)

Stay – 1800 to 3000 (this reflects weekend pricing for better beach camps, private huts and peak day variations)

Food – 800 to 1500 (this covers all meals for two days, including extra snacks or tea rounds at the camp)

Entry and activities – 200 to 400 (this includes bonfire, guided village walks and beach activities)

Miscellaneous – 500 to 1000 (this covers water, tips, emergency buys and small local purchases)

Total estimate – 5500 to 9000 per person by bus or train, 12000 to 25000 per person by flight, depending on season, booking time and camp quality.

Check this video by sonali_sarkar98 → Link

Check this video by travelling_sudipta → Link

Check this video by sambeetjana → Link

I hope I sorted out your plan for this weekend.

Thanks for reading.

Well, do let me know if you'd like me to find any offbeat weekend travel spots in a particular state.

I’ll see you soon.

See ya till then,

Anirban ‘helping you to enjoy Lansdowne’ Das.

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