Lansdowne's sights fit in one day by cab. Start with the forest walk to Bhairavgarhi Temple above Kirtikhal, about 18 km out, in the cool of the morning. Then come back for Bhulla Tal, the army's lake, lunch, the steps up to Santoshi Mata Temple, and Tip-in-Top, the viewpoint, in the afternoon. The Garhwal Rifles museum is worth an hour if you can find it open; much of the rest of the cantonment is closed to visitors.
Each plan is a real route by cab, timed against opening hours.
Call or message a local Lansdowne operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
We are still listing Lansdowne operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.
With the best time to go and how long to stay.
| Place | Open | Best time | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhairavgarhi Temple | About 08:00 to 18:00? | Morning, before the sun is high on the climb. | 2 h 30 min |
| Bhulla Tal | About 09:00 to 17:00 (listings give 08:00 or 09:00 to 17:00 or 18:00)? | Midday or early afternoon, when it is warm by the water. | 1 h |
| Santoshi Mata Temple | Open all day; planned in daylight? | Afternoon, on the way to Tip-in-Top. | 40 min |
| Tip-in-Top | About 08:30 to sunset; planned to 17:30, the winter sunset? | Late afternoon, or early morning when the snow peaks are clearest. | 30 min |
| St Mary's Church | About 09:00 to 17:00; several guides say it opens only at weekends? | A weekend morning, when it is most likely to be open. | 30 min |
| Langoorgarhi Temple | No listed hours; go in daylight? | Morning, as part of a longer walk from Bhairavgarhi. | 2 h |
A temple to Bhairav, the guardian of Garhwal, on a hilltop above Kirtikhal village, about 18 km from Lansdowne by road. You walk up a forest path of about 2 km from the road, and the top looks out over the ridges on every side.
In the 1-day planA small lake in a garden, built and still looked after by the army. There are paddle boats, ducks and a short path round the water. Bhulla means younger brother in Garhwali, a name for the young soldiers of the regiment.
In the 1-day planA small temple on a hilltop at the edge of town, reached by about 150 to 200 steps from the Tip-in-Top side. The view from the top takes in the town and the valley below.
In the 1-day planLansdowne's best viewpoint, on a ridge at the edge of the cantonment, also called Tiffin Top. On a clear day you see a long line of snow peaks to the north, and the valleys fall away below.
In the 1-day planA stone church from 1895, built by the British for the cantonment. It no longer holds services and is kept as a small museum with old photos of the town and the regiment.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.A Hanuman temple on the next peak west of Bhairavgarhi, joined to it by a forest path of about 2 km along the ridge.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.Yes. The Garhwal Rifles regimental museum is in the cantonment and opens about 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, with a small fee. It is not in the day plan because we have no reliable map point for it; ask the driver, who will know the gate. Follow the photo rules posted inside.
Usually not. Incredible India lists the Garhwal Rifles war memorial as closed to the public, and other visitors found the gate locked. Much of the cantonment is off limits for sightseeing, so stay on the public roads.
If you have a second morning. The Shiva temple sits in deodar forest about 36 to 38 km from Lansdowne by road, with a short walk down steps from the road. It makes a half-day trip there and back.
Guides disagree. Several say it opens only at weekends, others every day from about 09:00 to 17:00. It is on the road to Tip-in-Top, so look in on the way.
October to February for clear views of the snow peaks, and March to June for mild days. July and August bring heavy rain and landslides on the hill roads. Winter nights are cold, with frost and sometimes light snow in January.
Siddhbali Temple, by the river in Kotdwar, is the usual stop on the drive up. Kotdwar is 39 km below Lansdowne and the last town before the hill road.