Most visitors envision Uttarakhand and imagine Mussoorie when they hear about the hill stations of Uttarakhand. Mussoorie, the so-called Queen of Hills has enchanted it since time immemorial. Yet only a few kilometers of climbing will take you out of the hurly-burly, and in a quiet spot above the city, in the charming little village of Landour, is that quiet, picturesque, and leisurely retreat which seems another world altogether. Mussoorie is the bustling queen; Landour her quiet twin: subtle, gracious, eternal.
Landour is the ideal weekend getaway destination. Not a place, but a journey in tranquility, nature and nostalgia. And the best part? It is not difficult to get there, as long as you have the perfect flight booking in place, you can be in the hills within a short time.
Why Landour instead of Mussoorie?
During peak seasons, Mussoorie is usually full of people. The Mall Road, adventure parks, and shopping lanes are ideal when you want to have some lively vacations. But when your soul wants rest, days slow, mornings misty, and legacy in pine and deodar woods, Landour is the place to go.
Landour still has the vintage appeal that is not there in Mussoorie. The bungalows, ivy-clinging cottages, and the colonial churches remain tall here as well. Town contains less hotels and more homestays, boutique properties and cafes that are more personal and more intimate.
It is the type of place where you wake up to rustling leaves as opposed to honking cars and sipping coffee as clouds pass your balcony.
How to Get There
To reach Landour is simple:
- Air: The closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, only about 60 km. The cheapest flight to Dehradun is easily found in major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore. You can be in Dehradun within a few hours of making a smart flight booking with HappyEasyGo.
- By Train: Dehradun railway station is also very well connected but in case of time limit, flying is the best option.
- By Road: You can hire a cab to Mussoorie, as you leave Dehradun, and then with a slight 30 minutes uphill ride, you reach Landour.
Thus, whatever be your destinations, be it an impromptu weekend flight ticket out of Delhi or the connecting flight out of other cities, travelling to Landour is a delightful breeze.
Things to Do in Landour
Landour is a little place but has a slow charm. The following are some of the activities that must be experienced:
1. Stroll on the Landour Loop
The Landour Loop (or Chukkar) is a quiet 4 to 5 km stroll around the ridge, with excellent views of the Himalayas. On a fine day, you may even see the Gangotri range. It provides a wonderful walk past old cottages, cedar forests, and hidden cafes.
2. Visit Char Dukan
The visit to Landour is not complete without going to Char Dukan, a complex of four classic shops that serves the most basic and delicious food. These cafes are serving travelers since generations, starting with bun omelets, pancakes and ginger honey tea.
Time Travel at St. Paul Church
Constructed in the mid-19th century, this silent church is an element reminding Landour about its colonial history. The architecture and calmness will undoubtedly calm you down.
Ruskin Bond’s Trails
Landour is also the home of the fond novelist Ruskin Bond. Go down the lanes he writes so much about, and you might also meet him in the bookshop at Mussoorie on the weekends.
Sunset from Lal Tibba
The top of Landour, Lal Tibba, is 7,500 feet high. It provides one of the most stunning sunset scenes that you will ever see. Bring a hot coffee and observe the sun tinting the Himalayas with shades of orange and pink.
Cafe Hopping
Dotted with quaint cafes such as Landour Bakehouse, Emilys, and Cafe Ivy, Landour is full of these. Both serve mouth-watering food and equally beautiful sceneries. Pick not the newly baked scones and cinnamon rolls at the Bakehouse.
Where to Stay
Large hotels such as those found in Mussoorie do not exist in Landour:
Rokeby Manor: 19th century colonial estate transformed into a boutique hotel.
Ivy Cottage: A secluded summer spot in the midst of nature.
Airbnb & Homestays: It is possible that many locals rent their cottages, and Airbnb offers you an authentic Landour experience.
Whatever room you are in, count on good views, warmth, and home-like atmosphere.
The Ideal Weekend Schedule
You have a short vacation, and you are going to fly in here, so here is your weekend plan:
Day 1
In Dehradun (don’t forget that cheap flight you booked).
Get to Landour, have dinner in your hotel, and relax.
Walking on the Landour Loop in the evening and having dinner at Cafe Ivy.
Day 2
Visit Lal Tibba in the early morning and see the sunrise.
Breakfast at Char Dukan (have the pancakes).
Take a look around the Church of St. Paul and visit the Landour Bakehouse.
Eating out in small local shops selling homemade jam, cheeses and woolens.
Day 3
Breakfast in leisure overlooking the mountains.
You will fly with your head back to Dehradun.
Why Landour is a good place to spend a weekend
There is a high demand in our busy lives to find a vacation where we can take a break, relax, and reconnect both with nature and with ourselves. Landour is such an exception that he gives this in abundance. You do not have to go on a tour; just two days will give your spirit a boost.
As flight tickets to Dehradun are readily available and the road accessibility is very high, it is easy to plan a weekend getaway here. And, when you book through HappyEasyGo, you’ll get the most offers on flights and your holiday won’t leave a hole in your wallet.
Final Thoughts
Landour is not about sightseeing tours and heart-thumping escapades. It is the rise of birdsong, the reading of a book in a pine tree, enjoying a coffee view and mountain plays. Need a break that borders on therapy? This silent sibling of Mussoorie is awaiting your arrival.
The next time you scroll to find a flight booking therefore don’t only consider the destinations that are famous. Consider Landour–a kind of heaven on earth in the hills that makes the weekend a perennial vacation.
