Surrounded by motorable roads, Lansdowne is a tiny hill station perched at a height of 1,700 meters in the state of Uttarakhand. It is home to elegantly conspicuous old-world charm that the British left behind when they made this hill station one of their many summer getaways. Nowadays, it serves as the most serene and untouched place any traveler can visit, as well as the headquarters of the Garhwal Rifles infantry regiment. There are some of the most gorgeous and pristine sceneries and experiences hidden in this town and it is small enough that you can explore the whole place on foot!
When you have the option of making your travels authentic to that extent, why not take it one step further and make your stay as close to a local’s as possible? Well, you can stay in the house of one of the many friendly homestay hosts in the area. Here’s a list of the best homestays in Lansdowne to get started! That being said, Uttarakhand has a few more jewels sprinkled throughout. Check them out! Top 7 Things To Do In Uttarakhand.
Arguably the biggest property of its kind in the town of Lansdowne, Samskara & Samsara Homestay is much more of an experience than an accommodation. As soon as you enter the gates of this homestay, you’re welcomed by a beautiful garden and the neighboring Deodar forests that go on for miles. There are a few trails that go through the forest that allow you to explore it. We do recommend you to beware, though. There’s a lot of wildlife that call this forest home and you might come face to face with a monkey, wild boar, or a leopard. The safest and arguably the best bet is to ask the staff at the homestay to arrange a guided forest hike, which is a service they have.
There’s also a dedicated bonfire pit with a circular concrete stage around it. With the amount of space in the garden around this, you have a lot of space to play, run around, or just kick back for a while. The hosts of Samskara & Samsara Homestay also grow a selection of fruits and plants. You are free to pluck any growing fruits and you can even buy some plants to take home!
Once you’re done with all the frolicking and want to go to bed, you get three choices as to where the bed is. There are family rooms, suites, and glamping tents. All the rooms are of modern and minimal design, and all accommodations have the amenities that would make for a comfortable stay. One interesting thing about this homestay is that there is a cowshed on the property that has been converted into a bar. This bar also happens to be the oldest one in town and the aesthetics of this place are incomparable. If you’re traveling with people who wouldn’t mind an excursion like this one, definitely check Samskara & Samsara Homestay out!
Food Availability: The staff at the homestay does provide food. However, there is a restaurant on site that you can visit as well.
Accessibility: The closest airport is Dehradun Airport at about 64 kms, while the closest railway station is Kotdwar Railway Station, about 35 kms away. Once you get to either of the places, you can easily find a bus to take you to the town, or a cab to directly get you to the homestay.
Ideal For: Families, couples.
Pet Friendliness: This property does allow pets. There is ample space for them to play around and relax. However, we recommend you talk to the homestay staff/hosts about your pet's bathroom needs and take care of them accordingly.
Rate: Starts at INR 2,016 per night.
Location: Kotdwar Road, Upper Gounu, Lansdowne.
Also Read: Best Historical Places In Uttarakhand
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly place in the town of Lansdowne, Royal’s is a great place to start looking. This homestay puts you right in the center of the city and has parking on premises, taking away a big part of your concerns just like that. All the rooms in this homestay have all the necessary amenities, including attached bathrooms, at the ready. However, prices will differ depending on whether your room has a balcony and whether it faces the mountains.
Royal’s is a family-run business, and you can expect a very homely feeling when you stay here. The best part is, since you’re literally living with a local family, you get an insight into life in Lansdowne that you wouldn’t if you stayed at a hotel. You can also get delicious home-cooked food. However, you have to let the hosts know of it beforehand.
The best part is, since this homestay puts you in the middle of the city, you have a lot of places like St. Mary’s Church, Tiffin Top, and Sunset Point in close proximity. All of these factors have made Royal’s Homestay a favorite among the couples visiting the beautiful little hill station called Lansdowne.
Food Availability: Hosts provide meals if informed beforehand. However, you can visit one of the many restaurants in the Lansdowne Market, which is also close to this property.
Accessibility: The closest airport is Dehradun Airport, while the closest railway station is the Kotdwar Railway Station. Local taxis ply to and from both of the locations and are relatively affordable.
Ideal For: Couples.
Pet Friendliness: This property does not allow pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 950 per night.
Location: Near Hydil Colony, Jaiharikhal, Pauri Garhwal, 246193 Lansdowne.
Also Read: Best Homestays In Haridwar
Located in the gorgeous and serene village of Jaihari, Ullar Homestay is the place you want to go to for a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of a tourist town. In fact, this village is far away enough from the crowded parts of Lansdowne where the number of people in the main town also seems like a crowd.
As soon as you get here, you’re in the company of a regal house. The house that Ullar Homestay offers is a stone and wood building with traditional architecture. There are rooms on the ground and the first floor. However, you can also choose to stay in a stand-alone villa that serves as the private room in this homestay. All the rooms have whites, off-whites, and wood all over them and feel peaceful. You also get private sit-outs with every room and one shared sun deck!
The host of this homestay goes by the name of Vicky Rawat and is known to be a foodie. He will experiment with, share, cook, and talk food with the guests all day long. This makes the breakfasts that the homestay offers just a little more exciting. One thing that stands out in this homestay is that all the rooms, especially the private one, make the perfect spot for a workation. You have peace, quiet, and WiFi! Moreover, you can set your workspace to look at the landscape surrounding the homestay and zone out to the beautiful wildlife during a boring meeting.
Food Availability: There is food provided on the property. However, the Lansdowne Market is only 15 minutes away on foot and you can find excellent options there.
Accessibility: Ullar Homestay is about 60 kms away from Dehradun Airport, while it is around 39 kms away from Kotdwar Railway Station.
Ideal For: Individuals, families.
Pet Friendliness: This property does not allow pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 7,500 per night.
Location: Jaihari Village, Jaihari-Parinda Road, Lansdowne.
Also Read: Best Affordable Homestays In Rishikesh
Located far away from prying eyes, Jai Hari Jungle Homestay is the definition of every claim that its name makes. Located in the lap of beautiful Deodar forests that surround this single-storied place, it has all the things and vibes to make it feel like a home away from home. As isolated and far-away this place might sound, it is about 10 minutes out of the main part of Lansdowne, down the Meerut-Pauri National Highway.
Once you get here, you have four types of rooms to choose from: standard, deluxe, suite, and penthouse. Regardless of which room you choose, you get an attached sit-out that faces the beauty of Uttarakhand’s green cover in every direction. When it comes to the food, the hosts in this homestay are known to provide delicious home-cooked food upon request. Moreover, you can also ask the staff at the homestay to arrange a bonfire and BBQ for you.
If you’re the kind to mind the smell of smoke, ask the hosts to give you a room away from the smoking areas on the premises. They have made sure to be accommodating to as many people as possible and they will respect your wishes.
Food Availability: There is delicious homemade food available on-site. We recommend the food the hosts provide as it is a great example of the local cuisine.
Accessibility: The closest airport to Lansdowne is the Dehradun Airport, which happens to be about 60 kms away, while the closest railway station is Kotdwar, which is about 38 kms away. You can get a bus, or a private taxi to take you to Lansdowne.
Ideal For: Couples, groups.
Pet Friendliness: This property does not allow pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 3,124 per night.
Location: Jaiharikhal, Lansdowne.
Also Read: Dehradun Travel Guide
Northern Peak Homestay is another peaceful homestay that you can experience for not a lot of money. It is located about 5 kms away from the Lansdowne Market, making it easy for you to go out and about the town without a lot of effort. Once you get here, you get to stay in a room with a balcony that looks over the garden in the estate and the mountains beyond it.
The host, Rohit, is available over calls and text and makes some amazing food from the local produce. The family is also residing in the same homestay, but there is no shared space between the family and the guests. This homestay also offers WiFI to all the guests staying here, making it a favorite amongst the ones visiting for a workation.
In fact, whether you’re traveling with a group of friends, with your family, or alone, this place lets you stay close to all the attractions for cheap. Moreover, Northern Peak has quite a bit of wildlife and birds visiting the area. So, a lot of travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, and birdwatchers choose to stay here.
Food Availability: Local food is home-cooked and served to the guests on request. A kitchen is also available for the guests to cook for themselves.
Accessibility: This homestay happens to be around 61 kms from Dehradun Airport and about 40 kms from Kotdwar Railway Station. You can easily board a bus or get a cab to take you to and from the town and your preferred mode of travel.
Ideal For: Individuals, families. This property does not allow unmarried couples.
Pet Friendliness: This property does not allow pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 2,218 per night.
Location: Sauli, Lansdowne.
Also Read: Best Homestays In Mussoorie
Valley View is one of the most well-known homestays in the city. A fair bit of the credit for this goes to the beautiful location and the amazing host that this homestay has. However, the location, the simplicity, and the feeling of living with the locals are bigger reasons why this place is so famous.
As soon as you get here, you are greeted by a beautiful garden that surrounds the house. There is ample parking space, however, you will be charged a nominal fee for using it. The entire place is air-conditioned and you can choose to have the a-la-carte breakfast that the hosts serve.
The best part of this homestay, other than its price, is the view. While a majority of the homestays in the area bank on the views of the mountains, you get a pretty good view of the town of Lansdowne. In our opinion, this view has a charm of its own.
Food Availability: The hosts offer delicious food on request. However, there are specific time frames for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accessibility: This place is around 39 kms away from Kotdwar Railway Station and about 58 kms from Dehradun Airport.
Ideal For: Families, groups.
Pet Friendliness: This property does not allow pets.
Rate: Starts at INR 1,910 per night.
Location: Jaiharikhal, Lansdowne.
Also Read: Kedarnath Travel Guide
Summing Up
Lansdowne is a really tiny town in the lap of the Himalayan Mountains. It is perched high up and away from the crowds of the more tourist-centric places in the area. This has helped the town to maintain its untouched natural beauty. Once you get to this hill station, we recommend you experience the beauty in the most authentic way possible. The best way to do that is to live like a local and homestays allow you to do just that. So, see which one you like best and have fun!
Is Lansdowne Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! This is a tiny town away from crowds of all sorts and gives you the chance to not only disconnect from your daily life, but also to connect with nature. It is a splendidly serene place and you should definitely go there once.
Why Is Lansdowne Famous?
Lansdowne is known as one of the quietest hill stations in the country. However, the one thing that can add more glory to this place is the command office of the Garhwal Rifles division of the Indian Army.
Which Month Is Best For Lansdowne?
In our opinion, the best months to visit this hill station are between November and February, when the hill station experiences winter. You will get to see locals in heavy winter clothing and if you’re lucky, you also might see snowfall!
What Are Some Of The Best Homestays In Lansdowne?
Some of the best homestays in Lansdowne are Samskara & Samsara Homestays, Royal’s Homestay, Ullar Homestay, Jai Hari Jungle Homestay, Northern Peak Homestay, and Valley View Homestay.
How Many Days Are Enough In Lansdowne?
You'll need to explore this little town at your own pace and for that, a minimum of 2 days will be enough to cover its major attractions.
How Far Is Lansdowne From Delhi?
Lansdowne is 280 km away from Delhi by road.
How Far Is Lansdowne From Dehradun?
Lansdowne is 170 km away from Dehradun by road.
How Far Is Lansdowne From Kotdwar?
Lansdowne is 38 km away from Kotdwar.
