Wonder why a place so beautiful doesn’t get talked about a lot? It’s because Landour is every bit magical for you to even believe that it is real. And of course, the locals love their peace and haven’t commercialized this small town just yet. Come walk with us while we show you around the very mystical town of Landour and don’t forget to grab your checklist! You have a lot to tick off your bucket list.

Relive the Magic of the British Colonial Old World Charm at this small town tucked away in the mountains of Mussoorie.

So where is Landour situated exactly?

Landour is a small town in Mussoorie, at a 35km distance from Dehradun located in Uttarakhand. At just 5kms from the main Mussoorie Bazaar, Landour is at a beautifully walkable distance. The small town reflects British colonial beauty everywhere you see as Landour was and even today is a cantonment town. Mussoorie- Landour together are crowned as the ‘Queen of the Hills’. It is said that Landour was named after ‘Llandowror’ a village in South Wales. We are sure the Britishers loved their time here and we assure you, you will too.

• How to Reach Landour: A direct train or bus from New Delhi is available to reach Landour that covers a 290km distance. One can also take a flight from Delhi Airport to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun that takes about 40 minutes to get there. Further one can take a cab or bus to Landour that takes 90 minutes to reach.

• The Best time to visit Landour: April to June as the weather around that time is more preferred by tourists. Or else, August and September if you wish to witness it during rainfall

Places you should visit and activities that you should take up when in Landour:

As you walk through the small town of Landour, you can take in the scenic beauty of this hill station full of picturesque greenery even as it never receives any rainfall. Strangely so in Uttarakhand, but Landour receives heavy rainfall so you should plan your trip around the best time to visit the hill station.

Every other hill station would feel overrated when compared to the simple, minimalistic elegance of Landour. You can feel the cozy warmth of the mountains, And the fresh flora and fauna around. However, what stands out the most is the hospitality of the locals around. 

Let’s have a quick look at the highlights of visiting Landour and places that you should certainly visit here:

Char Dukan (the oldest 4 shops of the town):

All the walking must make you hungry. If you want to relish a few English breakfast treats like Banana Nutella Pancakes, cinnamon waffles, and freshly baked pan pizzas, the Char Dukan area is your best shot at it. These age-old shops are a famous spot amongst foreign tourists to indulge in yummy treats and to try their luck at learning Hindi.

Ivy Cottage (the house where magic brewed):

The house where Ruskin Bond wrote the novels that filled our lives with magic. Ivy Cottage. That’s all we have to tell you. Just saying that as you walk to and stand across the street opposite Ivy Cottage, you realize the settings mentioned in his Novels. This very magical town of Landour.

St. Paul Church:

Love is in the air and it is as historic as it gets. This church built in 1839 is the same church where Jim Corbett’s parents got married. This Anglican church is one of the most historic and ancient churches of Mussoorie.

Kellogg’s Church:

A common site in yesteryears was how Indians were taught English. However, ever heard of Britishers being taught Hindi? Well, Kellogg’s Church was one such rare place. Dr. Samuel H Kellogg started a school here where the British learned the basics of Hindi. What is also notable- the gothic architecture and the beautifully blended nature setting of the church.

Prakash Store:

Did you know that Landour also has a lot of American influence and was the first place in India to make peanut butter? Well, you can get your hands on the age-old recipes of peanut butter, jams, and marmalades made out of fresh produce. The Prakash store is the perfect place to buy some for home and friends and family.

Now that was a tiring foot journey indeed. But what could come in handy? The backpacking essentials and supplies that you carry with you.

• Backpacking essentials: Always remember to carry boots with rigid grip, a local map, a portable charger, and an umbrella or raincoat would be extremely thoughtful if you visit during rainy days. Always have plenty of cash and currency and do not rely on plastic or digital money a lot.

Phew! That was quite something, wasn’t it? But with everything pre-planned and taken care of by us, all you have to do is get your backpack and head out to Landour and enjoy the experience it offers.

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