A once cantonment town in British India, Landour with its pretty churches, cottages, winding roads and cafes is the perfect alternative to the relatively bustling Mussoorie. One can either plan a short trip in Landour or take a one day trip to Landour from Mussoorie. I explored Landour in a day and the picturesque town has my heart.I cannot wait to go back!
1) Breakfast At Char Dukan
A row of four historic cafes serving beverages and snacks for more than a century is what makes up “Char Dukan”. Landour and Char Dukan are inseparable; hence a perfect way to start your day in Landour is by having breakfast at one the cafes here. Anil’s Cafe and Tip Top Tea Shop are the two main cafes; known for their legendary Bun Omelette, Cheese Maggi, Pancakes and different varieties of tea.
2) Visit St Paul’s Church
Situated near Char Dukan is one of the oldest and historic churches of Mussoorie, the St.Paul’s Church. Reminiscent of the British era, the Anglican church was built in 1839 and first consecreated in1840.
3) Enjoy The View From Lal Tibba
Lal Tibba is the highest point of the highest peak in Mussoorie. Mesmerising views of the Himalayan mountain peaks can be witnessed from the viewpoint at Lal Tibba.
4) Take the Gol Chakkar Walk or the Landour Loop
The Gol Chakkar or Landour Loop is a famous circular walk along the winding paved mountain roads framed by majestic Deodars, Pines and Rhododendrons. One can take the walk from either end and cross the Lal Tibba, Kellog Memorial Church, Sister Bazar, Char Dukan. This tranquil mountain walk is a must do activity in Landour.
5) Visit Kellog Memorial Church
Built as a Presbyterian Church in 1903,the Kellog Memorial Church was also home to the Landour Language School where the British used to learn Hindi. The Language school is still operation inside the church complex. Highly instagrammable, this church is currently a landmark of Landour.
6) Shop For Souvenirs At Sisters Bazar
A small market which derives its name from the nuns who used to work in the British dormitories as nurses, Sisters Bazar is a quaint lane lined with cottages and shops, the notable and landmark ones being Prakash Stores known for Peanut Butter, Fruit Jam, Mint Chutney; Prakash Handicrafts for the local handicraft items and Landour Bakehouse for the baked goods and confectionary. Pro Tip – Prakash’s homemade Peanut Butter and Landour Jams are must buy souvenirs from Landour!!
7) Enjoy Baked Delights At Landour Bakehouse
This cozy, rustic and delightful patisserie is so popular that you will almost certainly find a queue waiting outside. Currently synonymous with the beautiful town of Landour, this English style bakehouse serves some of the best baked goods ever. If you manage to get a table, do try their Rose and Almond Cake, Orange Marmalade Cake, Cinnamon Rolls and Scones.
8) Grab An Authentic Tibetan Meal At Doma’s Inn
When it comes to eating at Landour, a place which comes highly recommended for its colourful Tibetan decor and authentic Tibetan cuisine is Doma’s Inn in Ivy Cottage. Eating at this place is an experience in itself and one must try the Tibetan Sha Phaley from their menu.
9) Walk By Ivy Cottage and You might bump into Ruskin Bond
If you too have grown up reading Ruskin Bond’s stories, then you would definitely want to take a walk along Ivy Cottage, the humble abode of the veteran author and the place from where he created most of his work. There is a small chance you might bump into him 😊
10) Get A Photoshoot Done In 10 minutes
Just next to the Lal Tibba viewpoint, we encountered a photographer offering his services. Initially uninterested at getting typical touristy photos clicked, after much convincing we gave it a try and let me tell you we were glad we went for it. This talented photographer did an amazing photoshoot with us in less than 10 minutes and the results were nothing short of professional. Do give it a try if you enjoy getting clicked too 😊
How To Reach Landour
I visited Landour twice from Mussoorie. The first day, we hired a local taxi for a round trip from Mall Road to Landour for INR 1500. The next day, we took a rickshaw till the end of Mall Road and hiked all the way to Landour in about an hour’s time.
Where To Stay In Landour
Although I stayed in Mussoorie, if you are planning to book your stay in the twin town of Landour, you can opt for the below places depending on your budget and type of trip.
- Rokeby Manor which is a popular heritage stay
- Doma’s Inn in Ivy Cottage with its bright and tastefully decorated rooms is another popular choice of stay in Landour
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Talk soon,
Isha
The Sassy Tiara 