Kamal Dabral, student of Saksham Sanchar Foundation shared his travel experience with a travel blog. Read more to know in detail about the experience.
Travel to adventurous mountains natural beauty and wildlife for relaxation and enjoy the peace and calmness of nature is a preferred plan for me.
Last year I travelled to Lansdowne, a hill station in Pauri Garhwal District of Uttrakhand.
TRAVEL PLAN :
Reach Delhi by Air, Rail of Road . Alternatively one may reach Dehradun first.
Delhi to Kotdwara (Only one Train Garhwal Express is available, but buses are frequently available form Anand Vihar Bus Terminal). From Dehraduu one may hire taxi to Kotdwara or Lansdowne .
Kotdwara to Lansdowne (Private Taxi is the most preferred means in the Summers as most of the Private Busses are already booked for Char Dham Yatra and Governement Buses are one a few).
Travel Time :
There are two seasons : Summer (March to June) and Winter (September to February) . Travelling during Rainy season (July and August) is not advisable because of increased landslides.
Precautions :
- You should be prepared to face sub zero temperatures if planning to visit during December to Mid of February.
- Hilly Roads may cause uneasiness in some of the persons. Take precautions and carry medicines if you have one of such problems.
- The roads may be blocked because of landslides and you may face traffic jam. Remember shops are far and few in such terrain.
- Always carry water and fruits. Try to avoid fast food or junk food. Eat healthy and stay safe as at certain places even medical facilities are difficult to find.
Stay :
Home Stay, Resorts and Hotels all are available. You may choose one according to your budget.
Make sure you have advance booking specially during the Summers when there is long queues of traveler buses, taxies and cars on the roads.
If you are staying in a village, get beforehand knowledge of surroundings. Take help of Locals to have knowledge of paths taken by elephants.
Avoid roaming after dusk on isolated places, forests etc. as wild animals specially tigers may be looking for prey.
Don’t drive on hilly roads during night unless you are an expert drivers of the terrain.
Places to Visit :
Lansdowne is a small peaceful place. It is safe as it is a Contonment as well. It is a small place, therefore, you may visit all the tourist spots during your weekends.
Santoshi Mata Temple
This is a place of worship and you must be fit enough to climb a small steep distance as vehicles can’t get you to the temple but will drop you at around 100 feet down. There are no so called priests and the upkeep is done by the locals and the Army.
The best time to visit the Temple is evening as a beautiful Sunset can be watched.
Darwan Singh Museum (Army Museum)
Named after the First Victoria Cross recipient of the Garhwal Rifles Darwan Singh Negi, the Museum preserves the rarest memories of the Garhwal Rifles.
Bhulla Tal
‘Bhulla’ in local language means ‘Brother’. This is an artificially made lake. It is surrounded by some small restaurants and is equipped with boating facility.
St. Mary’s Church
More than 125 years old this Church faced degradation and was closed in 1047. Now it has now been converted from a preaching centre into a museum with pre-independence photographs on display.
Tip-n-Top
Also known as Tiffin Top, Tip-n-Top is located at an altitude of 1800 meters and gives a spectacular view of the of the vast forests and Garhwal Hills with the Himalayas in the background.
Tarkeshwar Siddhapeeth
About one hour drive from Lansdowne will take you to Tarkeshwar Siddhapeeth. It is located at an Altitude of 1800 meters nested among deodar trees, this temple of Lord Shiva is believed to be 1,500 years old. Unlike other well known Hindu Temples it is a peaceful, noiseless place of worship. One needs to trek only 500 meters from road to reach here.
Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple
Situated at 1.5 kms from Lansdowne Market, this temple of Lord Shiva is named after Saint Kalun who meditated here.
Lansdowne Market Road
Lansdowne is a small town. Its market offers everything of daily needs. Some of which may be an entirely new thing for the visitors and they may like to keep those things as souvenir.
Things to Do :
In addition to Visiting Tourist Spots, you may do hiking, trekking and camping.