Today’s blog post, Landour Travel Guide, divulges all the essential information for going to Landour.

My sister and I wanted to go to Landour since the beginning of the year. Finally, early this December, we crossed it off our bucket list.

We had the entire year to plan the trip. So, we researched every nook and cranny of this beautiful hamlet. We didn’t want to miss anything.

I thoroughly researched everything, so you don’t have to. Here’s a list of all the information you’ll need for a trip to Landour.

• How to reach Landour?
• When is the best time to visit?
• Must-visit places to visit
• Where to stay?
• Travel tips

HOW TO REACH LANDOUR?

The British, in 1825, established the Landour Cantonment, 3.4 km from Mussoorie.

There are three ways to reach Landour from Mussoorie– walking, self-driving, renting a bike or hiring a taxi.

WALKING

Of the three options, I would avoid walking at all costs. While the distance might seem short, it is strenuous. The road to Landour is steep.

While during the day, the market in Old Landour is bustling with activity. The evenings are different. Old Landour seems deserted when the shops in the market close for the day. Also, if you’re travelling in the winter, you don’t want to walk 3 kms in freezing temperatures.

Mussoorie and Landour are relatively safe, so don’t worry. But it’s best to be alert.

SELF-DRIVING

Self-driving is an option, but I wouldn’t recommend that. If you have your vehicle, I suggest leaving it at the hotel.

There are three reasons for that. First, the road in and to Landour is small. There are several hairpin bends en route to the cantonment.

Second, most out-of-town drivers aren’t used to driving on inclined roads and sharp bends. An SUV burned its clutch plates while driving to Landour. So, if you’re not confident, leave the car at the hotel.

Thirdly, there is a lack of parking space. Landour is a small hamlet. For private vehicles, parking charges are Rs.200 onwards. For taxis and locals, it is Rs.100.

RENTING A BIKE

The cheapest way to explore Mussoorie and Landour is by bike. Unlike a few years ago, renting bikes is quick, simple and easy. You’ll find bike rentals around every corner in Mussoorie.

Bike rentals charge around Rs.500 for a day. Scooters are cheaper compared to bikes. Charges are different for different bikes. You’ll have to discuss that with the rental shop.

As I previously alluded to the inclined road to Landour, riding bikes is just as strenuous. If you’re a confident rider, do go for it.

Also, parking for rentals costs Rs.100.

HIRING A TAXI

The easiest and hassle-free way to reach and explore Landour is by taxi. Compared to self-driving and renting a bike, it is slightly pricey.

Taxis charge Rs.1500 for the entire day. They’ll take you to Landour from Mussoorie, stop at all the tourist spots in Landour and then drive you back to Mussoorie.

If you’re a good negotiator, you might get a cheaper deal.

If you only want a one-way ride to Landour, taxis charge Rs.700-800. However, let me inform you that there are no taxis from Landour. All the vehicles you see in Landour will be those hired by tourists for the day.

Or you could do what I did.

I wanted to explore Landour at a slow pace and walk around the infinity loop.

So, I negotiated with a taxi driver (a kind man) that he could drop us off at Landour and return to pick us up at 5:30 p.m. at Lal Tibba because we wanted to wait till sunset to see the winter line. After dropping us off, he could take on other customers throughout the day.

After a long talk and negotiations, we agreed on Rs.1,100. We paid half the amount to reach Landour and the remaining after returning to Mussoorie.

In hindsight, it was stupid of us to trust that he would return to pick us up in the evening. But he did. So all was well.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT LANDOUR?

Landour is gorgeous in every season. However, before planning a trip, know which season is best.

SUMMER

Indian Summers begin in March and continue to the end of May. The temperatures are in the mid-20°s during the early months and gradually rise.

May is the hottest month. So, what better way to escape the heat than to vacation in the mountains?

Summer months equal summer holidays. Schools and colleges are closed. That means hordes of crowds escaping to the hills. Due to crowds, accommodation prices skyrocket, and queues and waiting periods at tourist places and restaurants.

If you want to avoid crowds, travel during March or early April when many schools conduct final exams in April or late May when families are busy preparing for the new school year.

MONSOON

June to September are the monsoon months. That means heavy rainfall, landslides and low temperatures.

Due to heavy rainfall, June to September is the low season. Accommodation prices are at an all-time low, and the crowds are sparse.

Travelling to the mountains during monsoon months is inadvisable. But if you plan a bit, you can avoid the heavy showers. Travel during early June, when the rains have just begun, and late September, when the monsoon clouds retreat.

OCTOBER HEAT

If you don’t know, October Heat is a real thing. After the monsoons have passed, temperatures rise drastically at the start of October, sometimes reaching 50°C then lowering towards the end.

October is shoulder season in terms of tourism. Accommodation prices are reasonable– neither too high nor too low– and tourists are fewer.

However, if you want to avoid October Heat, travel early October.

TRAVEL TIP:- Before planning, check the Diwali festival dates. Prices are high during the festival season, and tourists are many.

WINTER

November to February are the winter months. It is the best time to visit Landour.

December, January and February are the peak months. Accommodations are exceptionally high due to Christmas and New Year celebrations, and people travel in hordes.

The best time to travel during winter is November, early December, mid-January or February.

My sisters and I travelled to Mussoorie and Landour in the first week of December.

While we could have gone to Landour at any time throughout the year, we waited for winter.

Why?

That’s because winter is the only time when the winter line appears on the horizon. Landour is the only place besides Switzerland where the winter line is visible.

MUST-VISIT PLACES IN LANDOUR

Landour might seem small, but it has quite a long list of places to visit.

I spent the entire day walking around Landour and exploring the bakeries, restaurants and viewpoints. Here’s a list of must-visit places in Landour.

• Char Dukan
• Landour Bakehouse
• Cafe Ivy
• Emily’s
• Rokeby Manor
• Doma’s Inn
• Cafe de Landour
• Lal Tibba
• St. Paul’s Church
• Kellogg’s Memorial Church
• Sister’s Bazaar

The best way to explore Landour is by walking. Ask your taxis to drop you off at Char Dukan. From there, walk towards Kellogg’s Church. Stop at each place on the list before ending the day at Lal Tibba to watch the winter line.

The infinity loop covers all the places on the list. Most places are in close vicinity so you won’t have to walk long distances.

Are you heading to Landour soon? Here’s my one-day Landour itinerary.

WHERE TO STAY IN LANDOUR?

While most tourists prefer staying in Mussoorie and travelling to Landour as a day trip, there are a handful of accommodations in Landour.

Here’s a list of accommodations in Landour.

• Rokeby Manor
• Doma’s Inn
• La Villa Bethany
• The Tattva
• Light of Landour

If you’re looking for the old English charm, Rokeby Manor is the best choice. Light of Landour and The Tattva are modern established. Doma’s Inn and La Villa Bethany are guest houses/cottages.

The accommodations in Landour are expensive, so tourists prefer Mussoorie.

Here’s a list of hotels in Mussoorie.

• Romeo Lane the Courtyard
• Ramada by Wyndham
• Zone Connect by the Park
• Country Inn Premier
• Hotel Seven Oaks
• Mango Tree Courtyard
• North Wood

I stayed at Mango Tree Courtyard on Camel Back Road. I had a comfortable stay at Mango Tree. It was a short walk from the Hotel Seven Oaks.

I would give my stay 3⭐ ⭐ ⭐.

We had booked their luxury room. It was spacious and had the best view of the rising sun.

You can read my elaborate review of Mango Tree Courtyard, Mussoorie.

If you ask me, I advise staying in Mussoorie. You’ll have more options there and bustling with activity even at night. But Landour is quiet and peaceful. Unless that’s what you want.

TRAVEL TIPS

Before travelling to Landour, here are a couple of travel tips to make your trip enjoyable.

• Always negotiate taxi fares with the drivers. Note down the vehicle number and driver’s contact before getting out. It gets confusing finding your vehicle in the dark after watching the sunset.
• Carry warm clothes if you’re travelling during the winter months. I was in Landour during the first week of December. It was 2°C during the day and grew colder after 2 p.m. I was freezing by the time the sun set over the horizon.
• After heavy snowfall, the road to Landour is occasionally closed. It is a steep incline to the hamlet, and in winter, the chances of vehicles slipping on the black ice increase tenfold. So, before booking your stay, call and ask them if the road to Landour is open.
• Always pre-book your hotels, especially those travelling during the peak season, festival times, or long weekends.
• Those arriving by rental bikes or private vehicles, fuel up before heading to Landour. There are no fuel stations here. Also, I didn’t see provisions for buying loose fuel.
• The best way to explore Landour is on foot. Walk along the canopied road and spot the different houses and cafes.
• One is enough to explore Landour. However, if you’re looking for peace and quiet, a night or two in Landour sounds heavenly.
• Ruskin Bond fans, don’t forget to bring a copy of your book. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll have the chance to meet him.
• The winter line is visible from Lal Tibba only in the winter.

CONCLUSION

That brings us to the end of the Landour Travel Guide.

In the Landour Travel Guide, I’ve included all the essential information for planning a day trip to this beautiful hamlet from Mussoorie. Here’s a summary of what the guide entails.

• How to reach Landour?
• When is the best time to visit
• Must-visit places to visit
• Where to stay
• Travel tips

I hope this guide was helpful. If I missed something or you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

There is a world elsewhere.

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