Kotdwar to Lansdowne: Route, Taxis, Stays and Where to Stop
Almost everyone who goes to Lansdowne passes through Kotdwar. The town is the last stop on the railway and the last big market before the climb, so it's where you hire your taxi, fill your tank and pick up anything you forgot.
Distance and time
Lansdowne is about 40 km from Kotdwar. The drive usually takes an hour to an hour and a half.
The first 15 km to Dugadda run along the Khoh river and are fairly gentle. After Dugadda the road turns uphill and gets properly hilly: narrow, with plenty of hairpin bends. Go slowly, honk on blind turns and give way to vehicles coming uphill.
Ways to get there
Shared jeep or taxi
Shared jeeps run from Kotdwar towards Lansdowne through the day and leave when they're full. They're cheap but not comfortable for big bags. For a family, a private taxi makes more sense.
These are the highest-rated cab services in and around Kotdwar right now:
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Uttarakhand Travel Solutions
Manpur · near Shivpur chaurah, Manpur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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NIRANKARI TOUR AND TRAVELS
Shivpur · chauk, near manpur, Shivpur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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Tadkeshwar Tour and travel cab service
Kura Range · The Terrace a family resturent, Market road, Lansdowne, Kura Range, Uttarakhand 246155
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Rinku tour & travels
Jhanda Chowk · big boss garments, Gangadat Joshi marg, Jhanda Chowk, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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MAHI TAXI SERVICES KOTDWAR
Balasaur · behind motherland school, Balasaur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
Ask for the fare up front and check whether it includes waiting time and a return trip. All taxi services in Kotdwar.
Rented bike or scooty
Riding up is popular, and several shops in Kotdwar rent bikes and scooties by the day. You'll need your driving licence and an ID, and many shops ask for a deposit.
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DEVVANI TOUR AND TRAVELS, AND BIKE ON RENT KOTDWARA - LANSDOWNE
Motor Nagar · Motor Nagar, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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Mount bike scootey rental service
Mandakini Nagar · Najibabad road, near Allahabad Bank, Mandakini Nagar, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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Vaayu rentals
Kalabarh · Upper, kalabarh degree college road, near parmilla nursing home, opposite Pramila hospital, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
More on bike and scooty rentals in Kotdwar.
Your own car
Fill up in Kotdwar before you leave. Pumps get scarce after Dugadda. Petrol pumps in Kotdwar.
Stops on the way
- Durga Devi Mandir. A cave temple beside the river on the Dugadda road. Short stop, worth it.
- Kotdwar View Point. For a look back over the town before you climb.
- Dugadda. Small market town, good for tea and a break before the bends.
- Roadside cafes on the Lansdowne road. A few have great views and good ratings, like The Terrace in Kura Range.
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THE TERRACE A FAMILY RESTORENT
Kura Range · Kura Range, Uttarakhand 246155
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Deep Da Dhaba
Kura Range · RMJC+CFV, Kotdwar - Lansdowne Rd, Kura Range, Uttarakhand 246155
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Gadwali Resturent
Kura Range · RMHF+J64, Kura Range, Uttarakhand 246155
Where to stay in Lansdowne
Lansdowne itself is a quiet army cantonment, and most stays are spread out on the roads around it. These are the best-rated options right now, ranked by Google rating and number of reviews:
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SB Mount Resort
Lansdowne · Post Office-Fatehpur, District - Pauri, Village-Rauthan Bilangi, Lansdowne, Uttarakhand 246155
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THE SHALAM RESORT
Bilasu · Tushrani, Lansdowne, Bilasu, Uttarakhand 246155
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Winterfell
Utircha · Lansdowne, Bharat Nagar, Utircha, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246127
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Aranyam hills
Charekha · Charekha, Charekh Lansdowne road, near Lansdowne, Kotdwar, Charekha, Uttarakhand 246127
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The Umri Lansdowne
Lansdowne · The Umri Village Umari Khal (Purana Tollbar Busstop, near GUPS Umrikhal Post office, Lansdowne, Uttarakhand 246155
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Eden RiverSide Camp Lansdowne
Fatehpur · Rauthan Bhilangi, PO, Fatehpur, Lansdowne, Uttarakhand 246155
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Hotel Prince Valley
Lansdowne · Farsula, Lansdowne, Uttarakhand 246155
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Corbett Riviera
Lansdowne · Corbett Riviera, Jogi Bilangi, Kotdwar - Lansdowne Rd, Lansdowne, Uttarakhand 246155
Browse all places in and around Lansdowne.
What to see in Lansdowne
Lansdowne is the home of the Garhwal Rifles, and most of what you'll see is connected to the regiment. Bhulla Tal, a small lake, is easy for families. Tip-in-Top gives you a view of the snow peaks on a clear day, and the old churches and the war memorial are a short walk apart. Keep in mind that photography isn't allowed in some cantonment areas, and gates close at fixed times.
Practical tips
- Leave Kotdwar by 9 am in peak season so you're not driving the bends in afternoon traffic.
- Carry cash. Lansdowne has ATMs, but they sometimes run dry on long weekends. ATMs in Kotdwar.
- In monsoon, check road status before going. Landslides can block the road for a few hours.
- Winter mornings can be foggy near Dugadda. Use low beams and take it slow.
Common questions about Kotdwar to Lansdowne
How far is Lansdowne from Kotdwar?
About 40 km by road, via Dugadda. It usually takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
Is there a bus from Kotdwar to Lansdowne?
There are a few roadways and private buses, but shared jeeps and taxis are far more frequent and reliable.
Can I rent a scooty in Kotdwar for Lansdowne?
Yes. Several rental shops in Kotdwar rent bikes and scooties by the day. Carry your licence and an ID.
Which is the nearest railway station to Lansdowne?
Kotdwar is the nearest railway station to Lansdowne. The Siddhbali Jan Shatabdi runs daily from Old Delhi. See Delhi to Kotdwar options.
Spotted a wrong number or a place we missed? Email kotdwarauk15@zohomail.in and we will fix it.