I didn’t plan to fall in love with Lansdowne. I didn’t even plan to go there.

It all started with a canceled trip to Manali and a friend’s casual remark — “Why not try Lansdowne? It’s quiet. Untouched. Cheap.” I had never even heard of it properly, but something about how she said it made me curious.

So I packed my bag, took a bus from Delhi, and let the mountains decide the rest.

First Impressions

The moment I reached Lansdowne, it felt like someone had turned the volume down on the world. No honking cars, no overpacked streets. Just pine trees, misty roads, and a strange kind of peace that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

The town was small — like, really small. But it had a soul. There weren’t fancy cafes or big-name resorts. Just a few homestays, tiny shops selling bun-butter-chai, and locals who greeted you with a smile that didn’t feel forced.

Where I Stayed On My “Lansdowne Budget Trip”

I found this little homestay near Tip N Top — ₹800 a night, with a room that smelled like old wood and warm blankets. The aunty who ran it treated me like her own child. She made aloo parathas every morning and served them with pickles and stories.

One night, it rained. No network, no noise. Just me, a cup of chai, and the sound of rain on a tin roof.

That moment? I’ve chased it on every other trip since. Still haven’t found it.

The Places I Wandered

I didn’t do much “touristy” stuff. Sure, I visited Bhulla Tal Lake and sat at St. John’s Church for a while. But mostly, I walked. A lot.

The roads in Lansdowne are made for slow walks. I’d walk with no destination in mind, following dogs, watching kids play cricket on empty patches of land, stopping to admire trees I couldn’t name.

Once, I stumbled upon a small hill where the view just opened up — valleys, clouds, and that golden kind of silence you only get in hill towns. I sat there for hours.

Why It Meant So Much

Lansdowne wasn’t just a travel destination. It was a pause. In a world that runs too fast, this place taught me how to stop. How to be okay with doing nothing. How to appreciate silence.

I didn’t spend a lot — probably under ₹2500 for the whole trip, including travel, stay, food, and small souvenirs. But what do I get in return? Peace, clarity, and a story I still think about on bad days.

Would I Recommend It?

If you’re looking for wild nightlife or Instagrammable cafes, skip Lansdowne. But if you’re tired, burnt out, or just need a place to breathe, go.

Go with no plans. Talk to locals. Drink more chai than you need. Walk without maps. Let the hills surprise you.

Because sometimes, the best trips are the ones you never planned.