Lansdowne Weekend Getaway: A Corporate Escape Guide

Sometimes the best trips are the unplanned ones. In our case, it wasn’t exactly unplanned—it was more of an “Excel sheet by day, road trip by night” situation. Straight from the office at 11 PM, with laptops still in our bags and ties barely loosened, a bunch of us colleagues-turned-friends decided to hit the road for Lansdowne, Uttarakhand - A perfect weekend getaway from Delhi. And that’s how our adventure began.

The Midnight Departure

Leaving directly from the office had its perks—we avoided going home, where parents and partners could talk us out of this “brilliant” plan. By 11:30 PM, our convoy of cars was zooming out of Delhi NCR, fueled by adrenaline, Google Maps, and the collective excitement of escaping the corporate jungle.

But no road trip is complete without the holy grail of pit stops: the midnight dhaba. Somewhere on the highway, under dim tube lights, we found our savior—hot chai, samosas, and namkeen. At that moment, it wasn’t about filling our stomachs, it was about fueling our souls. Standing in the cool night breeze, sipping chai out of paper cups, we laughed at how absurdly spontaneous this was.

Early Morning Arrival: Sleep > Sunrise

Around 6 AM, we rolled into Lansdowne. The mist, pine forests, and chirping birds welcomed us—but so did the bone-crushing tiredness. Forget trekking or sunrise photography, our first activity in Lansdowne was unanimously: sleep. We checked into the hotel, shut the curtains, and went into hibernation mode.

Exploring Lansdowne: Churches, Lakes & Mall Road Magic

Post our beauty naps, we finally decided to play tourist. Lansdowne may not be the most “happening” hill station, but that’s its charm—quiet, clean, and refreshingly calm.

• St. John’s Church gave us a moment of peace (and great group pictures).
• Bhulla Tal Lake had us rowing boats while pretending we were in Switzerland.
• The War Memorial at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre reminded us of the history and valor tied to this small town.

By lunchtime, hunger dragged us to Mall Road. Now, Mall Roads in hill stations are always special, but Lansdowne’s had just the right mix of cozy eateries and small shops. We devoured parathas, momos, and Maggi like we’d trekked all morning (spoiler: we hadn’t). A little bit of shopping later—keychains, fridge magnets, and scarves nobody really needed—we headed back, feeling like accomplished travelers.

Evening Antics: Drinks, Games & Drama

If you think sightseeing was the highlight, think again. Evenings in Lansdowne, with friends, are a whole different adventure. Armed with cards, board games, and bottles of liquid courage, we gathered in the hotel lounge. The atmosphere went from friendly banter to competitive yelling to philosophical drinking to—well—puking.

Yes, a few colleagues went overboard and spent the night bonding with washbasins instead of us. As for me, I stuck to my “responsible traveler” badge and drifted into the most peaceful sleep of my life while chaos unfolded in nearby rooms.

The Great Hangover Return

Morning greeted us with a buffet breakfast. For some, it was a hearty meal of chhole bhature and omelets. For others, it was more of a staring contest with their plates. Post check-out, we began our drive back to Delhi. While some of us laughed, sang, and shared memes, others spent the journey muttering “never again” with every speed bump.

By the time we re-entered Delhi, we had two things: unforgettable memories and an unspoken rule—next trip, fewer drinks, more Maggi. (Though we all know that rule will be broken soon).

Travel Guide: Lansdowne in a Nutshell

• Best Time to Visit: March to June: Pleasant weather, ideal for exploring, October to February: Cold, misty mornings, perfect if you like cozy vibes.
• How to Reach?: Around 6–7 hours from Delhi, depending on traffic, pit stops, and how many bathroom breaks your group demands.
• Vibe: Quiet, green, less crowded than Nainital or Mussoorie—perfect for a peaceful getaway with a touch of adventure.

Budget & Costs 💸

A quick breakdown of what a 2-day Lansdowne trip from Delhi might cost you (per person, in a group of 4–5):

• Fuel & Tolls: ₹1,200–1,500 (split among carmates).
• Hotel Stay: ₹1,500–2,500 per night (mid-range, decent hotels).
• Food: ₹1,000–1,500 (dhaba stops + Mall Road lunch + snacks).
• Sightseeing & Activities: Mostly free! Entry tickets/boating add up to about ₹200–300.
• Shopping (optional, but inevitable): ₹300–500 (keychains, shawls, caps you’ll never wear).
• Drinks & Extras: Completely depends on your group—could be ₹0, could be ₹5,000, could be priceless stories of washbasin karaoke.

👉 Total Damage: Around ₹4,000–6,000 per person for a comfortable and fun weekend trip.

Final Thoughts:

Lansdowne might not have the bustling nightlife or endless cafes of other hill stations, but that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s simple, it’s serene, and it gives you space to reconnect—with nature, with friends, and sometimes even with yourself.

Our office-to-Lansdowne trip was a reminder that sometimes, the best vacations aren’t about fancy resorts or ticking off big attractions—they’re about laughter over midnight chai, silly games in hotel rooms, and the stories you bring back (even if some include puke).