Macleodganj
In addition to spectacular Himalayan trekking in the Dhauladhar Range, travelers have easy access to temples, monasteries, schools and libraries, as well as occasions to study Tibetan Buddhism, attend services at the Dalai Lama’s temple, see performances at the Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts, teach English to monks, volunteer with women and schoolchildren and even take a meditation or Tibetan cooking class!
But just strolling the streets of this walkable village is an experience itself. Industrious Tibetan vendors set up their stalls along the narrow roads each morning, selling everything from antiques and apples to prayer beads and handmade paper books created by children at the Tibetan Children’s Village. Tibetan women in their colorful aprons walk through the chorten in the center of town, turning the prayer wheels. People stop each other on the road and conversations flow easily. It’s not uncommon to be invited home for tea or supper by a Tibetan friend you just met.
Numerous guesthouses, small hotels and monasteries offer inexpensive accommodations, and the many local restaurants, featuring delicious Tibetan specialties, are cheap and clean. In the evenings, two video parlors show the latest releases or films on Tibetan history and culture, and the bustling "Western" restaurant above the bus station serves cold beer, which tastes great after a long day of hiking in the mountains--or meditation.
Many travelers find themselves enchanted with McLeod Ganj and stay for a long time. In fact, there is a good-sized community of Westerners---especially Israelis-- who have come to learn and study and stay. Some have set up cybercafes, restaurants and bookstores, others work alongside the Tibetans as volunteers and teachers.
But it’s also possible to visit Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj for a just few days en route to other locations in Northern India. Buses arrive and depart daily from Dehli and other destinations. Dharamsala is also a good base for exploring the Himalayan region and local trekking companies will arrange excursions to the rugged regions of Manali, Kullu, Spiti, Ladakh and Kashmir.
But no matter how long you stay, you will come away having experienced Tibetan culture close-up. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
