When it is about a trip with friends, ignoring the idea of McLeod Ganj is a crime. So, as soon as one of my friends suggested the vacay to this location, my answer was instant, yes! Sabbaticals with buddies, even transform the whole mood. Thus, we packed our bags and booked the flight to Dharmshala to reach our destination of the year – McLeod Ganj.
Let’s talk about the whole journey and how this beautiful place treated us.
Day 1
McLeod Ganj is the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama that is 4 km north of Dharamsala. So, after boarding at Dharmshala, we headed to our main location via bus. A 10 km route with zigzag lanes and encompassing mighty mountains seized our heart. We checked at our hotel on reaching, relaxed for a while, and soon put on our adventurous shoes to begin the sightseeing of this lovely hill station.
Our first stopover was the notable sanctuary of The Dalai Lama called the Tsug la Khang. The McLeod excursion is incomplete without visiting here. We explored Namgyal Monastery and many shrine rooms there. Statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, and Chenrezig in the shrines are the sight to behold. Besides, one of my friends is an art lover, and the splendid artwork at this place really bowled her over. Also, we visited Ling Khor that is a meditation trail near Tsug La Khang. The route towards it presented us with the display of various stupas, small shrines, along with massive Chorten.
Then we went to the unique Tibetan Museum that was like a union of modern and conventional Tibetan architecture. The yellow and white color theme of the museum with an array of Tibetan historical manuscripts, documents, Thangka images, pottery, and other handicrafts were eye-catching. The artwork here enlightened us about Tibetan history and China’s invasion.
We concluded the day by visiting Hummingbird Café, one of the many vibrant cafes of McLeod to satiate our gastronomical cravings. We ate mouthwatering Tibetan cuisine and sipped a nice hot caramel coffee while witnessing the natural beauty from its windows.
Day 2
Today we decided to spend some time in serenity. Hence, we took the route to a quaint Dharamkot village located in the Kangra valley of Dharamshala. This place was perfect for unwinding and shedding away the stress of tiring regular life. The captivating Dhauladhar range and tall deodar trees created an Insta-worthy backdrop. We kept our cameras and mobiles handy to capture the lovely exquisiteness existing at every corner of this place.
Day 3
The next day we went to Bhagsu Falls that is among the most exciting things to do in this town. The cascade flowing from an elevation of 20 m created a mesmerizing ambiance. We took a plunge in its azure waters to refresh our senses. We made this day more enjoyable by trekking all the way up to these falls while admiring the gorgeous views.
Lastly, we returned to the hotel and bid farewell to this mesmerizing town that satisfied us with its natural charms and unique culture.
Tip:
- You’ll find a lot of budget hotels and guesthouses to stay at McLeod Ganj.
- The cozy cafes and restaurants offering Indo-Tibetan-Italo-Israeli cuisine will suffice your hunger and eyes both.
- Do not forget to buy some Tibetan souvenirs from small shops jammed into famous Tibet markets.
- Avoid visiting the place from late June to early September, which is a monsoon season here and is particularly wet.
Best time to visit: Summers, i.e., April to July
So, if your foot always inches to explore a new land, I bet you’ll love your decision to McLeod Ganj. Going with your BFFs is just the cherry on the top!
-Travelrasoi
