Dharamshala is mainly known for its Monastery and Tibetan artefacts. But you will be pleasantly surprised that it has much more to offer. A place endowed with nature’s beauty…….Read on to know more.
Getting There
Dharamshala has a small airport so you can fly down or else you can also hit the road; which we chose. We drove down from Amritsar to Dharamshala which is approximately a 5 hr journey.
Along the route, once you cross Pathankot comes a small town called Dunera. Do stop by to get some aam papad (mango papad) and khatta papad (which has a sweet sour taste to tickle your taste buds). This is a specialty here.
The mountains and ghats begin once you cross Pathankot. So in case you want to stop for a quick tea and snack break please do so before the ghats begin.
Being in the mountains, it is needless to say that the route is very scenic and you are definitely tempted to grab your camera for quick pics.
It was Sunday and we reached Dharamshala in the late afternoon. We were greeted by a blanket of mist and clouds. Literally travelling in the clouds; it was a feeling similar to:
‘Having your head in the clouds.’
Home Away From Home
We stayed at the resort Indraprasta and true to its name, this place ticks all the check-boxes associated to luxury. The view from the balcony was exquisite. Finally we got to know what being in the mountains actually feels like.
Mind you, there are two resorts named Indraprasta. One is towards the main road and another is within the by-lanes. We stayed at the one that was inside the lane.
The staff is very hospitable and kudos to them for making our stay a pleasant experience. This place definitely requires a special mention.
Sightseeing
We had a packed schedule and had a long list to cover. For once, although a Monday, we didn’t have Monday Blues!! Also, please keep in mind that most places in Dharamshala are closed on Monday’s. So, if you go sightseeing avoid going on a Monday.
Namgyal Monastery
This is the famous Dalai Lama Monastery at McLeod Ganj. It is situated on a small hillock and there is a bit of a walk through the shopping street to reach the Monastery. Since the lane is quite narrow, it’s advisable not to take your vehicle there.
We paid our respects at the Monastery and also saw the Tibetan museum which is right next to the Monastery. Unfortunately, it was closed being a Monday.
It was now time to enjoy our walk and the shopping. You will find a wide range of Tibetan artifacts and apparels. You can also get lovely gift items as a remembrance. I would definitely recommend the music bowl. The soothing rhythm of the bowl is especially calming during meditation.
Shopping makes you hungry so we decided to head to Illiterati book cafe.
Illiterati Book Cafe
A cozy cafe tucked in the town, it’s famous for its Pumpkin soup….. Pumpkin…..Yes! Pumpkin…..Surprised??? Don’t be!!! The Pumpkin puree is cooked to perfection and the spices just add to its taste. Illiterati is a nice quite place where you can grab a book and sip coffee or even walk across the table and chit chat. This place has a very friendly and welcoming vibe.
Tea Garden
It was almost time for tea and what can be better than visiting a tea garden. As you drive along, the tea garden suddenly pops up on either side of the road. A quick stroll in the garden and a few pics watching the sunset feels wonderful. It also has a tea factory where you can buy different types of tea. For the health conscious, they also offer herbal tea.
We kept our itinerary for the next day pretty short since this was the last day of our stay at Dharamshala.
St John Church
A medieval period church nested in a peaceful and quite place surrounded by trees. Tranquil and serene. A walk down the road feels rights out of a old classic movie. The movie you can decide for yourself since I know there will be many that come to mind.
Indo-China War Museum
This museum is a symbol of valor and bravery. The sacrifices made by our forces to keep our motherland safe.
Cricket Stadium
Cricket lover or not, you must visit this stadium. Check out the pics!! Do I need to say more!!!
We then drove around the town and visited a few more places. Listing them out.
- Naddi point
- Bhagsunag falls
- Bhagsunag temple
If you like treks, Trikund trek should be on the list. Due to lack of time we dropped the plan.
The rest of the evening we decided to unwind at the hotel with a game of pool.
Travelling On
A blink and a flash; our three-day stay was coming to an end. Out next stop was Dalhousie and we were definitely looking forward to it after such a magnificent and warm stay at Dharamshala.
A place I would definitely like to visit again; that too in winter.
Life of road trips 
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