guesthouses, small hotels and monasteries offering inexpensive accommodations, and the many local restaurants, featuring delicious Tibetan specialties. With picturesque setting and opportunities to pursue spiritual quest, 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, study and stay. Some have set up cybercafés, restaurants and bookstores; others work alongside the Tibetans as volunteers and teachers.
It is possible to visit Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj for a just few days en route to other locations in Northern India. Buses arrive and depart daily from Delhi and other destinations. Dharamshala 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
The city of Dharamshala which was devastated during the earthquake in 1905, today is bustling with activity, being a major district of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The city covers an area of around 30 square kilometer and is situated at an altitude of approximately 4800 feet. The town is also referred as “Little Lhasa”, named after the Tibetan capital city and for its obvious settlement of “Tibetan government-in exile”.
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