The hill town of Dharamshala
sits on a narrow ridgeline along the Dhauladhar range. The town is roughly
divided into two sections – lower town of Dharamshala with its traditional
settlement and market areas and the upper town of McLeodganj, famous for its
celebrity resident, His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The heights of the two sections
tha make up the Himalayan town of Dharamshala vary considerably - from 1,250
metres to about 1,770 metres with a steep winding 10 km road linking both
sections.
A sleepy little hill town favoured by the British as a summer getaway,
Dharamshala's beautiful environs continues to lure visitors. Not just is it
hugely popular with honeymooners and holiday makers escaping the heat of the
plains, Dharamshala is equally, if not more popular with foreigners in search of
the inner peace and tranquility they hope to find in the teachings of the Dalai
Lama.
The best time to visit Dharamshala is between March and June, though heavy
tourist traffic begins in May and lasts till the onset of the monsoons. The
winters are cold and the town is quiet and empty, perfect for that peaceful
vacation away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Shopping: The shopping areas selling Tibetan handicrafts items are
mostly in McLeodganj. The Green Shop run by the Tibetan Welfare Office sells
recycled products and handmade cards and paper. Other shops and outlets have a
range of handicrafts products including woollens, carpets, metalware, thangkas
and jewellery.
Spread out on the crest of the
five hills of Kathlog, Portreyn, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun on the western edge of
the Dhauladhar Range is the sleepy hill resort of Dalhousie. A little different
from run of mill hill stations, Dalhousie has a pretty charm and serenity that
makes it a hit with regulars on the Himachal summer circuit. Pink, red and white
rhododendron blooms cloud its hill sides, alpine meadows are spangled with wild
flowers and the scent of pine and wood smoke enrich the air. The lovely tree
clad slopes around Dalhousie are dotted with colonial bungalows, pretty holiday
homes and cottages with flower filled gardens that offer splendid views of the
Himalayan ranges and fertile valleys.
Getting around: Dalhousie's hottest spots are Portreyn Mall borderd by
innumerable shops selling Chamba shawls, caps and sweaters, the famous mineral
water springs at Satdhara and the all time favourite picnic site at Panchpulla.
The best time to visit Dalhousie is between March and June, before the onset
of the monsoons. Winters are a slack season, when many hotels offer hefty
discounts.
Dining & Entertainment: The most popular activity in Dalhousie is
taking pony rides along the Mall from Subhash Chowk up to Gandhi Chowk. From
Chinese chowmein to Tibetan momos, South Indian idlis to Kashmiri fare - all are
available here
Shopping: Tibetan handicrafts outlets and the Himachal Handicrafts
emporium sell handcrafted items including shawls, woollen garments, carpets and
jewellery.
