☰McLeod Ganj

The McLeodganj Bars and Cafes list is very small as compared to other cities and towns in India. The main reason behind is the spiritual inclination of the people here. There is not much to do in terms of nightlife here. However as the town attracts lots of visitors other than pilgrims, recently some venues of bars have been setup.

Mcllo Bar and Restaurant

(Main Square, McLeodganj)

This is one of the most popular hangouts of the locals and tourist alike. They serve good wine and beer. The bar also has a restaurant that serves very good Chinese and Tibetan food. You can also try Continental, Israeli and South Indian food here.

X-Cite Bar and Restaurant

(Main Square, McLeodganj)

If you are looking for pub with live music here then you must visit X-cite Bar. This place is one of a kind. This is the only place in McLeodganj with a dance floor. They serve good cocktails and wines and if you are in a mood to dance you can also shake your leg to the tunes of hip-hop, rock and trance. However, the place turns to discotheque twice a week and during that time it is mandatory that only couples enter. You can also enjoy good Mexican, Chinese, Tibetan and Continental cuisines here. This is perfect place to hangout on weekends.

Roof Top Restaurant and Bar at Asian Plaza

(Main Square, McLeodganj)

This open air restaurant on the roof top of Asian Plaza Hotel is considered one of the best places to enjoy time with your family in McLeodganj. You can enjoy an excellent variety of wines and whiskey here, watching the amazing view of the Dhauladhar snow-capped mountains. The restaurant serves Indian, South Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine. The bar is open till 11:00 p.m. only.

Korean Café

(Ghagsu Road - McLeodganj, Dharamshala)

Enjoy a cup of espresso coffee watching the beauty of the mountains from here. This is best place if you like a serene atmosphere. The café is popular for Korean food and Korean kimbab. Meals are served here from Wednesday to Saturday only.

Also there are several other small cafes in and around McLeodganj like the Peace Café, Coffee Talk and Moon-peak Espresso Cafe that serve good coffee. Some of them also serve Indian and Chinese dishes. However they are not as popular as those mentioned above.

McLeodganj sits in the lap of the Himalayas, and some of its best days are spent leaving town for the valleys and ridges around it. Whether you are drawn here by Tibetan Buddhism, the mountains, or both, a few easy excursions reward the effort.

The classic walk is the climb to Triund, a grassy ridge at the foot of the Dhauladhar with sweeping views of the snow peaks above and the Kangra Valley below. It is a three- to four-hour ascent from the trailhead at Galu temple and can be done in a long day or as an overnight camp.

For something gentler, cycle or drive the 24 km to Palampur, the tea town of the Kangra Valley. The road zigzags through the Dhauladhar foothills past tea gardens and pine and deodar woods — a ride that stays in the memory as much for the journey as the destination.

Kangra, about 19 km away, is the older heart of the valley, with its ruined hilltop fort and the revered Vajreshwari Devi temple. Many Himalayan treks also start from here or from Dharamshala, heading up into lush valleys, springs, and the high ranges beyond.

Closer to town, the Norbulingka Institute, about 15 km out near Sidhpur, is the best place to understand Tibetan art and craft. Established to preserve the traditions of Tibet, it trains artisans in woodwork, weaving, and thangka painting, and houses the Losel Doll Museum, whose dolls depict the dress, dances, and festivals of each region of Tibet.

India is known for its hot curries and endless spices used in a variety of ethnic cuisine. In Mcleodganj, you will not be disappointed with the variety of restaurants and dishes this city has to offer. Whether grabbing a quick bite to eat at an outdoor market or dining in style at a high-end restaurant, Mcleodganj has it all.

**Marketplace Food

**Like any tourist-based city, local stalls in the town center offer traditional Tibetan cuisine on a daily basis for very cheap. Especially rampant during festivals, grabbing a quick bite from a street vendor not only is quick and easy, but often gets you the most traditional and culturally accurate cuisine. The dishes are not tweaked to please tourists.

**Dreamchasers Alley

**A true location for variety, Dreamchasers Alley is a bowling alley that offers national and international cuisine you can eat while enjoying a fun evening with your family bowling. Perfect for a casual and entertaining night out, Dreamchasers Alley is also home to a sports bar where you can kick back, have a few drinks and take a shot at stardom singing karaoke.

**Tea House - Dalai Lama's Residence

**Being the home of the Dalai Lama, it is impossible to visit Mcleodganj without a visit to the house of His Holiness. Situated on the right side of his residence is a small, one story tea house with sensational views of the mountain range. For less than $10, tea at the residence of the Dalai Lama makes for a perfect afternoon snack and the experience alone is well worth the small cost.

**Hotel India House Restaurant

**Being a Tibetan town, Mcleodganj primarily serves Tibetan food. If you are searching for a restaurant that serves more traditional Indian cuisine, the restaurant located inside the Hotel India House is the perfect spot. A large selection of gourmet food, this restaurant is the place to go for a romantic evening out.

**Shangrila Restaurant

**One of the best restaurants in Mcleodganj for traditional Tibetan cuisine, the Shangrila Restaurant is run by Tibetan monks. Offering the very best of Tibetan food such as mo-mos, soups and much more, food is very reasonably priced with an average meal right about $10. Perfect for a taste of ethnic Tibetan food, a stop at the Shangrila Restaurant for lunch or dinner is a must.

Contributors December 28, 2009

Buses ply between the New Bus stand in Lower Dharamsala and McLeodganj on a regular basis, though they take a long time to reach the latter. Shared jeeps that make the journey between the Kotwali Bazaar and McLeodganj may prove more cramped, but they're definitely much faster. In case you feel like giving your legs a workout, the hike up to McLeodganj along Jogibara road will take you about an hour. The taxis at Taxi Union Stand beside the bus circle at McLeodganj charge heavy (though fixed) fares for ferrying you to your destination. They're only worth the money if you have to visit Dharamkot or Bhagsu at night.

Air

The nearest airport is Gaggal airport, 15 km south of Dharamsala and there are Flights to and from Dharamshala. From there you can take an auto @ Rs 10 and reach Mcleodganj .

Rail

The nearest stations on the picturesque mountain railway (narrow gauge) are at Kangra and Nagrota (about 20 km south of Dharamsala). And the nearest railhead (broad gauge) connecting Dharamsala to and Jammu is at Pathankot.Road

Non-local buses usually arrive at and depart from the New Bus Stand in Lower Dharamsala. The booking office there is open daily between 8 am and 1 pm, and 2-7 pm. There are buses to and from Chamba, Delhi, Pathankot, Of these, the routes to and from Manali, Mandi, Pathankot, Kangra and Delhi are covered by state-run transport services.

Some of these buses continue (after a short halt) all the way up to McLeodganj. From McLeodganj, there are buses to Delhi, Manali and Pathankot, and also deluxe buses to Manali and Delhi. Tickets for these routes can be booked at any of the travel agencies. However, buses to and from Manali and Chamba are intermittent during the monsoon and winter seasons, because of blocked roads and mud slides along these routes.

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Mcleod Ganj, sometimes known as 'Little Lhasa' because of its role as home away from home for the exiled Tibetans and the Dalai Lama, is a peaceful place that sits high above sea level on the edge of the Himalayan Mountains. Mainly a place to visit for reflection and relaxation, you won't find any mega-shopping malls here. But that shouldn't dissuade you from doing some shopping. Mcleod Ganj is home to Tibetan culture and arts, and you can get some great handcrafted one-of-a-kind finds here. But in your quest for the perfect shopping trip, don't forget to take time to relax and enjoy the main attraction of this town, which is peace and quiet.** **

The Norbulingka Institute

Located a short way south of Mcleod Ganj, the Norbulingka Institute is dedicated to preserving and stimulating Tibetan art and culture. A worthwhile destination on its own, it features beautiful architecture, gardens, and a museum showcasing traditional Tibetan clothing on 150 small dolls. But for the shopper, the real treasure of Norbulingka Institute is the shop, which showcases the art of the students and artists who work at the institute. Here you can find silk appliqued hangings, cushion covers, traditionally painted and hand-carved Tibetan boxes and chests, bed spreads and much more. One great thing to pick up is a Thangka, which is a ritual painting that is traditionally displayed during Buddhist festivals. Thangkas have become very popular with tourists. Brightly painted onto canvas bordered with silk, they are a great souvenir.** **

The Bazaars

Mcleod Ganj's local street-front shops, or bazaars, are a great place to pick up some rare finds. In addition to Tibetan handicrafts, you can find New Zealand and Indian wool carpets, Tibetan books, meditation music and herbal incense. Use your own discretion when it comes to bargaining, depending on where you are, you may or may not get anywhere. If you're interested, you can even get a traditional Tibetan dress, or chuba, hand-stitched while you wait. Another worthwhile stop is the Green Store, where you can find brightly painted shirts and paper made by hand.** **

Nowrojis

Located near the entrance to Mcleod Ganj, Nowroji's is a great place to look for souvenirs and handcrafted goods for your trip home. Finds here include Tibetan carpets, wooden masks, beads, Buddhist paintings, jewelry and metal votives. If you have plenty of time, you can even have a carpet woven to your exact tastes on-site.

McLeodganj packs a remarkable amount of culture, nature, and spirituality into a small Himalayan town.

Tsuglagkhang Temple

Home to the Dalai Lama, the Tsuglagkhang Temple is the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet. The walk from McLeodganj's centre takes about fifteen minutes along a trail with gorgeous mountain and stream views. The temple complex includes a large meditation hall and the Tibet Museum, which documents the Chinese occupation and the Tibetan exodus through photographs and videos (open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Yoga and Meditation Centre of Vipassana

A few kilometres from town, this centre offers meditation classes led by long-practising Buddhists with years of training in meditation, breathing, yoga, and pilates.

Nowroji's Market

Excellent shopping including discounted Tibetan rugs, woodcarved masks, paper artwork, glass beads, and jewellery. Prices are mostly fixed, though you can barter when buying multiple items.

Dhauladhar Range Treks

Those staying a few days will love hiking the Dhauladhar Range, featuring some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the world. You can hike in shorts while photographing snow-capped peaks just a few hundred metres away. Local guides can be found at the coffee shops in town.

Tibetan Children's Village

A craft museum selling paper crafts and artwork created by local youngsters. Nearby, the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute is worth a wander.

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives

An important repository of Tibetan literature, manuscripts, and cultural artefacts.

Gu Chu Sum Monument Gallery

Created with involvement from former political prisoners, this gallery documents the political oppression suffered by Tibetans through countless photographs.

Environmental Education Centre

Run by the Tibetan Welfare Office, this centre addresses environmental issues affecting the area and explains why protecting McLeodganj's natural beauty matters.

Himachal Pradesh is a large state in India situated in the Himalayas. Mcleodganj is situated at about 5,500 feet above sea level and is covered in snow most of the year. Himachal Pradesh has three seasons: summer season, the rainy season and winter. Based on the time of year you choose to visit, there are dangers associated with each season, as well as a variety of festivals and activities to chose from, which are some things to consider when scheduling your vacation.

**April-July (Summer)

**Known as the "hot" season in this region, temperatures average in the 80s (Fahrenheit), with the temperatures decreasing the higher you travel in the mountain range. Due to the heat, activities are not as frequent as they are around the beginning of the year or towards the end of winter, when the temperatures become more bearable. If you are planning on doing some hiking in the area when you visit, you may want to plan your vacation around the beginning of summer after the snow melts or towards the end of summer before the rain hits, to avoid getting stuck on a hike in 90 degree weather. ** July-November (Rainy) ** AVOID TRAVEL DURING THIS TIME!!! Known as the monsoon season in Mcleodganj, this is the most dangerous time of year to travel to this region. With heavy rainfall happening nearly nonstop, the majority of roads you need to use to travel up the mountainsides are closed due to mudslides resulting from the downpours and flash floods. Not only are activities nearly extinct during these four months, it's simply to dangerous to travel.

November-April (Winter)

The time of year when the majority of festivals and local events are held is during the winter months in Mcleodganj. Snow is certainly not enough to spoil the fun of locals and tourists during the winter season in Himachal Pradesh. December through February is the time when most of the festivals are held, ensuring that visitors are not sweating to death while participating in local dances. If traveling in snow is not your cup of tea, choose to visit Mcleodganj towards the beginning or the end of this season, to make sure you don't have to risk traveling in these conditions.

Contributors December 28, 2009