India Things to Do Tips by into-thin-air Top 5 Page for this destination

Tourist Attractions – McLeod Ganj, Day Walk 2

As I said in the previous tip, there are plenty of day walking opportunities from McLeod Ganj, I will write a second possibility up here
The walk to The Church of Saint John in the Wilderness, Well Wilderness is pushing it a bit but it is set in a nice position overlooking Dharamsala
The church was abandoned soon after the 1905 earthquake which saw most of the British Colonialists pulling of the McLeod Ganj Ridge back down to Dharamsala, But it has now been renovated and re-opened again in 1995.
There are Nice stained glass windows and some interesting headstones so whether you decide to walk there or catch a Tuk Tuk, It’s still worth a visit !!
The walk --This is a much shorter alternative to Dal Lake and really just involves following the minor road (same one as the Busses come up from Dharamsala on) down to the church and returning the same way. It is about a 2 hour round walk including time spent at the church.

Tourist Attractions – McLeod Ganj, Day Walk 1

There are plenty of day walking opportunities from McLeod Ganj, I will write two possibilities up here
The first and slightly longer of the two is the walk to Dal Lake, this is 4k northwest of McLeod Ganj. Dal Lake it’s self isn’t so spectacular But the views from Nadi on the ridge above are breathtaking.
There are three roads heading to McLeod Ganj to/from the north, the left-hand one is the bus route back to Dharamsala, The middle one is the one you want, Simply follow this minor road as it slowly climbs up through the trees, then there is a left turn close to The Tibetan Children’s Village, take this and continue uphill until you come to the T junction, The lake is now in front of you, take the left hand road from the T junction and continue up to the village of Nadi and Enjoy the views !!
If you go up the track as you come into the village, you will get the Best view of Dal lake below you, then continue down this track and it brings you out at the back-side of the lake, continue round the lake and you are once more at the T junction and then re-trace your steps back to McLeod Ganj.
This is about a 10k three hour round trip but it took us more like 5 with breaks and stops :-)

Tourist Attractions – McLeod Ganj, Tsechokling 2

Whilst visiting Tsechokling Monastery, We were lucky and were shown around the Monastery and Grounds by Tpema Lama, the Director, Unfortunately his wife had recently passed away so he showed us the Monument that he had erected in her memory.
Here are some photos that I took and forwarded on to him so that he could show his family what he had built in her memory, I found all this very touching !!

Tourist Attractions – McLeod Ganj, Tsechokling

Just a 10 minute walk below McLeod Ganj is the Beautiful Tsechokling Monastery, Any visit to McLeod Ganj would be incomplete without visiting here !!
From the bus stand, so down the track past the Om Guest Hose and then take a lef down a set of steep steps.
make sure that you bring your camera with you -- you will need it !!
This Really is a Beautiful Monastery so Don’t miss it when you are in Mcleod Ganj .

Tourist Attractions – McLeod Ganj, Tsuglagknhang

The Tsuglagknhang temple and surrounding complex is the home of The Dalai Lama,
Just a five minute walk down hill from the Centre of McLeod Ganj, This is a Must for any visit there !!
As I have said, when we were there, The Dalai Lama was having a teaching, so we went down there to “Reserve” our place for this, The Idea was that you placed a small mat or a piece of cardboard with your name on it and then that was considered to be Your reserved place !! But Unfortunately it didn’t really work as with all the people wandering around the towel that we left taped to the Monastery floor was accidentally kicked away. We did however manage to Squeeze ourselves in for the teaching !!

Tourist Attractions – McLeod Ganj

As soon as you arrive at McLeod Ganj you notice a Big difference, in Fact it is more like Tibet than India, Maroon Robed Buddhist Monks wandering around the streets, People looking more Tibetan that Indian in appearance, The whole atmosphere of the place is like a Mini Tibet !!
I timed my arrival there to coincide with The Dalai Lama’s Teaching so McLeod Ganj was Especially Busy.
Just wander around the streets and soak up the atmosphere !!

Tourist Attractions - Inclement Weather in Shimla

The Following day the rain turned to snow !!
How quickly it came, we really started to worry as we had booked a bus to Dharamsala the next morning and we thought that the roads might be blocked !!
Luckily, later the snow turned back to rain so we did manage to get away !!

Tourist Attractions – Even More Shimla

We arrived on a Beautiful Sunny day, Blue Skies but Chilly, The next day we awoke to rain – and did it rain !!!! An Umbrella would have been a really useful piece of kit !!
We couldn’t help thinking, An Old Colonial British Town with Typcal British Weather !!!!

Tourist Attractions – More Shimla

As I have just said, Shimla is at an elevation of 2205 meters, so can be Chilly so make sure that you have warm clothing with you for your visit, Also the weather can change quite rapidly – be Prepared !!

Tourist Attractions – Shimla

The Old Hill Station of Shimla is a real Must for any visit to India, Full of Old colonial charm and Old colonial buildings it is a photographers dream !!
Shimla is at an elevation of 2205 meters and built along a 12 kilometer ridge. The centre of the town is called “The Ridge” here you will find buildings like “Christ Church” this is the second oldest church in northern India, built between 1846 and 1857 as well as The Old Gaiety Theater (Currently closed for renovation 3 -07)
From Scandal Point the Mall drops down the hill, this is Shimla’s main shopping street as well as having most of the towns restaurants too.
Just wander around the town and soak up the Old Colonial Atmosphere !!