Meditation courses
According to Buddhist tradition, the New Year is celebrated in March. For many years, after the New Year's celebrations, the Dalai Lama has been giving teachings for ten days. As you can guess, most tourists come to Dharamsala at this time. Because Westerners predominate among them, most meditation courses are held in March. In the library, in McLeod Gańdź, there are courses for people who are just starting to learn meditation; volunteers can also enroll in Tibetan language courses, led by teachers from Tibet.
Buddhism courses are organized at the TUshita Retreat Center (4366; fax 23/374). The center is run by both monks from Tibet, and these, who came to India from the West. Individuals may also participate in the courses, who do not rent accommodation here. The price of one course day is 80 INR, you have to pay extra for meals 75 INR. Overnight in a dorm room costs 33 INR, room with shared bathroom 55-90 INR, and a single room with a bathroom 65 INR. Couples receive separate rooms.
In addition to various organizations, The monks who live in the local monasteries also conduct the courses.
Walks
Picturesque location, especially the tempting view of the Dhau-ladhar rocky range rising from McLeod Gańja, makes Dharamsala an ideal destination for trips around the area.
One of the most interesting walking routes, starting in McLeod Gańdź, leads to the lying 2 km further Bhagsu. The wanderer will visit the old temple here, he will see the spring and the mine and listen to the hum of a small waterfall. Tourists often come here for a picnic. Dal Lake is situated 3 km from McLeod Gańdźu, above Tibetan's Children Village School. However, the water in the lake is not very clean, and the neighborhood itself has nothing interesting. A trip to Dharamkot may be much more interesting, located at the same distance as Dal Lake. Picnic trips also come here, because the place is beautiful – no one will ever forget these mountain views.
To Triundu situated at the foot of Dhauladhar (2827 m) leads the 8-kilometer trail from McLeod Gańdźu. The border of eternal snows is beginning 5 km away, w Iraq (Region). Accommodation – w Forest Rest House.
Mountaineering Institute (Mountaineering Institute), located half a kilometer north of McLeod Gańju, in the period from April to December, he organizes 10-day trips to the mountains. The volunteer group must consist of at least ten people. The cost of the trip (along with all the extras) totals 1500-200 INR per person. At the request of tourists, the institute's employees also conduct rock climbing courses. People planning their own trip can rent tents and sleeping bags from the institute and hire guides. It would be good to have the books sold here as well, e.g. Treks & Passes of Dhauladhar & Pear tree (The routes and mountain passes in Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal).
Accommodation
Noclegi Dharamsala – There aren't many hotels in the lower town; McLeod Gańdź has a much better accommodation base.
Busera Lodge has the best opinion among the cheap hotels, w Population Two-toe Hotel. Double rooms with bathroom, big and clean, costs 75 INR. Even cheaper accommodation is offered far from the center of the Rising Moon Hotel & Restaurant. The price of accommodation both in the dormitory, and in the room (some with private bathroom) totals 50 INR.
The only hotel in Dharamsala, that can claim the title of luxury, is run by HPTDC Dhauladhar Hotel (2107). Rooms included 337-400 INR. There is a restaurant and a terrace on site – beer lovers will get their mug of beer here, romantics will settle for a wonderful sunset.
McLeod Gańdź accommodation – Most Western tourists stop at McLeod Ganji, situated 500 m above (and in the distance 10 km) main part of town. The Tibetan community has built a chain of hotels and restaurants here. The district is popular, therefore it is advisable to make a reservation in advance, mainly in March, when the Dalai Lama gives his teachings.
In the northern part of McLeod Gańju, there are three hotels offering rooms with the best views. Paljor Gakyil Guest House rises at the end of a long flight of steps (22/571, however, advance bookings cannot be made). This exquisite hotel is run by a nice married couple from Tibet. These people lived in Europe for several years and therefore speak French, German and English. The prices are not too high. There is a fee for a double room with a bathroom 110 INR; 220 INR costs a room with a carpet, constant supply of hot water and a beautiful view. For 24 INR can be rented overnight in a small dormitory.
Pobliski Kalsang Guest House (022/609) it is slightly larger and offers rooms with shared bathroom too 45-75 INR. You have to pay for a double room with private bathroom and hot water 135-250 INR. Same street, but a bit below, is located on the Seray Hills Lodge (a22/580); prices close to those of Kalsang Guest House.
Several hotels are on the road to Bhagsu, east of the bus stop. In operation for many years, the Tibet was once one of the cheapest in the city. After the renovation, the standard of services offered has improved significantly and today it is one of the most expensive hotels in the area. Staying in comfortable en suite rooms costs money 350-500 INR. Less wealthy tourists can head to Lhasa Guest House across the street. You pay for a room with a shared bathroom 65 INR, en-suite rooms are included 175 INR. Follow the road towards Baghsu to the Koko Nor Hotel. Accommodations here cost from 50 do 100 INR. Green Hotel is a cheap and popular hotel, offering rooms without bathrooms too 35-60 INR. The price of a room with a bathroom is 100 INR. Several hotels, m.in. Shan-grila Guest House Hotel Snow Palaces, located on the main Jogibara Road.
A little lower, There are two popular guesthouses on a narrow alley that turns to the left. Drepung Loseling Guest House (23/ 187) are led by the monks of Drepung Monastery in Karnataka. The rooms (all doubles with bathroom) they are among the better in town and they cost money 125 INR (cold water room), 165 INR (with warm water) i 220 INR (most comfortable, with the most beautiful view). Tourists can also use the dormitory (25 INR).
Right next door is the equally good Tibetan Ashoka Guest House (22/763). You pay for accommodation in clean and nice rooms 45-55 INR (with shared bathroom) or 165-205 INR (double room with bathroom). Thanks to its location on the edge of the city, beautiful landscapes are an additional attraction of the hotel.
The Kailash Hotel on Tempie Road is cheap. Located on the parallel street, Om Hotel enjoys great popularity, to get here, you must first subscribe to the waiting list. Rooms with shared bathrooms cost money 35-70 INR.
Ladies Venture Guest House, it's newly built, neat and well-run hotel – on the street leading to the library. One room- and the double bed is paid accordingly 125 i 175 INR (one bathroom for two rooms). A room with a bathroom is more expensive and amounts to 150-250 INR. On the way to the hotel, we will see the slightly cheaper Kalsang Boni o International Guest House. Nice owners offer rooms too 90 INR (with shared bathroom) and for 150 INR (with bathroom).
One of the best and most expensive hotels is Chonor House (22-006; fax 22-010), near the monastery, south of McLeod Ganji. There are five double rooms with a bathroom for rent (800 INR) and six single rooms with one bathroom for two rooms (600 INR). The hotel runs the Tibetan Department of Religion & Culture (Tibetan Food and Drug Administration. Religion and Culture); the interior was decorated by craftsmen from Norbu Link, a new monastery financed by the Japanese.