Dharamkot

Dharamkot fulfils your trekking needs as well as helps you unwind in a gorgeous hill station. To get there you need to take an invigorating twenty minute uphill walk from McCleodganj. Dharamkot offers you an absolutely stunning view of the mountains, the pine trees and Deodar forests that surround Dharamsala. You can even see the steep valley leading to Kangra here. Lots of foreigners have made Dharamkot their home and rent fields and houses from local Indians. In fact Dharamkot is also known as a hippie colony. Hebrew is spoken on the streets perhaps as much as in Israel itself. Motorbikes of every make zip around the place bearing a tattooed, long haired free spirit and many cafes offer international fare. You too can rent a house from the locals if you are planning a long stay here. You can choose to just stroll among the rhododendron trees or visit the Tushita Research Centre where you can take yoga and meditation classes. Also visit the Tibetan Children's Village which takes care of Tibetan orphans and children whose parents have had to go back to Tibet but need to keep their children safe. If trekking is your thing, you'll find a rocky winding trail to Naddi village here. Naddi also offers you a 360 degree view of the mountains and is a nice place to just wander around. It is said that Naddi is so quiet you can hear the heartbeat of a sparrow. Dal Lake is a small oval shaped lake between Naddi and McCleodganj. The waters are quite muddy, but the area is charming because of the trees that surround the lake. Also a Lord Shiva festival is celebrated here once a year. Dharamkot is must-do on your Himachal Pradesh itinerary if you have some breathing time and the trip is not rushed.

Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219, India