McLeod Ganj in August

axeman1986 · Jul 18th, 2006, 03:09

Hi all. This is my first post here though I've been reading through the forums for a few days now.

Was thinking of visiting McLeod Ganj and/or Dharamsala next month and I have no idea of what to expect there this time of the year? I'm talking about the number of visitors, weather, etc.

I am currently in Mumbai and will probably take the flight to new delhi. I don't want to spend on flights after that so I'm thinking of the train to pathankot and then the cab journey or the direct bus whichever I can decide on. Any suggestions?

On the whole, is August a good time to visit?

Thanks
axeman

dzibead · Jul 18th, 2006, 06:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by axeman1986

Hi all. This is my first post here though I've been reading through the forums for a few days now.

Was thinking of visiting McLeod Ganj and/or Dharamsala next month and I have no idea of what to expect there this time of the year? I'm talking about the number of visitors [LOTS!] , weather [hot,humid, monsoon], etc.

I am currently in Mumbai and will probably take the flight to new delhi. I don't want to spend on flights after that so I'm thinking of the train to pathankot and then the cab journey or the direct bus whichever I can decide on. [That's my preferred method; the price is reasonable, trip is comfortable, and assuming you take the overnight Jammu Mail, you arrive in Pathankot at a reasonable hour in the morning for a pleasant drive to McLeod Ganj]Any suggestions?

On the whole, is August a good time to visit?

Thanks
axeman

One "heads up": the Dalai Lama is giving a teaching from Aug 14 through Aug 18, so the place is going to be packed. I wouldn't just show up without having accommodations booked in advance.

axeman1986 · Jul 18th, 2006, 21:53

thanks for the heads up. I will look at the thread with the numbers of hotels and hope to get a reservation in advance.
As for the weather, hot and humid isn't a problem since i'm in bombay but by monsoon do you mean heavy rain, landslides and all that?

dzibead · Jul 18th, 2006, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by axeman1986

As for the weather, hot and humid isn't a problem since i'm in bombay but by monsoon do you mean heavy rain, landslides and all that?

Yes. I think I can remember reading somewhere that Dharamasala has one of the highest rainfalls in India!

ferml · Jul 18th, 2006, 22:24

I just got back from there a couple of weekends ago. It was rainy and cloudy the whole time. It was cool enough that the humidity wasn't that bothersome. I can't imagine it's all that much different in August.

I took a train from Delhi to Pathankot and then a cab to McLeod Ganj as you are thinking about doing. When traveling in the mountains, I prefer cars rather than buses so I say if you have the cash to spare, take a cab and skip the bus.

In terms of whether August on the whole is a good time to visit, I'd say sure. If July is any indicator, you won't get many, if any, scenic views of the mountains... too cloudy.

axeman1986 · Jul 19th, 2006, 03:02

Thanks Ferml. Just the kind of info I needed.

monkgonemad · Jul 24th, 2006, 11:21

i found mcleod-dharamsala a total touristy bore. the scenery to/from was far better. if you are flying, id give it a total miss.

ps: dont plan of seeing any tibetans there, let alone the dl.

dzibead · Jul 24th, 2006, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkgonemad

i found mcleod-dharamsala a total touristy bore. the scenery to/from was far better. if you are flying, id give it a total miss.

ps: dont plan of seeing any tibetans there, let alone the dl.

Well, I agree it's quite a tourist trap, but unless somebody drops a neutron bomb on the place axeman will see plenty of Tibetans, and since the DL is giving a teaching when axeman is planning to be there, he could quite possibly see the DL as well!

axeman1986 · Jul 24th, 2006, 15:01

Hi again. Thanks for all the replies folks.
I'm not really going there for the dalai lama but I wouldn't mind attending one of the seminars/talks.
I'm essentially just looking for alone-time to play my guitar, write some songs and just wander about, meet the locals and stuff.
Anyone know about the weather there in August?

Redress · Aug 31st, 2006, 09:04

How does one know when the DL will be in Mcleod Ganj? I am heading there in January - does he have an itinerary of sorts? Sorry if the question is a little fatuous.

dzibead · Aug 31st, 2006, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redress

How does one know when the DL will be in Mcleod Ganj? I am heading there in January - does he have an itinerary of sorts? Sorry if the question is a little fatuous.

This page of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile's website gives the DL's schedule:

http://www.tibet.com/teachings.html

ASighingBuddhist · Aug 31st, 2006, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkgonemad

i found mcleod-dharamsala a total touristy bore. the scenery to/from was far better. if you are flying, id give it a total miss.

ps: dont plan of seeing any tibetans there, let alone the dl.

I've been here in McLeod for 3 months now and am not bored in the least. There are many, many interesting people here. Not only the Tibetans and Indians, but folks from all corners of the Globe. A few days ago, I met a fella from an Ethiopian royal family. It was most interesting to speak with him. He is here on holiday but works for a US based software company. I don't have plans to leave McLeod anytime soon!!

manreet_16 · Aug 31st, 2006, 14:56

so great place to enjoy..k i'll try my best to reach between12-14 Aug..Thank u Dzibead for ur info..take care

regards
manreet_16

manreet_16 · Aug 31st, 2006, 14:57

dont worry bout the reservation there r enough of hotels to stay..But one problem v cant choose enough v have to accept what v get..right..!

Jul 18th, 2006, 03:09	#1
axeman1986 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maggie's Farm Posts: 12	McLeod Ganj in August Hi all. This is my first post here though I've been reading through the forums for a few days now. Was thinking of visiting McLeod Ganj and/or Dharamsala next month and I have no idea of what to expect there this time of the year? I'm talking about the number of visitors, weather, etc. I am currently in Mumbai and will probably take the flight to new delhi. I don't want to spend on flights after that so I'm thinking of the train to pathankot and then the cab journey or the direct bus whichever I can decide on. Any suggestions? On the whole, is August a good time to visit? Thanks axeman

Jul 18th, 2006, 22:24	#5
ferml Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 32	McLeod Ganj in August I just got back from there a couple of weekends ago. It was rainy and cloudy the whole time. It was cool enough that the humidity wasn't that bothersome. I can't imagine it's all that much different in August. I took a train from Delhi to Pathankot and then a cab to McLeod Ganj as you are thinking about doing. When traveling in the mountains, I prefer cars rather than buses so I say if you have the cash to spare, take a cab and skip the bus. In terms of whether August on the whole is a good time to visit, I'd say sure. If July is any indicator, you won't get many, if any, scenic views of the mountains... too cloudy.

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Jul 18th, 2006, 21:53	#3
axeman1986 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maggie's Farm Posts: 12	thanks for the heads up. I will look at the thread with the numbers of hotels and hope to get a reservation in advance. As for the weather, hot and humid isn't a problem since i'm in bombay but by monsoon do you mean heavy rain, landslides and all that?

Jul 19th, 2006, 03:02	#6
axeman1986 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maggie's Farm Posts: 12	Thanks Ferml. Just the kind of info I needed.

Jul 24th, 2006, 11:21	#7
monkgonemad Aimless Drifter, Shiftless Idler, Useless Waster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoEastAsia/AsiaSubCont Posts: 416	i found mcleod-dharamsala a total touristy bore. the scenery to/from was far better. if you are flying, id give it a total miss. ps: dont plan of seeing any tibetans there, let alone the dl.

Jul 24th, 2006, 15:01	#9
axeman1986 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maggie's Farm Posts: 12	Hi again. Thanks for all the replies folks. I'm not really going there for the dalai lama but I wouldn't mind attending one of the seminars/talks. I'm essentially just looking for alone-time to play my guitar, write some songs and just wander about, meet the locals and stuff. Anyone know about the weather there in August?

Aug 31st, 2006, 09:04	#10
Redress Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 5	How does one know when the DL will be in Mcleod Ganj? I am heading there in January - does he have an itinerary of sorts? Sorry if the question is a little fatuous.

Aug 31st, 2006, 14:56	#13
manreet_16 On the Move Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada\India Posts: 359	so great place to enjoy..k i'll try my best to reach between12-14 Aug..Thank u Dzibead for ur info..take care regards manreet_16

Aug 31st, 2006, 14:57	#14
manreet_16 On the Move Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada\India Posts: 359	dont worry bout the reservation there r enough of hotels to stay..But one problem v cant choose enough v have to accept what v get..right..!

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