McLeod Ganj-- too touristy?

flyingpiggy

First off, sorry if this is the wrong thread to ask this in-- I'm new to the forums and I wasn't really sure

I'm a 15-year-old from the US and I'm going to McLeod Ganj/Dharamsala over the summer for 2 1/2 weeks for community service. I was really excited about it, but these forums seem to be saying that it's very touristy...

I was wondering how true this is?

Do you still get the "real" Indian culture and flavor- can you chat with or have dinner with Tibetans and Indians, or is it all lost beneath the touristyness?

I AM going this summer, regardless of what people say, so I'd appreciate it if y'all would tell me what I want to hear, haha, and just reassure me that some of the true Indian culture remains

Tapestry

McLeod Ganj is a lovely, interesting hill station. It has real character because of the presence of the Dalai Lama. Despite the fact that it gets quite a few tourists and visitors, I wouldn't call it overly touristy. There's no real reason to avoid McLeod Ganj in favor of some other place.

Good luck.

ranjan154

There is hardly any match for McLeod Ganj/Dharamsala aound that area or I should say anywhere. I must advise you to go and feel the beauty there, you will get more than your expectations. Have a great time.

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flyingpiggy

Thanks, all

I can't wait!!

aivlysweetie

it's a nice place. there are a lot of westerners, but it's a good mix, and most are there for wonderful intentions and are interested in the mix of cultures up there. there is a place though that has the best carrot cake i've ever had...and i hate carrot cake. have fun, and bring a plastic bag incase you get carsick on the bus.

Tapestry

This is good advice. The road to and from those hill stations has a lot of switchbacks and can be very nauseating, especially in a bus. It's worst when driving from the hill stations back down to the plains because you have the faster momentum of going down hill. I un-lovingly refer to these roads as the Highway of Puke. If you are prone to motion sickness it's best to just think ahead and take dramamine or another remedy before you start your journey.

flyingpiggy

I think I go from Delhi to Mcleod Ganj...
I'm pretty sure we take a train, but there is probably a bus at the end.
I'll remember the bag (And the dramamine!!)

Tapestry

You can only take the train part way to McLeod Ganj (last stop Pathankot), then you have to take a car or bus from there.

rishabh6296

Hi,
Mcleodganj would be touristy in summer,but to get the taste of real indian and tibetan culture you can try the nearby villages like Dharamkot.The best mode of transport from delhi is the VOLVO which takes about 12 hours.
Rishabh

pantelis

AirDeccan & pay 70 euros with return {i`ll definitely use this in the future} since the bus takes more than 11 hours , being like a sardine wit5h really tight seats while you can not stretch your legs

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flyingpiggy

I'm going with a highschool tour group, so I won't have much say in how we get there/where we go, but it's good to know
I think we're going to a village called Tashi Jong afterwards... I'm not sure how well-known it is. Anyone heard of it?

dzibead

Here are a couple of pertinent websites:

http://www.gatsal.org/Photo%20Gallery/photo_gallery.htm

http://www.tibet.org/TashiJong/ (website for a documentary film)

Tenzin Palmo lives at Tashi Jong. She's an Englishwoman who became a Tibetan nun. Her story is told in a book called "A Cave in the Snow."

flyingpiggy

Great links-- thanks!
Can't believe I'm actually going to be there!

monkgonemad

i did not like it at all - although the ride up provides views of terrain different than the other side of hp.

youre young and all this is quite new for you. youre going to village/s outside mcld. youll have a good time.

best advice esp in summer: find out how to get yourself into the countryside and go. analyze well the group activity and if it sounds like a bust - just dont go and have some day trip/s planned. you might be able to bounce all this off some travelers in the village, just ask. there is also a chai shop cum snack shop on the 'main drag' thats sort of a hangout (the north road that runs up from the village apex). do the group thing when it works for you, dont be shy to go it alone. dont hook up with a large # of people and have them all tag along. youre chaparone will be more likely to kill the trip for you AND it will just be a hassle of logistics and organization. better you and 1-2 intrepid people.

research before you go what is possible for day trips. on ehassle... the bus stand is quite a hike itself. upshot - its huge w/ buses going everywhere.

get up and go early!! stay out 3-4 hours, have lunch and return. dont want to put a worry on your leader.

finally, i dont know what the reception is like but you might want to buy a used/cheap handphone and sim when you get there. this will ally further worry from your leader.

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giripriya

Ah, but those Himachal bus rides are part of 'the experience'! One which I am not sure if I want to relive, but certainly unforgettable! My japa mala hasn't gotten such a workout since...

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