A Guide to Little Lhasa in India

Since 1959, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, fleeing persecution in his homeland, made it his home in exile and Dharamsala is head quarter of Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Today, more than 10,000 Tibetan refugees consider Dharamsala their second home, and called Little Lhasa in India

Dharamsala is divided into two very different parts. Kotwali Bazaar and areas further down the valley (at the average height of 1,250 metres) are called Lower Dharamsala, while McLeod Gunj (at the height of nearly 1,800 metres) and surrounding areas are known as Upper Dharamsala. McLeod Gunj is nine kilometres by bus route and four kilometres by taxi route up the hill from Kotwali Bazaar. While inhabitants of Lower Dharamsala are almost all Indians, McLeod Gunj is primarily a Tibetan area. Pine, Himalayan oak, and rhododendron and deodar forests surround McLeod Gunj. The main crops grown by local Indians in the valleys below McLeod Gunj are rice, wheat and tea.

Today, streams of Tibetan refugees from all over the world flock to McLeod Gunj to receive blessings and teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Western and Indian tourists and scholars come here to see the rebirth of an ancient and fascinating civilization. The high altitude and cool weather contribute physically to this recreation of the original Tibetan environment. Dharamsala pulsates with the sights and sounds of old Tibet. Though certainly more modern, life is basically Tibetan in character. Shops strung out along the narrow streets of McLeod Gunj sell traditional Tibetan arts and handicrafts and the aroma of Tibetan dishes.

The cultural life in Dharamsala is colourful and rich in tradition. One can pay visit to the many cultural institute, such as Main Temple ( TSUGLAG KHANG (CENTRAL CATHEDRAL) Situated opposite the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsuglag Khang is known to the locals  as the Main Temple.

Library of Tibetan Works & Archives

Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute

Over a period of 2,500 years Tibetans have perfected a sophisticated medical tradition based on the holistic concept of mind and body. Tibetan doctors would normally follow three methods of diagnosis: visual, interrogation and pulse reading. Sometimes, they may be able to tell your ailment by merely asking the symptoms, followed by a pulse reading and a look at your tongue or eyes. However, it is believed that diagnosis is more accurate if these methods are accompanied by a urine test

Tibetan Children Village (TCV) - SOS Kinderdrof

There are about 11,000 Tibetan refugee children attending TCV schools established for them in India. TCV in Dharamsala is one example. It is a boarding school and conducts classes from Kindergarten to High School. Base Camp Explorer (BCE) is funding construction of House of Peace and Dialogue in the Tibetan children village and grants two scholarships for Eco-tourism studies in India. TCV is one of our partners in Dharamsala

TIBETAN INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS (TIPA)

TIPA is about fifteen minutes' walk from McLeod Gunj. Established in 1959, TIPA was the very first institution in exile. TIPA preserves a wide repertoire of musical, dance and theatrical traditions from Tibet.  TIPA also maintains its own workshops for making costumes, masks and musical instruments.

NORBULINGKA INSTITUTE

Norbulinga Institute is centre for Tibetan art and crafts and is Basecamp explorer partner in Dharamsala.

 Today, occupied-Tibet undergoing the bleakest period in its history. The exile Tibetan community is doing their best to preserve their cultural and identity. The Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala plays important roll in this endeavour and takes initiatives to preserve the roots of Tibetan culture in exile. The institute is sited in a scenic valley below Dharamsala and runs two guest house-Chonor guesthouse and Norling guesthouse.

Trekking

Trek to Triund (1500 m) 18 kms (a popular day or overnight trek. A popular for a day or overnight stay on the 9,000 foot ridge behind the Dhauladhar range. Basecampexplorer has local Tibetan trekking guide and provides all the necessary need for trekking. Overnight in traditional Tibetan nomad tent, made for basecampexplorer. 

Accommodation

Chonor guesthouse is in upper Dharamsala opposite the Main Temple.
Norling guesthouse is in a scenic valley below Dharamsala-
These two guesthouses have exquisite Tibetan interior decoration, furnishing ,cosy and high standard.
Our guest will stay in Chonor guesthouse and the last part of visit in Dharamsala at Norling guesthouse for more relax and to enjoy the nature.

Local coordinator of Basecampexplorer 

Miss Dolma Chopel is local coordinator for Basecampexplore who will take care of the guest and she will accompany the group during their stay in Dharamsala.   

Weather

Best season is beginning of March through end of June and Mid September through end of November. Temrature round 20-24c.

Transport

Dharamsala can reach by an overnight train from Delhi, which takes 12 hours to Pathankot and two and half hours by vehicle, or drive from Delhi to Dharamsal (514 km), which takes about 10 hours with stop on the way.