Sightseeing Dharamshala

The location of the house is great for hikes and walks to Mcleodganj, Bhagsu Nag and Dharamkot using a mountain trail, reachable on foot within 30mins to an hour. If you wish to drive to any of these places then it is only a 10-15 mins drive further up the mountain (of course this is not applicable in the high tourist season of May and June) You can take the short cut walk to Mcleodganj Gamru, it's about 30 min to an hour on foot. Mcleodganj is the most touristy area of Dharamshal. It has lots of eating and shopping places. Do carry your ID proof and visit His Holiness Dalai Lama’s temple.

Dharamkot is tucked away in the mountains further ahead of Mcleodganj and is about 15 mins drive or 45 mins uphill walk from the villa. It is a surreal little village spread in the mountains and unlike Mcleodganj it is much more calmer and has a true village feel to it. Be prepared to walk. It has two parts to it, upper and lower Dharamkot. You will find a lot of vegan cafes, Israeli food places and different kind of jewellery shops.

Bhagsu Waterfalls- situated near the Bhagsu village 7000 ft above the sea level is 25 mins drive from the villa. Bhagsu is mainly known for its Bhagsunag temple. This stunning waterfall is a walkable distance from the temple and has sensation valley views. This is a famous tourist attraction and also an important place for Hindu pilgrims. The cascading waterfalls, about 20 metres in height, are an absolute marvel to look at, especially during the monsoons. There is a nice cafeteria next to the falls and the area serves as an excellent picnic spot for tourists. Bhagsunag Falls are located about 2 kilometres away from McLeodganj and are best to visit while on a trek, although you can also drive up to Bhagsu village.

Norbulinga Institute- The Institute was founded in 1988 by Kelseng and Kim Yeshi and is dedicated to preserving Tibetian art n Culture in its literary and artistic forms. It is 20 mins drive from the villa and is located in Sidhpur a suburb of Dharamshala. From the moment you step inside the gates of Norbulingka, it is as if you are transported to a different world. Streams run through Japanese-styled gardens. The architecture, built in the traditional Tibetan style gives a feeling of returning to old Tibet.  There is much to see and do here, and you will want to allow for at least several hours to explore the institute. They have two cafes in the institute.

From Norbulinga you can visit the Gyuto Tantric Monastery. It is the Karmapa’s Monastery and is also home to his office of administration which is responsible for coordinating all his activities. One of the most famous monasteries in Tibet, the Gyuto Monastery is known for its study of Tantric meditation, Tantric ritual arts and Buddhist philosophy. It was founded in Tibet in 1474 by the main disciple of the first Dalai Lama, Jetsun Kunga Dhondup. After the communist Chinese invasion in 1959, the monastery was re-established in India. The monks here practice the major Tantric texts.

You can plan a day for Kangra fort and Masroor Rock temple. The Kangra Fort is a majestic sample of architecture, which was constructed by the royal family of Kangra and dates back to around the 4th Century B.C. This is known to be the largest fort in the Himalayas and is one of the oldest forts in India. This ancient fort is located about 20 kilometres away from Dharamshala and houses a few temples that can be accessed by passing through seven gates. A major tourist attraction at the Kangra Fort is the magnificent view of the Manjhi and Banganga rivers from here.

Dubbed the Himalayan Pyramid, Masroor Rock Cut Temple is a popular archaeological site in India that is around 32 km from Kangra on Nagrota-Surian Link Road. A major part of the famous rock-cut temples are in ruins yet one can study the relics clearly. According to different studies conducted by the experts the temple complex was built in between the 8th-9th century AD. A group of 15 monolithic rock-cut temples designed in Indo-Aryan style. The main shrines contain the stone idols of Rama-Laxman and Sita. It is claimed that all 15 temples are carved out of a single rock.

The library is home to significant resources including important Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts and archives related to Tibet’s history, politics, culture and art that were relocated from Tibet after the 1959 escape. It has over 80,000 manuscripts, books and documents, more than 600 thangkas and statues and other artefacts of Buddhist heritage, and 6,000 photographs, amongst other things. The third floor of the library has a museum with notable artefacts including a three-dimensional carved wooden mandala of Avalokiteshvara and items dating back to the 12th century. You can take a cab to the library which will take 5 mins or you can walk uphill for 15 mins via a shortcut from the villa.