Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

12  INTRODUCING INDIA

2 Weeks in the lower ranges of the Himalayas.
the Himalayas Stop and explore the market
town of Mandi (p124) and the
• Airports Arrive at Delhi’s IG nearby Rewalsar Lake (p124),
International or at Shimla which is hemmed in by several
Airport (from Chandigarh and Buddhist monasteries and a
Dharamsala). Return to Delhi vibrant Sikh gurudwara.
from Leh’s domestic airport.
• Transport Travel from Delhi Day 4: McLeodganj
to Shimla takes 10 hours by Spend an hour or so at the
bus or longer via the toy train Museum of Kangra Art (p126,
from Kalka. The rest of the closed Mon) in Dharamsala,
mountain journeys described most noted for its fine collection
below have to be done by of Pahari miniature paintings.
taxi, minibus or shared jeep Dharamsala (p126) is a fairly
and vary in length from a busy Indian hill town, so it is
few hours to two days. better to spend most of your
Entrance to the Jakhu Hill Temple, time in the upper town of
dedicated to Hanuman, Shimla McLeodganj (p126), accessible
Day 1: Shimla by bus or by walking the
Begin the tour in Shimla hike up to the town’s highest more direct but steep route
(pp114–16), the state capital point at Jakhu Hill (p115), that passes the Tibetan
of Himachal Pradesh, draped where there is a Hanuman administra tive centre of
across thickly forested hills. It Temple (p115) and an enormous Gangchen Kyishong (p126).
was the summer capital of the orange concrete statue of the The centre is home to the
British Raj and still retains much monkey god. Head back excellent Library of Tibetan
character from that period, downhill to the thriving stalls Works and Archives (p126).
most evident in the mock Tudor and small shops of the local Be sure to stop at the nearby
and other colonial architectural Lower Bazaar (p114), a great Nechung Monastery (p126),
styles of The Ridge (p114), and spot for spicy snacks. In the seat of the Tibetan State Oracle.
epitomised by Gothic Christ afternoon, take the 15-minute
Church (p114). This is a great stroll up Observatory Hill (p115) Day 5: Around McLeodganj
place to sit and enjoy the cool to the Viceregal Lodge (p115), While away most of the
air and rolling clouds that the grandest edifice of all and day, taking in the laid-back
regularly envelop the town. Just former summer administrative atmosphere of McLeodganj,
below The Ridge runs The Mall headquarters of British India. sampling traditional Tibetan
(p114), packed with places to momos or thukpa, buying
eat. Stop here to enjoy some Day 3: Dharamsala & souvenirs such as thangkas, and
refreshments. Next, visit the State Kangra Valley admiring the views. Don’t miss
Museum (pp114–15, closed Mon), The long trip to Dharamsala the colourful Tsuglagkhang
which has a vast array of artifacts (p126), seat of the Tibetan Complex (p126), just south of
from all over Himachal Pradesh. Government-in-Exile and town. Next, take a walk along
the Dalai Lama, takes visitors the gaily painted Norbulingka
Day 2: In and around Shimla through the impressively Institute (p126) to the lovely
For amazing panoramic views, green Kangra Valley (pp124–5), neighbouring village of
rise early for the fairly strenuous which carves its way through Dharamkot (p126).

Picturesque view of the pretty hill station of Dharamsala
For practical information on travelling around India, see pp750–59

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