How to get there
Coming from Gaggal
The nearest airport is at Gaggal, about 18 kilometers away from Dharamshala. Gaggal airport connects Dharamshala to Delhi via Air India and Spice Jet flights. Tourists from other parts of India would find it easier to take a flight till Chandigarh and book a taxi for their onward journey to Dharamshala, which is about 275 kilometers away
Taxi Service
DHARAMSHALA TRAVELS
Phone Number :
7807770248
7807770241
Email :
karma.exotica@karmagroup.com
Car rental
DHARAMSHALA TRAVELS
Phone Number :
7807770248
7807770241
Email :
karma.exotica@karmagroup.com
Groceries
‘In & Out’ mini mart near
Maximus Mall, B.P Petrol
Station & ‘V- Store’ general
provision store, Near Kotwali
Bazar Dharamshala
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Taxi Service
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Car rental
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Groceries
DHARAMSHALA ON THE PLATE
Our top picks of restaurants in the region
PLACES TO VISIT WHILE STAYING AT KARMA EXOTICA
We look foward to Welcome you to Karma Exotica. We remain at your diposal for any additional information to help you plan your stay. Do not hestitate to contact us at
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Tibet Kitchen
Located in the main square of Mcleodganj, Tibet Kitchen serves up authentic Tibetan Delicacies
all day long. The Food at Tibet Kitchen is a product of traditional recipes that have been brought
to India by the Tibetan Settlers. Highlight of their menu is the ‘Bao’ – Tibetan bread Rolls with
‘Thukpa’ – Tibetan Soup and the famed ‘Tibetan Butter Tea’.
Open daily from 10:00AM to 9:30PM
Jogiwara Road, House #1, Mcleodganj Main Square, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
078074 19692
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Mcleodganj
When travellers talk of heading up to Dharamsala (to see the Dalai Lama…), this is where they
mean. Three kilometres north of Dharamsala town (or 10km via the looping bus route), McLeod
Ganj is the residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and home to a large Tibetan population,
including many monks and nuns. The Tibetan government-in-exile is based just downhill at
Gangchen Kyishong. McLeod attracts thousands of international visitors each year to volunteer
with the Tibetan community, take courses in Buddhism, meditation or yoga, trek in the Dhauladhar
mountains, shop for Tibetan crafts, or just hang out and enjoy the low-budget spiritual/alternative
vibe and the many good cafes and restaurants dishing up Indo-Italo-Israeli-Tibetan food.
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Trek & Dine
Indian, Pizza, Mediterranean, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options.
Trek & Dine is located in Dharamkot – a little hippie village near McLeodganj. It offers a variety of
food with flavors of Mediterranean and Thai cuisine. Spread on two levels, the upper deck offers
relaxed lounge style seating with a cozy ambience. The restaurant also serves house-made cakes
and desserts.
Open daily from 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Dharamkot, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
097363 65156
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Dharamshala Town
Dharamshala lies beneath the foothills of the Dhauladhars, in the midst of wild and picturesque
scenery. This place is also famous for its newly built cricket stadium which offers opportunities
to the youth of state to prepare for their future in the game. Dharamshala also has beautiful tea
gardens and its tea, known as Dharamsala or Kangra tea, is very popular across India and the
rest of the world. Traditionally known for Kangra green tea, Dharamshala now produces all teas
including black tea, green tea, oolong tea and white teas, in addition to the popular Kashmiri
Kahwa and Masala Chai. The Kotwali Bazaar is the main market street in Dharamshala.
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Morgan’s Place
Morgan’s Place in Dharamkot offers food and drinks in a relaxed setting overlooking the slopes
of Triund, Upper Dharamkot and the majestic Dhauladhars. The Highlight of Morgan’s Place is
their food fired Pizzas and other Italian inspired food. Also serves English Breakfasts and Freshly
Squeezed Seasonal Fruit Juices and Smoothies.
Open daily from 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Morgan’s Place, Dharamkot, Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh 176219
086269 39538
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Kangra Art Museum
A treasure trove for all the creativity to come out of the Kangra valley, the Kangra Art Museum
stocks various arts and crafts depicting the rich heritage of its people. With artefacts dating all
the way back to the 5th century, make a trip and browse through some of their most famous
miniature paintings, a rich collection of sculptures, pottery and other anthropological objects.
Housing ‘shamianas’ and dresses that belonged to the area’s royalty, and even old carvings, coins,
jewellery and manuscripts from back in the day, it’s a great way to take in the history. There’s even
a specific section displaying the works of contemporary artists, sculptures and photographers
and a well-stocked library just below.
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Illiterati books and café
Illiteratti is a contemporary cafe and library serving local organic food in a book store with a
wood stove and carom boards. Perched on the slopes of Mcleodganj overlooking the town of
Dharamshala and the Dhauladhars across the valley, Illiteratti is a haven for people who love to
get lost in the simple pleasures of reading a good book and enjoying a scrumptious meal.
Open daily from 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Jogiwara Rd, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
085880 46101
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War Memorial
The War Memorial is located at the entry point of the Dharamshala town and it was built to
commemorate the memory of those who fought valiantly for the honor of their motherland. This
place is ideally located in the pine forest of Dharamshala and offers a very pleasant walk through
the woods. There are two main attractions nearby the War Memorial-the beautiful GPG College
Dharamshala, made during the British Era and a café serving fast food and beverages. Surrounded
by sprawling gardens, the elegant looking War Memorial is a tribute to those brave souls who
sacrificed their life for the country and this signifies that these soldiers will always be alive in
our thoughts. During the operations of 1947-48, 1962, 1965, and 1971 and various peacekeeping
missions, many soldiers lost their lives, and it was in their memory that the War Memorial was
built with the names of those many heroes inscribed on the stone.
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Shiva Café
A 20 minute trek from the Bhagsu-Nag Temple ( 2kms from the Mcleodganj main square), takes
you to the delightful Bhagsu Waterfall and a further 10 minute climb brings you the magical Shiva
Café. With a natural plunge pool, outdoor seating, cobbled floors and naked stone walls, murals
of Mythical beings and a perennial stream flowing below, Shiva Café is a paradise in the hills.
Serving Fresh Pressed Juices, Wood Fired Pizzas, Mediterranean and Indian food, Shiva café is a
must do for nature enthusiasts and food lovers alike.
Open daily from 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Near Bhagsunag Water Fall, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
96250 28530
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Kunal Pathri Mata Temple
Kumar Pathri is a small town near Dharamsala, located in the Dhauladhar Ranges in Kangra district
of Himachal Pradesh. The major attraction here is the temple of Mata Kunal Pathri, dedicated to
local Goddesses Durga. This place is surrounded by dense tea gardens and is a perfect place to
have a natural walk. The temple premises offer a good view of Dhauladhar Rangeand low lying
lawns. The temple is consecrated to Kapaleshwari. It possesses exquisite carvings of gods and
goddesses. Kunal Pathri rock temples ancient temples in the Kangra region developed for offering
prayers by tribes.
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Gyuto Monastery
Gyuto was founded in 1475 by Jetsun Kunga Dhondup and is one of the main tantric colleges of
the Gelug tradition. In Tibet, monks who had completed their gashes studies would be invited to
join Gyuto or Gyume, another tantric institution, to receive a firm grounding in vajrayana practice.
Both of these monasteries used to be in Lhasa, Tibet, but they have been re-established in India.
At the time of the Chinese invasion in 1950, about 1000 monks were part of the monastery. On
21 March 1959, soon after the 14th Dalai Lama had left Lhasa for exile in India, Ramoche was a
focus of military operations by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. “One especially valuable
memoir is provided by the Fifth Yulo Rinpoche, a monk at Gyuto Upper Tantric College and
organizer of defense of Ramoche Temple, who says that ‘the Chinese Communists shot Tibetans
indiscriminately, whether they had taken part in the resistance or not, and ambushed and killed
many Tibetans who ran to Ngabo’s house for sanctuary.’ Another witness, Jampa Tenzin, has
stated in a personal interview that he saw fleeing beggars and children slain near Ramoche
Temple, a report corroborated in other Tibetan memoirs.
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Bodhi Greens
‘Bodhi Greens’ – the restaurant and store offers vegan food, including desserts, as well as
numerous beverages. Located Dharamkot, they offer American, Italian, Japanese and traditional
Indian cuisines, as well as raw vegan smoothies, shakes, salads, soups, teas and coffees. The also
follow a zero-plastic waste policy and serve all food and beverages in reusable and eco-friendly
materials.
Open daily from 8:00AM to 9:00PM
Main Street | Dharamkot, Dharamsala 176219, India
+91 94184 55066
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KhanaNirvana
KhanaNirvana Community Café is a world cuisine restaurant and community hub in the dynamic
Indian Himalayan town of McLeodGanj, Dharamshala (H.P.), the exile home of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile.
KhanaNirvana serves tasty, all-natural, hygienically-prepared vegetarian food from around the
world in a cosy, comfortable and creative café ambience. KhanaNirvana draws a diverse crowd
of faithful regulars and short-term visitors from across the globe, making it a vibrant hub of
connections and reflections.
Open daily from 10:00AM to 23:00PM
Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
+91 98991 60804
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Naam Art Gallery
Small gallery featuring watercolor, acrylic & oil paintings by 2 renowned European artists. Exhibits
paintings by Elsbeth Buschmann – watercolours and acrylics – and oil paintings by Alfred W.
Hallett. Elsbeth Buschmann, is a professional painter from Germany, having studied painting in
London and Paris. She lived in many countries where she held exhibitions, especially in the USA
where she received various awards. Her paintings are in private collections in Germany, USA,
Scotland, India and Switzerland.
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Dharamkot
Dharamkot is a small hill station in Kangra district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
On the crest of a hill above McLeodGanj, Dharamkot is a spot with wide views of the Kangra
Valley and the Dhauladhar ranges. There are a couple of small eateries around Several foreigners
have taken residence in the area; all live in village homes and guest houses Dharamkot also has
the Vipassana meditation centre, Dhamma Shikara, as well as the Tushita Meditation Centre
which is a centre for the study and practice of Buddhism in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition.
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Norbulingka Institute
Norbulingka Institute, founded in 1988 by Kelsang and Kim Yeshi at Sidhpur, near Dharamshala,
India, is dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan culture in its literary and artistic forms.
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Triund
Triund is the crown jewel of dharamshala , situated in the laps of dhauladhar mountains, it has the perfect
view of the dhauladhar mountains on one side and kangra valley on the other. Triund is a very popular
trekking spot. Triund attracts a lot of tourist every year from India and all over the world.
Triund trek can be described as a tranquil trek which can be easily accomplished by almost all age groups.
Triund has an unambiguous byway which goes through a beautiful mixed forest of oak, deodar and
rhododendron. Trek is fairly easy for the first five kilometers but the last one kilometer may require a bit
of toil, the last one kilometer is popularly known as the “22 curves” as it has 22 tiring curves before you
finally reach Triund. Along the way there are many small chai shops where one can refresh during the hike.
The traipse is worth it as the panorama when you reach triund is awe-inspiring and exhilarating .Triund is
come-at-able for most part of the year except for when the byway to triund is cut off by heavy snowfall in
the months of January and February . Trip to triund can be planed diversely.
The starting point of triund trek is galu , however there are many options to reach galu. Either
you can hire a taxi from Mcleod Ganj till galu or you can start the trek right from Mcleod Ganj .
Trek can also be started from Bhagsu Nag. From galu there is an unambiguous byway which goes
through a beautiful forest of oak, deodar and rhododendron. Although it is best if you can hike
all the way but if you cannot hike all the way then you can hire a horse /pony and enjoy the ride.
Triund is come-at-able for most part of the year except for when the byway to triund is cut off
by heavy snowfall in the months of January and February. The best time for trekking is from
March till May in first part of the year and September till December in the second half of the
year. Though it is rainy in June and July but still trekking is possible, the meadow is lush green
presenting out of this world vista.
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Khajjiar
Khajjiar is a hill station in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is from 140 KM from Dharamshala.
Dating from the 12th century, Khajji Nag Temple is dedicated to a serpent god. Nearby, the high-altitude
Khajjiar Lake is surrounded by cedar forest. West, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is home to animals including
deer and bears. Farther west, Dalhousie is a hill station with mountain views, dotted with temples and 19thcentury
British churches. The Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary which has a wide variety
of flora and fauna. It is densely covered with Deodar and forest. The place is a favorite spot for picnics
and trekking. Khajjiar offers numerous trekking opportunities. Khajjiar to Dainkund is a 3.5 kilometre easy
to moderate trek. The trek starts 6 kilometres from Khajjiar on the Dalhousie-Khajjiar road and ends at
Pholani Devi Temple at Dainkund. This trek with a well-defined trail and moderate ascent is an excellent
trek for beginners and children. The trek offers excellent views and a beautiful camping site
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Chamba
Is a town in the Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, in northern India. According to the 2001
Indian census the town is situated on the banks of the Ravi River (a major tributary of the Trans-Himalayan
Indus River), at its confluence with the Sal River. Chambial were the Rulers of Chamba State Chambials
use suffix Varmans. Though historical records date the history of the Chamba region to the Kolian tribes
in the 2nd century BC, the area was formally ruled by the Maru dynasty, starting with the Raju Maru from
around 500 AD, ruling from the ancient capital of Bharmour, which is located 65 kilometres (40 mi) from
the town of Chamba.
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Aghanjar Mahadev Temple
Humble Hindu temple honoring Shiva, set in front of a serene stream running over large boulders.
There is a small cave of Lord Shiva backside the Temple. The distance between Karma Exotica to
Temple is 3 4 KMs.
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Naddi
Naddi is a village in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of 2000 meters
above sea level, in the upper reaches of the Kangra valley. The village is situated about 3 kilometers
from Mc Leod Ganj. The Naddi View Point offers Panoramic Views of the Dhauladhar Range and is
2 kilometres from the Dal Lake – a small fresh water late surrounded by deodar forests.
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Bir
Bir is a village located in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh in
northern India. Bir is a noted centre for ecotourism, spiritual studies and meditation. Bir is also home
to a Tibetan refugee settlement with several Buddhist monasteries and a large stupa. The Bir-Billing
area is a popular site for paragliding pilots, both Indians and visitors from all over the world. The
flying season is from September to October, with some flying also done in November. The village
continues to host periodic international competitions and events. The paragliding launch site is in
the meadow at Billing (14 km north of Bir), at an elevation of 2400 metres, while the landing site
and most tourist accommodations are in the village of Chowgan (also spelled Chaugan), on the
southern edge of Bir.
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Masrur Temples
The Masrur Temples, also referred to as Masroor Temples or Rock-cut Temples
at Masrur, is an early 8th-century complex of rock-cut Hindu temples in the Kangra Valley of Beas
River in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temples face northeast, towards the Dhauladhar range of
the Himalayas. They are a version of North Indian Nagara architecture style, dedicated to Shiva,
Vishnu, Devi and Saura traditions of Hinduism, with its surviving iconography likely inspired by a
henotheistic framework.
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Kangra Fort
One of the most prominent attractions of Kangra district, Kangra Fort is located at the
outskirts of Kangra town and around 22 km from Dharamshala. The fort is spread over an area of
around 4 km and is guarded by high walls and ramparts. Kangra fort is located atop a hill on the base
of which the river Banganga and Patal Ganga embrace each other. There are plenty of doors in this
fort which are made by the rulers of several dynasties. The entrance to the fort is designed with stone
carvings and known as Ranjit Singh Gate.
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Shoba Singh Art Gallery
Dedicated to the work of eminent artist Sobha Singh, the Sobha Singh Art
Gallery is situated in Andretta village, which is located 14 kms south of Palampur. Sobha Singh is
a veteran painter from the Sikh community and his masterpiece of Guru Nanak (with his one hand
raised as if to bestow blessings) has brought him ample of fame. The art gallery displays some of
the finest work of Sobha Singh, which include portraits of Sohni-Mahinval and Hir-Ranjha (famed
Punjabi couples). Today, Sobha Singh Art Gallery is an important art centre and holds great value in
Punjab’s heritage. Most of the paintings here have the influence Kangra School of art and are donewell
in western classical techniques of oil painting. The art gallery also has sculptures and busts of
some eminent Punjabi icons such as M.S. Randhawa, Prithviraj Kapoor and Nirmal Chandra, and an
incomplete head-study of the Punjabi poetess Amrita Pritam. Apart from Sikh Gurus, Sobha Singh also
painted portraits of Indian national heroes like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Mahatma
Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. The timings for visiting the art gallery are from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
all through the week. Entry is fee and the duration of visit is 1 to 2 hours. The distance between Karma
Exotica Dharamshala to Shobha Singh Art Gallery is 46 Kms by road.