Ddharamsala and Mcleodganj Part-1

A new trip to Himachal and this time we opted for Dharamsala and Mcleodganj. We were planning for Dalhousie and Khajjiar but due to lack of time and no direct state run Volvo service we went to Dharamsala and Mcleodganj . The first part of any backpacker traveller is to look for a decent hotel as we were going in peak season so it was obvious that finding one will be not easy. After checking many hotels online we finally decided for” The Kashmir House” (Himachal Tourism hotel). The bus reached Dharamsala at about 6:30 A: M and our check in time was for 12:00 PM. The hotel was situated 2 K.M from bus stand which looks very easy to cover in Google Map. But it was an endurance walk as the roads are elevated. After a tiring walk we finally reached our hotel at 7:30 A: M. But we had to wait a lot because no rooms were vacant, finally we got our room at 11:30 A:M after we had finished our breakfast. The hotel was the residence of Raja of Kashmir. The carvings on the doors clearly showcase the work of Kashmir art and the architecture of the building endorses the beauty.

Unlike from the hustle in Dharamsala this property is located at a quiet place in the arms of mother nature. There was a huge and beautiful garden in front of the hotel surrounded by big trees loaded with flowers. There was also a small fountain in between the garden but was not working. The best part was that we got a room in second floor and every room has its own balcony. The only problem in the property is of privacy because all the rooms in terrace were interlinked. We understand the issue because it was a residence turned into a heritage hotel. The best part was hotel was surrounded with so many trees that it seems more as a Jungle cottage.

Dharamsala- Bird eye view

After a small nap we started our trip and the 1^st destination was Tea Gardens. As there are many tea estate but the nearest is Mann tea estate. In Google map the distance was only 2 KM but in actual it was more than 4 KM with elevated roads. The direction was little confusing because someone had guided us to a wrong path. However the view of the tea estate was worth the effort! Miles of lush green velvety expanse was soothing and extremely joyful. It was my first experience in a tea garden which I will cherish forever!

Green all the way

The location was far from the city, so was not crowded at all and we are the only ones with some local women plucking tea leaves. I wanted to go to the top but the path was quite elevated as well as slippery. We spent nearly an hour taking lot of pictures. I tried to click an old women working in the plantation but she got angry and told me not to click anymore. By that time I had already got few shots. We also met some school children who cover a long distance every day across the town, while we were exhausted in one day!

School days

Road to nowhere

Don't click