Divine Dharamshala - the abode of god. H.H Dalai Lama #mcleodganj #TriundTrek #dharamshalastadium 

I had my reservation at "Tibet World" hostel through booking.com at McLeod Ganj and the staff were very helpful in guiding and helping with late check in. Reached McLeod Ganj by 9.30PM and started by foot to hostel. The first impression at main square was ' Am I at any pub city or at divinity centre?!!!" , Loud music, Posh Bars, late night parties is the developing culture at McLeod Ganj!!! Had Momo's as dinner from Street side vendor and didn't realize at that moment- "Momo's" would be my breakfast, lunch, dinner for next 2days :) reached the hostel by 10PM, checked-in and crashed to bed.

Next day 23rd morning woke up by 7 for this great view from my room

Trek trail starts from "Himalaya Tea Shop" Dharamkot, after taking a right turn post this shop on right side there are markings on the wall indicating the trail- pay attention here else you might end up taking the motorable road till Ghalu Devi temple which is lengthier compared to trek trail.

Initial trek trail is through lush green tall oak, deodar and rhododendron trees with steps carved out of rocks in the forest. As read in other blogs this Trek isn't either easy or difficult, it's an moderate trek due to Himalayan terrain, altitude, Oxygen levels and the trail. Trail is combination of steps, steep road, boulders and some idiotic people who play some shitty songs on portable loud speakers!!!!!!!!

All through the trek the most annoying thing I felt was the loud music and yet times I had seen in a group each one of them were playing their own playlists on speakers. Bizarre isn't it!!! Everyone is a DJ here.

This trek is highly commercialised by the camping agencies, pre-booking is required to camp at the peak. There are many agencies at McLeod Ganj who offer camping, food at the hill peak so do contact them if you are interested to camp but my recommendation would be to avoid due to the heavy crowd, there is no point in camping if you don't have your personal space, peace of mind.

All through the trek trail there are shop vendors who offer Maggie, bread omelet, snacks and bottled water for extra price and the prices increase as you gain height towards the peak, can't argue much about the prices since even these shop vendors have to trek with these consumables, probably they may use mules.

This is the first view of the mountains from the peak

It took around 2.5hours to trek 7kms distance and another 1.5 to 2 hours to descend. If there was any snow on the trail then it would have been difficult but luckily there wasn't any snow or patches of it. But at the peak there was snow and spent around 1 hour enjoying nature and capturing mighty himalayas. Temperature at peak was 1°c

Tip: Starting the trek in the early hours has advantages like Witness sun rise, great views, can avoid scorching sun and most importantly the crowd. Trekking is not allowed towards the peak post 3PM unless until you have an camping reservation and your count is under the cutoff limit of camping capacity allowed by the authorities. Yes, there is a camping count limit issued by authorities but not sure if the rule is implemented stringently.

In the main temple #photography is prohibited and silence should be maintained but there was an tourist family ignoring both the rule's. Monks were offering their prayers and women were meditating in front of Tara Devi idol.

Next to the main temple there is main prayer wheel which should be turned in clockwise and the chanting mantra is "Om Mani Padme Hum"

From the monks at the temple found out that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is at Varanasi for an cultural meeting. I was unlucky and disappointed that I didn't had chance to meet, attend his teachings and taking blessings from the Dalai Lama.

Post the disappointment headed to the tibetan museum, Tibet parliament in exile.

Tibet museum has the Tibet culture, their lifestyle, their fight with China, struggles with Chinese government, their exile to India and their life in India has been listed in detail.

Tibet parliament in exile: This is an place to visit in McLeod Ganj to know about the tibetan exile government in India, their democratic ways of running their exile government, their settlements etc. By the way this is an guided tour by the staff at office for free, no fees charged.

At 12PM checked-out from the #tibetworld hostel and headed to Dharamshala to visit #Warmemorial and beautiful #dharamshalacricketstadium.

My stay at #tibetworld costed me ₹800 per day for mountain view room with clean,comfort beds and hot water bath.

Took share taxi from McLeod Ganj to Dharamshala Bus stand for ₹20 and deposited my rucksack for ₹30 till evening at a shop in the bus stand premises.

Spent a good amount of time in the stands just watching Himalayas not the match :P

Spent a good amount of time in the stands and headed to Dharamshala bus stand and picked my bag to board bus to Reckong Peo @7PM, Yes I am visiting beautiful #SpitiValley in winter :D

A long crazy journey of 18 hours from Dharamshala to Reckong Peo via Shimla in an ordinary HRTC bus is the plan.

Total Expenses for 2days: ₹1810

Stay for 2days: Total ₹ 850 ( Per day its ₹800 and I had shared the room with co-traveller)

Travel by Bus from Amritsar to Mcleod Ganj: ₹230

Auto, Taxi Fare in Mcleod Ganj for 2 days:₹ 200

Fees/Entry Ticket at different places:₹ 60

Food for 2 days:₹ 500

Good bye “Divine Dharamshala”, i continued my 16days #dreamcircuittrip to Spiti Valley.