Himalayan North Dos and Don'ts

Chandigarh, built by the utopian French architect Le Corbusier, was intended to be the symbol of modern India and is actually a tribute to its creator. While it amazes the local Indian visitor with its straight roads and simplicity, it is nothing new to overseas visitor used to the suburban sprawl. For the denizen of Chandigarh, the life is too tranquil devoid of the pressures of living in a "normal" "chaotic" Indian city. It grows on the person who lives there until he moves outside when he starts missing it. It is famous for the Mohali Cricket stadium situated in the satellite town of Mohali (outside UT Chandigarh in the state of Haryana). Average person in Chadigarh spends his free time looking at each other (men at women and women at men) in Sector 17 or Sukhna Lake. There is pretty much nothing to see beyond the "famous" Rock Garden Chandigarh is the staging point to visit many places around area. Places to visit from Chandigarh McLeodganj, the capital of Tibetan Government in Exile and the seat of Dalai Lama, and the trek in the Dhauladhar mountain ranges Solan and Shimla Amritsar and the Golden Temple

McLeodganj (hereafter referred to as McLeod) is the best place to stay in Dharamsala. You need at least 4-5 days to enjoy this place. How to get there:(cheaply): From ISBT bus stand in Kashimiri gate in Delhi , take the night 7:45pm bus to McLeod. Make sure to take tickets of McLeod and not Dharamsala (although McLeod is in Dharamsala; the bus stops are different).McLeod is often referred to as Upper Dharamsala. Good places to stay in Mcleod:: Within McLeod, you can live at Main McLeodganj, Bhagsu, Dharamkot or on wat to Dharamkot. Many like Bhagsu (especially the Israelis living in McLeod for months). Some feel its kinda dirty. Main mcLeod is central and you can find quite places; but this comes with a price. Dharamkot is LOVELY but 30 mins walk from main market (Rikshaw Rs.30...this was in 2006; now with 8% inflation in India, it would be Rs. 35...lol) Room typically Rs. 100; clean room; rented by families living there. The place has only one main place to visit- Dalai Lama Monestary. So what can keep you busy in McLeod: 1) The Tibetan people (the local Himachalis hate them) 2) The Himachalis (the local Tibetans hate them) 3) Good food; Italian, Israeli and Lovely Himachali food 4) Clubs, yes..This place is like Goa on the hills. 5) Yoga classes; loads of them 6) Meditation classes (yes loads again) 7) Movie shows ; no theatres, its not uncommon to see a shop arranging a movie show (no big screens) and 30-40 people glued around. Cost: Rs 2-10 depends on the movie. I have been to McLeod around 5-6 times and each time have noticed "Monsoon Wedding" being screened. A lot of travellers travel to McLeod alone; so you are sure to catch up with good company there. BEWARE: Beware of carpet shop owners trying to arrange Kashmir Tours for you! Its better to manage it urself if you dont want your pockets to be empty!!!

You can start some really great treks from here into very remote parts of the Himalayas. The StokKangri range is aweseome and doable. There is an abundance of willing local guides. Take horses for the gear and it is easy to shop for reasonable quality stuff for trekking in Leh, too.

They don't serve liquer openly in rishikesh and when they do it's massively overpriced. Save some money and find the beer store (known locally as "english wine shops") about 15 km outside of town on Haridwar road. Be really adventurous and rent a bike from Lucky's Enfield shop in Rishikesh proper (tell him Aaron sent you, maybe he wont rip you off, although probably he will).

Leh is more like Tibet. The people are much more friendly and they don't hassle you. There's allot of great bargains on clothing up there. Oh and if you are so inclined i highly reccomend getting there by motorcycle. Go around the end of July for the easiest trip but if you really want an adventure, leave as soon as the road opens in the beginning of June but dress WARM!! Really good gloves and waterproof gear otherwise the first pass will SHRED you! Have fun.