4 mins read

10 Offbeat Spots In Mcleodganj You Just Can’t Skip!

10 Offbeat Spots In Mcleodganj You Just Can’t Skip!
NORTH INDIA
ADVENTURE
OFFBEAT

By Akansha

23 Mar, 2023

Listen up! As folks who've made more than a couple of pit stops in McLeodGanj, here's our list of the top 10 things to check out. It's not just your usual pause on the way to the hills But let's keep it real; this ain't your typical travel blog listing the usual spots. This one's for the adventurers bored of the same old, craving something extraordinary. Here are 10 offbeat things that should make it to your McLeodGanj to-do list:

offbeat

Picture - Unsplash 

So Read On To Find Out The Top 10 Quirky And Offbeat Places To Visit In Mcleodganj - 

1. Watch a movie at Cinemaa 1 -  

A Cinema projector in the movie theatre

Picture - Unsplash

Now you must immediately be like ‘what is so special about a movie theatre? Literally, every city has one. While that is 100% true, this is something special and sweet. Tucked away near the Post Office on Jogiwada Road, Cinemaa 1 is a small hall that can accommodate no more than 30 people. Operating for quite a long time, this theatre showcases quirky and underrated movies from afternoon to late evening. The fun part is that the schedule changes every day.

2. Trek To The Top Of Triund

trek

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This one is for the more thrill-seeking kind. Bored of lazing around in hotel rooms and markets? Then the Triund Top trek is what should be on your bucket list for McleodGanj. A beautiful trail that traverses through lush oak and rhododendron forests all while offering scenic views of the valley. The trek is also sprinkled with several cafes (Magic View Cafe, Shiva Cafe, Snowline Cafe etc.) where you can indulge in some local eats. The trail starts in Dharamkot, inclines from Galu Devi temple and escalates to the top of Triund.

3. Visit Vipassana Meditation Retreat

meditation

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Now this one is not for everybody. Let us just get that clear right off the bat. The Dhamma Sikhara Vipassana Retreat is only for those who are committed to finding out what is beyond our obvious reality. Situated amongst 3 acres of stunning cedar deodar forest - this place is a meditation centre that preaches equality, stability, meditative quality, simple living and discovery of one’s higher self. They offer several courses but beginners can only apply for the 10-day course at first The best thing: It is absolutely free of cost!

4. Paragliding In Bir

paragliding

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Only 2 hours away from McleodGanj, the adorable village of Bir is home to Asia’s highest paragliding site. When in McleodGanj, why not take this opportunity to experience this as well? Reaching Bir is easy as there are several cabs and buses plying back and forth. Imagine soaring in the sky while the people under your feet look like ants and you start to sway and undulate between the giant mountains and the deep valley. Paragliding in Bir is something that no one should skip when looking for places to visit in McleodGanj.

5. Family Pizzaria

pizza

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Gather around all my foodie friends. This one is for you. Raved about by hundreds and hundreds of travellers - the Family Pizzaria is undoubtedly one of the best places serving pizza in McleodGanj. Owned by Hansraj and Phillipe - they produce some of the softest and most delicious pizza pies. Foodies are in love with the way they hand knead their pizza dough, prepare an in-house marinara sauce and the slight smokiness from baking in original wood-fired ovens. The best thing about it: The 3 cheese pizza and the Napo pizza.

6. Bodhi Greens Cafe

greenery

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You know, we play fair. Not gonna be the one to discriminate. So if you are a conscious eater and tired of eating the same old veg food in all the places you visit in McleodGanj, then Bodhi Greens is the place to rush to! Situated on Main Street in Dharamkot - Bodhi Greens is an all-natural, all-organic and all-vegan cafe. They have an enormous range of scrumptious, delicious and lip-smacking food - all while being sustainable and vegan. Truly the best of both worlds. The best thing about it: Soymilk peanut butter shake and Buddha bowls.

7. Kareri Lake Trek

kareri laek

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Absolutely perfect for enthusiastic adventurers who are looking for a thrilling trek without spending a week in the jungles. Kareri Lake is a shallow, freshwater lake in the Dhauladhar ranges that is quickly approachable and has massive payback with views views views! Scenic sub-tropical forests and rocky grasslands pave the way to reach this high-altitude lake that has high visibility in the water. Some might even call it a crystal lake. Out of all the places to visit in McleodGanj, this one is quite the adventure. The best thing about it: Taking a dip in the freezing lake waters - utterly refreshing.

8. Mcleodganj Tea Gardens

tea

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Speaking of tea brews, it would totally be a missed opportunity if you did not visit the Narghota tea gardens while in McleodGanj. Though in comparison to estates in Assam and Darjeeling, these grounds are quite smaller - but very much soothing to walk around in nonetheless. The expanse of green tea shrubs on all sides makes for an amazing walk. If you are lucky to be there immediately after a fresh burst of rain - then your olfactory senses will be drenched in the rich aroma of the famous Kangra tea. The best thing about it is: You can buy some delicious Kangra tea brews and tisanes for your loved ones.

9. Volunteer At LHA

volunteer

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The LHA Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots organization that helps provide rehabilitation, education and work opportunities to displaced Tibetian refugees. They are sustained mainly by sponsors, donors and volunteers. No matter your interest - be it management, community service, photography or cooking; LHA would be more than happy to accommodate you. Generally, people are required to volunteer for a minimum time period of a month. Volunteers from around the world come here to volunteer with and help this organization grow so it definitely is an amazing place to meet kind, generous and like-minded people. The best thing about it: Seeing the smiles on the faces of the little refugee children.

10. Watch Alternative Cinema at DIFF

Picture of a Cinema Hall

Picture - Unsplash 

The Dharamshala International Film Festival or DIFF is the brainchild of cinema enthusiasts Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam. One fine day in 2011, they decided to bring alternative cinema to the sleepy hill station that was McleodGanj. And the rest is history. Opening every year since then, this film festival gives you a taste of the best independent art-house cinema. The best thing about it: Grabbing a plate of momo between watching back-to-back international films.

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