Nestled within the majestic valleys of the Himalayas, Dharamshala is a beautiful town that offers a blend of Tibetan and Indian cultures. Home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the hillside city is best explored through McLeod Ganj, its bustling cultural heart, the beautifully sculpted monasteries, with Namgyal Monastery featuring at the top of the list, the Kangra Valley with its panoramic views, and, post-IPL craze, the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium.
The easiest (and cheapest) way to get to Dharamshala is to take an overnight bus from Delhi, with ticket prices starting at Rs 800.
7. Kodaikanal
A rustic hill-town in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal, with its granite cliffs, forested valleys, glittering waterfalls and grassy hills, makes for the perfect escape from the bustle of city life. At 2,000 metres above sea level, the town flanks the man-made, star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake, perfect for boating. However, if that’s too basic for you, the hill town has a host of adrenaline-spiking hikes and trails, especially around the 5k Lake Road, but make sure to keep an eye out for hungry monkeys!
If you live in Chennai, Bengaluru or Mumbai, you can fly directly into Madurai Airport, which is about 120 kilometres away from Kodaikanal. The price of a round-trip ticket for each of these cities is estimated at a rough Rs 7,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000 respectively.
