Visit India: the essentials

Ladakh, the Indian Himalayas

A land of extremes and contrasts, Ladakh is nestled in the Upper Indus Valley. Protected by the Himalayan chain, the "Great Country" spared by the monsoon, is surprisingly arid. Treks in the high mountains (around 5000m above sea level) are one of the region's essential activities . Most departures are from Leh, the capital of the province , located at 3500m above sea level. Former stage of the Silk Road, Leh has a population mainly composed of Tibetans of origin as evidenced by the superb monasteries that are found there . I recommend in particular to visit the most famous, that of Lamayuru. For more information you can also read traveltargets.com.

Shimla

At 2200 meters above sea level , it's difficult not to feel very small in front of the grandeur of the Himalayas. The capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh , Shimla, offers you a welcome break from the humidity of the cities. It is for this reason that the British Empire chose it as the summer capital. Even today, the Shimla buildings bear the imprint of both styles. Victorian style architecture and churches rub shoulders with Hindu temples . Associating the charm with the English and the beauty of the landscapes of the Roof of the World, one understands then why all nickname Shimla " the queen of the hill stations".

Dharamsala

Dharamsala acquired its fame by becoming the place of exile of the fourteenth Dalai Lama in 1959. Many Tibetans joined him and settled in McLeod Ganj, in the upper part of the city, giving Dharamsala the nickname " Little Lhasa ”- name of the capital of Tibet. Here, the Tibetan government in exile founded many monasteries and rebuilt the Institute of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology in order to perpetuate and preserve their ancestral culture. Become an important place of pilgrimage , many tourists flock to discover the monks praying in traditional togas in this city in the heart of the Himalayan mountains. If you feel in a spiritual mood, you can also walk the path of the Kora for a small meditative walk. You will see many flags and prayer wheels there. The place is very frequented by Tibetans who come there to recite their mantras.