Things to do in Himachal Pradesh
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McLlo Restaurant
Crowded nightly and justifiably popular, this big place above the noisy bus stand area serves a mind-boggling menu of Indian, Chinese and international fare, including pizzas and pasta. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy an icy cold beer (Rs100), and it has cider and wines.
reviewed
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Pizza Olive
The aromas wafting from the pizza oven give this place an authentic Italian feel and the pizzas and pasta dishes don’t disappoint. You can eat indoors or out in the garden.
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Ki Gompa
About 12km from Kaza, the tiny village of Ki is dominated by the whitewashed buildings of Ki Gompa. Set atop a 4116m-high hillock, this is the largest gompa in Spiti and the views from the top are extremely photogenic. Around 300 monks, including many students from surrounding villages, live here. An atmospheric puja is held in the new prayer hall every morning at around 7am (8am in winter). On request, the monks will open up the original medieval prayer rooms, full of thangkas, Buddhist texts printed on cloth, and the bed slept in by the Dalai Lama on his visits in 1960 and 2000. Dance masks are brought out for the annual Ki chaam festival (June/July) and again in Februa…
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Naggar Castle
Built by the Sikh rajas of Kullu in 1460, this beautiful fort is a fine example of the alternating stone and timber style of Himachali architecture. It was converted into a hotel in 1978 when the last raja fell on hard times. There’s a tiny one-room museum downstairs, and the Jagtipath Temple in the courtyard houses a slab of stone said to have been carried here by wild bees. The best way to experience the castle is to stay here, and there’s also a restaurant – see right.
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Bhimakali Temple
The former summer capital of the Bushahr kingdom, Sarahan is dominated by the fabulous Bhimakali Temple, built from layers of stone and timber to absorb the force of earthquakes. There are two towers here, one built in the 12th century, and a newer tower from the 1920s containing a highly revered shrine to Bhimakali (the local version of Kali) beneath a beautiful silver-filigree canopy.
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Dhankar Gompa
The 1200-year-old Dhankar Gompa is wedged between rocky spurs at the top of the Dhankar village, with views that inspire euphoria. The lower monastery building has a silver statue of Vajradhara (the Diamond Being), and there’s a second prayer hall on the hilltop, with exquisite medieval murals of Sakyamuni, Tsongkhapa and Lama Chodrag.
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Tabo Gompa
About 47km east of Kaza, tiny Tabo is the only other town in the Spiti Valley. The ridge above town is riddled with caves used as meditation cells by local lamas. The village is completely dominated by Tabo Gompa, a World Heritage Site preserving some of the finest Indo-Tibetan art in the world.
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Tibetan Handicrafts Cooperative Centre
Tibetan Handicrafts Cooperative Centre employs newly arrived refugees in the weaving of Tibetan carpets. You’ll pay around Rs6000 for a 0.9m by 1.8m wool carpet in traditional Tibetan colours and you can watch the weavers in action. For made-to-order clothing, head over the road to the Tailoring Section.
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Oogo’s Cafe Italiano
This cute hole-in-the-wall place serves up mainly Italian fare, but with a few surprises – waffles, baked potatoes, intriguing pasta dishes like ‘chicken vodka’ and even grilled lamb chops. The atmosphere is warm and busy and there are tempting desserts, as well as a bookshelf full of reading material.
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Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted
Manali’s mellowest hang-out, this hole-in-the-wall cabin-style coffeeshop in Old Manali serves the best espresso coffee in town, cinnamon tea, hearty breakfasts, garlic cheese toast and wicked desserts like chocolate-chip cookies and ‘Hello to the Queen’. DVD movies are shown in an adjoining room.
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Tibet Museum
Just inside the main entry gate of the Tsuglagkhang Complex is the Tibet Museum, telling the tragic story of the Chinese occupation and the subsequent Tibetan exodus through photographs, interviews and video clips. A visit here is a must for anyone staying in McLeod Ganj.
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Cecil Restaurant
For a formal night out, look no further than the colonial elegance of the Cecil Restaurant. An à la carte menu is available but there are sumptuous buffets for breakfast and dinner. Book ahead. There’s also a casual garden restaurant, or you can opt for a drink in the atrium lobby bar.
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Chopsticks
The most popular traveller choice along the Mall in Manali town, this intimate Tibetan-Chinese-Japanese place is always busy. Naturally there are Indian dishes here, too, along with local trout. Cold beers and fruit wines are also served. Arrive early to secure a table in the evening.
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Lung Ta
The set menu changes daily at this popular, nonprofit, vegetarian Japanese restaurant. Food and ambience are authentic and many Japanese travellers come here for a taste of home.
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Moonpeak Espresso
A little bit of Seattle, transported to India. Come for excellent coffee, cakes, imaginative sandwiches and dishes like poached chicken with mango, lime and coriander sauce.
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Namgyal Cafe
Located at Namgyal Gompa (part of the Tsuglagkhang Complex), and this cafe serves cakes and vegetarian food. It also provides vocational training for refugees.
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Tushita Meditation Centre
Near Dharamkot, Tushita offers eight-day nonresidential courses and 10-day residential retreats in Buddhist philosophy, plus courses for advanced students.
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Hotel Dupchen
A popular local restaurant, serving Indian and Tibetan staples (Rs20 to Rs80), with a few spick-and-span rooms upstairs.
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Chocolate Log
One of McLeod’s original cake shops and still setting a high standard for sweets, coffee and freshly baked cakes.
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Kora Community Cafe
Kora Community Cafe, near Hotel Lotus Lake, is good for coffee, Tibetan snacks and a veg thali.
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Tibet Kitchen
On the road to the Club House, this is a decent Tibetan and Chinese place with the feel of a real restaurant.
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Little Italy
Pizzas and pasta dishes are better than average at this 1st-floor restaurant, and you can get a cold beer.
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Sangye's Kitchen Cooking Courses
Tibetan treats, with a different menu daily. Book one day in advance.
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Taste of India
This tiny place has just five tables and is often full with diners savouring North Indian veg and nonveg curries and tandoori chicken.
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