Dharamsala is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas located in the Himachal Pradesh region in northern India. It is approximately 12 hours from the capital of New Delhi. After a day long orientation in Delhi, volunteers will take a flight to Dharamsala. Your Home-Base is located in Dharamsala. Because of its location in the mountains, volunteers experience a five minute or forty minute drive to our Partner Programs in the community. Dharamsala neighbors several culturally and historically rich communities and volunteers are able to enjoy their unique opportunity to be in such a pure part of India by traveling, hiking, and relaxing on the weekends.

Dharamsala lies in the foothills of the Dhauladhar (White Mountain) range, in the picturesque lower Kangra valley. Dharamsala has become famous as the center of the Buddhist Tibetan Government in Exile and home to the Dalai Lama. The town is split into two levels – the lower level of Dharamsala is primarily Indian, and contains the Kotwali Bazaar, while the upper level, known as McLeod Ganj, is primarily Tibetan and is home to the Dalai Lama and base of operations for the Tibetan Government in Exile.* Though the two sections of the city are just 10km apart, each has its own district ambiance and culture. McLeod Ganj is quite cosmopolitan, largely due to the presence of the Dalai Lama and the consequent concentration of Buddhist devotees from around the world. Lower Dharamsala is mainly centered along one long, narrow road brimming with small shops and vendors. Cross-Cultural Solutions operates our Home-Base and all Partner Programs solely in lower Dharamsala.

Dharamsala is covered with pines, rhododendrons and Himalayan Oaks. The entire landscape is a stunning display of natural beauty. From a variety of vantage points one can see the snowcapped peaks of the Dhauladhar mountain range, part of the Pir Panjal region of the outer Himalayas with peaks rising to 17,000 ft above McLeod Ganj. Volunteers traveling through Dharamsala will find a variety of handicrafts from both local artisans and Tibetan craft persons, such as ornate traditional Tibetan rugs, handmade paper, and incense. There are paths that lead up into the mountains for hiking and donkey rides, and small temples and breathtaking scenic vantage points dot the trails.

The population of this area is approximately 100,000 with the heart of Dharamsala centered around a bustling market center. The altitude of the town ranges from 4,100 ft to 6,500 ft.

The Home-Base consists of a house and a few small flats in a quiet neighborhood, a ten minute walk on an unpaved road from the main road. Each flat consists of a kitchen and common area where volunteers can relax after their placements, enjoy chai tea in the evenings, and eat breakfast together every morning. Volunteers should expect to share a room with one or two other people. Each bathroom will have running water, flushing toilets, and volunteers should look forward to taking bucket showers. The flats also feature a small front yard with a view of the mountains and a small front porch where volunteers like to absorb their surroundings. There are internet cafes in Dharamsala, so communication home is easy and inexpensive; however, the connection may be slow and sometimes out of order!

* During 1959, after the start of the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama sought refuge in India. The then Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru was instrumental in granting safe refuge to the Dalai Lama and his fellow Tibetans. The Dalai Lama has since lived in exile in Dharamsala,  in the state of  Himachel Pradesh in northern India, where the Central Tibetan Adminstration (the Tibetan government-in-exile) is also established. Tibetan refugees have constructed and opened many schools and Buddhist temples in Dharamsala.