long stay
Long-stay Dharamshala: a people-first primer
A month in the hills works when you know who to ask, where to eat, and which village fits your pace.
Guide hero — terrace in fog
Start with people, not listings
The durable way into a long stay is through someone who already lives here — a cook, cafe owner, farmer, or long-stay resident who can tell you which lane has quiet rooms and which trail is worth your mornings.
Villages to know
- **Dharamkot** — kitchens, long-stay rooms, trails
- **McLeodganj** — monastery town, archive, civic life
- **Rakkar** — farms below the tourist line
What to do first week
1. Pick one person profile and visit their place. 2. Walk one village without a map. 3. Save three people you want to meet next.