The Dalai Lama calls McLeod Ganj home. Picture: Graeme Israel

Covering one-tenth of the world's surface, the Himalayas are a spectacle all to themselves.

Throw in an exiled Buddhist leader, a few hundred thousand of his followers and arguably the best latte the subcontinent has to offer and you've got a recipe for a truly unique destination.

The Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile both call McLeod Ganj home so it's no surprise that the town has a distinctly Tibetan feel.

McLeod Ganj is a great place to fill up on decent Western food, Momos (Tibetan dumplings) and coffee so good you'll think you're in Seattle (Moon Peak Coffee).

If you're still up to it after all that eating, the hills around McLeod Ganj are a great place to hike in tranquility and shake off the chaos of India for a few hours.