2 hrs ago
Dharamkot’s ‘Mini Israel’ Sees Fewer Israeli Visitors
Dharamkot is a small village in Himachal Pradesh that many Israeli visitors enjoy.
Some Israelis visit for a holiday, while others return often or hope to make it a second home.
The village has Hebrew signs, places serving Israeli food, and workshops where visitors can learn music or make jewellery.
Local businesses benefit from these visitors.
But this season, fewer Israelis have been coming, and some workshops are quieter.
People disagree about why: they mention the Middle East crisis, costly connecting flights, military service, rainy weather and more domestic tourists.
Police say they are watching the area and have information about foreign visitors staying there.
Some Israeli couples say Dharamkot feels like home.
Dharamkot, near McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh, has become a popular destination and second home for Israeli visitors.
Hebrew signs, Israeli food, workshops and a Chabad House reflect the community’s presence in the village.
Locals say Israeli visitors support businesses, but report fewer visitors and quieter workshops this season.
Residents and visitors offer differing explanations, including the Middle East crisis, travel costs, military service, monsoon travel and increased domestic tourism.
Police say they are keeping watch in the area and have details of foreign nationals staying there; they report no security requests from Israeli visitors.
- Who
- Israeli visitors and residents, local business owners and residents, and Kangra district police.
- What
- Dharamkot has developed a strong Israeli visitor community, while local sources report fewer Israeli tourists this season.
- Where
- Dharamkot, in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, near McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala.
- When
- The article describes the current season and refers to tourism figures for 2025–2026.
- Why
- The village’s appeal is linked to its secluded setting, local hospitality, activities and nearby hiking destinations; the reasons for the recent visitor decline are disputed.
Factors cited for fewer Israeli visitors
Other explanations and qualifications
Effect of the Middle East crisis
Factors cited for fewer Israeli visitors
Some local business owners and residents say the crisis may be contributing to fewer Israeli visitors.
Other explanations and qualifications
Mayya says the situation is relatively normal in Israel and doubts the war is the main reason; Dor Stroul also says he sees little travel hindrance from the crisis.
Domestic tourism and other travel factors
Factors cited for fewer Israeli visitors
Jewellery and music workshop operators say more domestic tourists, including visitors seeking social-media content, can reduce the number of Israeli visitors and affect their preference for privacy.
Other explanations and qualifications
Mayya points to the lack of direct flights and higher costs from connecting flights; Gopal mentions mandatory military service, while another local explanation is that Israelis head to destinations such as Leh and Ladakh during the monsoon.
Key facts
- Location
- Dharamkot, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh
- Distance from Shimla
- Around 240 kilometres
- Nearest airport
- Gaggal, around 20 kilometres away
- Tourism figure
- Approximately 8.26 lakh tourists visited Kangra district in 2025–2026, according to the State Tourism Department information cited in the article.
- Police response
- A patrol team has been assigned to patrol village streets twice a day, and police say they have details of foreign nationals staying there.
- Local attractions mentioned
- The Triund hiking trail, Laka Glacier, Moon Peak and Bir-Billing
- Reported local businesses
- Guesthouses, cafes, food outlets, jewellery workshops, music lessons and yoga workshops
Quotes
Daniela and Yonatan
Israeli visitors who hope to make Dharamkot their second home.
“I do keep visiting Israel and have Israeli citizenship. But now I am no less an Indian.”
indianexpress.com
“It feels like home.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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