Destination guideKangra, Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala & McLeodganj Culture, cafés & the Dhauladhar
Last updated
In short
Overview
Dharamshala is a hill town in Kangra district below the Dhauladhar range, at an average 1,457 m, with McLeodganj — the Dalai Lama's residence and the centre of the Tibetan community in exile — on the ridge above. Kangra airport is about 15 km away. Leisure Himachal runs a 2-night Volvo trip here from Delhi and includes it in four longer tours.
Getting there
How to reach Dharamshala & McLeodganj
By air
Kangra Airport at Gaggal is about 15 km south-west of Dharamshala.
By rail
Pathankot Junction, about 85 km away, is the main railhead. The narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway stops at Chamunda Marg, about 21 km from town.
By road
About 520 km from Delhi — an overnight Volvo — and about 280 km from Manali via Mandi, Baijnath and Palampur.
Sights
What to see in Dharamshala & McLeodganj
- 01
Tsuglagkhang complex, McLeodganj
The main Tibetan temple, beside the Dalai Lama's residence, with the Tibet Museum in the same complex.
- 02
Bhagsu Nath temple and waterfall
A Shiva temple about 2 km above McLeodganj, and the waterfall a short walk beyond it.
- 03
St John in the Wilderness
The stone church of 1852 in the deodars between Dharamshala and McLeodganj.
- 04
Naddi and Dal Lake
The viewpoint village for the Dhauladhar wall, and the small lake below it.
- 05
Triund
The ridge-top meadow at about 2,850 m, a day hike from McLeodganj via Galu temple.
- 06
Norbulingka Institute
The Tibetan arts centre at Sidhpur, founded in 1995, with thangka and woodcarving workshops.
- 07
HPCA Stadium
The cricket ground at about 1,457 m, with the snow of the Dhauladhar behind the pavilion.
- 08
Palampur tea gardens
Tea estates on the way from Dharamshala towards Baijnath and Bir.
The guide
Dharamshala & McLeodganj travel guide
Why go?
Dharamshala is two towns stacked on one hillside. Below is the Kangra district town; above, up a steep road through the deodars, is McLeodganj, which since 1960 has been the home of the Dalai Lama and the centre of Tibetan life in India. Monks, prayer flags and Tibetan bakeries sit under a wall of rock and snow — the Dhauladhar range rises almost straight up behind the town.
It is quieter and greener than Manali, and the walking is better: Naddi, Bhagsu and Triund are all on foot from McLeodganj.
When is the best time to visit?
- March to June — the most comfortable weather and the clearest trails to Triund.
- July to mid-September — Dharamshala is one of the wettest places in India in the monsoon. Expect heavy rain most days.
- September to November — clear skies and the sharpest view of the Dhauladhar.
- December to February — cold; snow on the range and sometimes at Naddi and Triund.
How Dharamshala fits into a trip
- Dharamshala Volvo trip from Delhi — 2 nights, the shortest way to see it.
- Dharamshala & Dalhousie by car — 4 nights, with Khajjiar.
- Manali & Dharamshala — 5 nights, via Baijnath and the Palampur tea gardens.
Bir, the paragliding village, is about 50 km away — see the Bir Billing guide.
Tour packages
Tours that include Dharamshala & McLeodganj
Complete Himachal Darshan
from ₹18,777 / person Book
Dharamshala & Dalhousie Tour
from ₹11,500 / person Book
Manali & Dharamshala Tour
On request Book
Dharamshala Volvo Tour from Delhi
from ₹13,000 / couple Book
Himachal Tour with Amritsar
from ₹34,500 / person Book
Himachal Tour with Vaishno Devi
from ₹24,555 / person BookBefore you go
Dharamshala & McLeodganj: questions
What is the difference between Dharamshala and McLeodganj?
Dharamshala is the town in the valley (lower Dharamshala, around 1,380–1,457 m). McLeodganj is the upper part on the ridge, around 1,830 m and more, where the Dalai Lama's temple, the Tibetan cafés and the trail to Triund are.
How many days do I need in Dharamshala?
Two nights covers McLeodganj, Bhagsu, Naddi and the tea gardens. Add a night for the Triund hike or a day trip to Bir.
How do I get from Delhi to Dharamshala?
By overnight Volvo bus (about 520 km), by flight to Kangra airport at Gaggal, or by train to Pathankot and then road. Our Dharamshala Volvo trip uses the overnight coach both ways.
Which Leisure Himachal tours go to Dharamshala?
The Dharamshala Volvo trip from Delhi, Dharamshala–Dalhousie, Manali–Dharamshala, Complete Himachal Darshan, Himachal with Amritsar and Himachal with Vaishno Devi.
Travel guides
More destinations
-
Manali
Snow, Solang & the Rohtang road -
Shimla
Colonial heritage & Kufri -
Dalhousie & Khajjiar
Pine ridges & the Khajjiar meadow -
Kullu, Kasol & Manikaran
The Beas, the Parvati & hot springs -
Chamba
Temples on the Ravi -
Spiti Valley
The high-altitude cold desert -
Bir Billing
Paragliding above the Kangra valley -
Leh-Ladakh
Jeep safaris over the high passes
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.