McLeod Ganj, above Dharamshala, has a gentle Tibetan soul: prayer wheels, monasteries, cafés and treks with huge mountain views.
Highlights
- Tsuglagkhang (the Dalai Lama’s temple complex)
- Triund trek
- Bhagsu waterfall
- Norbulingka Institute for Tibetan arts
- Tea gardens of Kangra
What to eat
- Momos
- Thukpa
- Tingmo
- Kangra tea
Where to stay
McLeod Ganj for cafés and treks; Dharamkot and Bhagsu for quieter stays.
Getting there
Gaggal airport is close; overnight buses from Delhi; Pathankot is the nearest major rail station.
Tips
- Triund is a full-day hike: start early.
- Teachings by the Dalai Lama are scheduled; check the official site.
- Monsoon (July to August) brings heavy rain.
Best time to visit
Sep-Nov, Mar-Jun. See what else is good in March and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj
- Mata Chintpurni Goddess Chinnamastika, a Shakti Peetha
- Jwala Ji (Jwalamukhi) The goddess as eternal flames, a Shakti Peetha
- Bajreshwari Devi (Kangra Devi) Goddess Vajreshwari, a Shakti Peetha
- Shri Chamunda Devi Goddess Chamunda
Places to see in and around Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj
29 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Palampur Hill station, 23 km
- Triund trek Trek, 4 km
- Kangra Fort, Himachal Pradesh Fort, 16 km
- Namgyal Monastery Monastery, 1 km
- Manimahesh Lake Lake, 36 km
- Kangra Valley Valley, 16 km
- Masroor Temples Temple, 24 km
- Baijnath Temple, Himachal Pradesh Temple, 36 km
- Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake, 32 km
- Lama Dal and Chander Naun Lake, 13 km
- Kareri Lake Lake, 13 km
- Vajreshwari Devi Temple, Kangra Temple, 14 km
- Bagalamukhi Temple, Bankhandi, HP Temple, 30 km
- Jama Masjid Dharamshala Mosque, 0 km
- Tibet Museum Museum, 2 km
- Bathu Temples, Himachal Pradesh Temple, 35 km
- Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour Temple, 32 km
- Chaurasi Temple Bharmour Temple, 32 km
- Dal Lake Lake, 3 km
- Shri Chamunda Devi Mandir Temple, 12 km
- Himani Chamunda Temple, 13 km
- Jwala Ji Kangra Temple, 38 km
- Gopalpur Zoo Garden, 15 km
- St. John in the Wilderness Church Temple, 3 km
And 5 more on our Himachal Pradesh map.
Food to try in and around Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj
Himachal Pradesh favourites to look out for.
- Sidu
- Patande
- Chukh
- Rajma
- Til chutney
- Kangra Tea GI: tea or coffee
- Himachali Kala Zeera GI: spice or chilli
The full food passport, state by state.
Is a place near Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj missing? Suggest it
Have you been to Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj?
Tips from travellers
Been to Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj? Share one tip that would help the next person. The first good one goes right here.
Share a tip
Questions from readers
Got a question about Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj? Ask it here. We answer the useful ones on this page.
Ask a question
Nearby and similar
Amritsar
The Golden Temple shimmering in its sacred pool, plus the world’s largest free kitchen and the Wagah border ceremony.
Oct-Mar 1-2 days
Manali
A Himalayan resort town for snow, apple orchards, adventure sports and the gateway to Lahaul, Spiti and Ladakh.
Oct-Jan, Mar-Jun 3-5 days
Shimla
The old British summer capital: colonial Mall Road, pine forests and the UNESCO-listed toy train from Kalka.
Sep-Dec, Mar-Jun 2-3 days