Dharamshala region
Tandem paragliding at Bir Billing
Fly with a certified pilot over the Kangra valley with the Dhauladhar behind you.
Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj tours, taxis & travel guide
Tibetan culture below the Dhauladhar range. Three of our hotels are near Norbulingka in Sidhpur, so most of our trips start here.
- Altitude
- Town 1,457 m · McLeod Ganj ~2,000 m
- Best season
- March – June and late September – November
- Getting in
- Kangra Airport ~15 km · Pathankot railhead ~85 km
- Permits
- None needed
Dharamshala at a glance
Dharamshala sits in Kangra district below the Dhauladhar range. The lower town is at about 1,457 m. McLeod Ganj, about 9 km up the road at around 2,000 m, is home to the Tibetan community and the Dalai Lama temple complex.
The Dharamshala Skyway ropeway links the two in about five minutes. It’s an easy base for culture days, first treks and paragliding at nearby Bir Billing.
Highlights
Norbulingka Institute
A Tibetan arts institute founded in 1995, with a temple, doll museum, craft studios and gardens.
Dalai Lama temple complex
The main Tibetan Buddhist centre, where you can watch monks debate and turn the prayer wheels.
McLeod Ganj markets
Tibetan crafts, bookshops, cafés and some of the best momos in Himachal.
Bhagsu waterfall
A short walk from town to the falls, then a coffee on the way back.
Triund
A grassy ridge right under the Dhauladhar, 9 km on foot from McLeod Ganj.
Bir Billing
One of India’s best-known paragliding sites, an easy day trip from Dharamshala.
Best time to visit
- Best
March – June
Warm, clear days and good mountain views. The best time for Triund.
- Wet
Mid-June – mid-Sept
Very heavy monsoon rain. Green and quiet, but roads and trails are slower.
- Best
Late Sept – November
Clear skies after the rains and crisp evenings, with sharp views of the snow line.
- Cold
December – February
Snow and sleet in McLeod Ganj. Quiet, cosy and good for culture trips.
Sample itinerary: Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj: 4 days
Day 1
Arrive and Norbulingka
Night: Buddha House, SidhpurPick-up from Kangra Airport (about 15 km) or Pathankot. Check in at Buddha House, then spend the afternoon in the Norbulingka gardens, temple and craft studios.
- Day 2
McLeod Ganj and Bhagsu
Night: Buddha House - Day 3
Triund ridge trek
Night: Buddha House (or camp on the ridge) - Day 4
Bir Billing and departure
Drop at airport or station
From mid-June to mid-September the monsoon is very wet. We swap the Triund day for a culture day if the trail isn’t safe.
Things to do in Dharamshala
All experiencesMcLeod Ganj
Triund ridge trek
The classic first trek above McLeod Ganj, with a local guide and optional camp.
Dharamshala to Chamba
Indrahar Pass trek
Continue past Triund over the Dhauladhar into Chamba. For fit, experienced trekkers.
Sidhpur & McLeod Ganj
Tibetan culture walk
Norbulingka, the temple complex and a Tibetan kitchen with a local host.
Kangra district
Kangra Valley toy train
Ride a stretch of the narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway through tea and paddy country.
McLeod Ganj
Café and waterfall day
Bhagsu waterfall, the Skyway and McLeod Ganj cafés at your own pace.
Our three hotels near Norbulingka
Compare rooms on our hotel site ↗Hotel Buddha House Himalayan Brothers
Simple rooms near Norbulingka with a restaurant, a reading lounge and Dhauladhar views.
Quartz Himalayan Brothers
Rooms with private balconies, a garden and an in-house restaurant.
Hotel Samdupling Himalayan Brothers
Budget rooms and a 14-bed mixed dormitory in a calm setting.
How to reach Dharamshala
By air
- Kangra (Gaggal) Airport · ~15 km
The closest airport. Taxis wait outside the terminal, or we meet you at arrivals.
By rail
- Pathankot Junction · ~85 km
The nearest broad-gauge railhead, with onward taxis and buses. The narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway also runs through the district.
By road
- Overnight from Delhi or Chandigarh
HRTC and private overnight buses run daily. Private cabs take a full day from Delhi.
Permits: none needed for Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj or Triund. The Indrahar Pass trek into Chamba runs from May to October, and we arrange a local guide.
Dharamshala packages
All Dharamshala tripsDharamshala & McLeod Ganj Escape
Quote with your itineraryTriund Trek & Bir Billing Flight
Quote with your itineraryIndrahar Pass Trek
Quote with your itinerary
Dharamshala FAQ
How do I get from Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj?
It is about 9 km by road. The Dharamshala Skyway ropeway covers 1.8 km in about five minutes, from near Bypass Road to Temple Road.
Is the Triund trek good for beginners?
Yes, for most reasonably fit walkers. It is about 9 km each way from McLeod Ganj to a grassy ridge at around 2,875 m. The best months are March to June and late September to November, and we send a local guide, with a camp on the ridge if you want to stay the night.
When is the monsoon?
From about mid-June to mid-September. The rain is very heavy, so roads and trails are slower; we swap trekking days for culture days when a trail isn’t safe.
Does it snow in Dharamshala?
From December to February McLeod Ganj gets snow and sleet, and the Dhauladhar above stays white. The lower town rarely sees snow. It’s a quiet, cosy time for culture trips.
Sources
- Dharamshala, Wikipedia
- Norbulingka Institute and Doll Museum, District Kangra (hpkangra.nic.in)
- Dharamshala–McLeodganj ropeway now operational, India Infra Hub
- Triund, Wikipedia
Roads, weather and permit rules change. We check them before you travel; please confirm locally too.
Last reviewed by the Himalayan Brothers travel desk
Plan your Dharamshala trip with a local
Airport pick-up, a room at one of our hotels and a day plan, all in one enquiry.