How many days in Dharamshala?
- 1 day: McLeod Ganj only: the Dalai Lama temple, the kora and Bhagsu.
- 2 days: add Naddi, Dharamkot and the cricket stadium, or a Triund day hike.
- 3 days: add the Kangra valley: Norbulingka, Kangra fort and Chamunda.
- 4 days or more: Palampur and Baijnath, Bir Billing, or an overnight at Triund.
Dharamshala in 1 day
- Morning: Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama temple complex, and the Tibet Museum.
- Late morning: the kora walk around the complex, then lunch in McLeod Ganj.
- Afternoon: walk to Bhagsunag temple and the waterfall.
- Evening: Naddi viewpoint for sunset over the Dhauladhar, then dinner in town.
Dharamshala in 2 days
- Day 1: McLeod Ganj as above.
- Day 2: either the Triund day hike, starting early from Dharamkot or Galu, or an easier day: St John in the Wilderness, the War Memorial and the HPCA cricket stadium, with the Skyway ride between the towns.
Dharamshala in 3 days
Our Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj package follows this plan with hotels and car.
- Days 1 and 2: as above.
- Day 3: by car into the Kangra valley: Norbulingka Institute in the morning, Kangra fort and the Brajeshwari temple at midday, and Chamunda Devi on the way back.
Dharamshala in 4 days
Trekkers can instead spend a night at Triund, or set out for Kareri lake over two to three days.
- Days 1 to 3: as above.
- Day 4: Palampur's tea gardens and the Baijnath temple, or a day at Bir Billing to watch, or try, paragliding.
Adjusting for the season
From March to June and October to November, all of these plans work, and Triund is at its best. In the monsoon (July to September), swap treks for the monasteries, museums and Norbulingka, and allow for road delays. In winter, Triund is usually snowbound, so keep to McLeod Ganj and the valley, and pack for cold evenings.
Combining Dharamshala with other places
Dharamshala pairs well with Amritsar and the Golden Temple, about 5 hours away; with Dalhousie and Khajjiar, about 120 km; and with Manali, about 235 km, for a longer Himachal loop. Our car-only circuits and packages cover these routes.
Getting around between the sights
McLeod Ganj itself is best explored on foot, but the lanes are steep, so pace yourself. Between McLeod Ganj and lower Dharamshala, use the Skyway ropeway, a local bus or a taxi. For the Kangra valley, Palampur and Bir, a car with a local driver saves a lot of time and lets you link several sights in a day.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Dharamshala?+
Three days covers McLeod Ganj, a trek or village walks, and the Kangra valley. Add a day for Palampur or Bir.
Can I visit Dharamshala in one day?+
McLeod Ganj's highlights, yes: the Dalai Lama temple, the kora, Bhagsu and Naddi. The valley needs more time.
What is a good 3-day Dharamshala itinerary from Delhi?+
Travel overnight, then day 1 McLeod Ganj, day 2 Triund or Naddi and the stadium, day 3 the Kangra valley, returning overnight.
Can I do Triund in a day?+
Yes. Most fit walkers go up and down in a day from Dharamkot or Galu, starting early.
Is a taxi needed in Dharamshala?+
For McLeod Ganj on foot, no. For the Kangra valley, Palampur and Bir, a taxi is the easiest way.
Can I combine Dharamshala and Amritsar?+
Yes. They're about 200 km apart, roughly 5 hours by road. Our Golden Temple to Dharamshala tour covers it.
