Overview
Dharamshala to Palampur is about 35 km, around 1 to 1¼ hours by taxi along the Kangra valley at the foot of the Dhauladhar range. It's one of the easiest day trips from McLeod Ganj: tea gardens, Saurabh Van Vihar and the artists' village at Andretta, with Baijnath temple and Bir further along the same road. Many travellers also move on to Palampur for a quieter stay. Book one way, or a round trip with the driver waiting while you explore.
Usual route: Dharamshala–Palampur road via Sidhbari and Nagrota Bagwan
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Dharamshala
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Dharamshala to Palampur
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
1,457 m
Dharamshala
Total descent
−201 m
over ~35 km
Finish
1,256 m
Palampur
- Dharamshala
- Chamunda Devi temple
- Palampur tea gardens
- Andretta (onward)
- Palampur
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Dharamshala to Palampur taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~35 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹1,700
starting · one way
₹2,200
starting · one way
₹2,650
starting · one way
₹4,000
starting · one way
Your quote
Dharamshala → Palampur
Sedan · one way · ~35 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in DharamshalaIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹1,700
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1Day trip? A round trip from McLeod Ganj with Palampur, Andretta and Baijnath makes a comfortable 7–8 hour day.
- 2Tea-estate stays are on side roads; share the property name for one-way drops.
- 3Chamunda Devi temple is a short detour on the way; tell us if you'd like to stop.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Dharamshala
Pickup
Chamunda Devi temple
Riverside temple a short detour from the main road.
Palampur tea gardens
Estates just outside town, some with walks and tastings.
Andretta (onward)
Pottery and artists' village about 12–13 km beyond Palampur.
Palampur
Drop at your hotel
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Palampur
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Fine, check weather |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu and Dharamkot hotels
- • Dharamshala town
- • Kangra (Gaggal) airport
Other ways to travel
Local HRTC buses run frequently between Dharamshala and Palampur. A taxi is faster and lets you stop at Chamunda and the tea gardens.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dharamshala to Palampur cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are Sedan ₹1,700, SUV ₹2,200, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹2,650, Tempo Traveller ₹4,000, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Palampur from Dharamshala?+
About 35 km, around 1 to 1¼ hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
Can we do Palampur as a day trip?+
Yes. Book a round trip and the driver waits; add Andretta and Baijnath for a full day.
Can we continue to Bir?+
Yes. Bir is about 35 km beyond Palampur, roughly another hour.
Reviews
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