Overview
McLeod Ganj, on the ridge above Dharamshala, has been home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile since 1960. It's a small, busy town of monasteries, prayer wheels, momo shops and cafés, with the granite wall of the Dhauladhar range rising straight behind it. This four-day trip gives you three nights there: a day for the main temple, the Tibet Museum and Bhagsu, a day for the Norbulingka Institute and Kangra fort, and time to walk up to Dharamkot or start the trail towards Triund. The car takes care of the long drive up and the day trips down into the valley.
Best for: Travellers curious about Tibetan culture, cafés and easy mountain walks
- The Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama's temple
- Tibet Museum and the kora walk
- Bhagsu waterfall and Dharamkot village
- St John in the Wilderness church
- Norbulingka Institute's Tibetan crafts
- Kangra fort above the Banganga gorge
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to McLeod Ganj
About 250 kmOvernight: McLeod Ganj
From Chandigarh we drive past Anandpur Sahib and Una, through the Kangra hills, to Dharamshala and up to McLeod Ganj in about six to seven hours. Arrive by late afternoon and walk the main square, where Jogiwara Road and Temple Road meet, for dinner and a first look at the town.
Road guide: Chandigarh to McLeod Ganj → - Day2
Tsuglagkhang, the kora and Bhagsu
Local sightseeing, short drivesOvernight: McLeod Ganj
Morning at the Tsuglagkhang complex, the main temple and the Dalai Lama's residence, with the Tibet Museum beside it. Walk the kora, a path lined with prayer wheels and flags that circles the complex. After lunch, head to Bhagsunag temple and the waterfall above it, and finish in a café in Dharamkot with the valley below you.
- Day3
Norbulingka, Kangra fort and St John's church
About 70 kmOvernight: McLeod Ganj
Down to the Norbulingka Institute at Sidhpur, where Tibetan painters, wood carvers and embroiderers train in Japanese-style gardens. Continue to Kangra fort, one of the oldest forts in India, on a cliff above two rivers, and stop on the way back at St John in the Wilderness, a stone church of 1852 in the deodar forest.
- Day4
McLeod Ganj to Chandigarh
About 250 km
A last morning for shopping on Jogiwara Road or a short walk, then the drive back to Chandigarh, arriving by evening. If you prefer to fly, Kangra airport at Gaggal is 15 km away, and we can drop you there instead.
Road guide: Dharamshala to Chandigarh →
Little Lhasa
After the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959, the Indian government offered him a home in the old British hill station of McLeod Ganj. The Central Tibetan Administration is based in lower Dharamshala, and thousands of Tibetans live in and around the town. Its monasteries, schools, libraries and craft centres make it the best place outside Tibet to learn about Tibetan culture.
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, near the government offices, holds texts, thangka paintings and artefacts and runs courses in Buddhist philosophy.
Walks from McLeod Ganj
The town is a good base for walking. Bhagsu waterfall is a 2 km stroll; Dharamkot is a short climb through forest; and Naddi, a few kilometres west, has views across to the Dhauladhar. Triund, a grassy ridge at about 2,850 m, is a 9 km walk each way and one of the most popular day hikes in Himachal.
- Bhagsu waterfall: 2 km, easy
- Dharamkot: 2–3 km, short climb
- Triund: about 9 km each way, steady climb
Food and cafés
McLeod Ganj is known for Tibetan food: momos, thukpa, thenthuk and butter tea. There are also bakeries and cafés serving everything from Israeli breakfasts to Italian coffee. Many cafés support Tibetan charities or train young Tibetans as cooks.
Route and price at a glance
The Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj trip covers about 585 km by road over 4 days, with overnight stops in McLeod Ganj. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 1,000 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 3 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹10,500 for 3 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹24,200 for the car and driver and a ₹5,205 service fee: ₹39,905 in all, or ₹20,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to McLeod Ganj (about 250 km, overnight McLeod Ganj)
- Day 2: Tsuglagkhang, the kora and Bhagsu (short local drives, overnight McLeod Ganj)
- Day 3: Norbulingka, Kangra fort and St John's church (about 70 km, overnight McLeod Ganj)
- Day 4: McLeod Ganj to Chandigarh (about 250 km)
Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹20,000 ≈ US$235 | ₹40,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹15,500 ≈ US$180 | ₹62,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹16,000 ≈ US$190 | ₹96,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹10,500
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹24,200
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹5,205
- Total for both₹39,905
Included
- 3 nights in McLeod Ganj, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 4 days (sedan or Innova for two, Innova for four, Tempo Traveller for six), including fuel, tolls, parking, state taxes and the driver's allowances
- Pickup from Chandigarh and drop at Chandigarh
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Chandigarh
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Entry fees, ropeways, activities and snow gear hire
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
Good to know: roads, permits and safety
- No permits are needed. Public teachings by the Dalai Lama are free but need registration at the Tibetan security office, with a passport photo and ID.
- Temple Road and Jogiwara Road are narrow; cars stop at the edges of town, so be ready for a short walk with luggage.
- Dress modestly and walk clockwise around temples and stupas.
When to go
The whole year at a glance
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Kangra valley
- Dharamshala1,457 mDharamshala: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Dec; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- McLeod Ganj2,004 mMcLeod Ganj: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- • March to June and September to November are the clearest and most comfortable months.
- • December and January are cold but sunny, with snow on the Dhauladhar and occasionally in McLeod Ganj itself.
- • July and August bring very heavy rain; Dharamshala is one of the wettest places in India.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj package cost?+
About ₹16,000 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹20,000 per person for a couple, for all 4 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
Can we see the Dalai Lama?+
Only at public teachings, which are announced on his official website. He doesn't give private audiences to tourists.
Is McLeod Ganj the same as Dharamshala?+
McLeod Ganj is the upper part of Dharamshala, about 10 km by road and 500 m higher than the lower town.
Can we do the Triund trek on this trip?+
As a long day walk, yes, if you're fit. Our McLeod Ganj and Triund package includes a night at the top.
Can we fly to Dharamshala?+
Yes. Kangra airport at Gaggal is about 15 km from Dharamshala and has flights from Delhi.
Which car do we get on the Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj trip?+
A sedan for two travellers, an Innova for up to four and a Tempo Traveller for six, with the same driver for the whole trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj guide
- Chandigarh to McLeod Ganj taxi
- Taxi service in McLeod Ganj
- Triund trek guide
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: McLeod Ganj · Wikipedia: Tsuglagkhang complex · Wikipedia: Norbulingka Institute · Wikipedia: Kangra Fort
