Things to Do in Dharamshala and McLeodganj

Quick answer

In McLeodganj, visit the Tsuglagkhang temple complex and Tibet Museum, walk the Lingkhor kora and spend an evening in the cafés of Jogiwara Road. Hike to Triund for close views of the Dhauladhar. Lower down, see Norbulingka, the HPCA stadium, Kangra Fort and the Masroor rock-cut temples. Bir Billing paragliding is a day trip.

13 things worth your time in Dharamshala & McLeodganj

01
Tsuglagkhang Complex
Landmark
The Dalai Lama's main temple and Namgyal Monastery; monks debate in the courtyard on many afternoons.
1.5 hoursFree
Phones and cameras may be restricted during teachings; bags are checked at the gate.
02
Tibet Museum
Landmark
Inside the temple complex, it tells the story of the Tibetan exile since 1959 through photographs and testimony.
1 hourSmall entry fee
Visit before the temple to understand what you are seeing.
03
Lingkhor kora
Experience
A prayer-flag path circling the Dalai Lama's residence, walked clockwise by Tibetans at dawn and dusk.
45 minutesFree
Walk it clockwise, and turn the prayer wheels with your right hand.
04
Triund trek
Nature
About 9 km each way from McLeodganj, or 6.5 km from Galu Devi temple, to a ridge at about 2,850 m facing the Dhauladhar wall.
Full daySmall forest entry fee; camping rules vary
Start by 8 am, carry water, and check current camping rules before planning a night up there.
05
Bhagsunag Temple and waterfall
Nature
A Shiva temple with a spring-fed pool, and a short walk to a waterfall 2 km from McLeodganj.
2 hoursFree
Weekends are crowded; go on a weekday morning.
06
Dharamkot
Experience
A quiet village above Bhagsu with cafés, yoga and meditation centres and pine-forest walks.
Half dayFree
Walk up from Bhagsu or the main square; roads are narrow and parking scarce.
07
Norbulingka Institute
Landmark
A Tibetan arts institute near Sidhpur with workshops for thangka painting, woodcarving and metalwork in quiet gardens.
2 hoursSmall entry fee
Visit on a weekday to see artists at work; workshops close on some holidays.
08
HPCA Stadium
Landmark
An international cricket ground at about 1,450 m with the snow-capped Dhauladhar rising behind the pavilion.
1 hourSmall entry fee on non-match days
Closed to visitors around match days; check before you go.
09
St John in the Wilderness
Landmark
An 1852 stone church in deodar forest between Forsyth Ganj and McLeodganj, with stained glass and the grave of Lord Elgin.
1 hourFree
Walk here from McLeodganj; it is about 2 km downhill.
10
Kangra Fort
Landmark
A massive hill fort about 20 km from Dharamshala, among the oldest in India, with a museum at the gate.
2 hoursAbout ₹100–200
Wear good shoes; the climb through the gates is steep and uneven.
11
Masroor rock-cut temples
Day trip
Eighth-century monolithic temples carved from a sandstone ridge, about 40 km away, with a reflecting pool.
Half daySmall ASI entry fee
Combine with Kangra Fort on the same day.
12
Bir Billing paragliding
Day trip
Bir, about 70 km away, is India's best-known paragliding site, with long tandem flights from Billing to the landing field.
Full dayTandem flight about ₹2,500–3,500
Fly with registered operators, ideally in October–November or March–May.
13
Kangra tea gardens
Nature
Tea estates on the slopes near Dharamshala produce GI-tagged Kangra tea, quieter than any hill-station sight.
1–2 hoursFree
Buy loose-leaf tea at the estate shops rather than in McLeodganj.

How should you plan Dharamshala?

The name covers several settlements stacked on one hillside. Lower Dharamshala, with Kotwali Bazaar, the bus stand and the HPCA stadium, sits at about 1,450 m. McLeodganj, the Tibetan town around the Dalai Lama's temple, is about 10 km by road above it at roughly 2,000 m. Bhagsu and Dharamkot are 2–3 km further up. Norbulingka, Kangra and Masroor lie in the valley below.

How do you get there from Delhi?

Bus: overnight Volvos from Kashmere Gate and Majnu ka Tilla take 10–12 hours to McLeodganj.
Flight: Gaggal (Kangra) airport is about 15 km from Lower Dharamshala. Flights from Delhi are few and weather-sensitive.
Train: Pathankot is the nearest broad-gauge station, about 85 km and 3 hours away by road. The narrow-gauge Kangra Valley line has been partly suspended in recent years.

How do you get around?

McLeodganj's main square is congested, and Temple Road and Jogiwara Road jam up in the evenings. The Dharamshala Skyway ropeway links the lower town and McLeodganj in a few minutes. Within McLeodganj, walking is faster than any taxi.

What is overrated?

Bhagsu on a weekend, and the small Dal Lake near Naddi, which is often low and murky. Spend that time at Norbulingka or the tea gardens instead.

Be respectful around monks and the temple. Ask before photographing people, never point your feet at an altar, and walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels.

Pick your month with the best time to visit Dharamshala, choose a base from where to stay in Dharamshala and see the 3-day plan in itineraries. Combining hill towns? Compare things to do in Shimla and things to do in Manali.

Frequently asked questions

Can you meet the Dalai Lama in McLeodganj?

Private audiences are very rare. Your best chance to see him is at a public teaching at the Tsuglagkhang, published on his official website. Register at the Branch Security Office in McLeodganj with your ID and photos a day or two before; teachings are free, but places fill quickly and he travels for long periods.

Is the Triund trek easy for beginners?

Triund is moderate. It is about 9 km each way from McLeodganj with roughly 800 m of climbing, the last stretch steep and rocky. Fit beginners manage it in 4–5 hours up. Start early, carry water and a rain jacket, and skip it in July and August or after fresh snow, when the trail becomes dangerous.

Should I stay in McLeodganj or Dharamshala?

McLeodganj, for most travellers. The Tibetan temple, cafés, Bhagsu and the Triund trailhead are all within walking distance. Lower Dharamshala suits travellers who want the bus stand, quick access to Kangra and Norbulingka, or a cheaper and quieter stay with less character. The ropeway links the two in a few minutes.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.