Dharamshala's main sights fit in two days by cab. One day covers McLeodganj: Bhagsunag Temple and waterfall, the Dalai Lama temple, St John in the Wilderness, Naddi and the Tibet Museum. The other goes down to the HPCA cricket stadium, Norbulingka, Gyuto Monastery and the Chamunda Devi Temple. A third day reaches Kangra Fort. Triund is a full-day trek on foot.
Each plan is a real route by cab, timed against opening hours.
McLeodganj, Naddi and Norbulingka
6 places · 41 km by cab
See the plan →Bhagsunag, the Dalai Lama temple and Naddi · Cricket stadium, Norbulingka and Chamunda
12 places · 70 km by cab
See the plan →Bhagsunag, the Dalai Lama temple and Naddi · Cricket stadium, Norbulingka and Gyuto · Chamunda, Kangra Fort and Brajeshwari
14 places · 128 km by cab
See the plan →Call or message a local Dharamshala operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
We are still listing Dharamshala operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.
With the best time to go and how long to stay.
| Place | Open | Best time | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfall | Temple about 05:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 21:00; the waterfall path is open in daylight; free | Morning, before the temple closes at noon. | 2 h |
| Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama Temple) | About 05:00 to 20:00 in two guides; plan on 08:00 to 18:00; free | Early afternoon, to see the monks debate in the courtyard (about 13:30, not on Sundays). | 1 h |
| St John in the Wilderness | About 07:00 to 18:00, every day; Sunday morning is the church service; free | Any time; quiet on weekday mornings. | 30 min |
| Dal Lake, Tota Rani | A small lake by the road, open in daylight; free? | Any time in daylight. | 20 min |
| Naddi viewpoint | An open viewpoint, in daylight; free? | Late afternoon for the sunset light on the snow peaks; clear mornings for the sharpest view. | 40 min |
| Tibet Museum, Gangchen Kyishong | 09:00 to 17:00, closed 13:00 to 14:00; closed on Saturdays and Tibetan holidays; ₹20 | Morning or after 14:00, not on a Saturday. | 1 h |
| McLeodganj market | A street market; most shops about 10:00 to 21:00? | Evening, after the cab day. | 1 h 30 min |
| Triund trek, from Gallu Devi | A day trek, in daylight; forest entry fee ₹100 per person? | Start by 08:00; March to June and October to November are clearest. | 7 h |
| Kangra Art Museum | 10:00 to 17:00, closed 13:30 to 14:00; closed on Mondays; small ticket | Morning, not on a Monday. | 45 min |
| Dharamshala War Memorial | About 09:00 to 18:00 (listings vary from 06:00 to 20:00); about ₹20 | Any time. | 30 min |
An old Shiva temple in Bhagsu village, 2 km east of McLeodganj, with two stone pools fed by a mountain spring. From the temple a paved path climbs about 1.5 km to the Bhagsu waterfall, which drops down a rock face above the village. There are small cafés along the way.
In the 1-day plan
The main temple of the Dalai Lama, who lives next door. The complex holds a large gold Buddha, the Namgyal Monastery and a courtyard where young monks debate with loud claps. Pilgrims walk the kora, a path round the hill with prayer wheels and flags.
In the 1-day plan
A grey stone church from 1852, in deodar forest on the road between McLeodganj and the Dharamshala cantonment. It has Belgian stained-glass windows, and Lord Elgin, a Viceroy of India who died here in 1863, is buried in the churchyard.
In the 1-day planA small lake ringed by deodar trees on the road from McLeodganj to Naddi, with a Shiva temple on its bank. It is shallow and can be low on water before the monsoon. A fair is held here in early September.
Day 1 of the 2-day planA village at the top of the road above McLeodganj, with the best view in town of the Dhauladhar range. The snow peaks look close enough to touch, and the Kangra valley falls away on the other side. Cafés along the road have terraces facing the peaks.
In the 1-day planThe story of Tibet and its people in exile, told with photos, films and objects. Since 2022 it has been in a new building in Gangchen Kyishong, the Tibetan government's campus halfway down the hill, next to the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
Day 1 of the 2-day planThe streets that run off McLeodganj's main square: Jogiwara Road, Temple Road and Bhagsu Road. They are lined with Tibetan stalls selling prayer flags, singing bowls and woollens, and with cafés serving momos and thukpa.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.
The most popular day trek in Himachal: a stone path from Gallu Devi above Dharamkot up to the Triund ridge at about 2,850 m, right under the Dhauladhar snow peaks. It is about 6 km each way.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.
A small state museum in Kotwali Bazaar, the main market of lower Dharamshala. It shows Kangra miniature paintings, the fine, bright court paintings this valley is known for, along with old coins, wood carving and tribal dress.
Day 2 of the 2-day planA memorial garden in pine forest at the entrance to Dharamshala, for the soldiers of Himachal who died in India's wars. The names are cut into black stone panels round a tall monument, and there is a small museum.
Day 2 of the 2-day plan
One of the highest international cricket grounds in the world, at about 1,450 m, with the Dhauladhar range rising straight behind the stands. India has played Tests, one-day games and IPL matches here.
In the 1-day plan
A centre for Tibetan arts in Japanese-style gardens with streams and small bridges, near Sidhbari. You can watch thangka painters, wood carvers and metal workers at work, see a temple with a large gold Buddha, and visit a doll museum of Tibetan dress.
In the 1-day plan
A large monastery in Sidhbari, home to monks known for their deep, low chanting. The big prayer hall has a gold Buddha, and the building stands in front of the Dhauladhar snow peaks.
Day 2 of the 2-day planA Shiva cave temple in Khaniyara village, east of Dharamshala, beside a mountain stream. Local people say Arjuna prayed here in the Mahabharata.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.
A big temple to the goddess Chamunda on the bank of the Baner river, about 15 km south-east of Dharamshala. It is one of the main pilgrim temples of Kangra, with a Shiva cave shrine and ghats by the river.
Day 2 of the 2-day plan
The main temple of Kangra town, to the goddess Vajreshwari, with silver-plated doors and a courtyard full of bells. It is one of the Shakti Peeths, and the lanes leading to it are lined with stalls selling offerings.
Day 3 of the 3-day plan
One of the oldest forts in India, on a ridge where the Banganga and Majhi rivers meet below Kangra town. Rajas, Mughals and Sikhs all held it. Much of it fell in the 1905 earthquake, but the gates, walls and temples on top still stand. The Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum is a few minutes' walk from the gate.
Day 3 of the 3-day plan
A group of temples carved out of one sandstone hill in the 8th century, often compared with Ellora. A pool in front holds their reflection, and stairs inside lead up to the roof for a view of the Dhauladhar range.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.Two days covers it: one for McLeodganj, Bhagsu, Naddi and the Tibet Museum, one for the cricket stadium, Norbulingka, Gyuto and Chamunda. Add a third day for Kangra Fort, and a day on foot if you want to trek to Triund.
McLeodganj is upper Dharamshala, about 10 km above the lower town by road. It is where the Dalai Lama lives and where most visitors stay. The cricket stadium, the War Memorial and the main bus stand are in lower Dharamshala.
Only to the main square and the bus stand. The lanes off it, Jogiwara Road and Temple Road, are narrow and often one-way, so walk the market in the evening.
No, it takes a full day on foot: about 6 km each way from Gallu Devi above Dharamkot. A cab can drop you at the start early in the morning. The forest entry fee is ₹100 per person.
Palampur's tea gardens are about 35 km from Dharamshala and the Baijnath Temple about 50 km, so together they make a long day of their own. They do not fit on these plans.
Yes, if you like old temples: they were carved out of one hill in the 8th century. They are about 45 km past Kangra Fort, so the Kangra day would grow to over 130 km. Go on a separate day with the fort.
On clear days from October to March. The peaks carry snow from about December to April. In the monsoon, July to September, clouds hide them most afternoons and the roads see landslides.
