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Dharamshala sightseeing by cab

Dharamshala in 1 day: what to see, in what order

One day covers Dharamshala's best-known sights if you start at 08:30: Bhagsunag Temple and waterfall, the Dalai Lama temple, St John in the Wilderness and Naddi in the morning, then the HPCA cricket stadium and Norbulingka in the afternoon. It is about 40 km by cab, back in McLeodganj by about 17:00.

6 places41 km by cabtimed against opening hours
Day 1

McLeodganj, Naddi and Norbulingka

Bhagsunag Temple first, while it is open, and the walk up to the waterfall. Then the Dalai Lama temple, St John in the Wilderness and the view from Naddi, with lunch there. In the afternoon, down the hill to the HPCA cricket stadium and the gardens and workshops of Norbulingka. About 40 km by cab, back in McLeodganj by about 17:00.

08:30 to 16:506 places41 km by cab
  1. 1Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfall
  2. 2Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama Temple)
  3. 3St John in the Wilderness
  4. 4Naddi viewpoint
  5. Lunch
  6. 5HPCA Cricket Stadium
  7. 6Norbulingka Institute
  8. Back
  1. Leave McLeodganj
  2. 1

    Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfall

    2 h here
    Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfall
    Photo: Nishat.ch100, CC BY-SA 4.0

    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.

    Temples & monasteriesTemple about 05:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 21:00; the waterfall path is open in daylight; free

    Tip: The temple closes from 12:00 to 16:00, so come in the morning. The walk to the waterfall and back takes about an hour; wear shoes with grip, as the rocks are slippery in the monsoon.

  3. 2

    Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama Temple)

    1 h here
    Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama Temple)
    Photo: John Hill, CC BY-SA 3.0

    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.

    Temples & monasteriesAbout 05:00 to 20:00 in two guides; plan on 08:00 to 18:00; free

    Tip: Bags are checked at the gate. Phones and cameras are not allowed on teaching days, which are crowded and need registration. Walk the kora path below the temple: about 30 minutes.

  4. 3

    St John in the Wilderness

    30 min here
    St John in the Wilderness
    Photo: Lewesian1982 (talk), Public domain

    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.

    Forts & museumsAbout 07:00 to 18:00, every day; Sunday morning is the church service; free

    Tip: Sunday morning is the church service, so visit after it ends or on another day.

  5. 4

    Naddi viewpoint

    40 min here

    A 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.

    Lakes & viewpointsAn open viewpoint, in daylight; free?

    Tip: Clouds cover the peaks most afternoons in the monsoon. In winter, from about December, the peaks are white with snow.

  6. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  7. 5

    HPCA Cricket Stadium

    45 min here
    HPCA Cricket Stadium
    Photo: TheSereneRebel, CC BY-SA 4.0

    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.

    Walks & marketsAbout 09:30 to 17:00 on days with no match or event; about ₹30

    Tip: Visitors are not let in on match days or during events. Check the fixture list if a series is on.

  8. 6

    Norbulingka Institute

    1 h 15 min here
    Norbulingka Institute
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0

    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.

    Forts & museumsAbout 09:00 to 17:30 (plan on 17:00); about ₹50 for Indians; workshops close on Sundays and 2nd Saturdays

    Tip: The gardens and temple open every day, but the workshops close on Sundays and 2nd Saturdays. There is a café in the gardens.

  9. Back at McLeodganj

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. The roads between McLeodganj and Dharamshala are steep, narrow and often jammed, Temple Road and the Bhagsu road most of all, at weekends and in season. Allow more time than the map shows. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for this day

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.

1 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

We are still listing Dharamshala operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
Bhagsunag Temple and WaterfallTemple about 05:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 21:00; the waterfall path is open in daylight; freeMorning, 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; freeEarly afternoon, to see the monks debate in the courtyard (about 13:30, not on Sundays).1 h
St John in the WildernessAbout 07:00 to 18:00, every day; Sunday morning is the church service; freeAny time; quiet on weekday mornings.30 min
Naddi viewpointAn open viewpoint, in daylight; free?Late afternoon for the sunset light on the snow peaks; clear mornings for the sharpest view.40 min
HPCA Cricket StadiumAbout 09:30 to 17:00 on days with no match or event; about ₹30Clear mornings, when the snow peaks stand behind the ground.45 min
Norbulingka InstituteAbout 09:00 to 17:30 (plan on 17:00); about ₹50 for Indians; workshops close on Sundays and 2nd SaturdaysOn a weekday, when the workshops are working.1 h 15 min

More or less time in Dharamshala?

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Dharamshala in 2 days

Bhagsunag, the Dalai Lama temple and Naddi · Cricket stadium, Norbulingka and Chamunda

See the 2-day plan →
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Dharamshala in 3 days

Bhagsunag, the Dalai Lama temple and Naddi · Cricket stadium, Norbulingka and Gyuto · Chamunda, Kangra Fort and Brajeshwari

See the 3-day plan →

All 18 places in Dharamshala

Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.

See all places →

Questions people ask

Can you see Dharamshala in one day?

You can see the highlights: Bhagsunag, the Dalai Lama temple, Naddi, the cricket stadium and Norbulingka. It is a full day of about 8 hours. The Tibet Museum, Gyuto and Chamunda need a second day.

Why go to Bhagsunag first?

The temple closes from 12:00 to 16:00, and the waterfall path is quieter and cooler in the morning. The walk up and back takes about an hour.

Is the cricket stadium always open to visitors?

No. It is open about 09:30 to 17:00 on days with no match or event. If a match is on, skip it and spend the time at the War Memorial next door or at Norbulingka.