What Are the Top Things to Do in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj?

Dharamshala is a Himachali hill town in two distinct parts: Lower Dharamshala (the administrative town at 1,457m) and Upper Dharamshala — better known as McLeod Ganj (1,457m to 1,770m) — the home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile since 1960. Together, they create one of North India's most fascinating destinations: a place where Tibetan Buddhist culture, Himalayan scenery, Indian hill-town life, and a global community of travellers and seekers converge.

Getting to Dharamshala from Delhi: 480 km via NH44 through Chandigarh and Kangra — 9–10 hours by road. EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Dharamshala outstation cabs with mountain-experienced drivers — call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com. McLeod Ganj is 10 km above Dharamshala town.

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1. Tsuglagkhang Complex — The Dalai Lama's Temple

McLeod Ganj main road | Open: 5 AM – 8 PM | Entry: Free

The Tsuglagkhang (translated as "main temple") is the spiritual centre of the Tibetan exile community — the residence of the Dalai Lama and the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet. The complex contains the main temple hall, the Kalachakra Temple, and a small museum on Tibetan culture.

The main temple: A large hall with a magnificent golden Buddha statue surrounded by intricate thangka paintings and butter lamp offerings. Monks in maroon and yellow robes chant prayers in the early morning and at 5 PM. The atmosphere is one of profound peace.

Meeting the Dalai Lama: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gives public teachings at the temple several times a year (schedule at www.dalailama.com). When in residence (he travels extensively), he occasionally appears at the gate for informal meetings. Attending a teaching session — sometimes translated into multiple languages — is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that requires advance registration.

Tibet Museum (within the complex): Documents the history of Tibet, the Chinese occupation, and the Tibetan exile experience through photographs, documents, and testimonies. Deeply moving and historically important.

Nepal House next door has a small library and cultural centre with books on Tibet and Buddhism.



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2. Triund Trek — The Most Beautiful Easy Trek in Himachal

Starting point: Dharamkot (3 km from McLeod Ganj) | Distance: 9 km one-way | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Triund (2,875m) is a broad ridge meadow directly above McLeod Ganj that offers one of the most spectacular views in Himachal Pradesh — the vertical south face of the Dhauladhar Range (peaks up to 5,640m) rising directly behind you, and the Kangra Valley stretching to the horizon ahead.

The trek:
- Start from Dharamkot or Magic View Café (taxis or walk from McLeod Ganj)
- Trail is well-marked and popular but genuinely uphill — 900m altitude gain
- Allow 3–4 hours up, 2–3 hours down
- Small tea stalls and chai shops at Snowline Café (halfway) and at the top

Camping at Triund: Overnight camping at the Triund meadow is the full experience. The star-filled sky above and the moonlit Dhauladhar peaks are extraordinary. Basic tents available for hire (₹300–500/night) or bring your own.

Forest permit: Required for camping (₹100 per person) — obtainable from the forest department at the trailhead.

Best time: March–June (spring wildflowers, clear skies), September–November (post-monsoon clarity). Avoid July–August (monsoon) and December–February (snow on trail — only experienced winter trekkers).

Snowline Café is a mandatory halfway stop — the chai, Maggi noodles, and omelettes here are legendary among Triund trekkers.



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3. Bhagsu Waterfall and Bhagsu Nag Temple

2 km from McLeod Ganj | Open: Always | Entry: Free

Bhagsu Nag Temple is a popular local temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Bhagsu Nag (Snake God). The temple has a large water tank fed by mountain springs — considered holy and very cold even in summer.

Bhagsu Waterfall is a 20-minute walk from the temple through a rocky stream valley — a beautiful 20m waterfall at the base of the Dhauladhar escarpment. The walk from McLeod Ganj to the waterfall takes about 45 minutes and is lovely.

The area around Bhagsu has developed into a relaxed café culture district — Shiva Café above the waterfall and several other eateries with views are popular for long afternoons.

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4. Namgyal Monastery — The Dalai Lama's Personal Monastery

Adjacent to Tsuglagkhang | Open: 6 AM – 6 PM | Entry: Free

Namgyal Monastery is the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama and the largest Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, housing over 200 monks. Founded originally in Tibet in the 16th century, it was re-established in Dharamshala in 1967.

For visitors:
- Observe monks in debate (philosophical debate is a key practice in Tibetan Buddhism) — evening sessions visible through windows or from the courtyard
- Watch monks creating intricate sand mandalas (depending on when you visit)
- The monastery library has an excellent collection of Buddhist texts

Morning prayers at 6 AM: Monks chanting in the main hall — deeply atmospheric and open to respectful observers.

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5. Masrur Rock Temple — Hidden Himalayan Masterpiece

40 km from Dharamshala, near Kangra | Open: Sunrise to Sunset | Entry: ₹30 Indians, ₹200 foreigners

Masrur Temples (also spelled Masroor) are an extraordinary group of early 8th-century rock-cut temples carved from a single sandstone ridge — often called the "Himalayan Ellora." Roughly contemporaneous with the great temples of Ellora (Maharashtra), Masrur was damaged by an earthquake in 1905 and is less complete, but its hilltop setting with the Dhauladhar peaks directly behind is arguably even more dramatic.

The temples are dedicated to Shiva, with carvings of various forms of Shiva, Vishnu, and the goddess. The setting sun illuminating the carved faces against the Himalayan backdrop is one of Himachal Pradesh's great visual experiences.

Barely known outside specialist circles — you may have the entire site to yourself on a weekday. This is one of North India's most underrated heritage sites.

EZPZ Taxi offers Dharamshala to Masrur day trips — call +91-9871121217.

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6. Norbulingka Institute — Tibetan Arts and Culture

6 km from Dharamshala | Open: 9 AM – 5:30 PM, closed Sunday | Entry: ₹30

Norbulingka Institute is a remarkable initiative — a campus dedicated to the preservation of traditional Tibetan arts and crafts that were nearly lost after the Chinese occupation of Tibet.

What to see:
- Thangka painting workshops: Artists creating traditional Tibetan scroll paintings using natural pigments and gold — you can watch master painters at work
- Wood carving, metal casting, and appliqué workshops: Various Tibetan crafts being practiced and taught
- Dol-Gyaling (Museum of Folk Heritage): Displays of traditional Tibetan costumes, household items, and folk art
- Losel Doll Museum: Traditional Tibetan dolls depicting life in old Tibet

The gardens at Norbulingka are beautifully designed with water features, peacocks, and Himalayan plantings — a peaceful place to spend an afternoon.

Shopping: High-quality hand-crafted Tibetan products are sold at fair prices — thangkas, wooden items, appliqué work, and jewellery.

Official: www.norbulingka.org

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7. Kangra Fort — The Mightiest Fort in the Himalayas

20 km from Dharamshala | Open: 9 AM – 6 PM | Entry: ₹25 Indians, ₹300 foreigners

Kangra Fort has guarded the Kangra Valley for 3,500+ years — one of the oldest and largest forts in the Himalayas, it sits on a sheer 91m cliff at the confluence of the Banganga and Majhi rivers. The fort withstood sieges by Mahmud of Ghazni (1009 CE) and later fell to Akbar's Mughal forces after extended siege.

The views from the ramparts over the Kangra Valley and toward the Dhauladhar peaks are splendid. The Amba Devi temple inside the fort complex is important.

Combined with: Masrur Temples (60 km away) and Palampur tea gardens (40 km) makes an excellent Kangra Valley day circuit from Dharamshala.

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McLeod Ganj Food Scene

McLeod Ganj has one of North India's most international and varied food scenes — a result of the global traveller community that has passed through for decades:

- Illiterati Books and Coffee — cosy bookshop-café, best for rainy afternoon reading
- Jimmy's Italian Kitchen — reliable Italian, popular for years
- Lung Ta Japanese Restaurant — run by Tibetan-Japanese couple, excellent ramen and gyoza
- Nick's Italian Kitchen — wood-fired pizzas on a terrace
- Tibetan Kitchen — best momos in McLeod Ganj (go for the jhol momos in broth)
- Green Hotel Restaurant — excellent organic Indian and international food, good views
- Himalayan Tea House — rooftop with Dhauladhar views, great chai and snacks

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Practical Information

Best time:
- March–June: Spring, flowers, clear skies, best trekking
- September–November: Post-monsoon, crystal clear mountain views, ideal
- December–February: Cold (0–5°C), snow possible above McLeod Ganj, quiet, peaceful
- July–August: Monsoon — lush and green but some trails muddy

Where to stay:
- Budget: Zostel McLeod Ganj, Om Hotel (₹500–1,500)
- Mid-range: Pema Thang Guest House, Hotel Chonor House (₹2,500–6,000)
- Luxury: Fortune Park Moksha, Hyatt Place Hamirpur (30 km away) (₹6,000–12,000)

Himachal Tourism: www.himachaltourism.gov.in

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EZPZ Taxi for Dharamshala

Delhi to Dharamshala with mountain-experienced drivers. Fixed fares, no surge. Can combine with Kangra Valley circuit.

Call: +91-9871121217 | Book: ezpztaxi.com

Have you attended a teaching at the Tsuglagkhang or completed the Triund trek? Share your McLeod Ganj story below!