Are you planning 3-4 days of travel to a hill station in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh? Do you want to experience the exquisite beauty of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, lush greenery, and local culture?
If yes, then a combined trip to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj would be the perfect places for you to spend holidays in the realm of the Dhauladhar range of mountains. Every year, numerous travellers come to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj to see the little Tibetian culture, taste authentic food, visit peaceful monasteries, head towards an exciting trek, take a tour of tea gardens, visit the most beautiful cricket stadium in the world, and more.
You can experience it all by visiting spectacular places, booking a luxury resort in Dharamshala, meeting new people, and doing much more on your most-awaited trip.
Follow this travel guide for Dharamshala and Mcleodganj which includes the following things ideal for trekkers, backpackers, families, and seasoned travellers.
* Where is Dharamshala?
* Where is Mcleaodganj?
* How to Reach Dharamshala?
* How to Reach Mcleodganj?
* Best Time to Visit Dharamshala & Mcleodganj
* Things to do in Dharamshala
* Best Places to Stay in Dharamshala
So, without any further adieu, let’s get started with our travel guide.
1. Where is Dharamshala?
Dharamshala is a winder capital city of Himachal Pradesh that is strategically located in the Kangra District. It is also called the second capital city of Himachal Pradesh due to its magnificent location surrounded by snow-clad mountains of the famous Dhauladhar Range.
Dharamshala also comes under the flagship of the smart city under the Prime Minister’s mission of Smart Cities Mission. The city has a strong influence of majestic Buddhist culture with the presence of 14th Dalai Lama’s monasteries along with Tibetian feel spread across the surroundings. Moreover, Dharamshala is en route to the upper tourist place called Mcleodganj which is located 5 km away from the city and a must-visit for all travellers.
2. Where is Mcleodganj?
Strategically located just 5km uphill from Dharamshala, Mcleodganj is a little quaint town fully dedicated to the establishment of Tibetian people, culture, food, and spirituality. Also, called the Little Lhasa (a short form of Dharamshala used by Tibetians referred to as their cultural town) Mcleodganj is a must-visit place for people coming to Dharamshala. Waterfalls, sightseeing, culinary delights, nightlife, treks, photo excursions, monasteries, and spiritual essence are must to experience things out here.
3. How to Reach Dharamshala?
Reaching the magnificent hill station of Dharamshala is not a hassle for travellers coming from various parts of India. Delhi and Punjab offer direct connectivity to Dharamshala through various means of travel like as follows:
* By Road: There are multiple public and private buses available from the varying parts of Delhi, Punjab, and Himachal. Travellers can book Volvo, Deluxe, Semi-Deluxe, or ordinary bus service from a particular region to reach Dharamshala either in the daytime or a night. Even travellers can reach Dharamshala using their private four-wheelers or two-wheeler by taking regular halts at places. The road condition from Delhi to Dharamshala is smooth unless traveling in the rainy season.
* By Train: There is no direct train to Dharamshala for travellers coming from various parts of India. The nearest railway station is Pathankot which is located 85km away from Dharamshala. Regular taxi and bus service is available from Pathankot to Dharamshala.
* By Flight: The nearest airport to Dharamshala is at Gaggal which is 13km away from the city. The airport is directly connected to major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, and Hyderabad. From the airport, travellers can easily get a cab from there to Dharamshala or Mcleodganj city.
Check out: The Best Hotel Near Dharamshala Airport
4. How to Reach Mcleodganj?
Mcleodganj is just 5km away uphill from Dharamshala city. Travellers can take a private cab, shared taxi, or a state bus service to reach the town. It takes approximately 30-45 min to reach Mcleodganj from Dharamshala.
5. Best Time to Visit Dharamshala & Mcleodganj
Dharamshala and Mcleodganj is a year-round destination for travellers to visit at any point in time. Despite that season of March to July is the best time to visit Dharamshala to beat the scorching heat of your city. Apart from that, October to December is also an ideal time to explore the hill stations in slight winter. Moreover, experience the beautiful snowfall during the month of January.
6. Things to Do in Dharamshala
There is no shortage of places to explore both in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj. Depending on the travel requirements and likes of explorers, there is plenty of best places to visit in Dharamshala and things to explore.
* Buddhist Monasteries
* Bhagsu Nag Temple
* Bhagsu Waterfall
* Dal Lake
* Shiva Cafe
* Tibet Museum
* Dharamkot Village
* Sunset Point
* Masroor Rock-Cut Temple
* Church
* Kangra Fort
* Triund Hill Trek
* Paragliding
And much more.
Must Check: Best 5-Star Hotel Near Bhagsunag Waterfall
7. Best Places to Stay in Dharamshala
There are several options available for travellers to book their stay in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj. From luxury, uphill, homestay to budget hotels, you will find numerous accommodation options to stay for 3-4 days to cover all the surroundings of Dharamshala and Mcleodganj.
Luxury Resorts: If you are looking for the best hotel near Mcleodganj, then there is no shortage of options available for travellers of all kinds. One of the finest, luxurious, and Top resorts in Dharamshala near Mcleodganj is jüSTa Birding, Dharamshala. It is an uphill luxurious resort away from city’s hustle and bustle and located high in a peaceful place. The exotic resort is located close to the highest paragliding point of Dharamshala and clearly overlooks the snow-clad mountains of Dhauladhar Range on one side and lush green tea gardens on the other side. For travellers looking for a luxurious stay with a clear mountain view, bird watching, solitude, world-class amenities, and an upscale level of hospitality, then jüSTa Birding, Dharamshala is the best place to stay.
Homestays: Experience the feeling of a local and native staying pleasure both in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj by finding a wide range of Homestays. Find budget-friendly, well-furnished, and world-class amenities equipped homestays at peaceful, central, and nearby locations to famous tourist attractions. Also, there are options to find a place to stay at native’s house and experience their culture at close quarters.
Final Note
A majestic trip to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj must be on your travel list while exploring the hillside beauty of Himachal Pradesh. Plan a trip of 3-4 days to this hill station of the Kangra district and experience it all in terms of natural beauty, adventure, food tour, trek, sports, luxurious stay, and more.
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