Dharamshala, India: How to Get There, What to Do, and More!

Dharamshala is another of my favorite hill stations in India! Known as ‘Little Tibet’, it is currently home to the Dalai Lama as well as the Tibetan government-in-exile. Dharamshala has gorgeous views of the Himalayas as well as a culture unlike anything else I saw in India! When most people visit Dharamshala, they are actually looking to go to Upper Dharamshala (Mcleod Ganj) which is very different from Lower Dharamshala. Read on to see everything you need to know about this bucket list destination in India!

How to Get to Dharamshala, India

Flights to Dharamshala

While there isn’t an airport directly in Dharamshala, there is one just 15 kilometers (9 miles) away. The Gaggal Airport (Kangra Airport) is about a half hour drive from Lower Dharamshala. From there it’s a further 20 minute drive to the main square in Mcleod Ganj.

You can search for flights to Dharamshala on skyscanner.

Trains to Dharamshala

There are no trains to Dharamshala. The closest train station is the Pathankot Railway Station which is still 85 km (53 miles) from Dharamshala. From there you would either have to take a bus or taxi into Dharamshala.

Buses to Dharamshala

There are many buses to Dharamshala from various cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, and Amritsar. The one downside is that there are no sleeper buses in Himachal Pradesh. However, some of the buses have very spacious seats. Make sure you double check the bus pictures so that you get a bus you are comfortable taking! You can book buses to Dharamshala here.

How to Get from Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj

Keep in mind that the buses will take you to Lower Dharamshala, then you will have to make your own way from Lower Dharamshala up to Mcleod Ganj! There are several ways to do that.

Dharamshala Skyway from Lower Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj

The Dharamshala Skyway was opened in January 2022. It is considered the fastest way to get from Lower Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj. The ride takes about 5 minutes to travel the 1.8 km ropeway.

A one way ticket on the Dharamshala Skyway costs 480 rupees ($5.60 USD) while a round trip ticket is 700 rupees ($8.20 USD). This makes it the most expensive option, especially if you are more than one person, however it does have outstanding views of the mountains!

Taxi from Lower Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj

There are tons of taxis in Lower Dharamshala that are used to making the 20-30 minute trip up to Mcleod Ganj and back. When I visited I paid 300 rupees ($3.53 USD) for a taxi from close to the Dharamshala bus station up to the main square of Mcleod Ganj. That was the first taxi price I was offered as a foreign solo female traveler. It was already cheaper than the Skyway so I didn’t try to get it any lower, I just jumped in.

If you are arriving in Dharamshala late at night, it might be best to have your hotel book you a taxi ahead of time. I arrived in the Dharamshala bus station after 9pm as my bus from Shimla was delayed due to snow and there was only one taxi at the Dharamshala bus station!

Bus from Lower Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj

There are smaller local buses that run from Lower Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj for 30 rupees ($0.35 USD). This is the cheapest option, however it doesn’t run as frequently. It also takes longer to travel by bus – up to 45 minutes.

Walk between Lower Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj

Yes, it is possible to walk between Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj! I did it myself! However, it is definitely easier to walk down from Mcleod Ganj to Dharamshala than it is to go up. The walk from Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj is all uphill so it is much harder (though not impossible).

I started my walk down from Mcleod Ganj to Dharamshala along the Kora Circuit below the Dalai Lama temple. I had to ask multiple people along the path for directions to the path to Lower Dharamshala. However, once I saw other people hiking through the woods it was easy to follow the correct path. It was a shortcut down to the main road. Then I was able to follow the main road the whole way down to my hotel in Lower Dharamshala.

Where to Stay in Dharamshala, India

When choosing accommodation in Dharamshala, you first need to know what you want out of your trip! If you are traveling to Dharamshala to visit the tranquil hill station and experience Tibetan culture, you’ll want to stay in Mcleod Ganj! If your purpose is to watch a cricket match, you’re better staying in Lower Dharamshala.

One rule I had while booking hotels/hostels in India was to check the reviews on both booking as well as google maps. In doing that I didn’t have any issues booking my own hotels during my 3.5 months solo traveling India. Also I’ve found that most hotel prices are significantly cheaper on Agoda than on Booking.

These are my recommendations for the best hotels in Mcleod Ganj! However there are many different options to choose from – some closer to the center and some further into nature.

Best Budget Hotel in Dharamshala

The Hosteller Mcleodganj is a chain hostel in India. It’s located in the center of Mcleod Ganj so you can walk to the main attractions. It also has a big rooftop and lots of activities to meet fellow travelers. While you can stay in a dorm room very cheaply, they also have really nice private rooms available!

You can book The Hosteller Mcleodganj on agoda or booking.

Best Midrange Hotel in Dharamshala

Lord Krishna Boutique Stay is the best midrange hotel in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala! It has the perfect location – right on the main road! It also has a nice terrace with great views of the mountains and sunsets over Dharamshala. While you need to pay a little more to get a room with a nice view, this hotel is a great option to fit a lower budget.

You can book the Lord Krishna Boutique Stay on agoda or booking.

Best Luxury Hotel in Dharamshala

Hotel Norbu House is one of the best hotels in Dharamshala! They have multiple suite style rooms to choose from as well as balconies to see the amazing view. It’s still in the center of Mcleod Ganj so you can get around walking, but off the main road so it’s less noisy. Hotel Norbu House has many amazing reviews from guests all over the world!

You can book Hotel Norbu House on agoda or booking.

What to Do in Dharamshala, India

Many people head to Dharamshala to relax, soak up the Tibetan culture, and also to practice meditation. However, there are many things to do both in the middle of Mcleod Ganj as well as a short drive away. There are some must visit places in Dharamshala!

Visit the Dalai Lama Temple

The Dalai Lama Temple, also known as the Tsuglagkhang Complex, is one of the most famous places to visit in Dharamshala! It was built in 1959 after the Dalai Lama moved to Dharamshala after his exile from Tibet. This temple is the current home of the Dalai Lama! It’s free to visit, and full of both spiritual and cultural importance.

The Tibetan Museum

The Tibetan Museum is your go to place to learn all about Tibet: the past, present, and future! While it used to be located by the Dalai Lama Complex, in 2022 it moved slightly outside of Mcleod Ganj to it’s current location by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archive. It is possible to walk to the museum from Mcleod Ganj, or take a quick 10 minute taxi.

Kalachakra Temple

The Kalachakra Temple is another of the most popular places to visit in Dharamshala! It’s located right by the main square in Mcleod Ganj which makes it extremely easy to visit. It’s a gorgeous temple full of prayer wheels which are really popular to spin as a way to earn merit and undo negative karma.

Mcleod Ganj Market

If you visit Mcleod Ganj, you cannot miss the Mcleod Ganj market! It’s located all along the main mall road. Many of the stalls are run by local Tibetans selling various souvenirs and other items.

Church of St. John in the Wilderness

St. John in the Wilderness is a gorgeous neo gothic church surrounded by trees in the hills close to Mcleod Ganj. It was built in 1852 which makes it one of the oldest churches in northern India and also one of the oldest buildings in Dharamshala! It’s a very unique place to visit as it’s so different from the surrounding Tibetan style buildings. It features beautiful stained glass windows and is also the final resting place of Lord Elgin.

The church is located 1 km (1.6 miles) outside of the main square in Mcleod Ganj. You can get transportation there, however it’s also a nice walk along the road through the trees.

Prayer Flag Point Dharamkot

After walking to the Church of St. John in the Wilderness I continued walking around the woods of Mcleod Ganj and stumbled upon the Prayer Flag Point Dharamkot. It’s located 1 km (1.6 miles) from the center of Mcleod Ganj, close to Dharamkot. While the walk is a little steep, it’s not hard to get to. There are hundreds and hundreds of flags hanging from the trees. It’s a really cool place to check out!

Visit a Meditation Center

There are lots of meditation centers around Dharamshala due to how prevalent Buddhism is there. Many people sign up for long programs at these meditation centers, however some centers also have drop in sessions that you can join.

Tushita Meditation Center one of the most popular meditation centers in the area. However there are also many smaller centers in the area.

Try Authentic Tibetan Food

If you’re in Dharamshala, you MUST try some authentic Tibetan Food! I had my first Tibetan food at JJI Exile Brother’s Mom’s Kitchen and it was amazing! It’s a tiny cafe with all homemade Tibetan food. What made it even better was the owner spoke perfect English and took the time to tell me about the different Tibetan food as well as answer all my questions about the Tibetan community that live in Dharamshala!

There are many restaurants like this in the area.

Get a Massage

There are many massage shops in Dharamshala! It’s a great way to relax whether you spend your time meditating or doing lots of mountain treks.

I got a massage at Synergy Massage Parlour and it was my favorite massage in India!

Hike Around the Dalai Lama Temple

There is a really fun hidden hike around the Dalai Lama Temple! On Googlemaps it’s called ‘Circumambulation Way Dalai Lama Temple’. The small path is lined with prayer wheels and Tibetan prayer flags. It’s easy to follow and right in the center of Mcleod Ganj!

Ride the Dharamshala Skyway

The Dharamshala Skyway is a way to get between Lower Dharamshala and Upper Mcleod Ganj, however you can also take the Dharamshala Skyway for fun! There are amazing views from the cable car and it’s a unique way to see Mcleod Ganj from above.

The Triund Trek

The Triund Trek is the most popular trek in Dharamshala! It’s also known as the easiest trek in the Himalayas. Despite being considered an easy trek, the Triund Trek has magnificent views of the surrounding mountains!

Naddi Viewpoint

The Naddi Viewpoint is the best place to see sunset in Dharamshala! It’s located less than 5 km (3 miles) from the main square in Mcleod Ganj. It’s close location means it’s possible to trek there, however you can also take a taxi.

Bhagsu Nag Waterfall

The Bhagsu Nag Waterfall is a quick hike from Mcleod Ganj which makes it a really popular place to visit! If you don’t want to trek far, but still want to escape in nature, this is the perfect trek for you!

Visit Kangra Fort

Kangra Fort is the oldest fort in the Himalayas and is also said to be the oldest dated fort in India! It is located about 20 km (12.5 miles) from the Dharamshala bus station, which makes it a little farther away. However, it’s a great place to visit if you love history and are in the area!

Visit the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium

The Dharamshala Cricket Stadium (HPCA stadium) is located a short 10 minute drive from the Dharamshala bus station. It’s an international cricket stadium and also one of the highest in the world! This stadium is also considered one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world as you can see the snow covered Himalayas in the distance.

Visit the Tea Gardens

There are multiple tea gardens that you can visit in Dharamshala. If you have some free time, they’re a great place to visit. You can take a tour walking through the rows of green tea leaves, learning how tea is made, and even try some local tea yourself!

Tours of Dharamshala

If you don’t want to explore Dharamshala on your own, there are also many guided tours you can take. Check out these highly rated ones:

Check Out My YouTube Video from Dharamshala!