Know about Dharamshala Tour that is located in the Kangra Valley at the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges in Himachal Pradesh. It is also the center of the Tibetan government-in-exile. I went about 2-3 days trip to Dharamshala and Dharamkot working remotely and exploring places at my own pace. Whenever I got some time, I would go out to see the surrounding places – one place at a time.
With a short walk, you can easily visit all these attractions in McLeodganj, Dharamkot and Bhagsu.
How to get to Dharamshala by Air, Road and Train?
By Air – Take a flight to Kangra Airport.
By Road – By road, Dharamshala can be reached via the NH503 and NH503A highways, which connects it to major cities like Amritsar, Chandigarh and Delhi. You can easily get direct buses from these places. If you are planning to travel from Delhi to Dharamshala by bus it’s distance approximately 475 kilometers and it takes almost 10-11 hours via road.
By Train – Dharamshala does not have any railway station of its own. Pathankot is the nearest station from Dharamshala. Pathankot to Dharamshala distance is about 85 kms. You can take a taxi or bus to reach Dharamshala from Pathankot.
Best Time To Visit Dharamshala
The best time to visit Dharamshala is mid-February to mid-July because at that time you will see amazing weather & temperature range about 20 to 32 degrees. It’s the time you will also see unexpected snowfall. Clear skies and ideal temperatures are perfect for outdoor adventures and sightseeing.
You can also plan Dharamshala tour during the monsoon season during July to August, but it may be difficult to explore outside due to heavy rains. Additionally, during winter – December to February – it can be quite cold so pack accordingly.
The weather in the mountains can surprise you. One minute it’s sunny and clear, and the next you’re caught in a fresh rain shower. This is the charm of living in the mountains.
Where to Stay in Dharamshala or Mcleodganj ?
As mentioned, Dharamshala is a region as well as its own city. I wouldn’t recommend staying in Dharamshala as it is a busy, local town.
The best places to stay are Mcleodganj, Dharamkot or Bhagsu and it really depends on what kind of atmosphere you want from your stay and which area you stay in.
Mcleod Ganj Accommodation
I stayed in Mcleodganj town on my first visit in November and I really liked it. Mcleodganj has lots of cafes, shops and accommodation. It is only a small town but during peak season it can get very busy with lots of traffic and lots of beeping.
It has a big Tibetan feel as it is where the Dalai Lama lives. This is also where the Dalai Lama Temple and the Tibet Museum are located, which are some of the top things to do in Dharamshala Tour. McLeodganj is a great central base and a short walk from Dharamkot and Bhagsu.
Dharamkot Accommodation
Dharamkot village is divided into Upper Dharamkot and Dharamkot. There are amazing mountain views, nice hostel rooms and a nice café just outside. The only thing about it is that you have to walk everywhere, although it is just 15 minutes away from Dharamkot ‘village’, which has a few roads nestled in the mountains.
Flugler Hostel is the another most popular hostel in Dharamkot.
The atmosphere of Dharamkot is more hippie and alternative. There are vegetarian restaurants and shops selling attractive jewellery. It also has a very cool atmosphere and because it is located literally along the footpath in a hilly area, there is no noise from any cars.
Bhagsu Accommodation
Bhagsu is also divided into two parts – Upper Bhagsu and Lower Bhagsu, although both are very close together. Upper Bhagsu is located closest to Dharamkot (down the hill) and still has that alternative, cool, hippie vibe, with great cafes and lots of yoga, meditation, ecstatic dance and Reiki workshops. Most of these proposed sessions are in upper Bhagsu.
Lower Bhagsu is a much more touristy place and I would say it is more popular among Indian tourists, this is the place where you will constantly be asked if you want a taxi and it is close to the Bhagsu Falls which brings a lot of day tourists to the area.
There are many hostels in Upper Bhagsu and popular hostels in Bhagsu are Hostel Lawai, Hostel Triangle Folks and Worlds Hostel.
Things to do in Dharamshala Tour
Cricket Stadium
The first place we visited was Dharamshala Cricket Stadium. This stadium, with the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, is one of the most beautiful grounds in the world. We could enter a section of the stadium by paying a small entry fee. I had never been to a cricket stadium and the experience in Dharamshala was good.
Dalai Lama Temple
This Dharamshala Tour take you to The Dalai Lama Temple is located in Mcleodganj which is often called Little Tibet due to the significant Tibetan population living there. The The presence of the Dalai Lama, who resides in the area, attracts many visitors to Dharamshala from different parts of the world, eager to meet him and experience spirituality. The complex includes the Namgyal Monastery, the Tibet Museum, and various temples dedicated to Buddhist Buddhists.
The Tibet Museum
This is a must see in McLeodganj also. It is right next to the Dalai Lama temple and it tells about the history of Tibet and why it is in the state it is in today. To be honest, I didn’t know much about the history and when I reached Mcleodganj I was surprised by how many Tibetans I saw there, but after going there everything made sense.
The history (and current situation) is really shocking so you should really visit and I recommend visiting on your first day as it will help you understand the area and people better.
Bhagsunag Temple And Bhagsunag Waterfall
Head to Bhagsunag Falls early in the morning to avoid the crowds. This waterfall is at a distance of about 400-500 meters from Bhagsunag Temple and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to reach. The walk is short and uphill, with a paved path lined with local stalls. A few more minutes of walking will take you to Shiva Café.
Bhagsunag Temple has an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and a pond filled with natural flowing water. Since it was very close to our hotel, I went here several times, early in the morning and after dinner. I loved sitting on the bench near the pool, listening to the calming sound of the water and reading the folk tales of this temple.
Long ago, there was a king named Bhagsu who ruled this region. His kingdom suffered a severe drought, and he could not bear to see his people suffer without water. Determined to find a solution, he traveled and discovered a sacred land belonging to the serpent god, Naga Devta. Due to this, the serpent god became angry and clashed with the king, leading to a fierce battle between them and Bhagsu realized his mistake and he said sorry for this.
Impressed by the king’s honesty and repentance, the serpent god forgave him and blessed the water source. The waterfall was named Bhagsunag as a symbol of the unity of King Bhagsu and the serpent god. In memory of this battle Bhagsunag Temple was built at the place where the battle finished.
Tushita Meditation Centre
Up in Dharamkot is the Tushita Meditation Centre, a Buddhist center that offers Buddhism courses for 2 to 10 days most times of the year, but also offers daily meditation classes from 9:30 a.m. every day except Sundays.I only went once (actually I went twice but the first time it was canceled due to another course, so call them in advance to check it will still be on!), and I really enjoyed it.
We did 2 simple meditations that lasted about 10-15 minutes and that’s on a donation basis. The center is very calm and relaxing and being there really made me want to go back and do a course. I walked from Mcleodganj to Dharamkot one day, it was ok but very steep!
What are Adventure Activities in Dharamshala ?
While nearby Manali is better for adventure activities, if you are not going that way you can still book day tours and go Dharamshala for paragliding it costs 2500 to 3500 per person, trekking, river rafting as well as rock climbing and camping in Dharamshala Tour.
In general, this area is a good place to relax a bit, take in the fresh mountain air, explore and connect with nature. However if you want to see a lot of Dharamshala in one day or with a guide so you can understand the area more,
There are plenty of Dharamshala day tours available that range in price, so we’d recommend checking out these Dharamshala tour!
The Best Cafes & Restaurants in Dharamshala
There are plenty of places for you to talk in all areas, here are my favorites:
Tibet Kitchen (McLeod Ganj) – Here for some authentic Tibetan food with friendly staff.
Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen (McLeodganj) – If you want good pizza, go here.
Moonpeak Espresso (Mcleodganj) – This is another good place to go in Mcleodganj if you need good WiFi. It’s small with a variety of sandwiches and Indian food, but I found it to be a good place to work.
Bodhi Greens Vegan Café (Dharamkot) – There are a lot of vegan restaurants in Dharamkot and this is a really nice restaurant with lots of healthy options and a nice ambiance.
Himalayan Tea Shop (Dharamkot) – Have a tea before or after meditation here at the Tushita Meditation Center and it’s a great place to meet other travelers doing the same.
Nature Twins Café (Upper Bhagsu) – I love the cool floor seating arrangement upstairs here and they sell a huge range of food items.
Alt Life Dharamshala – Affordable hotel with modern facilities and guest facilities.
Rakas Place (Upper Bhagsu) – I ate a nice avo on toast here and it was very busy for breakfast.
Conclusion
Dharamshala tour, with its awe-inspiring landscapes, spiritual sanctuaries and thrilling adventures, promises an unforgettable experience. From treks in the Dhauladhar range to the serene ambiance of monasteries, and delightful cafes that provide a taste of Tibetan culture, this 2 days trip to covers the best of Dharamshala. So, get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration in the lap of the Himalayas.