Mountains are the most unique and worth watching the creativity that nature has gifted. No matter how many times you visit them, the sight of mountains will never let you get bored of them. India has a variety of places to travel from oceans to mountains. Mountains especially are the most beautiful and worth visiting places in India. 

India as a country has many famous hill stations that are famous all around the world and attract tourists from all over the globe. Some of the most famous hill stations of India include Kashmir which is also known as heaven on earth. The others are Shimla, Manali, Leh & Ladakh, etc. But what we are going to talk about in this blog is a hill station which is not much famous among the tourist as compared to others but is worth an experience in a lifetime. Yes, we are talking about one of the most underrated hill stations of India known as Dharamshala. 

The city of Dharamshala got its name from the Hindi word which means house in the name of prosperity. Dharamshala is one of the finest locations to visit all year round in India. Situated in the famous state of Himachal Pradesh, this city has been a famous spot for cricket lovers and local tourists for a long time. 

We will guide you through every detail you need to know before visiting this amazing place. Along with this, the blog further also includes a complete guide about Mcleod Ganj which is another famous place to visit just a few kilometers from Dharamshala. So, stay ahead with us to plan the best trip of your life.

How to reach Dharamshala? Book Your Flight From Here

Dharamshala is a pretty well-known country all around India and thus connects to some major cities in the country. To reach Dharamshala, you can take a bus service from your location which is the most suitable means of transport to reach here. If we talk about Delhi and cities nearby, there are direct buses available from some cities to Dharamshala and it takes around 12 to 14 hours to reach here. Both AC and Non-AC bus services are available from cities like Delhi and others.

Although, if you want to do extreme budget traveling, you can first reach Pathankot and then take a bus from Pathankot to Dharamshala. The cost of bus service (Non-AC), from Pathankot to Dharamshala is Rs 150 to Rs 200 per person. This will cost you less as compared to taking a direct bus from your location.

Along with the above options, there is also an airport in Dharamshala named Kangra Gaggal Airport. Thus, you can choose to come here by flight, the only issue is that very few flights land at this airport. So, you will have to check the availability of flights from your location. 

How to reach Mcleod Ganj from Dharamshala?

Only at a distance of 7 km from Dharamshala, Mcleod Ganj is a small and beautiful town that attracts thousands of local and international tourists every year. It is also known as mini-Tibet since the city has adopted a lot of culture from Tibet since the British rule. 

To reach Mcleod Ganj from Dharamshala you can easily find a bus from the Dharamshala Bus Stand and reach there in only 15 to 20 minutes. The cost of a bus service from Dharamshala to Mcleod Ganj is only Rs 20.

Although another alternative to reach Mcleod Ganj is under construction. This is the ropeway construction which will run from Dharmshala to Mcleod Ganj and ease the trip even more.As you reach Mcleod Ganj you will be able to see a lot of Buddhist people and culture in the city and thus there are some famous Buddhists to visit here.

Hidden Places to visit in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj

Dharamshala is a city situated in the hills and is famous for many tourist attractions. Although the prime reason for which people visit Dharamshala is to enjoy its amazing snowfall which happens as soon as the winter season knocks at the door. To seek out things for you, we have listed below many famous and amazing places to visit when coming to Dharamshala.

Mcleod Ganj is pretty famous among people for its beautiful views and natural beauty. Along with this, there are certain famous temples and buildings as well which can be visited and you can also enjoy the view from them. Mentioned below is a list of all the famous places you must visit when coming to Mcleod Ganj.

Dharamshala Cricket Stadium

Are you are a cricket fan ? then there isn’t a chance that you would have not known about this famous cricket stadium situated in Dharamshala. Never matter if you don’t know about it, Dharamshala cricket stadium is a famous spot and people’s attraction which is beautifully built between the mountains and hosts many important cricket matches. Although people visit this place usually when there is a cricket match, still it is a famous tourist spot on other days as well. With an entry ticket of only Rs 20, you can visit this stadium and experience a real sports scenario by looking at the massive ground built between the mountains. The timings of the stadium are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Although, it is recommended to come as early as possible to avoid much crowd.

Apart from the stadium, you can visit other places in Dharamshala where you can have some breakfast or lunch. Along with the great views from the hills, Dharamshala is also famous for its vast tea gardens. Further ahead Dharamshala invites you to enjoy its famous foods which we will be guiding you about ahead in the blog. Although the heart-warming views of Dharamshala will your heart, there is a lot this city has to offer. A few kilometers from Dharamshala has situated a famous town with exciting things to watch and enjoy for the whole day ahead. This small town is called Mcleod Ganj. 

Mcleod Ganj main square

As you come from Dharamshala, you will be landed on the most famous and important place in Mcleod Ganj. This is the Mcleod Ganj main square. The main square can also be considered the main center point from where there are explorable places in all directions of the city. On the main square, you can find a lot of shops and markets. Here you can shop for clothes and other things that represent Buddhist culture. 

Buddhist Temple: Just a few meters from Mcleod Ganj main square is the famous Buddhist temple of Mcleod Ganj. By visiting this place, you can experience the Buddhist culture and their ways of praying to God. You can also sit here and spent some time relaxing and enjoying the views from the temple.

Bhagsunag Waterfall: At a distance of about half a kilometer from the Mcleod Ganj main square lies the famous bhagsunag waterfall. You can cover this distance by walking only and after walking for quite some time, you will witness this gigantic waterfall falling from the top of the mountains. The water around bhagsunag waterfall is very clear. A few years ago, people also used to bathe under this waterfall but it has been restricted post-pandemic.

Bhagsunag Temple: Only a few steps from the Bhagsunag waterfall you can find the bhagsunag temple. This is another famous spot to visit and you can also spend some time here relaxing and enjoying the huge snow-covered mountains. 

Dalai Lama Temple: The teachings of Dalai Lama and has been the prime reason for Tibetan culture in Mcleod Ganj. At the Dalai Lama Temple, you can experience the teachings and guidance of the well-known peace-spreader Dalai Lama. It is an educational and interesting experience at this temple and is thus a must-visit place on this trip. 

Dal Lake: Another famous spot to visit in Mcleod Ganj is Dal Lake. Although it is about 3 km from Mcleod Ganj. When visiting in the winter season you might find this lake covered with a lot of fog. Surrounded by Deodar trees this Lake is a sight to watch for the eyes. Thus, you must consider visiting this place on your trip. 

St. John’s Wilderness Church: As the name itself, this place will give a wild experience. The St. John’s wilderness church is a place usually covered with fog and dull light. People visit here to witness this old architecture and spent quality time with their tripmates.

Apart from the places mentioned above, there are certain other spots which you can visit. These are the famous war memorial, the tea gardens of Dharamshala, the Kunal Pathri Temple, and the Kangra Art Museum.

What are the top things to know before visiting to Dharamshala? BOOK YOUR TRAVEL

Dharamshala is a beautiful place to visit. Although the mountains can be risky at times. Since Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj experiences heavy snowfall in the winter season, it is recommended that you should not take any vehicles while it is snowing in the area. Vehicles can often slip and thus you should not take any chances. 

The whole tour of Mcleod Ganj can be done on foot since all the place is only one or two kilometers from each other. Although you can consider taking a car to explore places when traveling with family or friends. This can ease your trip to a great extent. The cost of renting a car in Dharamshala or Mcleod Ganj can be approximately Rs 1000 per day. 

You only need two days to explore Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj giving one day each. You can also enjoy the famous local food of Dharamshala. These dishes are the Veg Thumpka Noodles which will cost around Rs 140 and the famous Yak Milk Pastry which costs around Rs 70. This a famous food in Dharamshala and thus you should not miss it out on your trip.

You can easily find hotels in Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj since the complete city is a famous tourist destination. The cost of hotel rooms for a day can be approximately Rs 1500. It is recommended to take a hotel in Dharamshala and then visit Mcleod Ganj for a day from where you can return after exploring the city. 

You can visit Dharamshala at any time of the year, but to experience snowfall the period between October to March is the best suited to visit this place.

How many days are enough for Dharamshala and Mcleodganj? BOOK BUS FOR ANY LOCATION

The basic itinerary for Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj trip can be of two days where you can spend the first day in Dharamshala and the second one in Mcleod Ganj. The tentative itinerary for this trip can be as mentioned below.

Day 1: Dharamshala

Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
War Memorial
Dharamshala Tea Garden
Kunal Pathri Temple
Kangra Art Museum

Day 2: Mcleod Ganj

Bhagsunag Waterfall
Dalai Lama Temple
Dal Lake
St. Johns Wilderness Church
Mcleod Ganj Square

How much does a trip to Dharamshala cost?

Exploring Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj will not cost you much. The total approximate expense is mentioned below.

Hotel: Rs 3000 (2 days)
Meals: Rs 1000 per person
Transport: Rs 2000 (2 days)
Total: Rs 6000 per person

Thus, it will cost around Rs 6000 per person to enjoy the trip to Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj. The above budget excludes the cost of reaching Dharamshala from your home location since it may vary from person to person.

Conclusion

Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj are among the most beautiful places to visit in India. The snow-covered mountains and the beautiful hills can win anyone’s heart. Although during snowfall, things become somewhat risky. Thus, it is best to be a little attentive while you enjoy your trip to the fullest.

We hope to have provided you with every detail needed to visit Dharamshala and Mcleod Ganj and help you plan your trip to a great extent. Wishing for a safe and exciting journey ahead we will find you in some other blog with another exciting place to visit.