About Dharamshala Tourism
Dharamshala is located in the stunning valleys of Kangra in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. The region is famous for its peaceful locations, natural beautiful and spirituality. Dharamshala is divided into two parts, lower Dharamshala and upper Dharamshala which includes McLeod Ganj. The upper Dharamshala i.e. McLeod Ganj comprises of the residence of his holiness Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile.
Dharamshala is surrounded by evergreen trees, charming tea gardens and the majestic mountains, the Dhauladhar mountain ranges. The region offers breathtaking ambience everywhere you take a look. Dharamshala is in fact the center of cultures, Tibetan monasteries, Tibetan museum, Tibetan handicrafts and the vibrant market places. Some of the popular tourist spots in Dharamshala includes Tsuglagkhang Complex, Namgyal Monastery, Bhagsu Nag Waterfalls and Temple, etc.
Even for the adventure lovers, Dharamshala offers one of the best adventurous experiences like trekking, mountain climbing, etc. One of the famous treks is the Triund Trek, this trekking activity is for moderate to experience trekkers, but beginners can also give a try with the help of trekking guides.
Dharamshala also hosts a number of cultural festivals and events, letting tourists to have a wonderful cultural experience. The pleasant weather of the town makes it the perfect place for tourists to explore, with summers being cool, winter changes the region into a snow land, and the autumn after the monsoon rain, refreshes the region. It’s almost a year-round destination with pleasant weather and lots of activities to do and places to explore.
This breathtaking beautiful hill-station has something to offer for every tourist visiting the region, whether they are nature lovers, spiritual seekers, adventure lovers or history fanatics, tourists will surely be captivated by the beautiful aura of the place. The vibrant Tibetan culture of the region will let you have a spiritual experience, letting you calm your senses.
Dharamshala Tour Packages
Best Time to Visit Dharamshala
The best time to visit the charming hill-station of Dharamshala is during the months from March to June which is the summer season, offering a peaceful retreat to explore the region. Another best season is during the months from September to November when the region is refreshing after the monsoon rain.
How to Reach Dharamshala?
By Road
Dharamshala is well connected by roadways, tourists can either take a bus from Delhi to reach or take a car or taxi.
By Train
The nearest railway station is Kangra Mandir Railway Station, which is situated around 22 km away from Dharamshala town. However, to reach Kangra Mandir Railway Station, you have to first reach Pathankot Railway Station; from here you have to take the toy train to Kangra Railway Station.
By Air
If hoping to travel by air, the nearest airport is Gaggal Airport, which is around 13 km away from the main town of the region. From the airport tourists will have to either take the local bus or taxi to reach the main town.
By Bus
By Car/Taxi
Tourists can also take a taxi or cab till Dharamshala from Delhi or nearby cities. The distance from Delhi to Dharamshala is around 475 km.
Best Place To Visit In Dharamshala
As Dharamshala is a beautiful hill-station with natural beauty, flora and fauna, landscape, temples and cultural places, tourists can visit a lot of places. Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Dharamshala:
Kangra Fort is one of the oldest forts in India, history lovers should definitely visit this place to know in-depth about the history of the place.
McLeod Ganj is located near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, it surrounded by the majestic mountain ranges, the green valleys
The Tsuglagkhang Complex is one of the most important cultural places of McLeod Ganj, tourists who are interested in knowing about the Tibetan culture
Namgyal Monastery is located near Dharamshala, it is around 3.7 km to reach Namgyal Monastery from Dharamshala
hagsu Nag Waterfall is located in McLeod Ganj, which is around 5 km from Dharamshala. The Bhagsu Nag Waterfall is situated in between the beautiful breathtaking hills
Triund is one of the best adventure destinations near Dharamshal, the Triund trek is one of the most popular trek in Himachal Pradesh.
Dal Lake is one of the beautiful lakes in McLeod Ganj, which will remind you of the Dal Lake in Kashmir.
St. John Church is located only 2 km away from the hub of McLeod Ganj. The Church is surrounded by breathtaking beauty of the landscape
The breathtaking tea gardens in Dharamkot is located near McLeod Ganj, it is one of the most breathtaking location offering a delightful experience.
The Norbulingka Institute is located near McLeod Ganj which is around 5 km away from Dharamshala, this center is famous for Tibetan arts and crafts
The War Memorial Dharamshala is one of the important tourist attraction sites in Dharamshala. This war memorial is located in the main town of Dharamshala
Things To Do In Dharamshala
One of the famous trekking spot near Dharamshala is Triund. The trek to the peak is surrounded by majestic snow covered mountains
Paragliding in Bir Billing is one of the most thrilling activities offered near Dharamshala. In fact Paragliding in Bir Billing
Another fun activity to engage in Dharamshala is camping and bonfire.
Rock climbing and rappelling is one of the most exciting activities to indulge
Walking around the tea gardens in Dharamkot is one of the most charming experiences
Meditation and yoga retreats are one of the most common activities for having a rejuvenating
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a trip to Dharamshala, at least plan for 3-4 days, however, the number of days required for your trip may vary depending on the number of days you want to spend in this serene and peaceful location, places you want to visit, and things you want to do.
The nearest major airport for Dharamshala is Gaggal Airport, which is around 13 km away from Dharamshala.
The nearest major train station for Dharamshala is Kangra Mandir Railway Station, which is situated around 22 km away from Dharamshala town. However, to reach Kangra Mandir Railway Station, tourists will have to reach Pathankot Railway Station; from here they will have to take the toy train to Kangra Railway Station.
The primary mode of transportations to reach Dharamshala includes the following:
- By air: Gaggal Airport, which is around 13 km away from Dharamshala.
- By train: Kangra Mandir Railway Station, which is situated around 22 km away from Dharamshala town. To reach Kangra Mandir Railway Station, tourists will have to reach Pathankot Railway Station first; from here they will have to take the toy train to Kangra Railway Station.
- By roadways: Private and state buses to Dharamshala are available from major destinations of India like Delhi and Chandigarh on a regular basis.
- By car: Tourists can also take their car to visit Dharamshala.
Following are some of the main festivals held in Dharamshala:
- Losar Festival: A New Year celebration of Buddhism religion, celebrated in February or March, depending on the Tibetan Lunar calendar.
- Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF), celebrated in November
- Buddha Purnima celebrates the enlightenment of Lord Buddha, on a full moon day in the month of April or May
- Dalai Lama’s Teachings, organized multiple times a year, attracting students from around the world.
- Tibetan Opera Festival (also known as Shoton), celebrated in August
- Holi festival (the festival of colors)
- Hemis Festival is celebrated in June or July (depending on the Tibetan lunar calendar) to pay respect to Guru Padmasambhava
- International Himalayan Festival celebrated in December (Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize winning celebration)
Kangra Fort, McLeod Ganj, Tsuglagkhang Complex, Namgyal Monastery, Bhagsu Nag Waterfall, Triund, Dal Lake near McLeod Ganj, St. John in the Wilderness Church near McLeod Ganj, Tea Gardens in Dharamkot, Norbulingka Institute, War Memorial in Dharamshala
Common dishes which the tourists in Dharamshala should try include Chana Madra, Siddu, Dham, Babru, Tingmo (Tibetan steamed bread), Momos (dumplings stuffed with meat, vegetables, etc), Butter Tea (Tibetan tea called Po Cha made with yak butter, salt, and tea leaves), Laphing (spicy noodles), Thukpa (noodle soup made with vegetables, meat, etc), Bhagsu Cake (made of biscuit, caramel, and chocolate), Thenthuk (hand-pulled noodles, made with vegetables, meat, etc), etc
And the poplar restaurants include Tibet Kitchen, Morgan’s Place, Carpe Diem Café, Woeser Bakery and Illiterati Café, etc.
In Dharamshala there are different types of accommodation available, starting from luxury resorts, dormitory, boutique hotels, guesthouses, backpacker hostels, and lodges to homestays. Book your stay according to your budget.
Yes, you can easily visit the different places in Dharamshala with public transportation.
The transportation options available in Dharamshala include local bus, local taxis, auto rickshaws for short distances, rental bikes and scooters. The state buses also run to nearby towns in Himachal Pradesh. Jeep service is also available to popular destinations.
The primary language spoken in Dharamshala is Hindi, but Tibetan is also spoken.
The best time to visit Dharamshala is from March to June and from September last to November, for a peaceful retreat to explore the region. Avoid traveling during the monsoon season, when there is heavy rainfall.
Meditation and Yoga Retreats, walk around the Tea Gardens in Dharamkot, Rock Climbing and Rappelling, Camping and Bonfires, Paragliding in Bir Billing, Trek to Triund
Dharamshala is the best holiday destination for honeymooners, solo travelers, group travelers, traveling with friends and family, and for spiritual escape.