A Two-Day Itinerary to Dharamsala and McLeodganj

Nestled in the lap of the Dhauladhar ranges, Dharamsala and McLeodganj offer both an escape from the mundane world and the courage to return there again. Buddha and his teaching feel alive there in the truest form possible.

Though Dharamsala and McLeodganj are known mainly for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism, the towns existed long before. It was founded in the mid-19th century by the British to establish their cantonment. Villages surrounding the place have existed for a long time. If you’re thinking of Dharamsala and McLeodganj as a tourist destination, you must know what it has to offer. Nonetheless, if you wanna dip into spirituality and the shades of nature, this place is a must-visit for you.

How to Reach: Buses are the most common way to commute, and you can board them in Delhi or Chandigarh. The fare is almost the same from both places, i.e., around ₹500-800, depending on the season. It’s 5-6 hours via road from Chandigarh, and you can reach even earlier if you have your own vehicle. The roads are quite good, offering you a smooth ride. Flight options are also available. There is an airport in Kangra, 15 km away from Dharamsala. If you’re a train enthusiast, you can take a toy train to Kangra, which starts from Pathankot in Punjab. Additionally, if you wanna reduce your bus/taxi travel time, you can reach Pathankot first and take a bus and a taxi for the rest of the journey, which is around 85 km.

How to Explore: There is an active taxi union in the city that has kept Ola and Uber away, even after their repeated attempts to provide their services. So you aren’t left with many choices. The cheaper travel options are Buses (good network) and renting a bike or a scooty/bike for 500-600 per day. The taxi rates are almost fixed, with limited scope for negotiation. Here are the rates during the time (first week of March) I visited.

Dharamsala to MacLeodganj: ₹500-600

Dharamsala to Yol Cantt: ₹500-600

Hiring for a day: ₹2000-2200

Duration: Ideally, a couple of days. If you wanna go for the Triund Trek, keep an additional day.

Best Time to Visit: Winters if you wanna witness Snow. Summers, if you want to get relief from scorching heat. I visited in early March, so I had the privilege of witnessing patches of snow on the Triund Trek.

Let’s dive deep into Part I of our trip, where we will explore Dharamsala.

Things to explore in Dharamsala: Kangra Fort (optional), HPCA Stadium, Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, Kunal Pathri Mata Temple, Tea Garden (optional), Kangra Art Museum, Gyuto Monastery, Naam Art Gallery (optional), Aghanjar Mahadev Temple.

1. Kangra Fort

Timing: 7 AM- 6 PM, Free Entry

The fort is situated in Kangra, 15 km away from Dharamsala. If you have a fair mode of transport, you can visit this fort, which is in ruins. It’ll offer a majestic view of the Dhauladhar ranges. You can start the day with it, so that the rest of the day you’ll explore the places in and around Dharamsala. There is also a small book shop inside the fort.

Also, don’t forget to visit the Kangra Art Gallery (₹20/-) to collect postcards and souvenirs. It’s situated on the way up from Kangra Fort. It’s the centre of the royal collection of antiques.

2. HPCA Stadium

Timing: 9 AM- 5PM, ₹30/-

HPCA cricket stadium is considered the most scenic stadium in the world, surrounded by the majestic Dhauladhar Mountains. It is a marvel in itself to construct a stadium at an altitude of around 1500 metres above sea level. You’ll also be awestruck by the choice of the location. Even the cost of a cricket match ticket is justified because you’ll not only watch a match, but you’ll also relish the aesthetic view of the place.

Lunch Option: Those who want to taste an authentic Himachali thali (also known as Dham) can visit Camp Lungta Foods, a very scenic, rustic place. It’s near the stadium.

3. Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture

Timings: 9 AM- 5:30 PM

This is a one-of-a-kind place you should definitely want to visit. I’ve written a detailed blog on it, which will surely be helpful in your visit. Do check it from here.

4. Kunal Pathri Mata Temple

Timings: 5 AM-9 PM

The temple, which is one among the Shaktipeetha, where the skull (Kapal) of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. The place is also an abode to Goddess Durga. You can find a very magnificent view of nature from here. The road to this place also offers a scenic view.

5. Tea Garden

It is on the way to the temple. You can stop near the Himalayan Brew to purchase authentic tea and coffee. They also serve different kinds of drinks.

6. Kangra Art Museum

Timing: 10 AM- 5 PM

The museum is located near the bus stand; however, when I reached, it was closed. You can try visiting if time permits.

7. Gyuto Monastery

Timing: 6:30 AM- 7:30 PM

This monastery is known to preserve tantric practices and offers a great view. If you’re interested in learning more about this monastery, click this link. You can spend some time inside the monastery, looking at the different avatars of Buddha.

8. Naam Art Gallery (optional)

Timing: 10 AM- 5:30 PM

It’s a small, private art gallery that exhibits and sells paintings by Elsbeth Buschmann and other artists. Though the original paintings are costly, you can purchase a copy along with a postcard at a lower price.

9. Aghanjar Mahadev Temple

Timing 5 AM- 8PM

A very serene and divine place, which will offer you a respite from your day’s errands. The temple has a mythological relevance dating back to the Mahabharata. It is a place where Arjuna performed penance to please Lord Shiva and obtain his invincible Pashupatastra.

There is a stream of very cold and pure water that runs behind the temple. Do not forget to visit there.

10. Night life

Buses and Jeeps from the temple will drop you off at Dharamsala. You can walk down the roads and explore the local shops and cuisine of the town. Feel the ambience. Visualise the Dhauladhar range covered in snow.

Here we come to the end of day 1. Part II of the blog will cover the various places in MacLeodganj.

©Shashank

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