Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package

About this tour

About Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package

Dharamshala is another beautiful summer getaway spot in Himachal Pradesh covered under the Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package. Situated amid the tranquillity of the upper Himalayas, Dharamsala is a delightful city with many attractions and a typical landscape. The home of the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration are situated here, making it exceptionally significant in Indo-Tibetan relations. With its scenic beauty and cultural heritage blend, Dharamshala offers diverse activities that captivate and charm tourists. From the serene Dal Lake to the historic Kangra Fort, the sacred Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, the lush Tea Gardens, and the majestic Bhagsu waterfalls, there’s something for everyone in Dharamshala.

HOW TO REACH DHARAMSHALA

Many tourists visit Dharamshala each year. The place is well-linked with the rest of the country through a well-developed network of flights, buses, and trains.

By Bus: Buses of all types and classes (including deluxe, air-conditioned, and regular) ply daily between Dharamshala and other major cities such as Chandigarh, Delhi, Pathankot and Shimla through NH 154 and NH 503.

By Train:

You can reach significant railway stations from Dharamshala, such as Pathankot, Una, and Amb. Pathankot, a broad gauge railway head, is a crucial junction for travellers. Una and Amb stations are essential access points, providing well-connected road links to Dharamshala. 

By Air:

Gaggal Airport is the nearest airport to Dharmshala. It is small but the best option for travelling to Dharamshala by air. Mid-size aeroplanes with 70 to 100 seats land at this airport, mainly connected to the New Delhi Airport. From the airport, you can reach Dharmashala by cab or local bus.

Places to Visit in Dharamshala during the Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package

Mall Road Mcleodganj: Mcleodganj is immensely famous for its varied culture, crafts, etc. You can easily spot tourists from around the world in this market who come here to meet His Holiness Dalai Lama. You can have a fantastic shopping experience in Mcleodganj, given that you have good bargaining skills to purchase local items like Tibetan mats and carpets. 

Tibetan Market: The Tibetan Market in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, offers a lively cultural experience where visitors can discover genuine Tibetan craftsmanship and heritage. The market features a wide array of items, such as beautifully woven carpets, thangka paintings, traditional garments, and fine jewellery, showcasing the artistry and spirituality of Tibetan artisans. Beyond shopping, visitors can enjoy authentic Tibetan dishes at the food stalls and interact with welcoming vendors who offer insights into Tibetan culture. A visit to this market adds a valuable cultural dimension to any tour of Himachal Pradesh, fostering a deeper connection with the region’s Tibetan community.

Bhagsu Waterfalls: The Bhagsu Waterfall is ideally Dharamshala’s most famous tourist spot. You must hike for 20 minutes from the famous Bhagsunag temple to reach it. During summer, tourists can easily take baths in the stream from the Bhagsu waterfall. The best time to visit this waterfall is from May, June, and September to December when the water levels are high. Make sure you do not see it in a bad weather way as there might be a risk of overflooding.

Dal Lake: Dal Lake is a mid-altitude lake 11 km from Dharamshala. Due to its abundant water, it looks beautiful during monsoons and winters. However, the water is mostly dry in summer due to global warming. Coniferous deodar trees surround the lake, and there is a pathway around it, which is worth walking around.

Naddi: This quaint, serene little village is best known for its trekking landscapes and is 700 meters from Dal Lake. It is also the favourite place of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. He frequently visits it, and many people have met him here while visiting Naddi Village. It is also one of the best places to go trekking trails, like the Guna Devi Temple Trek. While in Naddi, don’t forget to eat carrot Cake at “Naddi Bakery ‘n’ Coffee.” 

Dalai Lama Temple: Overflowing with Tibetan culture, the Dalai Lama Temple, or Tsuglagkhang Temple, is a politico-religious focus in Dharamsala. This place is ideal for peaceful meditation and religious rumination. At all times of the day, the temple is full of lamas chanting on prayer wheels or beads. The magnificent temple is near the abode of the Dalai Lama. He frequently visits it to preach and conduct prayer meetings. Tourists worldwide come here to pay their regards and meet his holiness, Dalai Lama.

St. John Church: Built in 1852, St. John in the Wilderness is one of the most prominent churches in Himachal Pradesh. Located near Dharamshala, this neo-gothic church was built in devotion to John the Baptist. Amidst the deodar forests, this peaceful cathedral is known for its Belgian stained-glass windows. One of the oldest constructed designs of Dharamsala, this church is additionally the last resting spot of Lord Elgin, one of the lead representative commanders and viceroy of India during the British Raj. In the 1905 earthquake, the church’s bell tower was destroyed, so a new bell cast was imported from England and installed. Later, someone tried to steal it, but it was so big that it became difficult for them to carry it. Now, the bell is kept inside a cage to secure it from thieves. They do not hang it on the church’s top because the walls are too strong to carry the bell’s weight.

Tea Gardens Dharamshala: The Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package cover all the different places to visit in Dharamshala; walking through the tea gardens is something one should never miss. Imagine strolling through the lush green tea estates packed with the soothing fragrance of fresh tea leaves! Well, you can witness this haven in the Kangra Valley. If you are a nature lover, skipping out on this activity is probably the last thing you’d do. Along with this, here you can whiff in the serene aroma of the tender tea leaves, which will revive every segment of your body!

Dharamsala War Memorial: The War Memorial in the woods of Dharamshala was set up to honour the memory of the individuals who battled to save our country. During the Indo-China War of 1947-48, 1962, 1965, and 1971, and UN Peace Operations, many courageous soldiers of Kangra lost their lives as war legends to ensure their homeland. Three enormous boards of dark stone, each 24 feet tall, protect their memory in stone. The War Memorial is encircled by the pine forests of Dharamshala, leading to lush gardens through a curious walkway. 

HPCA Dharamshala Cricket Stadium: Located at the base of the Dhauladhar Mountain Ranges is the fascinating Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, otherwise known as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium.

With a view practically identical to the Adelaide Oval or Newlands, the arena is open for tourists when there are no matches. The main stand has a few modern-day conveniences for facilitating public and worldwide-level cricket matches and can accommodate a crowd of around 23,000. The most fantastic aspect of attending a match at Dharamshala Cricket Stadium is that there is no fence before the seating region, giving an unhindered perspective on the match.

Kangra Art Museum: The Kangra Museum is devoted to the brilliant marvels of Tibetan and Buddhist artwork and their rich history. Its precious collections include jewellery, rare coin memorabilia, paintings, Bronze Art, Archaeological Collections, Jewellery, Manuscripts, Textiles, wooden art, and Kangra Miniature Paintings. Admission fees to the museum are around ₹100-₹200 per Adult and are free for Children and Students. You can reserve your tickets through this link: https://www.kangraartmuseum.in/tickets/

Norbulingka Institute: The Norbulingka Institute in Dharamshala is a testimony to the significant impact of Tibetan life and culture in India. It portrays Tibetan art and craft, way of life, food, religion and culture. There is also a Tibetan temple on the premises, which is said to be one of the most significant places to visit in Dharamshala if you are looking for a surreal spiritual experience. The premises also have a doll museum called the Losel Doll Museum, home to over 150 dolls from Tibet. These dolls are dressed in the traditional costumes of the country. You can also find a cafe named The Hummingbird Café, which serves a range of local and international cuisines to guests and locals. The institute has a variety of plants and trees planted in the vicinity, and a stream of water always runs between the Institute, turning prayer wheels that will make you feel close to nature.

Gyuto Tantric Monastery: Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package covers the Gyuto Tantric Monastery is widely known for studying Tantric meditation and philosophy. It is one of the most beautiful and popular religious communities in Dharamshala. The monastery has helped to show that, contrary to popular belief, black magic can be used for the well-being of people. The monastery offers an impressive view of the Dhauladhar Ranges. On the temple’s premises is a beautiful gold-plated sculpture of Lord Buddha, which sparkles when the sun’s rays fall on it in the early morning. Many tourists and Buddhists visit the shining Gyuto Monastery in the morning for peace.

Kangra Fort: Kangra Fort is the most well-known tourist destination in Dharamshala, and you can visit it when you are in Dharamshala. It was built by the Katoch Dynasty in the fourth century BC, tracing its origins to the ancient Trigarta Kingdom, making it the oldest in India. In 1620, Akbar’s son Jahangir captured this fort. Later, the Katoch Kings weakened the Mughal-controlled areas by looting them, and Raja Sansar Chand II finally gained control over the fort in 1789. The fort remained with Katochs until 1828, after which Ranjit Singh occupied it after the death of Sansar Chand. Finally, the Britishers took the fort after the Sikh War of 1846, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake of 1905. In addition to the fact that it is an epic, authentic construction, it is also a perfect viewpoint from where you can see the neighbouring villages of Kangra and its streams.

Activities to do in Dharamshala during the Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package

Dharamshala offers various activities, including Paragliding, Trekking, and Ziplining. Here is the list of activities that make Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package a one-of-a-kind tour experience. Be ready to visit this excellent hill station.

Trekking: The Dhauladhar Range offers an extreme trekking adventure in Dharamsala. Famous Treks in the region include the Triund Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, Snowline Trek, Indrahar Pass Trek, Thatharana Trek, and Kundli Pass Trek. Most of the trek routes are formed by the local Gaddi Tribes. They used to take their sheep and cows to the hills for grazing for months and stayed there with them in the mountains. They also own private properties at such remote locations, now used to run guest houses and camping. Apart from this, there are other less-known Treks like Rising Star Hill Trek, Chamunda Devi Trek, Guna Devi Trek, and Gallu Waterfall Trek.

Meditation: Dharamshala is a spiritual retreat, and numerous individuals come here to learn about yoga and meditation. It is the best spot to be acquainted with Buddhism. You can attend a yoga class here or be a piece of a quiet, 10-day meditation retreat at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamkot. Silence is considered an essential piece of retrospection and genuinely necessary for spiritual healing. Travellers who come here mostly stay here for a week or a month in rented homestays, which are cheap for about ₹500 to ₹600 per night.

Paragliding: Paragliding at Dharamshala would extinguish your hunger for the experience! The primary take-off point for paragliding in Dharamshala is IndruNag. It is known for its simple and safe departures. It lies at a height of 1700 metres from the ocean level. The arrival point is 6 km down from the take-off point. The time and length of the flight rely upon genuine climate conditions; however, a large portion of the paragliding trip takes 10 to 12 minutes to arrive at the arrival point—the prices for paragliding in Dharamshala range between INR 2000 to 8000 per adult.

Zipline: You can do zipline in Dharamshala at bhagsu. Bhagsu’s 500m long zipline offers a unique experience and a view of the hypnotising scenery. You will encounter nature at its best with a beautiful view of Bhagsu Waterfall. If you want to enjoy the zipline, you can book it on the spot.

Food to try in Dharamshala during the Dharamshala Mcleodganj Package

While Dharamshala’s mountains and places are alluring for visitors, the food significantly enhances their visit. Here are some local foods you should try eating in Dharamshala.

Dham: A traditional festive feast in Himachal Pradesh prepared during marriage or religious festivals. Dham is the conventional food of Himachal Pradesh. You can enjoy it at weddings, festivals and other spiritual gatherings. Generally, Dham comprises the following things: Madra, Dal, Kadhi, Khatta, and Meetha. Instead of using a general process, Dham is prepared using firewood. Preparation for Cooking Dham begins one or two nights before the actual feast. The locals dig a small trench for firewood and then use big vessels to cook Rice and various curries. Although many restaurants serve Dham, that is different from the standard. To try authentic Dham, visit a function or marriage in Dharamshala.

Momo: Dharamshala is an incredible place to have the most famous steamed and seared momos (dumplings). Presented with a hot stew or chilli sauce and loaded with potatoes, spinach, chicken, or some other filling, momos are comfort food, which is the best-case scenario. Many individuals eat them up as snacks. You will get good quality momos at Many Tibetan Shops. Here are a few references; you can try these places: Kalimpong Restaurant, Kripal Momo (Naag View Momo Cafe), and Subhash Da Momos.

Thukpa: Adopted from Tibetan cooking, Thukpa is among the most famous Tibetan local delights. It is a noodle soup with various ingredients, most commonly meat, and a staple in numerous households in Tibet and Dharamshala. Try Thukpa at Kalimpong Restaurant, Tibet Kitchen, and Norling Restaurant.

Chowmein: Chowmein is a Chinese stir-fried noodle with vegetables and occasionally meat or tofu. It is especially famous in India, Nepal, the UK, and the US. It is generally presented with Hakka or with sauce. There is an Indian variation, vegetable chow mein, which comprises noodles with cabbage, bamboo shoots, pea pods, green peppers, and carrots. In dharamshala, you will get both the Indian and Tibetan versions of chowmein. You can try chowmein in the streets of Mcleodganj at almost any fast food shop.

Siddu: Siddu is a steamed stuffed bread made of a wheat flour base to which yeast is added. It is stuffed with various dry fruits, including Walnuts, Almonds, Cashew Nuts, and Peanuts. Stuffing can include Poppy Seeds (Khas Khas, and Sesame Seeds (Til). It can also be stuffed with coconut shreds and jaggery to make it taste sweet. It is eaten with ghee, mainly during winter. No matter what combination of stuffing you eat with Siddu, it is so delicious that even after the stomach is complete, it leaves you yearning for more. Although you can get Siddu at many locations in dharamshala, to try the Yummiest one, you can check out “Manni Fast Food” in Tangh, 12km from Dharamshala.