Dharamshala
About Dharamsala
Dharamshala’s hill station sits on a narrow ridgeline across the Dhauladhar range. Dharamshala town is approximately broken up – the lower town with its conventional settlement and market areas and McLeodganj’s upper town, famous because of its celebrity resident, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The heights of the two sections change from 1,250 metres to about 1,770 metres winding 10 kilometer road linking the two sections. Around a 150 kms from Mandi, this hill resort of Dharamshala in the Kangra Valley of northern Himachal Pradesh is the most important town.
Surrounded by pine woods, the grand Dhauladhar ranges tower like sheets of rock over Dharamshala, making this a fantastic place for the adventure fan. All that was altered by the influx of Tibetan refugees after Chinese occupation. The Dalai Lama has continued to stay here and set up his temporary residence at McLeodganj, the upper town.
Dharamshala gets a continuous flow of refugees who cross from Tibet through Nepal. Many western visitors arrive at Dharamshala in search of religious guidance and an audience.
Founded by the British between 1847 and 1815, Dharamshala stayed a low profile hill town since October 1959 till the inflow of Tibetan refugees as well as the Dalai Lama. India welcomed the religious leader and refuge as well as a spot to stay in Dharamshala and his folks offered him. Ever since, the town has been transformed by a constant stream with crafts organisations, schools, Buddhist temples, meditation centers, library and medical centre. The top part of McLeodganj named after David McLeod and was set up, the Governor. Now though, there’s little that stays as reminder.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Gaggal, about 13 kilometres away from Dharamshala. Gaggal airport connects Dharamshala to Delhi via Air India and Spice Jet flights. Tourists from other parts of India would find it easier to take a flight till Chandigarh and book a taxi for their onward journey to Dharamshala, which is about 275 kilometres away.
By Bus
Dharamshala is well-connected to Delhi and other parts of North India via a network of state operated buses as well as private tour operators. The journey is almost 520 kilometres from Delhi.
Most buses stop at the main bus terminal in Lower Dharamshala, but there are also some public Haryana Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses that go all the way to the main square of McLeod Ganj. An overnight journey from Delhi takes about 13 hours. You can book HRTC tickets online.
By Train
An overnight train journey is a good option to reach Dharamshala. The nearest major railway station is at Pathankot, 85 kilometres away. There are numerous trains that go to Jammu and Kashmir that stop by in Pathankot. You can take a taxi or bus from Pathankot to reach Dharamshala. There is also a smaller railway station, Kangra Mandir, just 22 kilometres from Dharamshala but none of the important trains halt here.
Road/Self Drive
There are taxis available at the Gaggal airport as well as the Pathankot railway station for Dharamshala. From Pathankot, it takes around 3 hours to reach Dharamshala. The drive from Delhi via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur should take around 12-13 hours. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Dharamshala.
McLeod Ganj
With an average elevation of 2,082 meters above sea level, McLeod Ganj is named after Sir Donald Friell McLeod who was the Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab under whom the area was developed. The place is known for its various attractions including the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama. The place is one of the most frequented spots in Dharamshala and is famous for its Tibetan culture, handicrafts and temples. The Hanuman Tibba is the highest peak at the height of 5,639 meters above sea level and can be viewed from McLeod Ganj.
Masrur
Masrur is famous for its various rock-cut temples that date back to the 8th century AD. The carvings in the temples are finely detailed and are similar to that of the Ellora caves in Maharashtra and contain various images of the Hindu deities like Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshamana from the oldest Hindu epic, Ramayana.
Kangra Museum
Kangra Museum houses various articles and artifacts that are significant to the Tibetan Buddhists and the Kangra Valley culture. The various manuscripts, handicrafts, pottery place here date back to the 5th century and the facility also contains a library.
Kangra Fort
Kangra Fort was the seat and residence of the one of the oldest existing dynasties in the World. The Katoch rulers of Kangra belong to the lineage of the rulers of Trigata mentioned in the Hindu Epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha and also in Alexander the Great’s war records. The fort complex contains several well detailed halls and watchtowers along with a couple of temples that date back to the 9th century AD.
Inclusions
- 2 Nights Accommodation
- Delhi to Dharamshala & Dharamshala to Delhi Volvo Tickets
- Meal plan: Bed Tea, Breakfast & Dinner
- 1 Half day sightseeing of Dharamshala by indivisval cab
- 1 full day Kangra sightseeing by individual cab
- All Taxes Includes.
Package details
Duration: 02 Nights / 03 days
DAY 01 : Explore Dharamshala Tour
Early Morning check-in to the hotel, afternoon goes for the local sightseeing of Mcleodganj. explore Dal Lake, Naddi, Bhagsu Nag Temple, Tibetan Monastery and The Holiness “Dalai Lama Temple”There are large idols of Buddha and the charming church of St. John in the wilderness. This place was the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. Ancient temples like Chamunda, Jwalamukhi, Brijeshwari lie on the plains below Dharamshala. Enjoy your dinner in hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Dharamshala Tour
Morning breakfast, and visiting the local sightseeing of Mcleodganj. Here is the temple of Dalai Lama. Mcleodganj is a start with the small Tibetan handicrafts and artifacts bazaar, which is filled with variety. Enjoy your dinner in hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 : Dharamshala - Delhi
Dharamshala – Delhi – Morning breakfast, Check-out the hotel at 12:00 hrs. Keep your luggage in lobby area*.,Evening transfer to Volvo stand. Depart Dharamshala at 18:00 hrs by A/c Volvo coach.
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