Last year, all I could hear about was about Mcleodganj from my friends, they kept telling me that how scenic that place is but I didn’t believe that until I finally made a trip myself. The moment I reached to this gem in Himachal and stepped off the bus, I knew it was worth the wait. This popular tourist destination in Himachal is located in the Kangra district, on the outskirts of Dharamshala. The mountain crisped air, the beautiful hills and the pinch of Tibetan culture with charm of Himachal made this place one of my favourite places. From how to reach and Places to visit in Mcleodganj, let me explain you how I had a memorable trip.
Things to do in Mcleodganj
After reaching there the first thing we did was eat, after which we went to our pre booked hotel. With so many things to do this is how we explored and places to visit in Mcleodganj –
Tsulagkhang Complex
First we went to explore the Tsulagkhang Complex – This is the official residence of Dalai Lama. It was more than just a place of worship, it was an unforgettable spiritual experience. There was a real sense of peace and the meditative atmosphere was enhanced by watching the monks in their maroon robes. This was great start for exploring this beautiful city.
Bhagsu Waterfall and Bhagsunath Temple
Reaching here was an adventure, it was a short hike from Mcleodganj that leads to Bhagsu Waterfall, which was one of the most mesmerizing spots in the area. My most favourite part here was when I was standing near the waterfall and it was gushing down the mountainside, I could feel the cool splashes of water on my face. And with nearby Bhagsunath Temple, it was just adding the perfect cultural touch to the experience.
Tip for best experience – I suggest visiting early in the morning when the area is less crowded.
Triund Trek
If you are an adventure junkie like us, Triund Trek is a must-do. It is a relatively easy trek but the views are absolutely breathtaking. We started the trek in the morning and by the time we reached the summit, we were greeted by a panoramic view of snow-capped peaks. It was a 5- 6 hour trek of 18 km starting from Gallu Devi Temple dharamkot to Triund hill. For more adventure we camped there overnight, and the sight of the stars in sky was something that I’ll never forget.
Dharamshala Tour
Just at a distance of 9.1 km is Dharamshala, which made our trip even more fun. It is one of the beautiful places to visit near Mcleodganj that just took us half hour to reach. One mistake that we made and you should not is we didn’t choose any Dharamshala Tour Packages. Usually these tour packages include visit to the best places and customizable.
How to Reach Mcleodganj?
I live in the busiest city Delhi, a place from where you can reach anywhere conveniently. Delhi to Mcleodganj distance is 479 km, which usually takes almost 10 hours to reach. As I was visiting there with my 3-4 friends, so we just looked for a Car Rental in Delhi with driver which made our journey simpler. This Delhi to Himachal trip by road was an adventure itself – although the curvy roads did gave me a little nausea but trust me it was all worth it. There are many other ways to reach Mcleodganj that you can choose like –
By Train – The Nearest railway station to Mcleodganj is Pathankot which is approx. 90 km away. After reaching there you can take a cab or bus.
By Flight – The nearest airport is Gaggal airport which is around 22 km away from Mcleodganj.
If you are on a tight budget then you can also go by Delhi to Himachal bus that runs every day.
Famous Cafes in Mcleodganj
Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen – This was my favourite one as it had the best pizzas. Moreover here the cozy interiors and the view from the terrace made it a perfect spot to relax. The best combo was wood fired pizza with cold coffee, which I would definitely recommend you to try.
Tibet Kitchen – If you are looking to try authentic Tibetan cuisine, then Tibetan kitchen is your way to go. I still remember their delicious Thupka and steamed momo which were just perfect to have in the cold weather.
Illiterati Café – if you enjoy reading with a hot cappuccino then this your place to go. With bookshelves lining the walls, warm interiors and view, this is a great place to spend some me time.
Other must try things in Mcleodganj
With so many things to do and places to visit in Mcleodganj, here are other things that you can try:-
- Dharamkot – If your love for nature is way too much like me then you must definitely visit Dharamkot. To reach here you do a short hike as Mcleodganj to Dharamkot distance is just 5 km which will take you around half hour to reach.
- Visit during winters which is the Best time to visit Mcleodganj, by this time you can experience snow and do all the activities. If you are not a fan then also you should visit by winters because annually in Mcleodganj, The Himalayan Festival is organized specifically in the month of December to celebrate the conferment of Nobel peace prize on his Holiness the Dalai Lama.
- Dharamshala to Mcleodganj Ropeway – This is a 1.8km long ropeway that will take you from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj in just 5 minutes. It has a mono cable detachable gondola system featuring 18 gondolas as well as 2 stations and 10 towers, with the top station being in front of the Dalai Lama Temple. This offers the best views of the surroundings.
Also check out – Dharamshala Dalhousie Weekend Tour Package
Final words
As I was packing my bags to leave Mcleodganj I was wishing I could stay a little more. This place was magical with all of its cozy cafes, beautiful hills and fresh air.
As I said in starting Mcleodganj is not only a destination – it was an unforgettable experience in fact one that stays with you even after you leave. As I headed back to city life I knew this won’t be my last visit. There is something about this place that calls you back.
