Dharamshala Tour Packages

Places to Visit in Dharamshala

Dharamshala Cricket Stadium: Located at a height of 1,457m amidst the Dhauladhar mountain range in Kangra valley, it is one of the highest sports grounds in the world. With a view comparable to the Adelaide Oval or Newlands, the stadium is open for tourists even when no matches are scheduled. The main stand is built with Tibetan architectural style.

St John's Church: Located near Dharamshala and on the way to Mcleodganj, this neo-gothic church was built in dedication to John the Baptist. Set amidst lush deodar forests, this peaceful edifice is known for its Belgian stained-glass windows. 

War Memorial: The War Memorial in the forests of Dharamshala was created to commemorate the memory of those who fought to save our motherland. Three huge panels of black stone, each 24 feet in height, preserve their memory in stone. The War Memorial is surrounded by the poetic pine forests of Dharamshala, leading to lush gardens through a quaint walkway. You can have some refreshments from the nearby cafe serving snacks, and visit the GPC college which is situated closeby.

Bhagsunag Temple: ​​Surrounded by lovely pools and lush greenery, the Bhagsunag Temple is one of the oldest ancient temples. Also popularly known as Bhagsunath Temple, it is highly revered by the local Gorkha and Hindu community. The two pools around the temple are believed to be sacred and are considered to contain miraculous powers of healing.

Dal Lake: The Dal Lake is a small yet picturesque lake. With its name taken from the famous and breathtaking Dal Lake of Srinagar, the lake is surrounded by rugged mountains and towering deodar trees. For adventure seekers, trekking expeditions around the lake are an option. Dal Lake is also a perfect place to stop over and relax if you are trekking up to Naddi, which is also known as the Sunset Point.

Dalai Lama Temple: Replete with Tibetan culture, the Dalai Lama Temple, also known as Tsuglakhang Temple, is a politico-religious centre in Dharamsala. Ideal for peaceful meditation and religious rumination, it is in close vicinity to the abode of Dalai Lama and is frequently visited by him to preach and conduct prayer meets. The main here is the enormous idol of Buddha sitting on an elevated pedestal.

Sunset Point: Naddi View Point or Sunset Point is the perfect location for catching a glimpse of the spectacular Dhauladhar ranges, especially during the winters when the peaks are covered in snow. Trek or drive to Naddi View Point in the evening to catch the sunset against the mountains, take photographs, and see the distant mountains through a telescope. 

Mcleodganj: Mcleodganj is a hill station near Dharamshala, popular among trekkers. Also known as Little Lhasa, it is famous around the world for being home to the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Few of the most eminent and religiously significant monasteries in India are located here, including the Namgyal Monastery and Tsuglagkhang, where the spiritual leader Dalai Lama resides.

Dalhousie: Dalhousie is a popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh, located around 120 km from Dharamshala. Boasting views of the snow-capped peaks of Dhauladhar ranges, Dalhousie is famous for its meadows, dense jungles and waterfalls. It offers an old-world charm, mesmerizing natural landscapes, pine-clad valleys and magnificent misty mountains.

Khajjiar: Often referred to as 'mini-Switzerland of India', Khajjiar is a small town located close (20km) to Dalhousie and is great for a day or overnight trip. Khajjiar is known for its picture perfect grassy meadows.There is a small lake in the middle of the meadow and you could enjoy the scenery by yourself or take part in some of the adventure sports including paragliding, zorbing, and horse-riding.

Things to Do in Dharamshala

Trek to Triund: Triund is a 9-km trek, 7 kms away from Dharamsala. It is situated at a great height and provides a mesmerizing view of the Moon Peak-Indera Pass. This is an ideal spot for picnics and the clean and pristine environment will surely rejuvenate your senses.

Take a Walk in the Tea Gardens: The smallest tea region of India, Dharamshala has beautifully lined and organized tea gardens across the Kangra Valley. It is known for its good quality tea and is available for purchase in many shops across Dharamshala and Mcleodganj. Walking down the tea gardens and trying the premium quality tea is one of the top things to do in Dharamsala.

Trek to Bhagsu Falls: Set amidst lush greenery and nature in its most pristine form, these falls are majestic and grand and should not be missed by all tourists travelling here. This place is spread over a vast expanse of land and can be reached through a short trek which is ideal even for amateurs. You can also find cafes on the way to tend to your hunger pangs with delicious food. 

Paragliding: With no shortage of hilly terrain in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, paragliding has become a significant adventure sport in the area. It is a beautiful opportunity for adventure lovers to fly like birds, surrounded by the gorgeous mountain ranges and the tea gardens under the clear blue skies. Indrunag and Bir Billing are two of the most popular spots for paragliding in Dharamshala.

Food in Dharamshala

Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is not only a breathtaking hill station with a rich Buddhist culture but also a destination known for its delicious food. Owing to its Buddhist culture and China/Tibet, you would find Tibetan dishes here like thukpa here. Some must try dishes include:

• Shapta which is chicken prepared in a gravy with chilli and ginger. Extremely flavourful, it is usually eaten with bao or tingmo and even with rice or roti.
• Momos which contain vegetables or meat and are prepared in different ways like steamed or fried.
• Do eat Alu Phing Sha which is Tibetan mung bean noodles, potato and mutton served along with tingmo.
• Something that Dharamshala is known for its pizza which is made not in brick ovens but in clay ovens, thus giving it a smoky and earthy flavour.
• Also try Dham, a traditional Himachali platter featuring rice, rajma, moong dal, yoghurt, imli chutney, etc.
• Many love to sit at a cafe overlooking the majestic hills and have a bowl of Maggi and a cup of tea!
• When it comes to desserts, you can have mittha, which is rice made sweet using sugar or jaggery and garnished with cashews, raisins etc. Bhagsu cake is also quite popular; it is a three tier cake with a layer of cookies, caramel and chocolate each.
• Peace Cafe, Morgan’s Place, Clay Oven and Tibet Kitchen are some well-known eateries in Dharamshala. 

Shopping in Dharamshala

• You can find small statues of Buddha made of crystal, brass, wood, stone etc., Tibetan rugs and carpets, prayer wheels, Thangkas, drapes and many other handicrafts.
• It would be great to buy a book about Tibetan culture, Buddhism, the holy Dalai Lama, the history of Dharamshala and Tibet, meditation, spirituality and various other subjects.
• There are shops that sell singing bowls which make a melodious sound when struck with a wooden stick and are used for spiritual and meditational reasons.
• You would find beautiful wall hangings, jewellery with beads, gems and Buddhist healing stones, masks, lamp covers, cushion covers, candles, essential oils, handmade diaries etc.
• Some of the best shopping spots in Dharamshala are Jogiwara Road Bazaar, Namgyal Book Shop, Semshook Tibetan Handicraft shop, Kotwali Bazaar etc.