Himachal Pradesh ·
McLeod Ganj
McLeod Ganj or McLeodganj is a suburb of Dharamshala town, in the Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is known as "Little Lhasa" as the Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered there, and the region has a significant population of Tibetans.
McLeod Ganj at a Glance
Why McLeod Ganj?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Indrahar Pass
McLeod Ganj at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand McLeod Ganj before planning your visit.
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Explore McLeod Ganj
Places to Visit
- Indrahar Pass: Indrahar Pass is a mountain pass in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas.
Things to Do
- Roam around: McLeod Ganj is a beautiful place to roam around on foot. Hotels made on the slope of Dhauladhar range, market decorated with colourful Tibetan flags, hand made goods and stalls of tasty food makes it more beautiful.
- Bhagsu Temple Swimming Pool: Go swimming in Bhagsu's very own swimming pool. Especially with hot weather a great relief from the all so touristy other things to do in this region.
- Bhagsu Waterfall: Has many waterfalls, an ancient temple, numerous slate quarries and a fresh water spring. An easy walk down Bhagsu Rd through the village of the same name, then 1 km up to the waterfall itself.
- Galu Waterfall: Also a nice hike, but first you will have to climb 300 m altitude from Bhagsu to the saddle behind Haini. From there the climbs and descents are not that extreme anymore and along the way there a 3–4 cafés and restaurants.
- Triund: If you are in for a brisk walk, climb the hill beyond Dharamkot to Triund ridge.
- Laka Glacier Trek: It's always exciting to reach a glacier, but in most of the cases reaching the glacier is a tough task. Laka Glacier is found at the lowest level in Asia.
Sightseeing Places
- Indrahar Pass: Indrahar Pass is a mountain pass in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas.
Places That Define McLeod Ganj
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Explore Destination on Map
Discover all sub-destinations, routes and detailed navigation information on an interactive map.
Explore McLeod Ganj on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Kangra Airport (DHM), about 10 km from McLeod Ganj.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Nagrota railway station, about 16 km from central McLeod Ganj.
- By Road: It was the case that some public HRTC buses to New Delhi and Pathankot go all the way to the main square of McLeod Ganj, where you could also book advance tickets for the return trip, but this seems no longer to be the case.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in McLeod Ganj (Apr, May, Jun) averages 15–22°C with about 92 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in McLeod Ganj (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 17–22°C with about 275 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in McLeod Ganj (Oct, Nov) averages 10–16°C with about 36 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in McLeod Ganj (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 6–12°C with about 23 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 22°C and lows of 17°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C.
Local Transport
- Orientation: Dharamsala is divided into several distinct areas that are separated by a 15 min or 12 km bus or jeep ride at most: – Consists of most of the government offices, Schools, the local hospital, and commercial areas. It also has a few tea gardens.
- By taxi or rickshaw: Between McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot shared taxis run roughly hourly and cost ₹20 (2023) Be prepared to bargain. Chartered auto-rickshaws charge around ₹250.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your McLeod Ganj trip.
Spiritual & Religious
Planning Guide
- Overview: McLeod Ganj or McLeodganj is a suburb of Dharamshala town, in the Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is known as "Little Lhasa" as the Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered there, and the region has a significant population of Tibetans.
- Accommodation: McLeod Ganj has a wide selection of accommodation, but its main streets (esp. Bhagsu Rd) suffer from the usual Indian curse of beeping cars, motorbikes and rickshaws. Listed options include Colonel's Cozy Corner, Lord Krishna Boutique Stay and River View Apartments.
The Sacred Heart of McLeod Ganj
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
The Tibetan Buddhist roots of Dharamsala stretch back to the 8th century, although most of the local population long since reverted to (and remains) Hindu.
Natural Significance
The Tibetan Buddhist roots of Dharamsala stretch back to the 8th century, although most of the local population long since reverted to (and remains) Hindu.
Frequently Asked Questions
McLeod Ganj is most comfortable in January, February, May, June and October, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is June (average high 24°C) and the wettest months are March, April, July, August and September.
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport (DHM), about 10 km away. The nearest railway station is Nagrota railway station, about 16 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Indrahar Pass.
A stay of 1 day covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 9°C to 24°C over the year, with about 1359 mm of rain in total.
Tour Packages for McLeod Ganj
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Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.