“The Little Lhasa” – Best Places To Visit In Mcleodganj

An attractive Himalayan state aka Himachal Pradesh is situated in northern India. The state is an abode of different charming tourist destinations and one such charming place is known as Mcleodganj. Each of the places to visit in Mcleodganj either vaunts the Tibetan culture at its best or proposes fortunate strokes of providence.

Prevalently known as “Little Lhasa” – People can predict to come around some of the most beautiful tourist places. Mcleodganj is the accurate holiday destination for every nature lover and snapper.

The attractive beauty of each of the places to visit in Mcleodganj will make your trip unforgettable. Additionally, there are different amazing trekking choices that will suffice your adrenaline rush. Such as Triund Trek, Guna Devi Temple Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, Indrehar Pass Trek, and last but not the least, the Bhagsunath Temple Waterfall hike. And places to exercise spirituality such as the Namgyal Monastery, and Nechung Monastery among others are the must-visit places in Mcleodganj.

Apart from incredibly wonderful places to visit in Mcleodganj and Dharamshala – Shopping Tibetan-propelled handicrafts and woolen cloths and savoring local delicacies are other prevalent things to do in Mcleodganj and Dharamshala.

So, are you interested enough to read more about these places to visit in Mcleodganj? Well then, keep on scrolling and get to know everything about the picturesque town of Mcleodganj.

Places To Visit In Mcleodganj

Dharamkot

Dharamkot is a village connecting McLeodganj that oozes sparkling sceneries. Not far from Dal Lake, the festival fair prearranged every year adds to the colorfulness of Dharamkot. More mesmerizing views of the Dhauladhar range await you, and a mystical retreat at one of the different dedicated centers is just a step away. 

Although situated only a stone’s throw away, the village of Dharamkot is in comprehensive contrast to the Tibetan realms of McLeodganj. Trek to the villages at Naddi and Triund, which are right across the bend, and probe into the offerings of generous nature. A few cafes en route to Dharamkot see the crowd dwindling, and peace is on the offing at throwaway prices. 

One of the most prevalent things to do among hikers is to rent a room in comparatively noiseless Dharamkot and travel back and forth to McLeod Ganj—with the objective being solitude. Getting one’s own stock of alcohol from a kilometer away and chilling in the cafes is another one of visitors’ favorites. 

Kareri Lake

A beautiful and attractive lake, Kareri Lake seems like a place that has been picked straight out of a Hollywood movie. Also better known as Kumarwah Lake, this is a shallow, freshwater lake that is located to the south of the Dhauladhar range, nearly 9 kilometers to the northwest of Dharamshala, in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. 

Situated at an altitude of 2,934 meters above sea level, the Kareri Lake is also a prevalent trekking destination in the Dhauladhar range other than being a foremost sightseeing attraction.

Frequented mostly by the Gujjars and Gaddis who reside in the neighboring villages owing to the extensive pasturelands that the Kareri Lake houses, the lake also boasts attractive clusters of dense conifers and dissimilar kinds of colorful perennial flowers. 

The Dalai Lama’s Temple

The enormous complex is also better known locally as Tsuglagkhang, this is the residence of the Dalai Lama. Although the cloistered residence of His Holiness is out of bounds for travelers, the complex contains several shrines, temples, a Tibetan Museum, and souvenir stores.

Each day, students assemble in the courtyard of the Namgyal Monastery and study ancient Buddhist philosophy. An enormous gilded statue of Buddha and two smaller statues of Guru Rinpoche and Chenresig stand amid the natural serenity that the complex is filled to the ridge with. 

Following different bloody detriments, parts of the statues located inside the major shrine here were brought over from Tibet. The chanting, drumming, and soft flowing of monk brush past you, and this best place to visit in McLeod Ganj is also the nerve center of the town’s discrete culture. Lingkhor is a meditation trail that one must not skip.

Triund Trek

Triund is an informal trek in Himachal Pradesh that proposes an escape into the royal Himalayas. Located a few kilometers from Dharamshala at an altitude of 2828 m, it is a place faultless for trekking with astounding trails offering picturesque views of the complete Kangra Valley. A trek to Triund is brief and simple.

It can be done from either Dharamkot or McLeodganj, which is 2 km ahead of McLeodganj. The first half of the trek is a progressively inclined walk with the last 2 km from Snowline Cafe which includes a vertical climb all the way to Triund. The evening sky from Triund is a sight in itself and is a good explanation for camping here at night. 

Minkiani Pass

There are different adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh that one can relish here due to the attractive rugged terrain. Mcleodganj is one of those cities where one can indulge in trekking and hiking as a number of treks commence from this city.

Minkiani Pass trek is another exhilarating trek that one can enjoy as it is one of the best places to visit in Mcleodganj. Avoid the trek throughout the monsoon, as the route becomes quite slippery. Cross attractive villages on the way and have a prodigious camping experience.

Namgyal Monastery

Namgyal Monastery, also better known as the 14^th Dalai Lama’s monastery, is a sacred location that is supposed to be the abode of the Dalai Lama. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Mcleodganj better known for its sheer charm and sacraments that include different Buddhist practices such as Kalachakra, Guhyasamaja, Vajrakilaya, Yamantaka, and Chakrasamvara take place.

This monastery is a prodigious place for meditation which tourists are welcome to be a part of. The serenity and ambiance of this place lend peace and tranquility to travelers, making it one of the best places to visit in Mcleodganj.

Bhagsunath Temple & Waterfall

Legend has it that King Bhagsu sustained the wrath of the snake god, and following a war, the king was exonerated. In honor of the snake god’s kindness, King Bhagsu constructed the shrine. This medieval Shiva temple is one of the most significant places to visit in McLeod Ganj and is frequented by members of both Hindu and Gorkha communities.

The location of the temple is enclosed by pristine-looking coniferous forests, hills, and a gushing waterfall that flows through the beautiful temple itself!  Jam-packed at times, hallowed pools in the neighborhood are said to have been constructed by succeeding Gorkha rulers, into which the waterfall which is 500 meters away gathers. Swimming in the pool is open to the public, and the cool dip is controlled and sacred by followers.

Kangra Fort

Located on the outskirts of the town of Kangra, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the Kangra Fort is a view of thousands of years of grandeur, invasion, war, wealth, and evolution. This enormous fort traces its origins to the ancient Trigarta Kingdom, which is cited in the Mahabharata epic.

It is the largest fort in the Himalayas and undoubtedly the oldest dated fort in India. Lodging the lower valley of the Beas and its tributaries, it was one of the important hill stations of Punjab and Himachal earlier.

Naddi View Point

If you want the attractiveness of snow-capped mountains, there could be no better place than the Naddi vantage point. The Naddi viewpoint is one of the best tourist places in Mcleodganj that proposes a splendid view of the hilly locations. 

Not only can photographers seize the moments, but they can also watch the attractive sunset and sunrise from this high-altitude area.  Besides, the place is full of green vegetation cover, producing an atmosphere of tranquillity all around. Individuals often take a meal to dine/ have lunch in this attractive valley.

Tibetan Institute Of Performing Arts

Located in Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) was established in order to preserve and encourage the Tibetan cultural heritage. It is better known for its focus on dance, music as well as opera. Folk music, opera, and dance performances are organized while the monasteries put up Thangka paintings.

There is a museum on the buildings which has on display exhibits relating to the Tibetan heritage and also comprises archives with digital and old-school audio-visual recordings. This museum is free of cost to visit.

The institute is also better known to host festivals involving the Shoton Festival which lasts for 7 days and is a time when individuals follow age-old Tibetan traditions. Another prevalent festival celebrated here is the Yarkyi Festival which is fundamentally an internal competition between the Ngonpa and Gyalu groups. They research Tibetan folk traditions and put up individual and group music performances.

Dal Lake

The slopes of McLeodganj have one of the most attractive lakes around. Called after the more-renowned Dal Lake in Srinagar, this small lake is close to an attractive village called Tota Rani. Edged by Deodar trees, which are so typical of the region, lend the lake a spiritual ambiance. 

A small shrine enthusiastic about Durveshwar Mahadev causes Dal Lake to be considered sacred, and a festival fair held every year is a sign of that. The mid-altitude lake takes a greenish-hue and has a diversity of fish inhabiting the water. 

The mist in the mornings and evenings makes Dal Lake the best place for an introspective walk alone, or with the adored. If you’re lucky, boating in the lake is an astonishing experience, when accessible. The lake next to the Tibetan Children’s village is a nice stopover before you continue to other attractions, and is recurrently listed among the best places to visit in McLeodGanj.

#Mcleodganj is a serene hill station near #Dharamshala in the Kangra district, popular among #trekkers for its untamed beauty.#himachaltourismofficial #himachaltourism #DekhoApnaPradesh #himachal #PhotoOfTheDay #Wanderlust #travelmore #doyoutravel #BhagsuHotel #HPTDC pic.twitter.com/O3naQ18dq1

— Himachal Tourism (@hp_tourism) May 8, 2022

Dhauladhar Ranges

One of the Mcleodganj places to visit is the Dhauladhar ranges. Determine the lesser Himalayas by adding the Dhauladhar ranges to your journey. You will get to see slopes, and valleys and is the ultimate destination for escapade enthusiasts. Book some of the attractive Mcleodganj homestays for your stay.

Indrahar Pass

If you are not much of an explorer and you are looking for a first-time adventure, the Indrahar pass trek could be a great choice for you. The place is tallied among one of the best places to visit in Mcleodganj when it comes to easy or modest trekking. 

If you want to witness the Dhauladhar mountain ranges and Pir Panjal Mountain ranges, taking a trek in the Indrahar pass could be a great idea. The valley proposes a direct view of those mountain ranges. Situated at an altitude range of 2500 to 4500 meters, the Indrahar pass functions as a border between the Kangra and the Chamba districts.

Masroor Rock-Cut Temple

Located 32 km from Kangra in Dharamsala on the Nagrota- Surian Link Road, Masroor Rock-Cut Temple is an archaeological site that is presently in ruins. The multifaceted is a combination of 15 rock-cut temples structured in the Indo- Aryan style of architecture, supposed to have been constructed in the 8th century (as per relics).

Enthusiastic to the Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, and Saura, the multifaceted faces northeast, towards the Dhauladhar range. Presently, under study, professionals suggest that the edifice was a part of an extravagant plan of further construction which has been left imperfect. Most of the complex has been damaged, mostly owing to earthquakes.

Best Time To Visit Mcleodganj

McLeodganj is amongst the few tourist places, which are favorable for tourism nearly during the year. The months of December and January are cherished by travelers who want to celebrate snowfall, as the region is enclosed with snow and the temperature reaches -1°C.

March to June is a great time to visit as it is enjoyable and just one layer of woolen clothing is demanded. The temperature here reaches a supreme of 38°C in the month of June, and the blues are also clear. The Tibetan New Year renowned for the Feb-March months carries you a chance to observe the cultural heritage of the Tibetan community.

How To Reach Mcleodganj?

By Train

The adjoining broad-gauge railhead serving McLeodganj is Pathankot Railway Station, nearly 90 km away. Jammu Mail and Uttar Sampark Kranti are prevalent trains from Delhi to Pathankot. Buses and Taxis are accessible outside the station in Pathankot.

By Air

Dharamshala’s Gaggal Airport is nearly 20 kilometers from McLeodganj and is well-connected to Delhi, Kullu, and Chandigarh. Consistent flights to Dharamshala are aided by airlines such as SpiceJet, Air India Regional, and Jagson Airlines from these cities. Travelers can rent a taxi or get a bus to reach their destination after reaching the airport, which takes nearly an hour.

By Road

State-owned and private buses function between McLeodganj and several other cities such as Delhi (500 km), Chandigarh (250 km), and Dharamshala (20 km). Most buses depart from Majnu-ka-Tilla (a Tibetan camp) and the Kashmiri Gate ISBT in New Delhi. The Himachal Bhawan also proposes deluxe buses functioned by Himachal Pradesh Tourism. It is also probable to propel to McLeodganj from Delhi via NH 1, a journey that will take nearly ten hours.

Conclusion 

Mcleodganj is one such place where you can predict to observe some of the most iconic travel destinations. The attractiveness of these tourist destinations will simply take your breath away. This town assertions some of the most appealing bounties of nature such as the attractive trekking trails, awesome weather along with exciting culture. So, if you are planning a travel getaway with your family or friends then this place will certainly suit you quite best.

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