Dharamshala 3-Day Itinerary: McLeod Ganj, Triund & Naddi

Short answer: Three days is enough for Dharamshala if you base yourself in McLeod Ganj and keep the plan local: the Dalai Lama Temple and kora, Bhagsu, Dharamkot, a Naddi sunset and the Tibetan institutions further down the hill, with time left for long café lunches. It is also exactly the right length for a night camping on Triund. It will not stretch to Bir and Palampur as well without living in a car.

Below are two versions of the same three days:

• Version A: Sightseeing and culture. Temples, monasteries, the Tibet Museum, village walks and viewpoints.
• Version B: With the Triund overnight. Day 1 in McLeod Ganj, a night in a tent on the ridge, down on day 3.

Both assume you arrive on an overnight bus early on day 1 and leave on the evening of day 3, so you sleep two nights in the hills. If you only have a weekend, our 2-night Dharamshala weekend itinerary is the tighter, hour-by-hour version of this trip; this guide is the longer, more flexible one, with more room to swap days around the weather.

The Plan at a Glance

Getting There and Away

> Getting there and away > > - Overnight Volvo from Delhi: HRTC buses leave ISBT Kashmere Gate and private buses leave Majnu ka Tilla in the evening, taking about 10–12 hours (approx. ₹1,200–2,000 per seat, as of 2026). Many private buses go all the way to the McLeod Ganj bus stand; HRTC buses often stop in lower Dharamshala, a 20–30 minute taxi (approx. ₹300–500) below McLeod Ganj. You arrive between about 5 and 7 am. > - Flight to Kangra Airport (Gaggal): about 13–15 km from Dharamshala town. A taxi from the airport to McLeod Ganj costs about ₹1,500 (Alto) or ₹1,800 (Swift Dzire sedan) and takes 45–60 minutes. Book a fixed fare with our Gaggal airport to McLeod Ganj taxi. > - Train to Pathankot: the nearest major railhead, about 85–90 km away. A taxi from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj takes about 2.5–3 hours (from approx. ₹3,000 per car on our taxi page). > - The ropeway (Dharamshala Skyway) between lower Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj was suspended after a landslide in August 2025. Check the current status before you go (it was closed for maintenance until 30 October 2026; Skyway guide); taxis and HRTC buses cover the same route. > > All the options, with timings, are in how to reach Dharamshala.

If you fly in, start day 1 in the afternoon with Bhagsu and the kora, and move the Dalai Lama Temple to the next morning.

Where to Sleep

Both plans use three bases a short walk or taxi apart:

• McLeod Ganj: the easiest first base. The temple, bus stand, cafés and taxi stand are all on foot.
• Dharamkot: a quieter village about 30 minutes' walk uphill, close to the Gallu Devi trailhead for Triund and to Tushita.
• Naddi: a ridge-top village about 3 km above McLeod Ganj with the closest roadside views of the Dhauladhar. Best for couples who want a view from the room, but you will need taxis for meals in town.

If you are unsure, our where to stay in Dharamshala guide compares every area, and you can see rooms by area on the hotels page.

Version A: Sightseeing and Culture

For first-time visitors, families and anyone who would rather see monasteries than climb. Two nights in McLeod Ganj is simplest; move to Naddi or Dharamkot for night 2 if you want a change of view.

Day 1: The temple, the kora and Bhagsu

Early morning (6–8 am). Arrive at the McLeod Ganj bus stand, leave your bags at your hotel and ask about early check-in. Have breakfast near the main square.

Morning (8–11 am). Walk down Temple Road to the Tsuglagkhang complex, the Dalai Lama Temple, about 800 m and 10 minutes from the square. Entry is free and it is open every day; no official hours are published, but it is usually open from early morning to early evening. Dress modestly; there is a security check, and no photography inside the shrine halls. Then walk the kora (Lingkhor), the forest path around the complex, clockwise, past prayer wheels, mani stones and prayer flags. Allow 30–45 minutes at an easy pace. Our Dalai Lama Temple guide explains what you are looking at and how public teachings work.

Midday (11 am–1:30 pm). Walk back up and out along Bhagsu Road to Bhagsu, about 2 km, a 25–30 minute walk (or a short taxi, approx. ₹150–250). See the Bhagsunag Shiva temple and its stone pools, then follow the paved path up the gorge to the waterfall, roughly 1 km and 15–20 minutes. If you have energy, the rough steps above the falls climb another 20–30 minutes to Shiva Cafe. More detail in our Bhagsu travel guide.

Afternoon (2–5 pm). Lunch, check in and rest, then browse Temple Road for books, thangkas and singing bowls.

Evening. Tibetan dinner in McLeod Ganj (thukpa, momos, thenthuk) and an early night. Sleep: McLeod Ganj.

Day 2: Dharamkot and the Naddi sunset

Morning (8:30–11 am). Walk up to Dharamkot, about 30 minutes uphill on foot, or take a short auto or taxi (approx. ₹200–300). On Monday to Saturday, Tushita Meditation Centre runs a drop-in guided meditation from 9 to 10 am, by donation, with no registration (it is cancelled during short courses). Our monasteries and meditation guide lists longer courses.

Late morning (11 am–1 pm). Take the forest path from Dharamkot towards Gallu Devi temple for valley views without committing to Triund. Turn back whenever you like.

Lunch (1–2:30 pm). A long lunch in one of Dharamkot's cafés. See our Dharamkot travel guide.

Afternoon (2:30–4 pm). Rest, or walk the footpath down to Bhagsu (30–40 minutes) and back along Bhagsu Road.

Evening (4:30–7 pm). Take a taxi to Naddi, about 10 minutes from McLeod Ganj (approx. ₹250–400), for sunset over the Dhauladhar from the viewpoint above the village. Dal Lake is a short stop on the way. Ask your driver to wait or arrange a pick-up, because empty taxis are scarce at the viewpoint after dark. Our Naddi and Dal Lake guide has timings for sunrise and sunset. Sleep: McLeod Ganj, or a view-facing room in Naddi so you can see sunrise without a 5 am taxi.

Day 3: Gangchen Kyishong, Norbulingka and Gyuto

Check out and keep your bags in a sightseeing taxi for the day (our full-day 10-point tour is ₹4,000 per car by Alto as of 2026), which drops you at the airport or bus stand at the end.

Morning (9–11 am). Drive 2–3 km downhill to Gangchen Kyishong, home of the Central Tibetan Administration. The Tibet Museum is here, on the second floor of the T-Building, not in the temple complex. It is open 9 am to 5 pm with a 1–2 pm lunch break, and is closed on Saturdays and government holidays (adults Rs 20, under-18s free, as of 2026). Next door are the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and the Nechung Monastery.

If day 3 is a Saturday, swap: visit the museum on the afternoon of day 1 or 2 instead and spend this morning longer at Norbulingka.

Late morning (11 am–1 pm). Continue to the Norbulingka Institute at Sidhpur, about 30–40 minutes from McLeod Ganj, where Tibetan artists work at thangka painting, statue-making and woodcarving among water gardens. It is usually open daily from about 9 am to 5–5:30 pm, with an entry fee (check the amount at the gate); the studios close on second Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays. Lunch at Norbulingka.

Afternoon (1:30–3 pm). Stop at Gyuto Monastery at Sidhbari, a large monastery known for its chanting, with the mountains behind it. Do not expect to see the Karmapa here: he has been outside India since 2017.

Late afternoon. If you are leaving from Gaggal or Pathankot, Kangra Fort is on the way (allow 1–1.5 hours). Otherwise head back to the bus stand for an evening Volvo to Delhi.

Version B: With the Triund Overnight

For anyone reasonably fit who wants one mountain night. Triund is a grassy ridge at approx. 2,850 m above McLeod Ganj. From Gallu Devi temple above Dharamkot, the trail is about 6–7 km one way (about 9 km if you walk from McLeod Ganj), taking most people 3–5 hours up and 2–3 hours down. The first half is gentle forest; the last 3 km after Magic View cafe are steep and rocky. Read the Triund trek complete guide before you go.

Important: overnight camping at Triund is regulated. Tents are capped in number and booked through permitted operators, so you cannot simply walk up with your own tent and pitch it. A January 2026 district order also requires police clearance for Triund, and overnight stays are often suspended in monsoon, during weather alerts and in winter. The simplest way to handle this is a guided trek: our Triund trek is listed from ₹1,500 per person (indicative; confirm the price and date on the page) and includes a guide, tent, sleeping bag, dinner, breakfast and forest permits. The Triund camping guide covers the night itself.

Day 1: McLeod Ganj, then up to Dharamkot

Morning (6–11 am). As in Version A: arrive, breakfast, the Dalai Lama Temple and the kora.

Midday (11 am–2 pm). Walk to Bhagsu for the temple and waterfall, and have lunch there.

Afternoon (2:30–5 pm). Take the footpath up from Bhagsu to Dharamkot (30–40 minutes uphill), or take a taxi back to McLeod Ganj for your bags and then on to Dharamkot (approx. ₹200–300). Check in, confirm the start time with your operator and buy snacks.

Evening. Early dinner in a Dharamkot café and lay out your kit. Sleep: Dharamkot. Ask to leave your main bag there while you are on the ridge.

Day 2: Up to Triund

Morning (7:30–9 am). Breakfast, then walk 20–30 minutes up to Gallu Devi temple, where the forest trail begins. At the forest checkpost, pay the entry fee (₹100 per person per day, 2024 revision; check locally) and carry ₹500 extra each in cash: a refundable waste deposit was reported in August 2026 but we could not find an official notice. Bring all your non-biodegradable waste back down. Carry cash and photo ID.

Late morning to early afternoon (9 am–2 pm). Climb through oak and rhododendron forest past tea stalls to Magic View cafe, then up the steeper final section to the ridge. In May and June, aim to arrive before afternoon storms. Carry about 2 litres of water each.

Afternoon and evening (2–8 pm). Settle into camp. Shacks sell Maggi, tea and simple meals (approx. ₹80–300 per item); packages include dinner. Then sunset over the Kangra Valley. The temperature falls quickly once the sun goes: even in June, nights drop to about 5–12°C, and by late October they can be near freezing, with wind. Sleep: tent on Triund.

Day 3: Sunrise and down

Dawn (5:30–7 am). Sunrise on the Dhauladhar wall, then breakfast at camp. Snowline (approx. 3,100–3,200 m) is 2–3 km higher, but the January 2026 order bans trekking above 3,000 m, so check with your operator whether it is allowed before you think of going further.

Morning (8–11 am). Descend to Gallu Devi, 2–3 hours down. Show your waste at the checkpost and collect your deposit.

Midday (11:30 am–2 pm). Back in Dharamkot: shower, collect your bag and have a long lunch.

Afternoon and evening. If you still have legs and light, take a taxi to Naddi for sunset (approx. ₹250–400 from McLeod Ganj). Otherwise rest in a McLeod Ganj café until the evening Volvo, or take the Gaggal airport taxi for an evening flight, leaving a margin for delays.

Prefer Triund as a day hike? It is possible: leave Gallu Devi by 7–8 am and you are back by mid-afternoon. Then use day 3 for Version A's Gangchen Kyishong and Norbulingka loop.

Getting Around Each Day

• On foot: McLeod Ganj to the temple (10 minutes), Bhagsu (25–30 minutes) and Dharamkot (about 30 minutes uphill); Bhagsu to Dharamkot is 30–40 minutes uphill. Wear shoes with grip.
• Taxi and auto: from McLeod Ganj, approx. ₹150–250 to Bhagsu, ₹200–300 to Dharamkot, ₹250–400 to Naddi and ₹600–900 to Norbulingka or Gyuto, as of 2026. Agree the fare first, or book a sightseeing taxi for a full day.
• HRTC bus: approx. ₹20–30 between lower Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj.
• No car needed. Only day 3 of Version A really needs a taxi.

Cost for a Couple, 3 Days and 2 Nights

> Cost box (approx., for two people, as of 2026) > > | Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | > |---|---|---|---| > | Stay, 2 nights | Dorm beds or a simple homestay, approx. ₹1,600–5,000 | Mid-range hotel, approx. ₹5,000–8,000 | Upscale, approx. ₹12,000–20,000 | > | Food, 3 days | Approx. ₹3,000–4,800 | Approx. ₹6,000–10,000 | Approx. ₹12,000–18,000 | > | Local taxis (Version A, incl. day 3 loop) | Walk plus buses, approx. ₹600–1,200 | Approx. ₹3,000–5,000 | Approx. ₹6,000–10,000 | > | Delhi return by bus, two people | Non-AC, approx. ₹3,000–4,000 | AC Volvo, approx. ₹5,600–8,000 | Flights instead, approx. ₹16,000–32,000 | > > Version B changes: you pay for one room night instead of two. For Triund, budget either about ₹2,000–4,000 per person for a camping package (tent, sleeping bag, dinner, breakfast, guide), or our guided Triund trek from ₹1,500 per person. On top, each person pays the ₹100 entry fee, and should carry ₹500 extra in cash in case a reported refundable waste deposit (no official notice found) is collected. Camping has been about ₹550 per two-person tent including entry where the cap allows, but treat that as indicative. > > Airport transfer: about ₹1,500 (Alto) or ₹1,800 (Swift Dzire sedan) per car each way between Gaggal and McLeod Ganj.

Prices rise at New Year, on long weekends and in May–June. Full breakdown: Dharamshala trip cost guide.

Tips by Season

October and November (best). Clearest views, dry trails, comfortable days. Nights on Triund approach freezing by late October; book camping ahead for weekends.

March to June. Pleasant and busy. Start Triund and Bhagsu early to beat crowds and afternoon storms; expect snow patches near the top in March and April.

Monsoon (July to September). Skip Version B. Fog, lightning and landslides lead to frequent bans on Triund overnights and sometimes on all trekking, and roads see landslide delays. Version A works in the rain, and the Bhagsu waterfall is at its fullest. Bir paragliding is closed from 15 July to 15 September. Keep a buffer day before a flight, and read our monsoon travel guide.

Winter (December to February). Sunny days and cold nights near or below freezing. Triund is often under snow from December to March, overnight stays are frequently restricted, and the trail above Magic View gets icy; go only on a clear day with a guide and microspikes, or stick to Version A. The Bhagsu waterfall shrinks to a trickle. Snow in McLeod Ganj is a bonus, not a promise; it is most likely in January and the first half of February. Ask your hotel about heaters and hot water, and expect crowds and higher prices from 23 December to 2 January.

Month-by-month detail is in best time to visit Dharamshala.

2 Days or 5 Days?

With 2 days: use the Dharamshala weekend itinerary. In short, keep day 1 of either version, then choose between a Triund day hike and the easy Dharamkot and Naddi day. Drop the Norbulingka loop, or do it on the way to the airport if your flight is in the afternoon.

With 4 days: do Version A, then add Triund as a day hike or an overnight. Or do Version B and add Version A's day 3 (Gangchen Kyishong, Norbulingka and Gyuto) on the way out. This is the most balanced plan if you can spare the extra day.

With 5 days: add a day trip to Bir Billing for a tandem paragliding flight, about 70 km and 2–2.5 hours each way by road (day-trip taxi approx. ₹3,500–5,000 per car, tandem flight approx. ₹3,000–4,000, closed 15 July to 15 September). Book on our paragliding page. Alternatively, spend the fifth day on Kangra Fort and the tea gardens around Palampur, or follow our five-day Kangra Valley itinerary.

How many days are enough? Two for the highlights, three to do them without rushing or add a Triund night, four or five to go further into the Kangra Valley. For most first visits, three is right.

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Starting a Triund day hike at 10 or 11 am, then descending into afternoon storms.
2. Planning the Tibet Museum for a Saturday, or looking for it in the temple complex.
3. Carrying your own tent up to Triund and expecting to pitch it.
4. Leaving the Naddi viewpoint without a ride back arranged.
5. Booking a flight home the same day as a Triund descent with no margin.

For rooms by area, see the hotels page.