5-Day Kangra Valley Itinerary: McLeod Ganj, Triund, Kangra, Palampur and Bir (2026)

The Short Answer

Five days is the right amount of time for the Kangra Valley. The plan that works best for most travellers:

1. Day 1: McLeod Ganj, the Dalai Lama Temple, Bhagsu and the Naddi sunset
2. Day 2: Triund trek (or an easier hike)
3. Day 3: Norbulingka and Gyuto, Kangra Fort and the Masroor rock-cut temples
4. Day 4: Palampur tea gardens, Andretta, and Baijnath temple, then on to Bir
5. Day 5: Bir Billing paragliding and monasteries, then depart

Where to base: 3 nights in McLeod Ganj (or Bhagsu/Dharamkot), then 1-2 nights in Bir or Palampur. That way you never drive more than about 2.5 hours in a day, and the last day ends near the main exits.

Quick Facts

Driving Times Between the Main Stops

Times assume normal traffic. Add 30-60 minutes in peak season and on wet monsoon days.

Day 1: McLeod Ganj

Morning: arrive (overnight bus or morning flight), check in, breakfast. Visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex (Dalai Lama Temple) and the Tibet Museum, then walk the kora around the complex.

Afternoon: walk or take a short taxi to Bhagsu for the temple and waterfall. If you still have energy, climb to Dharamkot for a cafe with a view.

Evening: taxi to Naddi via Dal Lake for sunset over the valley, then dinner back in McLeod Ganj.

Overnight: McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu or Dharamkot. Choose McLeod Ganj for convenience, Dharamkot for quiet; both are within a 10-20 minute walk of each other.

If you arrived on an overnight bus, keep this day slow. Nap after lunch and save Naddi for the evening.

Day 2: Triund

The Triund trek is the highlight for most visitors: a 9 km climb (one way) from McLeod Ganj, or about 7 km from the Galu Devi temple trailhead above Dharamkot, to a grassy ridge facing the Dhauladhar.

• Start by 8 am, reach the top by 11:30 am-12:30 pm, and be back down by 4-5 pm.
• Carry 2 litres of water, snacks, a rain jacket and a warm layer.
• There is a forest entry fee and rules on camping that have changed in recent years; check our Triund trek guide for the current position before you go.
• Want a guide or a camping package? See our Triund trek page.

Not a hiker? Swap Triund for an easy day: the Galu Devi temple walk, the Dharamkot - Bhagsu loop, or a cooking or meditation class. Most of these take 1-3 hours and need no guide.

Overnight: McLeod Ganj area (or Triund itself, if camping is permitted at the time you go).

Day 3: Norbulingka, Kangra Fort and Masroor

A car day through the lower valley. Hire a taxi for the day; a Kangra loop costs approx. ₹3,000-4,500 as of 2026 depending on the vehicle.

Masroor is the most underrated sight in the valley, and the late-afternoon light on the carved stone is superb. Read more in places to visit in Kangra.

Overnight: McLeod Ganj area.

Day 4: Palampur, Andretta and Baijnath

Check out and head east.

• Palampur (morning): walk through the tea gardens, visit a tea estate shop, and see Neugal Khad if you have time. Our Palampur travel guide has details.
• Andretta (late morning): the artists' village, known for its pottery studio and the legacy of Sobha Singh and Norah Richards. Check opening days before you go.
• Baijnath (afternoon): the 13th-century Baijnath Shiva temple, one of the finest stone temples in Himachal.
• Bir (evening): about 30 minutes from Baijnath. Watch the last paragliders land at the landing site and walk around the Tibetan colony.

Overnight: Bir (cafes, guesthouses, monasteries) or Palampur (quieter, tea-estate homestays). If paragliding tomorrow is the priority, sleep in Bir.

Day 5: Bir Billing

• Morning: tandem paragliding from Billing (take-off) to Bir (landing). Flights usually last 15-30 minutes, and morning is often the best time. Book through a registered operator; our paragliding page and Bir Billing paragliding guide cover prices and safety.
• Late morning: visit the Chokling monastery and the stupas of the Tibetan colony, have lunch at one of Bir's cafes.
• Afternoon: depart. Gaggal Airport is 2-2.5 hours away, so an evening flight is possible, but a next-day flight is less stressful. Overnight buses to Delhi leave from Bir and nearby Baijnath; check the HRTC site and booking apps.

Want to stay longer in Bir? Add a day for the trek from Billing towards Rajgundha, or simply to slow down; our Bir travel guide has ideas.

Getting There and Away

• Fly in, fly out: land at Kangra Airport (Gaggal) on Day 1 and fly out from the same airport on Day 5 or the next morning. Bir to Gaggal is 2-2.5 hours. See our Kangra Airport guide.
• Overnight bus: take the Delhi - Dharamshala Volvo on the night before Day 1, and a Baijnath or Bir - Delhi bus on the evening of Day 5. Our Delhi to Dharamshala bus guide covers both directions.
• Self-drive: the loop works well by car, but parking in McLeod Ganj is difficult. Choose a hotel with parking, or leave the car in lower Dharamshala for Days 1 and 2.

Doing It with Kids or Older Parents

• Replace Triund with a gentle morning at Bhagsu and the Dharamkot cafes, or a half-day at Norbulingka.
• Split Day 3 in two: Norbulingka and Kangra Fort one day, Masroor with a slow lunch the next.
• In Bir, tandem paragliding has weight and age guidelines set by operators; watching from the landing site is a fun alternative.

Where to Base Yourself

Lower Dharamshala and Sidhbari are easier for parking and closer to the airport; McLeod Ganj and Bhagsu are better for walking. Compare stays on our hotels page or read about staying in McLeod Ganj.

Winter Variant (December-February)

• Day 2: Triund in snow is beautiful but needs proper shoes, gear and often a guide; the upper section can be icy. If unsure, do the walk to Galu Devi, or see snow at Naddi after a fresh snowfall.
• Days are shorter. Light fades around 5:30 pm; start every day earlier.
• Bir: paragliding usually continues in winter on clear days, but it is cold at Billing; dress warmly.
• Roads: the main valley roads stay open. Snow sometimes blocks roads above McLeod Ganj and to Billing for short periods.
• Read our winter and snowfall guide for what to pack and where snow falls.

Monsoon Variant (July to mid-September)

• Swap Triund for a short forest walk; the trail is slippery and views are often in cloud. Leeches are common.
• Paragliding in Bir generally closes for the monsoon, typically around mid-July to mid-September; check the current season's dates. Replace Day 5 with the Bir monasteries, Deer Park and a tea estate walk.
• Keep Day 3 as is. Kangra Fort, Norbulingka and Masroor are good on misty days.
• Expect landslides and delays. Keep a buffer day at the end, especially before a flight. See our monsoon travel guide.

Budget Snapshot (Approx., 2026, Per Couple)

Costs drop noticeably in July-August and January-February, when hotels discount. You can book taxis for the Kangra loop and the transfer to Bir, and check the FAQ for anything else.