6 Cool Things To Do in McLeod Ganj
There are so many cool things to do in McLeod Ganj (India) that is very difficult to choose one!
We visited the area on 1 dec 2023 (full winter) and had a blast!
For those who never heard of that place, McLeod Ganj or McLeodganj is a small village (suburb) belonging to Dharamshala, in Himachal Pradesh, the northernmost state of India, just below Kashmir.
Dharamshala is very famous for its cool climate and great valleys. The town is located in the high altitude grounds of West Himalayas, therefore an amazing opportunity to gaze at these majestic mountains. They are part of the Himalayan chain is called the “Dhauladhar range”.
I must admit I didn’t know these mountains before getting there. which only added up to the (good) surprise!
It is known as “the Little Lhasa” because of the massive number of Tibetans who live here.
The Tibetan government in exile has its seat here, including the Dalai Lama himself, since 1959.
I would recommend at least 3-4 days to explore the area. Some good places to lodge can be found at the bottom of this article.
6 Cool Things To Do in McLeod Ganj
- Dalai Lama Temple
Obviously, this is the most interesting holy place in town.
The Dalai Lama main temple (Tsuglakhang Temple) also known by Tsug la Khang, is the spiritual heart of Mcleodganj and part of a complex embracing Namgyal Monastery, which comprises several shrine rooms.
Dalai Lama visits Tsuglakhang publicly only 2-3 times a year. Despite that, it has become an important pilgrimage site. Actually, Tsuglakhang is very close to Dalai Lama’s residence.
must admit that at first glance we were very surprised by the amount of food offers we found at the altars. To give you an example, the devotees bring boxes of milk, crackers, and Fanta, just to name a few weird items.
Sorry I couldn’t get better pictures though, after I flashed that one above we realized that pictures were forbidden inside the temple. Oops.
Decoration loaded, very colourful and very cheerful, so much more different from what I might have expected.
There are a few more colourful temples in McLeod (and a good example is the one you see in the background of the picture below).
Apparently, I found “people watching” a much better activity than photographing temples from outside.
- The Triund trek
The first thing we wanted to do in the next morning was climb up from McLeod to the Triund hill.
The Triund it’s a gorgeous trek, and can be done either from McLeodganj or Dharamkot, which is 2 km above McLeodganj. Dharamkot is a very chill suburb, known for it’s hippie vibe and only a couple streets.
In our case, we were taking a ride up to Gallu Devi and so we started from there. It was winter time and we wanted to optimize the sun’s working hours.
It was a cold morning when we left from McLeod. We reached the Gallu Devi temple at around 9 am.
As you can see, I wasn’t even remotely well-dressed at all (and ended up freezing my ass up there – so don’t do the same mistake).
Gallu Devi is actually just a simple shelter for Hindu images, not a real temple, as one could have imagined.
We received some snow on the way to the top, nothing funny though. Do carry proper socks and trekking boots if you’re coming to hike Triund in the winter. We did with simple sneakers and if we had known better, we would have prepared a bit better.
From Gallu Devi it took us at least 3 hours to reach Triund. You can do it in much less time (around 2:30h) if you don’t stop for pictures. The round trip anyways lasted 5 h (around 10 km).
pThe return trek can be done by Bhagsu Naag (see map below) but we didn’t try it since the snowfall was getting worse and visibility was bad.
Trekking Tips
You don’t have to walk from McLeod or Dharamkot. You can take a cab straight to Gallu Devi Temple.
From Gallu Devi, you will find a small hut where you can register your passport and declare your intended return date (hopefully the same day). ????
No guiding is required for this hike. The difficulty is easy to moderate. The hike is a gradual incline 5 Km up to Triund hilltop.
There are several simple huts called by the locals “teahouses” along the trekking path. The most well known maybe the “Magic View”. A good reference point is the last hut, called Snowline Café. From this point, it is a steep climb all the way to Triund at 2,975 metres.
From Triund you get an incredible view of the Dhauladhar range on one side and the Kangra valley on another. Some people camp there for the night and push it to the snowline the next day.
You can actually do the round trip from Mcleod-Triund-Mcleod in one day, and you will not need any camping material except perhaps if you plan to reach the snowline, which of course is not a good idea during the winter time.
- Bhagsu Hindu Temple
Bhagsu is a laid back little village which is a few steps out of McLeod Ganj. It’s tiny, with a bit of artisanal handicraft going on, some coffee shops and even some psy trance-like parties (or at least, the posters ).
Anyway, there is only ONE Main Street in that place, so it’s impossible to get lost.
In Bhagsu you will also find the most WTF temple we may have seen in our lives!
Just to give you an idea, you can literally enter the month of a lion, climb upstairs and enter a maze-like tunnel with plenty of creepy Hindu figures, hidden in dark corners (sorry guys, but I was really afraid) and then find your way down through the crocodile mouth!
Sounds “simple” but the second floor was much bigger than expected. It really feels like visiting some sort of haunted attraction in an amusement park.!!
Unfortunately we were unable to find out the real name of this temple, but you can show the picture below to some locals and I’m sure they will be glad to guide you through.
You are welcome!!
- Bhagsu waterfall
So, Bhagsu is a very popular spot among Indians in the summer!
This is a tiny (but very touristic) place and most Indians tend to stay at the “classy” hotels along the main road. The more you go up, the more the place looks like backpacker’s land, with many hostels and yoga classes of all kind being offered.
You’ll pass by the Bhagsu temple at the end of the main street (the big one, with the swimming pool) and will continue on until the “city” ends in a little trail.
Unfortunately, during the winter, the falls were almost dried-up, but I decided to put a recommendation here anyways since the situation certainly changes according to the season.
In any case, you just keep going and you see the falls far away, and if they are a bit sad you just go back and have a coffee (like we did)!!
You will already be in Bhagsu to visit the WTF Hindu temple anyways.
- Sunset at Naddi
Sunset at Naddi is a ‘must’ on a clear day.
is another suburb part of McLeod, you will see kids playing badminton, cows grazing peacefully, some goats crossing the valleys.
You can go there on foot, it’s a nice walk from McLeod, about 5-6 Km and we did it in 1:45h but prepare yourself to get lost, we got lost basically all the way. ????
We just kept asking directions to the locals (whether they were understanding English or nodding by sympathy).
On reaching there, just ask them for the sunset view. And you will be facing the entire valley in front of your eyes. Don’t forget to check out your back view!
To come back to McLeod just hire any taxi around the corner. There is taxi stand really close to the sunset point.
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- Saint John in the Wilderness Church
This is the old neo-Gothic church that is dedicated to John the Baptist and was built by the British in 1852.
The church is said to have survived the 1905 Kangra earthquake, when no less than 19,800 people lost their lives in the region, and it’s surrounded by the wonderful Gothic cemetery with just a few historical figures buried inside.
While the church in itself may not look “amazing” to westerns, it is a very bucolic (and peaceful) place and the road to reach the church is very beautiful.
A visit to this place transport you back in the past and makes you feel admiration for these European folks living so far away from home in such remote corner of India.
Many stayed in Dharamshala forever. One cannot avoid thinking how lonely this place must have been 150 years back.
If you go there by foot, keep your eyes peeled while you walk along the road to reach the church (or on the way back to McLeod).
We spotted plenty of furry friends wearing Canadian Goose winter jackets, as you can see below.
The beautiful Chamba Valley is an isolated region, separated from the Kangra Valley by the Dhauladhar Range and from Lahaul and Kashmir, so really close to Dharamshala area!
I will close this post with a flying Langur carrying a little baby (seriously guys, there were so many jumping around)!
Don’t miss the chance of observing these fantastic animals in their natural habitat.
# Where to stay in Mcleod Ganj?
It depends. We are the type of people who love being well located (near facilities like good restaurants, bars and coffee places, reachable by foot) so we stayed in McLeod, close to Dalai Lama’s temple at Norbu House, which was ok, but not fantastic.
For “social” people, I would really recommend staying in McLeod Ganj.
Some people would recommend Naddi (quieter and isolated) or Dharamkot (a compromise between McLeod and Naddi) and the reason for this is because they want to get away from all the hype. Fair enough.
Even Bhagsu could be a good idea, for a Backpacker’s hippie land style, if this the kind of vibe you are looking for.
The following suggestions are the best of each category in McLeod.
In any place you decide to stay, I wish you a lovely time
Backpacker: Pink House: from US$ 19/night
Mid range: Ram Yoga House: from US$ 38/night
Classy: Fortune Park Moksha: from US$ 95/night
FAQ Regarding Visiting McLeod Ganj
- What are the best months to visit McLeod Ganj?
It is best to visit in March to June and from September to November when the weather will be cool. Winters, especially between December and February, make it great for snow buffs but very cold.
- How many days are adequate for McLeod Ganj?
It is great for a 3–4-day sojourn to experience the place’s key attractions, treks, and peace.
- Is McLeod Ganj good for solo travelers?
Yes, it is among the top favorites for solo travelers who find a very safe, friendly and multicultural community there. The Triund Hill and other such treks are usually solo or formed during the journey itself.
- Things to take to McLeod Ganj for the trip?
Pack according to season-on Winter pack Warm clothing, hiking shoes, gloves, Thermals
Summer- Take light jacket, sunscreen, and good walking shoes.
- Do I have to pay some permits for these treks?
For treks like Triund Hill registration at the check posts while staying overnights.
Short Treks do not require Special permits.
- Can seniors come to McLeod Ganj?
Yes. Seniors can visit places like the Dalai Lama Temple and St. John in the Wilderness Church. Trecking to Triund is almost impossible for them.
- Can photography be done inside the temple of Dalai Lama?
Photography is not permitted inside the temple but may do it outside. Follow all the rules and regulations with all due respect to the spirituality atmosphere.
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