McLeodganj is one of the most famous hill stations often toured by the youth & families alike from the nearby states of Delhi, Haryana & Punjab. Mcleodganj is actually a suburb of Dharmashala, which is also known as ‘Little Tibet’ by the nearby community. The government of Tibet is exiled in McLeodganj, which makes it a popular tourist place in Himachal. If you’re not into famous tourist places, you should visit McLeodganj at least once. Follow along for a tried-and-tested McLeodganj Itinerary for 3 days, all the places to visit in McLeodganj, and a day trip from the hill station as well.
Fun fact – It is lovingly called ‘Mclo’ by people of the North who love to frequent the hill station as a quick getaway.
McLeodganj at a Glance
- Ideal trip length: 2-3 days is enough to cover the main sights without rushing
- Best time to visit: March to June and September to November; avoid monsoon season (July-August).
- How to reach: Overnight Volvo bus from Delhi (~12 hours) or fly into Gaggal/Kangra Airport, then a short taxi ride
- Budget: A comfortable 2-day trip can be done in ₹4,000-6,000 per person, excluding travel to/from Delhi
- Altitude: ~2,082 m, so expect cooler temperatures even in summer — pack accordingly
The hill station will charm you with the gorgeous views of the Dharamshala valley and snowy peaks ahead. So here is my perfect 3-day McLeodganj itinerary with all the places to visit in McLeodganj and around. Also, if you’re visiting McLeodganj, try to include Palampur in your itinerary as well.
Don’t miss my Narkanda travel guide
Mcleodganj Itinerary: Places to visit in Mcleodganj
McLeodganj Itinerary: Day 1
Places to visit in McLeodganj
Start your McLeodganj itinerary with a tempting meal at your hotel. If your hotel’s breakfast menu doesn’t tempt you enough, try Moonlit Espresso Cafe or Illiterati Books & Coffee. Both are my favourites, but the latter one has a mini library with an amazing collection of books. So book nerds know where they have to go.
Dalai Lama Temple Complex / Tsuglagkhang
One of the most famous places to visit in McLeodganj is the Dalai Lama Temple. The temple is known as the place where the Dalai Lama resides. The lama visits the temple 2 or 3 times a year, and you might get to meet him when his trip coincides with yours. The complex is vast, with Lama’s residence, a temple and also has prayer wheels.
Mall Road
I have never been to a hill station without a Mall road as the main attraction point, and Mcleodganj is no different. The main road has countless shops for antiques, Tibetan handicrafts and much more. What I love about Mall Road in McLeodganj is the option to dine in gorgeous cafes. Great coffee and delicious cakes are indeed my weak spot. Besides these, you will find numerous cuisine options here too.
Food Break
There are some amazing cafes in this hill station, Illiterati and Moonpeak are two of my favourites. Illiterati has a mini library and a view to read your books in peace. And drink coffee with delicious cakes 😉
When talking about food, you’ll find some amazing Tibetan cafes with authentic food here.
McLeodganj Itinerary: Day 2
Places to visit in McLeodganj
For the 2nd day in McLeodganj, prefer wearing a broken-in pair of walking shoes or comfortable flats, as we’re heading for Bhagsu Falls.
Bhagsu Nag Temple
The Bhagsu Nag temple is located almost 3 kms from McLeodganj town. You can either hike to the temple or drive here. I’d recommend driving, as there is another 1 km trek till Bhagsu Fall, so you can save your strength for the waterfall trek.
The shrine is devoted to Lord Shiva and the Snake God (Nag Devta). The temple got its name from King Bhagsu, who built it to appease Nag Devta. Nag Devta was annoyed as the King stole water from the Dal Lake. King Bhagsu then asked Nag Devta’s forgiveness and built the temple to please him.
Tip – Photography is not allowed in the temple, and cameras /phones are to be submitted in lockers outside.
Bhagsu Nag Fall
Approximately 1 km trek from Bhagsu Nag temple, the 20-meter-high waterfall adds beauty to this heavenly mountain range. The mid-size waterfall is a popular picnic spot and a refreshing one, too. The mountains are covered in snow during winter, and the falls get a magnificent look.
The Shiva Cafe next to the Bhagsu Falls is one of the most famous places to visit in McLeodganj. It is also the most crowded, so if you don’t like crowded cafes, just like me, I’d say do not go here just because it is famous. If this is your bucket list item, and you genuinely like it here, then a pit stop at the cafe is a must.
If you’re planning on trekking to Triund, then you can take a quick detour and visit the falls too. Triund is a beginner trek of approx 9 km, which can take close to 4-5 hours based on a person’s health. If you are in Dharamkot, from here the trek distance is cut down to 6 km. Avoid visiting in winters and monsoon months as the final stretch is a set of steep stairs, which in heavy/sudden snowfall can feel difficult to cover, and there is no place to take shelter. There is an entry fee of 200 INR for the trek. You can complete the trek in a day if you start early, or do camping in tents – book well in advance. Do not forget to wear good trekking/sports shoes, a windcheater jacket, and water with some energy snacks.
Try booking your adventurous trek via GetYourGuide well in advance –
What to do in McLeodganj in 2 days: Dinner
You may choose any local place for dinner, local cafes & restaurants serve delicious food. Our hotel also served decent food, which we chose due to heavy rainfall on our first trip.
McLeodganj Itinerary: Day 3
On day 3 of this McLeodganj itinerary, I recommend driving back to Dharamshala to enjoy a taste of the town.
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
Located at the foot of snowy peaks, the Dharamshala cricket stadium is one of the must-visit places in McLeodganj. It is the highest international cricket stadium in the world at roughly 1457m, so it gets its share of attention. Also, if you are a cricket fanatic, then you shouldn’t miss the Dharamshala cricket stadium. There is an entry fee priced at ₹30–50 for regular visitors. On non-match days, you can visit the stadium between 9 AM and 5 PM. Check the official schedule for match days so they don’t coincide with your plans. If you are a cricket fan, you’d love walking on the ground here, which is an amazing experience in itself. The stadium is located around 8km away from McLeodganj, approximately 15-20 minutes by car, and the entire visit will take approx 1.5-2hours.
Kangra Fort
Kangra Fort is the largest fort in the Himalayas and is located only 20 km from Dharamshala. If you are not a cricket fanatic and Dharamshala Stadium doesn’t interest you, I’d suggest driving up to Kangra and experiencing the largest fort firsthand.
The fort was built by the Katoch dynasty over 3500 years ago and has survived numerous natural disasters and sieges by different rulers. Mahmud Ghazni was able to take control of the fort in 1009 AD, and later it was captured by Firuz Shah Tughluq in 1351 AD. In 1789, Raja Sansar Chand II finally reclaimed the fort from the Mughals and brought the glory back to the fort & all the Hindu temples inside the fort.
There is an entry fee for the fort – 150 INR for Indians and 300 INR for foreign tourists. It is open between 9 AM and 5 PM, and the tour might take you ~2-3 hours. Since this is an historic fort, I highly recommend wearing walkable shoes as the fort is mostly built from ancient stones.
Dal Lake
One of the less popular places in Dharamshala and McLeodganj is Dal Lake. With the same name as Kashmir’s famous Dal Lake, this one doesn’t get that much footfall, hence a perfect fit. The deodar trees surrounding the Dal Lake give this panoramic beauty an edge. Those who love to visit water bodies should include the lake in their McLeodganj itinerary.
The lake is currently undergoing renovations, so possibly not open to visitors. When planning day 3 of your McLeodganj itinerary, do check with your hotel/locals if it is now open or not.
Where to Stay in McLeodganj
Budget: Stick to the main McLeodganj town area near Mall Road and Temple Road — you’ll find plenty of guesthouses and budget hotels within walking distance of the Dalai Lama Temple and cafes, so you’re not relying on taxis for everything.
Mid-range: Look toward Jogiwara Road or Bhagsu Nag — slightly quieter than the main town centre, still an easy walk or short auto ride to everything, and usually better mountain views from your room.
Splurge: A handful of properties around Naddi village, just outside McLeodganj, offer some of the best Dhauladhar range views in the area if you want to wake up to that view every morning. Worth the slightly longer commute into town. I have recently stayed at Dhauladhar Heights Resorts in Dharamshala, on the way to McLeodganj. Beautiful property, amazing food, has a pool and a gym and stays true to its name – great view of the snowy Dhauladhar mountain range.
How to Reach McLeodganj from Delhi
McLeodganj is roughly 470 km from Delhi, and you’ve got three ways to get there:
By bus: This is what most people (myself included) do. Overnight Volvo buses run from Delhi’s Majnu ka Tilla or ISBT Kashmere Gate straight to McLeodganj, taking around 12 hours. Book a sleeper or semi-sleeper if you can — you’ll wake up right in the hills, which honestly is half the charm of doing it this way.
By train + taxi: Take a train to Pathankot, the nearest railhead, then a taxi or local bus onward (about 2.5-3 hours). This works well if buses aren’t running or you’d rather break up the journey.
Update 2026 – Take a Vande Bharat train from Delhi to Una and then a connecting cab ride to Dharamshala.
By air: The closest airport is Gaggal (Kangra Airport), about 18 km from McLeodganj, with limited direct flights from Delhi. From there, it’s a quick 30-40 minute taxi ride into town. This is the fastest option if you’re short on time, though flights aren’t always daily and are extremely pricey. I would fly to McLeodganj unless I am on a tight schedule.
Tips to get the most out of your visit to McLeodganj
To make the most of this McLeodganj itinerary, I’d recommend these tips for a memorable trip.
- If you would like to visit the Dalai Lama temple, the best time is to go in the early morning to avoid the rush.
- Avoid monsoons, you’ll not be able to go out much because of unpredictable weather. On my first visit to the hill station, I was stuck inside the hotel for most of the 3-day trip. The next trip, I was better prepared.
- Pack comfortable shoes as you’ll have to do a lot of walking.
- Take a bus, rather than drive. Parking issues and traffic jams are the worst part of the area. If your stay is in or near Dharamshala, there is a new ropeway which takes you directly to McLeod Ganj.
- Keep cash/UPI since ATMS are unreliable or out of cash most of the time. Restaurants take cards, but it is not a guarantee.
FAQs About Visiting McLeodganj
How many days are enough for McLeodganj? 2-3 days cover the main attractions comfortably — Dalai Lama Temple, Mall Road, Bhagsu Falls, and a day trip to Dharamshala for the cricket stadium and Dal Lake.
What is the best time to visit McLeodganj? March to June for warm days and clear mountain views, or September to November for crisp autumn weather. Avoid the monsoon months (July-August) when landslides and poor visibility are common.
Is McLeodganj safe for solo travel? Yes, McLeodganj is generally considered one of the safer hill stations in Himachal for solo travellers, including solo women — it’s a small, walkable town with a steady flow of both Indian and international visitors.
What’s the difference between McLeodganj and Dharamshala? McLeodganj is technically a suburb of Dharamshala, sitting higher up the hill. McLeodganj has the Tibetan government-in-exile, the Dalai Lama Temple, and most of the cafes and shopping, while Dharamshala proper (lower down) is more of a regular town with the cricket stadium being its main draw for visitors.
Do I need permits to visit McLeodganj? No special permits are needed for Indian or foreign tourists to visit McLeodganj itself.
HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO MCLEODGANJ? HOW MANY DAYS DID YOU SPEND AND WHAT PLACES YOU VISITED? DID YOU LIKE THIS MCLEODGANJ ITINERARY? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
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I have been to McLeod thirce. It’s a great place for weekend trips.
Super travel guide for one of the most sought after destination in Himachal, Shivani!
Thank you 🙂
Lovely pictures and some helpful info there. I had visited Mcleodganj ages ago and had travelled to Palampur too from there.
Both of them are wonderful places, I loved Palampur for being a low-key tourist destination 🙂