The Ultimate Dharamsala Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Dharamsala, India? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala is a small city of ~53,000 people.
Home of the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The center of exiled Tibetans in India, Dharamsala and contains the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Also spelled: Dharamshala.

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Spoken languages: Tibetan, Punjabi, Hindi, and English.
Best time to visit: from March to October. Perhaps the most interesting time to visit is when the Dalai Lama delivers his teachings (usually in June). Cold winters.
Arriving via airport: The best way to reach Dharamsala is to fly to Delhi and take an overnight bus to McleodGanj from the Majnu Ka Tilla bus stand in New Delhi.
– Fare range: ₹669 (non-AC) to ₹1,799 (luxury AC sleeper). Fastest operator: G.T.S Holidays (11h travel time)
The nearest airport from Dharamsala is Gaggal DHM (Kangra Airport), 20 km away from McLeodGanj.
– Kangra Airport (Gaggal DHM) now offers direct flights from Delhi/Mumbai; taxi to McLeodganj costs ~₹800–1,200.
Travelers can also take a train to Pathankot and then a taxi or bus to Dharamsala.
Bring medication for altitude sickness if you’re prone to symptoms.

Best Dharamshala hostel for solo travelers: Hostel Triangle Folks Mcleodganj. A small, cozy place with welcoming owners (and delicious meals).
– Clean and well-kept.
– Beautiful views of the valley, with regular evening bonfires to relax and meet others.
McLeodGanj offers a wide range of accommodations, most of which are located near the bus station.
For those who want to find a quieter stay, look for accommodations in Bhagsu or Dharamkot (small towns within walking distance).
Jogiwara Road has plenty of budget options – with some great views!

McLeodGanj can be easily navigated on foot. The nearby points (e.g. Bhagsu and Dharamkot Village) are within walking distance. Dharamkot is a short but steep hike of approximately 3 km from McLeodGanj Bus Station.
Chartered auto rickshaws are available from the bus station at McLeodGanj. They charge around Rs. 60-100 to nearby points.
Taxis: Pre-book via Bhagsu Taxi Union (+91 1892 221034) for fixed fares (e.g., ₹1,500–2,000 for full-day tours).

Drinking age is 18, last call is 12:00 AM (midnight).
Great nightlife spots for solo travelers in Dharamshala: Labooze Cafe Bar Lounge, Mcllo Beer Bar and Restaurant (a bit overrated, but one of the legendary spots in town).
Rooftop parties: Rangde Holi Party (seasonal) and Suroor – E – Sufi live music nights.
Flyscape Hostel (Baijnath): Themed nights with live DJs.

The Naam Art Gallery is a permanent exhibition of acrylic paintings by Elizabeth Buschmann, and oil paintings by Alfred W. Hallett.
Tsuglagkhang Complex – located on the Temple Road (in front of the Dalai Lama’s residence), this is the largest temple outside of Tibet. Contains a large meditation hall and beautiful murals. Also, check out the Tibet Museum (just opposite the complex).
The Tibetan Library, a small but interesting museum containing precious Tibetan literature.
Bhagsu town can be easily navigated by foot from McLeodGanj. The area contains some beautiful ancient temples and waterfalls. Look for the Bhagsunag Fall.
Dharamkot Village – a 3 km hike from the McLeodGanj bus station, this is a quiet village located within a coniferous forest. Here you will find the Dhamma Vipassana and Tushita Meditation centers.
– Tushita Centre offers a 10-day Buddhism course (March–October; closed winters). Book 2–3 months ahead.
Kangra Fort: India’s oldest fort (4th-century), 30km from McLeodganj; entry ₹300.
Triund Hill: Guided day hikes (6–8 hours) cost ₹1,500–2,000 excluding trek fees.
Norbulingka Institute: Free entry; workshops on Tibetan thangka painting (₹500/session).

Triund Trek: Fees: ₹50 eco-tax + ₹100 camping permit (pay at check post). Guided tours include lunch (₹2,000/person).
– The summit is 2,875 meters up, and it’s a fairly long hike.
Kareri Lake Trek: 2-day hike from Dharamkot; stay at Zostel Plus Kareri (₹1,499 incl. meals).

Walk around the Kotwali bazaar – the main shopping area.
Head to Bhagsu – a 3 km walk from Dharamsala, followed by a 1 km hike up to the waterfall.
Heritage walk: McLeodganj’s street art trail (2 hours; starts at Kalachakra Temple) includes eco-art installations.
Walk along the mountain paths to Dharamkot Village for a quiet and peaceful forest retreat.
Day trip idea: Monastery Circuit Tour (₹1,200–1,800). Covers Namgyal, Gyuto, and Nechung monasteries with a guide.

Great restaurants in Dharamsala: Tibet Kitchen, The Clay Oven, Crepe Pancake, Jimmys Italian Kitchen.
Great cafes: Common Grounds Cafe, Four Season Cafe, Takhyil Peace Cafe, and Cafe 129.
Where to find good cheap eats: just about anywhere, as most cafes and restaurants in Dharamsala offer quality meals at a reasonable price.
Check out Lung Ta Japanese Restaurant (on Jogibara Road), which offers vegan momos (₹120–150) and bento boxes (₹250).
Local dishes to try: Tibetan momos, Thukpa.

Hindi is the national language of the country, and knowing some basic phrases will help greatly in interactions with locals. You may get lucky – English is also used extensively by the local Tibetans.
The city is known for its wellness centers and retreats for mindfulness & yoga.
Avoid unlit trails post 9 PM; carry a flashlight if returning late from Bhagsu Falls.
Dangerous areas: consisting of small villages with friendly and accepting locals, Dharmasala is very different from the (often chaotic) other Indian cities. Locals are very used to Western tourists.
In any case, avoid wandering around the Dharamkot or Bhagsu area late at night as most of the mountains do not have any street lights on during the late hours.

Recommended trip duration: 4–5 days (to allow time for Triund trek, monastery tours, and a day trip to Kangra Fort).