Planning a solo trip to Dharamsala? 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.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- 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. The AC Sleeper Volvo will cost around Rs. 900 and take approximately 12 hours to arrive. The nearest airport from Dharamsala is Gaggal DHM (Kangra Airport), is 20 km away from McLeodGanj.
WHERE TO STAY
- 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!
GETTING AROUND
- 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-Rs.100 to the nearby points.
- Taxis can be booked by calling +91 1892 221034 – the Bhagsu Taxi Operators Union. Taxis can be booked for the local tours. While rates may change from time to time, they are approved by the Regional Transport Authority and are reasonable.
DHARAMSALA NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, last call is 12:00 AM (midnight).
- Great venues for solo travelers in Dharamshala: Labooze Cafe Bar Lounge, Mcllo Beer Bar and Restaurant (some say it’s overrated, but one of the legendary spots in town).
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- 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 offers a 10-day Introductory course on Buddhism from March till October (Tushita is closed from November to February).
INTERESTING WALKS
- 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.
- Walk along the mountain paths to Dharamkot Village for a quiet and peaceful forest retreat.
- Triund Trek – if you are into trekking, climb the hill beyond Dharamkot to Triund for a beautiful view the Himalayan peaks. The summit is 2,875 meters up, and is a fairly long hike. There are overnight accommodations available at Triund.
LOCAL WISDOM
- 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.
- 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 elaborate vegetarian meals at very reasonable prices.
- 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: 2-3 days