McLeodganj: A haven for backpackers

Long and leisurely walks, pristine atmosphere, soothing views and peace of mind that is McLeodganj for you. Home to His Highness the Dalai Lama, McLeodgunj is a peaceful town tucked in the foothills of the Dhauladar range in Himachal Pradesh.

Also called upper Dharamshala, McLeodGunj is quiet and buzzing at the same time with hordes of backpackers and leisure travellers. It is a place where many nationalities meet in harmony and enjoy the spirit of this peaceful town with delectable food and beautiful scenery.

There are various places to eat in McLeodGanj where you can have a laidback meal. You should try eating at small restaurants run by the locals. They are well maintained and the food is not expensive either. If you like to experiment when it comes to food, do try the Tibetan dishes.

There are not many typical places of tourist interest but if you are keen to check out, there are not more than four or five in the close vicinity of McLeodGanj. And a couple of them are at walking distance within 4 km of the centre of the town. If you are not averse to walking I suggest you must walk up to the Church of St. John in the Wilderness. The church is beautifully located in the thick foliage of deodar trees. It is open on Sunday mornings for the weekly service. Bhagshu Nath Temple and Water Fall, Dal Lake, Cultural Museum and Dalai Lama Temple are other major tourist places in McLeodganj.

For those looking for day treks, McLeodganj offers quite a few trekking options. The most popular treks in McLoeganj are trek to the Sunset Point, trek to Naddi and trek to Triund.

How to reach McLeodganj:
The best way to reach McLeodganj is either by train or bus. The nearest railway station is Pathankot or Chakki Bank depending on the stop of the train you are travelling. Buses are available from Pathankot to Dharamshala and McLeodganj. There are frequent buses to Dharmshala from Delhi. McLeodganj is just 4 km from Dharamshala. You can hire a taxi from Dharamshala.