Last updated on May 14th, 2026 at 04:44 pm
Reading Time: 5 minutesMcLeodganj has a way of pulling you back.
It pulled me back several times when I didn’t expect it. I feel this place wants you to come back again and again because there’s so much to do and see.
Over multiple visits, I’ve slowly built a picture of what McLeodganj actually offers. This list comes from that 7 things worth doing, most of them from my most recent visit, where everything felt more deliberate.
Table of Contents
1. Meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama
This is not something you walk into. It takes planning — but it’s completely possible for anyone.
When His Holiness is in Dharamsala, public blessing lines are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. To attend, you need to send an email to ohhdl@dalailama.com with a brief background about yourself and your exact travel dates. The earlier you write, the better your chances. Short-notice requests are difficult to accommodate.
No phones or electronic items are allowed inside — leave everything at your hotel before heading to the temple.
It won’t be a private meeting. There will be hundreds of people from different countries, all sitting quietly, all waiting. The energy in that room is unlike anything I’ve experienced. When His Holiness walks in, everyone stands. The queue moves by allotted numbers. Your turn comes, you bow your head, and he gives his blessings.
At the exit, each person is handed an envelope with their his portrait inside.
You can read about my experience of meeting the Dalai Lama.
2. Walk the Kora Circuit
When the people I was travelling with mentioned the Kora Circuit, I didn’t even recognise the name at first.
A Kora is the practice of walking clockwise around a sacred site — a monastery, a temple. In McLeodganj, the Kora Circuit goes around Tsuglagkhang Complex, also known as the Dalai Lama Temple.
Walking it was one of the quietest experiences I’ve had in a long time. The path is lined with Buddhist prayer wheels, prayer flags, and people walking in complete devotion — some spinning each wheel as they pass, some with beads in hand, some simply walking in silence.
I can’t fully explain what it feels like. My words won’t do it justice — just go and walk it.
The circuit takes about 20–30 minutes at a relaxed pace. Go early in the morning when the light is soft and the path is less crowded.
3. Drink Coffee at Café Coffee Talks
I came across Coffee Talks on my last visit — and I’m glad I did.
Our group gathered here. I rarely drink coffee, but that day someone ordered, and I tried it. It was genuinely one of the best cups I’ve had anywhere.
There’s something about the atmosphere — the cool mountain air, the wooden interiors, the view outside, the quiet conversations around you — that makes everything taste better. Early morning or late evening are the best times to be here.
Info:
📍 Location: Main McLeodganj market area, near the Tibetan market
⏰ Best time: Early morning (8–10 AM) or late evening (5–7 PM)
☕ Must try: Their coffee and hot chocolate
4. Watch the Sunset from the Tibetan Market
This one requires no planning — just being present at the right time.
There’s an open area near the Tibetan market in McLeod Ganj where the view opens up toward the valley and the mountains. I kept coming back to this spot every evening I was there.
Go around 5:30–6 PM, depending on the month.
It costs nothing. It’s one of the best things McLeodganj offers.
5. Bhagsu Waterfall — Go Before 8 AM
Bhagsu Waterfall is about a 40-minute walk from McLeodganj centre. If walking isn’t your thing, a taxi drops you close — but after that you’re still on foot, climbing uphill stairs to reach the falls.
The waterfall itself is worth it. Sit near it, close your eyes, and just listen. The sound of the water, the cold air, the pine trees around — it resets something in you.
One strong recommendation: go before 8 AM. By 10 AM, this place fills up with tourists, food stalls, and noise. Early morning, you have it almost to yourself. The light is better for photography, too.
Info:
📍 Distance from McLeodganj: About 2 km – 40 mins walk
🚕 Nearest point by taxi: Bhagsu village — short walk + uphill stairs
⏰ Best time: Before 8 AM to avoid crowds
💰 Entry: Free
6. Triund Trek
Triund is a 9 km trek from McLeodganj that takes you to a high meadow at 2,828 metres — with views of the Dhauladhar range on one side and the Kangra valley on the other.
On my last visit, I ended up leading the group to the top. We started at 7 AM and reached by 11 AM. Weekday, no crowds.
The trek is graded easy to moderate. The first half is a gradual climb. The last stretch before the top gets steeper — take your time, it’s worth every step.
Info:
📍 Starting point: Dharamkot or Galu Temple (3–4 km from McLeodganj)
🥾 Distance & time: 9 km one way — 3–4 hrs up, 2–3 hrs down
📈 Difficulty: Easy to moderate
⛺ Camping: Available at top — ₹500–700/night
📅 Best months: March–June & Sept–Nov (avoid monsoon)
🎒 What to carry: 2L water, snacks, sunscreen, warm layer
7. Ropeway Cable Ride
This one I discovered by accident on the way back.
When I was leaving McLeodganj to catch a bus from Dharamshala, I saw and enquired. Then felt like taking the ropeway instead of the road.
The cable car connects Dharamshala and McLeodganj — a 15 to 20 minute ride each way that gives you views of the valley.
It’s quick, smooth, and honestly a better way to move.
If you’re spending time in both Dharamshala and McLeodganj — which you should — use the ropeway at least once. It makes the back-and-forth easy, and the ride itself is memorable.
The cost of the ropeway ride or using the taxi is almost the same.
Info:
💰 Cost: ₹500 per person (one way)
⏱ Duration: 15–20 minutes
⏰ Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM (may vary seasonally)
🌤 Tip: Go on a clear day — views are much better than cloudy conditions
Where to Stay in McLeodganj
McLeodganj has options across every budget. A few worth knowing:
- Budget: Zostel McLeodganj — great for solo travellers, social atmosphere, well-located in the market area.
- Mid-range: Several guesthouses around Bhagsu Road offer clean rooms with mountain views.
Peak season: April–June and October-December see the most visitors. Book at least 2 weeks in advance.
How to Reach McLeodganj
- From Delhi by bus: HRTC Volvo buses depart from ISBT Kashmere Gate overnight — reach Dharamshala by morning, then a short taxi or auto to McLeodganj. Bus fare approximately ₹800–1,200.
- From Delhi by air: Nearest airport is Gaggal (Dharamshala Airport) — about 15 km from McLeodganj. IndiGo and Air India operate Delhi–Dharamshala flights. Taxi from the airport to McLeodganj approximately ₹400–500.
FAQ
- How many days are enough for McLeodganj? 2–3 days cover the main experiences comfortably. If you’re doing the Triund trek and want a relaxed pace, 3–4 days is better.
- Is McLeodganj safe for solo travel? Yes. It’s one of the more solo-traveller friendly destinations in Himachal. The town is compact, well-connected, and the traveller community makes it easy to meet people.
- What is the best time to visit McLeodganj? April to June and October to December are ideal. October is particularly good — clear skies, comfortable temperature, and the post-monsoon greenery. December–February is cold but beautiful if you’re prepared for near-zero temperatures at night.
Conclusion
McLeodganj is one of those places that gives you something different every time you visit. The first time you notice the beauty. The second time you start to understand it. By the third visit you stop trying to see everything and just settle.
I visited here for the third time and very experience was different.
If you’re planning your first visit, start with the Kora Circuit in the morning and the sunset from the Tibetan market in the evening. Everything else will follow naturally.
