Getting there
How to reach Dharamshala
Gaggal airport is about 15 km from Dharamshala with limited flights, so most travellers arrive via Pathankot, about 85 km and three hours away, or on an overnight coach from Delhi. McLeodganj is a further 9 km uphill from Dharamshala itself.
- Nearest airport
- Gaggal, about 15 km, limited flights
- Nearest railhead
- Pathankot, about 85 km
- From Delhi
- About 480 km, overnight coach
- To McLeodganj
- A further 9 km uphill
Via Pathankot
The usual arrival for rail travellers, and the same railhead used for Dalhousie. It makes the Amritsar–Dalhousie–Dharamshala circuit straightforward, because all three sit within a few hours of each other.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to McLeodganj?
Gaggal (Kangra) airport, about 25 km from McLeodganj. Flights are limited and weather-dependent, so many itineraries use Amritsar or Pathankot and drive.
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Tours that go there
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Read next
- Dharamshala and McLeodganj travel guideDharamshala is two towns: the lower administrative town and McLeodganj about 9 km above it at roughly 2,080 metres, which is where the Dalai Lama’s residence and most visitors are. Two days covers the monastery, Bhagsu waterfall and Triund’s lower trail. It pairs naturally with Dalhousie and Amritsar.
- McLeodganj travel guideMcLeodganj is the upper town above Dharamshala at about 2,080 metres, home to the Tibetan government in exile and the Dalai Lama’s residence. The Tsuglagkhang complex, Bhagsu waterfall, Dharamkot and the Triund trailhead are all within walking distance or a short drive.
- How to reach DalhousieDalhousie is about 80 km from Pathankot, roughly three hours by road, and Pathankot is the nearest railhead and practical airport. Most itineraries arrive at Amritsar, spend a night there, and drive up the following morning.
- Best time to visit DharamshalaMarch to June and September to November are the two good windows for Dharamshala. Dharamshala sits directly below the Dhauladhar and catches heavy monsoon rain from July to August — among the highest in Himachal — which makes the Triund trail difficult and the views largely absent.
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