Is Dharamshala a Hill Station: Everything you need to know 2025?

Is Dharamshala a Hill Station? Yes, Dharamshala is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India and is also known as “The Little Lhasa in India”. It is located in Dhauladhar range of Himalaya.

This town is surrounded by cedar forests on the edge of Himalayas making it a popular destination for tourists. It is famous for its Tibetan culture, monasteries, and the home of the Dalai Lama.

There is a fact that there are two parts of the city. One is known as Lower Dharamshala, which is its commercial center and dotted with markets, courts and the famous Kotwali Bazaar while Upper Dharamshala is home to Mcleod Ganj as well as other structures which remind you of its colonial past. The two different parts of the city have something different to offer.

Places to visit in dharamshala in 2 Days:

1. St. Jhon’s Church: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

The Wilderness , which is a grand structure from the days of the British Raj. It was built in 1852 and is located near Dharamshala, India, on the way to McLeod Ganj. The Church is known for its Belgian stained-glass windows donated by Lady Elgin (Mary Louisa Lambton), wife of Lord Elgin. It is one of the few buildings in the region which remained intact despite the destructive earthquake of 1905.

2. Dal lake: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

Dal Lake is a small mid-altitude lake situated at a distance of 11 kilometers away from Dharamshala near the village of Tota Rani on Macleodganj Naddi road in district Kangra Himachal Pradesh.

The Dal Lake is famous for its scenic beauty, lush green forests of deodar trees, and religious center, The area around Dal lake is like a natural heaven .

3. Kangra valley: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

The Kangra valley situated in the Western Himalayas, in the Dhauladhar and is a popular tourist destination. The valley is filled with many eternal streams, which irrigate the valley, and the river Beas flows through this valley.

The valley is known for its scenic views, lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and diverse landscapes that include grasslands, forests, and snowy peaks. This Valley is known as the “spiritual valley” because five of the nine Shaktipeeths are located there.

4. kangra fort: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

If you are in kangra valley, you should visit kangra fort which is a historic fort located in the Kangra district . The fort is also known as ‘Nagarkot’ and ‘Kot Kangra. This fort stands on a small hill between two rivers.

This fort is the largest and also the oldest fort in the Himalayas which is under the protection of the Archeological Survey of India.

5. Tibet museum: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

The Tibet Museum is the official museum of the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Information and International Relations and is located IN CTA complex in T building , in McLeod Ganj.

The Tibet Museum aims to provide knowledge of Tibetan history and culture while raising awareness of the occupation of Tibet and the ongoing human rights abuses and environmental destruction committed by CCP China.

6. HPCA stadium: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is an international cricket stadium in Dharamshala. The stadium served as the home ground for the Himachal Pradesh cricket teams and Cricket Association,the governing body of cricket in Himachal Pradesh.

It hosted many matches b/w famed countries. However the stadium was accused of bad outfield and players played with high risk of being injured.

7. Kareri Lake: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

It is most famous for being a trekking destination in Dhauladhar. The lake often remains frozen with ice from December to March-April. Kereri Lake is also known as Kumarava Lake. It is a shallow, fresh water lake and the natural landscape around the lake is very beautiful and charming.

8. Maharaja Sansar Chandra Museum: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

The Royal Family of Kangra has dedicated their Museum to honor Maharaja Sansar Chandra their ancestor who’s period was known as the golden age of Kangra.

The wall inside the museum was painted by the artist of rajasthan and the museum is filled with pictures of royal family clothes, sword, coins, silver utensils, hand written letters that showcases the royal lifestyle.

Waterfalls near Dharamshala:

1. Bhagsunag Fall: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

It is an ideal location for picnicking with your family and loved ones on the way to Dharamshala. It is perhaps the most famous tourist spot in Dharamshala and attracts tourists who wish to explore the beauty of nature and spend time in peace and calmness. The Bhagsunag Waterfall is located on the main road which connects Mcleodganj and Dharamshala.

2. KHABRU WATERFALL: (Is Dharamshala a Hill Station)

It is in Boh valley 45 kms from Dharamshala. It is the highest waterfall in Himachal Pradesh. The waterfall lie close to the dense forest and surrounded by the lush green hills. The enchanting water flows from a height of almost 50 feet. 

On one side, there is the natural chilly water of the Khabru Waterfall and the other side is filled with the greenery of the valley. The area has good transport connection. . However, it is recommended that you should avoid visiting Boh village and the Khabru Waterfall during the monsoons because of heavy landslides.

Activities to do:

It is a hub for adventure lovers.

1. Trekking: It’s a gateway to high-altitude treks through deodar and pine forest. It hosts a number of trekking trails across the Himalayas into the upper Ravi Valley and Chamba district.Trekking trails like hikes to Indrahar Pass, Toral Pass, Bhimghasutri Pass, Dharamshala—Bleni Pass , Kareri Lake, Himani Chamunda, Thatarna and Triund.

Triund trek is one of the top tourist destinations in the region of Dharmshala, Himachal Pradesh.

2. Paragliding: It is an adventure sport that involves gliding on a glider with no fixed support system. you can enjoy the beautiful view of Dharamshala from a different angle. In Dharamsala, a lot of tour and travel agencies provide this service.

 Indrunag and Bir Billing are two of the most popular spots for paragliding in Dharamshala.

3. Camping: The beautiful curves and the hilly landscapes will make camping a wonderful experience in and around Dharamsala. The Nature and fresh air make it more enjoyable.

The trail between Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj is a great camping spot. you can also camp a little after McLeod Ganj which is less populated and more peaceful.

 4. Mountain Cycling: It is one of the perfect way to roam around the town with your friends. It will be a refreshing experience. In the last few years, it has gained popularity and you can easily find renting shops in and around the region.

Food:

1. Tudkiya bhat : It is a variant of a traditional pulao. It is a Himachali dish prepared with ingredients like potato, ginger-garlic, onion along with some spices give its signature flavor.

2. Thukpa: It is one of the most popular and main Tibetan food of many household in Tibet and Dharamshala. It is basically noodles served with soup and a lot of ingredient specially meat.

3. clay oven pizza: pizzas are traditionally made in ovens but they made their pizzas in clay oven which gives it a smokey flavor that definitely enhance its taste.

4. Shapta: It is a flavorful chicken dish prepared in chilli and ginger gravy. traditionally people have it with boa buns but Dharamshala people eat it with rice and roti

5. Alu Phing Sha: It is a Tibetan noodles prepared with mung bean noodles, tender mutton and potato and is served with tingmo.

6. Madra: This dish originates from the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh and is one of the popular local food. The dish mainly consists of soaked chickpeas (chana), & other vegetables along with whole spices, nuts, sugar, fresh coriander, & hing.

Expenses:

The cost to visit Dharamshala depends on the mode of transportation, the route, and the operator: 

• Bus ticket to Dharamshala can cost between ₹99 and ₹1500 per seat, depending on the route, operator, and bus type:
  • Dehradun to Dharamshala: Tickets start at ₹1050 and the trip takes about 11 hours and 18 minutes 
  • Amritsar to Dharamshala: Tickets start at ₹307 and the trip takes about 6 hours and 3 minutes 
  • Paonta Sahib to Dharamshala: Tickets start at ₹1000 and the trip takes about 9 hours and 15 minutes 
  • Haridwar to Dharamshala: Tickets start at ₹633 and the trip takes about 13 hours and 19 minutes 
  • Delhi to Dharamshala: Tickets start at ₹549 and the trip can take 10 to 11 hours 
• Road: You can drive to Dharamshala using NH 154 or NH 503. If you’re traveling from Delhi, you can rent a car or take a taxi. 
• A Train ticket from Delhi to Dharamshala costs between INR 300 and INR 1,000 per person. The journey takes about 6 to 7 hours.
  • Sleeper Class: INR 260–300
  • Third AC (3A): INR 700–2,200
  • Second AC (2A): INR 1,000–3,000
  • First Class (1A): INR 1,700–5,000
  • Although Dharamshala doesn’t have its own railway station, the closest one is Pathankot Station, which is about 86 kilometers away in Punjab. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Dharamshala. 
• The cost of a flight to Dharamshala can vary depending on the route, airline, and whether the flight is one-way or round trip:
  • One-way flights: One-way flights to Dharamshala can cost as little as ₹2,399. 
  • Round trip flights: Round trip flights to Dharamshala can cost as little as ₹4,798. 
  • Return flights: Return flights to Dharamshala can cost as little as ₹3,825. 
  • The nearest airport to Dharamshala is Gaggal airport, which is located about 13 km from the city center. From the airport, you can take a bus or taxi to get to the city. 
• A one week trip to Dharamsala usually costs around ₨24,255 for one person and ₨48,510 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing but remember the more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Conclusion

In DHARAMSHALA, you can visit temples, explore the beauty & calmness of nature, visit the waterfalls, shop for arts & crafts & enjoy the various Tibetan dishes. Now it should become the reason for you to embark on the journey to this lovely hill station of Himachal Pradesh. The place offers many travel attractions and a lot of mouth-watering food.

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