Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj: two levels of one town
Dharamshala is the lower town. McLeod Ganj, also written McLeodganj and called Upper Dharamshala, is the suburb above it with the Tsuglagkhang complex and the Tibetan exile community. Older sources and many signs use the spelling Dharamsala. It is the same place.
The district tourism page gives about 10 km by road between the two. Most visitors sleep in McLeod Ganj and come down for a few hours. This page covers what the lower town offers, how to get up and down, and which day trips start here. Prices below are from 2026 and change, so use them as a guide.
Lower Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj compared
Which part of town fits what you want to do.
| Lower Dharamshala | McLeod Ganj | |
|---|---|---|
| Part of town | Lower town around Kotwali Bazar | Upper town around Temple Road |
| Main sights | HPCA cricket stadium, St. John in the Wilderness | Tsuglagkhang complex, Tibetan exile life |
| Ropeway station | Lower station near Byepass Road and Kotwali Bazaar | Upper station on Temple Road |
| Trek starts | – | Dharamkot is the usual base for Triund |
Our picks: Dharamshala sightseeing
City tours by car, from six hours to two days.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two-day private tour of McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala
A private car with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide and sightseeing over two days. The route lists the Dalai Lama Temple and kora, Norbulingka, Gyuto, the Kangra Art Museum and a tea plantation; lunch and monument fees are extra, and lodging is not included.
Check availability →Full-day sightseeing with lunch
A guide, an air-conditioned private car, water, tolls, parking, entries and lunch are included. The route lists the Dalai Lama Temple, Norbulingka, Bhagsu waterfall and Naddi.
Check availability →
Private city tour of McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala
A private car with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide and taxes. The route lists Naddi, Bhagsu, the Dalai Lama Temple, Norbulingka, Gyuto and tea gardens; meals and monument fees are extra.
Check availability →Tours and day trips from Dharamshala
Treks, temple visits and day trips in the Kangra Valley, with live prices and availability.
Dharamshala cricket stadium (HPCA)
The stadium of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association sits in front of the Dhauladhar range and is the best-known sight in the lower town. A local guide lists visits from Monday to Saturday, 10:00–16:00, closed on Sundays, without advance booking. It quotes about ₹50 to ₹250. A second guide quotes ₹20 to ₹30 and does not say which ticket or age group that covers. Treat both as rough and ask at the gate.
Visits can be cut short on match days, during VIP movements and for maintenance. A tour of the stadium is not a match ticket, which is sold separately.
Dharamshala ropeway to McLeod Ganj
The Dharamshala Skyway connects the two levels of town.
The ropeway runs 1.8 km and takes about 5 minutes, according to the operator. The lower station is near Byepass Road and Kotwali Bazaar, the upper station on Temple Road in McLeod Ganj. The operator's website shows 09:30–18:00. Rules from 2021 allow a wider window and say the last ride and ticket sales are one hour before closing. Plan to be back early and read the times posted at the station.
Fares and online booking can change, and the website has carried maintenance notices. Check the current fare and whether it runs on your day at the station or on the operator's site. If the ropeway is not running, use the road.
| Way up | Time | Cost (local estimate, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Ropeway | About 5 minutes | Check at the station |
| Taxi | 20–30 minutes | ₹300–500 |
| Bus | 30–45 minutes | ₹20–30 |
More to see in Dharamshala
Short stops that fit around the stadium or a ropeway ride.
St. John in the Wilderness
A church near Forsyth Ganj, built in 1852 in neo-Gothic style, with Belgian stained-glass windows. Lord Elgin's grave is in the grounds. It is a church, not a Tibetan monastery. Opening times and any fee are not published, so check at the gate.
Tibet Museum and the library
The Tibet Museum is on the grounds of the Central Tibetan Administration in Gangchen Kyishong, on the second floor of the T-Building. Entry is ₹20 for adults, free under 18, and the documentary costs another ₹20. It is open 09:00–17:00 with a lunch break 13:00–14:00 and closed on Saturdays and listed holidays, next on 1 November and 10, 15 and 16 December 2026. The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is on the same grounds, with the same hours but a different closing pattern: it is shut on Sundays and on the 2nd to 5th Saturday of each month.
Little Lhasa guide →Norbulingka Institute
The institute is in Sidhpur, not in the center of McLeod Ganj. It teaches Tibetan arts such as thangka painting and woodcarving, and has gardens with water channels and ponds.
Norbulingka guide →Kangra Fort and Masroor
Kangra Fort is about 20 km and 45 minutes from Dharamshala, and a visit takes 1.5–2 hours. Add the time to get down from McLeod Ganj. The Masroor rock temples, from the early 8th century, are 40–45 km and about 1.5 hours from Dharamshala, a separate trip.
Kangra Fort guide →Plan the rest of your trip
Where Dharamshala fits.
Dharamshala: frequently asked questions
Is Dharamshala the same as McLeod Ganj?
No. Dharamshala is the lower town, McLeod Ganj is the suburb above it, also called Upper Dharamshala. They are about 10 km apart by road.
Can I visit the cricket stadium without a match?
A local guide lists visits from Monday to Saturday, 10:00–16:00, closed Sunday, without advance booking. Visits can be cancelled on match days, for VIP movements or for maintenance, so ask on the day.
How long does the ropeway take?
About 5 minutes over 1.8 km, according to the operator. Check the current fare and whether it runs on your day.
Is St. John in the Wilderness a monastery?
No. It is a church from 1852 near Forsyth Ganj, built in neo-Gothic style, with Lord Elgin's grave in the grounds.
How far is Kangra Fort from Dharamshala?
A local source gives about 20 km and 45 minutes from Dharamshala, plus 1.5–2 hours for the visit. From McLeod Ganj, add the trip down.