McLeod Ganj in twelve stops
This is an editorial selection, not a ranking. Eight of the twelve places are in McLeod Ganj or a short walk or ride away. Triund, Norbulingka, lower Dharamshala and Kangra Fort need more time and are marked as trips beyond the town.
There is no combined ticket and no town pass, so every stop has its own fee, and several are free. Fees below are adult fees in Indian rupees (₹) as listed in 2026. Where two sources disagree, the text says so. Do not plan to see all twelve in one day.
In and around the town
Tibetan McLeod Ganj and one colonial church.
1. Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple
The temple stands together with the Namgyal monastery and the residence of the Dalai Lama. The residence is not open to visitors. A local guide lists free entry from early morning to early evening, but no official hours are published, and events can interrupt a visit. Cover shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes where signs say so.
Dalai Lama Temple →2. Tibet Museum
The museum is in Gangchen Kyishong, on the second floor of the T-Building near the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Adults pay ₹20 and visitors under 18 enter free. The documentary costs another ₹20. It is open from 09:00 to 17:00 with a break from 13:00 to 14:00, and closed on Saturdays and on listed holidays. Upcoming closures in 2026 are 1 November, 10 December, 15 December and 16 December. Sunday is not the rest day.
Little Lhasa →3. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
The library is a separate institution in the same compound. It works from 09:00 to 17:00 with a lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00. It is closed on Sundays, on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Saturday of each month and on official holidays, including 1 November and 10 December 2026. Its hours do not apply to the museum.
Tibetan institutions →4. St. John in the Wilderness
This church near Forsyth Ganj was built in 1852 in neo-Gothic style and has stained-glass windows from Belgium. Lord Elgin's grave is in the grounds. It is not a Tibetan monastery. Check opening times locally, since no fixed interior hours are published.
Dharamshala →Our picks: things to do
A street food walk, a tandem flight at Bir and a day among Tibetan monasteries.
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.
Monasteries and Tibetan sites with hotel pickup
Six hours with an English-speaking guide, water, and hotel pickup and return. The route lists the Dalai Lama Temple, Nechung, Norbulingka, Gyuto and a nunnery; meals and monument fees are extra.
Check availability →
Tandem paragliding at Bir Billing
A tandem flight with a certified pilot, the taxi from Bir to Billing and snacks with chai at the launch site. The listing puts the flight itself at 20 to 30 minutes, not the full two hours.
Check availability →
Street food walk in McLeod Ganj
Two hours with a guide (English or Hindi), tastings and a drink. Hotel transfer and a bottle of water are not included.
Check availability →McLeod Ganj tours and experiences
Treks, temple and town walks and day trips in the Kangra Valley, with live prices and availability.
Short walks and villages
Four places for a half day on foot.
5. Bhagsunag Temple
The temple is dedicated to Shiva as Bhageshwar and to Bhagsunag. The story of King Bhagsu is a legend. A spring-fed pool lies in front of the temple, and it is not the waterfall. The district page describes ritual bathing in this pool. The temple area is 2 to 3 km from the McLeod Ganj bazaar.
Bhagsu →6. Bhagsu Waterfall
From the temple it is another 500 to 1,000 m, about 15 to 30 minutes one way. The district page gives a height of roughly 20 to 30 m and the strongest flow from July to September. It also warns of slippery ground after rain. Strong flow is not a reason to visit in the monsoon, and this guide does not recommend swimming at the falls.
Bhagsu Waterfall →7. Dharamkot
The village lies above McLeod Ganj and is the usual starting area for the Triund trail. The district description also places it on the route towards Laka, the Lahesh Cave and the Indrahar Pass. There is no paved road to those high places.
Dharamkot →8. Naddi and Dal Lake
Dal Lake near Tota Rani is a small lake of about 1 ha at 1,775 m, 2 to 3 km west of the bazaar, and not the Dal Lake of Srinagar. The district page lists free entry and roughly 07:00 to 20:00. It also describes the lake as sometimes drying out in early 2026, so do not count on open water. Naddi next to it is a viewpoint for the Dhauladhar range, with no guarantee of clear views.
Naddi and Dal Lake →Beyond the town
These four need half a day or more, and they are not in central McLeod Ganj.
9. Triund
The district page, last updated in 2024, gives 9 km from McLeod Ganj, with paths from Dharamkot, Bhagsunag, Dal Lake and Rawa meeting at the Galu temple at 2,130 m. From Dharamkot it names about 4 hours to the top. The height appears as 2,875 m and as 2,975 m on the same page. A refundable ₹500 waste deposit is reported since 11 August 2026. Check the weather and the current rules before you go.
Triund trek →10. Norbulingka Institute
The institute is in Sidhpur, not in the middle of McLeod Ganj. It teaches Tibetan arts such as thangka painting, statue making, woodcarving and textile work, and it has gardens with water channels and ponds. The Losel Doll Museum is listed separately. One operator page gives 09:00 to 17:00 on seven days, another gives 17:30. An entrance fee of ₹50 appears on one page. Confirm at the gate.
Norbulingka →11. Lower Dharamshala, the stadium and the ropeway
Kotwali Bazar belongs to the lower town. A local guide lists stadium visits from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 16:00, closed on Sunday, with fees between ₹50 and ₹250, while another guide says ₹20 to ₹30. Match days, VIP movements and maintenance can close it. The Dharamshala Skyway ropeway runs 1.8 km in about 5 minutes between the lower town and Temple Road in McLeod Ganj. Check its status and fare first.
Dharamshala below →12. Kangra Fort
This Katoch fort is a protected monument, and it was badly damaged in the earthquake of 4 April 1905. A local guide gives about 20 km and 45 minutes from Dharamshala, plus the ride down from McLeod Ganj, and 1.5 to 2 hours for the visit. Guides list fees and closing days differently: about ₹150 for Indian visitors in one, ₹30 for Indians and ₹300 for foreigners with a Monday closure in another. Ask before you go.
Kangra Fort →The twelve stops at a glance
Listed 2026 information. Fees and hours change.
| Stop | Fee listed | Hours listed | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsuglagkhang | Free (local guide) | Early morning to early evening | McLeod Ganj |
| Tibet Museum | ₹20, under 18 free | 09:00–17:00, closed Saturday | Gangchen Kyishong |
| Library (LTWA) | – | 09:00–17:00, closed Sunday | Gangchen Kyishong |
| St. John in the Wilderness | – | – | Forsyth Ganj |
| Bhagsunag Temple | – | – | 2–3 km from the bazaar |
| Bhagsu Waterfall | – | – | 15–30 minutes beyond the temple |
| Dharamkot | – | – | Above McLeod Ganj |
| Naddi and Dal Lake | Free | About 07:00–20:00 | 2–3 km west of the bazaar |
| Triund | ₹500 refundable deposit | – | 9 km from McLeod Ganj |
| Norbulingka | ₹50 on one page | 09:00 to 17:00 or 17:30 | Sidhpur |
| Stadium and ropeway | Varies | Stadium 10:00–16:00; ropeway 09:30–18:00 shown | Lower Dharamshala |
| Kangra Fort | Sources differ | Sources differ | About 20 km from Dharamshala |
A dash means no fee or hour is given for 2026, so ask locally. For the full picture of the town, start with the home page.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where these stops fit.
Things to do in McLeod Ganj: frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do in McLeod Ganj?
That depends on your time and the season. Most visitors start with the Tsuglagkhang and add the Tibet Museum, Bhagsu or Naddi. The list above is a selection, not a ranking.
How many days do I need?
Two days cover the temple, the museum and one walk. Triund, Norbulingka or Kangra Fort each take a half to a full day. Seeing everything in one day is not realistic.
Which stops are free?
A local guide lists free entry for the Tsuglagkhang, and the district page lists Dal Lake as free. There is no town-wide ticket. The Tibet Museum charges ₹20 for adults and is free for under-18s.
Is the Tibet Museum open on Sundays?
The operator does not name Sunday as a closing day. It is closed on Saturdays and on listed holidays. The next closures are 1 November, 10 December, 15 December and 16 December 2026.
Can I visit the Dalai Lama's residence?
No. The residence is described as not open to visitors. See the Dalai Lama Temple page for what you can visit and how teachings and audiences work.