Choose the area before the hotel
McLeod Ganj, also written McLeodganj and called Upper Dharamshala, spreads over a ridge, and nearby villages sit above and beside it. Where you sleep decides how you reach the temple, the trails and the buses. This guide compares areas by location. It names no hotels and quotes no room prices, because rates change by season and date.
Distances below come from the district tourism pages and are rough road distances, not walking times. The walk from a given room depends on where it stands.
McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot or Bhagsu: areas compared
What each area is close to and what to expect.
| Area | Where it is | Close to | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLeod Ganj | Upper town around Temple Road | Tsuglagkhang complex, ropeway upper station | The sensible base for temple visits |
| Dharamkot | Above McLeod Ganj | Start of the Triund trail | Trail area, with no road to the high trek goals |
| Bhagsu | 2–3 km from the main bazaar | Bhagsunag Temple and the waterfall | Not next to the main temple |
| Naddi | 2–3 km west of the bazaar, on the road to Naddi | Dal Lake and a viewpoint | Views are not guaranteed |
| Lower Dharamshala | Lower town around Kotwali Bazar | HPCA stadium, ropeway lower station | About 10 km by road below McLeod Ganj |
Tours and day trips from McLeod Ganj
Temple visits, treks and day trips in the Kangra Valley, with live prices and availability.
Which area for which plan
Match the base to what you came for.
Temple, Tibetan sights and the bazaar
Stay in McLeod Ganj. The Tsuglagkhang complex and Temple Road are here, and the ropeway's upper station is on Temple Road. That does not promise a short walk from every room, so ask where a room stands.
The Dalai Lama Temple →Triund and the high trails
Dharamkot lies above McLeod Ganj and is the usual starting area for Triund. The district page lists the route on to Laka, the Lahesh cave and the Indrahar Pass, and none of those high goals has a paved road. Treks have their own permit and weather rules.
Dharamkot guide →The waterfall and the temple pool
Bhagsu is 2–3 km from the bazaar, with the temple area first and the waterfall a further 500–1,000 m, about 15–30 minutes each way.
Bhagsu waterfall guide →Quiet outskirts and views
Naddi lies on the road from McLeod Ganj to Naddi and the Dal Lake, about 2–3 km west of the bazaar. It is a combined viewpoint. The lake is small, about 1 hectare at 1,775 m, and has been low or dry at times in 2026.
Naddi and Dal Lake →Stadium, ropeway and day trips by road
Lower Dharamshala suits a short stay built around the cricket stadium or an early start for Kangra Fort, about 20 km away. You then travel up to McLeod Ganj for the temple.
Dharamshala guide →Season and what to ask before you book
The Dharamshala station normals show a mean low of 5.9 °C in January and 942.3 mm of rain in August. In winter, ask how a room is heated. In the monsoon, ask about road access and drainage. October and November are drier.
Other useful questions: whether hot water is available all day, how steep the last stretch from the road is, and where luggage can be left. Ask about steps and step-free access if that matters to you.
Registration for foreign guests
The paperwork starts at the front desk.
Accommodation for foreign guests must register them through the C-form. You need your passport and a valid visa to check in. Keep a copy of your C-form, because it is one of the documents the office of the Dalai Lama asks for when you register for a teaching. See the temple guide for that process.
For the journey itself, see the getting-there guide.
Getting there →Plan the rest of your trip
After you have chosen a base.
Where to stay in McLeod Ganj: frequently asked questions
Should I stay in McLeod Ganj or Dharamkot?
McLeod Ganj suits temple visits and the bazaar. Dharamkot lies above it and is the usual start area for the Triund trail. Choose by what you plan to do.
Is Bhagsu close to the Dalai Lama Temple?
No. Bhagsu is 2–3 km from the main bazaar, near the Bhagsunag Temple and the waterfall. Do not treat a room there as next to the main temple.
Is it worth staying in lower Dharamshala?
For the cricket stadium or an early start for Kangra Fort it can work. Lower Dharamshala is about 10 km by road below McLeod Ganj, so the temple needs a trip up.
Do I need to register at my hotel as a foreigner?
Yes. Accommodation must register foreign guests through the C-form and asks for your passport and valid visa.
Can you tell me which hotel is best?
This guide compares areas, not hotels, because rooms, rates and availability change. Choose the area first, then check current offers and the questions above.