Best known as the home of the Dalai Lama—and the site of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile—Dharamsala and the surrounding communities of McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu, and Dharamkot have long drawn in visitors interested in Tibetan culture and spirituality. While many of the best things to do in Dharamsala are centered on learning about Tibetan traditions, it’s also a great base for lovers of the great outdoors, as Dharamsala is the starting point for hikes to Triund Hill and multi-night treks to the Indrahar Pass in the Himalayas.
If weather is your biggest concern, the best time to visit Dharamsala is between September and November or March through May. The June–August monsoon rains can bring landslides and road closures, while the December–February winter season can get really cold. Some restaurants and meditation centers close in early December and don’t reopen until the annual Losar (Tibetan New Year) holiday, which falls at some point in February.
Most visitors to Dharamsala actually stay just above the city, in McLeod Ganj, or just beyond in the towns of Bhagsu and Dharamkot. All three communities are small and easy to navigate on foot, but taxis are available at the main bus stop in the heart of McLeod Ganj if you need to go longer distances. There’s also a cable car, the Dharamshala Skyway, which connects McLeod Ganj to Dharamsala below, as well as regular bus service.
Dharamsala is a great place to try out traditional Tibetan food. Momos—dumplings stuffed with veggies or meat and steamed or fried—are perhaps the best-known Tibetan treat and are found at nearly every restaurant in town (and at plenty of street stalls). Other must-tries include thukpa (a type of noodle soup) and tingmo, steamed buns that go great with gravy-based dishes. You can try these dishes and more at Snow Lion Restaurant on Jogiwara Road.
