Mcleodganj Itinerary: A first-timers Travel Guide

Mcleodganj is one of the most famous hill stations often toured by the youth & families alike from the nearby states of Delhi, Haryana & Punjab. Mcleodganj is actually a suburb of Dharmashala which is also known as ‘Little Tibet’ by the nearby community. The exiled government of Tibet actually houses in Mcleodganj which makes it a popular tourist place in Himachal. If you’re not into the famous tourist places, despite that, you should visit Mcleodganj at least once.

The hill station will charm you with the gorgeous views of the Dharamshala valley and snowy peaks ahead. So here is my perfect 2 days Mcleodganj itinerary with all the places to visit in Mcleodganj and around. Also, if you’re visiting Mcleodganj, try to include Palampur in your itinerary as well. 

Don’t miss my Narkanda travel guide!

Mcleodganj Itinerary: Places to visit in Mcleodganj

Mcleodganj Itinerary: Day 1

Places to visit in Mcleodganj

Start your Mcleodganj itinerary with a tempting meal at your hotel. If your hotel’s breakfast menu doesn’t tempt you enough, try Moonlit Espresso Cafe or Illiterati Books & coffee. Both are my favorites, but the latter one has a mini library with amazing collection of books. So book nerds know where they have to go.

Dalai Lama Temple Complex / Tsuglagkhang

One of the most famous places to visit in Mcleodganj is the Dalai Lama Temple. The temple is known as the place where the Dalai Lama resides. The lama visits the temple 2 or 3 times a year and you might get to meet him when his trip concurs with yours. The complex is vast with Lama’s residence, temple and also has the prayer wheels.

Mall Road

I have never been to a hill station without a Mall road as the main attraction point and Mcleodganj is no different. The main road with countless shops for antiques, Tibetian handicrafts and much more. What I love about the Mall Road in Mcleodganj is the option to dine in gorgeous cafes. Great coffee and delicious cakes are indeed my weak spot. Besides these, you will find numerous cuisine options here too.

Food Break

There are some amazing cafes in this hill station, Illiterati and Moonpeak are two of my favourites. Illiterati has a mini library and a view to read your books in peace. And drink coffee with delicious cakes 😉

When talking about food, you’ll find some amazing Tibetian cafes with authentic food here.

Mcleodganj Itinerary: Day 2

Take the best out this Mcleodganj Itinerary by exploring SF on foot near the Haight Ashbury District and the Golden Gate Park. 

Places to visit in Mcleodganj

Try to wear a broken-in pair of walking shoes or comfortable flats, as we’re heading for Bhagsu Falls.

Bhagsu Nag Temple

The Bhagsu Nag temple is located at almost 3 kms from Mcleodganj town. You can either hike to the temple or drive till here. I’d recommend driving as there is another 1 km trek till Bhagsu Fall so you can save your strength for the waterfall trek. 

The shrine is devoted to Lord Shiva and Snake God (Nag Devta). The temple got its name from the King Bhagsu who built it to appease Nag Devta. Nag Devta was annoyed as the King stole water from the Dal Lake. King Bhagsu then asked Nag Devta’s forgiveness and built the temple to please him.

Tip – Photography is not allowed in the temple and cameras /phones are to be submitted in lockers outside.

Bhagsu Nag Fall

Approximately 1km of trek from Bhagsu Nag temple, the 20 meter high waterfall adds beauty to this heavenly mountain range. The mid size waterfall is a popular picnic spot and a refreshing one too. The mountains are covered in snow during winters and the falls get a magnificent look.

If you’re planning on trekking till Triund, then you can take a quick detour and visit the falls too. The Shiva Cafe next to the Bhagsu Fall is one of the most famous places to visit in Mcleodganj.

What to do in Mcleodganj in 3 days: Dinner

Mcleodganj Itinerary: Day 3

On day 3 of this Mcleodganj Itinerary, I recommend driving back to Dharamshala to enjoy a taste of the town.

Dharamshala cricket stadium

Located at the foot of snowy peaks, the Dharamshala cricket stadium is one of the must visit places in Mcleodganj. One of the highest sports ground of the world, the stadium gets it’s share of attention. Also, if you are a cricket fanatic, then you shouldn’t misst Dharamshala cricket stadium.

Dal Lake

One of the less popular places in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj is the Dal Lake. With the same name as Kashmir’s famous Dal Lake, this one doesn’t get that many footfall, hence a perfect fit.

The deodar trees surrounding the Dal Lake give this panoramic beauty an edge. Those who love to visit water bodies should include the lake in their Mcleodganj itinerary.

Tips to get the most out of your visit to Mcleodganj

To make out the best of this Mcleodganj Itinerary, I’d recommend these tips for a memorable trip. 

• Avoid monsoons, you’ll not be able to go out much because of unpredictable weather.
• Pack comfortable shoes as you’ll have to do a lot of walking.
• Take a bus, rather than driving. Parking issues and traffic jams are the worst part of the area.

HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO MCLEODGANJ? HOW MANY DAYS DID YOU SPEND AND WHAT ALL PLACES YOU VISITED? DID YOU LIKE THIS MCLEODGANJ ITINERARY? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

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