21 Amazing Things To Do In Mcleodganj For A Super-Cool Retreat In 2024

23 Mar 2023

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Snuggled in the Shivaliks, Mcleodganj is a one of its kind destination. Vibrant monasteries, stunning backdrop, quaint cafes, and thrilling adventure activities have made it one of the favorite summer holiday destinations in India. There are a lot of super fun things to do in Mcleodganj. From treks to strolls, hot beverages to delicious food, spiritual places to boat rides – the list has it all.

But before we go ahead with the list of the best things to do in Mcleodganj, let us quickly scan through some essentials that will help you plan your trip to Mcleodganj. Pick the ones that you like the most and slide away for an exciting trip right away!

21 Best Things To Do In Mcleodganj

Now that we have information on when to go to Mcleodganj, let us check out the amazing things to do in Mcleodganj and around. Keep scrolling down and read along!

Dal Lake – Feel The Serene Blue Waters
Sightseeing – Enjoy The Exotic Beauty
Local Markets –Collect The Bizarre Things
Camping – Love The Nature
Kora Circuit – Feel The Tranquillity
Star Gazing – Stars Will Charm You
Yoga Sessions And Spa Therapies – Relax Your Muscles
Cooking Lessons – Learn The Delicacies
Tibetan Institute Of Performing Arts – Know The Ancient Culture
Cafés And Restaurants – Relish Delicious Food
Triund – Experience The Bounty Mountains
Kareri River Trek – Be Close To Nature
Bhagsu Trek – Dive In Natural Beauty
Tsug La Khang – Witness The Eternal Power
Tibetan Museum – Gain Knowledge About Art & Craft
Dhauladhar Range – A Spectacular View
Indrahar Pass Trek- Experience The Thrill
Kangra Valley Trek – Encounter The Lush Green Cover
Namgyal Monastery- Storehouse Of Tibetan Culture
Nechung Monastery – Witness The History Of Tibet
Norbulingka Institute – Witness The Educational Power

1. Dal Lake – Feel The Serene Blue Waters

Going for a boat at Dal Lake is one of the things to do in Mcleodganj with family

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Set amidst the lush green Deodar forests, the beautiful Dal Lake of Mcleodganj offers boating options to tourists. The peaceful & beautiful setting of the lake makes boating in Dal Lake one of the most popular fun things to do in Mcleodganj with kids. The opening hours is 7 am to 8 pm of this.

Time Required: 2-3 hours

Must Read: Triund Trek: A Trekking Paradise For Experts & Beginners To Explore

Himachal Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle

2. Sightseeing – Enjoy The Exotic Beauty

An inside shot of the Namgyal Monstery in Mcleodganj

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Mcleodganj is known for its monasteries, museums, temples, waterfalls, lakes, and Tibetan settlements. While considering the best places to visit in Mcleodganj, tourists can take a half-day city tour. Mcleodganj sightseeing tours include Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang (the residence of Dalai Lama), Bhagsu Falls & Bhagsunath Temple, and Tibetan Museum.

Time Required: 2-3 hours

3. Local Markets – Collect The Bizarre Things

Numerous jewelry items on display at one of the street markets in Mcleodganj

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Like any other destination, shopping in Mcleodganj has its own charm. Kotwali Bazaar, Jogiwara Road, & Mcleodganj Central Square are well-known shopping areas in the district. While the street shops of Kotwali Bazaar are most popular for Tibetan carpets, rugs, & exotic sculptures, the Jogiwara Road holds a reputation of the go-to place for souvenir shopping. The Mcleodganj Central Square is known to have the city’s oldest shop – Nowrojee and Son – that opened in 1860. The entire market area is famous for its wooden carvings, Thangka tapestry paintings, and handicrafts.

Time Required: 2-3 hours

4. Camping – Love Nature

A beautiful sunrise at one of the camp sites near Mcleodganj

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For those who don’t want to go for typical sightseeing, there are other offbeat things to do in Mcleodganj. Camping is one of the fun things that attracts tourists each year. Camping in this heavenly place is like a vacation amidst nature’s beauty. It allows the traveler to enjoy the peaceful time and the gorgeous view of the Himalayan peak. Enjoying camping under the stars with a warm bonfire is one of a kind experience.

Time Required: 1 to 2 Days

5. Kora Circuit – Feel The Tranquillity

A shot of the prayer flags on the Kora Circuit

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Pilgrims and enthusiastic tourists often explore the Kora Circuit, one of the major Mcleodganj tourist attractions. The downslope road around the Tsuglagkhang Complex is a prayer-flag-draped path. At approximately 1.5 km from the begin of the prayer-draped path, one can see the collections of prayer wheels, chortens, and photos of Tibetans who had self-immolated from 2009. The circuit is serene with stunning views, but the track is steep and sometimes quite bumpy.

Time Required: 2-3 hours

6. Star Gazing – Stars Will Charm You

A view of the star-studded night sky as seen on the Triund Trek

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The clear sky over the snow-capped peaks makes star gazing one of the most interesting things to do in Mcleodganj. The activity is delightful for travellers of all kinds – solo travelers, couples, & families – and must not be missed.

Time Required: 3-4 hours

7. Yoga Sessions And Spa Therapies – Relax Your Muscles

Himalaya Shanti Ashram Yoga teachers training with Sharat Arora

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There are many yoga learning centers that offer meditation and yoga sessions for travellers. These kind of activities are popular among spiritual tourists and solo travellers. Om Yoga Centre, Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre, Universal Yoga Centre, and Tushita Meditation Centre are popular Mcleodganj tourist attractions for those who seek peace and relaxation of the soul.

Mcleodganj is also known for the myriad Ayurvedic healing therapies and spa treatments for the complete rejuvenation of body and mind. One such famous place is the Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Centre. Located near Bhagsu Nag, this Ayurveda centre has professional experts and doctors who offer the best-in-class spa treatments. Relaxing spa therapies is one of the refreshing things to do around Mcleodganj.

Time Required: 2-3 hours

8. Cooking Lessons – Learn The Delicacies

Tourists pose with the cook and trainer at the Sangey Kitchen

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Lhamo’s Kitchen and Sangey’s Kitchen offer cooking sessions of authentic Tibetan cuisine for travelers. And believe me, this is one of the most interesting things to do in Mcleodganj. You will get to know the traditional recipes of all the famous dishes from soups to noodles. Afterall learning a new skill is a good deal anyday. The opening and closing hours of this place is from 7 am to 9 pm.

Time Required: 2-3 hours

9. Tibetan Institute Of Performing Arts – Know The Ancient Culture

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Once in Mcleodganj, don’t miss the cultural shows on Tibetan culture – folk dance and music – in Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. This cultural center showcases occasional Tibetan cultural stage performances including traditional Lhamo – the local folk opera. One such performance continues for 6 hours. Of these shows, the annual Shoton Opera Festival – a 9-day long celebration of Traditional Tibetan Opera – is the most popular one.

Entry Charges: INR 50 per person
Time Required: 2-3 hours

10. Cafés And Restaurants – Relish Delicious Food

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The cool and funky cafes and eating joints in Mcleodganj are really cozy and happening. They serve unworldly coffee, steaming hot momos, and thukpa. Relaxing in one of such charming cafes is one of the most preferred things to do in Mcleodganj, especially for solo travelers.

Best Restaurants:

Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen
Shiva Café
Peace Café
Lung Ta
Common Ground Café
Café Budan
Hummingbird Café
Seed Café
Namgyal Café
Tibet Quality Bakery
Lobsang Four Season Cafe

11. Triund – Experience The Bounty Mountains

One of the best things to do in Mcleodganj is trekking. Triund, a 9000 feet range is a 9km trek trail that will leave you with a breathtaking experience. This easy trek will offer you enchanting views of the entire Kangra valley. The short trek can be done from either McLeodganj or Dharamkot. The evening sky will give you all the feels and reason for planning an overnight stay.

Time Required: 3-4 hours

12. Kareri River Trek – Be Close To Nature

One of the most adventurous treks in Himachal, Kareri river trek is a pleasant weekend trek. This trek will take you through the alpine grasslands and subtropical forests. The trek can be completed in 2 days and has a moderate difficulty level. It will be a treat for your eyes to witness the whole region from the top and also the rare flora and fauna as you continue your trek. The best time to go for the trek is the summer season.

Time Required: 3-4 hours

13. Bhagsu Trek – Dive In Natural Beauty

Trek to the Bhagsu waterfalls is one of the exciting activities to do in Mcleodganj. It starts from Mcleodganj and you have to cover a distance of approximately 12 kms. The difficulty level is moderate and is best recommended for beginners. The Bhagsu trek will take you to a small waterfall near Bhagsu village and passes through Dharamkot, Galu, and Naddi Village. Walking through these places will offer you beautiful views.

Time Required: 6 hours

14. Tsug La Khang – Witness The Eternal Power

Prayer candles at Tsuglagkhang: the temple inside the Dalai Lama compound

Tsug La Khang is one of the best places to visit in Mcleodganj. The place is well-known as it is the sanctuary of the Dalai Lama. It consists of Namgyal Monastery and also several shrine rooms such as the statues of Chenrezig, Buddha, and Guru Rinpoche. Art lovers should definitely visit the place to see great pieces of art. Visiting the temple is one of the most important things to do in Mcleodganj.

Time Required: 1-2 hours

15. Tibetan Museum – Gain Knowledge About Art & Craft

Located inside the Tsuglagkhang complex, the Tibetan Museum is unique in all aspects. It is a combination of the conventional and contemporary Tibetan architecture and one of the best places to visit in Mcleodganj. You can find various things here like the Tibetan historical documents, Thangka images, pottery, manuscripts and other handicraft items. Art admirers can also purchase paintings, handicrafts or shop souvenirs.

Time Required: 1-2 hours

16. Dhauladhar Range – A Spectacular View

The gorgeous sunset at Dhauladhar Range is something you should definitely experience. Spend an evening at the summit when you are done with the adventure activities and relax yourself and absorb the natural beauty. You can see the different shades of the sunlight and feel the cool breeze. This magical experience will be a natural therapy to soothe all your senses.

Time Required: 1-2 hours

17. Indrahar Pass Trek- Experience The Thrill

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If you are a trek lover and wondering what to do in Mcleodganj then you must surely do Indrahar Pass Trek in Mcleodganj which begins from Mcleodganj in the Kangra valley and culminates at Chamba. During the trek, people can gather beautiful views of mountain ranges like Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal. The trek will lead you to dense deodar, green meadows and dense forest cover. You will also get to have a look at ancient lands of Gaddi Shepherds. People get to experience the beauty of nature as well as the glimpse of wildlife.

Time Required: 4-5 days

18. Kangra Valley Trek – Encounter The Lush Green Cover

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Experience the panoramic views of Dhauladhar range by opting for Kangra Valley Trek which must be included in some of the things to do in Mcleodganj. Travellers get to witness the ancient temples, scenic beauty of lakes, some of the undiscovered Hindu towns with snow-laden valleys. This trek starts from Mcleodganj and ends by passing through Kareri village and Kereri lake. You can do the trek from March to October which is regarded as the best time.

Time Required: 3-4 days

19. Namgyal Monastery- Storehouse Of Tibetan Culture

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If you are in a dilemma of what to do in Mcleodganj then you can choose to visit Namgyal Monastery for sure and must include things to do in Mcleodganj. The monastery is one of the biggest Tibetan monasteries which was supposed to be the home of the Dalai Lama. Monks impart the knowledge about sacred arts, philosophy, debate and meditation. Experience the eternal environment along with the beautiful statues of Buddha which are admired by the tourists.

Time Required: 1-2 hours

20. Nechung Monastery – Witness The History Of Tibet

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One of the many things to do in Mcleodganj includes a visit to the Nechung Monastery which will give you a broad view of Buddha and the Tibetan State. You will get to witness some of the eerie things including imaginative murals in the inner courtyard. The uncanny paintings of thrashed humans are another strange thing that you will get to see along with deities with skulls of garlands. There are some animals and dragons also in the monastery.

Time Required: 1-2 hours

21. Norbulingka Institute – Witness The Educational Power

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Planning your trip and wondering what to do in Mcleodganj? The Norbulingka Institute is a must-visit in Mcleodganj as you will get to see traditional Tibetan art forms. The Institute is one of the fascinating and beautiful places where the artisans work on statue making of metal, woodcarving, embroidery and thangka paintings. The Institute is known for producing art objects, accessories along with high-quality home furnishings. You can visit the place between 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Time Required: 1-2 hours

How To Reach Mcleodganj

By Air: Gaggal Airport (18 km from Mcleodganj) is the nearest airport.
By Rail: Pathankot Junction (90 km from Mcleodganj) is the nearest railway head.
By Road: Mcleodganj Bus Terminal is well connected by buses from all major cities.

Best Time To Visit Mcleodganj

Mcleodganj is a year-round destination. The summers, i.e March to June, are pleasant and perfect for trekking and sightseeing tours.

Mcleodganj receives heavy rainfall from mid-July to August, at times accompanied by landslides. So, people tend to avoid visiting Mcleodganj during these months. However, the post-monsoon lush green surroundings make September and October in Mcleodganj very beautiful. Tourists come to explore the place in the month of December and Mcleodganj in December is a perfect trip for you if you love explore the magic of snowfall.

Winters, i.e November to February, are cold in Mcleodganj. The snowclad mountains make this destination perfect for a honeymoon trip to Mcleodganj during winters.

Further Read: 3 Girls, INR 3000 And One Wonderful Trip To McLeod Ganj! #HacksIncluded

With so many fun and exciting things to do in Mcleodganj, make sure you plan a trip to Himachal, soon. You will surely have the time of your life at this beautiful hill station with your family and friends. Mcleodganj offers an entire revitalizing therapy along with the natural beauty which will relax all your senses. With so many beautiful places to visit in Mcleodganj, people just dive in close to nature experiencing some cool breeze over the face along with the chirping of the birds.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Mcleodganj

Will it be safe to travel to Mcleodganj from our own private vehicle during COVID situation?

Yes, travelling with your own private vehicle will not be a risk during COVID situation as you will not touch or come in close proximity with anyone else.

Which is the best season to try adventure activities in Mcleodganj?

The best time to visit Mcleodganj is the summer season during the months of March, April, May and June.

Which is the nearest railway station if we travel to Mcleodganj by rail to indulge in some trekking or other activity?

Pathankot Junction is the nearest railway station around 90 kms from Mcleodganj. After which you can take a cab and then enjoy your staycation in Mcleodganj by indulging in various activities.

What we can do in Mcleodganj?

Some of the must-do things in Mcleodganj to make the most of your trip are:
1. Boat ride on Dal Lake
2. Trek to Triund
3. Visiting Bhagsu Falls
4. Shopping at the local market

Is there any snowfall in Mcleodganj?

Yes, Mcleodganj do experience snowfall during winter months. The usual snowfall time in Mcleodganj is from the months of December to February.

Is Mcleodganj a hill station?

Mcleodganj is a popular hill station located in Himachal Pradesh. It is frequently visited by tourists, holidayers, backpackers, and pilgrims throughout the year.

Is Mcleodganj safe for girls?

Mcleodganj is absolutely safe to travel destinations for girls. The town has become a popular hotspot and a safe place for girls to head alone owing to its small size.

How far in Mcleodganj from Dharamshala?

Mcleodganj is located at a distance of 6.2km from Dharamshala and the distance can be easily covered in 30 minutes by road. You can hire a taxi or board a bus to reach here.

How far is Mcleodganj from Ludhiana?

Mcleodganj is located at a distance of 200km from Dharamshala and the distance can be covered in approximately 6 hours.