Dharamshala, a famous hill station in the North is famous as being the holy residence of the Dalai Lama, located in the Kangra district. The town is situated on the upper land of Kangra Valley, situated against the picturesque beauty of Dhauladhar ranges. This Tibetan hub is considered to be the best hub of learning and exploring Tibetan and Buddhism Culture. This is a panoramic hill station is tucked away in the Himalayas. With its scenic surrounding of Dhauladhar range and thick deodar forests, the town has become the prime highlight of Himachal Tourism. There is an additional perk for traveling to Dharamshala and that is – you can also explore some of the best places to visit near Dharamshala. If you are interested and then keep reading.
Weather In Dharamshala In December
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Winter is the time of witnessing harsh weather conditions in North India, and weather in Dharamshala is no different. Winters in this town are freezing with ample amount of snow dominating the season. This month experiences increasing amount of cloud cover and the percentage of cloudy sky increases from 26% to 35%. The average high temperature experienced during this month is 16.7 degree Celsius along with temperature dropping as low as 7.4 degree Celsius.
Must Read: 6 Beautiful Resorts Near Dharamshala Where You Can Have A Comfortable Stay!
7 Places To Visit Near Dharamshala
Are you planning a holiday to Dharamshala and looking for a few refreshing escapes around it? Here is the list of the top places to visit near Dharamshala that you can cover this year. Take a good look at it and choose the best ones for you.
- Manali – Majestic Views
- Bir – Nature’s Delight
- Masrur – Rock-Cut Temples
- McLeod Ganj – Panoramic Landscapes
- Kangra – Spiritual Visits
- Dal Lake – Mesmerizing Views
- Bhagsu Waterfall – Serene Valleys
1. Manali – Majestic Views
Manali is located in the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh which is regarded as one of the best places to visit near Dharamshala. This is an immensely popular destination which is situated at an elevation of 2,050 meters while offering a majestic view of the great Pir Panjal Range of Upper Himalayas. Some of the popular tourist places in Manali include Bhrigu Lake trek, Hidimba Devi Temple and Jogini Falls. Its quaint surrounding villages such as Vashisht, Naggar and Jagatsukh are some of the great spaces to unwind and relax in peace. Solang is another popular tourist spot in Manali, popular for adventure sports such as skiing. This is surely one of the tourist places near Dharamshala.
Things to do: Adventure sports, vacation
Popular for: adventure sports, honeymoon destination
Trip duration: 3 days
Weather: Cool throughout the year, severely cold in winters
Best time to visit: March to June
How to reach: Kullu Manali airport at bhuntar is the closest airport to Manali, and Joginger Nagar is the nearby railhead, however Ambala and Chandigarh are the prominent railway stations
Distance from Dharamshala: 234 KM
Places to stay: Cafe chalte chalte home, Green Home Cottage and Hotel Pushpak Mall Road Manali
Popular tourist attractions: Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass
Suggested Read: 15 Hotels In Dharamshala Amid The Misty Hills
Himachal Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
2. Bir – Nature’s Delight
If you are looking for some quaint place to visit near Dharamshala then you must visit Bir. It is highly popular for being the second highest paragliding ground in the world and is the home to several Tibetan refugees. Situated in the Joginder Nagar Valley, the place has emerged as the prominent destination boasts diverse attractions. Some of the major attractions include deer park, Bir Tibetan Colony, Bir Tea Factory and Chokling Gompa. Enjoy paragliding and few other adventure sports during you stay at Bir.
Things to do: adventure sports, camping
Popular for: Paragliding
Trip duration: 1 day
Weather: Pleasant during summers and cold during winters
Best time to visit: March to May, November to February
How to reach: Bir can be reached easily by road while the nearest railway station is Pathankot
Distance from Dharamshala: 64 KM
Places to stay: Pink Park Hotel, Flügler Hostels Bir and Zostel Bir 2.0
Popular tourist attractions: Chokling Monastery, Dharmalaya Institute, Sherab Ling Monastery and Bir Tea Factory
Suggested Read: 6 Adventure Sports In Dharamshala That Will Calm Down Your Adrenaline Rush!
3. Masrur – Rock-Cut Temples
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Masrur, another popular destination of Dharamshala is popular for the rock-cut temples which are popular for its inception back to the 8th century AD. The place is popularly known for its Sikharas that resembles Angkor Wat of Cambodia. The temples are adorned with carvings that are beautified with fine detailing which is a beauty in itself. The carvings comprise of varied images of Hindu deities including Sita, Lord Ram, Lakshmana of Ramayana.
Things to do: Visit nearby temples and explore the history
Popular for: Unique architecture, history, Literature
Trip duration: 2 days
Weather: Pleasant in summers
Best time to visit: March to October
How to reach: You can either take a bus from Dharamshala or Kangra till Lunj or take a taxi to reach Masrur, or take a taxi directly
Distance from Dharamshala: 46.6 KM
Places to stay: Raadballi Retreat, Hotel Sai Villa and GARG RESIDENCY
Popular tourist attractions: Bajreshwari Devi Temple, Baglamukhi Temple and Tatwani Hot Spring
Suggested Read: Discovering Pleasure In The Pathless Woods: Shekhar’s Solo Trip To Dharamshala & Dalhousie
4. McLeod Ganj – Panoramic Landscapes
McLeod Ganj has derived its name from Sir Donald Friell McLeod, ex Lt.Governor of Punjab who was responsible for bringing about development in the town at large. The place is highly famous for a number of attractions such as the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama. The place is frequently visited by tourists interested in Tibetan culture, its beautiful temples and handicrafts. This is one of the tourist places near Dharamshala. Hanuman Tibba is its highest peak, situated at a height of 5,639 metres above sea level, a view seen from LcLeod Ganj. The place can be visited at any point of the year and appears equally beautiful all throughout, however tourists usually prefer visiting here in the winters. It is the best site for mountaineering in Himalayas.
Famous for: Tibetan Culture, View, viewpoint
Things to do: Adventure sports, camping
Trip duration: 2 days
Weather: Pleasant during summers
Best time to visit: March to June, October to February
How to reach: Take a bus from Dharamshala to reach McLeodganj. The nearest airport in Kangra Airport, located 18KM away
Distance from Dharamshala: 10.0 KM
Places to stay: Cookies Hostel, Tibet World and La Vaca India McLeodganj
Popular tourist attractions: Nechung Monastery, Bhagsu Falls and Sunset Point
Suggested Read: A Girls Trip To Dharamshala Turned Out To Be The Best Decision Of Our Lives
5. Kangra – Spiritual Visits
Kangra Fort is one among the famous tourist places that have Dharamshala as its administrative headquarters. Beas River flows through Kangra valley which makes it popular as the backdrop of Dhauladhar range. Kangra is widely popular for Kangra Fort which is constructed by Katoch Empire that goes back to the 4th century BC. This is one among the best tourist places around Dharamshala. This makes it the oldest fort in India which not only has gained importance as an epic historical structure, but also is a spectacular viewpoint. This is from where you can view the adjoining Kangra village and the rivers. You can also plan a visit to the beautiful places to visit in Kangra.
Popular for: Kangra Fort, adventure sports
Things to do: Visit nearby tourist sports, perform adventure sports
Trip duration: 1 day
Weather: Pleasant during summers and cold during winters
Best time to visit: May – June for adventure sports, September to November for sightseeing
How to reach: The nearest railway station is Pathankot lying 87 KM from Kangra, alternatively you can hire a taxi
Distance from city centre: 23.1KM
Places to stay: HOTEL ANAND PALACE, Camp Jungle Junction and GARG RESIDENCY
Popular tourist attractions: Kangra Fort, Dhauladhar Ranges and Dhauladhar Ranges
Suggested Read: Top Things To Do In Dharamshala: A Mix Bag Of 22 Popular And Offbeat Activities
6. Dal Lake – Mesmerizing Views
Dharamshala in itself is a pristine place, and Dal Lake is one of the pristine places in Kangra. This water body is beautifully surrounded with coniferous deodar trees. It is a beautiful viewpoint from where you can witness the surrounding mountains standing on the banks of the lake. You can enjoy a picnic with your family on the banks and experience the beauty of nature God in December. Apart from the scenic view, the lake is also extremely popular for boating and has guides and boats available on the banks all year round. One must visit Dal Lake at least once in their lifetime as it is one of the best places to visit near Dharamshala.
Things to do: adventure sports, camping
Popular for: Scenic View, photography, boating, view point
Trip duration: 1 day
Weather: Pleasant during summers and cold during winters
Best time to visit: March to May, November to February
How to reach: You can hire a car to reach the lake
Distance from Dharamshala: 8.6 KM
Places to stay: Dal Lake Resort, Tibet World and Ram Yoga House
Popular tourist attractions: Naddi View Point, Tibetan Museum and Tibetan Museum
Suggested Read: A Weekend Trip To Dharamshala Is The Perfect Summer Getaway
7. Bhagsu Waterfall – Serene Valleys
The Bhagsu waterfall is another significant tourist place to be visited in winter due to its utmost serenity and mesmerizing view. The waterfall in addition with the surrounding foliage makes the place a must visit for the trekkers and rock climbers interested in adventure sports. Adventure enthusiasts frequently visit this place to experience the breathtaking view and scenic beauty the place has to offer. This is certainly one among the best tourist places around Dharamshala.
Famous for: adventure sports, scenic beauty
Things to do: Visit nearby tourist sports, perform adventure sports
Trip duration: 1 day
Weather: Pleasant during summers
Best time to visit: March to June
How to reach: Take a taxi
Distance from Dharamshala: 7.1 KM
Places to stay: Mana our cafe, Hotel bhagsu sunrise and Usha cottage
Popular tourist attractions: Bhagsunath Temple, Ayuskama Ayurveda Institute and Triund Hill
Further Read: 15 Best Places To Visit Near Dharamshala That Make For Lovely Detours
Dharamshala, the perfect amalgamation of scenic beauty and adventure spots, indeed welcomes all tourists with warm hands to experience the beauty nature has to offer. Make sure you do not skip out on these places to visit near Dharamshala while planning your trip. Get in touch with TravelTriangle for Dharamshala trip to simplify your holiday planning!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit Near Dharamshala
Is December a safe time to visit Dharamshala?
Yes, winters are considered to be a safe time for visiting Dharamshala to experience the serene and tranquil nature of the hill station. The temperature during winter varied between 4 to 7 degrees Celsius.
What is Dharamshala famous for?
Dharamshala is famous for a diverse number of things which include its Tibetan temples, adventure sports, scenic beauty, spectacular viewpoints, Tibetan culture, and authentic Tibetan cuisine.
Does Dharamshala experience snowfall?
Yes, Dharamshala experiences snowfall, however, if you are lucky, you might experience it. Snowfall starts from the end of December to the month of February.
How far is McLeodGanj from Dharamshala?
The two popular hill stations are not that far apart, rather are situated close by one another. Both of these places are situated at a distance of only 10KM.
Can Dharamshala be visited in December?
Yes, Dharamshala can very well be visited in December as winters are one of the best months to enjoy the beauty of the hill station. Winter in Dharamshala starts from September and continues till February. The temperature usually wanders around 4 to 7 degrees Celsius during this time.
What adventure sports can be enjoyed in Dharamshala?
Paragliding is a major adventure sport that can be enjoyed by adventure enthusiasts in Dharamshala. Apart from paragliding, you can also enjoy rock climbing, hiking, trekking, rappelling, and camping and so on.
Is it safe to experience adventure sports in Dharamshala?
Yes, it is completely safe to enjoy adventure sports in Dharamshala as all are performed under the supervision of trained specialists.
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