Dharamshala is one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh having splendid surroundings, magnificent monasteries and chief Tibetan Bud-dhist center. Still, speaking of Dharamshala itself, the places to visit near Dharamshala are equally as beautiful and picturesque, and ideal for anyone in search of the best places nearby. There is no doubt that the people interested in nature, traveling or looking for free time retreats will find something to do in the areas near Dharamshala. From the tallest mountain peaks, beautiful lakes to historical temples, this region should be on every traveler’s list.
In this blog, we will show you the places to visit near Dharamshala which one can explore. These are a few offbeat places that are worth visiting for their natural beauty, adventurous and other worldlike experience. These places are perfect whether you went alone, with friends, or with your family, you will never cease to marvel at God’s creation and the heritage of the locality.
Top Tourist Destination Near Dharamshala
It is rather striking to see that the surroundings of Dharamshala incorporate plenty of picturesque views and entitled enough enjoyable sights. Here are some of the most recommended places to visit near Dharamshala which are a must visit.
1. McLeod Ganj
Just a little distance from Dharamshala lies McLeod Ganj which has become famous as ‘Little Lhasa’ because of the total dominance of Tibetan culture. It is a spiritual and cultural center of gravity because it is his residence; in this state is the Dalai Lama. It also has monasteries with serenity and tranquility, art and craft the way of Tibetan and cafes that make your hearts light. The Tsuglagkhang Complex is a ‘must visit’, and near-by treks like that to Triund offer a very good view of the Dhauladhar ranges.
2. Triund Hill
For the trekkers especially to Triund Hill, it is such a privilege to have this place among other places to visit near Dharamshala. This nine kms walking tour begins at McLeodGanj and facilitates a marvelous look at the Snow Capped Himalayas. The trek is average in nature, thus it is commonly preferable for newcomers. What one can like about the camping at Triund is the experience of spending a night on the ridge under the open sky.
3. Bhagsu Waterfall
Bhagsu Waterfalls lies just beside Bhagsu Village and is one of the perfect places to visit near Dharamshala to relax among the tourists. The waterfall is deeply covered by trees and the sound of falling water creates a serene looking. There is also Bhagsunag Temple which is also famous for the temple of lord shiva along with panoramic nature.
4. Dharamkot
It is a beautiful and prodigiously serene village having its residence near Dharamshala, away from the hustle of the tourist attractions. This particular beach is renowned for its yoga and meditation holidays, so getting a break from this beach would definitely help you recharge your batteries. The backdrop of mountain ranges particularly Dhauladhar is very scenic and the village offers few traditional style cafes, making it one of the best places to visit near Dharamshala.
5. Palampur
Palampur is another best place to visit near Dharamshala which is around 35 km from Dharamshala and is blessed with tea gardens and pine trees all around. It has a picturesque location and fine climate for which it has another name- ‘Tea Capital of Northwest India.’ You can visit Palampur tea gardens, Tashi Jong Monastery and Saurabh Van Vihar for a day trip if you are not interested in exploring more about Palampur.
6. Bir Billing
Often called the paragliding capital of India, Bir Billing is one of the best places to visit near Dharamshala and at a rather short taxi ride distance from Dharamshala. It affords panoramic views of the mountains; many people take paragliding in the area to be one of the most enjoyable adventures. Tourists including adventurers flock to Bir Billing for the exciting flying experience in the Himalayas. But it’s also possible to have some fun there, for example, camping, or, if you are not really a fan of walking, trekking.
7. Indrahar Pass
If you love the outside area, then there are quite many activities to be indulged in; paragliding, trekking, and camping are among the exciting activities to be undertaken around the region at Dharamshala. Any experienced trekker must consider the Indrahar Pass trek. This trek starts from McLeod Ganj considering many forests of the area, rocky surfaces and other fascinating terrains. The pass side provides beautiful sweeps of Himalayan ranges and the overall trek is full of moments of adventure for those who are into it. Therefore, it is one of the most amazing places to visit near Dharamshala for adventure lovers.
8. Kareri Lake
Another relatively less explored place nearby Dharamshala is the naturistic Kareri Lake, which is a mountain freshwater lake with a setting of towering pine trees and snow clad peaks. Camping is allowed at the lake, or one can take the eventful trek to the Kareri Lake Throughout the trek, one is bound to be blessed with beautiful sights of nature. It is a perfect calm in natural life as it has clear water for water animals and birds to freely swim and fly, thereby considered as one of the most peaceful places to visit near Dharamshala.
9. Chamunda Devi Temple
Dharamsala and its vicinity has many spiritual and cultural values ideally located for pilgrim tours. A few kilometers away from Dharamshala, about 15 km, the Chamunda Devi Temple is a temple for the goddess Chamunda, who is the form of Durga. The location of the temple is at the right bank of the Baner River and is bordered by beautiful hills making it one of the best places to visit near Dharamshala for people interested in spirituality. The temple is a popular pilgrimage center and lots of people flock to receive the blessings of the deity.
10. Norbulingka Institute
The Norbulingka Institute is the leading cultural and traditional art of Tibet. This, one of the interesting places to visit near Dharamshala, provides such opportunities by holding workshops in painting, weaving, sculpting etc. The institute’s physical atmosphere, landscaped aesthetics, and a blend of culture enhance its general physical setting.
Conclusion
Dharamshala doesn’t only encompass a beautiful place but it opens the gateway to such a beautiful big world. If you are searching for the best place to visit near Dharamshala for one weekend or more then the beauty of the places around it will blow your mind off. Starting from exciting Bir Billing to calm Bhagsu Waterfall, each and every location nearby Dharamshala is filled with something or another.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. When is the right time to go exploring Dharamshala and neighboring locations?
It is best to visit Dharamshala and the areas nearby during the time between March and June. Autumn sits between the months of September and November while winter is between December to February if you love snow.
2. What is the distance between Bir Billing and Dharamshala?
Bir Billing is situated around 65 Kms away from Dharamshala though road transport is the best way to reach here. About 2 to 3 hours to get there by car.
3. Which are the most suitable treks for a tourist around Dharamshala?
For trekking Dharamshala offers wonderful options for tourists – Triund Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, Indrahar Pass Trek and others.
4. How many hours will it take me to cover Dharamshala for McLeod Ganj?
In truth, it is about 45 minutes of driving from Dharamshala to McLeod for twin city sightseeing. Instead, a longer stay opens up an opportunity to explore the attraction interest within a given region.
5. Is paragliding in Bir Billing appropriate for learners?
Indeed, paragliding at Bir Billing is safe for first timers. You are always accompanied by experienced pilots and all necessary measures are taken to guarantee both safety and experience.
