Dharamshala in 2, 3 or 5 days: which trip should you pick?

2 days: Triund Overnight Trek — Sunset & Sunrise on the Dhauladhar Ridge

1. Day 1McLeodganj to Triund — Meet in McLeodganj, The climb, Triund ridge (about 2,850 m), Sunset and dinner
2. Day 2Sunrise, Snowline option, back down — Light on the snow, Snowline (optional), Descend

Highlights: Camp on the ridge with the Dhauladhar wall right in front of you · Sunset over the Kangra valley and sunrise on the snow · An optional climb to Snowline on day 2.

3 days: Kareri Lake Trek in 3 Days — A Quiet Glacial Lake in the Dhauladhar

1. Day 1Dharamshala to Kareri village — Pickup in Dharamshala, Up to the village, Kareri village (about 1,980 m)
2. Day 2Kareri village to Kareri Lake — Along the Nyund, Kareri Lake (about 2,934 m), Camp by the lake
3. Day 3Kareri Lake to Dharamshala — The lake at dawn, All the way down, Drop

Highlights: A shallow glacial lake with a small Shiva temple on its bank · A homestay night with a Gaddi shepherd family · Stream-side forest walking the whole way.

3 days: Dharamshala in 3 Days — McLeodganj, Monasteries & Triund Sunrise

1. Day 1McLeodganj: the Tibetan town — Pickup, Tsuglagkhang complex, Bhagsu, Tibetan dinner and orientation
2. Day 2Up to Triund — From Galu Devi temple, Triund ridge (about 2,850 m), Camp on the ridge
3. Day 3Triund sunrise, Norbulingka, drop — On the snow, Descend, Norbulingka Institute, Drop

Highlights: A night on Triund ridge, with sunset over Kangra and sunrise on the Dhauladhar · The Tsuglagkhang complex and the Tibet Museum, with a local host · Bhagsu waterfall and the Bhagsunag temple.

4 days: Indrahar Pass Trek in 4 Days — Over the Dhauladhar

1. Day 1McLeodganj to Triund — Meet in McLeodganj, Up to Triund, Triund camp (about 2,850 m)
2. Day 2Triund to Lahesh Cave — Via Snowline, Lahesh Cave (about 3,500 m)
3. Day 3Indrahar Pass, back to Lahesh — Summit push, On the pass, Back down
4. Day 4Lahesh Cave to McLeodganj — The long descent, Drop

Highlights: Cross the Dhauladhar at about 4,342 m · Views south to the Kangra plains and north to the Pir Panjal · Triund, Snowline and Lahesh Cave on the way up.

When to go

March to June for clear mountain views and open trails, and September to November after the rains. July and August are very wet.

Getting there

Gaggal (Kangra) airport is about 15 km away with limited flights; Pathankot is the nearest major railhead (about 3 hrs), and overnight buses run from Delhi (about 12 hrs). Our trips start and end at McLeodganj bus stand or Gaggal Airport.