5 Day Itinerary covering Dalhousie, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala and Amritsar

“Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before” -Dalai Lama

Before visiting, I never guessed that these place are filled with such kind of glory and beauty.

We always try to cover most of the places during our visit because we have somewhere in mind that whether we will come to the same place again. So, I will let you know the best way to reach, places to cover with day wise Itinerary & best time to visit in day to feel real pleasure of the place.

How to Reach-

Reach Delhi by Flight or Train in evening. Book train from Delhi to Pathankot (nearest railway station to Dalhousie) well in advance. Major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur are connected directly to Pathankot via railway networks. Board train from Delhi in night & reach Pathankot in next morning. Take cab from Pathankot railway station for Dalhousie. Pathankot to Dalhousie distance is 80 Kms (2 hrs 30 mins drive by road).

Dalhousie is one of the pristine hill towns of Himachal Pradesh. Dalhousie treats its visitors with breathtaking views of the majestic snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range, Sach Pass and Pangi Valley amidst the pines, rhododendrons and oak trees.

Dalhousie two-day itinerary will be able to cover most of this small but beautiful town. Let’s go through below-

DAY-1:

After reaching Dalhousie, get freshen up & ready for first day of tour.

Panchpula

Afternoon, you visit Panchpula.

The small yet stunning waterfalls of Panchpula. The sparkling streams look totally out of the world. Soak your legs in the cold water. It is a favourite picnic spot by families, couples and solo travellers. You can also try for Adventure games here.

In Evening, you can visit St John’s Church & St. Francis Chruch.

St John’s Church 

This Protestant Church in Dalhousie is a throwback to the Victorian era and holds great historical significance as the first religious site to be built here, dating all the way back to 1863. This one is equally magnificent and ancient, built more than a century ago. A perfect example of Victorian architecture.

St. Francis Church

Built in 1894, St. Francis Church is located at the Subhash Chowk. Dalhousie’s St. Francis Church was built in accordance to a famous Church of England. The architectural style of the church bears the old British type of architecture. The magnificent stone works and the glass designs please the art lovers and the general visitors alike.

Now, its to time to shop-

Two main markets— one run by the local Himachalis and the other by Tibetan immigrants!!!

Both of them has their own share of exquisite artifacts. But one should not forget to bargain to some real great extent! Don’t forget to bring back home, a speciality of this place— dried-blossoms of some local trees, which are varnished, and sold in the local markets! They are not very expensive, and are generally hardy to survive the strains of long journey and packing/unpacking! It has excellent quality leather goods.

Have dinner at Cafe Dalhousie or The Dining hut. Foods are very delicious & atmosphere too. Now, you can go back to hotel & chill out for the whole night.

DAY-2:

You can visit Khajjiar in morning.

Khajjiar-

The drive from Dalhousie to Khajjiar took about an hour. Settled on a picturesque setting amid Himalayas, it’s one of the places not to miss while visiting Dalhousie. Snuggled amid a thick cover of Deodar and Pine trees with the snowcapped Himalayas in the backdrop, Khajjiar is a delightful picnic spot for friends and family. The beautiful Khajjiar Lake adds to the charm of this little town. Walk and explore the blessed environs. It’s named as ‘Switzerland of India’ as the landscape looks like the beautiful European country. You must try paragliding at Khajjiar. It was fantabulous. Aerial view of the forest & the giant Shivji Idol can be seen.  Further down, another 2 hours’ drive, is a place called Chamba which is famous for its temples.

Don’t forget to try local Himachali Dress- Pattoo & clicking the photos with plenty of pine trees & mountain at the background.

Afternoon, you can visit Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary & Chamera lake.

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary-

A wildlife tour to the Kalatop Sanctuary will also be a worthy experience for the season. At a height of 2440 meters, Kalatop has rugged slopes, a beautiful forest rest house and thick surrounding forest. Popular as Black Cap, Kalatop is famous for its flora, fauna and wildlife. The journey is beautiful and rejuvenating. It is home to the Himalayan Bear. The Ravi River flows through the sanctuary nurturing it and making it a splendid tourist spot.

Chamera Lake

One of the best places in Himachal, that you must not miss on include, the Chamera Lake. Built over the river Ravi, the artificial lake and a part of the Chamera Hydroelectric Project. Do not miss to visit the lake when you are Dalhousie. The scenic beauty of dense pine forests of Bhandal Valley, the beautiful spread of waters of dam, and the multiple water sports like boating, river motor boating, canoeing, fishing & kayaking lure tourists.

Evening-

Ganji Pahari

The name ‘Ganji Pahari’ translates to ‘bald hill’ in Hindi like it name it is devoid of any sort of vegetation on its top. Among the best places to visit in Dalhousie, the hill is blessed with intoxicating views of the surroundings and the fresh mountain air. An hour’s trek brings you here to enjoy unrivalled views of the panorama.

Satdhara Falls

The Satdhara Falls, you must not miss. A great example of nature’s creative work, the water in these falls is therapeutic, said to have medicinal and healing properties. The picturesque blend of seven streams is a great spot for rejuvenation and relaxation.

Dharamshala & Mcleodgunj two-day itinerary will be able to cover most of this small but beautiful town. Let’s go through below-

DAY-3:

Wake up, get freshen up & head to McLeod Ganj after 4 hrs drive (120 km distance).

Highest Cricket Stadium in the World

Visit the cricket stadium in Dharamshala on the way, which is the highest cricket field in the world. The HPCA stadium opened in 2013 is the prettiest cricket stadium in India, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Dhauldhar mountains that create a majestic backdrop up close.

McLeod Ganj-

It is known as the little Lhasa of India for its Tibetan communities that have been inhabiting for a very long time, headed by the spiritual guru the Dalai Lama. So obviously, visiting the Tsuglakhang Temple and hoping to meet the spiritual leader is high on everyone’s list and is also one of the top places to visit in McLeod Ganj. I was not lucky to meet the Dalai Lama, but you can get a chance if you plan your trip well ahead. There are regular workshops and occasional speech events where the travelers get a chance to interact with the Dalai Lama.

Afternoon-

Dainkund Peak- Singing Hill

The road to Daikund takes away to the right side from the KalaTop toll booth with 4 hour drive up to the check post barrier of an Air Force base. You have to park the car here. There is a 1/2 km steep walk upto a observation hut. It offers spectacular view of the Dhauladhar ranges. Being the highest mountain peak in the region, it offers a complete 360° view of the entire valley. So fasten your seat belts and be prepared for an amazing experience hidden in the lap of the mighty Himalayas. The road enroute the peak is embellished with flowers on both sides that are a treat to the eyes. One has to put on walking shoes to cover a good 30-40 minutes on foot to reach atop the peak.

As you make your way through the valley, the wild daisy blossoms and fluttering butterflies will simply take your breath away. The tiring and difficult trek is wonderfully soothed by the mesmerising valley-views. You can catch a glimpse of the snow capped Kailash Mountain on a clear day. The top of the Dainkund Peak is home to the Pholani Devi Temple which houses nothing more than a trident. One can hear the pleasant breeze blowing through the trees creating a musical serenade.

St. John in the Wilderness

The Church dates back to the 19th century, and is a must visit, even if you don’t belong to the Christian faith. Set amidst a thicket of deodar trees, its peaceful tranquility is welcoming. It’s an Anglican Church built in honour of St. John the Baptist, and is a marvelous structure, designed in the neo-Gothic style of architecture. The Church is situated close to Forsyth Ganj, a hamlet near McLeod Ganj.

Evening–

Walking Tour of Dal Lake

Dal Lake, named after the famous Lake in Srinagar is a good place to walk and talk. There is nothing exquisite about it except the fact that it is surrounded by forest lined with tall trees, and looks serene.

Watch the Sunset in Naddi

Naddi is another village ahead of Dal Lake and is perfect for a walk in the evening for a pleasant sunset. Combine it with the walk to the lake or drive in the evening to get away from the bustling McLeod Ganj.

At night, walk along the night market. You will feel very different.

Camping in and around Mcleodganj

If you like to camp, carry your own tent, sleeping bag and warm clothes to Triund Hill. Camp there overnight. However, you can also choose to camp anywhere in the wild. 

DAY-4

Trekking till Triund Hill

One of the easiest treks to pursue around Dharamshala is the Triund Trek. You can either go for 1-day package that can be booked online or carry your own sleeping bag and rent a tent when you reach on the top of Triund.

Personally, I feel it is better to rent a tent once you reach on top. You can also ask any tent provider to make arrangements for food as well.

DAY-5:

Morning

Bhagsunag Waterfall-

This is among the most famous attractions of Mcleodganj. Located in the serene village of Bhagsu, the waterfall has a height of 20m. It is also visited by many devotees due to the presence of Bhagsunag Temple nearby which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A little stretch of trekking takes you to the majestic Bhagsu Falls. The route is well-constructed and is easy to trek.

Now, it’s time to head towards the holy city – Amritsar. Mcleodganj to Amritsar distance is 210 Kms (4 hrs 30 mins drive by road).

Over the last few years, Amritsar has risen a lot on the radar as a tourist destination. The Punjab Governement has invested a lot of money in restoring the old architecture and preserving the rich heritage of the city. This destination has lots to offer to the discerning tourist. There are places to visit, activities to enjoy and rich punjabi cuisine to be tasted.

Afternoon-

Jallianwala bagh

The Jallianwalla Bagh is a public garden with five entrances. Also known as the Amritsar massacre, took place on 13 Apr 1919 when troops of the British Indian Army under the command of Acting Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer fired rifles into a crowd of unarmed Indian civilians. The end of the Bagh is marked by a Martyrs’ Memorial built in the shape of an eternal flame. A section of the wall, pock-marked by bullets, as also the well, has been preserved as a reminder of the tragic event.

Wagah Border-

You can see the closing of the flag ceremony at the Wagah border near Pakistan. This is the only road border which crosses between India and Pakistan. This was an incredible ceremony that I would suggest all tourists heading to Amritsar to watch. It’s on the border of Pakistan which is around 30 km away from Amritsar. It has become famous for the beating the retreat ceremony which includes the closing of international gates and the lowering of the flags of both the countries.

Around 5000 people visit the border, which has become very popular among tourists all over the world. Shouting, singing, the thumping of the feet, drums, dancing and trying to outshine the other side makes this a surreal experience. However, it is an entertainment ceremony and a display of national pride. The ceremony lasts for 45 minutes and is carried out before sunset. 4:15 pm is the time during winter and 4:45 during summer. The border gate is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. However, the ceremony starts only after 4:00 pm. So if you want to watch the ceremony, then reach well before. No tickets are needed for the event.

Evening-

Golden Temple

Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrines in Sikhism and is alive with religious fervour and sacredness. Its divinity is a thing that can only be experienced and not described.  Spiritually, the focus of attention is the tank that surrounds the gleaming central shrine – the Amrit Sarovar, from which Amritsar takes its name, excavated by the fourth Sikh guru, Ram Das, in 1577. Ringed by a marble walkway, the sarovar is said to have healing powers, and pilgrims come from across the world to bathe in its sacred waters. Golden Temple is a mesmerising blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, with an elegant marble lower level. Above this rises a shimmering second level, encased in intricately engraved gold panels, and topped by a dome gilded with 750 kg of gold.

Visit the langar (community kitchen) for a hearty meal which is available anytime in a day and please help out if you have the time. Well, this temple area is photography prohibited but we were fortunate enough to click few.

Important points to note-

1. Prebook the cab for total 5 days- 2 days in Dalhousie, 2 days in Mcleodganj & Dharamshala and 1 day in Amritsar. It will save hell lot of time.
2. Prebook Mountain view Bungalows at Dalhousie, preferably if you have group of 4-8 people. It will add more taste to you trip.
3. Prebook camp tents at Mcleodganj.
4. Wear comfortable shoes during trek to Triund hill & Daikund peak.
5. Carry your own scarf while visiting Golden temple & always cover your head inside Golden temple premises.  
6. Reach to Wagah Border not later than 3:00 pm to occupy good seats.

Now, this has come to end of the memorable trip. Hope you enjoy reading the post. Stay connected for more posts. Share, like & subscribe!!!