Are you planning on visiting Dharamshala on your next trip? It is a small hill town in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh. Tucked away in the Kangra Valley of the state, this place is peaceful and enchanting. Having a great time here is always going to be on the cards. The town is known for its amazing sights and all the adventurous and fun activities that are on offer. It won’t be wrong to say that this place is a retreating destination for people.
Dharamshala offers a huge range of activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It also holds a lot of spiritual significance and offers an opportunity to elevate your love for activities. There are certain nearby trekking trails as well. In this blog, we are going to have a look at some of the most interesting and amazing things to do in Dharamshala for every traveler who tends to visit here.
List of activities that will keep the enthusiastic people engaged for good
1. Soak in Buddhist temples’ serene vibe
There are a lot of monasteries situated in McLeodganj as well as Dharamshala. If you are a pilgrim who loves serene places and intriguingly designed Buddhist temples, then this place will serve you right. The entire hill town is dotted with big and small many monasteries throughout. That’s because this spiritual and calming town is highly influenced by Tibetan culture and Buddhism. Therefore considering all these things, it would be safe to say that monastery hopping is one of the best things to do in Mcleodganj as well as Dharamshala. Here are some of the best monasteries that you should definitely visit on your next trip.
| Namgyal Monastery | Gyuto Monastery | Drukpa Kagyu Monastery |
| Tsechokling Monastery | Sherabling Monastery | Nechung Monastery |
| Tsuglagkhang Monastery | Tashi Jong Monastery | Gaden Choling Monastery |
2. Hike hill paths to waterfalls & lakes
Dharamshala and Mcleodganj are two places that have identical features as both of them have many similarities. So while a person plans to visit one of these places, they usually visit both. So, if you are wondering “what to do in Dharamshala for 2 days” then go on a hike. Yes, you heard that right! It is one of the best activities to enjoy in both these locations of the Kangra Valley. The hiking trails of these towns offer a great opportunity to understand the flora and fauna of the surroundings. One can also enjoy and explore not just the vicinity of the town but even farther away.
| Naddi Village Trek | Kareri Lake Trek | Dal Lake Hike |
| Guna Devi Temple Trek | Bhated Waterfall Hike | Indrahar Pass Trek |
| Triund Trek | Neugal Khad Hike | Bhagsu Waterfall Hike |
3. Gaze at the amazing Himalayan peaks
Dharamshala holds a lot of significance among travelers as it is one of the most enchanting places in India. The beauty of this town is not only limited to its vicinity but even ahead of it. The entire place is dotted with several lakes and waterfalls where people can visit and enjoy their time with their friends and family. Dharamshala is a wonderful destination for city dwellers. And one of the best things to do in Dharamshala is to gaze at the beauty of the Himalayan snowcapped peaks. Here are some peaks that you can visit and have a look at from a distance.
| Triund Hill | Dharamkot Viewpoint |
| Naddi Viewpoint | Indrahar Pass |
4. Volunteer with the local community
Volunteering with the locals for some cause is going to be a perfect recreational and unique activity to do in Dharamshala. If you are unaware of the fact that, this can be highly rewarding and appealing for visitors. There are several things that you can volunteer for including, animal care, feeding, adoption programs, feeding, and many more.
If you are looking for some unique things to do in Dharamshala at night, you can pick to volunteer something related to health or eating habit. You can promote awareness and help people understand the many prospects that the campaigns are running for.
5. Trace the history of the Kangra kings
What you see as a serene and petite hill town in the Kangra Valley was not the same in history. The rich culture, flora, and fauna are still intact, but there is so much more to know and understand about Dharamshala.
Over time, there have been a lot of different dynasties who have ruled here and shaped the place that you see it to be at present. The oldest records about this place say that it was first ever controlled by the Katoch dynasty.
Later on, many kings fought for this place maybe for the beauty, salubrious weather, and enjoyable feast for the eyes. You can also have a lot of fun while staying here. Get versed with all the things related to this place at multiple places.
| Kangra Fort | Norbulingka Institute |
| Tsuglagkhang Complex | St. John in the Wilderness Church |
| Tibetan Museum | Tibetan Children’s Village |
6. Join a yoga or meditation session
Are you heading to Dharamsala for your honeymoon? Or for a quick trip with your partner? Don’t worry, there are a lot of things that you can do with your better half. And spending some peaceful quality time with them is at the top. Isn’t that what you would want too? Holding hands and talking to each other about all the fun things you have done together or wish to do together.
So, joining a yoga or meditation session would give you peace of mind. And is one of the best things to do in Dharamshala for couples. Here are some top places where you can have a great session with your partner.
| Chinmaya Tapovan Ashram | Vipassana Meditation Centre | Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre |
| Tushita Meditation Centre | Mahi Yoga Centre | Shree Hari Yoga School |
| Osho Nisarga Meditation Centre | Yoga Ashram Dharamkot | Universal Yoga Center |
Conclusion
Now these are just a handful of amazing activities that can be done in Dharamshala with friends and family. This place might be small on the map but you get a list of things to do in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj- both. Make sure while you visit here, these activities are listed in your itinerary. Make sure to get that done.
Also, Dharamshala is a wonderful treat to be at. With so many amazing attractions, the palace also offers splendid views of the mountains surrounding the hill station.
See Also: Things to do in Manali | Things to do in Shimla
