#PickYourParadise

About Mcleodganj

Mcleodganj is also called the Little Lhasa because of the large Tibetan population present there. Located in the Kangara district in the suburbs of Dharamshala, Mcleodganj is a popular trekking destination among tourists. The culture of Mcleodganj is a blend of Tibetan and British, adding more beauty to the place. Surrounded by mountains and lush greenery, the town has a deep history. The story of how Mcleodganj rose back from the ashes goes back to the 1950s when the town was discovered by the then Left. Governor of Punjab, David Mcleod, and Forsythganj. The area was hit by a severe earthquake in the year 1904 causing immense damage to life and property. The incident brought Mcleodganj to a standstill, however, a few years later, tourism began to flourish and today Mcleodganj is one of the hotspots for summer destinations. Dalai Lama took refuge here, thus marking the onset of the revival of this majestic place. Giving homage to some of the most important monasteries and temples, Mcleodganj attracts hundreds of tourists every year. It is believed that no China products are used here but only authentic Indian products are demanded and used. You can find the streets filled with monks, yogis and even though it is said to be a blend of cultures, in reality, it’s mostly filled with Tibetans. This is a spiritual place probably because it is where Dalai Lama lives and tourists often come to Mcleodganj, looking for spirituality and peace. 

How to Reach Mcleodganj

Mcleodganj by Air

Mcleodganj, being a famous tourist hotspot is easily accessible from major cities of the country. The Gaggal Airport located in Kangra is at a distance of 20km from Mcleodganj and is the nearest airport to Mcleodganj. Kangra is well connected with the capital city-Delhi, Chandigarh, and Kullu, thus there are several flights to Kangra Airport. However one has to hire a taxi or cab to reach Mcleodganj.

Flights from New Delhi to Gaggal: Spicejet, Alliance Air, etc

• Time taken by the fastest flight: 1 hour 10 minutes.

Mcleodganj by Train

The nearest railway station to Mcleodganj is Pathankot Railway Station at a distance of 90km from Mcleodganj. It is a broad gauge railhead and trains such as Rajdhani Express, Superfast trains, Sampark Kranti express, Many Mail and Express trains are run from there. From Pathankot Railway Station, one can hire taxis and cabs to reach Mcleodganj.

Trains from New Delhi to Kathgodam 

• Ranikhet Express
• Uttaranchal Sampark Kranti Express
• Shatabdi Express etc

Trains from Mumbai to Kathgodam 

• Bandra Terminus- Ramnagar Weekly SF Express 

Time taken by the fastest train is

• New Delhi to Kathgodam is 5 hours 35 minutes approx
• Mumbai to Kathgodam is 24 hours 35 minutes approx

Mcleodganj by Road

Several private, as well as state-owned buses, are available, connecting Mcleodganj to major cities of the country. However, sometimes, tourists prefer taking their own cars to travel to Mcleodganj. Since it is not very far from the capital city of Delhi, tourists plan a weekend get-away very often.

Places to explore in Himachal Pradesh

• Dharamshala: 9 km / 25 min
• Palampur: 43 km / 1 hour 32 min
• Parashar Lake: 166 km / 5 hours 50 min  
• Kullu: 184 km / 2 hr 30 min
• Kasol: 204 km / 7 hr  
• Jibhi: 218 km/ 7 hr 22 min
• Manali: 223 km/ 7 hr 
• Shimla: 234 km/ 7 hr 5 min
• Solang valley: 234 km/ 7 hr 25 min
• Kufri: 249 km/ 7 hr 35 min
• Kasauli:256 km/ 7 hr 10 min
• Chail: 280 km/ 8 hr 30 min