Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is today known for its Tibetan settlement and the Headquarters of the Dalai Lama in India. It is a convenient starting point for trips to the Kangra Valley, Palampur, Baijnath, Jwalamukhi, etc. Positioned as it is on a spur of the Dhauladhar range, it seems to be enfolded by mountains on three sides with the Valley stretching below on the fourth.

Dharamshala is an amalgam of many cultures and seems to be a mini world in itself.

Dharamshala Attractions

Dall Lake : 11 km. The lake lies amidst hills and stately fir trees.

Kunal Pathri : This is around 3 km. A level walk from Kotwali Bazar leads up to the rock temple of the local goddess.

Dehra Gopipur : 56 km Dehra Gopipur is situated on the banks of the Beas which provides good fishing.

Dharamkot : 11 km. Situated on a hill, this picnic spot affords a panoramic view of the Kangra district and Dhauladhar.

Bhagsunath : 11 km. It has an old temple, a spring, slate quarries and a small yet beautiful waterfall. A popular picnic spot.

Nurpur : 95 km. from Dharamshala and 24 km. from Pathankot, Nurpur has an old fort and temple to Baij Raj. Nurpuri shawls are a good buy.

Machhrial & Tatwani : 25 km. There are hot springs at Tatwani. On the way there is a waterfall at Machhrial, twice as big as that at Bhagsunath.

Kareri : 1,983 metres, Kareri is 22 km from Kotwali Bazar. 13 km from the Kareri Rest House is Kareri lake, surrounded by green meadows, oak and pine trees.

Lord Elgin`s Memorial : 8 km. The Church of St. John in the wilderness has a monument to Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India, who died at Dharamshala and was buried here in 1863.

Sujanpur Tira : 80 km. A historic town famous for Kangra paintings of the time of Raja Sansar Chand. There is an old palace open to visitors. The Holi festival at Sujanpur is celebrated decoratively.

Triund : 2,827 metres and 17 km. Triund lies at the foot of the perpetually snowclad Dhauladhar. The snow line starts at IIaq, 5 km from Triund. It affords a breath-taking view of the snow above and the valley below.

Sports Activities

Fishing : The Kangra Valley`s extensive waterways offer excellent fishing, the best catch being mahseer, a fish which thrives in rapidly flowing water, mali, saul, bachwa, and shingara.

Trekking :

	Dharamshala-Dharamkot-Triund-Dharamsala (45 km).
	Dharamshala-Kahniara-Aghanij ar-Mahade-Dharamshala 26 km.
	Dharamshala-Chamunda Devi Dadh-Dharamshala (29 km).
	Dharamshala-Bhagsunath-Dharamshala 22 km.
	Dharamshala-Dall Lake-Dharamshala (22 km )
	Dharamshala- Kareri-Dharamshala (35 km).

All these treks can be undertaken in a day by making an early start. Bhagsunath and the Dall Lake lie at a distance of 2 km and 3 km respectively from McLeodganj and can be visited on the same day.

Getting There

By Air : Dharamshala can be approached by air from Delhi. The nearest airport is 13 km. away at Goggla

By Road : Direct and regular bus services operate from Delhi via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur. Taxis are also available.

By Rail : Up to Pathankot by broad gauge line (85 km) by road and then up to Kangra by narrow gauge line. The nearest railway station is Kangra Mandir (22 km