Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh

Dharamkot is a small village in the Kangra district. Besides the gorgeous scenery of huge mountains and lush green lands, the place also offers a lot of adventure. The famous Triund trek starts here, and treks like Indrahar Pass Trek and Kakeri Lake Trek are also enjoyable.

How to reach Dharamkot?

You can travel via-

1. By Air- The nearest airport is the Kangra or Gaggal airport, which is 18 kilometers from Dharamkot. You can find regular flights from cities like Delhi, Banglore, Mumbai etc. A taxi to Dharamkot will be easily available from the airport. A budget-friendly route would be taking a local bus from the Airport to Dharamkot.
2. By Train- The nearest railway station is Pathankot Railway Station, which is 90 kilometers away from Dharamkot. Regular trains from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar are available. You can take a taxi or bus from the station to Dharamkot. 
3. By Road- Before hitting the road for Dharamkot, let me tell you it is well connected via roads to all the nearby places and cities. Therefore you can easily travel by road according to your budget. It is 520 kilometers from Delhi and 270 kilometers from Shimla.

The places to visit in Dharamkot-

1. Triund Hill: The hill is worth the trek and offers picturesque views. The trek to Triund starts from McLeodganj and takes 4-5 hours to reach the top. The mountain has a beautiful and memorable starlit sky view for camping.
2. Church of John in the Wilderness: This beautiful church in the middle of the wild was built in 1852 and dedicated to John the Baptist. The church is on the way to McLeod Ganj, at Forsyth Gunj. Also, there are no entry fees for visiting.
3. Tushita Meditation Centre: It is located in the forest hills above the town of McLeod Ganj in the village of Dharamkot. It offers Buddhism and meditation courses year-round.
4. McLeodganj: McLeod Ganj is a town only 2 kilometers away from Dharamkot. It is the land of residence of his holiness Dalai Lama. 
5. Kangra Fort: This fort stands on a hillock between two rivers, among the foothills of the Dhauladhar range. The fort is at a distance of 26 kilometers from Dharamkot.
6. Naddi: Located 3 kilometers from Dharamkot, it is a small village with a beautiful snow-capped mountain view. Tse Chok Ling Gompa is a peaceful, small monastery that is the perfect place to spend some time.
7. Dharamkot View Point: located at 2,100 meters, offers breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar mountain range and Kangra Valley. The walk to this viewpoint is relatively easy and takes about 30 minutes, making it an excellent spot for a short hike.

Where to stay in Dharamkot?

The village is quite popular among backpackers; therefore, you will easily find many hotels and an inn for your stay according to your budget; if you are tight on budget, you can also opt for a guest house provided by locals. 

Best weather to visit Dharamkot?

Summers in Dharamkot stay from March to May; during this time, you can expect a temperature between 15-30 degrees Celsius. There is a huge footfall in the village and nearby places during this season.

Monsoons here arrive around June and stay up to September; the entire village is covered with lush green carpet. You will witness beautiful and diverse vegetation-filled forests.

Winters (October-February)- In October, the temperature lies between 10-15 degrees Celcius, while from December onwards, it drops up to -5 degrees Celcius; therefore, the mountain ranges are covered in Snow, and the air is filled with mist.

Things to try in Dharamkot?

You can try a lot of adventures like paragliding, hiking, trekking, camping, and boating. You can also try Yoga and meditation in many monasteries and centers. There are art galleries for art and history lovers and delicious food and cuisine, including Tibetan, Himalayan, Nepali, Italian, Chinese, and northern Indian dishes for foodies.