Dharamshala is the district headquarters of Kangra, as well as home for Tibetans in exile. Their leader, the Dalai Lama, resides in Upper Dharamshala, popularly known as McLeodganj. The other part of town is called Lower Dharamshala and it has the bus stand and the main bazaar called Kotwali Bazaar. Most tourists, however, head on to McLeodganj, which is the preferred destination nowadays.

1 DAY TREK TO TRIUND
A picturesque trek through rhododendron and deodar woods, with views of the Dhauladhar Mountains.
Level: Easy - 9 km from McLeodgunj, past the bus stand and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.

3-DAY TREK TO INDRAHAR
This is a centuries-old route followed by the Gaddi shepherds who graze their sheep in the high altitude pastures. Indrahar Pass is 4,425m high.
Level: Moderate  42 km from McLeodgunj; first night halt at Khabrotu, above Triund; second day ascend Mt. Indrahar; third day return to McLeodgunj

6-DAY TREK TO MACCHETAR
This trek is quite difficult in patches, but gives you magnificent views of the Pir Panjal peaks. After the tiring slog, you can catch transport back from the Chamba roadhead.
Level: Challenging 75 km trek up to the town of Macchetar; past Triund; Indrahar Pass and Kuarsi. Back by road from Macchetar.

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITES

• St. John's Church-in-Wilderness lies on a motorable road to McLeodganj, 8 km from Lower Dharamshala. It has a monument  of Lord Elgin, one of the Viceroys of India, who died in Dharamshala and was buried here in 1863.
• Kunal Pathri, the rock temple of the local goddess, can be approached by a level, 3-km walk from Kotwali Bazaar.
• The Kalachakra Temple is used by the Dalai Lama as a base for public teaching and is open to public.
• The Namgyal Monastery was founded in 1575 by Sonam Gyatso,, the Third Dalai Lama.

The Museum of Kangra Art is a treasure trove of Kangra arts and crafts.

3-DAY TREK TO BEAS KUND You are surrounded by snow peaks all the time and finally reach the glacial lake of Beas Kund.

Level: Easy to Moderate  - Starting from Pulchan village near Manali, you go past Solang and then over stretches of moraine, or crumbled rocks of the glaciers, till you reach the semi-frozen lake.

5-DAY TREK TO MALANA VALL

The fascinating part of this trek is the final halt at Manala village a secluded hamlet inhabited by a tribe supposed to have descended from Alexander's Greek army. The village is run according strict laws laid down by their God Jamlu, and the entire economy runs on marijuana cultivation!

Level: Difficult - Starting from Naggar, this trek takes you to the village Rumsu and then Chanderkhani Pass (3600m), to Malana. From here you do a 4-hour descent to Jari, from where you can take a jeep back to Manali.

TREKKING TIPS

There are several licensed trekking companies both at Dharamsala and Manali. You can organise guides and porters, and hire equipment from them. Independent trekkers can book guesthouses along trek routes at the Divisional Forest Offices of Dharamsala and Manali