Norbulingka Institute
poi · 14 min from Dharamshala
2 nights · 3 daysFirst visitClassicbalanced
Three days in Dharamshala — temple, Triund, and Norbulingka
A three-day McLeod Ganj plan: the Dalai Lama's temple and Bhagsu, a full day on the Triund climb, then Norbulingka and Dharamkot. Free on HimLocal.
Three days is the natural length for a first, proper visit. There's enough time for the temple and Bhagsu at an easy pace, a full day for the Triund climb, and a quieter last day for Norbulingka Institute, Dharamkot and a colonial-era church — none of which need much walking after the day before.
This builds directly on the two-day plan — the first two days are the same, with a third day added rather than a rushed extra stop squeezed into an already full day.
Photos: Brahmavadini (CC BY 4.0) · Mohdirfaniitmandi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Rickard Törnblad (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
First-time visitors with three full days who want to properly cover both the town and the Triund climb without rushing either.
Day by day
Day 1
Temple and Bhagsu
An easier first day, the town at a relaxed pace before the climb.
- 09:30Dalai Lama templeThe Tsuglagkhang complex. Free entry, a security check at the gate, dress modestly. The Mall and its cafés are a short walk from the gate.
- ↓ 9 min by road · 4 km12:30Bhagsunag WaterfallA short drive out; the walk down through Bhagsu village to the falls is the better part of the visit.
Day 2
Triund
The climb runs four to five hours up, about three back down. Start at first light.
- 06:30TriundA steady climb the whole way on foot. Carry water, start early, and build in time to rest at the top before the descent.
Day 3
Norbulingka, Dharamkot and a colonial church
A quieter last day, closer to town, after the climb the day before.
- 09:30Norbulingka InstituteA Tibetan arts institute in Sidhpur — thangka painting and woodcarving workshops behind a formal garden, with a small museum on site.
- ↓ 21 min by road · 10 km11:15DharamkotA quieter village on the Triund road, above McLeod Ganj — cafés and a valley view without the town's crowds.
- ↓ 3 min by road · 1 km12:45Church of Saint John in the WildernessBuilt in 1852, in Gothic style, set in a deodar forest — the grave of Lord Elgin, a Viceroy of India, is here.
Getting there
McLeod Ganj sits above Dharamshala town; both are reached via Gaggal (Kangra) Airport, Pathankot rail head, or an overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh. See the hub guide for the full arrival table.
Where to stay
McLeod Ganj for all three nights — every stop on this plan is a short drive or walk from the Mall.
Know before you go
- Keep day three light — legs are usually tired after the Triund climb the day before.
- Norbulingka's workshops are worth the visit even if you don't buy anything; the thangka painters work in view of visitors.
- The church at St John's is a quiet, low-key visit — good contrast after two busier days.
Places on this route
Other ways to do it
All Dharamshala itineraries →
1 night · 2 days · First visitClassic
Two days in McLeod Ganj — the temple and the Triund climb
A two-day McLeod Ganj plan: the Dalai Lama's temple and Bhagsu on day one, the full Triund climb on day two. Free, copyable itinerary on HimLocal.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov
See the plan →
Day plan · First visitClassic
One day in McLeod Ganj — the temple, the Mall, the waterfall
A single-day McLeod Ganj loop: the Dalai Lama's temple, the Mall, and Bhagsu waterfall — for a stopover, not a full visit. Free plan on HimLocal.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov
See the plan →
1 night · 2 days · FamilyTemples & heritage
Two days of temples and heritage around Dharamshala — no trekking
A trek-free Dharamshala plan: Kangra Fort, Chamunda Devi, Naddi, Dal Lake, a Tibetan nunnery and a colonial church. Free itinerary on HimLocal.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Dec
See the plan →Questions people ask
Is three days enough for Dharamshala?
Three days covers McLeod Ganj properly — the temple, Bhagsu, the Triund climb, Norbulingka Institute, Dharamkot and a colonial church — without rushing the trek. It leaves out the further day trips to Kangra Fort and Masrur, which need their own extra day or two.
Should Triund be day one, two or three?
Day two, as here, works best — it lets you settle in on day one rather than starting with the hardest physical day, and leaves a lighter, closer-to-town day three for after the climb, when most people's legs appreciate less walking.
What's the difference between this and the two-day plan?
The first two days are identical. This adds a third day for Norbulingka Institute, Dharamkot and St John in the Wilderness Church — worth the extra day if you have it, but skippable if two days is all the time you have.