Embark on an enchanting journey from Delhi to Dharamshala, a scenic road trip that takes you through the heart of the Himalayas. As you leave behind the bustling streets of the capital, the landscape gradually transforms into lush green valleys, towering mountains, and picturesque villages. This road trip promises not just a change in scenery but also a refreshing escape into nature’s tranquility. Whether you seek spiritual solace, adventure, or simply a break from city life, the drive to Dharamshala offers a mesmerizing blend of cultural richness and natural beauty, making it a must-experience journey for any travel enthusiast.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Delhi to Dharamshala?
- Traveling from Delhi to Dharamshala
- Best time to take a road trip by car
- Popular routes to travel from Delhi to Dharamshala
- How to Reach Dharamshala By Train
- How to Reach Dharamshala By Flight
- Attractions in Dharamshala for Sightseeing
- Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Dharamshala
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Dharamshala
Why travel from Delhi to Dharamshala?
Delhi, the heart of India, is known for its culture and rich heritage. It is a potpourri of the ancient Indian culture, Mughal culture, and the British Raj. Delhi is broadly divided into Old (Purani) Delhi and New (Nayi) Delhi. It is located centrally and offers quick access to some amazing places like Manali, Dharamshala, Jaipur, Agra, and so on. Dharamshala, also known as the Little Lhasa of India and popular for the residence of the exiled Tibetan Monk Dalai Lama, is a perfect destination to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Delhi. Plan your exploration by booking a traveller from Delhi, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey from Delhi to Dharamshala with your friends and family.
Savaari offers chauffeur-driven cab services from Delhi as per your requirements. Traveling through the mountains is always a memorable experience and with Savaari, you can experience the joy of traveling with an itinerary as per your liking.
Traveling from Delhi to Dharamshala by car
There are various routes to travel from Delhi to Dharamshala by car. First, you need to consider your location in Delhi and choose a route that is best suited to you. Cutting through city traffic can take a lot of time and drain you of your energy. Being a hilly area, the road conditions can vary throughout the year. Hence, it is important to check the status of the roads on Google Maps before planning a road trip to Dharamshala from Delhi. When you book a Delhi to Dharamshala trip package with us, you are assured of experiencing a trip as per your liking. Rent a car in Delhi & experience trouble free road trip to Dharamshala.
Let us help you discover some of the best routes so that your trip from Delhi to Dharamshala by road is memorable!
Important Highway Information from Delhi to Dharamshala
| Highway Name | Delhi-Dharamshala Road |
| Alternate Name | National Highway 503 |
| Highway Number | NH – 503 |
| Distance | 527 Km |
| Starting Point | Delhi |
| End Point | Dharamshala |
| Highway Quality | Good |
Best time to take a road trip from Delhi to Dharamshala by car
Summers are the best time to take a road trip from Delhi to Dharamshala by car. From March to June, temperatures usually range between 20 and 35 degrees Celsius. The weather is very pleasant making it ideal for camping and gazing at the stars. Winters are freezing with temperatures falling between 4 and 7 degrees Celsius. Monsoons in Dharamshala can be particularly romantic especially if it is not a heavy downpour. Check the weather forecast before planning a trip during the months of July to September.
Quick Facts about Delhi to Dharamshala
| Road Distance from Delhi to Dharamshala | 527 kms |
| Aerial Distance from Delhi to Dharamshala | 409 kms |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Dharamshala by Road | 10 hours and 35 minutes |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Dharamshala by Train | 9 hours |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Dharamshala by Flight | 3 hours and 10 minutes |
| Best Route | Delhi to Dharamshala Via NH503 |
| Best time to visit | March to June |
Popular routes to travel from Delhi to Dharamshala
Route 1: Delhi to Dharamshala via NH44 and NH503
If you are traveling by car, then this is the best way to cover the Delhi to Dharamshala distance of around 480 km. Before you plan your trip, remember that Delhi is prone to heavy traffic during specific hours of the day/week. Hence, it is important to check for live traffic updates and schedule your trip accordingly. With regular traffic, this trip should take ten and a half hours.
Here’s a basic Delhi to Dharamshala road map for this route:
| Delhi -> Panipat -> Karnal -> Ambala -> Kharar – Nangal – Amb – Kangra – Dharamshala |
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Popular places along the way:
- Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity Park, Gurugram – Located at a distance of around 38 km from Delhi, the Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity Park is a paradise for nature lovers.
- Pipli Mini Zoo, Kurukshetra – Located at a distance of around 165 km from Delhi, the Pipli Mini Zoo is home to some Asiatic Lions and Blackbucks among other animals.
- ·Bhakra Nangal Dam, Nangal – This dam is at a distance of around 350 km from Delhi. It is built on the Sutlej River and at a gorge near the Bhakra village.
- Maa Bagalamukhi Temple, Kangra – A famous temple of Bagalamukhi Devi.
Places to eat on this route:
Here is a list of places you can eat while traveling from Delhi to Dharamshala.
- Mahalaxmi Sangam Dhaba, Murthal – a great place for North Indian dishes
- Amrik Sukhdev, Murthal – a must-visit place for different cuisines and the sheer experience
- Mannat Dhaba, Pipli – for some lip-smacking Indian dishes served in a mansion with a festive décor
- Guru Nanak Dhaba, Karnal – a must-visit for dhaba-style food
Route 2: Delhi to Dharamshala via Pathankot
If you want to avoid the hilly drive, then you can take a slightly longer route by following the route mentioned below. The total distance increases to around 575 km and the travel time increases to 11 hours and 30 minutes.
Here’s a basic Delhi to Dharamshala road map for this route:
| Delhi – Panipat – Ambala – Ludhiana – Jalandhar – Pathankot – Dharamshala |
|---|
Popular places along the way:
- Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity Park, Gurugram – Located at a distance of around 38 km from Delhi, the Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity Park is a paradise for nature lovers.
- Pipli Mini Zoo, Kurukshetra – Located at a distance of around 165 km from Delhi, the Pipli Mini Zoo is home to some Asiatic Lions and Blackbucks among other animals.
- Maharaj Ranjit Singh War Museum, Ludhiana – Located at a distance of around 320 km from Delhi, this museum has a collection of weapons and uniforms from historic times.
- Kotla Fort, Latehr – Nestled on an isolated peak and surrounded by picturesque valleys, the Kotla Fort is 50 km before Dharamshala on this route. You can also visit the Bagulamukhi Temple present in the fort.
Places to eat on this route:
While traveling from Delhi to Dharamshala, you will find numerous dhabas and restaurants offering lip-smacking food. Some options are:
- Mahalaxmi Sangam Dhaba, Murthal – a great place for North Indian dishes
- Amrik Sukhdev, Murthal – a must-visit place for different cuisines and the sheer experience
- Mannat Dhaba, Pipli – for some lip-smacking Indian dishes served in a mansion with a festive décor
- Guru Nanak Dhaba, Karnal – a must-visit for dhaba-style food
Other means of traveling from Delhi to Dharamshala
You can also travel from Delhi to Dharamshala by train or flight. If your Delhi trip has ended and you’re planning to fly back, book our Delhi airport cab service for a seamless and comfortable ride to the airport.
How to Reach Dharamshala By Train
There is no train station in Dharamshala since it is located in the hills. The nearest railway station is Pathankot at a distance of about 90 km from Dharamshala. There are 48 trains that ply between Delhi and Pathankot, of which 16 trains ply daily. You can visit the Indian Railways website for your Delhi to Pathankot train bookings, or choose your options from the multiple online portals.
The fastest train is the New Delhi – Jammu Tawi Covid -19 AC Special. The total time taken from Delhi to Pathankot can vary between 6.5 to 13.5 hours, depending upon the train you choose. Therefore, for the updated Delhi to Pathankot train timings, check with IRCTC for their latest timetables.
Once at Pathankot, you can hire a taxi to take you to Dharamshala.
Alternatively, you can take a hill train from Pathankot to Kangra and then cover the remaining distance by cab.
How to Reach Dharamshala By Flight
There are four flights between Delhi and Dharamshala. Gaggal Airport also called the Kangra Airport or Dharamshala Airport, is located about 8 km from Kangra and 15 km from Dharamshala.
Delhi to Dharamshala flight tickets can be booked online from the website of the airline or any third-party portals. A Delhi to Dharamshala flight ticket can cost you between INR 3600 and 4500, which will also depend on the booking window, available deals, and the travel season. It is important to note that all four flights from Delhi to Dharamshala are direct flights without any halts.
Explore Dharamshala Like a Local: A Handy Guide
Located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala offers some mesmerizing views of the Kangra Valley. It is divided into two parts – Lower Dharamshala with markets and commercial centers, and Upper Dharamshala with colonial structures. It also has a strong Tibetan influence. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your trip to Dharamshala.
Attractions in Dharamshala for Sightseeing
Here are some places in Dharamshala that you must consider visiting:
- Cricket Stadium
- The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
- St. John in the Wilderness Church
- War Memorial
- Gyuto Monastery
- Dal Lake
- Tea Gardens
- Triund (trek)
- Jwala Devi Temple
- Tsuglagkhang, Mcleodganj
- Bhagsu Falls
- Namgyal Monastery
- Bhagsunath Temple
- Dalai Lama Temple
- Kangra Art Museum
- Masroor Rock Cut Temple
- Aghanjar Mahadev Temple
- Thekchen Chöling Temple Complex
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Dharamshala
Here are some food items and the best places to eat them in Dharamshala:
- Bodhi Greens, Dharamkot – Mexican Wraps and salads
- Clay Oven, Mcleodganj – Peach Tea and Momos (of course)
- Common Ground Café, Sewarg Ashram Road – Himalayan cuisine
- Crepe Pancake Hut, Jogiwara Road – Chocolate pancake and sticky ginger cake
- Four Seasons Café, Jogiwara Road – Herbal Tea and Risotto
- Friendly Planet, Dharamkot – Lamb Burger
- Green Hotel Restaurant, Mcleodganj – For vegetarian food
- Illiterati Café, Jogiwara Road – Chicken Schnitzel
- Lung Ta, Mcleodganj – Japanese cuisine including Sushi rolls and Miso Soup
- Mcllo Restaurant, Jogiwara Road – Spaghetti and Grilled Trout
- Moonpeak, Temple Road – Breakfast varieties
- Morgan’s Place, Dharamkot – Pizzas
- Nick’s Italian Kitchen, Bhagsunag Road – Italian cuisine including lasagna and pizza
- Norling Restaurant And Café, Dolma Chowk – Coffee and Shabri
- Peace Café, Bhagsunag Road – Tibetan Food
- The Taste of India, Bhagsunag Road – Indian dishes
- Tibet Kitchen, Jogiwara Road – Thukpa and steamed vegetable dumplings
Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Dharamshala
| Hotel Name | Address |
| Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort | Village, Dharamkot, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219 |
| Amoha Retreat | Village Diktu, Jheol, Dharamshala, Kangra,Himachal Pradesh 176001 |
| Hotel Dewan Palace | Kotwali Bazar Rd, Sudher, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215 |
| Fortune Park Moksha-Member ITC Hotel Group | Near Strawberry Hills, Satobari, Dal Lake-Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176216 |
| Hotel Trance – A Riverside Resort | Ward No – 3, Sheela, Opposite Osho Asharam (403.80 km) 176057 Dharmshala, Himachal Pradesh |
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