Getting to Dharamkot
Dharamkot sits above McLeodganj, at the top of a road that narrows as it climbs. Here is how people usually arrive, and what the last stretch involves.
The last stretch, honestly
The road is paved most of the way up but gets steadily narrower, and past a certain point vehicles stop and the road becomes a walking path; the village core is largely pedestrian. In our case that last bit is genuinely short — a car can bring you to within about fifty metres of our door, so it is a minute on foot rather than a hike with your bag.
Tell your driver Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre or Ayurveda House — those are the landmarks every driver up here knows, and both are a moment from our gate.
Message us with your arrival time before you travel and we will meet you where the car stops, at any hour. We keep drivers on call around the clock.
Ask about a pickupGetting to the valley
Most people come overnight from Delhi by bus. You can also do it in daylight on the Vande Bharat, or fly into Gaggal and take a taxi for the last hour.
From Delhi
Overnight bus · 11–12 hours
Buses leave from ISBT Kashmiri Gate and from Majnu ka Tila, the Tibetan colony; the latter is the one most travellers use for McLeodganj. HRTC's own Volvo services and several private operators run overnight. Some go through to McLeodganj rather than stopping at Dharamshala, which saves you a transfer, so it is worth checking when you book.
From Delhi by train
Vande Bharat, then taxi · About 8½ hours
The 22447 Vande Bharat leaves New Delhi at 05:50 and reaches Amb Andaura, the railhead just past Una, at about 11:10. It runs six days a week — not Tuesdays — and is chair car only, so book ahead. From Amb it is roughly 90 km by road, two and a half to three hours, with taxis advertised from around ₹2,100 for a sedan. The daylight alternative to the overnight bus, and it puts you here mid-afternoon. Going back, the 22448 leaves Amb at 13:00. Confirm times on IRCTC before you book — railway timetables do get revised.
From Gaggal / Kangra Airport (DHM)
Flight, then taxi · 45–60 minutes by road
The airport is about 17 km from McLeodganj. There is a pre-paid taxi counter in arrivals, which spares you the negotiation; expect somewhere around ₹1,200–1,600 to McLeodganj.
From Pathankot
Train, then road · 3–5 hours
The nearest broad-gauge railhead, about 90 km away. Taxi unions have offices at the station (roughly ₹2,000–2,300 for a hatchback, more for a sedan), and HRTC and private buses run through the day.
From Chandigarh
Volvo coach · About 5 hours
Frequent AC Volvo services run through the day and night, with fares starting low. A sensible option if you are flying into Chandigarh rather than Delhi.
McLeodganj to Dharamkot
About two kilometres: twenty to forty minutes uphill on foot, or roughly ₹100–150 in an auto from the square. Most people walk down and ride back up.
