Kangra valley: Dharamshala, Bir and Barot

Days 1 to 2: Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj

2 nights · Easy · Hill town under the Dhauladhar range, home of the Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan community.

Day 1: Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj

• Arrive at Dharamshala and go up to McLeod Ganj.
• Visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex (Dalai Lama Temple).
• Walk to St. John in the Wilderness Church.
• See Dal Lake, then watch sunset at Naddi View Point.

Day 2: Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj

• Start early for the Triund trail.
• Rest on the ridge and take in the Dhauladhar views.
• Walk down before dark.
• On the way back, stop at Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfall if time allows.

Getting here from Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj: Road, about 2 to 2.5 hours. About 65 km by road.

Days 3 to 4: Bir Billing

2 nights · Easy · Paragliding village in Kangra with Tibetan monasteries, tea gardens and Dhauladhar views.

Day 3: Bir Billing

• Arrive in Bir and check in.
• Walk through the Tibetan colony to Chokling Monastery.
• Visit Deer Park Institute.
• Watch the gliders come down at the Bir landing site at sunset.

Day 4: Bir Billing

• Ride up to the Billing take-off site in the morning.
• Take a tandem flight down to Bir.
• See the Bir Tea Factory in the afternoon.
• Evening at the cafes near the landing site.

Getting here from Bir Billing: Jeep track from Bir via Billing, about 2 to 3 hours, or a day's trek. About 30 km by road.

Day 5: Rajgundha

1 night · Moderate · A small walk-in mountain village behind Billing, set above the Uhl river under the Dhauladhar range.

Day 5: Rajgundha

• Take a morning taxi from Bir up to the Billing take-off site.
• Trek 14 km through forest towards Rajgundha, 5 to 6 hours.
• Stop at Channa Ghat pass for the views.
• Reach Rajgundha by late afternoon and settle into your camp.

Getting here from Rajgundha: Back via Bir and Joginder Nagar, about 4 to 5 hours by road. About 75 km by road.

Days 6 to 8: Barot

2 nights · Easy · A quiet village on the Uhl river in Mandi district, known for trout, a reservoir and forest walks.

Day 6: Arrival day

• Travel from Rajgundha to Barot (Back via Bir and Joginder Nagar, about 4 to 5 hours by road).
• Walk along the Uhl River and Barot reservoir.
• See the Shanan Hydel Project works and the old haulage trolley line.
• Dinner at your homestay.

Day 7: Barot

• Visit the trout fish farm in the morning and take an angling permit if you want to fish.
• Walk up to Dev Pashakot temple.
• Take a local bus or taxi to Lohardi village and walk around.
• Return to Barot before the last bus in the late afternoon.

Day 8: Barot

• Cross the river for a morning walk in Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary, with a guide if possible.
• Keen walkers can instead spend the day trekking towards Rajgundha.
• Leave for Mandi by early afternoon to connect with the night bus.