McLeod Ganj
Himachal Pradesh, India
Sunrise over McLeod Ganj — pastel rooftops stacked on the hillside, deodar forest all around and the Dhauladhars fading into morning haze.
The base camp town
McLeod Ganj was my base for the Triund and Laka Glacier trek in June 2025. It sits on a ridge above Dharamshala, at roughly 2,000 metres, and it's home to the Tibetan government in exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama — so the streets are a mix of monks, trekkers, cafés, prayer flags and momo stalls.
Morning after the trek
The photo at the top of this page is the one I like most from the whole trip. I took it at about seven in the morning on 13 June, the day after coming down from Laka Glacier: the sun just clearing the ridge, the town still quiet, and the whole hillside of teal and red rooftops catching the first light. After two days of rock, fog and cold, a slow morning looking over the town felt earned.
Why start the trek here
The Triund trail starts just above town, at the Gallu Devi temple beyond Dharamkot. Staying in McLeod Ganj or Dharamkot means you can leave early on foot, avoid the afternoon clouds on the ridge and still be at Triund by lunchtime.
What I'd do again
- Catch the sunrise from a rooftop on the upper side of town
- Spend a rest day here after the trek rather than rushing back to Delhi
- Walk to Bhagsu and Dharamkot — both are an easy stroll away
Continue the story: the Triund trek and Laka Glacier.
