Mcleodganj (Summer)
Mcleodganj
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
- Backpacking
All About It
- 9 Days 8 Nights
Welcome to Back-Pack-Go
We personally hope you leave the city version of you behind. We're going to the hills
Let us give you a little idea of how we at Vagabond Experiences do group trips. First of all, we don’t do ‘tour operators’. Every group will be accompanied by an Experience Manager (AKA. EM | AKA. Ex-Man). EMs are trained to do one job; help you have a comfortable, safe, and fulfilling experience.
There’s no room for prejudices where we’re going. There’ll be great food, beautiful views, and some good vibrations! Come alone or with old friends, make some new ones, write a story, climb a mountain, jump into a river, dance, sing, and fall in love. Do everything you've always wanted to. We implore you to break free.
Highlights
Places covered: Dharamkot, Bhagsu, Naddi, Mcleodganj, Triund, Bir-Billing
Highlights/trip overview:
-Visit to Dalai Lama Monastery
-Visit to the Tibet Museum
-Hike to Triund
-Camping at Triund in front of the snow-capped Dhauldhar range
-Paragliding at Bir
Who should attend?
-There isn’t an age restriction on any of our experiences, everyone is welcome. However, the average Vagabond customer is anywhere between 20 – 35 years old. The experiences involve a good amount of time spent with the group. Depending on what experience you’re opting for, there could be a lot of walking and physical exertion
-It’s important to understand that most of our experiences include very rustic accommodation and not a luxurious means of transport. These may be basic in their facilities, but the hospitality is homely and comforting. If you’re someone who doesn’t like compromising on your comforts while travelling, this experience may not be very enjoyable
-Most of our trips have a healthy number of solo travellers. We encourage you to join us solo, especially if you’re tired of waiting on your friends. We promise you’ll return with many more
-We try our best to be responsible travellers. Everyone is welcome to explore with us, but we pay utmost importance to cleanliness in all our experiences. We encourage you to #LeaveNoTrace while you discover the beauty of the outdoors
-It’s important to understand that in a limited amount of time, only a limited amount of experiences can be had. We like to cover a few places in-depth rather than just ticking off a long list of things-to-do and places-to-go. However, if you are that kind of traveller, on almost all trips you can feel free to wander by yourself to places of your interest
-At a Vagabond Experience, it’s important to stay open-minded and positive when things don’t go as per plan. The essence of traveling in a group is being able to help each other out when in need. The weather could go bad, and plans could get altered. In such situations, we urge you to have faith in your group leader to make the most informed decision for the group.
Bus
Our journey will begin directly at Delhi; 05:00 pm at Majnu Ka Tila bus stop to be precise. From here, we board a direct bus to McLeodGanj saying goodbye to our city lives.
Travel: 12-13hrs bus journey (Delhi > McLeodGanj)
Car
Homestay
Twin sharing rooms
Reach Dharamsala early in the morning. Our homestay is located in Dharamkot, a picturesque hill town that is an hour away with spectacular views of the entire valley. After breakfast in Dharamkot, we head to H. H. Dalai Lama Temple, Namgyal Monastery, and the Tibet Museum. Visit St. John’s in the Wilderness Church. Sample some local cuisine for dinner.
Travel: 1hr taxi ride (Dharamsala > Dharamkot)
Trek
Homestay
Twin sharing rooms
A good night’s rest and a heavy breakfast later, head to Naddi, a tiny, peaceful village nestled amongst the pine-covered mountains and vibrant yellow mustard fields. Begin our first trail walk toward the pristine Naddi River where we’ll spend our day lazing next to the river and exploring the valley. Dinner will be back at McLeodGanj. Feel free to explore the town at night.
Travel: 30-min cab ride (Naddi > Dharamkot)
Trek
Tents
Twin-sharing tents with sleeping-bags and floor mats
Dinner
(Dinner at the Triund campsite will be only vegetarian.)
Aaah! The big day! We trek to Triund, one of the peaks overlooking the Dhauladhar mountain range. After an early breakfast, head to Galudev Temple. We make our way to Triund, which is 2,850 meters (9,350 ft) above sea level. It is a day-long hike but the serene mountainous landscape, rare wildlife and a trail dotted with magical little cafés with breathtaking views will keep you going. Camp in tents facing the majestic snow-clad mountain range through the night.
Travel: 30-min cab ride (Dharamkot > Gallu Temple)
Trek
Tents
Twin-sharing tents with sleeping-bags and floor mats
Breakfast, Dinner
(Breakfast & dinner at the Triund campsite will be only vegetarian.)
After experiencing an unforgettable sunrise, we’ll have breakfast and trek right up to the snow line. Be warned, we take our snowball fights very seriously. Small icy streams and glacial waterfalls are a common sight on this trail. Another night of camping, music, and delicious food lies ahead.
Trek
Homestay
Twin sharing rooms
Breakfast
(Breakfast at the Triund campsite will be only vegetarian.)
After breakfast. say goodbye to Triund and start the descent. Reach our rooms in Dharamkot by afternoon. This is the day to rest muscles you didn’t even know you had. The evening is at leisure. You can check out some of the popular cafes in the area which have music lessons, live music, meditation sessions, and workshops happening every other night.
Travel: 30-min cab ride (Gallu Temple > Dharamkot)
Car
4-8 seater taxis/jeeps
Homestay
Twin sharing rooms
After an early breakfast, we make our way to Bir Billing where we can spend the day walking around this beautiful town. Visiting the Sherab Ling monastery, exploring the Tibetan colony or paragliding are a few of the things you can spend your day doing at Bir. We re-group by evening and make our way back to our homestay in Mcleodganj.
Alternatively, spend the day gorging on some Bhagsu cake or sit in a cafe and listen to music the whole day! Experience the titular evening at Sunset Cafe in Gallu.
Travel: 3 hour cab rides (Dharamkot > Bir Billing > Dharamkot)
Bus
A/C Volvo semi-sleeper
After breakfast, check out. Make final shopping calls at McLeodGanj market. Board the semi-sleeper bus late in the evening.
Travel: 12-13 hour bus ride (McLeodganj > Delhi)
We'll reach Majnu Ka Tila bus stop early in the morning. Trip ends. Say goodbye to the hills and hello to nostalgia, of course, until next time!
Hosted by
Vagabond Experiences
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
Vagabond started out as a project by four friends with a disdain for the ordinary. The idea was simple; take people out of their comfort zones. Not like Roadies, but just enough to bond them together through beautiful and authentic experiences. Happiness, as they say, is only real when shared. And share we did. The company was founded in 2014. As fresh Bachelor of Arts degree holders, companies were lining up to hire us fine gentlemen; we’re kidding. Fueled by entrepreneurial zeal, we started with small events in the city like heritage walks through Bombay’s old quarters. As musicians and travellers ourselves, we decided to marry these two loves of our lives. That is how the idea for the first Fields of Sound™ came about. Since then, it has only been onward and upwards for us. Since 2014, we’ve made friends like family through our journey. Our little ‘Vaga’-Fam. It’s safe to say, it’s been quite an adventure. One we would like you to join :)
Inclusions
-Bus fares to and from Delhi and McleodGanj for semi-sleeper AC buses
-Accommodation in cozy, rustic, and comfortable homestays with decent amenities on a double-sharing basis
-Accommodation in good quality tents and sleeping bags while camping at Triund
-Private internal transport (taxis) throughout the trip
-Breakfast & dinner at Triund
-All activities and visits to places as per itinerary
-Basic medical and first-aid kit assistance
-Transport to Bir-Billing (paragliding)
-All permits, tolls, and parking charges
-Experienced local guide
-Assistance by Vagabond Experience Managers
Exclusions
-Meals on all days (except Triund)
-Paragliding cost
-Travel insurance
THINGS TO CARRY
1. Sturdy shoes for trekking (well-fitting, neither loose nor tight)
2. An extra small backpack for day outings (20-30 ltrs)
3. Reusable water bottle (avoid buying mineral water bottles to reduce plastic waste)
4. Toiletries, Torch, Lip-balm, Sunscreen, Sunglasses.
5. Personal Medication (Asthma, allergen medication etc.)
6. Slippers/flip-flops
7. Rainwear (jacket/poncho) & rain cover for bags
8. Binoculars, Camera (optional)
9. Sufficient liquid cash as there are very few ATMs in McLeodGanj
10. Crepe-bandage (each person should have 1 roll each)
11. Warm clothes (Temperature appropriate clothing)
12. Hand sanitizer and reusable face-masks
HOW TO REACH
Depending on how you're travelling to Delhi, you can either take a rickshaw or taxi (Uber/Ola) to Majnu ka Tila. Further details regarding the exact location will be shared closer to the trip date
Goto Google Maps
Policy and Terms
-30 days prior to the date of departure, Rs 6,000 will be deducted.
-Between 29 to 15 days prior to the date of departure, Rs 10,000 will be deducted.
-Between 14 to 7 days prior to the date of departure, Rs 15,000 will be deducted.
-6 days to the date of departure, no refund shall be admissible
-In case of cancellations from our end due to COVID or safety-related reasons, an 85-100% refund (excluding taxes) will be initiated, depending on any cancellation charges we may have to bear.
-Advance booking amounts are non-refundable.
(Please refer to the further Terms and Conditions mentioned in the footer of the website)
Terms and Conditions
-All timings and activities are subject to weather, group size, capabilities of participants, etc. -Vagabond holds the right to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances (for eg. unfavorable weather) -By registering for this trip, you agree to have read through and abide by the Vagabond terms & conditions mentioned below: I hereby agree, undertake, and declare as follows: IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to the Vagabond trip/event/trek/activity, hereinafter referred to as Activities conducted by Vagabond, (Hereinafter referred to as the Conductor, under the guidance of Elton Dmello and/or Shannon Fernandes and/or Nihar Nair, hereinafter jointly referred to as the Instructors, I do hereby: Acknowledge and agree that I am aware of the risks involved in the Activities and have also been apprised by the Conductor through his/her Instructors of the inherent risks and dangers associated with the activity and having understood the risks associated with the activity I have willingly agreed to learn/agree to send my ward to learn and participate in the Activities. I assure that I am / my ward is in proper and good health and I am / my ward is physically fit to learn and also participate in the activity and represent that I am / my ward is not suffering from any disease which might remotely either put myself / my ward or the other participants at any risk or danger; I agree to comply with the stated terms and conditions of participation; further, agree and warrant that if at any time when the Instructors believe and think that any conditions to be unsafe, they will have the right to ask me / [my ward] to discontinue further participation in the Activities immediately; I shall not hold the conductor, instructors, employees, other participants, owners, lessors or anyone responsible for any injury that might happen to me / my ward in the course of my journey to the venue and my journey backward I hereby release, discharge, and agree not to sue the conductor, Instructors, employees, any sponsors, advertisers, other participants, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, from all liability, claims, demands, losses, injuries, damage to property or other damages caused or alleged to be caused on my account / on account of my ward in whole or in part by the bonafide errors of the Instructors. I have read this letter and I fully understand its terms; I also understand that this letter intends to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the largest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be not valid, the balance shall continue in full force and effect.
Frequest Questions
Q: What region of north India are we traveling to?
A: We're traveling from Delhi to Mcleodganj which is a suburb of Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
Q: What altitude would we be traveling to?
A: Mcleodganj is at an altitude of approximately 6,830 ft (2,082 m) while our campsite at Triund is at 9,350 ft (2,850 m)
Q: What will the temperature be like while we're there?
A: Temperatures rise to a maximum of 30°C during the day and can drop to a minimum of 15-20°C during the night (and 5°C at Triund campsite)
Q: Is there mobile connectivity in Mcleodganj?
A: Other than our trek to Triund, you will have network and internet for the rest of the trip
Q: Are there any ATMs where we're traveling?
A: There are a couple of ATMs at Mcleodganj market, however, carry liquid cash at all times.
Q: Can I smoke/drink on this trip?
A: We at Vagabond do not refrain our participants from smoking or drinking on our backpacking trips. However, there are times you will be disallowed to do so (monasteries, treks, sacred spaces etc). Indulge in these activities very responsibly.
Q: What will the group size be?
A: We will have a maximum of 20 travelers excluding 2 Vagabond Experience Managers
Q: Is there any age limit to join this trip?
A: No, there is no age limit to join this trip. However, based on our previous experiences, the age group of travelers is usually between 25-35.
Q: Can I join this expedition solo?
A: Of course you can! We have a good number of solo travellers on almost every Vagabond experience.
Q: How physically fit do I need to be to join this trip?
A: This trip involves a lot of walking! Most of the real exploration happens on foot. If you have any physical, mental or medical conditions that may affect your capacity to do the trip, you must inform us before you confirm your seat.
Q: How do I know if I’m fit enough?
A: You should be able to walk a distance of 5kms in less than 35 minutes for 5 days continuously. If you are above 40 years of age, you should be able to walk a distance of 5 kms in less than 45 minutes for 5 days continuously.
Q: Are there doctors/hospitals in Mcleodganj?
A: Mcleodganj market has a doctor’s dispensary which is at a convenient distance from our homestay
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