Delhi to Dharamshala

Route
Delhi - Ambala - Chandigarh - Rupnagar - Kiratpur - Una - Kangra - Dharmasala- McLeodganj

Distance
525km

Best Part
Una to Kangra to Dharmasala. This route is breathtaking. The road is not the smoothest but its character more than makes up for the lack of smoothness.

Description
From Delhi to Chandigarh is a good four-lane road, part of which is under construction but you will make good time. From Chandigarh to Kiratpur, the road is mostly flat and passes through wildlife sanctuary. From Kiratpur, the road starts into the mountains and the turns and curves and the scenic beauty of the forest is bound to win your heart. But the progress is a little slow as the speed drops. From Kangra to Dharmasala, the real climb starts and the view of the Dhauladar range is very good.
Then move on to the township of McLeodganj. Now that is the seat of His Excellency The Dalai Lama... This is far better than the main city of Dharamshala in all senses. Just 15 or so kms. If you wanna stay, this is the place.

Stopovers
Stop at Ambala for breakfast. Next stop at Kiratpur for lunch. Evening tea can be at Kangra if you are not too enthusiatic, else at Dharmasala itself which is 20 kms ahead.

Fuel Stations
All along. No problem in refueling at any point. However people of McLeodganj get their fuel from Dharamshala (10 km far).

Tips
If you are planning to do it in a day, (which can be done) try not to waste time on stretch till Kiratpur. After that the speed drops as the climb starts.

Time to visit
Of course summer is traditionally the best part of the year to visit any hill station....But you wont be frozen to death even in Jan. I went in Jan. Sun compelled me to take off my woolens at a time...But ya once sun goes down it goes in minus. Got the spirit? Go in Jan-Feb...It rains, snow falls, chilling cold, hot in day...everything will be there.

Distances
Delhi............Dharamshala....525
Chandigarh.....Dharamshala....255
Chandigarh.....Una............130
Una..............Dharamshala....125
Shimla...........Dharamshala....250 (via Hamirpur)
Manali...........Dharamshala....135

More detailed route Rupnagar onwards....
Punjab->
Rupnagar-Ghanauli-Bharatnagar-Nirmohgarh-Kirtapur-Anandpur Sahib-Nangal-Bhakra (About 60-70 km)
HP->
Una-Amb-Nainpukhar-Dera Gopipur-[NH 88]-Ranitaal-Kangra-Dharamshala (About 120-30 kms)

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RETURN ROUTE (distances given approx, on a guess work)

Dharamshala-{20KM}-Kangra-{16}-Ranitaal- {20}-Jwalamukhi-{12}-Nadaun-{5}-Bhatta-{23}- Hamirpur- {16}-Bhota-{28}-Ghamarwin-{25}-Bilaspur-Arki-Shimla

Distances
Kangra........Hamirpur.......65 km
Hamirpur.....Bilaspur.........50 km
Bilaspur.......Shimla..........85 km
Shimla........Chandigarh.....115 km