Camping Near McLeodganj: Falling Asleep Under the Dhauladhars

There is a specific kind of silence that only arrives after the bonfire burns down. The talking stops. Someone pulls a blanket tighter. And then you look up, and the sky above the Dhauladhars is so full of stars that it almost seems noisy.

That is what camping near McLeodganj gives you that a hotel never will.

Where people camp

The hills around McLeodganj have a few kinds of campsites. There are fixed campsites around Dharamkot, Naddi and the slopes above Bhagsu, with proper tents, sleeping bags and simple toilets. There are forest and meadow sites a short walk from the road. And there is Triund, the famous ridge camp, which needs a real trek and is a different, more rugged experience altogether.

For most people, a well-run campsite close to McLeodganj is the sweet spot. You get the mountain night without needing to carry your bed up a ridge.

What the night actually feels like

Evenings start warm around the fire. Someone has a guitar. Someone else is making Maggi in a pot that has clearly seen a thousand Maggis. As the sun goes behind the ridge, the temperature drops quickly, and in November it can get close to freezing after midnight.

Then comes the best part: the morning. Unzip the tent at first light, and the snow line on the Dhauladhars turns pink, then gold, then white. Hold your chai with both hands. Nobody needs to say anything.

How to stay warm and comfortable

• Sleep in dry, clean thermals. Never sleep in the clothes you sweated in during the day.
• Wear a woollen cap and socks to bed. Most body heat escapes from your head and feet.
• Keep tomorrow's clothes inside your sleeping bag so they are not ice-cold in the morning.
• Carry a headlamp. Campsite paths are uneven and dark.
• Drink water through the evening. Cold air dehydrates you more than you think.

Camping and safety

Choose campsites that are established, have staff on site, separate washrooms and clear access to the road. If you are travelling as a group of women, ask how the site is managed at night. A good campsite will be happy to answer. A vague answer is your answer.

Leave it cleaner

The hills around McLeodganj have a real waste problem. Carry your wrappers back. Refill water bottles instead of buying new ones. Leave the meadow exactly as you found it, or a little better.

Camp with GoRaahi

Nights under canvas are some of the moments our travellers talk about longest. If you want to fall asleep under the Dhauladhars, check out GoRaahi's upcoming Himachal departures.

See the Bir & McLeodganj girls-only trip →