Trek To Gallu Waterfall In Dharamkot, Mcleodganj

Mcleod has been on our hit list from the time we visited the place in 2013. Since then I have been there twice and have always had the best experiences for life. Earlier in 2017, we did the trek to Triund, explored the monastery and the main market as well. This time the plan was just to relax and chill for a change but it turned into another exciting experience. We did a trek to a less known place named Gallu waterfall. Well, if you ask me, I would not call it a waterfall, may be because of no rain season in June. To me it was a cluster of beautiful small streams with little water but a magnificent view overall.

Few things you must know before trekking to Gallu waterfall

1. Trek is quite tricky

Though there is no change in the altitude, the trek is not a simple one. The path is narrow and is majorly covered with either rocks or dry leave, making it quite a slippery path in some patches.

2. Shoes are must, strict no no to sandals or chapels

No one in Dharamkot would assume you are not carrying shoes and so would guide you accordingly. Shoes are a must since there is no rugged road even in the thinnest area of the trek. Better avoid any other footwear, they wont be comfortable at all.

3. No need to carry anything

Gallu waterfall, the so-called waterfall has only one thing to offer and that’s beauty. You can simply go and relax, take nothing along. In case you want to take a dip in the water, you may carry another pair of clothes or swimsuit or anything but there aren’t any changing rooms around so watch out for yourself.

4. Food and water are available in the café’s

There is a café on the way and there’s a café at the final destination too which offers amazing Maggie and cold drinks etc so it’s going to be pretty much easy on that side.

5. Try to be back before sunset

Okay so this is important because, as I had said earlier the trek is quite tricky, it really. We started at round 4:40pm and reached by 6:45 (though people said its an hour’s trek, for us it was good 2 hours as we were stopping frequently), by the time we started walking back, it was dark already and since there were no lights or anything, it was hell difficult for us to manage, to an extend that one of us was almost about to slip down to the dark valley. Thankfully, we were accompanied by the café guy who was already coming back. He managed to pull our friend back and then helped us all the way forward. All thanks to our charged cell phones torchlights that help us get through the trek.

This is us, next day after the trek

Accommodation:

You can get home-stays or guesthouses in Dharamkot at a price of about 500-2000/night.  Alcohol is not available around, just in case you wish to know.

How to reach Daramkot from Delhi:

You can take a Volvo from Majnu ka tilla in Delhi to Mcleodganj. If you’ll reach before 10, the bus might drop you to Dharamshala itself, from where you can go to Dharamkot by hiring a cab.