— Hotel Sparrow · Rakkar, Dharamshala
Two rooms, a rooftop restaurant, and the Kangra Valley below. Nine kilometres from McLeod Ganj — quiet enough to sleep, close enough to explore.
Sparrow Restaurant — Indian and Chinese, served on an open rooftop with a view of the Dhauladhar range.
A 360° view of Dharamshala city and the Dhauladhar range — open all day, free to use, somewhere to sit with a cup of tea.
Tell us the night before and we'll have a car ready — the McLeod Ganj circuit, Bhagsu, Norbulingka, or the Kangra Valley for the day.
From Kangra Airport at Gaggal — roughly 14 km, a 30–40 minute drive. Share your flight number and we'll have a car waiting.
Cab and airport-pickup fares are quoted on booking; rates vary with distance and vehicle type. Restaurant menu prices are set by the kitchen and may change seasonally.
— Retreat packages
Four ways to come. Prices are per person, twin-share, inclusive of practices and meals as listed.
— Hotel Sparrow
Hotel Sparrow sits at Rakkar, four kilometres below Dharamshala. From both rooms and the rooftop terrace, the Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar range stretch out in front of you — best in the early morning, before the clouds come in from the south. McLeod Ganj is twenty minutes by cab. Norbulingka is a twenty-minute walk.
— A day here
Nothing is compulsory. Six things you can pick from — breakfast on the rooftop, a Tibetan institute down the road, McLeod Ganj in the afternoon. The hotel arranges cabs; the rest is yours.
A chair on the rooftop, a cup of tea, a 360° view of the Dhauladhar range as it catches the first light.
Served 8:30 to 9:30 on the rooftop — Indian staples, chai, and the valley for company.
Two kilometres down the road. Tibetan arts, wood-carving, thangka painting — a quiet morning among craftsmen.
A ten-minute cab uphill to the Dalai Lama Temple, Tibetan markets, and the cafés off Temple Road. Ask us to book the car.
Five kilometres from the hotel. A short uphill walk, water over rocks, and a tea at the cafe above the falls.
Back to Sparrow Restaurant — Indian and Chinese, open till late. The Dhauladhars turn indigo as the valley lights come on.
— Around the hotel
Rakkar sits between Dharamshala town and McLeod Ganj. Temples, a Tibetan arts institute, a Himalayan-view cricket stadium, and one of north India's classic treks — all within a short drive. We arrange the cab.
A Himalayan day trek from Dharamkot — four to five hours up, the Dhauladhar peaks at close range at the top.
The Dalai Lama's residence and principal temple in McLeod Ganj — morning prayers, a small museum, and the Tibetan quarter right outside.
A Tibetan arts and crafts centre — thangka painting, wood-carving, weaving. Workshops are open to visitors; the gardens are worth the walk alone.
A short uphill walk through Bhagsu village to a clean mountain waterfall, with Shiva Cafe above it for tea. Best before the afternoon crowd.
One of the world's most scenic cricket grounds — wooden pavilion, Dhauladhars as the boundary. Open for visits on non-match days.
A working monastery known for its deep-voice chanting. Morning prayers are open to visitors — the sound carries through the hall.
— Where you'll sleep
— Deluxe Room
The hotel's words, near enough. A well-sized room with a double bed, a private balcony facing the Dharamshala side, a work desk, a smart TV, and the everyday comforts — kettle, tea and coffee, Wi-Fi, in-room safe, daily housekeeping.
— Super Deluxe Room
The hotel's premium category — a king bed, a balcony looking out over the Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar range behind it, and a full set of modern amenities: AC, smart TV, kettle, work desk, in-room safe, in-room dining on request.
— Eating at the hotel
A delightful dining experience at the in-house kitchen — flavourful Indian plates, Chinese favourites, and an in-house chef who does freshly prepared meals all through the day. Local Himachali staples, familiar Indian dishes, and everything in between.
The rooftop outlet — Indian and Chinese, ~40 seats, open-air with the Dhauladhar range for company. Breakfast 8:30–9:30 AM; lunch and dinner through the day.
A second space for tea, coffee, and a quieter sit-down — “a perfect blend of gourmet flavours and relaxing ambiance”, in the hotel's own words.
Vegetarian-friendly kitchen. Alcohol is not served. In-room dining and room service available 8 AM to 11 PM. Dietary requests — tell us when you enquire.
— Before you arrive
Practical answers to the questions guests ask most.
Best views · Cool, clear skies
Winter and early spring bring snow on the Dhauladhar and the sharpest mountain views. Evenings are cold — the hotel provides blankets and room heating. April to June is warm and green; July–September is monsoon season.
Clean rooms · Quiet neighbourhood
Most guests use the hotel as a base for McLeod Ganj, Norbulingka, and Triund. Some remote workers stay for a week or more. Both rooms are well suited for two guests.
Check-out 11 AM · 24-hr front desk
Early check-in on request, subject to availability. The front desk is staffed round the clock. Luggage can be held if you arrive early or need to leave after check-out time.
— Hotel Sparrow
— Getting here
Hotel Sparrow sits at Rakkar — a quiet neighbourhood 4 km from Dharamshala town and 9 km below McLeod Ganj. Kangra Airport is 14 km away. The hotel can arrange an airport pickup on request.
— Begin the enquiry
Tell us roughly when you'd like to come and which room interests you. The hotel team reads every message and replies within a day.
