Himachal Pradesh is blessed with some beautiful landscapes and natural beauty. With mountains, forests, rivers and many other natural wonders all around, they are perfect places to unwind and relax for a few days away from the chaos and hectic schedules of our everyday life.
Kasol is a small picturesque hill town that is nestled in the beautiful Parvati valley that is surrounded by the mighty Himalayan peaks. Kasol and the surrounding places are also famous for the huge range of adventure activities that tourists and adventure enthusiasts can indulge in while on a stay here.
People can go opt for Jungle Hikes,Camping, river rafting, game fishing, mountain climbing and many more interesting activities. The list is surely long.
Let us learn more about Kasol along with the surrounding areas and also discover what are the various adventure activities each of these places have on offer for us
Kasol
Kasol is situated in the beautiful Parvati valley surrounded by mighty Himalayan peaks all around. The distance from Delhi to Kasol is around 530 kilometers. Kasol is situated by the banks of the river Parvati. In order to reach Kasol from Delhi, you have to get down at Bhuntar, which is some 32 kilometers away. From Bhuntar, you can easily get a bus or a cab to Kasol. Kasol can be also reached from Manali and Manikaran. The distance from Kasol and Manali is 107 kilometres while from Manikaran to Kasol is only 5 kilometres.
The nearest railway station to Kasol is at Joginder Nagar which is situated some 144 kilometres away. Kasol has a whole range of things and experiences that will keep you enthralled and busy.
Kasol is the starting for most treks in the Parvati Valley. Most of these treks pass through forests of oak and rhododendron, waterfalls and various streams. Each of the treks from Kasol offer stunning views and experiences.
From Kasol, this trek covers places like Barshaini and Rudra Nag waterfalls and finally ends at Kheerganga. A number of beautiful places also fall in between. Kheerganga has several hot springs and boasts of scenic views.
From Kheerganga, you can either come back to Kasol or head to Tosh, which is another popular destination in this route. Tosh is a small village by the river Tosh.
Tosh has many small cafes and is less crowded compared to Kasol. From Kasol you can also head over to Malana, which is known for its people and culture. It is is surrounded by Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba peaks. The trek to Malana is a memorable and a scenic one passing through waterfalls, streams and forests. This also falls on the way to Kheerganga and Magic Valley treks.
Another short trek from Kasol would be one to Chalal which is also fondly called the Little Amsterdam. It is also situated by the Parvati River.
Chalal is known for its psychedelic parties and draws people from across the world. This place is also known for its hippie culture. There is also tranquillity and peace all over this place.
You will find the Parvati river flowing almost through all places on the trek and is therefore the major and most important identity of this place. It is wonderful to sit by the banks of this river and just relax. The banks of the Parvati river are also great spots for camping.
Apart from adventure activities in and around Kasol, there are also some major religious and spiritual centers here. Manikaran is of great religious significance to the Sikhs and Hindus. This place has a Gurudwara, a few temples and a number of hot springs.
Over the years proper connectivity by roads and transport as well as Kasol’s location being close to Manali and Kullu has boosted tourism in this region. The promotion and pictures of these places on social media has also encouraged more people to visit this place.There are cafes, guesthouses and home stays in the area and the tourism infrastructure is slowing improving everyday.
However, too much of crowds of tourists coming can ruin the beauty and tranquility of this place and the authorities are trying to keep that in check.
Over the recent years, Kasol has emerged as an extremely popular destination for adventure lovers and backpackers. A number of foreign tourists visit here. It is even popularly called as ‘Mini Israel’ because of the huge number of people coming from Israel. This place is also famous for its hippie culture.
Food in Kasol has been highly influenced by the huge number of foreign tourists that have been visiting this place very frequently. Therefore food of major international cuisines like Israeli, Italian and British can be found here. Traditional Himachali food of this region in Kasol can also be found.
Kasol is home to a number of music festivals that are arranged here at different times of the year. There are trance music festivals that attract a large amount of people across the world. Music artists and enthusiasts take part in these festivals. These festivals usually take place in the summer months of May and June.
Kasol can be mostly covered on foot but you can also choose to go around in bikes.There are a number of shops that rent out motorbikes like Royal Enfield. Exploring Kasol on bikes is can be a fun experience.
Beautiful views of the valley and mountains all around, the verdant forests and the rivers and streams meandering through this place are some of best sights that Kasol offers to its visitors.
The weather in Kasol mostly remains pleasant with moderate temperatures. However, there is snowfall in Kasol during the winter months.
There are undoubtedly many things to do in Kasol and various places to visit in Kasol. All of these are definitely some of most memorable experiences you will take back home.
Among the many adventurous things to do in Kasol, trekking surely stands out to be the most popular activity. The reason for this being that Kasol and the areas around it have some beautiful trekking and hiking routes passing through forests and provide stunning views of the whole landscape.
The treks on this route are of various difficulty levels each of which can cater to the preferences of the people. If you are a beginner and has no prior trekking experience, then do not worry as there are a number of treks of which beginners can easily be part of.
Seasoned and experienced trekkers can opt for challenging treks.The Malana Village trek, the Tosh Valley trek and Kheerganga Trail are some of the most popular treks in this region.
Adventurous activities are not restricted to trekking only here. You can also indulge in activities like biking and cycling through which you go around and explore this beautiful place.
You can head over to the banks of rivers or go the local villages and interact with the locals, you can surely plan the trip in your own way.
Fishing is another fun yet adventurous activity to be part of while on a visit here. The waters of the River Parvati are home to a number of fishes. Enjoy the beautiful scenery all around while you wait for your catch.
Camping here is also one of the most recommended experiences. Staying at these camps is surely a wonderful experience. Adventure lovers who want to stay amidst nature and enjoy being in nature’s tranquillity will surely love this. Backpacking here can also help you to meet new interesting bunch of people.
Kasol and the surrounding places have some of the best places to enjoy camping. There are great spots where you can camp out in the open amidst nature and gaze at the stars at night. Kheerganga surely tops among the places to do camping. You can witness some of best sunrises from this place. Tosh is another great place to do camping and you can witness scenic views of the mountains and the valley from here.
Though there are a number of good hotels and even homestays in Kasol, it is always recommended that you ditch these and opt for staying in these camps situated amidst forests and by the banks of the river. There is also a huge range of camping options here. You can stay a humble simple tent with just basic amenities or opt for a luxurious tent with all modern amenities. It is totally up to you.
The sound of the river flowing relaxes the mind. At night, you can gaze at the night sky and the stars. Such things can be witnessed and experienced only on a camping expedition.
Chalal
The Chalal Village is another wonderful place to visit around Kasol and attracts a large number of tourists. With natural beauty all around,Chalal is a quite wonderful place to spend a day. One can trek to this village witnessing the beautiful atmosphere all around the place.
The trek from Kasol to Chalal spans for about thirty minutes and passes through beautiful lush green forests and landscapes. This is also the popular stopover during the trek to Parvati valley.
The trek from Kasol to Chalal is around 2 kilometres and begins after crossing a suspended bridge over the Parvati river.After crossing the bridge, the trail passes through the villages. The whole trail is memorable offering some charming views of the Parvati river flowing against the backdrop of the magnificent pines and huge mountains.
Chalal still is not so commercialized or crowded by tourists like Kasol and has managed to retain the vibes of a rustic mountain village. It also provides panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and the forests.
Chalal is extremely popular among backpackers and trekkers. Trekking and camping are the major activities people love being part of during their visit here. It is a wonderful experience to camp out under the stars amidst the pine forests or by the river banks, or just sit and enjoy the scenic panorama of the grand Himalayan peaks.
The people staying in the villages at Chahal are very simple and it is also wonderful witnessing their simple lifestyle. You can even interact with them.
Chalal is situated by the river Parvati and there are a number of cafes serving Israeli food. You can sit in these cafes and enjoy the scenic views.
Tosh
The Tosh village is located at a height of about 2400 metres above sea level. The Kasol to Tosh distance can be covered by a 9 kilometres trek.The temperature in Tosh ranges between 2 degrees and 7 degrees Celsius and it snows here in winters. The Tosh river which is a tributary of the mighty Parvati river flows through this region.
Tosh is the starting point for many popular treks in this region and therefore trekking surely features on top among all the adventurous activities.
Tosh is surrounded by a number of beautiful peaks and mountains. The Tosh,Malana glaciers and several well-known peaks like Papasura (6,451m) and White Sail (6,466m) can be viewed from here.
Challenging yet beautiful Himalayan treks like the Animal Pass and the Pin Parvati Pass trek begin from here. Easy but endurance testing treks like Kheerganga trek and Tosh Glacier trek also begin from here.
All these treks offer picturesque views of the Himalayan mountains, alpine meadows and valleys, and forests. Camping can be equally fun here.
Rasol
Rasol is a beautiful village which has some of the best breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Rasol falls on the way of the most famous treks in this region like the Malana village trek and Kheerganga Valley trek.
Agriculture is the primary occupation of the locals here. A simple yet exhausting trek from Kasol, spanning between two to four hours will take you to this beautiful village of Rasol.
Rasol is surrounded by lush green forests of pine and beautiful valleys. Backpacking and camping are popular adventurous activities people can engage here.
Rasol also has a number of small cafes which serve Israeli and Italian food.
Hiking to Rasol from Kasol is also equally adventurous.A stony steep path followed by a trail through forests will lead to Rasol.
Kalga, Pulga , Tulga
While on a trip to Parvati valley, Pulga, Tulga and Kalga are the places you will see on your way.These places have very little population and are mostly isolated and remote. Because of this, they are extremely scenic and beautiful.
There are no motorable roads to Pulga, Tulga or Kalga and they can be reached only by hiking or trekking. This helps in preserving the rustic charm of these places and to avoid mushrooming of buildings and other commercial activities.
The trek to these places are extremely scenic with stunning views of the mountains and the landscape. The trek is not at all difficult and can be easily done.
Pulga village can be reached from Barshaini. Pulga is also one of the stopovers during the Pin Parvati Pass trek.In Pulga, you can visit the lush green forests with huge pine trees and enjoy serenity of nature.
Pulga is famous for hiking and trekking and a number of good treks are located nearby. This is surely the best place to be in if you are an adventure lover. There are a few waterfalls which are located nearby which you can also visit.
Pulga is also famous for a place called ‘fairy forest’ which is a dense forest of deodar trees. This place can be reached by trekking. It is a beautiful trek offering beautiful views of mountains and the distant snow covered peaks. It is a wonderful experience.
Tulga village is located somewhere in between the villages of Kalga and Pulga. Important treks like the Bunbuni Pass trek and the Kheerganga trek can be done from Tulga. Tulga is blessed with greenery and natural beauty. There are wooden houses everywhere here.
Kalga village is a place appropriate for people who want to feel the tranquility of nature. It is a place which is not so crowded with tourists. Kalga falls on the route to Kheerganga, which has hot springs and is a good place to take a break during the trek. Similar short treks lie in the vicinity which can be done from this place.
This beautiful trio of villages near Kasol also provide wonderful locations for camping far away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
Waichin Valley
Waichin Valley is one of hidden gems on the trail to Malana. Waichin Valley is also called Magic Valley because of the stunning views it offers is approximately 4 kilometres away from Malana. There are no motorable roads that go to Waichin Valley.
Camping in Waichin Valley is highly recommended. There are a few campsites where you can stay at very affordable rates. There are no shops or cafes nearby. The people in charge at the camp help in cooking the food. Food is freshly made with ingredients which are sourced from this very place.
At night you can set up a bonfire, cook your food and gaze at the stars
Jari
Jari is around 9 kilometres away from Kasol. Travellers can visit the traditional wood-and-stone temples that are located here. Jari can be reached from Bhuntar or Manikaran. It is very near to the village of Malana. Buses to Kasol can also be found from Jari.
A number of hikes and treks can be done from Jari. Camping here is also a great idea. Camping here gives an opportunity to stay by the banks of the river Parvati with apple orchards all around against a backdrop of snow capped mountains.
Malana
Malana is one of the most popular tourist destinations for many reasons in this region. This village is located in the Malana Nala which is valley adjacent to the Parvati Valley.Its location is quite remote and isolated.
It is situated on a plateau by the side of the Malana river. The unique things about Malana are its unique lifestyle and social structure. This place has its customs and people follow the directions of their deity Jamlu RIshi.
Malana residents are said to have descended from the Greek soldiers of Alexander the Great’s army. Malana residents do not interact much with the outsiders and do not even allow outsiders to enter their temples.
Another attraction here is that Marijuana has been cultivated here as a legal cash crop for centuries. This attracts a lot of people. Malana cream, a kind of hash of high quality also grows here and is immensely popular.
The Chanderkhani Pass and Kheerganga trek can be done from this place. There are number of places on the way to Malana where you can camp. There are a number of similar hikes and treks in the vicinity.
Kheerganga
Kheer Ganga lies at the extreme end of the Parvati valley and is the last inhabited village in Pin Parvati Pass trek. Kheerganga can be easily reached from Tosh or Bhuntar.
Kheerganga boasts of forests with tall pine trees and alpine meadows. The highlight is however the hot water spring that is present here. There is also a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva beside.
It is indeed an adventurous and memorable experience to take a bath in this hot spring where the weather conditions are cold and snow capped mountains are visible.The waters of the hot spring have many medicinal properties.This is what you will exactly need to relax after some continuous trekking.
The route to Kheerganga has beautiful forests and waterfalls. You can also camp here. There is a campsite with basic amenities.
Grahan
Grahan is one of the lesser known villages around Kasol. The trek of around four hours will take you to Grahan from Kasol. The villagers of Grahan are honey collectors and go up the forests to collect honey. They also carry rifles with them in order to protect themselves from various wild animals that live in these forests.
The history of Grahan is very interesting as well. It is said that the residents of Grahan were once residents of the Malana village. But they shifted to this place. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in this area.
The residents of Grahan can only marry people from this same village. They cannot marry outsiders. They strictly follow these customs and rules.
Grahan is the starting location for the Sar Pass trek. There are many similar treks and hikes that can be done in the places that lie nearby. All the houses here are ages old and have been built in the traditional style.
Camping at Grahan can be equally adventurous. The village provides rustic settings. You can discover and learn more about the people here and their lifestyle. Enjoy the evening at the campsite with some bonfire.
Manikaran
Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley along the banks of river Parvati in Himachal Pradesh. Manikaran is an important pilgrimage centre for both Sikhs and Hindus. Manikaran has hot springs, a number of temples and a Gurudwara. Manikaran is only 85 kilometres away from Manali and can be visited in a day.
The Gurudwara is worshipped by both the Sikhs and the Hindus. According to the Hindu legend, Shiva and Parvati were walking in the valley when suddenly Parvati dropped one of her earrings. This was seized by Shesha, a serpent deity, who disappeared post this. Shesha surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed Tandava, which is a form of cosmic dance for him and returned the earring to him again.
The Sikh legend says that Guru Nanak, one of the revered Gurus and founders of Sikhism had come to this place with one of his disciples. The disciple felt hungry, but he could not find any food. Guru Nanak sent him to collect food for the langar, which is a form of community kitchen. Many people donated food to them. However, a problem cropped up when they were not able to find fire that was required to cook food.
Guru Nanak then asked him to lift a stone and he found a hot spring under it. People come and cook the offerings to the God in these springs before consuming them. It is believed that taking a dip in these waters of the hot springs can wash off the sins of people. It is considered very sacred
There are three hot springs where you can bathe. The water in these springs said to have medicinal properties.
Manikaran is also base point for many popular trekking routes like Malana. Areas in and around Manikaran are known for hiking,trekking and camping.
Katagla
Katagla village is located on the same trail that leads to Chalal from Kasol along the Parvati river. Katagla is situated by the banks of the Parvati river.
It is still vastly unexplored and is not crowded or commercialised like Kasol.
Katagla is a remote picturesque village which is still not overcrowded by tourists. Katagla has some beautiful campsites where you can have a great camping experience.
Bijli Mahadev
Bijli Mahadev is one of the sacred temples located in this region. It is located at a height of about 2,460 metres above sea level in the Kullu Valley. It is located at a distance of about 22 kilometres away from Kullu by the river Beas.
It can be reached by a trek of approximately 3 kilometres. It is an easy trek that takes around 2 hours to complete. The trail passes through forests with the huge deodar trees and provides excellent views of Kullu valley and the Parvati Valley along the way.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is said that the tall staff of this temple attracts the divine blessings of the lord in the form of lightning. It is believed that the priest of the temple has to restore the Shiva linga placed inside the temple using butter and sattoo each time lightning strikes it, as it shatters the former into pieces once lightning strikes it.
This trekking experience is quite adventurous.
Conclusion
Kasol and the areas around it promise to be an adventure lovers paradise. The places in this region not only boast of natural beauty but also are places where a number of adventure activities can be undertaken.
Adventure activities here are for all kinds of people. Beginners or experts, everyone can take part in these activities. Hiking, trekking, fishing or camping, you can choose whatever interests you.
Such adventurous trips are necessary in order to take a break from the hectic schedule of everyday life. Breathe in the fresh air and indulge in adventurous activities that challenge you and bring the best out of you. These trips help in rejuvenating your mind and soul.
Therefore, if you are in Kasol or any of the places around, it is recommended that you try out each of these adventure activities.
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