Notes

01
Parvati River

About Parvati River
Flowing through the Parvati valley, River Parvati is one of the major attractions in Kasol. Beautiful landscapes of the valley and charming riverside, makes this place better than the regular. Visit to River Parvati is the most relaxing and rejuvenating experience in Kasol.

The place is suitable for sightseeing and a few fun activities with your group. It does not offer any major adventure activity and hence is a great place to visit in Kasol to just lay back, relax and enjoy the calm of nature.

02
Kasol:

When it comes to finding a destination that is beautiful, serene, adventurous and available through the year, in Kasol India has already found its favorite spot to travel to. Kasol shot to fame for a plethora of reasons, the prime being the kind of serene beauty that surrounds the city lying in the Parvati Valley as well as the activities you can do here. This quaint little town in Himachal Pradesh is situated on the banks of the Parvati River and has maintained a level of pristine beauty through the years, the kind that attracts people not just from India, but also from many different corners of the world.

Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, is very well known in the travel community for being a haven for backpackers and budget travelers. Replete with experiences that will take away the heart of a lot of travelers, Kasol is more than just a destination. It can easily be proclaimed to be a whole adventure in itself. with a wide number of places to visit in Kasol, it can be called as an ultimate destination. The reason for that is the many adventures that a traveler experiences, be it physical, visual, spiritual, and in some cases, life-changing. Really a small town in the Parvati Valley, Kasol is not just a hotspot for backpacking adventures or a destination set amidst green hills. It is a hub for people looking to just get away from their regular office lives and take to the Himalayas for an experience of a lifetime.

The reason why Kasol is famous amongst such a crowd of travelers is that it caters to everyone. Be it the ones arriving for trekking, camping, rafting, sightseeing, parties, or seeking spiritual awakening, Kasol never disappoints anyone. Starting from the beginning, Kasol is a heaven for the trekking enthusiasts and adventure buffs.

Starting from Kheerganga, Kasol has made this meadow high in the Himalayas their favorite destinations. A 12 km trek that leads through forests of Oak and Rhododendron, trekking on this trail in Parvati Valley is one of the best things to do in Kasol and is one of the favorites too. Beginning from Kasol, the trek passes from Barshaini and Rudra Nag waterfalls, it ends high up on Kheerganga which is a hotspot for campers. Kheerganga is also a location of one of the many hot springs in Kasol with water coming from the earth’s crust naturally warmed up. Popularly known as the Parvati Kund, it is a great spot to relax on top of Kheerganga after a long day of trekking in Kasol. From Kheerganga, the way can either take you back to Kasol or on a majestic detour to the village of Tosh. Nestled in a side valley to the Parvati Valley, and situated in the banks of a small rivulet of the same name, Tosh is an offbeat trekking adventure and a quiet small town. Lesser known and almost uncrowded, the scenes from Tosh of the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas are the best that you can get anywhere in Kasol. Also famous in Tosh are the many small cafes catering to the small tourist crowd that chooses to visit this offbeat green vista of a village.

Another trekking adventure that leads from Kasol is to the secretive village of Malana. The small village in the Himalayas is situated amidst the towering giants of Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba, and is famous for various reasons, the prime one being the self-isolation of the people of the village. This secretive nature, and the fact that Malana is the gateway to the famous Magic Valley is what brings a large crowd of people to take on the trek and pay this majestic little town a visit. The whole experience soothes the eyes and soul of the travelers who take on the Malana and Magic Valley trek and arrive in this green heaven.

And another day hike from Kasol, which is short yet highly adventurous is the trek to Chalal. Situated by the roaring Parvati River in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, Chalal is also called the Little Amsterdam and for every reason. This place is well-known in the world for the crazy trance and PSYtrance parties that happen here from time to time. But one of the greater reasons for the fame of this tranquil small town is the presence of the River Parvati and the kind of beauty that it brings to the whole place.

And speaking of the River Parvati in Kasol, India, there is no denying the fact that the soothing stream is a landmark of this town in itself. It is the river that created the valley and hence, everything beautiful in Kasol is owed to the presence of Parvati in the region. The sometimes roaring sometimes gurgling river is a great place to just sit back, relax and marvel at the beauty of nature around. Parvati River also makes for a great spot to camp near, on the banks of it, to be precise.

And speaking of camping, Kasol, India has many great spots to enjoy staying out in the lap of nature and under the billions of stars in the night sky that you can see loads and loads of because of the fact that this place is untouched by the modern curses and is still in its pristine state. Some of the best spots for camping in Kasol include the name of Kheerganga. A chance to camp in the meadow seems to be a great option as you will be waking up to one of the best sunrises ever over Kheerganga. Apart from this, Tosh proves to be another great place to set up camp and get an exquisite hilltop view of the entire region as you sit near a bonfire. Malana, in its secluded and cut-off state, is also a gateway to one of the best camping sites in the Himalayas, known as the Magic Valley. And for an offbeat experience of camping amidst towering mountains of the Himalayas and a place where the inhabitants do not keep themselves reserved from talking to outsiders, Grahan will prove to be a great retreat. The trail to Grahan walks beside the river Parvati in Kasol, with the village lying in the midst of towering green hills and a view of the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar range.

Apart from the adventurous face of Kasol, there is also a spiritual side to this town. And one of the greatest spots of religious importance here is Manikaran. The region built around a cluster of natural hot springs, Manikaran is of great religious significance to the Sikhs and Hindus. The Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara is said to belong to the era of the founder of the Belief, the first religious leader of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak. He is believed to have come here with a disciple, and to cook their food for a public kitchen called ‘Langar’, he asked the disciple to remove a stone. From under the stone came a hot spring, which still resides in Manikaran Sahib and is considered very sacred. People from all over come to cook the offerings to their God in these springs before consuming, and even take a dip in these waters to wash off their sins. The piety of this place is of the utmost level for the believers of Sikhs.

Another legend relates the place with the Hindu Gods, Vishnu, and Parvati. Parvati lost a gem or ‘Mani’ in the torrential waters below, and the story that followed gave this place its name, Manikaran. Also, it is believed that Lord Shiva’s legendary anger is what gave birth to the hot springs in the area. With many temples dotting the place all over, Manikaran is a must visit, especially because it falls on the way to Kullu and Manali.

Speaking of these regions in the valley, Kullu and Manali can be called as the cultural capital of the state. With such close proximity to Kasol, the name of the small town is many a time collectively called along with the other two. Their presence nearby has boosted tourism in the area even more. And that has given a speed boost to the emergence of a number of cafes, guesthouses, and homestays in the area, so the tourists arriving here will feel all in their comfort zone, meeting and greeting other like-minded backpackers arriving in this quaint destination from several corners of the country, sometimes even the world.

Kasol tourism has done everything to ensure that when someone arrives in this city, they feel safe and sound, alongside the conquering feeling of adventure and the serene feeling of calm taking over their self. And so a trip to Kasol will sure be the best budget tour with a fulfilling feeling that you will ever take. Read this guide for all the information you will need for motivating and planning a trip to Kasol.


03
Tosh Village:

About Tosh Village
Yet another village destination in Kasol, Tosh is a green treat to the tourists that visit the place. the place holds one of the best treks in kasol. The best way to get to this village is by trekking up the hill and witnessing the unreal amaze of this small township in Kasol. Mesmerising hilltop view and refreshing trekking experience will keep you close to delight the entire day.

There are a number of cafes you can visit in this place, while you are discovering other places to visit in Kasol. The more so European experience is definitely on your way if you are looking forward to tick off Tosh village.

04
Rasol Trek Himachal:Rasol (3,048 m) is a small village high up in the mountains of Parvati Valley and the length of the Rasol trek is 8 km one way. With a mesmerizing view that accompanies you throughout the trek, if you are looking for a village to find some peace, awesome views and a village feel, then Rasol is the right place for you.

05
Malana:
An ancient village nestled away amidst the towering mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Malana is rather famous as the perfect holiday destination for hipsters. The location is surrounded by lush, green trees and incredible valleys, making it apt for those who love the nature in its truest essence. The village is bordered by Parvati valley on the north-east and Kullu valley on the other side with peaks of Cahndrakhani and Deotibba shadowing the tiny, paradise of India.

Apart from the natural beauty, Malana is also known for its unique lifestyle and social structure that the locals essentially follow. Their dressing sense, the kind of food they eat, the festivals they celebrate, the way those festivals are celebrated and more reflect the vibrant culture and tradition that is quite unique to the place. This perfect holiday destination is situated at a height of 2,652 meters i.e. approximately 8,701ft above the sea level. There is so much beauty underlying in this town that there are numerous documentaries made on this town, depicting the wonders that Malana encompasses. A few popular documentaries that interested readers can check out are: Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village and Malana, A lost identity.

The traditional language spoken in Malana is Kanashi. Apart from that, there is much history that lies behind the existence of this beautiful location. Local legends suggest, the revered sage namely Jamlu Rishi was a resident on this place and he has been given major credits for setting up the rules, traditions and culture among other regulations of Malana. Locals even claim that Malana reflects the world’s oldest democracies with a well-established parliamentary system as well. Malana is believed to have held immense respect during the pre-Aryan times.

06
Manikaran:
80 km from Manali, located in the Parvati valley, this place is popular for its hot water springs and is frequented by visitors due to the famous Gurudwara Shri Manikaran Sahib that is located here.

07
Chalal Village:
Resonating with the Israeli culture, the Chalal Village is enriched with the true essence which is depicted by its houses and mouth-watering cuisines. While looking for places to eat here you must visit the Tosh Cafe and try out some lip-smacking dishes from the Israeli cuisine.

At an altitude of 5,366 feet above sea level, this village is much encountered by solo travelers looking for a break from their weary lives and rejuvenate amidst the flora and fauna by the River Parvati. You need to take a 35-minute walk to reach this beautiful village. Usually visited by people in search to find themselves, this tiny village is a perfect place if you’re looking for unanswered questions.

Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

08
Kheerganga:
This small alpine village draws its name from the milky white waters of the Parvati river that flows through it. One of the most beautiful tourist places in Manali, its secluded charm comes from the fact that it is slightly off the road.

It is famous for its flaming rhododendron bushes and pinecone-strewn trails.

Distance from Manali: 97 Kms.

Best time: May to June, and September- October.

Highlights: Adventure enthusiasts must try the 13-kilometre Kheerganga hike. You will be amazed by its charming trails dotted with thick pinewoods, plenty of babbling brooks, and quaint & colourful village houses.

At the end of the trek, you will be rewarded with a hot water spring perfect to take a relaxing soak.

09
Trek to Rudranag with a Guide:

Delight in this amazing trekking expedition to to Rudranag, from Pulga, that enables you to enjoy the wild natural beauty of this region.
Trek through beautiful lush-green thickets – rivet in this amazing trek that provides you with ample natural beauty.
This is a great opportunity for naturalist and wildlife lovers as this trek provides you with frequent spotting of rare and beautiful wildlife species.
Enjoy the various stop overs and dhabas near Rudra waterfall which provides delicious food and different cuisines.

10
Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara:
About Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara
Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara is one of the must-visit tourist places in Kullu. It is located near the hot springs at Manikaran and is a sacred place for Sikhs and Hindus. The temple is located in the lap of nature and gives out the positive vibes whenever you visit it.

The hot springs and the beautiful temple will definitely give you the best feeling. Like all the other gurudwaras, the place is clean and maintained very well by the internal staff. The holy place was designed back in the 16th century when Guru Nanak visited Manikaran. Legend says that his disciples were very hungry.

They did not find any food to eat. Guru Nanak sent one disciple to the community kitchen to find something to eat. The locals gave them flour to make flatbread but there was no fire or hot water.
Guru Nanak told his disciple to lift a rock.
When the disciple complied, lifted the stone, a hot spring automatically appeared. The disciples cooked their food using the heat of the spring. Since then, this area has showered every visitor with blessings.
No physical fire is used to cook the rice and curry provided at this place. The geothermal heat is enough to cook food here. The Gurudwara is one of the major tourist attractions in Kullu and mesmerizes the visitors with its architecture and beauty. The age-old art and architecture are visible in the temples and the Gurudwara. The tourists, who like to witness the century-old arts and architecture, will find an excellent example of 16th-century masterpieces here.

Location: Bank of Parbati River, Kullu, India

Distance from Kullu Bus Stand to Hot Springs at Manikaran: The distance from Kullu Bus Stand to Hot Springs at Manikaran is 40.9 km and it takes nearly an hour and 20 mins to travel.