Kasol: 7 days around the Himalayan Paradise
Colossal Himalaya towering over the sky, buried in snow, and the river Parvati enlivening the entire scene of Kasol.
The idyllic quiet townlet of Kasol, snuggled away in the arms of the majestic Parvati valley used to be a hidden gem until it became a bustling hub for trekkers and backpackers. Thus, ever since hordes of adventure and experience seekers discovered it, Kasol has become yet another tourist attraction in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Different groups of people visit and appreciate Kasol for different reasons. It is called ‘Mini Israel’ and some have also described it as the “Stoners’ Hub”. It has drawn a part of young generations as a hippie cultural haven, created by a laid-back vibe, psychedelic music, parties in the deep woods, and, of course, cannabis.
Its actual essence, however, resides in its unbounded beauty, with the colossal Himalaya towering over the sky, buried in snow, and the river Parvati enlivening the entire scene with its roaring. With its rivulets-filled landscape and never-ending canopy of deodar trees, this entire region looks to be a dream. Kasol is the entrance point to Parvati valley, and hence it is the base camp for many renowned treks.
Because of the large number of Israeli settlers and visitors who have made Kasol their home, it has earned the name "Mini-Israel." And their impact on Kasol's culture and the economy is tremendous. They are said to come to Kasol in search of spiritual and mental tranquility, but the welcoming locals and peaceful atmosphere drew them in. Here you’ll find several signboards and graffiti in Hebrew. The town also boasts a diverse range of Israeli cuisines.
Parvathi River, Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, India.
What to Expect
BEST TIME TO VISIT
DURATION OF STAY
HOW TO GET THERE?
MEGHALAYA: SIX - DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 - Drive to Kasol, enjoy scenic route - Check into a guest house in Kasol - Explore the city center, try local food - Visit Kasol Nature Park and Parvati river - Shop at local stores - Have dinner at Evergreen (Israeli restaurant) - Rest for the next day's hike.
Day 2 - Hike to Rasol, a secluded village disconnected from roads - Pass through Chalal, a village en route to Rasol - Enjoy breakfast at Chalal Inn cafe - Trek is scenic with pine trees and sunlight - Explore Rasol, witness local life and mountain plantations - Have local lunch and return to Kasol.
Day 3 - Visit Manikaran Gurudwara, a renowned Sikh pilgrimage site with hot springs - Enjoy the holy and tasty langar (meal served by devotees) - Stop by Tosh village on the way back - Marvel at the snowy mountain ranges and lush meadows - Explore beautiful apple orchards in Tosh.
Day 4 - Trek to Malana, a secluded village with a distinct culture - Undertake a challenging 5 km trek - Explore the village, interact with hospitable villagers - Enjoy panoramic mountain views - Start the return trek.
Day 5 - Explore Kasol streets, have a relaxed day - Stroll along Parvati River, enjoy beautiful surroundings - Try diverse cuisines at local cafes - Camp by the river in the evening - Enjoy a campfire under the starry sky.
Day 6 - Trek 14 km to Kheerganga from Barshaini - Enjoy views, waterfalls like Rudra Nag - Pass through picturesque villages: Kalga, Pulga - Reach a 9600 feet summit - Relax in hot springs - Return to Kasol.
Day 7 - Drive to Parashar Lake - Explore the sacred temple dedicated to sage Prashar - Admire the deep blue lake in a saucer-shaped valley - Have the perfect ending to our Himachal trip.
THREE MUST-DO HIKES IN KASOL
Landscape on the way to Malana village, Kasol., Himachal Pradesh, India.
BEST TIME TO VISITSummer in Himachal, particularly in the Parvati Valley region, is pleasantly warm. As a result, the best time to visit Kasol is during the summer, between April and July. The town may be a little crowded during this time of year, but in Kasol, you can always find a quiet spot by the river to rest and bask in the refreshing Himalayan air.
DURATION OF STAYThe length of the trip to Kasol depends on what you desire to indulge in here. If you just wish to getaway in the lap of Mother Nature and roam through this tiny town, relaxing in its varied cafes, then three days trip might suffice. But if you are a soul seeking adventure, then there are many thrilling treks nearby. To explore it all, you can easily speed a week here.
HOW TO GET THERE?Set amidst the mountain valleys, Kasol doesn’t have any railway station or airport. Although, Kasol has easy accessibility from the northern states. Joginder Nagar Railway Station is 144 km from Kasol, while the nearest airport is Bhuntar, 31 km away. But since flights are limited here, what I would advise is that you take a flight or train to Delhi, Chandigarh, or Kullu/Manali and from these cities, you can easily catch buses or rent private cabs.
A road trip to Kasol is also exciting and filled with spectacular scenery. However, one must be a skillful driver and extremely cautious on winding roads.
KASOL : X DAY ITINERARYFusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum.
DAY 1
We had planned a seven-day trip to this Himalayan heaven. On the first day, we drove to Kasol, passing through villages and bridges, and traversing through rivers and valleys. The entire journey was an excursion in itself. As we drew closer to Kasol, we noticed we were getting further and deeper into the alpine forests, with only a few quaint hamlets in between.
We chose to check into our guest home first when we arrived. Kasol, being a popular tourist destination, has been greatly commercialized. Many folks would sigh about the good old tranquil days of the town. However, due to the influx of tourists each year, the town has witnessed a boom in café culture as well as a plethora of hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and homestays. You may book in advance or just hunt for a nice place once you are here. The forest department also rents out tents near the river at a reasonable price.
Momos at Kasol Market
Having settled in, we walked to the city center. The best way to explore Kasol and the nearby places is on foot. If it suits you, you can just hike around nearby hamlets. The views are so spectacular that at the end of the day, you wouldn't mind the effort a little bit.
The city center was teeming with a variety of food stalls and cafes. We indulged in appetizing local food like momos, maggie, chaat, and dumplings. Oh god! Cannot say how heavenly they taste.
Nature Park Kasol
In the evening, we visited the Kasol Nature Park and sat by the frothy water of the Parvati river. As the sun began to set, we could see the expanding mountains fading into the darkness and the stars began to twinkle in the clear night sky. Kasol, being away from the cities, offers a magnificent night sky.
We returned to the market and shopped at the local stores. There were some nice woolen hats, sweaters, and other clothing goods at the Bazar here.
Image source : Cafe Evergreen google maps image collection.
We had dinner at the famous Israeli place called Evergreen. Here we tried mouth-watering Latkes and barbecued veggies with Limonana.
We retired early that day as we had an exciting hike waiting for us the next day.
DAY 2
Because of the over-tourism in Kasol, visitors are increasingly seeking trekking activities in the nearby villages, which are still less frequented and thus offer unruffled experiences of village life and the beauty of nature. Rasol is one such village.
Three hours hike from Kasol, Rasol remains disconnected from the roads, enabling the preservation of its secluded existence. The only way to visit it is on the foot, hence very few tourists visit the town. The trek to Rasol can be strenuous, but the beauty of wooden houses nestled among the lush valley is well worth it.
So, on the second day, we decided to hike to Rasol. To reach Rasol, one has to first reach Chalal, another village that connects Kasol to Rasol. After crossing the metal truss bridge near the Kasol bus stand we arrived in Chalal after 30 odd minutes. The entire trek was beautiful with pine trees sheltering us and the sun rays filtering through its branches.
In Chalal, we had a hearty breakfast at Chalal inn cafe. One must note that the trek from Chalal doesn’t have any eateries or shops, so a good breakfast and plenty of food and water supplies are highly recommended before starting the hike. The trail had many signboards showing us the way. It had some steep climbs. After hours of trekking, we finally reached Rasol.
The sight of locals going through their daily routines, children’s curious eyes following us, and the plantations on the steep mountains were one to behold. The village has a temple but visitors are forbidden to touch it. We enjoyed a local lunch and soon made our way back.
DAY 3
On the third day, we decided to take it slow. We visited Manikaran Gurudwara which lies 15 minutes drive from Kasol. The place is a renowned pilgrimage for Sikhs. Attracting people for its hot springs that are believed to have healing power as the water here contains sulfur in it. If you go there, you should enjoy the holy and tasty langar (meal served by the devotees).
We stopped by Tosh on the way back. Tosh village, located at the further end of Parvati Valley, is a peaceful hamlet to unwind and marvel at the towering snowy mountain ranges sitting on the lush meadows. We also visited several lovely apple orchards while we were here.
DAY 4
The fourth day was devoted to the trip's second trek, to the fabled Malana village. Malana, which is geographically and socially detached from the rest of the world, is said to be the world's oldest democracy.
Another well-known myth about this area is that the Malana villagers are Alexander's descendants. Whatever the truth may be, you'll find this village still untainted by modernization. Malana, known for its Hashish, is another abode of beauty and splendor.
From Kasol one has to drive to Jari and from there we found the entrance to the Malana trek. Like Rasol, Malana is also disconnected from the roads. The journey to Malana was arduous. We were frequently met by the gushing Parvati river, and the rocky terrain added to the adventure.
We finished the 5 km journey with many steep ascents and a few descents. We began to feel relieved and happy as the village began to emerge before our eyes. Visitors are not permitted to touch anything, and photography and videography are restricted in several areas.
There were, however, many hospitable villagers. We wandered about the area, taking in its distinct culture and people. The high settlement, which overlooked the Chandrakhani and Deo Tibba Peaks, appeared to be another world. We had a long way to go, so we began our trek back.
DAY 5
A stunning aerial view of a picturesque Parvati river, Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, India.
We were feeling weary the next day, so we decided to just wander around the streets of Kasol. We went for a stroll along the Parvati River. The beauty of the rivers is that they never seem to depart from you, no matter where you go in this region. They appear to be an omnipresent entity, bestowing beauty and vitality of the valley.
We explored some well-known cafes and restaurants and tried a variety of cuisines to pamper our appetite. We spent the evening camping beside the river. We felt ecstatic while we sat around the campfire as the night grew chilly, beneath the starry sky, with the music of the tumbling river.
DAY 6
It was the sixth day, and it was time for another trek! We'd heard a lot about the Kheerganga trek and knew we had to go. We left early in the morning for Barshaini, which serves as the trek's beginning point. The distance between Kheerganga and Barshaini is approximately 14 km. The path had panoramic views of the Himalayas as well as several waterfalls such as Rudra Nag and wooden bridges that enhanced the trek's grandeur.
One also passes through picturesque villages like Kalga and Pulga. We soon arrived at the summit. The view from this altitude (almost 9600 feet) was breathtaking. One may also take a plunge in the hot springs and let the exhaustion of the trek sweep away. After a little respite, we continued our descent. And then we returned to Kasol.
DAY 7
On the last day of our tour, we drove to the tranquil Parashar Lake. Prashar Lake, often known as Parashar Lake, is a quaint lake in Himachal Pradesh around 50 km from Mandi. It is hailed as a sacred lake because it has a three-story pagoda-like temple dedicated to sage Prashar on its shores. This deep blue lake was in a saucer-shaped valley at an incredible elevation of 8,960 feet, surrounded by dense woods and snow-capped hills was a sight to behold and a perfect end destination of our trip to Himachal.
Three Must-Do Hikes In Kasol
Kasol has something for everyone. We can just simply sit by the river, listening to the ever-changing rhythms of nature, or at a nice café, relishing the famous Israeli cuisines, and rejuvenate ourselves from our everyday humdrum lives, or we can embark on exciting treks around town.
Why is there touch of Israeli culture in Kasol? ( 2-3 lines about this)
Kasol is recognized as "Mini-Israel" due to the significant number of Israeli tourists that visit the town and many of whom end up settling there. Many Israeli youths sought tranquility after two years of mandatory military service in Israel, and what better place to find it than in the lap of the Himalayas?! Israeli cuisine and the flourishing Israeli culture can be found all across town.
Everyone, from the rookie hiker to the most ardent trekker, will find something thrilling here. So, when I visited Kasol with my family, we also went on some exciting treks that led us to the most scenic parts of Himachal and its picturesque villages.
Here is a list and details about the treks that we explored and I recommend you as well! Happy Hiking!
KASOL TO RASOL HIKE
In the peak season, when Kasol is crammed with tourists and trekkers, Rasol becomes an ideal escapade from the crowd and an entrance into the yet undisturbed beauty of Himachal. This secluded little mountain village can be only reached through an undulating trail.
Apart from its natural beauty, Rasol is famous for its production of cannabis. This erstwhile secluded hamlet is slowly opening its arms to visitors.
Chalal, another town that connects Kasol and Rasol, serves as the base camp for the Rasol hike. To begin this exciting and comparatively easy hike, depart early from Kasol and hike towards Chalal. You can easily reach from Kasol to Chalal in 30 minutes.
It is suggested that you halt in Chalal for a full breakfast because the rest of the hike is devoid of eateries or even shops where you can buy food and water. The sign boards marking the route to Rasol may be found in Chalal. The entire trek is densely forested with pine trees and lush green meadows.
It takes around 2 to 4 hours to walk from Chalal to Rasol, depending on one's speed. It's primarily uphill, but with a few stops and the sight of nature in its finest form, you'll be able to finish the walk without too much difficulty.
Once you're in town, take some time to walk around the streets and get to know the inhabitants and their unique history. Also, please respect their privacy and customs, since the locals are highly defensive about tourists touching their shrine.
You can also spend the night in this sleepy town by staying at a homestay. Don't forget to try the delicious local home-cooked food. Kasol is acclaimed for its street food like Momos, egg Paratha, Thukpa, Maggie and so much more. I also recommend the Ginger Lemon Honey Tea as well as Dham which a famous local dish of Himachal.
Trek Distance: 8 km
Trekking Time: Approx 3 hours
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Villages in the trek: Chalal and Rasol
MALANA HIKE
When one hears the name Malana, the mind immediately wanders to its fabled association with Hashish. However, when I trekked to this village, I realized that the place has much more to often than just Hashish. (However, it seems to offer it a lot and quite frequently!)
Malana is considered to be the world's first democracy. The peasants in this area never paid taxes to monarchs or even the British. They have their own set of rules and orders that they adhere to religiously. Another intriguing narrative about these people is that they claim to be the descendants of the soldiers from the army of King Alexander the Great.
Since the village is not connected by road, the only group of tourists that have visited this village is the trekkers. The trek to Malana is indeed a challenging one, but certainly a doable one.
If you are commencing your trek from Kasol, you must first travel to Jari, where the entry point to the Malana trip is located. The trail winds over rugged terrain, some severe ascents and descents, a river, and a forest canopy. It may take up to 5 hours to reach this settlement, which is located at an elevation of 10,000 feet.
We arrived during high season, so the village was a little dirty, but the entire walk was definitely worth the effort. On the way, you'd see a lot of kids selling hashish and locals loaded with goods, heading towards the other towns.
With developing tourism, trekkers can find accommodation in the village and spend a day or two in this serene region.
Trek Distance: 8 km
Trekking Time: Approx 5 hours
Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
Best time to visit: March to July or October to November
KHEERGANGA TREKThe Kheerganga trek is one of the most spectacular and strenuous treks near Kasol. Kheerganga, located at the far end of Sylvan Hills' Parvati Valley, is a sacred and quiet spot renowned for its hot water spring.
According to legend, Lord Shiva meditated here for thousands of years, while others believe it was his son, Kartikey, who meditated here. When Shiv and Parvati visited him, Parvati requested Shiv to assist their son in surviving in the wilderness. Shiv, the holy force, created a river out of Kheer (a milk-based delicacy), giving rise to the name Kheerganga. There is also an old Shiv Mandir on the premises.
Aside from its religious significance, Kheerganga tends to overwhelm its visitors with its awe-inspiring scenes of beauty.
To begin this trek, one must first travel to the route's base camp, Barshaini, a village near Kasol. The hike begins at Barshaini and takes around 5 to 6 hours to complete. The venturesome journey takes you by exquisite waterfalls, alpine forest ranges, and enchanting wooden bridges. You also pass through Kalga and Pulga villages.
The trip begins with a mild climb and then becomes more strenuous. Despite this, the vistas of deodar and pine trees, snow-capped Himalayas, and little cottages situated in the middle of nowhere keep you going.
When you arrive, you may take a soak in the natural springs known as the Parvati Kund. Its hot water can alleviate all of your weariness and tiredness. Trekkers often spend the night here, camping in tents. The view of the star-studded night sky is just wonderful.
Trek Distance: 12 km
Trekking Time: Approx 5 to 6 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Best time to visit: March to July or September and October
Villages in the trek; Barshaini, Kalga and Pulga
