admin The most popular and stunning trek in Himachal Pradesh. Kasol-Kheerganga are the two best places you can visit and discover in the Parvati Valley, Kullu district. Kasol is known as backpacker’s heaven. Thousands of backpackers, solo-travelers visit Kasol every year from all over the world. No place can match the vibe of Kasol-Kheerganga. Discover the wilderness of Kasol and the sacred aura of Kheerganga by just a short weekend trip.
Before starting about the trek, here is some information about both the places Kasol & Kheerganga:
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KASOL
A small village in the Parvati valley of Himachal Pradesh. Kasol is perched at an elevation of 1,580m above sea level near the Parvati river. It is nestled between Bhuntar town and Manikaran. Kasol is all surrounded by rocky mountains, snow-capped peaks, deodars & oak forests, along with the silent Parvati river. The place is famous for its hippie culture. You will spot more Israeli crowd then Indians. For sightseeing, spend some by sitting near the Parvati river, go for shopping in Kasol market, or explore the nearby villages like Chalal, Malana, Pulga, Tosh.
A lot of food joints are there where you can have your meal. A lot of good cafes where you can have different cuisines like Israeli, Indian, Continental, etc. Kasol is not costly, you can easily travel and explore it in a less or tight budget.
KHEERGANGA
Kheerganga is nestled in the beautiful Parvati Valley. It is perched at an elevation of 2,960m and famous for its hot springs. The natural springs of Parvati Kund and Shiva Temple at the top are famous tourist attractions. Kheerganga is famous among Hindu and Sikh pilgrims as they believe the water is sacred.
Places to visit: Hot water springs, Lord Shiva temple, A hike to Karthikeyan & Pandavas cave. To find peace and solace one can visit this place without a doubt.
Kasol-Kheerganga Trek
The trek is very much popular among backpackers and travelers. The total trek distance is 14km and an easy to moderate trek. Kasol is the basecamp for the trek. Staying in camps near the Parvati river with great views is a highlight of the trek. A short drive from Kasol will take you to Barshaini, a quaint hamlet between Kasol and Kheerganga. After reaching Barshaini, the trek starts and leads to Kheerganga top. It hardly takes 5-6 hours to complete the trek. The trek passes through the cascading Rudranag waterfalls, water streams, exotic variety of flora & fauna, few wooden bridges, dense forests of oaks & pines, with amazing weather. The trail has some steep climbs, narrow ascends & descends, and tricky paths. As it is a moderate trek but can be easily done by beginners.
The Kheerganga top is another beauty of Himachal. The ravishing views from the top are mesmerizing and amazing. The tranquil surroundings, green pastures of land, and silence will freeze you up there and make you stay longer. The best part about the trek is camping at the top. The chilly weather with magical views looks like a wonderland. Nights are beautiful in the mountains. The star-glanced sky with a black backdrop looks like a fairy night.
Waking up early and witnessing the amazing sunrise is another great thing you can do up there. The best time to take a dip into the hot waters and visiting the Shiva temple is in the morning. Take as many pictures as you can and make memories for a lifetime.
Again trek back to Barshaini from the top and explore other nearby villages like Malana, Chalal, etc. Take a bus or taxi and get back to Kasol. Explore the village or stay in your tent. Kasol-Kheerganga has a lot to offer in a short time.
The best time to visit Kasol-Kheerganga is all around the year. Winters are counted as best to do some adventure with snow. Summers are good to visit to escape from the heat of cities. Monsoons are not good as the trek becomes slippery and risky due to heavy rains. You will spot very little crowd in monsoons and winters.
How to reach Kasol?
- You can reach Kasol by taking a direct bus from Delhi to Bhuntar town and then another bus or taxi to reach Kasol.
- The nearest airport is Bhuntar airport. Take a flight from Delhi and reach Bhuntar and then Kasol by taking a bus or taxi.
- Joginder Nagar station is the nearest to Kasol. Catch a train from Delhi and reach the railway station and take a bus or taxi from Joginder Nagar bus stand and reach Kasol which is 144km.
How to reach Kheerganga from Kasol?
There are a lot of local buses or taxis available at Kasol that will take you to Barshaini. The total time to reach Barshaini is 1 hour. You will also be passed by the sacred spot of Manikaran in between. There are two routes to start the trek one is from the forest area and one is from villages.
Kasol-Kheerganga adventure is a must-visit. Choose a good tour operator and a certified trek leader for this trek. Plan a weekend trip and spend some time in the laps of mother nature.
Live. Travel. Explore!!
