A wonder to behold, with an air which not only mystifies your sense
but makes you live in the impulses of life, Kasol is a village mothered
by the Parvati valley. This Himachal’s popular destination is best known
for its thrilling treks, flavorsome food, roaring river and heartfelt
humanity. It is one of the best summer getaways irrespective of your
age; the whole venture filled with trekking, mountain sighting and more
will make you feel and believe that this is the moment you can do the
things you want and as your wings already exist, all you have to do is
fly. This blog is our way to show some love to this one of its kind
place, here’s how you can enjoy a holiday in Kasol to the fullest.
How to Reach
By Air: Bhuntar airport situated near Kullu is the nearest means to reach being 31 kms away from Kasol.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station to Kasol is Joginder Nagar railway station,
which is about 144 km from the village of Kasol, after reaching here
you can take the bus service or a cab.
By Road: You may not get a direct bus to Kasol, however, there are options to change buses or hire a cab from Bhuntar to reach Kasol.
Let’s start trekking….
Kheerganga
With
an imperfect to perfect touch of everything God can endow a land with,
Kheerganga is a small village in the lap of Parvati Valley. The village
is best known for its trekking trips where that feeling of
accomplishment is way above the exhausting nature of the trek. The trek
starts from the base camp of Tosh, from where it is 13 kms one way which
takes up to 6-7 hours.
Far away from the cage of modern life,
people here rejoice the beauty the land offers. You must have heard of
the hot springs with medicinal properties? Well it’s here in Kheerganga,
where just a dip can not only rejuvenate your sense but relieve you
from pain, as said and believed by the people around.
Chalal
Between
flattery and admiration, there flows the Parvati River along which when
you tread for 30 minutes, you reach this small yet spirited village of
Chalal. The panoramic view of the village which still holds its culture
and beauty is a much admired and dwelled in tourist place. Relish the
colour changing sky from cafes and the scrumptious food catered with
love with a tinge of Indian and Israeli spices mix in the cafes. Chalal
is also known for the parties that are organised throughout the year.
Dance till the last beat in these parties held where djs from all over
the world come together curating music which blows your mind off, it
certainly does! Enjoy the chilled out evenings and trance filled nights
here in the month of April and May.
Also Read: Camping Hotspots in Himalayan Garhwal Region
Pin Parvati Pass Trek
You
don’t have to possess some skill to trek your way through this
challenge, just some courage would help! Choose your own way as the
place did its, while it was unearthed as a second way to reach Spiti
Valley. The most sought after treks in Himachal Pradesh, Parvati Pass
Trek is a tough yet stirring experience from the slidy slopes, crazy
climbs and persistent peaks, which starts by crossing the Parvati
Valley. And as you complete the trek, reaching the supreme altitude of
5,319m above sea level, you see that dark fear of heights fading away.
The trek takes 12 days to complete and the best time to head this
challenge is from the monsoon months of July to September. Make sure you
prepare yourself well before and your health status is apt for the
trek.
Exploring the Picture Perfect Vicinity
Malana
A
prehistoric village in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Malana is best
known for its serene and outlying environment from rest of the world,
and of course the controversial cannabis. It’s a place that’s really not
that accessible because the people of Malana like to consider
themselves a superior race (descendant of Alexander the Great). However,
as you hear your friends talking about the place you will surely be
attracted. People living in Malana lead a simple and extraordinary life
at the same time, where they speak in Kanashi, a language different than
what usually is spoken, celebrating its own festivals like Malana Fulgi
mostly in the second week of February and Malana Shaun on 15th August.
Note:
Since Malana is made inaccessible due to locals’ resistance towards
visitors, one can pass by the village en route the Chandrakhani Pass.
Tosh
Love
exploring new heights and challenging yourself? Then you would already
be having the Tosh trek in your check list. Situated at a height of 2400
ft, en route the Pin Parvati Pass, the place lets the dauntless in you
explore the surroundings and pave your own way from Kasol to Tosh and
back. Do what your mind decides for you, till you reach magnificent
rocks and beautiful land heading your way and enjoy the light filled sky
from your camp. Tosh recently has become a hub where people from east
and the west come to find a connection with the nature, of course!
With Kasol being in its vicinity, a number of places have been built around, so you can accommodate yourself easily with the toothsome Maggi in one hand and tea in the other, and apart from this there are a lot of cafes you can approach serving varied cuisines.The best time to visit Tosh is from the warm days of April to October. If you love making a snowman, then you can surely opt on planning a trip between November and February.
With Kasol being in its vicinity, a number of places have been built around, so you can accommodate yourself easily with the toothsome Maggi in one hand and tea in the other, and apart from this there are a lot of cafes you can approach serving varied cuisines.The best time to visit Tosh is from the warm days of April to October. If you love making a snowman, then you can surely opt on planning a trip between November and February.
Rasol
Hike
your way to this unravelled destination, if you like being in places
where you find more peace and less people. At an altitude of close to
3048 m, above the rushing sea, Rasol resides in the foothill of the
great Himalayas! The only way you can start your journey is from Kasol,
sounds similar, eh? On your way to Rasol, you will encounter this mini
meditative land, Chalal where you can stop by to hog on some food which
is delicious indeed! The trek to Rasol takes almost 3 to 4 hours, it is
one of the most thrilling trekking expeditions around Kasol. The best
time to visit Rasol is from March to October.
Manikaran Sahib
A
place of faith and God, Manikaran can cast spirituality over the heart
and mind of all the tourists and visitors. Manikaran has its sacred
sphere at an altitude of 1760 m in the Parvati Valley between river
Parvati and Beas, about 5 kms from Kasol. With Hindus preaching their
belief that human life was recreated here after the flood, a miracle
indeed , turned the place sacred and one of its kind. People who travel
to Manikaran come with the ultimate motive of visiting the sacred
Gurdwara , Manikaran Sahib. You will find a large number of Sikhs and
Hindus here, who serve, believe, and imbibe their soul in the worship
with all their heart. Manikaran Sahib is one of the top pilgrimage
centres for Sikhs as well as Hindus and it is believed that by taking a
dip and drinking water of this holy place, people get rid of their sins.
Another site not to miss around Manikaran Sahib is Harinder Mountain
which is situated in the northern side, and is reckoned to be a place
that can deliver a person from evil, if he looks at the mountain.
Bhuntar
See
the sun rising in this town, situated in the Parvati Valley. Finding
its home between the dense forest, Bhuntar surely makes way in the
hearts of people who come to visit Himachal Pradesh. It is located very
close to Kasol at a distance of 30 kilometers. There obviously exists
something different at every place in Himachal, and when it comes to
Bhuntar, it’s the curvy crazy ways you have to take up to reach here.
Mother nature pampers this one with a little extra care and it’s
considered one of those places where you relax and take in good vibes.
Apart from this, tourist come here for sightseeing and shopping. It’s
easy to connect to places like Manikaran, Kasol and Manali from Bhuntar.
So if you are looking for a hideout which is less crowded and beautiful
in its own way, then you should visit Bhuntar.
Pulga Village
Let
go of the fear of heights, with this another attraction you will find
yourself in, as you travel 16 kms from Kasol, to a place named Pulga.
With greenery all around you would generally find foreigners enjoying
here the Himalayan tea from dusk to dawn. Catch the soothing sunrise
from the village with the blissful sky narrating a story of its own, and
under it you will find the most holy temples for which the place is
known. You won’t miss the Indian tadka here even if the restaurants
generally cater to foreigners. And even if you are a solo traveller or
on a family vacation, finding an accommodation is not much of a task
with wooden houses being designed not only to enhance the beauty of the
village but to provide you comfort like your own home.
Naggar Village
Zoom
in your car to this next top travel destination, Naggar! This
captivating village is situated along the banks of the Beas River at a
little distance from Manali in Kullu district and approximately 18 kms
away from Kasol. You can choose between travelling by a bus or trekking
the way. The village is one charming site with beautiful sunrises,
sunsets and a sleepy air at an elevation of 2,047 m. Naggar Castle,
built in around 1460 A.D by Raja Sidh Singh is an example of
spellbinding architecture having the blend of Himalayan and western
style. It is indeed one of the must visit if in Naggar, as it offers
mesmerising views of Beas Valley. Naggar Village is also known for
fishing and trekking and soothing chants from the temples around the
place.
Art lover? Then you should visit The Nicholas Roerich Art
Gallery which attracts your heart to the marvellous masterpieces
featured here by the Russian artist Nicholas Roerich who was an
archaeologist having his interest in art, philosophy and literature. You
can hike your way easily to this gallery which portrays the true side
of the Himalayas and the cultures.
Kullu and Manali
Mountains that touch your soul and the sky is the best description of Manali.
Laying 40 kms away from Kasol, Manali is a magical land in itself at an
altitude of 2050 m. Lyrical air, scenic views will be your partners
throughout as you travel to places like Solang Valley, Beas Kund, Pandoh
Dam in Kullu. The greenery, silence and serenity will embrace you as
you tread towards Rohtang Pass, feeling cold already? You can and have
to rent clothes as the place is too cold to handle but fun to be in as
well. It’s also one of the best honeymoon destinations as warmth of love
is in the air. Spend an afternoon rafting with your family and soar
high in the sky by paragliding.
Trying Israeli Food
As
you walk miles and miles each day trekking from Kasol to all the
‘serenic’ villages, your stomach would surely turn demanding. So while
here, you should try on some of the most authentic Israeli food. Why so
you might think, well because Kasol is referred to as a MINI ISRAEL for
people from Israel are taking refuge here in a large number, so much so
that, one can even see sign boards done in Hebrew here. Try on that
luscious Shakshouka, Bureka and Lemon cake which are best from the
Israeli side. Besides this you will find cuisines like German, Italian,
Indian and Nepalese served on your table to delight your taste buds.You
will be pleased with the homage the locals pay you, something you will
always remember.
Also Read: Best Destinations for Food Lovers in India
Shopping Spree: Because its Shop O’clock Somewhere
Above
and beyond your tour through electrifying treks, scintillating rivers,
heartwarming experiences, how can you miss shopping! Kasol flea markets
line up with a variety of things you can take home along with a bag full
of memories. From semi precious stones to sun- beautiful pendants, from
trinkets, toys for the little ones to ornaments, and from tees for the
lovers and die hard followers of Lord Shiva and Bob Marley to hand woven
woolens, Kasol has something for everyone. So, start shopping and
bargaining cause saving some moolahs for food is important too! Nearby
places to shop in is Naggar Village, where you find that traditional
Kullu cap, warm shawl, aromatic oils and simon pure rugs.
Temple Hopping
Temples
are more than stones and mortar, they are filled with faith and
divinity, and it is the same for temples in and around Kasol, where
people come to relieve their mind from all sort of worries and to get
lost in the heart pleasing rhythm of the chants. Kasol is surrounded by a
number of enchanting and heartwarming places to worship. As you enter
Kasol, the first temple you will find is Kasol temple which is a small
and beautifully structured one. As you pave ahead in your journey, you
will find Manikaran Sahib, and Shiv Mandir where worshippers in
abundance come to adore the beauty and to lose themselves in the
mesmerising tunes of nature and spirituality together. Apart from these
places of meditation and worship there are many temples having their
structure built with not just stones but with belief like The Gauri
Shankar Temple in Naggar, Bijli Mahadev Mandir and Shitla Mata Mandir in
Kullu. Another holy site not to miss is the Dhakpo Shedrupling
Monastery , which is 12 kms away from Naggar Village. This place
embodies the Buddhist culture and philosophy and is home for Tibetan
Monks. Dedicated to his Holiness Dalai Lama, the monastery was blessed
to be inaugurated in 2005 and is known for serving education too.
Evidently Kasol offers ample pilgrimage places and this is why, one must
not skip indulging into temple hopping.
Enjoy Adventurous Activities
Make some space in your bucket list for the adventurous activities you can enjoy
in Kasol! It might have been pretty clear by now that you have to trek
your way from Kasol to anywhere you wish to go, so that’s one! Camping
and enjoying bonfire on elevated villages is second which is a
fun-filled experience. Fishing in Naggar village, Biking and
Mountaineering in Manali has a tie for the third spot. Apart from this
you can paraglide your way to the sky and relish the spectacular view.
As life is better in hiking boots you will see your courage level
soaring to new heights as you take up this trip to Kasol.
Undoubtedly
Kasol is a wonderland not just because of the beauteous hills but the
different activities and little experiences which add more excitement to
your life. This place in Himachal Pradesh,
absolutely tops the bucket list of travellers and people looking for
peace and calm hideouts from the fast lane of life. From day one to the
end you wouldn’t get enough.
