Things to do at Kasol

So, like I said before .. It is really cool to do NOTHING at Kasol. But, if your restless self does not allow you to do so, here is what you can do :

1.     Food : 1.Visit the ‘ Evergreen’ Restaurant.

          2. Try the Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

           3.Do not miss on the Cinnamon Rolls from the German Bakery

2.     Activities :

·        For trekking enthusiast: Trek to Kheer ganga, Trek to Rashol, Visit Malana village, Trek to Kheer ganga, Trek to Tosh glacier

·        For the Adventure buff: Mountain Biking, Rock climbing and hiking

·        For the Nature lover: Exploring the village, a walk along the river, a visit to the Manikaran Hot springs

Kasol - Mini Isreal

After a 16 hour roller coaster bus ride from Delhi’s ISBT we land in a place full of tourists. Dreadlocks, blonde hair, faded tattoos; hair full of plates or lulus, loose warm clothes is a very common sight at Kasol. I does’nt really feel like India. The Isreali population makes up majority of these travellers; hence Kasol is also called Mini Isreal.

Kasol is one place where it’s cool to do absolutely nothing. Everybody is on their own trip; Infact the air of Kasol is so different that the flies seemed to be high too. Seriously! They used to wander around and sit on us and even after we jerked ourselves they did not move.

Kasol has beauty and nature’s wonder in abundance in vary many forms, the gurgling river Parvati can be heard throughout the village and the beautiful Himachali weather in the forest surrounding the village makes it quite a tourist attraction. Somehow this place has not gained much popularity amongst Indians. To cater to the foreign clientele a number of cafes, bakeries and the sort have opened up in the village. German Bakeries are a common sight and the Cinnamon Rolls are worth dying for. ‘Ginger Lemon Honey Tea’ had become an obsession. Wooden oven pizzas, falafels and burrekas take up a lot more space on the menu than the Indian cuisine.

The best place to eat at Kasol according to me would be Evergreen. It’s bang opposite the Jewish Church, surrounded by trees ( on the way to manikaran ). The ambience is beautiful and calm, the candle light dinner adds to the atmosphere.

Evergreen Restaurant

Kasol, is the most commercialised village compared to the other villages in Parvati Valley. There are shops on both sides of the road selling clothes, bags, accessories, chillums, bongs, and souvenirs.

Accommodation is Kasol is not an issue; there are tons of hotels that offer you rooms, and their prices range from 100 to 500 rs per day. (Yes, that cheap). I suggest spending very little on accommodation, since, 1. You are barely going to stay in that room and 2. There are honestly better things to spend on. We stayed at the Gungun hotel – Quite a basic room, but it had a marvellous view. One room was shared among 3 of us and we only paid 100rs for the room. Weehee. :D

Kasol has also gained much popularity for it serves as the base camp for many wonderful treks like Pin Parvati Pass, Kheer ganga, Sar Pass and Yanker Pass.

And what adds to its beauty is the river that flows alongside at an incredible pace. You can sit by this river for hours and lose yourself in the collage of sounds.

The Parvati River

Kasol is not just a place, it’s an experience. An experience that no one should miss. So, if you want a vacation that’s cheap, carefree and beautiful, Kasol is the place to be.

Things to do at Kasol ...

Parvati Valley

With a desperate need to escape the Mumbai heat, I planned to make a trip to The Parvati Valley at Himachal Pradesh. We took the Firozpur Express to New Delhi and boarded the bus to Bhuntar . From Bhuntar we went to Kasol. It took us around 16 hours from ISBT in New Delhi to get there.

After the long bumpy ride, steep turns dozing off for hours and getting frustrated of the journey some peace came to us as we drove in Himachal. The beautiful scenery and pleasant weather took away all our frustration and idleness of being tied down to our uncomfortable bus seat. We travelled from Bhuntar to Kasol during sunrise; I kid you not it was therapy to my eyes.

On our way from Delhi to Kasol

Parvati Valley is located in the lap of Himalayas, and is a recluse to backpackers from around the world. Mountains clad in a hundred shades of greens and browns and a plethora of activities keep calling travellers back for more than one visit. Moreover, the valley caters to a variety of travellers owing to the many treks, trails and adventure activities as well as the pilgrimages that are nested inside the valley. Situated in Himachal, the valley starts from the confluence of river Parvati with Beas and runs eastward through a steep-side from Bhuntar, 6km ahead of which lies Kullu.

The other striking feature of Parvati is the river which hurls itself down the mountains at an incredible pace. You can sit by this river for hours and lose yourself in the collage of sounds.

Parvati River

Parvati Valley has recently transformed into a hub for backpackers, who are attracted to the scenic valley, untouched hills, low budget travel and great climate. It is a base for many known treks in the area, to Sar Pass, Yanker Pass, ManTalai, Pin Parbati Pass and KheerGanga; Many hikes as well to the new age 'tourist' villages - Vashisht, Kasol, Naggar, Malana, Chalaal, Rashol, Tosh, Kalga and Pulga.

We visited Kasol – Mini Isreal, Tosh, Manikaran and hiked upto Kheerganga and Rashol. ( Click on the places to see more about them )

   

It was indeed one of my best trips in India. Parvati Valley is truly a Backpackers Paradise. A place that is nothing but journey of indulging your senses, the Parvati valley is truly divine in its beauty. A place with small population, cold mountains and warm hearts Parvati Valley is a town which will forever be etched in my mind for its beauty and simplicity.