Kasol riverside
Kasol sits at about 1,580 m on the Parvati river. Spend your first afternoon walking the banks and getting used to the pace.
4 to 6 daysHow long to stay
Budget to mid-rangeRough cost
Friends, Solo, CouplesWho it suits
Himachal Pradeshthe Himalaya
Is this for you?
If you've seen Delhi or Rajasthan, this is a different India: cool air, river noise and very little to do but walk. There are no big monuments here. It suits you if you want to slow down and don't mind basic stays. Skip it if you came for sights, and skip July and August, when floods and landslides are a risk.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Go in the coloured months. The black ones are best avoided.
What to do
Manikaran
Go about 3.5 km up the valley for this one. It's a short trip and a good slow village walk.
Kheerganga
The valley's main walk starts at Barshaini and runs about 12 to 13 km each way, 4 to 6 hours up. Sleep nearby the night before and start before dawn.
Tosh
A quieter village higher up the valley. Give it a day of easy walking.
Tirthan Valley
Got two more days? Go to Gushaini for a walk in the Great Himalayan National Park. Check the park fee locally, as sources disagree.
What to eat
The menu here is a surprise: years of Israeli backpackers turned Kasol into a place for hummus and shakshuka. Eat in Kasol and Tosh, and expect food to get simpler the further up the valley you walk.
Israeli platter
Hummus, falafel and pita, the plate Kasol's cafes are built around. Share one at lunch.
Vegetarian
Shakshuka
Eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce, an Israeli breakfast that's now a Kasol habit. Order it with bread.
Siddu
A steamed stuffed wheat bun from the Kullu region, eaten with ghee, clarified butter. Look for it near the Bhuntar end of the valley.
Vegetarian
Where to go
Cafe SunshineKasol
Israeli and Mexican plates, for a change from hummus at every meal.
Cheap eatsEvergreen CafeKasol
Israeli platters and a long breakfast, with views.
Cheap eatsMoon Dance CafeKasol
Shakshuka, and cake from the German bakery counter inside.
Cheap eatsShiva CafeTosh
Sunset from a cliff-edge perch. We found one source, so ask when you reach Tosh.
Cheap eats
Getting there
Fly to Bhuntar, the nearest airport, since every road here passes through it anyway. From there it's about 30 km to Kasol, or 1 to 1.5 hours by taxi or local bus. Without flying, it's an overnight bus or a long day on the road.
Where to stay
Kasol The easiest base, and where most people sleep.
Tosh Quieter budget stays if you want to get higher. The catch is fewer supplies as you climb.
Worth knowing
Opening
Don't camp at Kheerganga: it's been banned since July 2024. You were told to arrive before 10 am and leave by 2 pm; we couldn't confirm how strictly that's checked, so plan to follow it.
Safety
Don't sleep on a riverbank. One source says Kullu district has banned camps near rivers after past flash floods.
Sources differ on this, or we have only one, so check locally.
Rules
Stay away from drugs. Offences in India carry severe penalties.
2 more to know
Safety
Avoid July and August, when the valley faces flood and landslide risk, and never sleep on a riverbank. One source says Kullu district has banned riverside camps after past flash floods.
Sources differ on this, or we have only one, so check locally.
Permit
Get your Great Himalayan National Park permit at the forest office at Sai Ropa, and confirm the price there. Fee reports for foreigners differ: Rs 200, 400 or 500 a day.
Sources differ on this, or we have only one, so check locally.
