Kasol Backpacking: 15 Best Reasons to Visit the Mini Israel of India
Kasol Backpacking is on everyone’s bucket list be it the young or the young at heart. Everyone wants to visit Kasol as a Backpacker. There is something about this hippie town and backpackers. It’s like the connection is a love affair made in heaven.
From snow capped mountains to the dense pine tree forest area and the sound of the mighty Parvati River cuppled with the cool weather this small town which is literally less than 150 meters in radius is without doubt the Backpackers Haven in India since the early 2000’s
We at tlow have been frequent to Kasol Backpacking since 2010 and this town has been our summer home for over a decade. It’s a place unlike any other in the whole country for backpackers.
If you are someone who wants to travel solo or with a few friends during your college summer break then this article is for you. Continue reading
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1. Escape the City Chaos
Yes all you need to do is, get on a bus from New Delhi to Bhuntar and then take a local bus which will cost you around ₹50 for the winding bumpy ride from Bhuntar1 to Kasol. Buses leave from 6am to 7pm. This is the best mode of transport when you want to reach Kasol on a shoe string budget.
Kasol backpacking trip will take you away from the sound of heavy construction in the city along with the honking of vehicles in traffic. The fresh air of the mountains will take away any kind of stress or anxiety that life in the city has made you accustomed to.
A Kasol backpacking trip is the perfect escape from the city chaos just avoid going over the long weekends since that’s when Kasol is filled up by all the city crowd and there are long traffic jams and road blocks.
2. Stunning Parvati Valley Views
A Kasol Backpacking trip is only complete when you stay in a room with a view of the snow capped Himalayan mountain tops and this view is 365 days provided your room is facing the correct direction. The sound of the Parvati River is another soothing part of your Kasol Backpacking trip.
Travel to Kasol for the Parvati Valley nature views and feel, with the stunning Pine Forest where you can spend a couple of hours just chilling and unwinding. If you are a sunset lover then walk down to the river side village of Chalal which is a short 15 minutes where you will get the best sunset view. You’ll get to see the sky change from blue to pink and even purple.
3. Budget-Friendly Backpacking Destination
Kasol backpacking trip is all about a budget friendly experience since everything within the backpacking town is very affordable from hostels which are priced at anywhere between ₹500 to 600 for a bed during the off season to budget hotels where you can stay for a night to at easily around rs 800. This is for an attached bathroom room.
Another area of Kasol backpacking that is really affordable is transportation since everywhere within the value you can take the local bus from Kasol. You can get buses going all the way to Barshani any which is the best village to reach the village of Tosh and the start of the famous Kheerganga Hot Spring Trek.
A Kasol Backpacking Trip is the perfect destination for college students looking for their first Himalayan Experience. It’s easily doable in a budget of around ₹1500 a day.
4. Base for Amazing Treks
Kheerganga Trek:
This is without doubt the flagship trek when you’re planning a Kasol Backpacking trip. You need to have Kheerganga Hot Spring on your bucket list. Make sure that you book your tent stay in advance.
Grahan Trek
Located around 10km from Kasol, this trek to Grahan is a fun experience where you’ll walk through the forest, then along the river bank and cross wooden bridges to reach the remote village of Grahan. It’s best to visit the village during the winter months from November to February.
Rasol Trek
On a Kasol Backpacking trip the village of Rasol will only pop up for those who are Charas lovers. The village is a short 7-8km hike from Chalal and takes around 2-3 hours to reach. There are plenty of accommodation options in the village.
5. Unique Café Culture
Kasol has some of the best cafes in all of Himachal Pradesh and even if you are on a budget since you have planned a Kasol Backpacking trip you will find a handful of cafes which will meet the need of your shoe string budget. From River side cafes to hippie cafés serving both Indian and Israeli cuisine a Kasol Backpacking trip is incomplete without hopping around the cafes.
6. Perfect Destination for Solo Travelers
Kasol has always been one of the top destinations to travel solo and this has become even better with the mushrooming of Hostels which has made it even easier for people to venture out on a solo Kasol Backpacking adventure without having to burn a hole in their pocket. Safety is not an issue as long as you stay away from the drug culture in Parvati Valley and avoid being foolish by going for hikes in the night.
7. Beautiful Riverside Camping
Kasol has some really wonderful camping options. You just have to be careful that these campsites are clean and accessible by road since some of the campsites which are by the river side require your to walk a bit since cars cannot access these paths.
Avoid staying at these campsites during the monsoon months since the water level rises considerably, making it extremely unsafe for camping.
8. Gateway to Hidden Himalayan Villages
Kasol is the base town to visit the Himalayan villages where you will get snowcapped Mountain View’s along with beautiful forest to just chill all day and be on with nature.
Tosh: Known for its snowcapped Mountain View’s and acre culture. The village of Tosh has a road which will take you to the entrance of the village from where you will have to walk.
Kalga: A village on the other side of the Barshani road and is only accessible by a short hike or a walk up the steps from the hydro project. The village has a thriving hippie culture with cafes and hostels which makes this a perfect retreat on your Kasol Backpacking Trip.
Pulga: Well known for the Fairy forest and the Himalaya snow capped views, this village has long been one of the favourite hotspots of foreign tourists over the years. Kalga and Pulga are a short 3-4km distance from each other and are easily walking distance away so you can stay in either of them and explore both.
Chalal: A river bank village which is located just 1km across the famous Kasol bridge this village gives you the best vibe of Parvati River and is best visited during sunset for a breathtaking view. You can visit Chalal without having the need to stay there since the village is easily walking distance from Kasol.
Malana: The village of Taboos Malana is located a short drive away. You need to hire a private taxi from Kasol Union for Malana village which will cost you around ₹3500 for a round trip. Malana is a very unique village where you can’t touch anyone nor can you enter the village temples since there is a fine for doing the same. The village is world famous for Malana cream a form of Charas which is locally grown on the hill tops above the village.
9. Adventure Activities
You can’t come on a Kasol Backpacking Trip and not go hiking around the valley. From Kheerganga hot spring hike to the villages of Grahan and Rasol the valley has plenty of hiking and trekking options. Choose the one you feel is right for your experience and make sure you do it. If you want a more serious trekking adventure then Sarpass or Pin Parvati Trek is what you need to enroll for.
10. Spiritual Experience at Manikaran Sahib
A Kasol backpacking trip is not complete without visiting the spiritual town of Manikaran which is located at a distance of just 3km form Kasol. You can take a local bus or even walk to Manikaran but the whole experience of Manikarna is visiting the Gurudwara and taking a dip in the sulphur hot spring along with having the Langar meal before you return back to Kasol.
11. Incredible Local & International Food
If you are a foodie then a Kasol Backpacking trip will over shoot your budget with the amount of food options that you will find when you visit the town. From rajma chawal and aloo paratha which is served at all the local food joints. You will run out of momo options. That’s the number of people selling momos in Kasol.
The wood oven pizzas along with the pastas and sizzlers are an absolute must try when you are in Kasol. Oh and how could we not mention the German bakery’s for their carrot cakes and apple pies.
12. Paradise for Nature Lovers
Yes the town of Kasol is blessed with unlimited natural beauty from the Parvati River that flows through the town to the Grahan Nala that intersects the town mid way and the forest area along with the snow capped mountains. Kasol is a post card made in heaven. But sadly with the amount of over tourism the place has been destroyed over the years. The forest area has become a trash bin with beer bottles and food being dumped.
13. Amazing Photography Opportunities
From snow capped mountains to the Parvati River and the vibe of the night life along with the unique hippie culture Kasol has plenty of photography options when it comes to abstract photos. You don’t even need a professional camera to get the best clicks. Your basic phone camera will get the job done as long as you click the correct angle.
The best time to click photos in Kasol is during the mornings and late afternoons for nature shots. Having a camera which is good with night photography will go along way in making sure that your content game is top class.
14. Hippie Shopping
Kasol has a thriving shopping street where you will find everything from Souvenir shirts to hippie clothes and woolen clothing. Most of the shops are selling similar items so make sure you are bargaining for the best deal. Hemp bags are also sold in a lot of shops. Buying things in Kasol is a lot more affordable as compared to going shopping in places like Manali or Shimla where the same thing will end up costing you 2-3 times for the same product.
15. Friendly Locals
90% Of the locals you meet along the journey of your Kasol Backpacing trip are friendly and helpful. This is what makes Kasol Backpacking a fun experience make end up coming to Kasol multiple times. This is because the people in Kasol will make you feel at home and treat you like family.
You will find people who tell you that the locals in Kasol are rude people and arrogant but with all truth be told its only when you act funny with them will they snap or talk badly to you.
Conclusion: Kasol Backpacking
If you are someone who is planning a Kasol Backpacking trip then my only advice to you is to go ahead with the trip plan and make it happen. Do not skip the place because of the drug culture that you have read about. That’s not really going to bother you.
Kasol has way too much to do beyond the drugs and if you want an authentic experience to Kasol and Parvati Valley then you can enroll on our trip and join us on our Kasol Backpacking Trips.
