8N/9D Great Himalayan Road Trip
Here is a rough blueprint to plan a backpacking trip along the much-famed Parvati Valley in Himachal Pradesh, which is also known as the backpacker’s silk route in India. The flagship of our Himalayan trips.
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Here is a rough blueprint to plan a backpacking trip along the much-famed Parvati Valley in Himachal Pradesh, which is also known as the backpacker’s silk route in India. The flagship of our Himalayan trips.
Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
ISBT Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi
Yes a 10 day trip to Parvati Valley & Kasol, originally the trip used to be for 12 days back in 2013 but we skimmed it down to 10 and if your really looking to get a hippie backpacker experience then this trip is the one.
It’s the complete bundle when it comes to a backpacker experience from hiking around village & then to a hot spring at Kheerganga. Living the junkie vibe in Tosh & Pulga along with a day trip to the village of Taboos Malana. This is indeed the only trip to Parvati valley where you feel you have been on holiday. Not that the other trips are bad it’s just the fact that 10 days in the valley is about the optimum time you need to spend in the valley to get a real feel of the place.
– Arrive in New Delhi by 15:00 HRS
– Reach RK Ashram by 18:00 HRS.
– Board a semi-sleeper Volvo bus from New Delhi to Aut Tunnel at 19:00 HRS.
– Reach Aut Tunnel at 7:30 HRS.
– Have Breakfast on the way and head to Jibhi. (33km = 2 Hours)
– Reach Jibhi by 10:00 HRS and check into homestay for the night.
– Freshen up and leave for Jalori Pass. 12km = 40 mins
– Lunch at Jalori Pass.
– Hike to Serolsar Lake 5km = 90 mins.
– Return back to Jibhi by tea time
– Spend the rest of the day exploring the town on foot.
– Evening at leisure.
– After Breakfast drive straight to Manali via Aut Tunnel (100 km= 3-4 Hrs)
– Check in to Hotel
– Freshen up and leave for sightseeing
– Explore Old & New Manali on foot
– Rest of the evening at leisure.
– After Breakfast leave for Sissu (40 km = 1.5 -2hrs)
– Explore Sissu and leave for Tosh by 15:00 Hrs ( 134 km = 4-5 Hrs)
– Check into our home stay at Tosh.
– Hike to the waterfall.
– Spend the rest of the evening strolling through the village.
– Meet our Guide at the car park (Start point)
– Start the hike to Kheerganga by 9:00 HRS.
– First pit stop at the village of Nakthan. (5.6km = 2.5 hours)
– Second pit stop at Sunflower cafe. (3.5km = 1.5 hours)
– Reach Kheerganga top by 15:00 HRS.
– Check into our campsite for the night.
– Take a dip in the natural sulphur hot spring.
– Spend the night camping in Kheerganga. (No Network)
– Post Breakfast Hike back down from Kheerganga
– Reach the car park and head to Kasol (22 km = 1.5-2 hrs)
– Enroute visit Manikaran
– Reach Kasol & Check in to the Homestay
– Freshen up & then head out for a walk around Kasol and & to the village of Chalal.
– Spend the evening on the banks of the river near Chalal
– Return back to the homestay by sun down.
– Post Breakfast, Hop onto the Vehicle at Kasol and drive to Mcleodganj. (222 km = 7-8 hrs)
– Reach Mcleodganj by 18:00 HRS.
– Check into our guest house.
– Explore the town on foot
– Rest of the evening at leisure.
– Post Breakfast, pack your bags and get ready for sightseeing.
– Check out and Head to Bhagsunag waterfall by car. {2.5km = 60 mins}
– Visit the Dalai Lama Temple & St John’s church in the wilderness. {1km = 20 mins}
– Leave by 16:00 Hrs to Dharamshala Bus stop
– Board a Volvo bus from Dharamshala to ISBT New Delhi by 19:00 HRS.
– Reach ISBT New Delhi between 6:00-8:00 AM
– Book flight/train post 10:00 am
Q. Where is Parvati Valley located?
Parvati Valley is situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
Q. Is Parvati Valley safe?
Yes, Parvati Valley is an extremely safe place to travel to.
Q. Is there cell phone network in Parvati and Tirthan Valley?
Yes, there is cell phone coverage in Parvati and Tirthan Valley. BSNL, Jio, Airtel and Vodafone mobile connections work. Jio and Airtel are the best.
Q. Is there 3G/4G in Parvati Valley?
Yes, Jio and Airtel have best 3G/4G network.
Q. Does Airtel and Vodafone work in Tosh?
Only BSNL has a cellular connection in these regions and that too is very scratchy. However, there are spots in Tosh, that have network.
Delhi meeting point and how to reach there
Q.What time should we reach ISBT Kashmiri Gate?
Around 60 minutes prior to the departure of the bus is a good time to reach ISBT Kashmiri Gate.
Q.How to reach ISBT Kashmiri Gate?
-From the airport take a direct AC bus which leaves every 30 minutes. Good options if you want to avoid the metro rush.
-Take a shuttle bus to the airport metro and then an express metro to New Delhi and finally take the yellow line to Kashmiri Gate. (Fastest way to reach ISBT)
Q. At ISBT Kashmiri Gate, where do we board the bus to Himachal?
At ISBT Kashmiri Gate, the platform no. for the bus to Bhuntar/ Mandi needs to be inquired at the HRTC inquiry counter. There will be no announcement made when the bus departs.
Q. Where will we meet the tlow representative for the trip?
Our TLOW representative will meet you at Bhunter Bus stop.
Q.So we have to board the bus all alone?
You won’t be alone, you’ll be with the rest of the group and our Whatsapp group which is made 36-40 hours before the start of the trip will be used as the platform to co-ordinate.
Q. What kind of accommodation will be provided?
We will be using homestays and guesthouses all along the trip.
Q. Will the accommodation be clean?
Since no one in the world likes to keep their home untidy, it’s safe to say that every place we stay at will be clean and will give you a homely feel.
Q. Will we get a bed, blankets and pillows?
Yes, at every place we stay at you’ll get a blanket, a pillow and if not a bed then surely a mattress to sleep on.
Q. Will we get hot water for a bath?
Every guest house and homestay we stay at will have geysers so you’ll surely get to have a bath at least once a day.
Q. Will the rooms be based on gender or mixed?
It will be girls in a separate room and boys in a separate room, for all those backpacking solo.
Q. Why is food not included?
Since this is a backpacking trip we want to leave the eating for you’ll to explore on your own. You’ll never go hungry in Parvati and Tirthan Valley.
Q.Do we need to carry food along?
Not needed. Every place we stay at will have a cafe.
Q.What kind of food should we expect to get?
In Kasol, Tosh you’ll get everything from pizzas to Israeli cuisine. While in other regions, you get Maggi, parathas and the basic rajma dal (kidney beans) rice, pickle, mix vegetables, Rotis with some local chicken curry.
Q. Can we cook?
Yes, you can cook in our camping site at YOLO. Provided you make the time.
Q. How to I avoid altitude sickness?
The only way to avoid altitude sickness is to rest well, keep yourself hydrated and have plenty of water.
Q. What about motion sickness?
Consulting your local physician is the best for motion sickness.
Q. Is there a hospital in Parvati & Tirthan Valley?
Yes. Kullu, Jari have hospitals.
Q.What will be our mode of transportation?
While in Parvati and Tirthan Valley, we will be using a combination of multiple modes of transportation.
Q. ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Himachal and back?
HRTC state transport semi-deluxe bus.
Q.Bhuntar and Kullu Airport are the same?
There is only one airport in Kullu. Although located in Bhuntar, it is known as Kullu airport.
Q. Is Kheerganga trek difficult?
Kheerganga is a 14 km trek from Barshaini. It is a moderate trek.
Q.What is the altitude of different places in Parvati Valley?
Kasol – 5184 ft.
Pulga – 9498 ft.
Tosh – 7900 ft.
Kheerganga – 9711 ft.
Malana – 8701 ft.
Q.Do we need to carry a Poncho/ Umbrella?
The weather in Himachal is very unpredictable. It is always safe to carry a poncho.
What if there is a natural calamity or delay due to an external factor?
-Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances(strikes), or any delay arising due to an external factor etc. (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
TLOW, based on the Cancellation Date, shall withhold the following amounts stated in the table below, from the Booking Amount or Trip Price as cancellation charges and refund the remainder to you. The refund shall be paid to you, within (21) calendar days from the Cancellation Date.
Cancellation Date is: Cancellation charges
– Before forty (40) calendar days prior to the date of commencement of Trip, 15% of the Trip Price
– On or after forty (40) calendar days but prior to thirty (30) calendar days day of commencement of Trip,
30% of the Trip Price
– On or after thirty (30) calendar days but prior twenty five (25) calendar days from day of commencement of Trip
50% of the Trip Price
– On or after twenty five (25) calendar days but prior to twenty (20) calendar days from day of commencement of Trip
75% of the Trip Price
– On or after twenty (20) calendar days but prior fifteen (15) calendar days from day of commencement of Trip
100% of the Trip Price
You may claim refund only in case of a confirmed booking where you have paid the entire Booking Amount. Where there is part payment of Booking Amount made the same shall be forfeited and there shall be no refund. The mode of payment of refund amount to you (whether through cash, e-wallets, bank transfers, or cheques), shall be determined at the sole discretion of TLOW.
Notwithstanding anything stated in the Terms & Conditions, there are no refunds of any kind, provided for ‘Camping Trips’.
For more information on cancellation & refund policy please read our T&C.