Hippie Trail of magical valley (Kasol, Tosh and Kheerganga)

How to reach?

• From Delhi you can take bus upto Bhuntar ( take HRTC bus these bus are cheap and safe)
• From Bhuntar you can hire a cab upto to Kasol which will cost you 900INR or you can take public bus which will take 1 ½ hour to reach upto Kasol

Day 1 (Kasol)

I reach to Kasol and check inn at Alpine guest house. Alpine guest house is tucked between a narrow band of reserve forest on one side and Parvati River is on the other side at the bank. One need to book the room telephonically in the peak season because most of time rooms are fully packed. I thought Kasol is untouched by modernization but I was wrong, you can find all luxuries thing what you want in Kasol.

Places to eat:

Evergreen café-You can sit outside have a good view of the hills and the foods is blissful or sit inside and enjoy the coziness. Music is awesome which will connect you to the nature.

Shiv shanti cafe- good place to enjoy the ambience, if you are hash lover.

Bhoj restaurant- good place for dinner, they have lot of mouthwatering Indian, Italian and Israeli dishes. I ordered chicken schnizel, which I really like it.

Little Italy and Rainbow cafe is also good cafe.

 

Evergreen Cafe

Shiv Santi cafe

Places to stay:

There are lot of Guest house accommodation range from 500 to 1500 Per/night. Accommodation is never been a problem in Kasol.

In the noon I decided to hike for the Chalal village, trail for the Chalal village start from the Germen Bakery, there is a small suspended bridge on the right side you can see hot water spring. In the way to Chalal Village you will find many small café, one of them is Maggi cafe Chalol very good one. In Chalol village you will get homestay at very cheap rate and very good one range from 200per/day to 600per/day.

Day 2 (Tosh)

I rented Royal Enfield classic 350 from Kasol it will cost me around 1200per/day. You can also rent a bike which will range from 1200-1500per/day depend upon season you can negotiate for the price. Before taking bike check for the brake and pickup. In the way to Tosh I halt at Manikaran, holy place for the Sikhs. Even though Tosh is 30KM away from Kasol but it take me 1- 1/2hrs to reach the village, last 4-5 km for the Village road is very bad. Most people walk 4-5 Km to reach the Tosh, even roadways bus also go upto Barasani from there you have to walk upto Tosh.  Tosh is untouched by modernization; there is nothing much to do in Tosh, but definitely one can lost in nature over here. There are lot of guest house and homestay available here. But homestay is better option, because they give you cozy feeling plus they are cheap. You can enjoy the homely food of tosh or can have momos and thuppa.

Home stay in Tosh

Day 3 ( Kheerganga trek)

In next morning, I left for the Kheerganga trek, best time to visit Kheerganga is from May to November. Kheerganga is at an elevation of 13,051ft. I started my trek from Barshaini, Trek route is from Barshaini –Nakhtan- Rudranag- Kheerganga  total distance is 13KM, average time taken to complete the trek is about 3-4 hrs. The trail is well defined, sign marks are placed at every turn, one can complete the trek without any guide and moreover you can find many local people in between the trek from whom you can ask the trail. First village in the trail is Nakthan village here you can get eatables, small things like torch, water bottles, cap, stick etc. required for the trek. Moreover you can make it as a first halt point for the trek you can get decent homestay in this vallage. One the way to Raudnaag vaillage you will find Dharamsala, this place is best place to halt or you want to do camping (note: Alcohol and non-veg is not allowed in the Dharamsala). Once you cross the Rudr naag village you will enter to the lust green forest of pine trees, after crossing a bridge you have to ascend little upto Kheerganga. Once you reach to Kheerganga you can take room/ dormitory or if you have your own tent that would be best. Kheerganga is famous for the hot water spring pool.