Things to do in Kasol

June 7th, 2019 by Gauri Babele

Kasol is a quaint and picturesque mountain village in Kullu and its popularity with trekkers and backpackers is increasing by the day. The village is now an ultimate holiday destination for those who like to tread off the beaten track and want to avoid the chaos of the other, more mainstream hill station. Do you want to visit the mountains, have fun, engage in adventure and relax in the laps of nature, all at the same time? If so, then Kasol is definitely the place for you to be in. for anyone visiting Kasol for the very first time, here are some of the things to definitely try out.

Trekking in Kasol

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Kasol has now become a backpacker’ heaven and the trekking trails here are numerous. One can hire a cab after landing at Bhuntar airport. While the months of May and June are the best time to visit, those who want to experience the winter of the mountains can visit during the months of November to February. While this would have been quite a feat about a decade back, today Kasol has many homestays and resorts, and while not all of them are luxurious, they are enough to provide you with basic amenities- not to mention that the hospitality from the villagers is something that one would cherish.

Find Best Hotels in Kasol

One of the first things that an average tourist can do here is to head for Manikaran, which is a holy place for the Sikhs and is known for its hot water springs. One can either trek to Manikaran or trek to other smaller villages from here. Manikaran is famous for its Gurudwara and is only about 6 km from Kasol. Many come here just for a chance to serve at the langar and to themselves experience the simple and holy food cooked here. There are lots of mini trek trails starting from here and exploring the region on foot is the best way to explore this place. A small bridge separates the Old and New Kasol and the latter has cafes and restaurants here as well. For those who are trekking for the first time, and want to start with an easy walk, one of the best things to try out would be the walk to Chalal. It is located just half an hour away but it will be the most amazing 30 minutes of your life. And once there, do not forget to try the famous Malana cream, premium hashish available exclusively in this village.

Famous Passes in Kasol

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There are a number of passes in the region like Sar Pass, Yanker Pass, Pin Parvati Pass and Kheerganga. The Parvati Valley has an amazing play of sunlight and the sunrise from here is heavenly and to catch a glimpse of the fierce Parvati river flowing through it is a amazing. It is also a site for river rafting. One can also visit the isolated village of Malana- located about 21 km away- which is as yet untouched by modern civilization and where the residents claim that they are descendants of the soldiers in Alexander’s army. The villagers are very strict with how they deal with outsiders but are very warm and hospitable.

Another notable place to visit here is Tosh, a smaller version of Kasol in terms of beauty, and with a population of only about 700 people. Unlike Kasol, Tosh has a more European influence and the villages here are full of quaint and charming European cottages. It also lies at the very end of the Parvati valley so you would be covering quite a bit which will give you the opportunity to catch more of that gorgeous beauty the region is famous for. It is also one of the most frequently visited places for European and Israeli tourists.

One of the most unique thing about Kasol is the food and while one can always find cafés and other local places to eat in, which serves local food, Kasol is perhaps one of the best places to find Israeli food in India! Yes, for some reason, the best Israeli food in India is found in Kasol, as many would claim if they have tried out the food here. The best Shakshouka and Bureka are the things to try, along with the lemon cakes which are made from the fresh produce of the region. There is nothing better to start the day with piping hot local tea and a freshly baked lemon cake straight out of the oven.

Homestays in Kasol

While there are a number of hotels and homestays in Kasol, if you are really confused about where to stay or want to try out something new, then you should definitely go for camping. There are few things more beautiful than falling asleep while gazing the stars. The camping grounds of the Forest department are the most popular because of their easy access to basic amenities.  Kasol is definitely the place which will want to make you go back to your childhood hobbies and enjoy some alone time with yourself and your friends. It is one of the best places to get away from the bustle of urban life and reconnect with your friends and family.

Many youngsters head to Kasol for another experience altogether. Kasol is known as the PSY trance capital of India, with a very specific Psychedelic Trance music festival organized here each year. The music festival is one of the grandest of its kind, and visitors to this festival arrive from around the world, to experience the music, as well as enjoy the many offbeat locations in which they are organized. It is a real feast for the senses!

Kasol will provide no dearth of entertainment and you are sure to experience one of the best times of your life here. Book a trip to this amazing town and you will are sure to return a different person. It can be impossible to cover the entire region in one visit and you are sure to plan your second trip soon enough.

About Gauri Babele

Hey! I'm Gauri. Sagittarius by birth, clumsy by choice. An engineer turned writer. Loves animals tolerate humans. Has a thing for pizza and old books. Expertize in awkward conversations and creepy smiles.