As an avid traveller, I usually seek off beat locations where I can spend time in the lap of nature without distractions. Lately, Himachal Pradesh has become one of the most sought after states around Delhi for weekend trips. Be it Shimla or Manali or even Kasol, it is likely that you will find most areas pretty crowded. But what if I told you there is a trio of quaint remote villages in Parvati Valley that offer incredible views and peace for days!
Pulga, Tulga and Kalga are three tiny villages located a little off the trail to Khir Ganga that offer a Himachali allure, unmatched by the rest. The fact that these villages are not located on a motorable path adds an extra charm to adventure seekers like myself. I have to agree that this was a completely unplanned trip, when I set out on this journey with my brother and Avinash, only Tosh in Parvati Valley was on our list. Fortunately, right when we reached Kasol, we decided to stop by at our friend Shubham's resort, 'Parvati Kuteer', to gather as much information as we could from him. He recommended hiking up to Pulga and the way he described the village, we couldn't think about anything else.
Pulga is located at a 3Km hike from Barsheni. Buses and taxis are available from Kasol as well as Tosh to & fro Barsheni, but we decided to hike the entire path from Tosh to Pulga, which was a 9.5 Km long scenic hike one way. Having visited in June, we were accompanied by a constant yet enchanting drizzle. Stopping every now and then to admire the visor at which river Parvati flows through the entire valley, it took us close to 3 hours to reach Pulga from Tosh.
The village is surrounded by snow clad peaks and dense deodar forest, rightly named the 'Fairy Forest'. A small close-knit community inhabits the Himachali Village of Pulga. The houses are all traditionally built using wood, sporting blue, green and orange doors, walls and windows. Traditional home stays are also available in Pulga located in the most mystical corners of the village. There are 2-3 small Irani cafes with delectable snacks on offer.
Pulga is blessed with beautiful apple orchards and during the harvest season of mid June to August one can live the poetic dreams of apple picking on a pleasant day. We spent a day in Pulga walking around exploring the tiny lanes with beautiful stories to tell. Heading back to Tosh, all I could think about was the next time I would get the opportunity to visit Pulga and simply unwind!
To everyone reading this blog, I'd highly recommend a visit to Pulga at least once in your lifetime however I would also request that all of us should strive towards maintaining the sanctity of the village and not cause any trouble to the locals in any form.
Pro Tip: Travel Light! There are no motorable roads connecting Barsheni to Pulga so you will have to hike at least a 3KM long stretch. It is better to carry small backpacks with essentials like a change of clothes, flashlights, energy bars and a towel.