Kasol- Mini Israel of India

While checking photographs from my trip to Kheerganga (Khirganga), I was also reminded of the lack of proper information about the trek on the internet and travel blogs.

Here is an attempt at making a step-by-step guide on trekking to Kheerganga (Khirganga) on your own. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below : Thanks 🙂

Kheerganga is located deep in Parvati Valley (Kullu Valley) and is perched at an altitude of approximately 2950m.

Reaching Bhuntar on the Delhi-Manali Highway :  To reach Bhuntar, one can take a private Volvo bus that leaves from Majnu Ka Tila or Rama Krishna Ashram Metro Station in Delhi. A recommended and timely option is taking the HRTC Himsuta Volvo that leaves from ISBT Kashmere Gate. All the Volvos from Delhi leave in the evening and reach Bhuntar at around 5 am to 7 am in the morning.

Bhuntar is the village from where the road diverges for Parvati Valley, it is also the confluence point of Beas River with Parvati River. Ask the bus to drop you near the Bhuntar bus stand from where you have to catch a bus to Kasol. Kasolcomes after Bhunter Kasol, Manikaran and is the last motorable road in the valley. Buses from Bhuntar to Kasol are frequent and the distance is usually covered in approx. 2-3 hours. It is better to have breakfast in Bhuntar while waiting for the bus.
We had done a trek on the first day of Chahal village and did the local sightseeing in Kasol. It's full of Israeli food, quirky Cafe's and beautiful local markets which is a must watch place.
Our camp was a Riverside camp which was organised by .

Kasol to Kheerganga
We left for Barshaini after having breakfast by our private taxi whose cost was around 1200/-. It took us 45 mins to reach Barshaini from Kasol.
Trekking routes to Kheerganga :

The trekking distance from Barshaini to Kheerganga by any of the routes is around 9-10 kms. There are three routes from Barshaini to go to Kheerganga.

Walk to the bridge after Barshaini and take the left turn, ask anyone the way to Nakthan village and Kheerganga. This is the shortest and most preferred route and takes 3-4 hours for a person with average trekking speed. This route is on the left side of Parvati river. The path through Nakthan is the most popular route to trek to Kheerganga and the trail is well marked.

From the bridge, take a right to hike up and reach Kalga village. From Kalga there is a different trek route to go to Kheerganga, although it joins the main route halfway on the trek. This route passes through dense forests and it is quite possible for people to lose their way on this trekking path to Kheerganga. It is used by very few trekkers because most people do not know about this route.

There is a different trekking path for Kheerganga from Tosh village. It also joins Route No. 1 near the village of Nakthan. This route is mostly used by tourists who stay in Tosh for the night and want to trek the next morning. Tosh nallah or Tosh river flows by near Tosh village which joins Parvati river near Pulga.

I went by Route No. 2 while going to Kheerganga and used Route No. 1 on the way back.

The view was getting prettier as we were moving forward in the trek. At the top there is a hot spring in Kheerganga where hot water comes naturally. We got know the story also behind that hot water thing.

Kheerganga to Tosh
We left from Kheerganga after staying for a night and started descending out trip towards Tosh. It was a 8 kms trek from Kheerganga to Tosh village. Tosh is a colorful and vibrant Village which you should visit if you are planning for a Kasol trip. There are hostels and camps which are there for the stay. I chose to stay in a camp. We had a night stay in Tosh hearing stories from unknown people and bonfires.

Delhi to Kasol

Tosh to Kasol
We left from Tosh to Kasol because it was the time to end the trip. We left Tosh after exploring it's local market and Cafe's at 12 noon. We again took a private taxi from Tosh to Kasol. We had lunch in evergreen Cafe's which has the best Israeli food in the town. We took a bus from Kasol to Delhi at 6:30.

Important points : It can get quite cold in Kheerganga, carrying heavy woollens is advised even in the summer months. Mobile networks work in Barshaini, Kalga and Tosh. Kheerganga may have BSNL connectivity, but it is better to make important calls before you begin the trek. Water is available at dhabas at various points on the trek and location of waterfalls has been mentioned too in the trek route (to fill the water bottles.)

In Kheerganga, the restaurant owners obviously want you to buy their bottled water – but there is a small natural spring in a place called Ashram. Find it and discreetly fill your water bottles, nobody has a problem with it.

Kheerganga has become so popular that these days a small supermarket store has opened there; it has a reasonable collection of essential products and packaged eatables that may be required. A small bakery also sells chocolate pastries and other breads. It is advised to carry a power bank to recharge your electronic devices. ATM services in Parvati Valley can sometimes not work, so it is best to carry the required cash or withdraw from Bhuntar/Kasol. Try to carry as less weight with you in the backpack as possible, and leave the excess stuff either at Barshaini/Tosh/Kalga or the homestay you are staying at.

Basic idea of the costs for trek to Kheerganga : Volvo tickets from Delhi to Bhuntar & back – 2000/-. Bhuntar to Barshaini (to & fro) – 200/-. Stay at Kheerganga (or other villages) – 200 per day. Food is expensive – Rs. 500 per day.

So for a 2-3 day trip, the expenses can worked to be roughly around 3500-4000 Rupees.