Kasol : High Life

Kasol village is in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas, Northern India. It is situated in Parvati Valley, on the banks of the Parvati River, on way between Bhuntar to Manikaran. It is located 42 km east of Kullu at the height of 1640 meters.

Kasol Tourism At A Glance:

A destination bestowed with all of nature's blessings, Kasol is known for its Israeli inhabitants, Parvati river, trekking base-camp and Malana. A tourist hub for Israelis, with signs of various cafes and restaurants in Hebrew serving great food, of cuisines from around the world.

Kasol Valley

The snow clad Himalayas to landscape and clear blue sky adds a touch of mystery to the place. Nestled in the lap of Parvati valley alongside the streaming and gurgling Parvati River, this remote village is a blessing for adventure buffs, trekkers and backpackers. With pleasant climate all around the year and low population density, this wonderful place is all set to give you an unforgettable experience.

Delhi to Kasol distance - 520km 

Bus – From Delhi to Kasol takes 14 hours approx. 

Start from the ISBT Kashmere Gate, you can reach the ISBT via metro, auto, bus or taxi from pretty much anywhere in Delhi.The local Himachal Parivahan bus fares are around 1000-1500 Rupees per ticket and the prices go higher as the bus quality increases.

Roadways – 560+. Buses ply every half an hour.
Semi Delux –  650+. Buses ply every 2 hours.
Delux – 800+. Buses ply every 2 hours.
Sleeper – 900+. Buses ply mornings and nights.
Volvo – 1200+. Buses ply till 4 p.m. and then after 9 p.m.

You can book Volvos that are going to Manali and get down at Bhunter .Usually, I get to the ISBT and take the next bus that is leaving. Note that you have to get off at Bhunter as there are no direct buses from Delhi to Kasol. From Bhunter you can either take a local bus that is a little bumpy but also quite cheap at a mere 35 Rs per ticket and fairly low than a Taxi that could charge up to 500 Rs.There's also option of Direct Taxis from Delhi and now you can even rent cars. The fare for Taxi from Delhi to Kasol and back would be something close to 11-12 thousand in total.

Accomodation:
Once you reach Kasol there are variety of places you can stay at. Ranging from Rs 500 per night to Rs 1500 per night. Accommodation has never been a problem whenever I've gone as there are many small hotels there.

Overview:

Kasol is ideal for a vacation if you want to chill in the lap of nature. The village is an open space by the banks of the Parvati River where one can spend lazy afternoons. The river abounds with trout and is the perfect place for angling. However, permission from forest department is required for trout fishing in the river. Parvati river at Kasol is ideal for white water rafting.

Kasol has recently transformed into a hub for backpackers, who are attracted to the scenic valley, untouched hills, low population, and good climate throughout the year. Kasol is also a base for Himalayan trekking to SarPass, Yanker Pass, Pin Parvati Pass and Kheerganga.

Kasol is also Know as Mini Israel in Himachal Pradesh:

The shops here have western food and clothes. The inflow of Israeli tourists has triggered mushrooming of restaurants, hotels and shops catering to their needs. Kasol is inhabited mostly by tourists from Israel which is why most of the hoardings are in Hebrew and the Israeli Shakshouka, a dish of poached eggs in tangy tomato gravy along with hummus and pita bread will definitely drown you in its rich flavors. Visitors from Israel are common in Kasol and one can see the Hebrew language banners throughout the valley.

can one place own tent near chalal/kasol?
Yes one can. Just search a good place on the bank of parvati river and have a great time.


  

            WHERE TO GO? WHAT TO SEE?

• Indulge in Israeli Food at the Best Cafes in Kasol:

If you thought mountains and Malana cream are the only attractions in Kasol, you are wrong. The hippie village offers you abundant options from Israeli, Italian, Chinese and Indian cuisines. Almost all places have Shakshouka, Falafel, Schnitzel, Bourekas, and the desserts at German bakeries are to die for. Some of the popular cafes that must be on ‘check-it-out’ list are:

Stone Garden Cafe: A 24-hour cafe with awesome food and ambiance.

Freedom Cafe: It’s the music and the legacy of ‘freedom cafes’ that keeps it bustling most time of the year.

Jim Morrison Cafe: Great music after a small trek makes it special. Food is all vegetarian though.

Shiva Shanti Cafe: Terrace seating allows an enchanting view of the valley and the surrounding peaks.

The Evergreen Cafe: Don’t miss the church behind and the great food.

Moon Dance Cafe: Lovely setting, great food, and irresistibly good bakery.

Bhoj Cafe: One of the oldest cafes is a different experience altogether.

Buddha Place: Vibrant music and interiors.

The Art Cafe: Go here for some peace.

Alpine Guest House: A scenic cafe along the fiercely flowing river Parvati.

• Explore the Villages and Treks Around Kasol:

Chalal Village: the most popular stop in the parvati valley & the easiest access to the world's best charas.

Chalal is 30 minute casual walk from Kasol by crossing a bridge on Parvati river. After crossing bridge take the trail leading to left and follow the path through the forest of tall pine trees. Chalal have plenty of cafes with river side locations and superb food. The food served here is to the needs of western travelers so pizzas, salads and pastas are served nearly in all cafes. Find a nice cafe or a spot by the river. Eat at nice small cafes with great views and vibes. 

Over the last few years, Chalal have become a hub for Trance and Psychedelic Parties which happens very deep in the forest. These parties go on for days if not a week. Most of old hippies have made Chalal their home in Parvati Valley.

The village is also a base village for the Rasol Trek. 

House structures in villages.

• Take a long walk to Malana or Tosh:

 Malana is famous for its distinct culture and the temple of Jamlu Devta. The people of this quiet hamlet live in self-imposed isolation. They believe themselves to be the descendants of Aryans and that the purity of their race would be compromised by interaction with outsiders. A visitor in Malana cannot touch their wall, to the extent that they wash their walls with the blood of a buffalo if an outsider happens to touch it. Shocking, right? Not to them! They have their own government and do not consider themselves within the jurisdiction of the Indian government. Most say it is a cover for a raging industry of cannabis. Having said that, Malana is a village of splendid beauty. It is often referred to as 'Little Greece', as the locals believe to have descended from the lineage of Alexander the Great.

Traffic is prettier here, Tosh 

Tosh is more European than Israeli and with a constant whiff of cannabis in its air. Trekking uphill through the forest is a shorter route to reach Tosh. Cabs are also available to take you there for a minimal charge of 200 Rupees. Accommodation and food are cheap and available in surplus. You will find plenty of cafes with great Israeli and European food and ideal ambience to relax. You would be hard pressed to find a typical Indian restaurant though. The village is located on a hillside overlooking the river and a waterfall. It is ideal to undertake long walks to discover the pretty delights of its mountain scenery.

Around Kasol there are lot of treks and hikes you can do:

Treks that take days to complete like the Kasol- Malana Trek or the Kasol-Kheerganga Trek are usually done with Sherpas and a very planned holiday trip.There are few waterfalls and villages you can trek to when in Kasol but mostly people just sit in cafe's or by the river and enjoy the calm and serene environment there. A 2-3 day trip is ideal for place like Kasol and the my budget is usually between 4-5 thousand Rs. Unless you like to indulge and make luxury your prime motive when going for a vacation.

Bershaini , Kheerganga Trek starts from here

For a feel of the rural life in these regions, visit Malana or Tosh. An isolated village 21 kms from Kasol, Malana is still untouched by modern lifestyle. One of the oldest democracies of the world, Malana people claim that they are descendants of Alexander’s army, but the claim is highly debatable. Their descent however isn’t what makes this place so popular. It’s the Malana Cream – premium hashish which is popular among Israelis, Europeans and Indian youth visiting Kasol. Rules of Malana residents are strict with respect to outsiders, but the village and its beauty are a sight to behold. Rocky terrains with pleasing greenery and rural homes are both charming and peaceful.