Kasol itinerary will be very helpful if you are visiting Kasol for the very first time. It can be a little confusing as to what places should one cover during the visit as there is no dearth of picturesque places in and around Kasol, I am hoping that my detailed Kasol itinerary will help you plan your travel without any hassle.
Not long ago Kasol was just another quaint little hamlet tucked away deep in Himachal Pradesh that no one knew about. Recently it burst onto the tourist map due to two main reasons, one being easy availability of high-quality hashish (Possession and consumption of Hashish are illegal in India, you can be even arrested if you happen to have it), and second due to beautiful hiking and trekking trails all around Kasol.
In my opinion, Kasol offers much more than the stereotypical clichés given to it by people. For instance, if you are a foodie then Kasol is the best place to be at. There are a ton of different cafés that offer lip-smacking multi-cuisine delicacies to soothe your taste buds.
If you are an avid trekker then there are a lot of hiking routes and trails that will excite you. The vibe of this place is such that one would to just relax and admire the serene landscapes while witnessing the river Parvati in its full flow.
Kasol Itinerary: Things to know before you go
Kasol, a scenic hamlet located in Parvati Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh is the hippie capital of India. Kasol was already on the hippie trail for quite a long time but only a handful of people knew about it. Off late more and more people have started visiting this place, making it a favourite among backpackers
There are many things you can do in and around Kasol. A pre-defined Kasol itinerary can help you explore Kasol in a more efficient manner. In the current blog, I will be providing you with a detailed Kasol itinerary. However, before I proceed, there are certain things you should know Kasol:
| Best Way to Explore Kasol
Ditch the suitcase and backpack to Kasol for the best experience. |
| Approximate Budget for Kasol Trip
4000-5000 INR for 2 days (including Volvo Bus fare from Delhi) |
| Must visit in Kasol
Chalal village, an easy hike that takes around 30 minutes from Kasol |
| Must-try food in Kasol
Israeli cuisine, Italian cuisine, apple pie, cheesecakes, croissants |
| Places to visit near Kasol
Visit famous places like Malana, Tosh and Manikaran. These are located extremely close to Kasol and are easily accessible via public transport. |
| Top Budget Tip
Local buses are readily available and can be used for commuting to nearby attractions around Kasol. It will cut down your travel cost significantly. |
Kasol Itinerary: Best Way to spend 2, 4 or 6 Days in Kasol
From relishing hummus to going on a trek, there are many exciting things to do in Kasol. So, depending on the number of days you have, this Kasol itinerary will surely help you plan accordingly. I would suggest spending around 4 -7 days in an around Kasol, but many do not have that luxury.
I started my Kasol trip from Mumbai by taking a direct flight to Delhi. I backpacked across Parvati Valley for 10 days and stayed in Kasol for around 4-days during winters.
As most of the people who travel to Himachal Pradesh either start from Delhi or Chandigarh, here are 3 different Delhi to Kasol trip itineraries depending on the number of days.
Surreal landscapes as seen from Chalal bridge which is just 5 mins away from the main Kasol market. Chalal is one of the must-visit treks around Kasol
Kasol itinerary for 2 days: Perfect for a Weekend Trip to Kasol
This 2-night Kasol itinerary can be a perfect weekend trip if you are looking to escape your mundane routine for a couple of days. I am assuming that the trip starts from Delhi.
You start by boarding an overnight bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi. You can take an HRTC Volvo bus and even book the tickets in advance online. These are a quite comfortable and convenient option. Board any bus that goes to Manali.
| Day 1
Reach early morning to Bhuntar and board local buses or cabs going towards Kasol. Check into a hostel/ hotel/ guesthouse. Roam around the main town and go café hopping and enjoy your evening near the bank of river Parvati or spend some time in the woods near Kasol. |
| Day 2
Checkout from Kasol and hike towards Chalal which takes are around 30 mins hike from Kasol. Spend some time at Chalal you can even go further into the valley to Katagla. The trail to Chalal passes through a beautiful deodar forest. Hike back to Kasol from either Chalal/Katagla. Board an overnight bus to Delhi. |
Kasol Itinerary 4 days: The plan I would recommend
I feel that a minimum 4-days are needed to experience the sheer beauty of this place. This 4 days Kasol Itinerary also involves a bit of trekking to one most famous and beginner-friendly treks in Himachal that is Kheerganga.
Your trip starts by taking an overnight bus from Delhi to Bhuntar.
| Day 1
Reach early morning to Bhuntar and board local buses or cabs going towards Kasol. Check into a hostel/hotel/guesthouse. Roam around the main town and go café hopping and enjoy you’re evening near the bank of river Parvati or spend some time in the woods near Kasol. |
| Day 2
Leave Kasol and hike towards Chalal which takes only 30 mins. If you are into trekking, then head towards Rasol. Spend the night either in Rasol or Chalal/Katagla. Kasol can get a bit too crowded sometimes so Chalal can be a perfect place to beat the crowd. |
| Day 3
Start early and head towards Barshaini. If you love to trek then head to Kheerganga from Barshaini. Otherwise, head to Tosh or Kalga. You can spend the night at Kheerganga, Tosh or Kalga depending on where you decide to visit. |
| Day 4
If you are at Kheerganga then descend to Barshaini by afternoon and head to Manikaran. If you are at Tosh and Kalga, then spend some time and explore the villages around and come back to Barshaini and head to Manikaran. Spend the day at Manikaran. There is an HRTC bus at 6.30 pm from Manikaran to ISBT Kashmere gate. You can also take overnight buses of your choice for Delhi |
Parvati Valley in Kasol is a natural wonder. The natural beauty of the woods will mesmerize you. The clear blue water of the Parvati river adds to the magnificence of this place.
Kasol Itinerary 6 days: Exploring Parvati Valley to the Fullest
If you have the luxury of staying in Kasol about a week, there is much more you can do. This 6-day Kasol Itinerary will enable you to explore many nearby places around Kasol and Parvati valley and trek around Parvati valley and Kasol as well.
Board evening Volvo bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate to begin your Kasol adventure.
| Day 1
Reach early morning to Bhuntar. Board local buses and head towards Jari. From Jari go to Malana gate in cabs and explore the Malana village. Spend the night in Malana. You can read more about travelling to Malana village in this blog. |
| Day 2
Come back to Jari and board local buses or shared cabs going towards Kasol. Check into a hostel/hotel/guesthouse. Roam around the main town and go café hopping and enjoy your evening near the bank of river Parvati or spend some time in the woods near Kasol. |
| Day 3
Head to Chalal which is just 30 mins from Kasol. If you are into trekking then you can head to Rasol which is deep in the valley. It takes around 4 hours to reach here. Spend the night in Chalal/Katagla/Rasol. |
| Day 4
If you are in Rasol then come back to Kasol via Chalal and head towards Barshaini. From Barshaini you head to Tosh. Relax and spend the evening exploring the village. I had a wonderful time backpacking in Tosh village, you can read all about my experience here. |
| Day 5
Head to Kheerganga today and stay there for the night. If you are not into long treks, then head to Kutla village which is just a short trek or you can even come back to Barshaini and head to Kalga. Spend the night at Kheerganga/ Kutla/ Kalga. |
| Day 6
Come back to Barshaini from Kheerganga/ Kutla /Kalga and head towards Manikaran. Spend the day at Manikaran. There is an evening bus from Manikaran at 6.30 pm. Or else you can take an overnight bus of your choice from Kasol or Bhuntar. |
7 Places that need to be added to your Kasol Itinerary
Here is a brief overview of some of the places covered under my Kasol itinerary:
- Malana – Malana is a remote village located in Parvati Valley. Dubbed as the oldest democracy in the world, people in Malana expect visitors to abide by some rather strange rules. You can read all about these rules in this blog.
- Manikaran- Manikaran is a Sikh and Hindu pilgrimage centre that attracts many visitors. Take a dip in the hot water springs here and visit the temples and the Gurudwara.
- Tosh- Tosh is the last motorable village in Parvati Valley. Surrounded by lush green mountains with pine, deodar, oak trees, it offers a magnificent view of these mountains. You can read my complete backpacking guide to Tosh in this blog.
- Chalal – Chalal is just 30 mins hike from Kasol It is one of the shortest and easiest hiking trails around Kasol.
- Rasol – Rasol is another unexplored village in Parvati Valley. You can easily trek from Kasol to Rasol village in about 2-3 hours.
- Kheerganga – Kheerganga is one of the most sought after treks in Kasol. This trek takes about 2 days to finish and can be completed even by beginners.
- Kalga- is another lesser-known village of Parvati Valley. You can find a few accommodations here.
How much will your Kasol Trip Cost?
One of the main reasons why people head to Kasol and nearby places is because it is light on the pocket as there are is no scarcity of decent budget options for accommodation except for a few months when it is peak season. The internal transport in and around Kasol is also very cheap.
Accommodation is fairly inexpensive in and around Kasol (except peak season prices are high to due high tourist influx). A budget stay will cost around 500-800 INR per day depending on what you choose.
- If you choose Backpackers hostel that it can come down to around 300-350 INR per dorm bed.
- Guesthouses and will cost anywhere between 500-800 INR.
If you have someone to share a room with, then guesthouses and hotels can be a decent option as well. You can opt for Luxury hotels, guesthouses in Kasol but your cost will go up. Kasol also has a lot of campsites around the bank of the river Parvati. But they tend to be a little bit expensive than Hostels, Guesthouse, and hotels.
The only thing that is a little bit expensive is the food. If you are going to visit the famous cafés in Kasol then it will cost you a bit but trust me it is worth it since the food is just amazing here.
Food is going to a bit expensive here, So I would say it will be around 500-700 INR per day depending on how many cafes you visit. Though it is a little bit on the expensive side, trust me, you will love all the Multi-cuisine delicacies that Cafés in Kasol offer.
2-day Kasol trip Average CostI’ll consider that you are staying for one-night in Kasol and travelling to Kasol from Delhi. The approximate costs will be: Accommodation cost = 500 INR Food cost for 2 days = 1200 INR Bus fare to and fro = 2000 INR Therefore the total trip including the bus to and from Kasol will cost you anywhere between 4000-5000 INR. |
4-day Kasol trip average costHere I am assuming that you will be travelling from Delhi in a bus and are going to staying for 3-nights in Kasol. You will not only be spending money on food, accommodation n Kasol but also reaching nearby places. Accommodation cost = 1200 INR Food cost for 4 days = 2500 INR Bus fare to and fro = 2000 INR Internal Transport* = 1000 INR *(I have included cab fare as during winter the buses don’t go all the away to the last point in the valley, otherwise, local buses are very cheap) So, the average cost for a 4-day Kasol itinerary would be around 9000-10000 INR including the bus fare to and from Delhi. |
6-Day Kasol trip average costI will again assume Delhi as your starting point. based on that the costs you will incur are Accommodation cost = 2000 INR Food cost for 6 days = 3500 INR Bus fare to and fro = 2000 INR Internal Transport* = 1500 INR Therefore the approximate cost of a 6-day Kasol itinerary would be around 10000-12000 INR. The cost includes the bus fare to and from Kasol. |
Green house cottage is located at one of the best locations at Kasol. It is surrounded by forest and Parvati river is a 5-minute distance away from the cottage. I absolutely loved the stay here.
Where to Stay In Kasol on a budget?
The accommodation shouldn’t be a problem as there are plenty of budget hostels, hotel, and guest houses. As soon as you enter Kasol, you will spot clusters of Budget hotels and guesthouses the rooms there are not fancy but are decent enough.
They can be priced anywhere between 500 – 800 INR. The prices can be exorbitantly high during the peak season even for even basic rooms. I stayed in a couple of hotels in that area that were decent and were priced at INR 500, but it was in February which can be considered as off-season and it did feel like off-season as the foreign travellers were almost absent.
| Though sometimes Kasol is swarmed by tourists during summer months and new year, accommodation can be easily available in the nearby villages Chalal, Katagla, Choj. Chalal is just 30 mins hike from Kasol with plenty of budget options around. |
For all you backpackers and solo travellers, backpacker hostels will come to your rescue as there a couple of popular hostel chains in Kasol. Some of the best hostels here are:
| The Hosteller
The hostel s located above the main market in Kasol. You can reach the place by walking for 10 minutes from the Kasol bus stop. Prices start at 400 INR per person |
| Moustache hostel
The hostel is located on the banks of river Parvati and is about 1 km from the bus stop. Prices start at 350 INR per person |
| Nomads hostel
This hostel is located near Choj village which is a walkable distance from Kasol Market. Prices start at 400 INR per person |
| whoppers hostel
This one is located in Katagla village, another beautiful village located at about 2.5 km from Kasol. Prices start at 300 INR per person. |
If you are for some decent luxury rooms then there you have to go to the far end of Kasol. Hotel Sandhya is one of the luxury hotels in Kasol. Greenhouse cottages near Hotel Sandhya have very spacious and amazing rooms. The Forest area and Parvati riverbank are also near. I got an amazing deal for Greenhouse cottages priced at INR 1000. But this was winter, prices will be surely on the higher side during peak season.
How to reach Kasol?
There is no direct bus for Kasol from either Delhi or Chandigarh. Therefore, for a first time visitor, reaching Kasol can be a bit confusing.
Reaching Kasol by road
Kasol can be only reached by road. For those making a solo trip to Kasol or are on a tight budget, Volvo buses will be your best bet. First, you need to board buses going towards Manali. There are a lot of Ordinary and Volvo buses of both private operators and HRTC plying on Delhi – Manali route from ISBT Kashmere gate.
Then you need to get down at Bhuntar since this is where the road to Kasol in Parvati valley diverts. From Bhuntar you need to take to local buses or shared cabs going towards Kasol.
There are a couple of HRTC buses from Delhi in the evening that directly go towards Manikaran. In case you don’t want to do a break journey and save time then is the perfect option (Kasol comes before Manikaran). Of course, there are only two buses so it might not be convenient for everybody.
| Assuming you are coming from Delhi this would be the route.
Delhi – Chandigarh – Bilaspur – Pandoh – Mandi – Bhuntar – Kasol |
If have self-driven cars or private vehicles, then just make sure you take the diversion at Bhuntar. On average Delhi to Kasol, bus journey would take around 13-15 hours.
Reaching Kasol by Air
The nearest airport is in Bhuntar, but the frequency of flights to Bhuntar is very less. So the fares are on the higher side. From Bhuntar, you can take shared cabs or local buses going towards Kasol. It might not be a budget-friendly option, but if you short on days and budget is not a constraint then this option should be considered.
Jim Morrisons café is one of the best cafe in Kasol. I absolutely loved the vibe of this café and they serve awesome food here. It is must visit when you are in Kasol.
Where and what to eat in Kasol?
Though cafes predominantly serve Italian and Israeli food, most of them offer multi-cuisine including Indian food in some cafés. Israeli food like hummus, falafel platter, etc. will be readily available and is a must-try when you are in Kasol.
Italian food served in most of the cafes is extremely delectable. Apart from Italian and Israeli food, traditional Indian food is also readily available in and around Kasol.
| Kasol known as mini-Israel is famous for its Israeli delicacies. Make sure you try these! |
Kasol is also famous for its mouth-watering desserts like cakes, pie, croissants, etc. There are quite a few bakeries here which serve these kinds of deserts. Germany bakery being the most popular one out there with its apple pie and cheesecakes being a must-try. Unfortunately, when I visited Kasol German bakery was not operational since it was off-season and would open again only after April.
There are a ton of different Cafes in Kasol and you probably require 2 days to cover all of them. I visited quite a few of them and the food was extremely delicious. Bhoj Café, Evergreen Café, Freedom Café, Moondance Café, Jim Morrisons Café, Little Italy, Panj Tara Café are among the popular ones in Kasol.
In my opinion, Evergreen Café, Jim Morrisons Café and Little Italy are a must-visit as they serve lip-smacking food. Personally, my favourite is Jim Morrisons café as the café inspired by Jim Morrison the lead singer of the classic rock band “The Doors”, classic rock numbers are played during the day. The café has a very chill vibe to it and is heaven for vegetarians as the café serves only vegetarian food. To reach this café you would have to hike uphill for 10 minutes from Hotel Sandhya.
Unlike Manali, there are not many cafes that offer live music in Kasol. Panj Tara café is the only one that I know which offers live music.
What’s the best time to visit Kasol?
This is very subjective as this would depend on what kind of colours and landscapes one wants to see. But one thing is for sure the weather remains very comfortable throughout the year except for cold winters which start from late November to early March.
| Winters for snowfall
If you want to experience snowfall, then the best time to visit is the months of December and January. Spring season can be one of the best times to visit as it’s not too cold as compared to winter but there is lots of snow on the mountains. |
| Summers for Hiking
Summer months are usually the best time for hiking and trekking as the snow melts completely in the upper reaches. |
| Monsoons for the Greenery
Monsoon is when everything seems to be lush green due to rains but be careful while trekking trails become slippery and sometimes Landslides can block a lot of roads in Himachal. September is when the monsoon withdraws and makes way for beautiful clear skies. |
| Autumn for the landscapes
Autumn is also a wonderful time to be around, as the landscapes would start turning in to golden brown as the winter approaches. |
If you time your visit to Kasol during off-season months like January, February, March in winter, or in September, October, November during Autumn, then you would enjoy it a lot more as there would be no crazy tourist rush when compared to Summer months or the period of Christmas and new year. There would be no problems whatsoever for Backpackers and Budget travellers as the accommodation prices would not be exorbitantly high.
A total whiteout near Malana gate. If you want to experience snowfall, then heading to Malana can be wonderful to
experience it as it is just 2 hours from Kasol. Though it snows in Kasol, if you visit in February or March then the chances of experiencing snowfall are very less in Kasol.
Is Kasol safe to visit?
Kasol is very safe irrespective of gender. In fact, all of the Himachal is very safe and you will find lots of solo travellers backpacking around Kasol and Parvati valley. As you might already know Kasol is infamous for people looking for high-quality hashish called ‘Malana Cream’, so please make sure you don’t engage in such illicit activities as possession of Hashish is illegal and you can even be arrested.
Apart from this, locals are very amiable and approachable, and they will help you out in any situation, so don’t hesitate and approach them if you need help. While hiking and trekking around this pristine valley avoid taking shortcuts unless accompanied by a professional guide.
Travel Tips for Kasol Trip
I hope this detailed Kasol itinerary helps you plan your travel successfully. Here are a few other tips that will come in handy on your trip to Kasol:
| Avoid Peak Season
Though Kasol offers plenty of budget options to travellers, during the peak season it can get pretty crowded and the prices are skyrocketing even for basic rooms. So, it’s better to visit during off-season months like September, October in Autumn and January and February in winter. The only downside of travelling in winter is that quite a few Cafes will be closed. |
| Travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase
I can’t emphasize how much carrying a backpack will help you explore Kasol and nearby areas to the fullest. Places like Chalal, Katagla, Choj etc. are just a few minutes hike from Kasol, and if you plan to stay there then carrying suitcases won’t help. I saw a lot of people struggling with their suitcases while going to Chalal. |
| Pack light whenever Backpacking
This is one of the most essential things you might need to hike with your Backpack and if you have unnecessarily stuffed a lot of things then you will have to Hike with it which may tire you out. |
| Look for local buses and shared cabs
When travelling internally in Parvati Valley use local buses and shared cabs as the distance between places in and around Kasol in very less and the tickets are very cheap. |
| Avoid shortcuts while trekking
Do not take shortcuts while trekking and hiking unless and until you are accompanied by a professional guide who knows the area pretty well. Most of the trails are well marked in case of any confusion please keep asking locals frequently. A small mistake can turn fatal. There have been many instances where people have disappeared while trekking. |
| Stay in Hostels
if you are Backpacking there are two reasons why you should stay at a hostel. One you don’t have to pay for the whole room if you stay in Hotel or Guesthouse as they are Dorm Beds available in Hostels, Two, you get to meet people from across the globe. |
| Be careful while venturing near the Parvati river
Parvati River would appear innocuous to you at first. But do not make the mistake of undermining its flow. Recently, a girl lost her life while slipping off of a boulder near the river bank. Do not risk your life just for taking that perfect picture or selfie. |
| Responsible Travel
It is quite sad to see the current state of Parvati Valley there is plastic on the roads, on the trails, literally everywhere. Please travel responsibly do not litter around and if possible do not buy plastic water bottles. Just get your own bottle and refill your water bottles wherever you stay and from the springs. |
| Pack Warm Clothes
Weather is comfortable throughout the year it is going to be comparatively cool even in summer but it is very cold in winter and autumn so please pack your warm clothes appropriately. |
It’s always easy if have some sort of itinerary before travelling as it helps you plan better. Many do not have the luxury of travelling for a lot of days and so I have tried to provide you with three different itineraries. I hope these different Kasol itineraries will help you accommodate maximum places according to your needs.
Happy Wayfaring 🙂