Kasol Tourism And Travel Guide

Kasol is located in Himachal Pradesh, on the banks of River Parvati between Bhuntar and Manikaran. Apart from being endowed with rich natural beauty, enchanting landscapes and breathtaking camping and trekking spots, Kasol holds the distinction of being known as ‘Mini Israel of India.’ Kasol has significant Jewish influence and draws considerable number of Israeli travellers every year. It offers some mouth-watering dishes to the tourists and loads of adventure activities. Tourism in Kasol is an interesting mix of flavours which should not be missed. Here is a snippet of travel guide to see in this little hamlet tucked away amidst towering hills and coniferous forests.

Owing to its altitude, Kasol is accessible only by road.

By Air: 

The closest airport to Kasol is Bhuntar Airport near Kullu, located 31 km away. It is connected by flights with three main neighbouring cities of Delhi, Pathankot and Shimla. From the airport, tourists can hire taxis to reach Kasol.

By Rail:

The nearest railhead to Kasol is Pathankot, which is 150 km from Kasol. It is fairly well connected by railway networks. Chandigarh Railway Station can also be used to reach Kasol but it is located about 310 km from the destination. From the station tourists can take cabs to reach Kasol.

By Road:

Kasol is connected by a well developed network of roads. The HRTC operates regular bus serices between Kasol and major states like Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Private operators too offer bus services between Kasol and neighbouring cities.

Getting by in Kasauli:

For commuting within Kasol, trekking and walking are considered the best options. They are the best ways to explore the place. For travelling to nearby tourist spots like Malana and Manikaran, buses and taxis are available.

Summer (March to June):

Summer is considered to be the best season for planning a trip to Kasol. With temperatures hovering between 13°C and 35°C, it is perfect for exploring the beauty of Kasol and for sightseeing. It is the best time for camping out and for going on long treks that Kasol is famous for. Summer also coincides with a number of fascinating music festivals that Kasol hosts. As the nerve centre of PSYtrance music, Kasol has some rocking concerts that should not be missed.

Monsoon (July to September): 

Weather remains pleasant in Kasol during monsoon with a lot of freshness and greenery all around. But rains bring a host of problems that affect tourism. Sudden landslides, road blocks, cloudbursts followed by incessant rains can make roads slippery and risky for travelling. Kasol is best avoided during monsoon.

Winter (October to February): 

Apart from enjoying a lot of snowfall, winter isn’t much fun in Kasol. Most of the times tourists have to remain restricted to their hotels due to bad weather and snowfall that hinders sightseeing and trekking. Wearing layers of clothes and not able to enjoy the clear skies isn’t the real idea of a perfect holiday in Kasol.

Camping:

Kasol offers some out of the world's best spots for camping and you can’t surely miss an opportunity of camping under the clear blue skies once in the little village. The riverside plains, the top of Kheerganga and Tosh Valley are some excellent sites to put up your camps and enjoy nature at its best.

Trekking:

An activity you have to indulge in when in Kasol is trekking. It has some beautiful picturesque trails for trekking and enjoying the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscapes. There are trekking providers who assist with equipment and routes. One of the most popular trekking trails is to the top of Kheerganga. The 9 km trek is truly worth every bit of the effort.

Attending PSYtrance Festivals:

Kasol is the nerve centre of Psychedelic Trance or PSYtrance genre of music. It hosts some of the craziest and most entertaining music festivals which are attended by thousands of fans every year. If you happen to be in Kasol during summer you must not miss the opportunity of attending one of these shows. It is maddening and rejuvenating.

Exploring Tosh and Malana Village: 

These are small villages located in the periphery of a few kilometres around Kasol. Tosh will treat you to fascinating scenic beauty and some lip-smacking cuisine. Malana is an untouched beauty tucked away in the lap of the Himalayas. It has chosen to remain secluded following its own rules, traditions and customs.

Visiting Manikaran Sahib and Hot Springs:

Manikaran Sahib is a Gurdwara located 6 km from Kasol and a sacred place for the Sikhs. It is quiet and peaceful and hundreds of people from all religions come here to pay their respects. The Gurdwara has a natural hot spring close by where people can take a Bath.

Sightseeing in Kullu and Manali:

Kasol is located only a stone’s throw away from the very popular tourist destinations of Kullu and Manali. They boast of some of the most beautiful sightseeing spots, breathtaking views of the hills and valleys and offer a plethora of adventure activities like trekking, skiing and paragliding. Snowfall in Kullu and Manali is a sight to behold.

After a long day’s trek up the hills, a plate of steaming delicious food is what is needed to sign off a perfect day. And what better place to do this than some of the amazing cafes that Kasol boasts of. The strong Jewish influence that we spoke of is perhaps nowhere more pronounced than in the local cuisine of the place. Falafel, msabbha, Zatar naan, tahina, Shakshukas etc are sinfully good. Moon Dance Cafe, Stone Garden Cafe and Evergreen Cafe are extremely popular and the next time you happen to be in Kasol be sure to drop in to one of them.