Delhi to Parvati Valley -
a 7-day trip guide.
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| guide map of the Parvati Valley. |
Also known as the Amsterdam of India for multiple reasons; it is scenic, unpolluted, venturesome and also happens to be home to some of the best quality marijuana the world.
The Parvati Valley circuit is the perfect place to experience and explore the offbeat paths; thanks to its numerous hiking trails.
You ought to escape the summer heat and find some time for yourself in cooler regions of the country; experience Israeli cuisine here with high-quality hashish and its products.
Hey, I am Karun. I have traveled and managed trips to Parvati Valley for 2 years in a row and now I am sharing my own experience on "how you can travel and explore Parvati Valley".
Please read it till the last point.
Getting to Delhi.
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| CP, Delhi |
The first step is to reach New Delhi. New Delhi is the base camp for any destination you travel in the North if traveling from different regions of the country. Ignore if you're a Delhite.
The best way to travel is by Rail if you are on a budget or solo trip, ticket price ranges between 600 to 800 from any of the metropolitan cities, like Bombay. You can also board a flight if you are on a tight schedule.
Getting to Bhuntar.
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| Aerial view of Bhuntar |
Once you reach Delhi, take a local bus or board a metro to ISBT Kashmere Gate. Try reaching ISBT Kashmere Gate before 6 PM and board the earliest bus to Bhuntar as most of the buses are usually late and most probably you don't have the time to waste.
Cost:
HRTC buses will cost you up to 550 to 650 rupees while private buses and Volvo's will cost you around 800-1500 rupees per ticket if you book
through the RedBus app.
Highlights:
Bhuntar is the basecamp for Parvati Valley. It has a bus depot, an airport, fruit market, fast food shops, and peddlers trying to sell you Nepali hash
Kasol(Day 1).
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| panoramic view of Kasol |
Once you reach Bhuntar, look for a local bus to Kasol which usually takes up to 5-10 minutes. It will cost you about 35-40 rupees and a 1.5-hour long bus journey to get there. In total, you will have to travel 520km; the total distance between Kasol to Delhi.
Suggestions:
You can spend your night at any hotel or dorm at Kasol or trek to the nearest village like Chalal, Rasol, Choj. Kasol is now more of a hill station than a hippy paradise.
You can try the famous Bhoj, Shiva mama or Jim Morrison cafe.
It only takes 2-3 hours to explore every aspect of Kasol.
Budget:
A heavy lunch is a must after traveling for almost 14 hrs. It will cost you around 200-250 rupees. The room price ranges from 650-2k rupees as per your preference.
It costs 600-850 per person, including 1-day stay and a 3-time meal.
Highlights:
Kasol is a hippy market. You can buy hash balls, jewelry, fancy clothes, and other products like rolling sheets, bongs, etc.
Choj (Day 1)(optional, if you stay at Kasol)
2 km away from Kasol, this small village of 200 people is connected by a suspension bridge. Spending night here is comparatively better than spending a night at Kasol. It offers you a scenic view of photography, a better view of the sky at night and can be a base camp for your 7-days trip.
Suggestions:
Choj has many accommodation plans for the visitors at comparatively less price than Kasol. You can go camping near the Parvati river, book a room in a hotel or accommodate in a homestay.
Budget:
It will cost you up to 600-800 for a room on quad sharing basis and dinner will cost you up to 150 per veg. thali. It will cost 350-500 rupees per person for one day including stay and a 2-time meal.
Highlights:
You can spend the whole night around the bonfire playing guitar or rest and wake up early in the morning to experience the sunrise at Choj with a cup of coffee or a joint 'if you smoke'. After that, go for a walk to experience the beautiful waterfall merging in the Parvati river and marijuana plantation.
If you are on a budget trip with your friends, ask anyone about the Bebu homestay or Bebu bhai.
Tip
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| On the way to Manikaran Sahib Ji |
You can also visit Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib, which is 30 minutes walk away from Choj/Kasol. Plus point is: shared taxis are also available from here if you are traveling solo. It will cost you 150-200 rupees per person for a ride till Varshaini from where you can start your trek to Kheerganga at the earliest.
Kheerganga(Day 2&3)
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| Period. |
Carry only important stuff that you will need for another 3- days during the trek and leave the rest of the luggage at the homestay. There is no need to carry the unnecessary load with you as it will only ruin your experience.
You can pick your luggage later on your way back to Bhuntar.
Suggestions:
It will take you up to 1 hour to reach Varshaini and the bus fare is around
30-35 rupees.
You can borrow/buy trekking boots, wooden sticks, and other important stuff here.
Famous for its scenic view, the last inhabited village is home to many waterfalls, animals, a hot water spring and Shiva itself.
The trek will take up to 6 hours, in case of beginners; and around 4-5 hours, in case of experts; having many beautiful as well as dangerous turns and stops on its way.
Budget:
There are many cafes in this small village.
My personal favorite is Ice&Fire, as it is the oldest cafe in the village and the food quality is good.
You can stay in a tent for 2 for 400-500 rupees per night or in the cafe's hall for 100 rupees.
Highlights:
2 days are enough for you to spend without your phones and you can also checkout villages nearby such as Nakthan, Pulga, Kalga, and Tulga.
Hot water spring, sunrise, pearl white horses and sunset are the main attractions here.
Tosh (Day 4)
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Tosh in April.
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Suggestions:
From Varshaini, you can trek or take a cab for another 3 kilometers to get here.
After reaching to Tosh, you are left with ample time to explore, eat, smoke, learn, befriend another group, and rest. You can check out cafes like the Eye Sky, Boom Shiva and the best of all, Pinki Didi Cafe.
Budget:
A room on quad sharing will cost you somewhere around 1000 rupees in season and 800 in the off-season. Per person cost for 1-day stay including a 3-time meal is somewhere around 500-650.
Highlights:
Tosh's Waterfall, Pinki Didi Cafe, and trek to Kutla are the main tourist attractions.
Chalal (Day 5)
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Chalal Village
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Suggestions:
Early in the morning, after having your breakfast, move back to Varshaini and take a local bus to Choj again. This step is optional if you carried all your stuff to Kheerganga along.
Chalal is a beautiful village famous for its PSY vibes, 45 minutes away if you trek from Kasol and 30 minutes away if you trek from Choj.
Budget:
Homestays and cafes are available from 100-200 rupees per person if you are traveling on a budget. Per person cost for a 1-day stay and a 3-time meal is somewhere around 400-500.
Highlights:
Won't reveal what it's famous for, you would love to experience it yourself rather than reading it here.
Ask for Ajju bhai if you need any assistance with anything.
Garahan (Day 6&7)
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| Garahan Village in early October |
The final and the second most beautiful trek to the least traveled village of the Parvati Valley.
Suggestions:
You can carry or leave unwanted stuff at Chalal where you stayed.
The trek will take up to 6 hours if you are a beginner and 5 hours if you are an expert. The last 500 meters of this trek is difficult.
Budget:
You can accommodate yourselves at any homestay; they all have a similar price range from 500-600 rupees. Per person cost for a 1-day stay and 3-time meal is somewhere between 450-600.
Highlights:
Travel to the Pulgi village which is connected by wooden planks, visit Garahan's waterfall.
Surprising..isn't it? A whole week's trip under your budget!!
I'm sure you'd love the places for its weather, picturesque views, serenity and most importantly, natives. So, go ahead and explore beyond the mainstream places and you'd be contented like never before. Have an adventurous and safe trip!!!
Also, do write your experience in the comments section or
anything which could be added up further.
Enjoy the trippy trip, guys :)
