kheerganga to spiti trek

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INTRODUCTION

Pin Parvati Pass was first crossed in August 1884 by Sir Louis Dane in search of an alternate route to Spiti Valley. This pass connects the fertile and lush Parvati valley on the Kullu side with the Pin valley in the Spiti valley. It is a popular trekking route today though still rarely visited. This trans- Himalayan trek is the shortest route between Kullu and Spiti Valleys. Once over the Pin Parvati pass (5400m), there is a complete change in landscape- the mountain slopes immediately turn barren and rugged. The prevalent culture of the inhabitants also changes from Hinduism on the Kullu side to Buddhism in Spiti. Often referred to as the most challenging trek in the Indian Himalaya, it’s more than worth the effort.

HOW TO REACH MANALI

• Trek Across The Great Himalayan Range.
• Peaceful Campsites Along The Parvati & Pin River.
• Spectacular Drive Over Kaza To Manali Road.
• Great Himalayan National Park. 
• Pin Valley National Park.
• Parvati, Lahual & Spiti Valley.

Post breakfast we leaving Manali we drive 84 km to Manikaran from here we commence our trek to Khirganga. The valley narrows down as we descend through the village. The trail goes through dense forests and a steady ascent with some steep stretches takes one to Khirganga. A few minutes-walks to the host springs here is recommended.

There are two trails from this point and we take the lower one, which goes through fields of wild flowers. There are some Gaddi shepherd encampments and this will be last human settlement you will come across until Mud. The trail stays on the left of the river and initially moves through a forest of Rhododendrons, Fir and Birch and then we reach open pastures. The campsite of Tunda Bhuj is on a steep sided meadow and offers spectacular views of the waterfalls cascading down from the shiny black rocks across the valley.Camp at Tunda Bhuj there are fine alpine views down the valley and waterfalls tumbling down the cliffs on the opposite side of the valley.

Initially the path rises, crosses a stream and heads down to the Parvati riverbank. The trail descends via narrow and slippery path to the valley of flowers. Walk close to the river to reach the Niabdhuduari thach where the tree line ends. We then continue to climb a steep slope and clear a few rocky patches to reach our campsite at Thakur Kuan.

To the trail is initially a level ground. Glimpses of many glaciers that are the source of River Parvati. Now we begin to notice the change in the landscape. From the lush green forests and meadows we now enter into mountains, glaciers and moraines. We also cross a natural bridge known as ‘Pandu Pul’- simply meaning the ‘bridge of the Pandavas’.

A gentle walk on flat ground, then a stream you have to cross by hopping over boulders, and you are standing just below the towering massif of Kullu Eiger. The trail continues its moderate climb staying close to the soft flow of the Parvati, going past a few shepherds encampments. An hour- long ascent takes you away from the Gaddi Shepherds to climb over the debris of a moraine descending from a side glacier to finally reach the campsite.

The trail now goes up a steep snow gully providing spectacular views of snow clad mountains and massive glaciers surrounding you. Trek through boulders and scree out of the main valley and then a steep climb takes you to the base of Pin Parvati Pass.

This is a long day and we advise to start early when the snow is still frozen; this makes walking on it easier. From the pass one can view the Pir Panjal range of the Western Himalaya and the Spiti and Pin Valley Mountain. The trail now descends over snow and ice and covered crevasses followed by boulders and scree. The government of India has declared this part a National Park. It is famous for Ibex, Snow Leopard and Musk Deer. We descend on to a grassy plain with numerous criss-crossing streams.

We leave base camp for Wichkurung Thach. We continue to cross meadows and boulders. Pin valley is a national park known as the land of Ibex and Snow Leopard. The most interesting to see is Chamurti horses, which are popularly called the camel of the cold desert. The lifeline of this difficult terrain, Spiti, and Chamurti are among the six recognized finest breeds of horses in India. Trail then leads small plateau above the valley then it leads down to a grassy campsite of Tiya.Set camp in a beautiful meadow.

All the way through scenery with amazing variety of color that reflects on the mountains, we reach the first village in Pin Valley. This is where our vehicles would meet for us for tomorrow’s journey to Kaza. Driving through Pin River valley crossing villages of Sagnum, Kungri, Mikkim and continue to Kaza.

The drive leads through the rugged mountain plateau road with a little height gaining up to Langza. Langza Gongma houses the Lang, local village temple. A massive statue of Lord Buddha guarding the hamlet is the tallest structure here, which is also the most popular picture of Langza on the internet. Another striking feature of the village – the Chau Chau Kang Nilda peak – adorns its landscape majestically. After few km drive one of the most famous landmarks of Komic village in Spiti valley, as the “Highest village in world connected with Motorable road”. Komic which literally means “eye of a snow cock” (Ko – snowcock, mic – eye), is a remote village in Spiti valley. Komic village is situated at a height of 4587 meters. After this we drive 2 Hours we visit Dhankar Monastery is a gravity-defying Gompa hanging on a cliff overlooking the Pin River. It is very old but it was at its peak in 17th CE when it was the seat of power for Nono kings who ruled from here. The monastery also has a statue of Vairochana or Dhayan Buddha with four figures seated back to back inside the monastery. After few km drive visit our last Tabo Monastery, also known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas,' was founded more than a millennium back in 996 A.D. Tabo Monastery is believed to have been established in the year of the Fire Ape, by a great teacher and translator Lotsawa Rinchen Tsang Po, the king of the western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge. Drive Back to Kaza.

Today, we will be visiting Ki monastery, the largest monastery in Spiti valley, situated on top of a hill (4116 meters/13,500 feet).  This monastery is famous for Thanka paintings and musical instruments.  We then  continue to the village of Kibber (4205 meters/13,800 feet) On the way visit Kunzum Pass (4500meters ) drive towards Chandertal Lake is also known  as Moon Lake. Chandra Taal Lake is on the Samudra Tapu plateau, which overlooks Chandra River (a source river of the Chenab). The name of the lake originates from its crescent shape. It is at an altitude of about 4,300 meters (14,100 ft) in the Himalayas.

Drive back to Manali across Chandra River most fascinating sight of Samudra Tapu glacier, North Dakka glacier, South Dakka glacier and Silver glacier. Above the glaciers towering mighty peaks of Moulkila and C.B. peaks. We will drive along a dusty and rough road. On both sides are huge boulders which are quite famous among rock climbers. We also get to see the Glacier of Bara Shigri; it extends to about 12kms and is the longest in Himachal. One can also view the magnificent peaks together famous as the “White Sail”.  We will go over the famous Rohtang Pass, a wonderful opportunity to look down on to the lush green Kullu Valley.

PIN BHABHA PASS EXTENSION - 15 DAYS

What is included in the tour

• The services of an educated Himalayan Yeti Adventure representative or escort / guide, well versed with native flora/fauna, topography & culture during the entire trek program.
• During the trek, all camping logistics and mules / porters/ to carry luggage. Participants will be required to carry only their day sacks with their daily essentials etc.
• Camping on twin sharing basis in 2-man tents, with foam mattresses, sleeping bags and kitchen tent, toilet tent etc. 
• One Cook and camp helper/s with all necessary kitchen items, utensils etc.
• All transportation as per the itinerary, inclusive of transfers to the roadhead before the trek and transfer from the roadhead to Manali, after the conclusion of the trek.
• Boiled drinking water during the trek and warm water for personal ablutions in the morning.
• All meals during the trek program.
• Wildlife / environmental Permits and Levies, wherever required.
• All camping charges.
• Trek Briefing / debriefing & guides charges.
• Charges for following the global ‘Leave No Trace’ protocol.
• Insurance of the trekking staff
• Good medical / first aid kit with Oxygen Cylinders.

What is NOT included in the tour

• Any accidental, travel or medical insurance.  It is advisable for the participants to get themselves comprehensively insured before the tour.
• Any expenses of a personal nature.
• Any and all evacuation charges (medical or otherwise), or hospitalization or physicians consultation charges. Your own insurance policy should also, ideally, cover this.                                     

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NatureDiary » Blog » Travel Guides » Tourist Attractions

Kheerganga Trek From Kasol – Complete Travel Guide

Nestled at an altitude of 2956 meters (9678 ft.) and surrounded by the Himalayan mountain range, Kheerganga or Khirganga is a scenic trekking destination from Kasol at Parvati valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. As per locals, Kheerganga has spiritual significance and is known as the ‘abode of Lord Shiva’.

Kheerganga Trek Overview

About kheerganga.

Kasol to Kheerganga trek involves Barshaini (also known as Barsheni), Kalga, and Tosh as starting points. The distance covered is around 12 Km which usually takes 4-6 hours to complete, depending on the capability of the trekkers. Most part of the trek is pretty straightforward. Still, some can be a little difficult and risky for beginners due to steep stairs, slippery paths, and precipices.

The best things about Kheerganga are the surrounding scenic view, forest trek, and a hot water spring. Its beauty is incomparable in different seasons. While the temperature reaches 26 degrees Celsius in the summer (May-June), the winters (December-February) are colder, and there is often snowfall. However, you can trek to Kheerganga from Kasol at any time of the year according to your preference.

The Mythology About Kheerganga

Kheerganga is an ancient pilgrimage site. The name “Kheerganga” comes from two words- “kheer”, which means a slurry sweet dish made of milk, and “Ganga” means a river of great importance.

It is said that from Satya-yuga till now, Shiva Parvati and Kartika have been living here. By the grace of Shiva and Parvati, Kheer (usually made by boiling milk) flowed here. That is why the place is called “Kheerganga”.

In order not to quarrel over the kheer, it was turned into hot water by the grace of Parasurama in Kaliyuga. Bathing in this water is virtuous. Also, the Kartikswamy cave is located 60 meters away from the hot spring. Now it is forbidden to enter the cave, but pilgrims can still visit there.

Highlights Of Kheerganga Trek

• Altitude: 9678 ft.
• Trekking Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Starting Point: Barshaini/ Kalga/ Tosh
• End Point: Kheerganga
• Distance Covered: 12-14 Km
• Duration Of Trek: 4-6 hours
• Temperature: 16°C to 20°C (Summer), -11°C to 12°C (Winter)
• Rainfall: 128-500 mm (monsoon), 29-130 mm (Other Seasons)
• Best Time To Visit: April, May, June, October, November
• Nearest ATM: Kasol
• Mobile Network: BSNL
• Cost of Trek: ₹2760 to ₹11100 for two persons* (Kasol to Kasol via Kheerganga)

*Includes the cost of accommodation, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and charge for the guide.

Kasol Kheerganga Trek Map

This map explains the Kheerganga trek routes from Kasol, Barshaini, Tosh and Kalga. Check more details .

How To Reach Kheerganga From Kasol?

The best option to reach Kasol is availing of the AC Volvo Bus service from New Delhi or Chandigarh. The distance is roughly 520 Km which needs an overnight journey. The nearest airport to Kasol is Kullu–Manali Airport, Bhuntar, just 23 Km away. You can get both public transport and private cars to reach Kasol.

Once you have arrived in Kasol, you can book a cab or ride on a bus to reach Barshaini in 40 minutes. The distance between Kasol and Barshaini bus stand is 17 Km, and the trek to Kheerganga starts from this point.

Kheerganga Trek Routes

There are three different trekking routes from Barshaini to Kheerganga, covering a 9 to 14 Km distance. Every route is best for their unique experience and adventure. So, let’s explore!

Route 1: Barishaini to Kheerganga via Nakthan

Nakthan is known for its 460 MW hydropower project and its surrounding scenic village. After passing the bridge on the Parvati river, take a left turn to reach the Nakthan village. Follow the Barsheni road to reach Rudranag which meets another trail from Kalga. The path is well-marked and easy to follow.

This route is easier to descend from Kheerganga than other ones. The distance from Kheerganga is the shortest on this route, usually taking 3-4 hours to complete. If you are an experienced trekker, it will be the best option. The famous Pin Parvati trek starts at Kheerganga, and most trekkers prefer this route to save time.

Route 2: Barishaini to Kheerganga via Tosh

This trek route connects Barshaini to Kheerganga via Tosh. This small village is surrounded by mountains and the Tosh river (nallah), which meets the Parvati river near Pulga village. This picturesque village is a perfect place to visit for trekkers and hikers. The only disadvantage is that this trek route adds an additional 2.5 Km to the course mentioned above.

If you plan to trek to Kheerganga from Tosh, you must follow a different trail that meets the previous route 1 near Nakthan village. You can stay overnight at Tosh and begin your adventure the following day to trek to Kheerganga from Kasol.

Route 3: Barishaini to Kheerganga via Kalga

Trekking to Kheerganga via Kalga village is most scenic in dense forests, waterfalls, and eye-soothing greeneries. Watching the dance of light through the shadow of giant trees is mesmerizing. You won’t get such a beautiful form of nature in any of the previous trek routes. If you love photography, trekking to Kheerganga via Kalga won’t disappoint you. This is the best trek route to Kheerganga.

Previously, this 10 Km long route was lesser known to trekkers, and there are reports of people missing in the dense forest. Presently, it is getting popular, and you can follow the trail easily. However, hiring a guide from Kalga is highly recommended as there are some difficult bridges on waterfalls and steep areas where beginners might need an expert hand.

Kheerganga Trek Itinerary

The Kheerganga trek can be covered in two days with one night stay at the camping site. However, if you are travelling from Manali or Delhi to Kasol, it can be exhausting to trek on the same day. For this reason, staying at Kalga or Tosh for the night and starting trekking the next morning is advisable. In this way, you will be refreshed and able to enjoy the adventure more. So, it will be best to plan a 3-day-2-night itinerary unless you plan to complete it in 2 days.

Itinerary 1 (Kheerganga Trek Direct From Barshaini)

• Starting Point: Barshaini Bus Stop
• Endpoint: Kheerganga Camping
• No. Of Days: 2
• Distance: 12 Km
• Completion Time: 4-6 hours

Day 1 (Trek To Kheerganga And Camp Overnight)

• The Beginning : The adventurous trek from Kasol to Kheerganga begins at Barshaini, located on the bank of the Parvati river. Just after the hydel power project, follow the Barshaini road or cross the Nakthan bridge to reach the Nakthan village. Continue trekking on the road to reach Rudranag. Then cross the scenic Rudranag bridge and start trekking in the forest. Another Kheerganga trekking trail from Kalga meets this route near the bridge.
• Adventurous Experience : Hike towards the forest through the apple orchards and meadows. As the journey advances, you will see sky-piercing pine forests surrounded by mountains. You will cross several waterfalls on wooden bridges on the way, which is a thrilling experience. You can rest for a few minutes by the falls and enjoy the beautiful surrounding with lush green forest.

• Food and Drinks : There are some stalls on the trail where you can get refreshing drinks like mango shakes, watermelon juice, tea, coffee, cold drinks, etc. You can also buy namkeen, chips, and biscuits from these stalls and proceed.
• The Excitement : Once reaching Kheerganga, immerse yourself in the hot spring, relax and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. After checking in at your camp, keep the rucksack and other trekking essentials well-packed and enjoy the evening.
• Evening Enjoyment : Most camp operators serve dinners from 8 PM to 10 PM. You can get roti, chana masala, mixed veg, and sometimes paneer. The food is delicious, but please do not expect restaurant-like non-veg food here. Most camping operators arrange music systems, bonfires, and barbecues on request.

Day 2 (Return To Barshaini From Kheerganga)

• Do Not Miss The Sunrise : The beauty of sunrise from Kheerganga is incomparable. In the early morning, the sun plays hide and seek behind the Himalayan mountain range, colouring the sky red. At around 7 AM, the sun rises above the mountains with its magical rays spread across Kheerganga camps.
• Have Breakfast And Pack Your Bags : After witnessing the spectacular sunrise, return to your camp and pack your bags for return. Most camping operators provide breakfast from 8 AM. So, have breakfast, refill your water bottles, contact your guide, and prepare to check out the camp.
• Bid Goodbye : After everything is arranged, bid goodbye to Kheerganga and descend down. Some alternative shortcuts take less time but can be risky. You should not attempt them without the help of a guide. The surrounding forest and trekking trails are the same as you crossed when trekking to Kheerganga from Kasol.

Itinerary 2 (Trek To Kheerganga Via Kalga)

• Starting Point: Kalga village
• Endpoint: Kheerganga
• No. Of Days: 3
• Distance: 10 Km

Day 1 (Arrive at Kalga and Stay Overnight)

• Arrive And Explore Kalga Village : Unlike the previous itinerary of the Kheerganga trek, arrive at the Kalga village from Kasol via the Barshaini bus stand. After crossing the hydropower project, turn right and hike uphill to reach Kalga. It is a small scenic village located in the lap of Parvati valley, surrounded by pine forests and misty mountains. You can relax for the day, roaming around the apple orchards and organic farms of Kalga. If you have sufficient time, hike to Pulga and Tulga- two small villages with beautiful sights.

• Stay Overnight In Kalga : You can stay at Holy Cow Cafe, Evening Star Homestay, Gypsy House Cafe, The Forest Park Homestay, Hilltop Homestay, or Tafreegram to have the best experience. All these homestays offer all basic amenities, including a clean bedroom, hygienic toilet, hot water, bonfire facility, and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A double-bed bedroom at Kalga costs ₹800-₹3000 depending on the facilities and meal packages. The rooms with an attached bath are priced higher.

Day 2 (Trek To Kheerganga From Kalga)

• Start Trekking In the Early Morning : After having delicious food and a night of peaceful sleep, it is always the best option to start trekking to Kheerganga from Kalga in the early morning. The whole trail lies inside the forest, so the journey would be much more comfortable and enjoyable than any other route. Like the previous itinerary, you can refresh yourself with juices, shakes, and foods available in the small shops open en route.

• Reach Kheerganga And Camp : Depending on your capability, you will reach Kheerganga after 4-6 hours of trekking. On the way, enjoy the beauty of the waterfalls, Parvati river, and green forest to make the Kheerganga trek worthy of your precious time. On reaching Kheerganga, do not forget to immerse yourself in the hot spring to drain the tiredness and rejuvenate your body. It is a fantastic experience to see the sunset from this place. Next, check into your camp and keep your luggage in a proper place.
• Relax, Enjoy And Stay Overnight : Enjoy music and snacks at Kheerganga camping in the evening. You will get dinner from 8 PM to 10 PM with a drinking water facility for 24 hours. After completing dinner, stargazing can be an exciting activity as you can clearly see the Milky Way and surrounding thousands of stars with bare eyes. Use your camera, and adjust the ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and metering to capture mind-blowing night sky photos. After that, sleep well in the tent and prepare for return the following morning.

Day 3 (Return Trek From Kheerganga To Barshaini)

• Enjoy The Morning Glory : In the next morning, do not forget to witness the beautiful sunrise at Kheerganga. You can also get back to the hot spring for another bath or explore the surroundings.
• Have Breakfast And Pack Your Things : After enjoying the morning glory of the heavenly place, get down to your camp and grab breakfast. Then pack your bag properly and check out. Climbing down from Kheerganga is more manageable and should take less time than you needed upon arrival.
• Return To Kasol : Instead of returning to Kalga, go to the Barshaini bus stand directly and avail of the bus or car service to return to Kasol. The distance between Kasol and Barshaini is 16 Km, so it should not take more than 40 minutes. Once reaching Kasol, always prefer the Volvo bus service to go to Delhi or Chandigarh.

Itinerary 3 (Trek To Kheerganga Via Tosh)

• Starting Point: Tosh village
• Distance: 14 Km

Day 1 (Arrive at Tosh and Stay Overnight)

• Arrive Tosh From Kasol : Just like Kalga, Tosh is an offbeat tourist destination in the Parvati valley of Himachal Pradesh. Instead of dropping you off at the Barshaini bus stand, ask your cab driver to get you to Tosh, just 3.5 Km away.
• Book A Homestay And Explore : Once reaching the village, book a homestay for the day, relax and adjust your body to avoid high altitude sickness. Romani House, Nomads Hostel, Shiva Mountain View Cafe, Pink Floyd Cafe, Old Brahma Cafe And Restaurant are some of our favourite places to stay at Tosh. You can also explore the wooden temple and a waterfall, located at a 15-minute hiking distance.
• Stay Overnight At Tosh : After exploring the surrounding of Tosh, return to your homestay in the evening. Most homestays in Tosh provide dinner around 8 PM. Grab your dinner and rest for the night. Then wake up in the early morning to watch the magical beauty of Parvati valley.

Day 2 (Trek To Kheerganga From Tosh)

• Leave Tosh For Kheerganga : The morning at Tosh is very pleasant with comfortable weather and temperature. Start your day with the chirping of birds and burbling of the Parvati river that call you for a wild adventure. You can get your breakfast by 8 AM and start trekking to Kheerganga by 9 AM, or you can leave by 6 AM and get your breakfast on the way.
• Enjoy Your Trekking Adventure : As the distance of Tosh from Kheerganga is roughly 14 Km, it will take approximately 4-6 hours, depending on the ability and experience of the trekkers. First, you need to reach Barsheni, then follow any routes via Kalga or Nakthan villages. Both trails are adventurous and enjoyable.

• Reach Kheerganga Camping : The last few kilometres of this trekking route can be difficult for some trekkers as the trail is steep. After following the path and crossing several waterfalls and bridges, you will get a glimpse of Kheerganga camping. Check-in your camp, keep your backpack inside the tent and take a bath in the famous hot water spring. There are separate areas for males and females, so everyone can immerse themselves in draining out the stress and pain.
• Evening Entertainment And Overnight Stay: After bathing in the hot water spring, return to your tent and chill out in the magnificent sunset across the mountains. After dark, you can enjoy yourself with music and eat dinner in the dining area. Watching the starry sky is also an enjoyable activity there. After dinner, sleep well to prepare for the return trek.

Day 3 (Return From Kheerganga To Barshaini)

• The Picturesque View Of Kheerganga : In the morning, watch the sunrise and enjoy the magnificent landscape of Kheerganga. Go a slight uphill from your camp to get the best view of the campsite surrounded by mountains. After photography, return to your camp and pack your backpack. In the meantime, your breakfast will be ready. After filling your stomach, start trekking downhill- inside the forest.
• The Return Trek : The return journey from Kheerganga is comparatively easier and would take less time to complete. You will view the beauty of the same forest and mountains from a different angle. If you have trekked via Nakthan, try the Kalga route and vice versa. Take your time, avoid shortcuts and stay safe when returning to Kasol from Kheerganga.

Best Time For Kheerganga Trekking

Anyone can trek to Kheerganga throughout the year, as Parvati valley offers unique beauty in different seasons. Summer (March to June) is the most preferable time for Kheerganga trekking as the trekkers will get sunny yet comfortable weather (Avg. Temperature: 16°C 20°C) with minimum possibility of rainfall. However, accommodation, food, and transport rates are the highest at this time.

On the other hand, the trekking trail and Kheerganga get covered with thick snow during the winter (October to February) . The temperature drops (Temperature: -11°C to 12°C), and the path becomes slippery and unpredictable. Unless you are an experienced trekker, winter is less preferable than summer to trek to Kheerganga from Kasol.

Monsoon (July to September) is an adventurous season to trek to Kheerganga. At this time, nature gets soaked with raindrops (Avg. rainfall in monsoon: 1000 mm) and becomes greener and more soothing. However, the path becomes slippery, and many waterfalls start flowing over the trail, making the trekking difficult.

Considering all the seasons, summer, especially the months of April, May, and June, is the best time to visit Kheerganga . During these months, you will get clear weather and comfortable temperature with the least rainfall. The trail is relatively dry, and you can enjoy the spectacular view during your trek. After reaching Kheerganga, the breathtaking view of the Himalayas would surely stun you.

Kheerganga trekking in summer is highly recommended for beginner trekkers as the journey would be easier for them. However, if you are a reasonably experienced trekker and have not got the fun of trekking in rain or snow previously, winter and monsoon will be ideal for you.

Where To Stay At Kheerganga?

There are plenty of options to stay in Kheerganga. However, do not expect hotel-like facilities as all the accommodations are inside camping tents. There is a common dormitory stay option; however, if you have family or friends, you may like to book private accommodation inside a tent for 2, 4, or 6 persons. Depending on the size of the tents, all the accommodations are priced in the range of ₹500-₹1500 in different seasons. There is also a Dharamshala or ashram where you can get cheaper stay options.

Sunshine Himalayan Camp, Kheerganga Hike Camps, Woodland Camp, and Om Shanti Camps are some of the famous campsites of Kheerganga. All these camping sites have the basic facilities of a warm blanket, waterproof tent, shared toilets, drinking water, etc. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the designated dining area. The tents are comfortable for a cold night but do not expect much cleanliness in the common toilet facilities as we have experienced.

What To Eat At Kheerganga?

Every food item is overpriced in Kheerganga. This is because the sellers have to carry them on the entire high-altitude trekking route. For the same reasons, you will not get rich food items like fried rice, biryani, or any non-veg food items. Every camp provides rice, roti/paratha, dal, mixed veg, rajma, and occasionally paneer.

You will also get namkeen, biscuits, Maggi noodles, tea, coffee, cold drinks, and juice from the stalls and campsites nearby. There are a few cafés around with limited facilities. So, it is wise to carry some food for Kheerganga.

Activities In Kheerganga

• Adventure Camping

Camping under the starry sky is an exciting activity for all trekkers. The camping site of Kheerganga is picturesque and worth visiting for a lifetime. If you are a trekker, camping at Kheerganga would definitely be an adventure. The glimpse of the snow-covered Himalayas from the tent under a full moon is a memorable experience.

• Bathing In The Hot Spring

The main activity in Kheerganga is bathing in the hot water spring. After completing the trekking journey, it is incredibly refreshing when you immerse yourself in the pool. The gents’ section is open, while the ladies’ section is covered all around. So, anyone can get fun and relaxation while bathing in the hot spring. There is a shaded cloth/luggage storing area where you can keep your bags and come down.

• Visit The Kartikswamy Temple

Just 60 meters away from the hot spring, visit the Kartikswamy temple. As per local mythology, the god Kartika meditated here. So, if your religious soul is calling, visit the temple in Kheerganga.

• Watching Sunset And Sunrise

The magical beauty of Kheerganga, surrounded by the sky-piercing Himalayas, is most enjoyable in the evening, especially before the sunset. During this time, nature paints itself with a mystic dance of colourful light and shadow. This is the most mesmerizing time of the whole trekking to Kheerganga from Kasol. The sunrise also looks beautiful from Kheerganga.

• Photography And Videography

Kheerganga is a very photogenic place. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dense forests, it is a perfect trekking destination for beginners. Located at an altitude of 2956 meters, Kheerganga is also free from air pollution and dust.

For this reason, the visibility of the night sky of Kheerganga is high. You can easily watch the stars, planets, and galaxies with your bare eyes. Using a good quality camera with suitable lenses would be very beneficial in capturing the starry night sky like it did to us during our trip.

If you like the Kheerganga trek for its short duration and easy difficulty, you will also like trekking to Triund and Thachi Valley in Himachal Pradesh, Sandakphu near Singalila National Park, West Bengal, and the double-decker living root bridge in Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya.

You can also check other trekking destinations with easy to challenging difficulties.

Things To Carry In Kheerganga Trek

• Waterproof Trekking Shoe : A waterproof trekking shoe is an essential item for Kheerganga trekking. As there are many waterfalls, streams, and muddy trails, ordinary shoes will get wet and make your journey uncomfortable. Choose the best trekking shoe with high comfortability, breathability, and water resistance for a trouble-free trek.
• Umbrella/ Raincoat : Carrying an umbrella and/or raincoat is a must for Kheerganga trekking because rainfall is very uncertain throughout the year. If you get wet, you may catch a cold as the temperature is much lower at Kheerganga.
• Backpack With Rain Cover : For the same reason as abrupt rainfall, you must carry a trekking backpack with rain cover. You can use a small backpack (daypack) with minimum essential items or a rucksack with a higher capacity. But do not load the backpack heavily. Use the best quality rucksack with water-resistant materials and a rain cover for Kheerganga trekking.
• LED Torch With Extra Batteries: Carrying an LED torch or flashlight with additional batteries would be very beneficial for the Kheerganga trek. Electricity is available only at the starting points (Kasol/ Barshaini/ Kalga /Tosh) and endpoints (Kheerganga). So, an LED torch can be your saviour if it gets dark. You can use the torchlight from your mobile phone, but carrying a torch would be safer and more helpful.
• Toiletries: This is another essential item for trekking to Kheerganga. You should carry soap paper, toilet seat sanitiser, and wipes as the toilet facilities are not impressive.
• Warm Clothes: While you can comfortably trek wearing a simple T-shirt and trousers, you will need warm apparel like a trekking jacket and woollen shocks once reaching Kheerganga. The temperature is quite cold up there, so it is always better to carry warm clothes.
• Miscellaneous Items: Apart from the above items, you should also carry mosquito and insect repellants, binoculars, a walking stick/ trekking pole, a cap, sunglass, a towel, extra clothes for bathing, a first aid kit, medicines, photo ID proof, a water bottle and reusable plastic bag. Check the essential trekking list for more items.

Kheerganga Trek Cost

The cost of trekking to Kheerganga includes charges for accommodation, food, transport, and a guide. If you want to complete the trek within 2 days without staying at Kalga or Tosh, the expense would be lesser. It also depends on the number of trekkers.

If you are a solo trekker, you can accommodate in a single-occupancy tent. A 2-person tent would be ideal for a couple but will cost more. The cost of trekking is cheaper if you are travelling with a group and prefer a dormitory. Here is a typical package of trekking from Kasol to Kheerganga for 2 persons –

As you can see in the above table, the total cost mainly varies on transport and accommodations at Kalga and Tosh. You can hire a car from Kasol to Barshaini at the expense of ₹1200 to ₹1500, which becomes ₹2400 to ₹3000 for a return journey (Itinerary-1). On the other hand, you can also avail of the bus service at the cost of ₹40 per head.

The accommodation cost at Kheerganga greatly varies from ₹600 to ₹1500 in different seasons. For example, if you plan to trek in the month of May-June, the price will be the highest as it is peak season. Other times, you can book a tent at Kheerganga at a significantly lower cost.

Kalga and Tosh have different homestays with unique amenities and facilities. For this reason, the cost of stay and food at these two places vary a lot. However, the food quality is excellent as the vegetables are grown on local organic farms.

Tips For Kheerganga Trekking

• Always stay prepared for rainfall during Kheerganga trekking as the weather is often unpredictable. For this reason, carry an umbrella, raincoat, waterproof shoes, and a cover for your backpack.
• However, never overload your backpacks. Carry only the essential items and trek lightweight.
• Though you can get food and drinks on the way, it is wise to pack some dry fruits, chocolate, and enough water if you are uncomfortable with water from the streams.
• Start trekking as early as possible to enjoy the beauty of the Kheerganga trail to the fullest. Starting early in the morning, you will reach Kheerganga by noon and relax there.
• You should always follow the trail and stay safe from getting lost in the forest. Abide by the suggestions/commands of your guide/trek leader and avoid shortcuts.
• Mobile network and internet connectivity in Kheerganga are very poor. However, if you have a BSNL sim card, it can be a saviour.
• Pack enough toiletries and stay hygienic as we did not find the toilet facilities up to mark.
• As the nights are pretty cold at Kheerganga, carry a warm jacket in your rucksack. Besides blankets in the tent, it will help you warm up.

Frequently Asked Questions

While most parts of the Kheerganga trek are pretty easy for trekkers, some are difficult due to the narrow trail and risky landslide zone, especially if it rains. The last 3 kilometres of the journey involve a steep uphill trek which can be exhausting for beginners.

The Kheerganga trek is 10 to 14 Km long on different routes through apple orchards, pine forests, and meadows. You will cross several waterfalls, bridges, and stairs to reach there via Kasol, Barsheni, Kalga, and Tosh.

Presently, you do not need a permit to trek to Kheerganga. On 25th May 2018, commercial activities, including camping, were banned in Kheerganga following the mandate from the High Court. At that time, a permit from the forest department was mandatory. But, since many tourists and trekkers were visiting the place, the ban was lifted soon. Now, you do not need any permit to stay in a camp at Kheerganga.

If you are planning for a solo trek to Kheerganga, select a popular season like summer (April-May). At this time, lots of trekkers across India visit the place, and you will clearly see the trail and follow the crowd to reach Kheerganga. The route via Nakthan and Rudranag is preferable for solo travellers as it is easy to follow with no chance of getting lost in the forest. But if you plan to trek to Kheerganga from Kalga alone, it is recommended to hire a guide or join other groups of trekkers.

Yes, the Kheerganga trek is perfectly safe for the family, including women and kids. However, the age of the children should be at least 7. Also, the trek should be avoided if any of your family members have asthma or other breathing problems. But, in general, it is perfect for a family vacation.

To plan the Kheerganga trek, first, book your train/flight/bus tickets to Delhi or Chandigarh. Then, use any of the itineraries mentioned above and book your homestay/camp and bus to Kasol for at least 3 months before commencing the trek. Before leaving for Kheerganga, pack all your trekking essentials in the rucksack. When you reach Kasol, hire a cab and go to Barshaini, where you will start the Kheerganga trek.

Barsheni does not have a cloakroom to store the luggage before trekking to Kheerganga. However, if you plan your trekking via Kalga or Tosh and stay there according to the above itineraries 1 and 2, you can request the homestay owner to keep your luggage in the store room until you return from Kheerganga. When we trekked to Kheerganga, we kept our luggage in the homestay at Kalga and collected it after we returned.

The largest expenditure on the Kheerganga trek is the transport from and to Kasol and the guide charges. To trek to Kheerganga under ₹3500, avoid hiring a cab and avail of the bus service and travel with a group. In such a condition, you should also avoid staying at Kalga or Tosh, further reducing expenses. Follow the itinerary-1 mentioned above for trekking to Kheerganga with minimum outlay.

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Kheerganga Trek

Description

Reviews (1), things to take, available dates, include / exclude, kheerganga trek   nestled in parvati valley in himachal kasol 2023.

Kheerganga Trek is the most popular trek in Himachal altitude (3500 meters) a magnificent place lying in the Parvati valley of Himachal Pradesh at the end of Sylvan Hills. It is famous for hot water springs which are believed to be therapeutic and is of great significance for the Hindus and Sikhs.

On this amazing trek go through some fable destinations –  Kasol, Rudra Nag Waterfalls, and Shiva temple  in the Great Himalayas.

Kheerganga trek provides trekkers with a fortune of treasured memories. The location is well-known for its hot water springs and breathtaking view of the valley, which draws visitors from all over the country to Himachal Pradesh.

The name is Kheerganga is derived from a legend that states the Keerganga springs were once filled with rice puddings provided by Lord Shiva. Kheerganga’s history is rich and has profound religious significance both to Hindus and Sikhs. According to popular local folklore, after losing the great race against Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikey decided to seclude himself and meditate in these hills. Thousands of years passed, but all attempts to reach Lord Kartikey failed, so Lord Shiva decided to take on the task himself, forming a stream of kheer (rice pudding) to bring Lord Kartikey back. This trek offers a great opportunity to explore the local people and their cuisines. The camping site of this trek provides a majestic view of the great snow-capped peaks. While trekking amidst Barshini, trekkers can witness the beautiful Parvati River that gorges from Barshaini and also flows adjacent to the village.

The Kheerganga Trek is a popular trekking destination located in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. It offers stunning natural beauty, hot springs, and picturesque views of the surrounding mountains. Here are the main highlights of the Kheerganga Trek:

• Scenic Beauty: The trek takes you through breathtaking landscapes with lush green forests, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The trail is adorned with colorful flowers, making it a visual delight.
• Kheerganga Hot Springs: The highlight of the trek is reaching the natural hot water springs at Kheerganga. The hot springs are believed to have medicinal properties and are perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. Taking a dip in these hot springs is a unique experience amidst the serene mountains.
• Serene Campsites: Along the trail, you will come across beautiful camping spots surrounded by towering mountains. Spending a night under the starry sky and waking up to the peaceful ambiance of the mountains is a memorable experience.
• Challenging Trekking Trail: The Kheerganga Trek is of moderate difficulty level, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. The trail involves steep climbs, narrow paths, and river crossings, offering a thrilling adventure amidst nature.
• Parvati Valley Views: As you ascend, you will witness stunning views of the Parvati Valley. The valley is known for its picturesque villages, terraced fields, and the gushing Parvati River flowing through it. The views from the higher altitudes are truly awe-inspiring.
• Camping and Bonfire: Camping at Kheerganga is a highlight in itself. After a day of trekking, setting up tents, sitting around a bonfire, and sharing stories with fellow trekkers create a sense of camaraderie and add to the overall experience.
• Trekking through Villages: The trek also offers an opportunity to pass through traditional Himachali villages, where you can interact with the locals, experience their culture, and get a glimpse of their lifestyle.

Why Is This Place Called Kheerganga Trek?

It is believed that after losing race to Ganesha Lord Shiva’s son “Kartikeya” came here and meditated for thousands of year. Then to bring him back, Lord Shiva tried to tempt Kartikeya by forming a stream of Kheer (rice pudding).

The journey from Kasol to Kheerganga is a pleasing one that gives you a chance to go through the splendid Himalayan trails and also the lifestyle and culture of people living in villages. The Kheerganga trek starts from Kasol which is a famous tourist destination in Pin Parvati valley. Ahead it gives you the opportunity to explore nature at its best with the views of lofty peaks looming in the background.

Why kheerganga trek should be your this years summer trek?

Kheerganga is a low-altitude mountain brimming with scenic vistas and local legends. Owning to its easy trekking level, this trek is a popular and ideal choice for many families, individuals and school tours.TheKheerganga trek starts in Kasol, a well-known tourist destination in the Pin Parvati valley. Trekkers will be able to explore nature at its best, with views of lofty peaks looming in the background.

The trail takes individuals through the picturesque villages of Nakhtan and Rudra Nag, which are also the ideal resting and discovering spots. Trekkers can learn about the local people and culture of Himachal Pradesh through these stopping points. The terrain remains a gentle incline and decline through its trail. As soon as trekkers arrive in Kheerganga, they can go straight to the ParvatiKund, or natural hot water springs, which are particularly appealing in the winter.

Summers in this trail are generally filled with greenry, whereas winters experience a gradual drop in temperature allowing nearby places to get completely covered under a blanket of snow. Trekker’s can extend their experience by visiting some nearby locations of Tosh and Malan.

Why to choose Kheerganga Trek?

Before heading towards the itinerary, it is really essential to perceive the reason behind choosing Kheerganga trek.

See firstly, the trekking distance is a total on foot 10 km which is to be covered into 2 days.

Kheerganga trek is a low altitude mountain trek in himachal, Altitudes is 3500 Meters

The Starting trail is easy as compare to other treks this is easy trek. So this trek is best for family and beginners, school tour , weekend trek

You got to see so many heavenly bodies at one place like the panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges, you can see pine forests, different variety of flora and fauna surpassing through bona fide Himachali culture.

I think Do spare time in Interaction with our local’s team, and you will get to know about some of the ancient tales of Indian mythology and our local cultures, this is good ideas for trekkers

Beautiful landscapes so carry proper photo gear & Extra battery backup.

The backpack should not exceed 6 kg only

The altitude covered in Kheerganga trek 

Kasol-1580 m

Barshaini- 2000 m

Rudra Nag-2700 m

Kheerganga-3500 m

Best Time to Visit  Kheerganga Trek

Kheerganga is a journey that can be done at any time of year, but the summers are regarded as peak season, attracting a significant number of visitors from all around the country. This trek is the first choice of those seeking for a simple and doable summer trek.

The monsoon season is widely regarded as the most unfavourable season of the year. Due to the obvious dreary weather and the possibility of landslides, the site is highly unpredictable, and trekkers should avoid visiting during the rainy season. Winters are generally covered in snow from December to February; trekking conditions during these months are not promising, hence winter treks should be avoided.

In March, April, May, and June, visitors can see beautiful trails and green forests with flowing streams. Hikers should definitely attend the summer fairs and music festivals that take place during this time of year because they are an adventure in and of themselves. The views of many snowcapped peaks from the endpoint might also assist trekkers in bookmarking their new adventure.

  What should you keep in mind for the  kheerganga trek?

kheerganga trek is as good as it is said, you also need to be prepared., kheerganga trek is a  Easy or moderate trek which starts from Kasol village and ends after trek same point Kasol ,

So what are the special things to keep in mind before coming on this trek?

kheerganga trek is one such trek, which you can trek all 12 months

Winter Season

• In kheerganga Winter Trek, you will need warm clothes a lot, for which you will need proper good uniform clothes
• Winters are always cold, so only warm clothes can keep you safe on trek
• Always take the information from the company with which you are booking the trek before going on the trek, what do we need to bring
• In the winter season, the temperature always drops day by day , so warm clothes will help you a lot.

Summer Season

• Summer trek to kheerganga trek is very special, the view and the temperature are all favorable to you
• For summer trek, you have to bring only normal clothes, so that your trek can be good, there is no need for hot clothes, but in hiking it is also necessary to bring all the equipment which is necessary for you.
• It is necessary to have 2 pairs of clothes from trekking, especially the poncho, you will have to bring every season
• In the summer season, the temperature is always normal, so there is no need for hot clothes.

  Monsoon Season

• During the monsoon season, it rains occasionally during the kheerganga trek, especially in the Himachal , so if you have dry clothes here, it is very good, even when wet, it dries quickly.
• At this time you have to bring at least 2 pairs of clothes, for monsoon trek you do not have to bring too warm clothes, at this time you, hiking pants and t-Sart, I can trek
• It’s only a little cold in the morning and evening and the day is a good temperature for you
• Before going on any trek, it will be easy for you to take information related to each season.
• Trekkers need to know about these, you can ask us anytime like, kheerganga trek route, trek map, temperature, weather condition, difficulty level, trek starting point, end point, transport, view of the trek, best time to visit, How to reach, trek distance etc, Trek Location, keep this information before going

Key Points of Kheerganga Trek

Duration: 01 nights 2 Days from Kasol to Kasol

Best Season: – all years

Level:   Easy- Moderate

Highest Point:  (3500 Meters)

Trekking distance – 24 km)

Weather:  Nights are cold and days are pleasant during the season .

Winter temperature:   -3°C to -5°C) (-5°C to -10°C)

Summer temperature:  5°C to 12°C)

Starting Point:  Kasol

Short Itinerary of Kheerganga trek 

Day 1 – Drive from Kasol to Barshaini by Taxi Same day Trek to – Rudra Nag and Kheerganga overnight stay camp

Day 2 – After breakfast from Kheerganga – Rudra Nag – Barshaini Same day Drive to Kasol

end our service here

Is it safe?

Set amidst popular destinations, the Kheerganga trek is indeed very safe. All our professionals strive their best to provide trekkers with the best experience possible.

Difficulty level

Despite the fact that the top is relatively low in elevation, we recommend regulated physical fitness. All groups will be guided by our pros for trekking equipment and any impending terrain during the course.

We strongly urge beginner trekkers to attempt the Kheerganga due to its modest difficulty.

Weather conditions

The weather conditions depend on the time of the year trekkers are traveling. Months from March to June experience moderately good temperatures during the day with substantially colder nights.

Monsoons remain cascaded under heavy rainfall while winters offer snow-covered tracks.

During the day the temperature of Kheerganga trek is around Winter temperature is  -3°C to -5 °C  and during the night the temperature comes down to -5 °C  to -15 °C  which is not bad.

Things to carry

1) Because nights at elevations tend to be considerably colder, we suggest having well-graded, warm and comfortable clothing along with good-quality shoes.

2) Despite the fact that we handle medical crises, we urge individuals to keep their emergency kits at hand in any case of personal underlying illnesses.

3) Since the journey provides you with a picturesque view, don’t forget to bring your camera along with extra batteries.

4) All the trekking gears will be provided by our teams, hence we recommend carrying only the important luggage with essentials.

Connectivity and Transactions

1) Because connectivity along the route is unpredictable, we urge people to do all of their work ahead of time.

2) Trekkers will be provided with walkie- talkies beforehand in case of emergency.

3) The last ATM transactions available will be at Kasol, but we recommend that travellers collect cash beforehand or while in Kasol as the ATM available at other places might not dispense cash at times.

How to Reach Kasol for Kheerganga Trek?

Kasol is a small village in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, situated in the Parvati Valley, on the way from Bhuntar airport to Manikaran, on the banks of the Parvati River. which is a very popular place

Kasol Village With tourists coming from all corners of the country and the world, Kasol has been a personal favorite of hundreds of trekkers and hipsters. If you are planning a trekking trip from Kasol, then you must definitely know how to reach Kasol. Reaching Kasol Village is not a problem, it is very easy as it enjoys excellent connectivity with many neighboring states through various modes of transport.

Air travel details

The nearest airport to Kasol Village is Kullu Manali Airport which is also known as Bhuntar Airport in Kullu District. Daily flights connect the airport with the capital of the country, Delhi. Delhi is the only airport for you here, from where there is a direct flight, Kasol is just 31 km from Bhuntar airport, from where you can come comfortably by taxi and it will take you about 1 hour to reach Kasol. . Looking for Delhi to Kasol flight? For tourists coming from other countries, you can take a flight to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. From there, you can either opt for Bus, Cab 531 kms with a journey of 10 hrs) or you can take another flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Bhuntar

How to reach by road Kasol?

To reach Kasol from different cities in India, here are the general transportation options available:

• By Road: Kasol is approximately 520 kilometers away from Delhi. You can take a bus or drive by car. There are overnight buses available from Delhi to Bhuntar, from where you can take a local bus or taxi to reach Kasol.
• By Train: There is no direct train connectivity to Kasol. You can take a train from Delhi to Pathankot or Chandigarh, and then continue by road via taxi or bus.
• By Air: The nearest airport to Kasol is Bhuntar Airport in Kullu, which is around 31 kilometers away. You can take a flight from Delhi to Bhuntar and then proceed to Kasol by taxi or bus.
• By Road: Kasol is approximately 1,920 kilometers away from Mumbai. You can take a bus or drive by car. Several buses operate from Mumbai to Bhuntar, from where you can take a local bus or taxi to reach Kasol.
• By Train: There is no direct train connectivity to Kasol from Mumbai. You can take a train from Mumbai to Delhi, Chandigarh, or Pathankot, and then continue the journey by road via taxi or bus.
• By Air: You can take a flight from Mumbai to Bhuntar Airport in Kullu. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Kasol.
• By Road: Kasol is approximately 1,700 kilometers away from Kolkata. You can take a bus or drive by car. There are no direct buses available, so you may have to break the journey at Delhi or Chandigarh.
• By Train: You can take a train from Kolkata to Delhi or Chandigarh, and then continue the journey by road via taxi or bus.
• By Air: The most convenient option is to take a flight from Kolkata to Delhi or Chandigarh. From there, you can proceed to Kasol by road.
• By Road: Kasol is approximately 2,360 kilometers away from Bangalore. You can take a bus or drive by car. Several buses operate from Bangalore to Bhuntar, from where you can take a local bus or taxi to reach Kasol.
• By Train: There is no direct train connectivity to Kasol from Bangalore. You can take a train from Bangalore to Delhi or Chandigarh, and then continue the journey by road via taxi or bus.
• By Air: You can take a flight from Bangalore to Bhuntar Airport in Kullu. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Kasol.
• By Road: Kasol is approximately 1,780 kilometers away from Pune. You can take a bus or drive by car. There are no direct buses available, so you may have to break the journey at Delhi or Chandigarh.
• By Train: You can take a train from Pune to Delhi or Chandigarh, and then continue the journey by road via taxi or bus.
• By Air: The most convenient option is to take a flight from Pune to Delhi or Chandigarh. From there, you can proceed to Kasol by road.
• By Road: Kasol is approximately 740 kilometers away from Jaipur. You can take a bus or drive by car. There are no direct buses available, so you may have to break the journey at Delhi or Chandigarh.

By Road – Haryana to kasol distance is – 521 kms

Day 1: Kasol to Barshaini – Rudra Nag-via Kalga village and Kheerganga

The magical Kheerganga trek starts from the famous trekking destination “Kasol” which is a small village located on the bank of Parvati River. The vehicle will be arranged from here and then it move towards Barshaini which is the confluence of Tosh and Parvati Rivers.

Today witness nature at its best in Himachal Pradesh. Go through the picturesque landscape offering scenic vistas, cross some wooden bridges on the trail. Now, one after another the cascading waterfalls welcome you.

Reach Rudra Nag, a serpent-shaped waterfall in Parvati Valley which attracts many tourists because of its unique shape. Stop here for some time admiring its formation then move ahead.

After a long 12 km hike along Parvati River explore the Kalga and Pulga villages and know about their lifestyle.

The route from Kasol to Barshaini, Rudra Nag, and Kheerganga offers a scenic and adventurous journey in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Here’s what you can expect:

• Kasol to Barshaini: Barshaini is the starting point for both Rudra Nag and Kheerganga treks. It is approximately a 16-kilometer drive from Kasol. The road journey takes you through the beautiful Parvati Valley, offering views of lush green mountains, gushing Parvati River, and charming villages along the way.
• Barshaini: Upon reaching Barshaini, you will find a small village nestled amidst the mountains. This is where the road ends, and the trekking trail begins. Take some time to rest, fuel up, and gather your essentials before commencing the trek.
• Rudra Nag: From Barshaini, you can trek to Rudra Nag, which is a natural waterfall. The trek to Rudra Nag is approximately 3 kilometers long and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace. The trail is scenic, passing through dense forests and crossing a wooden bridge over the Parvati River. Once you reach Rudra Nag, you can witness the mesmerizing waterfall surrounded by rocks and greenery.
• Kheerganga: After visiting Rudra Nag, you can continue your trek to Kheerganga. The distance from Rudra Nag to Kheerganga is around 7 kilometers, which takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete. The trail gradually ascends through pine forests, meadows, and picturesque landscapes. You’ll come across charming villages like Nakthan and Kalga along the way. As you approach Kheerganga, the trail becomes steeper, but the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile.
• Kheerganga View: Upon reaching Kheerganga, you’ll be greeted by the stunning views of the snow-capped peaks and the Parvati Valley. Kheerganga is famous for its natural hot water springs, which are believed to have healing properties. You can take a dip in the hot springs, relax, and enjoy the serene surroundings. The sunset and sunrise views from Kheerganga are particularly captivating.
• Camping at Kheerganga: Kheerganga offers camping facilities, and spending a night in the midst of the mountains is an incredible experience. You can set up your tent, enjoy a bonfire, and stargaze in the clear night sky.

Day 2: Return from Kheerganga – Rudra Nag – Barshaini to Kasol

To return from Kheerganga to Kasol, you will follow the same route in reverse. Here’s how you can make your way back:

• Kheerganga to Barshaini: Start your descent from Kheerganga back to Barshaini. The trek downhill is relatively easier and takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on your pace. Enjoy the scenic views and take breaks as needed along the way.
• Barshaini to Rudra Nag: Once you reach Barshaini, you can choose to visit Rudra Nag again if you wish. It’s a 3-kilometer trek from Barshaini to Rudra Nag, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Spend some time at the waterfall and soak in the natural beauty before proceeding further.
• Barshaini to Kasol: From Barshaini, you can hire a local taxi or catch a shared cab to Kasol. The drive back to Kasol takes around 30 to 45 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 16 kilometers.

Alternatively, if you prefer to trek the entire way back to Kasol, you can take the following route:

• From Barshaini, trek towards Tosh village, which is about 4 kilometers away. The trail will take you through scenic landscapes and charming villages.
• From Tosh, continue the descent towards Kasol, which is approximately 7 kilometers away. The trail passes through lush green forests and offers beautiful views of the Parvati Valley.
• The trek from Tosh to Kasol can take around 3 to 4 hours, depending on your pace.

Once you reach Kasol, you can relax, unwind, and explore the vibrant town known for its hippie culture, cafes, and riverside views.

Remember to plan your return journey accordingly, considering the time required for the trek, weather conditions, and transportation availability from Barshaini to Kasol.

Mandatory Documents

Please carry the documents given below.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card- (Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voters ID, etc, Passport and Visa important to foreigners Medical Certificate (First part should be filled by the Doctor and Second part by the Trekker) Declaration Certificates

Note: –   Many trekkers commit the same mistake of carrying unnecessary items on a trek which only makes the backpack heavy. It is important to know the right items to carry. It differs from season to season if you are trekking in summers then carry less layers of warm clothing and if you are trekking in winters carry enough layers to protect yourself against chilly cold.

Necessary Items for trekkers

Backpack (50 to 60 liters) A strongly built backpack with good support is compulsory for a trek. (Rain cover is important)

Sturdy Trekking Shoes The shoes should be strong enough with good support. The people ask if sports shoes would be comfortable but it is good to bring the right trekking shoes.

The Clothes You Should Bring On a Trek Avoid keeping extra clothes because it only makes you backpack heavy.

Trek Pants – The jeans are never suitable for a trek so you need at least 2-3 trek pants for treks carry more for longer treks.

Jacket – Jackets are very important to carry on a trek it protects you against the chilly weather. So carry 2 jackets on a week long trek.

Layers of warm Clothing  Carry warm woolen layers or fleece. Carry more layers during winter season (at least 2 to 3) and less during summer.

Thermals – The Temperature decreases at night so you might be need thermals for Night.

T- Shirts – Bring those t shirts which dry fast.

Poncho –They are needed if you are trekking on a Rainy day to keep you dry.

Hiking Pole

Water Bottle 2

Cap or Balaclava

Woolen and Waterproof Gloves

Socks (Woolen and Regular)

Torch head light

Personal Toiletry Items –  (toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, sanitizer etc.)

Carry Personal Medical Kit

Personal Medical Kit (Carry minimum 5 tablets and maximum 10)

Diamox – (Prevents altitude sickness)

Digene – (It cures discomfort in stomach, acidity)

Crocin Advance – (Cures fever and headache)

Aspirin/Combiflam – (Pain reliever)

Disprin – (Cures headache)

Avomine – (Prevents motion sickness)

Avil – (It treat allergies)

Norflox TZ & Lomofen – (Prevents Diarrhoea)

Ranitidine – (Reduces the amount of acid in stomach)

Volini/Moov spray – (For sprains)

Betadine/Savlon – (Antiseptic cream)

Stretchable/Elastic bandage

Note:- Use medicines only when prescribed by the doctor. In case you face any problem during your trek, discuss and take advice from the Professional guide.

Sorry! Here are no Available dates right now. For Any Queries you can Email us with [email protected] and Call Us +91 9756197558

What is Included In This Trek?

Forest Permit and entrance fee

Accommodation in tents on twin share basis

All meals: breakfast, packed lunch, tea, coffee, snacks, soup and dinner

(All camping gears)

High quality tents

Sleeping bags

Separate Toilet tents – Ladies and Gents

Dining Tent

Dining Table

Kitchen team

Radio Walkie Talkie for Communication

Good Experience Trek Leader guide and Technical guide

Medical Kit

Oxygen Cylinders

Crampons and Gaiters

What is Not Include In This Trek?

Personal Insurance

Medical Certificate

Personal toiletry Items and Personal Medicine kit

On first day En Route to base camp the Breakfast and Lunch are Not Included

Last Day En Route Lunch and Dinner are Not Included

Transport Facility

1 review for Kheerganga Trek

Praveen – October 8, 2021

Great trek experience! It was not as easy as most tour operators make it seem. It’s a 5 hr trek through treacherous winding roads overlooking deep valleys (safe if you are prepared definitely not so for kids/ adults under any stress) Come prepared with energy bars and juices to keep hydrated. The views on route are stunning! Wouldn’t recommend coming down the same day because of the physical excersion involved!

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Your Ultimate Adventure: The Detailed Trek Guide to Kheerganga, Kasol, Himachal

A haven for wanderlusts and thrill-seekers, the trek to Kheerganga, Kasol, nestled in the sublime valleys of Himachal Pradesh , presents an exhilarating challenge and a spiritual awakening. Unfolding the journey of a lifetime, here’s your complete guide for this trek. Let’s embark on an unforgettable adventure!

Table of Contents

The Detailed Trek Guide to Kheerganga, Kasol, Himachal

Before you pack your backpacks and tighten your boots, let’s delve into a detailed overview of the trek. The trek to Kheerganga, Kasol, in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, is a 12 km long route that offers magnificent landscapes, pristine Parvati River, quaint villages, and the serene ambiance of the Himalayas. What awaits you is a breathtaking view of the snow-capped mountains, but also a trek that tests your endurance and willpower. So, are you up for the challenge?

The Beginning: Kasol

Kasol, a small hamlet in the Parvati Valley, is the starting point for the Kheerganga trek. Famously known as ‘Mini Israel,’ this place is a melting pot of different cultures. The local market offers numerous cafes and shops where you can buy essentials for the trek. Make sure to feast on the local cuisine here. Ready to kick off?

Nakthan Village: The First Milestone

Around 4 km into the trek, you’ll reach the beautiful village of Nakthan. Here, local customs and traditions are still alive, and you can immerse yourself in a different world. But remember, keep the noise down and respect the local culture. Is the adventurer in you feeling excited yet?

Rudranag: The Serpentine Waterfall

Another couple of kilometers up the trail, you’ll witness the mesmerizing Rudranag waterfall. The waterfall is said to symbolize a serpent, considered holy by the locals. As you take a break here, soak in the sounds of nature, and let the waterfall’s rhythm enchant you.

The Final Ascent: Kheerganga

This is the final push! The trail gets steep and a bit challenging, but don’t lose heart. Once you reach the top, the sight of the snow-capped mountains, lush meadows, and the panoramic view of the valley will wash away all your fatigue. Bask in the achievement of your climb and celebrate your victory!

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The Hot Springs: A Divine Experience

Kheerganga is famous for its hot water spring. After a tough trek, soaking in the warm water of this spring, surrounded by mountains, is a truly divine experience. It’s said to have healing properties, so don’t miss this soothing treat!

The Night Sky: A Celestial View

The sight of the Milky Way galaxy with the naked eye is something few get to experience. At Kheerganga, when the night falls, you’ll see the sky come alive with countless stars. With a sky so clear and stars so near, you might feel like reaching out and catching one!

Camping at Kheerganga

Camping on the Kheerganga peak under the starry sky is a surreal experience. As the cool mountain breeze sings lullabies, the galaxy of stars watches over you while you sleep. The camps provide basic facilities, and the food served is simple yet delicious.

The Descent: Trekking Back to Kasol

The journey back to Kasol is equally scenic and mesmerizing. Walking down the trail, you’ll witness some of the best views of the valley. This downhill trek will take less time, but it’s important to maintain a steady pace and be careful of slippery spots.

Fitness Level Required for The Trek

While Kheerganga Trek is considered a moderate-level trek, it’s crucial to have a good fitness level. The trail demands physical endurance and mental tenacity. Regular workouts, including cardio exercises for a few weeks before the trek, will make your journey more enjoyable.

What to Pack: Trekking Essentials

Packing right is very important for the trek. The essentials include good trekking shoes, warm clothing, a raincoat, a water bottle, snacks, a first aid kit, and necessary toiletries. Remember, pack light but don’t forget the essentials!

Best Time to Trek: Seasons Matter

The best time to undertake the Kheerganga Trek is from May to June and September to October. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the path is clear. However, always check the weather forecast before planning your trek.

The Flora and Fauna: Himalayan Wonders

During your trek, you’ll encounter a variety of flora and fauna. From lush green pine forests to blooming rhododendrons and a plethora of bird species, the Himalayan biodiversity will leave you in awe.

Dos and Don’ts of the Trek

While you enjoy the trek, it’s crucial to respect the local culture and the environment. Carry your trash back, don’t play loud music, and avoid plucking flowers or harming the fauna. In short, leave only footprints, take only memories!

Travel Itinerary: Planning Your Trip

Planning your trip ahead can help you enjoy the trek without any hitches. Consider reaching Kasol a day before the trek to acclimatize. After the trek, plan a day of rest in Kasol before returning.

Find below the sample itinerary starting from Delhi – Kheerganga – Delhi

• Day 1 – Delhi to Kasol
• Day 2 – Kasol – Manikaran
• Day 3 – Kasol – Kheerganga
• Day 4 – Kheerganga – Tosh
• Day 5 – Tosh – Kasol
• Day 6 – Delhi

Stay and Food: Local Delights

Kasol and Kheerganga both offer decent accommodation options. You can also taste the local Himachali cuisine, which is a treat for your taste buds. When in Kasol, don’t miss the famous Israeli cuisine!

Permits and Guidelines: Things to Remember

While no permit is required for the trek, it’s essential to follow the guidelines provided by the forest department and local authorities. This helps ensure the trekkers’ safety and preserve the trek’s natural beauty.

Health and Safety: Precautions

Adequate medical preparation is important for the trek. Carrying a basic first aid kit, medicines for altitude sickness, and other personal medications are crucial. Always remember, safety first!

Connectivity: Keeping in Touch

Mobile network connectivity is weak and intermittent on the trek route. However, Kasol has decent connectivity. It’s a good idea to inform your loved ones about your trekking plans before you start.

Additional Resources:

• Top 8 Places to See in Himachal in August 2023
• 15 Best Destinations to Visit Himachal in July 2023
• Top 12 Places to See in Himachal in September 2023
• Gurdwara Temple Rewalsar Sahib, Mandi Himachal Pradesh
• Kullu Dussehra Festival Himachal Pradesh
• 13 Popular Festivals & Celebrations in Himachal
• 13 Most Interesting Facts About Himachal Pradesh
• Himachal 10 Famous Reasons to Visit
• 10 Popular Hidden Gems of Himachal Pradesh
• Himachal Pradesh to Develop Kangra as State’s tourism capital

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difficulty level of the kheerganga trek.

The Kheerganga Trek is considered a moderate-level trek. It can be undertaken by beginners who have a good level of physical fitness and endurance.

How long does the Kheerganga Trek take?

The trek to Kheerganga, Kasol, usually takes two days. It’s a 12 km trail that takes approximately 5-7 hours to climb and 4-5 hours to descend.

Is it safe to do the Kheerganga Trek?

Yes, it is safe to do the Kheerganga Trek. However, it’s always advisable to follow safety guidelines, remain on the designated paths, and respect local customs and traditions.

What should I pack for the Kheerganga Trek?

Essential items include good trekking shoes, warm clothing, a raincoat, a water bottle, snacks, a first aid kit, and necessary toiletries. It’s better to pack light but include all the essentials.

Can I do the Kheerganga Trek solo?

Yes, the Kheerganga Trek can be done solo. It’s well-marked, and you’ll often find fellow trekkers on the trail. However, trekking with a group or guide can enhance the experience and provide additional safety.

Is camping allowed at Kheerganga?

Yes, camping is allowed at Kheerganga. You can rent tents at the top, which come with basic facilities. Remember to respect the location and avoid littering.

The trek to Kheerganga, Kasol, Himachal Pradesh offers a blend of adventure, natural beauty, and a sense of achievement. It’s not just a trek; it’s a journey that allows you to explore yourself while being in the heart of nature. With this comprehensive guide, you’re all set for an unforgettable adventure. So, tie up those laces, gear up, and hit the trail!

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Kheerganga Trek – A complete trek guide

A Detailed Travel Guide of Kheerganga Trek . While checking photos from my outing to Kheerganga (Khirganga), I was likewise helped to remember the absence of legitimate data about the trek on the web and sightseeing online journals.

Here is an endeavour at making a bit by bit control on trekking to Kheerganga (Khirganga) all alone. Don’t hesitate to include your recommendations in the remarks beneath: Thanks ? Kheerganga Trek is found somewhere down in Parvati Valley (Kullu Valley) and is roosted at a height of around 2950m. Wonderful apple plantations close Nathan Village.

How to Reach Kheerganga

To reach Bhuntar, one can take a private Volvo transport that leaves from Majnu Ka Tila or Rama Krishna Ashram Metro Station in Delhi. A suggested and opportune alternative is taking the HRTC Himsuta Volvo that leaves from ISBT Kashmere Gate. All the Volvos from Delhi leave at night and reach Bhuntar at around 5 am to 7 am toward the beginning of the day.

Bhuntar is the town from where the street veers for Parvati Valley, it is likewise the intersection purpose of Beas River with Parvati River. Request that the transport drop you close to the Bhuntar transport remain from where you need to get transport to Barshaini. Barshaini comes after Kasol, Manikaran and is the last motorable street in the valley. Transports from Bhuntar to Barshaini are visit and the separation is normally shrouded in approx. 2-3 hours. It is smarter to eat in Bhuntar while sitting tight for transport. A natural and beautiful hovel signifies the beginning of the trek to Kheerganga Trek from Kalga town.

Barshaini : Barshaini is a modest community with a couple staying alternatives, and has fundamental dhabas, a taxi stand and a wine shop. On the off chance that you need to purchase any provisions, it is suggested that you get them from here. A little street from here separates to go to Tosh town, which is around 3 kms from Barshaini.

The Parvati River roars down the chasms and is obvious from Barshaini and furthermore streams adjoining the town. The characteristic magnificence of Parvati Valley has been unfavorably influenced due to the hydro power ventures on Parvati River close Barshaini and Pulga. Timing of the last transport from Barshaini to Bhuntar is either 2 pm or 3 pm, affirm the equivalent with local people before choosing the arrival venture.

The delight of climbing in a thick backwoods among transcending trees.

Trekking routes to Kheerganga Trek

The trekking point is from Barshaini. Kheerganga Trek is a 12km trek from barshaini. There are three routes from Barshaini to go to Kheerganga.

Stroll to the scaffold after Barshaini and take the left turn, ask anybody the best approach to Nakthan town and Kheerganga. This is the briefest and most favoured course and takes 3-4 hours for an individual with normal trekking speed. This routes is on the left half of Parvati stream. The way through Nakthan is the most mainstream course to trek to Kheerganga and the path is very much stamped.

From the scaffold, take an option to climb up and reach Kalga town. From Kalga there is an alternate trek course to go to Kheerganga, in spite of the fact that it joins the primary course most of the way on the trek. This course goes through thick backwoods and it is very workable for individuals to lose their way on this trekking way to Kheerganga. It is utilized by not many trekkers on the grounds that the vast majority don’t think about this course.

There is an alternate trekking way for Kheerganga from Tosh town. It additionally joins Route No. 1 close to the town of Nakthan. This course is generally utilized by travellers who remain in Tosh for the evening and need to trek the following morning. Tosh nallah or Tosh stream streams by close to Tosh town which joins Parvati waterway close Pulga. I passed by Route No. 2 while going to Kheerganga Trek and utilized Route No. 1 in transit back. Immaculately green pine and deodar backwoods stand tall to invite trekkers in this holy homestead of Shiva.

Arranging the trek to Kheerganga Trek: Since all things considered, one will reach Barshaini by 11 am – 12 early afternoon (if the transport association with and from Bhuntar works fine), the vast majority trek to Kheerganga around the same time. The time taken to trek to Kheerganga is generally 3 to 4 hours relying upon a normal individual’s speed. It is a genuinely simple trek – on the trouble level and can be perfect for a first-time trekker.

On the off chance that you need to do a day climb to Kheerganga and return that day, it is conceivable to do it given one leaves early. It is ideal to reach there in any case by early afternoon, appreciate the normal high temp water spring shower, have lunch and leave by 3. Recollect that generally the time taken to return is half of what you’d take while climbing up, so one can return to Barshaini in 2 hours from Kheerganga.

Dependable trekking: Respect nature and keep the environmental factors clean for everyone to appreciate the newness of Kheerganga.

Homestays: Barshaini has two or three homestays in the close region. Tosh is a famous goal and has numerous alternatives to remain, going from inns to homestays. The ongoing vacationer surge in Tosh has implied that the costs of rooms have gone up. There are additionally various vivid bistros in Tosh. On the opposite side, Kalga town has modest and essential homestays, with in-house bistros too. Costs per individual to be paid (contingent upon the season and group) is from Rs. 100 – Rs. 200 every day. Outdoors at Kheerganga can be a superb and tranquil involvement in fantastic perspectives like these.

The Route: Whichever way you pick, the start of the trek is a short delicate ascension. The best approach to Nakthan passes ravishing apple plantations yet can get tiring and hot on a radiant day, without a tree spread. Transcending deodar trees line the way from Kalga and the strength of nature is obvious on that course. Nakthan town is a conventional Himachali town with little wood and stone homes and furthermore has a couple of bistros for explorers and trekkers. As of late, a couple of homes have additionally begun offering staying offices for trekkers. Course no. 3 from Tosh joins Route No. 1 soon after intersection Nakthan town.

A flying perspective on Nakthan town’s customary Himachali houses clicked from the trek routes from Kalga.

In the wake of intersection the town, Rudranag Temple is just a short leave. A tranquil cascade is near the sanctuary and one can fill water bottles from that point. Likewise, for travellers, there is a staying hovel close by (Dharamshala) which was shut when I visited. There are likewise two little bistros close Rudranag sanctuary. The sound of Parvati waterway hurrying through the chasms resembles music to the ears. There are fine perspectives on pine timberlands transcending close to the mountain tops. Make sure to convey a few confections with you, for example, I convey Alpen Liebe which is an extraordinary decision on tough ascensions, it encourages the throat to not get dry and furthermore gives vitality from sugar. Woodcutting on the sanctuary entryway in Nakthan town.

Around 30 minutes after Rudranag sanctuary, the path will arrive at an extension to one side – not long before the scaffold is a beautiful Dhaba with essential staying offices as well; if there should arise an occurrence of a crisis or beginning the trek late from Barshaini. Around this point, Route No. 2 from Kalga joins the fundamental course (i.e Route No. 1) and a tough trip starts. There are in some cases shepherds going with their group of goat and sheep (that cause road turned parking lot!) to the green glades of Thakur Khan which is after Kheerganga Trek. Rudranag Temple altar soon after intersection the town of Nakthan.

There are various easy routes on the whole trek and it is all around informed to not take any concerning them. These alternate ways are generally utilized by the definite footed local people and trekkers have numerous a period had deadly encounters when they slipped and fell into the waterway in the wake of attempting to take a hazardous easy route.

Alternate ways can demonstrate hazardous on the slim path on the trek to Kheerganga Trek . Around the midpoint on the trek, one goes over a colossal cascade with a lone Dhaba bistro on the correct side. It is prescribed to fill your water bottles here, as the water is spotless and unadulterated. Most trekkers enjoy a short reprieve at this spot named Shalom Waterfall Cafe and appreciate a Maggi or a few bites, before making the last push to Kheerganga.

An all-encompassing site at Kheerganga, the structures are every one of them a piece of the Ashram (modest convenience place). The trekking trail turns into a little troublesome after the cascade; a ceaseless ascension starts which can be trying for first-time trekkers. The way from this point forward is all around stamped and there is minimal possibility of anybody losing their direction. Recall it’s anything but a race and that everybody has their own pace, so walk gradual, appreciate the landscape of the timberland and reach Kheerganga. The tough ascension is certainly tiring, the great piece is that there are decent spaces to sit in the shade of trees where the cool air helps much in unwinding. Make sure to keep a great deal of water with you and not unfilled it before you reach Kheerganga.

Around the midway separation of Kheerganga, the yellow structure is the bistro.

Around 45 mins before coming to Kheerganga, there is an excellent perspective on a streaming cascade on the way itself. There are two exceptionally picturesque bistros with stunning perspectives here. On the off chance that convenience isn’t accessible at Kheerganga Trek, one can rest in the basic space for a little charge.

At the point when you’ve strolled and strolled, the way will wind one last time and the first of the yellow and blue canvas secured cabins can be seen. This is the beginning of Kheerganga, there is a group of cabins and bistros close to the sanctuary and characteristic boiling water spring which can be secured on a brief walk. The sanctuary and boiling water spring pool are situated on the head of the considerable number of cottages and campgrounds. A lovely shock: The principal sight of Kheerganga on the last ascension. The underground aquifers pool is a 10 min stroll from here.

Where to remain in Kheerganga? : Kheerganga has become an exceptionally mainstream goal for youthful explorers throughout the mid-year months.

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Kheerganga Trek – A Complete Travel Guide for Beginners

Kheerganga trek takes you along a journey to discover Parvati Valley and one of its many secrets. Nestled deep in Himachal Pradesh, the views on this trek are invigorating, slowing unveiling the depth of the terrain. Also, this trek gives you ample opportunities to explore the beautiful and unique culture of the region.

If you are a beginner trekker or a backpacker looking for a hike deeper in the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, a trek to Kheerganga makes perfect sense for an upcoming trip. It is one of the most recommended treks when traveling to Parvati Valley .

Let's quickly dive into the details:

Mythology of Kheerganga

An important destination for both Hindus and Sikhs, Kheerganga has a rich history. Let’s look at it in more detail before we dive into the travel guide.

Parvati and Kartikeya

Kartikeya, son of Shivji and Parvati, chose Kheerganga for his meditation and prayers. When his parents decided to visit him, Parvati wanted to cook for her son. Thanks to the presence of hot water springs in the region, legends have it that Parvati would cook rice pudding (Kheer) in this water itself. Hence, the greyish color and the milkfish complexion of the river is because of this!

If you are confused about picking up any destination for the upcoming trip, then check my article on planning a visit to offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh ?

Kalyug Story

In Satyug, Kheer appeared out of nowhere when Shivji and Parvati Ji visited this place. However, Parvati Ji asked Purushotam to convert the Kheer into the water, knowing that people of Kalyug (aka us!) would fight over it.

Gurunanak visiting Kheerganga

During Udasi, Guru Nanak Singh Ji came to Kheerganga to visit his staunch disciple – Bhai Mardana. During one such visit, Bhai Mardana was hungry but had no food available. Upon Guru Nanak Ji’s Bhai Mardana went to collect Aata (flour) from the Langar. But, there was no fire nearby to cook the chapatis.

Here, Guru Nanakji asked Mardana to remove a giant stone – and this is where a hot spring appeared. When Mardana dipped the Rotis into the spring, the Rotis sank. Upon the advice of Guru Nanak Ji, Mardana prayed to God for the Rotis to float back up, and when this happened, he pays it forward to feed other people as well. The Rotis did float back on to the surface, fully baked.

Thus, whoever donates in the name of God, with good intentions, will always have meaningful karma follow him as well.

Key Details about Kheerganga Trek

How to reach kheerganga trek.

The starting point for the trek to Kheerganga is Barshaini, which is easily connected by Kasol .

Dheeraj Sharma

The nearest airport to Kasol is the Kullu Manali Airport in Bhuntar. The flights to Bhuntar are pretty limited, and apart from the frequency, the reliability can be up for a toss as well. Here, taxis and buses are available for your onward journey. The next (safer, reliable) option is the Mohali Airport (Chandigarh), approximately 300+ KMs away

The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar railway station. You can hire a cab from here and you can reach Kasol in under 4 hours.

Obviously, the most convenient way to get into the Pavati Valley. Total driving time from Delhi to Kasol is about 12 hours, covering approximately 565 Kms. Take Tonnes of pit stops for an easy, memorable journey.

The roads to Kasol from Delhi is in good condition for the most part. All thanks to Parvati Valley being a famous place , especially amongst foreign tourists. The views are amazing, however, and compensates for the long road journey to Parvati Valley.

Many public transport buses leave ISBT, Delhi for an overnight journey to Bhuntar. Volvo/Mercedes buses will be available starting INR 1500. A bus from Chandigarh will take you around 8 hours.

From Bhuntar, you’ll need to change buses and catch the one heading to Manikaran and get off along the way at Kasol.

Taxis are available at all major stations (Airports, Railways, Bus Stops) – be prepared to haggle, especially if you’re getting off at the Railway Station. However, the best way to proceed with this would be to book a prepaid taxi service. Also, sharing cabs are available here.

Kheerganga Itinerary

The 13 km long trail from Barshaini to Kheerganga should take you around 4-6 hours, depending upon your fitness levels. Do not forget to refer the list of must-have things to carry on a trekking trip .

Day 0 – Reach Kasol

Reach Kasol by your preferred mode of transportation and enjoy the hippie scenes of the village. It is a cute little hamlet in Himachal , full of foreigners and has an innate charm that you cannot easily find anywhere else.

Day 1 – Reach Barshaini and Start your Kheerganga Trek

Leave early in the morning, but ensure the arrangements to reach Barshaini are done the day prior- as it becomes difficult to hail a cab/ catch a bus in the AM. 6 would be a perfect time to move upwards.

Routes to choose from for your Kheerganga Trek

There are three major routes that you can choose from. As the saying goes – I took the road less traveled and it made all the difference – or something like that.

• Nakthan Route – This is the most popular route, as it is the quickest. You can reach Kheerganga in about 4 hours. If you believe in the destination and not the journey – then Nakthan is perfection (however, the journey is pretty too!). Once you reach the Barshaini Bridge, you’ll take a left and start on your way up to the Nakthan Village, leading you from the left side of the Parvati River. Since this is the most popular route, it is well marked and also has a tonne of tourists climbing up the hill.
• Kalga Route – Instead of taking a left, turn right from the Barshaini bridge and start your hike towards Kalga. This route will merge with the main (Nakthan) route halfway through the trek. ON this trail, you’ll be crossing through dense forests, hence, for first-time trekkers – you might want to consider taking a guide along on this Himalayan trek.
• Tosh Route – Another different path that will later merge into the Nakthan Route as well. This route is also quite mainstream, especially for people who were staying in Tosh before heading on the trek. Tosh river flows by near Tosh village which joins the Parvati river near Pulga.

You can also plan to visit Tosh on your trip to Kheerganga and add a night or two in Tosh to relax after the trek.

Up, up and away!

I would highly recommend choosing the Kalga route for ascending and either the Tosh Route or even the Nakthan Route for descending after completion of the Kheerganga Trek.

The trek is mild, especially in the beginning, and crosses through apple orchards. Nakthan has developed thanks to the presence of confirmed hikers in the region, and there are quite a few cafes sprinkled across. You can even stay here on your way back if interested in exploring the hamlet-life.

Nakthan is the center point near where all three routes would join. From Nakthan – you head on to RudraNag, which has the most beautiful waterfall. You should fill up your water bottles here. Rudranag has a beautiful Dharamshala as well, specially set up for the pilgrims.

30 Minutes after Rudranag, you will reach a bridge (on your right) with a cool dhaba that serves lip-smacking food. While there are plenty of shortcuts along the way – it is advisable (and advised!) to not venture out as there have been many fatal experiences here. Stick to the route!

Did you read my tips on trekking in the Himalayas for beginners ?

Halfway to Kheerganga

Halfway along, you’ll reach a dhaba, stand-alone and near a gushing waterfall, named Shalom Waterfall Café. Watermelon Juice comes highly recommended. Also, when at a dhaba in the hills, Maggi is a must (it’s the law!).

The journey starts getting slightly tougher from here on out. It is a continuous climb, and although the path is well marked, it can be strenuous for first-time trekkers. The climb is tiring, so please walk at your own pace and enjoy the nature around you! Also, stay hydrated!

A good pair of trekking shoes is always a must for any Himalayan trek.

The final push to Kheerganga

It might seem the walk will never end, but you will first run into two dhabas with the most stunning views and then finally – one final turn – and you can see the huts and cafes and the hot water springs! There will be a newly added zeal to your steps, and the distance can easily be covered in under 10 minutes.

Also, you may want to return back to Barshaini or Tosh on the Same day, however, I would suggest spending a night (at least) in Kheerganga and choosing your path for return on the next day.

You should always carry your water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂

Tips for the Trek

• Wake up early – Getting up when the Sun does is a difficult business – believe me, I understand. The hike is long, especially for the first-timers, and you don’t want to be covering a major part of your journey in the scorching sun. Yes, the temperatures are mild at such heights – but the intensity of the sun is equally up there.
• Homestays all the way – Airbnb along the way (if you’re taking breaks and making the journey a longer one). There are some beautiful properties in Barshaini and Tosh as well as in the smaller hamlets perched along the way.
• Nakthan should be a pit stop – This village is so gorgeous and full of life – it will be a great point to rest those legs. Also, it is almost the midpoint in your trail – a perfect medley. Nom on some Maggi and Fresh Juice while you’re at it – won’t forget about it soon.
• Kheerganga is all about its hot springs – Parvati Kund. Not visiting while there will be a sin! Also, imagine being in a “hot bath” out in the cool breeze, absorbing in the views of high mountains of Parvati Valley. Are you intrigued yet? It is a sick feeling – don’t miss out on this!
• Camp under the stars – This one is a given, right? Ah, the magical, mystical skies of Parvati Valley. Kheerganga is no exception – you will love every second and would probably be daring yourself to be up all night, in a spell-bound trance while camping. Enjoy, my friend!

Frequently Asked Questions

Please wear proper trekking shoes, and ensure that they are comfortable/broken in!

Layering is the KEY! Do pack clothes suitable for all weather conditions. And even if you’re doing the trek in summer months, do pack a jacket. Weather is tricky in the hills, and you should always go prepared.

There are no ATMs after Kasol. Hence, you must carry enough cash to pay meals and stay for Kheerganga trek.

It’s exceptionally difficult to find shared cabs/buses early in the morning to reach Barshaini. Plan in advance for any such shared transport else take your own car.

The best time to do the Kheerganga Trek is April to November. But, you should avoid the monsoon months. Also, always check the weather before any trekking adventure – with heavy rainfall, this easy trek can turn disastrous .

The network connectivity is zilch. You’re headed out into deep nature, so do not expect any connectivity. However, BSNL tends to catch some (intermittent) signal at some villages along the way. But, this is not to be trusted – happens sporadically.

There are food stalls and dhabas along the way – especially near-certain hamlets.

If crazy views are what you’re after – look no further. Head out to Kheerganga and experience the joy of being in the hills, within the hills. Parvati Valley holds many secrets; Kheerganga Trek is one way to understand the Valley better.

Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube ch annel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions about traveling to the Himalayas.

Please feel free to post any queries or doubts you might have in planning your trip to Kheerganga in the comments section below. If you have been to Kheerganga, I would love to hear your thoughts and any other information you might feel will be worth sharing with other fellow travelers and prove helpful to them as comments

Shefali spends most of her time day dreaming about her next big vacation. A happy-go-lucky personality, she is an amalgamation of all the places she’s lived in and experienced! She is always confused as to where to call home, having lived in Chandigarh, Shimla, Dehradun, Mumbai, Hyderabad in India and Vancouver, Abbotsford in Canada. Her love for travel is only challenged by her love for reading and eating delicious food! In order to sustain her dreams, she brought out her inner geek, got an MBA and has a job in the corporate world crunching numbers. Do follow @notravelplans on Instagram for updates on her next great adventure.

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Me and pals are planning to go for this trek on New year’s. Is it advisable to do this trek during this time? Also, how much total time/days this trek takes.

Hi Is it a good time to do the trek if I am going on 3rd December? Will it possible to pitch a tent during the same time. Thanks a ton

Great blog , you have provided detailed information that is covering all aspects of this trip . I will definitely visit this during winter to enjoy the beautiful nature and also to experience the snowfall .The pictures you had provided in your blog are beautiful . Thank you for sharing with us .

Thanks for reading along! Do share your experience when you visit.

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Kheerganga Trek for the First-Timers – A Complete Guide

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links to the products we earnestly love and recommend, meaning at no extra cost to you, we might make a teeny-weeny commission if you click on the link and decide to buy something. The money will be used to sustain this little cozy blog we call our virtual home.

Never trekked before? Planning to take on trekking with kids? Kheerganga is one of the best Himalayan treks in India for beginners and children. Here’s our story and a complete guide to the Kheerganga trek in Parvati Valley to plan yours judiciously 🙂

How I wish my parents had introduced me to trekking when I was young.

Anyhow, I didn’t want to repeat the mistake, and thus, introduced my daughter to the trekking world as soon as she felt comfortable about the whole concept.

I believe trekking or hiking is a great way to develop confidence, patience, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility in children. It’s magical the way even one trekking experience changes and shapes the kids.

Introduce your children to this unparalleled sport and watch as my words become your reality.

Read More – Why Should You Travel the World With Kids?

A Complete Guide to Kheerganga Trek for the Beginners

I enjoyed my first trek to Kheeganga with my hubby and daughter so much so that thought of sharing my experience plus some tips to inspire people to trek with kids.

Read on to know how we managed to trek Kheerganga in one day with our 8-year-old daughter and how you can do it too. But before we dive into the trek details, you must know how to prepare yourself for hiking and what to wear while hiking .

The Magical Parvati Valley

Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Parvati Valley starts above Bhunter where the Parvati River meets the River Beas and goes eastwards all the way up to Mantalai Lake (source of Parvati River.)

The valley is utterly beautiful in that it moves your soul.

Kasol, Manikaran, Malana, Chalal, Tosh, Rasol, Katagala, Pulga, and Kalga are some of the lovely villages in Parvati Valley.

Kasol – Mini-Israel of Himachal Pradesh

I had been reading about Kasol a lot and the place attracted me because of its varied culture, cuisine, and abundant natural beauty.

Kasol is famous among backpackers and people who love to stay high (Charas or Marijuana).

The place offers a fabulous blend of Israeli culture, quaint landscapes, and unspoiled nature.

Though Kasol is not a great destination for a family holiday, however, you can’t deny the gratification you get from doing something out of the ordinary.

There’s beauty in the unusual!

How to Reach Kasol from Delhi

Kasol is best traveled by road because who wants to miss the exquisite views? It makes a great weekend trip from Delhi for those seeking adventure.

One can self-drive or hire a cab. Catching a private bus or Volvo from Majnu Ka Tila or Rama Krishna Ashram Metro Station in Delhi or HRTC Himsuta Volvo from ISBT Kashmiri Gate is also a good option, however, you need to get down at Bhuntar if you are coming by bus and catch another one to Kasol or Manikaran or Barshaini depending upon where you have booked your stay.

The Volvos depart in the late evening mostly.

Read More – If You Read Only One Post About Delhi, Read This One!

Delhi to Kasol – A Beautiful Drive

I planned the 4-day itinerary covering Kasol, Katagala, Manikaran, Malana, Chalal, Tosh, and Barshiani (Watch out for my next blog post about these places). If you have more days on your hands then do add Manali and Rohtang Pass to your itinerary.

Kasol Kheerganga trek was out of the question. I and hubby didn’t have any trekking experience and we were sure that it was next to impossible with our little daughter who couldn’t even walk up to a nearby market without complaining about her leg pain.

We drove to Kasol from Delhi via Chandigarh. It’s around 530 km and took us 14 hours via NH44.

Almost a 14-hour journey from Delhi to Kasol was incredible wherein we witnessed two prodigious rivers (Beas and Parvati) snuggled between the Himalayas.

Beas River accompanied us all through the journey from Mandi to Aut tunnel and once we crossed the Aut tunnel, Parvati River became our constant companion.

The highlight of our road journey was driving through the 3 km-long Aut tunnel , which is one of the longest road tunnels in India.

Places to Stay in Kasol Parvati Valley

Parvati Kuteer on the bank of Parvati River was our home for the next 4 days in Kasol.

A wooden cottage covered by Cedar trees and a lovely garden, offering the views of the snow-covered Himalayas and overlooking the gushing Parvati river – Ah! Imagine what happens when the sound of the river becomes the alarm clock!

You won’t ever snooze!

We found Parvati Kuteer to be one of the lovely stay options in Kasol.

Book your stay at Parvati Kuteer  here .

Parvati Kuteer is expensive? Kasol has a lot of budget stay options as well. Check  here .

Kheerganga Trek – A Trek to Remember

It was not planned. How can it be?

I mean with an 8-year-old child, nobody would want to trek 13-15 km one-sided, and certainly not to a place like Kheerganga infamous (or famous) for its own reasons.

But it happened!

We trekked up to Kheerganga and trekked down to Barshaini on the same day with our little daughter.

The rest is history!

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Kheerganga Trek in Parvati Valley – How We Planned the Unplanned

All the places in our itinerary were covered in 3 days and 4th day was left free intentionally because what better way to enjoy nature than just sitting by the river surrounded by the mountains and tall Deodar trees?

But destiny had its own plans that didn’t match ours.

My daughter curiously questioned,” Why can’t we take on Khir Ganga ?”

I explained the difficulty level to her and how it was inappropriate for her age. She announced that she wants to experience it, maybe a 2-3 km trek, and then come back.

I was apprehensive and scared. We enquired about the trek with the natives and they felt that it was pretty conceivable. It was, of course, their version based on their own stamina and experience.

Kasol to Barshaini

Barshaini, the starting point of the Kheer Ganga trek is around 17 km from Kasol.

We had our own car and driver. One can either take a taxi or cab from Kasol to Barshaini or opt for a budget-friendly bus ride.

So, our plan was to trek up to Kalga village, relax, have tea and snacks, and come down.

Places to Stay in Barshaini

Barshaini is quite a small village with no or few stay options.

You might be able to find a few homestays in Barshaini. Tosh is just 3 km uphill from Barshaini and can be chosen as a base for the night as it offers all kinds of accommodations ranging from homestays, and guesthouses to hotels.

Kheerganga Trek Distance

The distance from Barshaini to Kheerganga is around 13-15 km depending upon the route you take.

Best Time to Take on Kheerganga Trek

The best time to visit Kheerganga is during the summer or autumn season. The best months include May, June, September, and October.

Kheerganga Trek Difficulty Level

As I said it’s a relatively easy trek and can be easily done with kids.

2960m above sea level, Kheerganga is the best trek for beginners.

Barshaini to Kheerganga – Route Options

There are two routes to reach Kheerganga from Barshaini:

1. Through Nakthan and Rudranag (13 km) – Difficult to climb, easier to come down, and offers ravishing views (ideal for photography enthusiasts). It has fewer trees and vegetation; and more tiny hamlets on the way so a bit exhaustive during bright sunny days.

2. Through Kalga (15 km) – Easier to climb, difficult to descend. Thick vegetation and dense forests make it best suited for bright sunny days. This is a lesser-known route and people generally avoid it for there are chances of losing way due to dense forests. Ideal for first-timers and low-on-stamina trekkers like us 🙂

Tosh to Kheerganga – Yes, That’s Also an Option!

Tosh is a beautiful hamlet that is known to be the last village in Parvati Valley.

A narrow road from Barshaini near the Parvati Hydel Project diverges to Tosh village. One can drive up to the village which is utterly bumpy or can opt to walk which takes around 45 minutes to reach the village of Tosh.

You are rewarded with some amazing views of the Parvati Valley once you reach Tosh. You can spend a day in Tosh relaxing while admiring the stunning views of glittering snow-capped peaks as the first and last rays of the sun fall on them.

The mountains look vivacious in moonlight too. There are decent guesthouses and homestays in Tosh.

The route to Kheerganga from Tosh joins the same Rudranag route once you cross the village of Nakthan.

Places to Stay in Tosh

Tosh treats you with the best views of Parvati Valley. You are sure to get a room with a view here.

You look out of your window and the view of the snow-clad mountain peaks enveloped by green pine trees fills your senses.

Though the stay options in Tosh are not many so better to book in advance.

Check here the list of properties in Tosh for availability and prices.

Kalga Village – A Breath of Fresh Air

We obviously took the Kalga route.

Around 30 30-minute trek led us to Kalga and we were stunned by the beauty of this quaint little village emitting the serenity every one of us craves these days.

We sat at the local cafe and sipped on hot tea while our daughter enjoyed Maggi with breathtaking views. The people of Kalga were welcoming and cheerful.

They encouraged us to trek to Kheerganga with our daughter as according to them it was not wise to leave such a beautiful place unexplored when you are so close to it.

Places to Stay in Kalga or Kalgha (Sosan)

If you are looking for a much quieter place than Kasol or Tosh to stay, you can find many beautiful stay options in Kalga.

Kalga is one of the most beautiful villages sprinkled across Parvati Valley. It’s actually dope!

A sleepy hamlet where time stands still. The Himalayas, apple orchards, lush meadows, and vibrant flowers – do you need any other thing to be happy?

Holy Cow Café And Beds , Sacred Garden, Brahma Homestay , and,  Red Apple Cottage Homestay are some of the places to stay in Kalga.

They are perfect for solo travelers though they can be good for family travelers who love mountains more than comfort and luxury.

With so many homestays coming up in Kalga, I doubt it will remain as clean or offbeat as it is now.

I guess then travelers will head to Pulga and Tulga for much-needed peace.

With no arrangement for the journey ahead and a little kid with us, it was eerie.

We only had a light backpack with a bottle of water and an extra pair of clothes for our daughter. Water, food, and accommodation weren’t a problem though because there were plenty of cafes on the way to Kheerganga and numerous places to stay at Kheerganga.

The problem was the journey. With so many questions unanswered, we resigned to our daughter’s will and continued our journey to Kheerganga from Kalga.

It seemed easy at the start with open grounds and lush green forests until we crossed a bridge made of wood logs.

The Kheerganga trek became more demanding after a 5 km walk. We made it a point to ask for the right way at every cafe on the way so that we don’t lose our way.

There were fallen trees and rocks on the way and it became scary as we proceeded further.

And then came this warning! It scared the hell out of us! We were more cautious.

Rain Gods Added to Our Venture – (Add)venture

As if that wasn’t enough, it started raining heavily.

Tracks became muddy and increasingly difficult creating slippery walking conditions. We regretted and blamed ourselves for bringing our daughter here unprepared (no raincoats or ponchos).

There were no kids, no families on the way; Only boys’ gangs (typical backpackers and seasoned trekkers) and sadhus (saints).

I’m still getting goosebumps while I’m writing about it. A few boys on the way warned us not to go further as it’s not safe in this kind of weather and there are only hippies at the Kheerganga.

But it was too late to move back as we had already trekked more than half the distance.

We took shelter in a tent on the way and waited until the rain eased off. A British couple waited with us in the same tent and having a chit-chat with them relaxed us.

We started again while it was drizzling continuously. It took us 5 hours to complete the trek, however, locals and cafe owners whom we met on the way reached Kheerganga in less than 2 hours.

Imagine the stamina these Himalayan guys have. They trek up and down every other day without any exhaustion and fuss.

We drank water from the waterfalls on the way to Kheerganga and believe me, I have never tasted the water with such a sweet and delicate flavor, full of oxygen, naturally cold and digestible.

It felt heavenly. We have traveled in India and abroad; and experienced so many things but for the first time in my life, I literally realized that the journey is more important and beautiful than the destination.

It’s absolutely a beautiful trek where physical pain or exhaustion feels like a breeze.

Once we were at Kheerganga, we forgot the stress of the journey and soaked in the other-worldly views of the dream-like surroundings. Lush green meadows, clouds descending down to the valley, and natural hot water springs surrounded by the snow-covered Himalayas.

Would you ask for more?

How one feels?

Serendipity. Euphoria. Virgin nature makes you high, yeah, high on happiness and Shiva temple at the top makes you high on spirituality.

Felt close to Mother Nature and to God at the same time. I was speechless as I entered the temple of Lord Shiva which holds great religious significance.

Legends of Kheerganga

There are two different legends that explain the origin of Kheerganga – One says that Lord Shiva meditated here for thousands of years and another says that Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati meditated here and the natural spring emerged when Shiva struck the ground with His Trishul on Parvati’s request as she was worried that her son wouldn’t get anything to eat here.

This spring was kheer (an Indian sweet dish made of milk and rice) in Satyuga (Golden Age) which was later turned into the water during Kalyuga (Iron Age) by Shiva on Parshuram’s insistence.

Whatever it is, Kheerganga is certainly a miracle, water as white as milk, flowing in all its glory and its streams gushing into Parvati Valley.

Bath in the sulfur-rich hot water spring is so relaxing and healing.

There are two sub-sections of the pool – one for the men and the other for the women.

It’s believed that drinking the water from the spring cures all kinds of gastric diseases and taking a bath in it washes all your sins.

We, like everyone, filled our bottles with holy water to bring them back home.

Kheerganga Trek – How We Unplan the Planned

The original plan was to book a camp or room and stay overnight at Kheerganga which changed later on taking into account certain factors not suitable for kids.

There were no decent and clean places to stay and eat with kids and the weather was really bad. And remember, we weren’t prepared! We had to take a leap of faith.

It was already 15:40. Calculations indicated that if we walked continuously without taking longer breaks, we would reach Barshaini by 8 p.m. It takes comparatively less time to trek down.

Places to Stay in Kheerganga

The stay options aren’t many for families traveling with kids. There are private rooms, tented accommodations, common spaces like dormitories for a group of travelers, and a Dharamshala or ashram  at cheap prices but I didn’t find them good enough to stay with kids.

They are fine for backpackers though. There’s also an option to pitch your own tent by renting a space at Kheerganga after paying a minimal amount of fee.

Shared toilets and washrooms are available but not hygienic for obvious reasons.

Places to Eat in Kheerganga

Kheerganga has cafes and small restaurants with basic food options.

The food is over-priced because well you are sitting and eating at the height of 2960m. You know, how does the food get to the top?

Update on Kheerganga Trek : According to the latest news update; the cafes, restaurants, and accommodation facilities (commercial activities) including camping have been banned in Kheerganga. You can still trek up to Kheerganga after getting a permit from the forest department. The permission will be granted if you fulfill certain conditions – No camping allowed so you need to complete the trek the same day and No littering. Please carry your garbage along. The step is really appreciated owing to the damage caused to the ecologically sensitive region. It’s high time we as travelers choose responsible and sustainable travel practices.

How We Trekked Down to Barshaini from Kheerganga

We started trekking down with our fingers crossed. We took the Rudranag route while coming down because it was told that the route was shorter and less steep than the Kalga one.

Trek starts with walking through the thick pine forests and then suddenly landscapes change into fields and villages once you cross an iron bridge over the raging stream.

One of the fascinating, exhilarating, and worth-mentioning features of the Kheerganga trek is that the rumbling water stream and mighty waterfalls flow all through the trek.

We crossed several streams on foot. The thunderous sound of the water reveals the dangerously beautiful side of nature.

It was scary and soothing at the same time. We really felt small in the face of nature. The trail gets narrower as one progresses further.

We stopped at Rudranag temple to offer our prayers. A waterfall was coming down from the mountaintop with an evident snake-like shape and thus the name, Rudranag.

People were taking a dip in the water near the waterfall but it was too cold to handle for us. We moved further as it was getting dark.

Small villages on the way attract you to stop and admire the beauty in simplicity. Villagers are so simple, helpful, and cheery.

One of the ladies at Nakthan village greeted us and offered us to rest in her house for some time when she saw our tired little daughter but we politely turned down the offer saying we can’t afford to take a break. She blessed and applauded our daughter.

Kids coming back from school, women bringing wood in a basket on their shoulders, people chit-chatting randomly; I felt like spending my life here!

That’s how life’s supposed to be! A life so uncomplicated, bereft of the harshness of the modern world.

Kheerganga Trek – The Final Phase

4 km left, dog-tired, legs refused to move, almost vanquished, a mountain kid boosted our spirits. He moved gracefully from one stone to the other, swinging on the narrow paths, singing Himachali songs, with no trace of panic; obviously, it was a routine thing for him.

We were re-energized by the positive assurance,”Bas thoda sa aur chalna hai! Bas 20 minute aur aap neeche pahunch jayenge.” (It’s just 20 more minutes and you’ll be down) and the carefree attitude of the boy. We happily followed him.

It was dark when we reached Barshiani. Our driver was waiting for us. Amazed at what we have accomplished (technically, we walked more than 25 km in a day), we retired and slept in the car while coming back to our resort in Kasol.

What had we gained?

Well. We rediscovered ourselves. We really felt true intimacy with God. The trek rekindled our connection with nature.

You never know what you are capable of until you have no choice .

If given an option, I wouldn’t want to return to this false world of self-gratification and remorseful judgments. The trek left me with a lot to reflect on.

Know Before You Go

1. It’s better to start a trek early in the morning maybe 6 am or so because it normally rains after 2 making it difficult to walk.

2. Carry light backpacks with a pair of flip-flops, torch or headlight, light towel, poncho or raincoat, warm jacket, swimwear, travel soap, toilet paper, tissues, snacks, eco-friendly water bottle, and cash.

3. I would have recommended not trekking up and down from Kheerganga on the same day as I found it pretty risky and tiring especially with a kid. One would better chill and enjoy the fairy-tale-like surroundings for a day but as per the new update, you can’t stay up there. So, come back to Tosh and stay there. Head to Kasol the next morning.

4. Last but not least, Respect nature. Act responsibly. Be a responsible traveler and tourist. Don’t throw your trash anywhere. You’ll find dustbins at all the cafes on the way. Carry all the disposable waste in your bag and dump it into a dustbin later. Don’t spoil the serenity of nature by being a glamorous tourist.

This was our first-ever trekking experience. Have you ever tried trekking with kids? How was your experience?

🏨 Wondering where to stay in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh? Check out the best places to stay in Kasol here.

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Anjali Chawla

39 thoughts on “Kheerganga Trek for the First-Timers – A Complete Guide”

Wow that’s amazing and so wonderful to trek with 8 year..,Blog is really informative..I always wanted to go to northern side for trek,ill definitely check my schedule and plan this..!!!

Thanks, Ankita! You should definitely go for trekking as it delivers a sense of fulfillment and being close to nature is one-of-a-kind experience.

This is just amazing, Anjali! And your daughter is so brave. Hope she enjoyed the trek.

This place has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Now I feel bad for not being able to trek there despite being from Himachal. 😀

Thank you, Tushar! This happens, we never really explore our own city or state like we explore other ones. I’m from Delhi and I haven’t seen famous Red Fort yet 🙂 Kheerganga is a beautiful, relatively easy trek for beginners. If you are a seasoned trekker, there are many exquisite and challenging treks in Himachal Pradesh which I plan to do once my daughter grows up!

Think you’re right. That does happen to many. I’m thinking of Pin Parvati. Not sure when, though.

Hoping to see more trek experiences on your blog. 🙂

Thank you 🙂

This looks amazing, i love travelling new places, i live in Uttarakhand so i’m familiar with this kind of places, i always wanted to travel HP, how much did you spend for this trip, especially for camps ?

Thanks for reading, Kailash! It was a self-drive trip. We spent around 30,000/- in total. We didn’t stay at Kheerganga but came back the same day. The cost of camp depends on the occupancy. It was 1500/- for double occupancy with kid.

You have done something very great with your 8 year old by taking her to trek to Himalayas. This is a lifetime memory gifted by you. Trekking around the Himalayan rustic scenery with hamlets, trees, streams and hills is really a wonderful moment spent by a mother and child.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Yukti! I truly believe that travel is the best gift a parent can give a child.

It looks amazing! it is wonderful that your daughter was able to experience this with you. She is very brave! I understand that you where worried but if you are careful and take your time it is possible to do a short trek with a child. Your daughter has a beautiful trek experience now.

Yeah, she really cherishes the experience and is keen to take another trek now 🙂 I’m proud of her! Thank you so much for taking time to read my blog and for your words of appreciation.

Thanks for sharing these amazing tips of treking. These are going to help me in future.

Thanks for reading! I appreciate it.

This sounds so exciting. I know things can get tiring with kids, kudos to your daughter for initiating to do this. 🙂 I don’t have kids so I can’t share a similar experience but I did trek Mt. Fuji in Japan (highest mountain of Japan); it was worth all the pain, sweat, chill, excitement and above all the experience.

Yeah, Aditi…and I’m proud of her for this! Mt. Fuji!!! That’s so awesome! I would love to do Mt. Fuji trek someday.

That’s so awesome that you were able to make that trek with a child in tow. I am sure it must have been difficult. And I am sure it was scary with that sign they put up there. But it did look beautiful and the end result was worth it I am sure.

Thanks for reading and appreciating 🙂 It seemed scary with child but yeah, at the end we were rewarded with beautiful memories to cherish and that sweet feeling of achievement, you know!

What an amazing experience and a fantastic story. This is just type of trip I love: unplanned, unorganised and unhinged. Well done for taking your daughter with you too – as I’m sure she will remember the trip forever, cherishing the memories x

Thanks for the read, Rebecca! Unplanned trips have their own charm. I’m lucky that mini-me loves traveling as much as her mom 🙂 and embraces the uncertainties and surprises that come with it.

As a fellow traveller, I hope that if and when I have children, mine are just like her ☺️

May God fulfill all your wishes 🙂

We must train our children in early age and make sure to meet them the nature. Now everything is so easy download digital map , read people’s comment and directions. and take your cild with you. Go a trekking togethe even Do a camp in the forrest. Your article is very helpful for everyone! Thank you so much

Thank you for reading and sending the comment love! I completely agree with you. Travel is the best education we can give to our kids.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey. And how awesome to share it with your little one. I love the fearlessness of the young, yet greatly admire a parent’s will to protect their young and also share with them life’s great adventures. My mom and dad’s are still very protective of me and worry for example when I travel alone as a female. I also enjoyed your photos. They are beautiful. And love also, “You never know what you are capable of until you have no choice.” So true.

Thank you so much for your words of appreciation. We really want our daughter to learn life by experiencing it. Being protective while giving our kids enough freedom to explore and learn is the key. I’m glad you liked the pictures. Thank you again for dropping by, it means a lot!

• Pingback: Backpacking Parvati Valley: The Ultimate Guide - Intentional Detours

That was really helpful, thanks!

Thank you for this writeup Anjali. Will be a great help in planning my own hike to Kheerganga with friends 🙂 Meanwhile, if you still haven’t accomplished Antarctica then you MUST, and soonest! You can read all about MY TRIP TO THE WHITE CONTINENT on my website.

Hey Sudeep,

Thanks for taking out time to write to us 🙂 It’s nice to know that our blog helped plan your trip.

Antarctica still remains high on my bucket list. Hope to tick it off the list soon. Sure, I’d definitely read your posts about Antarctica.

Very helpful anjali, thanks for sharing this.

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A Complete Guide to Kheerganga Trek

• December 9, 2021 July 27, 2022
• Travel , Travelogues

When I did my first trek, I did a lot of research to get as much information as before starting it. I have to look for many blogs for minute details so that I can do it without any hurdles. This is a complete guide to the Kheerganga trek, from my own experience. I have covered every minute detail to look for in this trek. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I am happy to help you with that.

When it comes to trekking, most of us say “it’s not my cup of tea” and stay away from trekking trips. And those who had been on trekking trips became their favorites and kept on doing more such trips.

Indeed, trekking is not for everyone. But definitely, you can’t say it unless you’ve been to one. Because I can guarantee that, if you have tried it once, you will keep on doing it. It’s amazing, it’s adventurous, it’s special and, most importantly, it is the one that takes us closer to nature.

Imagine all those less explored places and hidden beauties. Nature will truly surprise you on these trekking trips. Those elegant waterfalls, valleys full of wildflowers where horses grazed freely, staying in tents near a beach or the river and waking up to those spectacular mornings. Its endless fantasies come true. All you have to do is try a good trekking trip. I have tried many moderate to difficult treks, but the Kheerganga trek is always close to my heart and it was my first trek.

The Kheerganga trek is considered to be easy to moderately difficult trek and is most ideal for beginners. A meadow in the lap of the Parvati Valley is situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. For me, Parvati Valley is one of my favorite locations in Himachal. It is famous for those charming and isolated villages and many of the names are familiar to most of us. Tosh, Malana, Kalga, Pulga, Rasol, Kasol, Manikaran, and many more villages stretched along the slopes and lengths of this mystic valley.

How to reach Kheerganga from Delhi

Delhi to bhuntar.

The most preferred location to start a Himalayan trip is from Delhi as it has a lot of options, most preferably booking a night bus from Kashmiri Gate Bus Station. I planned the Kheerganga trip in August and wanted it to be a solo trip. But my friend Denis told me that he could join me in Bhuntar. So I booked an overnight bus to Bhuntar. There is no direct bus to Bhuntar from Delhi.

You can book a bus that goes to Manali and get down at Bhuntar, which is around 15 KM before Manali. If you are taking a bus at 8 PM from Delhi, you will easily reach Bhuntar by 4 or 5 in the morning. Bhuntar is a small town and interestingly has an AirPort, along the bank of the Beas River. It is the meeting place of the Parvati River and the Beas River.

When I reached Bhuntar, Denis was already there waiting and we had a chai from the nearby shop and headed towards the bus stand, which is a walkable distance.

Bhuntar to Barshaini

From Bhuntar, there are buses available to Kasol, Manikaran, and Barshaini. Barshaini is a very important name that you should remember. Because this is where the actual fun starts. I took the bus to Manikaran and from there another to Barshaini . The bus ride from Manikaran to Barshaini is like a rollercoaster ride. The roads are not so good. But this is one of the most beautiful bus trips I have ever had. The Parvati River flows furiously below a vertical deep gorge. Pine and Deodar trees covered the valley till the edges and beyond that, we could see the peaks covered in snow.

Barshaini is a small town and this is the last stop for the bus. From there, a road goes down to a small dam nearby and from there another road up to Tosh Village. Barshaini is more like a junction and you will find only a few hotels and places to eat. Prem cafe is a great place to have breakfast or Chai here. From there, we can see two villages – Kalga and Pulga, both on different sides of the river. We decided to plan our stay at any of these villages and we already heard that we could get affordable home stays there.

We chose Kalga and there are two reasons behind it. It was the nearest one and also the starting point of our trek.

Before going further, there is something we should know and choose when we reach Barshaini. There are three routes to Kheerganga. The first and most commonly used one is from the left side of the Dam towards the Nathan Village and to Kheerganga. The second one is crossing the Dam, through the Kalga village and dense forest. Both these routes are on each side of the river. There is a third route from Tosh Village. I will explain all these routes in detail later in this blog.

We chose Kalga as our stay as we wanted to try the second trek route.

Kalga Village

To reach Kalga, we need to cross the dam, then a steep winding climb up to the village. After the warm-up climb to the top, the sun was almost down and we asked the first person we saw for a place to stay. He pointed us to a nearby apple orchard and there was a small cottage standing there with all its charm. We talked to the owner and got a room for 150 Rs per night. And yes, it was 150 Rs for the room per night and was a decent one too. The view from the cottage was spectacular.

Trekking routes to Kheerganga

Like I said earlier, there are three trekking routes to Kheerganga.

• The first one is the most commonly used one. Without crossing the Dam, turn left and walk towards Nakthan village. The route is well defined and clear cut out on rocks. It is difficult compared to the second route as there are steep climbs and less shade from the sun.
• The second route is crossing the dam and climbing up to the Kalga village. From there is a narrow route through the dense forest. This route is tricky as we can easily get lost. Landslides happen on these routes during the rainy season. Before taking this route, it is advisable to ask the locals about the conditions of the path. But this is considered to be the most scenic route. This route joins the first route at the midway and from there, there is only one path to Kheerganga.
• The third route is from Tosh Village and meets the first route at Nakthan village.

Kheerganga is roughly 10 to 15 KM long and is easy to moderately difficult. I took the second route to Kheerganga and came back by the first route. A taste of both the routes. If you are staying in Tosh Village, then the third route is ideal for you.

Kheerganga trek in one day.

We planned to start the trek in the morning and complete it in a day. We can either complete the trek in a day or you can stay at Kheerganga for the night. There are a lot of staying options available there and if you opt for a tent, you can carry your own or you can rent it.

We wake up at around 6 and get ready for our trek at 7 AM. Kalga is a very calm village close to the forest.

From the village, we had to ask the locals to get an idea about the route as there is no clear marking. After walking through a narrow mountain path, we were able to see a small clear path up to the forest and that was the start of our beautiful trek. The valley was covered in lush green and we could hear the voice of the Parvati river flowing somewhere nearby. There was freshness everywhere as the monsoon just receded from the valley. The villagers had already warned us about the landslides that destroyed the roads. But we decided to go forward as nature was too tempting to ignore.

At first, it was easy as there was small climbing and the path was well defined. But soon it became wild and difficult. There are times we need to climb rocks and it is tiring. But every climb will take you to views that are better than dreams. Sitting on the rock under the pine trees after a long climb, relaxing in the sweet breeze, is something well earned.

Waterfalls and villages

There are small waterfalls on the way and the Parvati river flows below, giving us the feeling that we have climbed a lot higher then. At one point, we can see the Nakthan village which is on the other side of the river. That is part of the first route that was mentioned earlier.

Mountian Dogs

We got two travel companions.

When we covered a third of the trek, we got the best guide that we could find, that too without any charges. I am talking about mountain dogs. They were very friendly and they helped us cross the forest route without any trouble and disappeared when we were about to reach the top. They walked in front of us like the north star that guides the way and when they thought we were lagging, they stopped and waited for us. We were happy to share some biscuits and the Paratha that we ordered in the Dhaba on the way, with them.

I remember someone saying that dogs never consider us as their masters. Instead, they consider us as their siblings. That is the reason they help you, even risking their own lives and I found this very much true.

On this route, you will be able to find two good places with a few Dhaba around. The first one is near a beautiful waterfall. I would suggest taking a short break here with a hot chai and paratha with a view of the waterfall.

From here the trek can be a bit difficult and, after some time, it is joined with the first route that links Nakthan Village.

I have a habit of walking very fast. This was my first trek and I did the same long steady pace during this trek and that was a painful lesson that I have learned. During the last 30 mins of the trek, I was crawling on my knees to reach the top. Trekking is something that we should enjoy at a short and slow pace. Take rest when it is necessary and manage the time before the trip.

When we slowly reached the top, it was already noon and we were hungry. We went to the first shop and had our lunch. It was simple but expensive. Food and drinks are like double or even triple the normal price here. That is justified as the vegetables and other provisions need to be carried from the villages and it’s a long trek. Then I recalled a villager carrying an LPG Cylinder to the Kheerganga and he was walking faster than us.

About Kheerganga

Kheerganga’s top is a small sloping meadow and a small temple on the top. There is a small hot spring near the temple. It is considered to be sacred and believed to have many medicinal properties. Visitors can bathe in this hot spring. There is also a separate bathing area for women. There are a lot of places to stay and also to eat. Since we didn’t have a plan to stay for the night, we didn’t waste much time and walked to the hot spring to get a bath.

At first, it felt too hot to take a dip in the water. Slowly, your body will get used to it and become normal. Dip your legs first and slowly the rest of the body. That is the trick.

It was a refreshing experience and we soon forgot the sores of the long trek.

Return Trek

We spent some time lying down on the velvet grass. After a small nap, we were energized for our return. We started at around 4 PM from there and this time we took the first route.

After walking for half an hour, we took the right turn to the first route. Since this is the most common route, you will be able to see other travelers, some going to Kheerganga for an overnight stay and others returning like us.

There is a small bridge near another waterfall and here we cross the Parvati River to the other side of the river. Rudranag is a small village with some staying options on the other side of the river.

This route has a well-defined path and is open without many trees. We were going down the path, but I felt like climbing up through this route could be much more challenging than the forest route. During the day, it can be sunny as well. This route is more alive with people in villages and apple orchards. We could see the thick forest on the other side of the river. That was the route we took while going up. From here it looked so dense with the mountain path hidden in it.

Also Read: 11 Best Places to Visit in Manali

After Nakthan Village, we reached near Barshaini by around 7 PM, and that concluded my first trek. We didn’t have the energy to climb to Kalga village, so we decided to walk to Barshaini to get a hotel for the night. The next day, we got on the early morning bus to Kasol.

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Kheerganga Trek: The Ultimate Trekkers Guide

Kheerganga trek, a perfect trek for beginners, was my first trek ever. And while it was an easy trek, there is a lot that I didn’t know about before starting the trek. As a result, I faced a lot of issues but in the end, our destination was completely worth it.

We planned our Kheerganga trek from Delhi and struggled a lot while reaching because there weren’t many articles on Kheerganga 4 years back. Luckily for you, if you are contemplating if you should go on this trek or not, this guide will help you plan the trek.

In this guide, I have noted down all the information on this trek including the distance, temperature, accommodation options, and so on.

Kheerganga Trek

Situated at an altitude of approximately 3050m, Kheerganga is a small village nestled amidst the Parvati Valley.

According to the local legends, Lord Shiva meditated here for around 10,000 years, making it an important religious site.

Also, Kheerganga was given the name because of the milky white Parvati river that flows beside the valley. You will find an ancient temple dedicated here to Lord Shiva as this places is said to be the abode of Lord Shiva and is considered a spiritual site.

One of the top treks in Himachal, apart from the Prashar Lake Trek , Kheerganga is particularly famous for its hot springs. Yes, that’s right! You will find hot springs here at the completion of this trek (something that’s a must to relax those aching muscles and joints).

The natural water from these hot springs is milky white and a bath in it is found to be meditative and sacred.

There are separate pools for women so, you don’t have to worry about your privacy as well while taking a dip in it.

A lot of people even trek to kheerganga in December to enjoy the snow-covered trails and the snow-capped mountain views. However, if it is your first trek, then avoid trekking in December or join a trekking group as it is not advisable to go on a snow trek alone.

How to Reach the Starting Point of the Trek – Barshaini

The starting point of this trek is the village of Barshaini which is the last motorable road in the area. So, your goal is to reach Barshaini and then start your trek from here.

Reaching Bhuntar

To reach Barshaini, you will need to reach Bhuntar first and the time taken to reach Bhuntar depends on where you are starting from. Here are a few ways that you can choose to reach Bhuntar, regardless of where you are starting from.

The closest airport to Bhuntar is the Kullu Manali airport at a distance of approximately 1.5 km. You get flights from Delhi, Shimla, and Chandigarh to this airport, and the frequency of these flights is slightly low.

However, if you are short on time and don’t mind spending the extra money to reach Bhuntar, then taking a flight from one of these destinations could be a good choice.

The closest railway station to Bhuntar is the Pathankot railway station at a distance of 245 km. From Pathankot Railway station, you can take a bus or taxi to reach Bhuntar or you can take the passenger train to Joginder Nagar which is around 95 km from Bhuntar.

From Joginder Nagar, you will find local buses or cabs to reach Bhuntar.

If you are planning to start the Kheerganga trek from Delhi, then one of the best ways to reach is to take a private Volvo bus or local HRTC bus to reach Bhuntar. You can find HRTC buses for 500 INR whereas the private Volvo buses will cost around 800 – 1000 INR and there will be several buses available in the evening to take you to Bhuntar.

The buses will take around 10-12 hours to reach Bhuntar from Delhi.

Reaching Barshaini from Bhuntar

Once you have reached Bhuntar, you need to reach Barshaini to begin the trek. Barshaini is situated around 46 km from Bhuntar and will take around 2-3 hours in a private cab or local bus.

You will find regular buses to Barshaini from Bhuntar that will charge you 50-75 INR and will take 2-3 hours to reach. You can even take a private cab for 2000 INR (divided by 4 passengers) to reach Barshaini.

Note: While you are waiting for the bus, enjoy some breakfast in Bhuntar as it will be a long ride to Barshaini village.

Note: The last bus to return from Barshaini to Bhuntar leaves around 2 – 3 p.m. so be careful when planning your return ticket from Bhuntar.

Kheerganga Trek Route Map

Trekking Routes to Kheerganga

The complete Kheerganga trek distance that you have to complete is 18 – 20 km (both ascent and descent) regardless of which route you choose. This trek distance is counted from Barshaini and is differs only slightly for the three trekking routes available.

• From Barshaini, you walk to the bridge and then take the left turn and make your way to Nakthan Village. You can ask the locals for the directions for the Nakthan village and Kheerganga and they will help you out. This is the shortest route and takes around 3-4 hours on average. This route lies on the left side of the Parvati river and is well-marked with a lot of food stalls and waterfalls on the way.
• If you are staying in Tosh, then you can take the Tosh route to reach Nakthan village and continue with the route 1. This is perfect for people who are staying in Tosh for the night and wish to trek early morning to Kheerganga.
• From Barshaini, if you take the right turn from the bridge, you will reach Kalga village. Kalga Village route is quite different and passes through a dense forest and can be a little confusing. However, there are usually many people on this route so you should be good. Also, this route joins the main route midway.

 I used route 3 while reaching Kheerganga summit and route 1 while descending back to Barshaini village.

Through Kalga Village

You need to turn right from the bridge of the Barshaini village and follow the path till the road ends. Then, you need to climb up, the first few steps will be a little steep but you would have a few rocks at your disposal to take support.

Once you have climbed a little, you will see an open enclosure with a small hut. You can rest here for a while or you can hike for another 10 minutes to reach the first food stall point of this route. The trail will be straightforward to this food stall point.

After hiking for another 2-3 km, you will see a small waterfall and a bridge over this waterfall. You carry on for another 2 minutes on this path and you will find the second food stall point of this trek route.

Keep hiking further, now you will come across a steep 1 km stretch which you need to carefully ascend. Once you cross it, you will see a huge waterfall and a small café here named Shalom Waterfall Café where you can enjoy a hot plate of Maggi and tea. You can also fill your water bottle from here as the water is clean here.

The trekking trail will become slightly difficult after the waterfall and is a continuous uphill climb. Also, the trail is properly marked and you can enjoy the forest scenery while making your way on it. It can become a tiring but you are shaded from the sunlight so the cool air helps you relax. Make sure you have sufficient water for this stretch.

After 2 km of hiking, you will come across another small waterfall and café. From here, the summit is just another 2-3 km and will take around 45 – 60 minutes to complete.

Through Tosh and Nakthan Village

If you are looking for a more scenic and shorter route for this trek then the Nakthan Village trail would be perfect for you.

Take the left turn from the Barshaini village fork and climb downhill to cross the river and reach Nakthan village. The first 1-2 km of the trail will be covered in stones and you will simply need to cross it.

After that, you will reach the Nakthan village, which is located on the right side of the Parvati river. Nakthan village is known for its small wooden houses and offers a few cafés as well where you can relax or eat something.

After crossing the village, you will come across the Rudranag Temple and a peaceful waterfall nearby. There is also a Dharamshala near this temple where you can stay and a couple of cafés. You can also fill your water from this waterfall and enjoy the pine forest views close to the mountain peaks.

After another 1-2 km, you will come across a bridge on the right that crosses a big waterfall stream. Here, you will have a basic dhaba offering staying facilities as well.

Once you cross the bridge, keep moving uphill and in another 1-1.5 km, you will reach the small waterfall and café. This point joins with the other route through the Kalga village.

From here, the path is similar to the other route and you will reach the Kheerganga summit in another 45 – 60 minutes.

Planning the Trek Details

As mentioned above, the total kheerganga trek distance is around 20 km, so you can choose to make it a day trek or camp for one night at the summit and return the next day. As for the trek difficulty, it is moderately easy regardless of which route you choose.

While the Nakthan Village is simpler and more straightforward, it lacks cover against the sunrays. And the Kalga village offers the forest cover but can be a little steep at times. So, it is up to you which trek route you would like to choose.

Ideally, it takes around 4-5 hours for the ascent and 2-4 hours for the descent.

Yes, it is possible to do this trek in a day but you would need to leave early for that. This is not possible if you are reaching Barshaini around 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. So, you would need to stay the night at the Barshaini village and then start the next day around 5 a.m.

This way, you will reach the summit around 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. You can spend 2-3 hours at the summit and then reach Barshaini back by 2 p.m. to catch the last bus to Bhuntar. You can choose to spend more time at the summit and enjoy the hot springs as well, this way you will reach Barshaini by 5 p.m.

Two-Day Trek

On the other hand, if you choose to camp at the Kheerganga summit for the night, then you can leave for Barshaini once you reach from Bhuntar. It will take 4-5 hours so you should reach Kheerganga at around 5 p.m.

You stay the night and enjoy the sunrise the next day. The next day, you can start around 12 p.m. for Barshaini and you will reach back in time to catch the last HRTC bus to Bhuntar.

Note: You would need to book a trekking package if your plan to reach Kheerganga in December, January, or February due to the snow.

Best Time to Visit Kheerganga

One of the best things about this trek is that it has a pleasant temperature throughout the year. So, the best time for the trek is throughout the year, even in winter.

If you wish, then you can trek here in the winter months too but you will have to plan well for this journey.

Below is a breakdown of what you can expect to find in Kheerganga in different months:

March to June (Summer Season)

Summertime is undoubtedly the best time for this trek if you wish to escape the summer heat. In fact, most people plan the Kheerganga trek from Delhi during these months to relax and chill in pleasant weather.

However, since Kheerganga is at a high altitude, the temperature stays cool throughout the trek in summers as well. This is why you need to carry warm clothes on the trek during the summer months as well.

July to September (Monsoon Season)

Although trekking to Kheerganga in monsoon months can be a little tricky, it is quite rewarding as well. During these months, the entire valley is covered in lush greenery which can be a magical sight.

However, it will be colder at the summit so pack warm jackets and thermals to wear at night. Also, the trek trail is muddy and slippery at this time so, pack good waterproof hiking shoes for your trek.

October to February (Winter Season)

Finally, you can even trek here in the winter months but you need to be more careful. Kheerganga in October and November is still manageable and would simply require you to pack more warm and woolen clothes.

However, if you want to trek to Kheerganga in December, January, or February then you would need to hire a local guide and porter. You can also find a winter trek group and join them because trekking on your own to Kheerganga in winter months is not easy.

What and Where to Eat on the Trek

At the kheerganga summit.

You won’t find any proper food establishment at the summit but the camping vendors do offer basic meal facilities. Although it will be quite expensive, so you might want to carry your own food for camping up at the top.

Please make sure that you don’t litter including any food waste or water bottles at the summit.

On the Trek

You will find several cafés and food stalls on the trek to Kheerganga summit on every trekking route. You can get Maggi, Parathas, Fruits, Packaged Foods, etc. in these food stalls. However, if it is a long weekend then most of these food stalls empty out early in the day. So, it would be better if you purchase snacks from the base itself and carry it with you.

You don’t have to worry about purchasing water bottles as there are several clean river streams and waterfalls on the way. Just carry a refillable water bottle with a carbon filter and you are all set for the trek.

Note: If you are trekking to kheerganga in December, then check from the base villages whether you will find food on the way or not.

Where to Stay during the Trek

Depending on which route you choose and when you start to trek, you have a few accommodation options available that you can choose from.

Barshaini and Tosh and Kalga

As mentioned above, Barshaini is the last motorable road in the valley and is a small town with a few staying options in the form of homestays. So, if you are planning to start your trek from Barshaini, then you can stay in Barshaini for the night and start early the next day. In Barshaini, you will find a few basic dhabas and grocery stores to buy food and other essentials.

From Barshaini, a road diverges for Tosh village and the village is around 3 km away. Since Tosh is a popular destination, you will find a lot of accommodation options available here. From hotels to homestays, you will find everything here which be a little pricey since Tosh is a popular tourist destination.

There are several cafés here where you can enjoy some delicious meals while enjoying the Parvati valley view.

Kalga Village

Another option is to stay at Kalga village where you will find a few cheap and basic homestays. There will be in-house cafés as well where you can eat.

Ideally, the cost of stay at any of these villages should be around 200-400 INR per day per person.

In 2018, the High Court of India had banned camping in Kheerganga and shut down all the shops and stays here. This was done in an attempt to stop the littering in the area and preserve the natural beauty of this place.

While this was an amazing idea for the preservation of nature, it did leave a lot of adventure travelers high and dry as they couldn’t spend a night at Kheerganga.

However, that is not the case anymore. We have received updates from the locals that only the permanent structures have been removed from here. You will still find several camping vendors in Kheerganga, at the summit.

Is camping allowed in Kheerganga?

Yes, you can camp in Kheerganga and can easily rent a tent for 300 – 500 INR from one of the camping vendors here. They will also prepare meals for you for which you need to pay more.

Also, the strict no-litter policy has been implemented here so, make sure you carry your litter with you to the base and throw it in a garbage bin.

Can you take your own camping equipment for camping here?

Yes, you can also take your own tent to camp at Kheerganga. However, you would need a permit from the HP Forest Department, Shamsha that is around 1 km from Bhuntar.

A Must Take Trek: Valley of Flowers Trek in Under INR 2500

ATMs near Kheerganga

There is no ATM near Kheerganga or around Tosh, Barshaini, etc. as well. In Kasol, you will find a single ATM that is usually out of cash for most days. There are a few ATM vendors in Kasol but they tend to charge a high fee for withdrawing the amount.

Apart from that, you will find a few ATMs at Manikaran too but most of the time, these ATMs don’t have enough cash in them.

So, it is advised that you withdraw cash before starting your trip.

Network Availability on the Trek

Barshaini is the last point where you might get a signal on a BSNL sim but the chances of catching network on other Network providers are quite dicey. On the trek, the BSNL network works intermittently but there is no signal at the top of the trek.

Make all your important calls before starting the trek, possibly in Kasol or Bhuntar.

Essential Things to Carry on the Trek

When I first trekked to Kheerganga, I had no idea about what I should carry so it was quite uncomfortable for me. So, make sure that you do carry these essential items when trekking to Kheerganga.

• Warm Clothes
• Woolen Socks
• Warm Jacket

As I have repeatedly mentioned above, Kheerganga’s temperature stays cool throughout the year. And while during the trek, you won’t need to wear a lot of warm clothes as you will automatically feel the heat due to trekking, you would need warm clothes for evening and night.

Make sure you carry 2-3 pairs of thermals with you to keep yourself warm at night. Apart from that, you would also need multiple pairs of woolen socks, a woolen cap, and a warm jacket.

Also, if you are planning to take a dip in the hot spring, then do carry a swimwear with you too.

Note: If you plan to trek to Kheerganga in winters, you would also need a waterproof jacket and a few waterproof clothes so that the snow doesn’t drench you wet.

Accessories

In the afternoon, it can be quite sunny here so you will need sunglasses and a hat to keep your eyes and face protected from the sun rays.

Trekking Equipment

• Hiking Shoes
• Trekking Pole
• Backpack or Rucksack
• Raincoat or Windcheater

Another important thing to carry with you is the essential trekking gear for this route. You definitely need to buy or rent a good pair of hiking shoes (waterproof and non-slippery) along with a trekking pole for an easies and more convenient trek to the summit.

If you are trekking to Kheerganga in August or September then you would also need to carry a raincoat or a windcheater to protect yourself from the rainfall.

And most importantly, carry a day pack of 10-20 liter for the day trek and a backpack/rucksack for a longer trip.

Other Essentials

• Energy Drinks

Finally, as advised, make sure that you carry sufficient snacks for you for the trek and do carry a few energy bars and drinks as well.

Apart from that, you should carry a First Aid Kit for unexpected accidents. You would also need a torch to see your way at night and a power bank to keep your phone recharged for the descend.

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Kheerganga – a detailed trek guide.

Through the valley where the magical Parvathi river flows is this trek to the humble abode of Lord Shiva – Kheerganga.

It is an easy 2-day trek, following trails through iconic temples, enchanting waterfalls, picturesque deodars and hot springs.

I had covered the distance of approximately 15 km with the help of a trekking guide and a group. The trails are beyond fascinating, and there is a good share of a chance of getting lost here if you’ve not been here before. The locals are familiar with the trails and shorter routes, so it’d be easier to trek along with a group.

At an altitude of 2950 m above sea level, the terrains are quite steep but an easy climb until the waterfalls.

Maximum Elevation: 2690 Metres

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best Time to Visit: April–June and September-November

Duration: 2 days

Table of Contents

The ideal time to visit

It’s a feast of all seasons at Kheerganga, as it can experience the extremes of all. Winters can get extremely cold with snow being sprinkled over you very often. If you’re used to the Himachal climate, Parvathi valley can hold quite the normal scale of temperature drop to you.

Take extra precaution during winters as the trails get covered by snow and you might find a hard time figuring out the route if you’re travelling solo.

During summers of early June, the temperature can rise up to 45° and the snow melts off in the form of glacier rivers.

So be it the December chills or the May heat, based on your preference, you can choose to trek at any point of time to Kheerganga.

How to reach Kheerganga

Flights, even though one of the most convenient options, are not the most reliable ones due to the fluctuating nature of Himachal climate.

The nearest accessible airport is the Kullu Manali airport in Bhuntar. At a distance of 53 kilometres, the airport has frequent domestic flights.

From here on, the onward journey will be facilitated through public transport services such as cabs or buses.

The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar railway station, from where you can reach Kasol within 4-5 hours via NH154. Kheerganga is another hour drive away from Kasol.

The rail-network has trains connecting major cities with the town such as Chandigarh, Palampur, Ghatasni and so on.

If you have the provision of a personal vehicle, taking the road to Parvati valley is always the best option. It is one of the most convenient ways to get to the valley.

There’s also an unavoidable personal space and choice of pit-stops. The travel might get longer than it was charted, but to me the longer I was around Himachal, the merrier it was.

From Delhi, it’d take approximately 13 hours to reach Kasol without much interruptions other than the few halts en route.

Through the Delhi-Manali highway, the roads that lead to the village of Bhuntar are pretty smooth. It gets a lot steeper from Bhuntar to Parvathi valley.

The last motorable road is Manikaran.

Staying around Kheerganga

During the months of summer, Kheerganga is crowded with those seeking the perfect summer retreat. Hence it’s quite important to know the stay options and their feasibility before-hand.

There are various options available from resorts to ashrams, but most of them would be filled, so try pre-booking your stay.

The most cost-effective and peaceful stay in Kheerganga is what the common rooms of the Ashram provide. Maintained by the monks and sadhus, this place is a common option opted by trekkers. Rooms are accounted for on a daily basis and can cost barely Rs.150.

Food can cost quite a fortune in Kheerganga and the rates of everything, beginning from a simple bowl of Maggi to a full-fledged thali, will be double.

The ashram is among the very few places that gave a decent North Indian platter for a meagre price.

Amidst the rudimentary settings, are almost a dozen huts that facilitate a stay at Kheerganga. Private huts start at a rate of around Rs. 500. These huts have all basic necessities, and for extra services, you might have to pay extra, like an additional blanket or a room heater.

Simple lodges can be found along the route, and most of them also have an open-air cafe attached. The places were simple in nature but did not compromise quality or accommodation capacities. They seem to have the capacity to hold around 100-150 people at one go.

Most of these cafes also have a very hippie vibe to it, with vivid coloured doodles, wind chimes designed like dream catchers, and a very common image of Bob Marley.

If you’re directly moving for the trek, you can find tent facilities around Kheerganga itself. In case that’s the plan, you could also carry your own camping gear and pitch a tent by making a minimal fee.

Endless stories

Passed down like a family heirloom, the traditional culture of story-telling lives through the people here. While I was sipping on to some homemade wine and munching on the cheese coated snacks, I was told the stories and mythological importance of the place.

Kheerganga is also a lot more like wine that just got better over time. The antiquity it holds, added along with its pristine beauty, Kheerganga’s popularity has grown over time.

Among the stories that were shared with me, is my favourite of the mythological reference regarding this place.

Karthikeyan, son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi, is said to have meditated and conducted prayers at Kheerganga. After years and years of meditation, his parents came by to visit their beloved son.

Overwhelmed by his dedication, his mother stayed by to cook for her son. With the help of the hot water spring that flows by Kheerganga, she cooked Kheer (rice pudding) for him.

A lot of them associate the name of this place to this expression of the love of the Goddess.

The name in itself can loosely be translated to “Milk like sacred water”.

Considered as sacred as the holy Ganga, the springs here made me feel like I was dipping my feet into warm milk. The shades are a blend of pure pearl white along with the roughness of graphite-like rocks.

Kheerganga is relatively less steep than other trekking experiences in Himachal. At an altitude of 2950 m, the entire distance that will be covered will come around 7-9 kilometres. Based on your speed of pace the duration will vary for about 4-6 hours.

The base camp is Barshaini. Reaching here is not much of a task as there is frequent transportation available from Bhuntar to Barshaini.

With several deviations and shortcuts, the trails might feel a lot like a confusing maze, if you don’t have a proper route map or a guide.

From Barshaini itself, there are more than 3 routes to reach Kheerganga. The locals know most of these routes like the back of their hands.

The trek can also be shortened to the duration of a single day. This would require you to reach the spots much earlier than planned. Taking the proper routes after asking the locals would reduce the time you’d take to get back to Barshaini from Kheerganga.

Barshaini – Kheerganga

The base camp has many facilities including decent network, Dhabas, accommodation, and small scale provision stores.

Buy necessary materials from here and leave off for the trek as you may not find any shops en route. Just a few miles from Barshaini is a bridge that paves the way to Nakthan village.

A different route than Nakthan is the Kalgha village, which can be accessed by taking a deviation from the same bridge. This route is taken by very few trekkers and more by the localites.

The Nakthan route is mostly preferred as it is the shortest and most convenient trails. Due to the village settlements along the line, it becomes easier to ask the villagers to guide you as well.

It’s an easy climb to the village, amidst the fresh apple orchards and small cafes for trekkers to stop by and relax.

With the beautiful Parvati river gushing down the gorges and neatly arranged huts alongside it, Nakthan is a paradise disguised in the form of a hamlet.

Barely a 30-minute walk from here is the infamous shrine of Lord Shiva – Rudranag temple. There’s always a good share of localites welcoming you to this abode of Shiva, and over the time it has become a ritual to halt here.

This place is one of the important milestones for yet one more reason.  The humble stone temple leads the way to the Rudra Nag waterfalls. Waters here can be used to refill your bottles, it’s that crystal clear and pure.

A 100 m steep ascend from here is the Kheerganga camping site.

Once you’ve pitched your tent and unpacked, you can rest for a while before leaving for the hot water spring – Parvati Kind. Warm water creating ripples around your feet with the snow-covered mountains in the background is the perfect way to relax after the trek.

Kheerganga – Barshaini

I was awake by the early hours of 6 am because of the cold air that had breezed into the tent. Waking up this early has its own perks. I could spend a few extra peaceful hours at the hot water spring, before trekking back to Barshaini.

While I sat there, not wanting to go back, I remembered one of the infamous quotes of Henry Thoreau.

“On tops of mountains, as everywhere to hopeful souls, it is always morning.”

I had not understood the quote until that very moment when I had reached the summit and saw the first rays of sunshine make their way through the marshmallow clouds.

After a warm cup of chai and some filling breakfast, we walk back through Rudranag and Nakthan villages.

Almost half an hour from the Rudranag temple, before the bridge you could spot a small Dhaba like setup. You can halt here and munch onto some snacks before tracing your route back to Barshaini.

On the way back I had spotted several shepherd’s who were walking their cattle to the mountains. Every morning they pick up their sticks and take their sheep’s and goats to the meadows of Thakur Khan, that falls after Kheerganga.

One thing to keep in mind is to never follow unorthodox trails and take shortcuts to reach earlier. Unless you’re sure about the routes and have proper assistance, never depend on such trails to get back to your base camps.

From Barshaini, at a trekking distance lies the village of Tosh. This is one of the best places to shop for little souvenirs and also an easier route to Kasol, which lies about 4-5 hours drive away.

In case you’re opting for public transport from Barshaini to Bhuntar, make sure you communicate about it and remain informed about the last bus from Barshaini. There are not many buses after evening, so make sure that you access the bus by the timings enlisted on the Himachal Road Transport Corporation website.

Things to keep in mind

• If you’re a beginner, it would be best that you prepare yourself for the trek with light warm-up exercises.
• Always carry water along with you on the trek. Don’t depend on purchasing water bottles on the route.
• Refilling points are available around the Ashram and the waterfalls.
• Keep necessary first aid in your backpack in case of mountain sickness or injuries.
• Make sure you carry energy-providing foods, and particularly something sweet. Candies will prevent your throat from going dry and the sugar will also provide with the necessary energy for the climb.
• If you’re carrying your own camping gear, make sure it has waterproof tents and sleeping bags.
• There is no good network around Kheerganga. If there are important calls or messages that you have to make, do it from the base point.
• Keep the trails clean and do not litter it up, this way even others can enjoy the unadulterated beauty of Kheerganga.

Laxmi mohan

Managed to pass science just because Walter White made chemistry sound interesting. Took a while to realise writing was what actually interested me, hence the Journalism degree. Quite the contrasting brain with Gulzar on mind and Garde in talks.

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Kheerganga: Trekking To A Himalayan Heaven Of The Restless Souls

• Post last modified: UPDATED ON: April 16, 2022

Kheerganga is a vast camping ground perched in the middle of the mountains in the famous Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It attracts a lot of tourists during the tourist season of 7-8 months from March to November every year. Although people used to hike till Kheerganga throughout the year, but the main tourist season is from March to November only. It requires an ordeal of 12-kms trek on a relatively easy trekking trail to reach Kheerganga from the nearest motorable road. Since, the trail is fairly smooth and takes 4-5 hours to reach there at Kheerganga, this trek is one of the most popular trek in the Himalayas.

However, being a fairly easy trek doesn’t deprived one from the breathtaking natural beauties of Himalayan Vista. It is a actually a prefect packaged destination for many. It has a wide camping ground surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains, a temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeva, a natural hot spring with an artificial swimming pool and splendid beauty of nature in every direction. During the tourist season, the villagers from the lower areas arrive here to operate their makeshift guesthouses, restaurants and small shops. Suddenly, in the beginning of March, Kheerganga looks alive with the beautiful souls from all around the country.

Where is Kheerganga?

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Kheerganga is situated in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is a vast meadow perched in the mountains at the height of 2960 m (9700 ft approx). The nearest major town is Bhuntar/Kullu. Kasol and Manikaran are other popular town in the vicinity.

By Road: Public buses from Maharana Pratap ISBT Delhi or Sector 43 ISBT in Chandigarh. Any public bus going towards Kullu/Manali can drop you at Bhuntar. Walk for 100 meters on the road towards Kasol and you reach at a bus stand for the public buses going towards Kasol, Manikaran and Barsheni. Get a public bus to Barsheni. From Barsheni, it’s a 12 kms trek to Kheerganga. If you want to spend some time at Manikaran (where you can bath in a hot spring and eat in a lunger), then get a bus to Manikaran and from Manikaran another bus to Barsheni. But after 3 PM, it is hard to get a public bus from Manikaran to Barsheni.

By Air: Nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu, IATA Code: KUU). One or two daily flights operate bewteen Delhi and Bhuntar. Just walk outside the airport terminal, and after few minutes, you can reach to the bus stand for the public buses to Kasol, Manikaran and Barsheni.

I asked this question to at least 10 people during my trip to Kheerganga, that why Kheerganga? And unanimous reply was the Puff. Puff, the local name for marijuana. But, isn’t it a trekking destination? Yes, it is. In fact, it is one of the most beautiful trekking destination in India for the natural hot spring bath. Also, the meadow is vast, views are breathtaking in every direction and serenity is everywhere. You should visit Kheerganga for your first Himalayan Trekking experience, for Puff (Not endorsing it 🙂 ), for pretty young college crowd and for hot spring bath. You should visit it to get the feel of Hippie Trail in India. You should go there to check your backpacking stints or simply for camping in the wild. Just for information, there is an enclosed separate bath section for the girls at Kheerganga.

March to May and then September to November. It also gets snowfall during the winter, so you can enjoy a winter trek during the month of December or January. June and July is rainy season and sometimes it rain heavily in the area.

Yes and it’s perfectly okay unless you are under the influence of Puff (that can be fatal on any trek any day) and taking the riskier route via Kalga Village. At few points on that route, the trail is so narrow that a slight distraction can be fatal. On the other route via Nakthan Village you can trek at your own leisure without risk of falling from the cliffs.

Not at all. It is one of the most accessible trek in Indian Himalayas for every age group. A person with an average fitness can easily reach Kheerganga in 5 hours from the starting point of the trek.

If you just want to tag the place in your list of achievements, then one day is sufficient. Start in the morning and return by the evening. But, it’s better to stay there for one night at least to get the feel of Kheerganga. If you are an admirer of Hippie Culture, then one week may not seem enough. After all, where else can you get an accommodation in Rs 100 per night and unlimited access to the Puff?

The trek starts from the Barsheni Village in Parvati Valley , a small village approx. 16 kms away from Kasol and 12 kms from Manikaran. It takes almost 4-5 hours of comfortable hike to cover the distance of 12 kms from Barsheni Village to the Kheerganga Camping Site. The trek can be commenced in the early morning, and it is possible to return to Barsheni or even Kasol, after spending few hours at Kheerganga on the same day. However, it is advisable to spend at least a night at the camping site to enjoy the beautiful surrounding.

Yes, it’s perfectly safe. No feeling of remote area, no issue of mobile coverage, no issue of theft, burglary etc. The local people are very kind and cooperative. No dense forest and relatively busy route.

Network coverage is an issue, although you may get one or two bars of network signal of Airtel or Jio connections.

The heavy rush of tourists comprises the variety of people- the restless souls searching their inner peace in the Himalayas, the hikers wishing to hike on an easy trail, the pilgrims expecting to get the company of Lord Mahadeva and the youth wishing to enjoy the best quality puff (it may sound awkward to read this word so many times in this post, but Puff is the bitter truth of the Parvati Valley. I personally don’t smoke 🙂 ) in the region. The charm of Kheerganga attracts thousands of souls every year, however, the truth is that majority of tourists arrive here to enjoy the fine quality Puff (Hashish) at cheaper prices. In the evening, when darkness prevails outside, an aura of light and music appears inside the large common rooms of guesthouses , the atmosphere gets soaked with smoke of the Puffs and multiple rounds of drinks. At that time, Kheerganga or for that matter, many places in Parvati Valley, turned into the last crusader of the Hippie Movement in India. Then it appears that we have arrived in the era of the Hippies, where everyone is busy in his own cocoon, escaping the brutal corporate world outside.

The trek to Kheerganga starts from Barsheni, but the chances are very rare that you find any accommodation at Barsheni on the previous night of the trek. It is better to spend night in other villages around Barsheni, as Barsheni has very few options for the night accommodation. The other alternate options are:

Kasol /Manikaran: It takes almost 45 minutes to reach Barsheni from Manikaran and almost 1 hour from Kasol by a public bus. It is possible to spend a night at Kasol or Manikaran and then catch an early morning bus to Barsheni, from where you can start the trek as soon as possible. Kasol is a crowded place and always remains in party mood with lot of youngsters. Manikaran is a religious destination, again crowded with many pilgrims. But, both have plenty of accommodation choices. If you want to stay away from the crowd of both places, it is better to move deeper in Parvati Valley and spend a night at Pulga, Kalga or Tosh Village, and of course Barsheni Village.

Barsheni Village: There is an under construction dam on the Parvati River outside the village of Barsheni. The trekking trail to Kheerganga starts right after the dam site. So, it is very convenient to stay at Barsheni Village. However, the accommodation options at Barsheni are very limited (Probably 2-3 Guest Houses only). Also, Barsheni doesn’t offer the feel of a Himalayan Town/Village like the other villages in the region.

Tosh Village: Tosh is approx 2.5-3 kms further away from Barsheni Village and has plenty of accommodation options. Even during the high season, getting an accommodation at Tosh should not be a problem. But, being a favourite option among the crowd, Tosh is more costlier than the other villages. Also, when you stay at Tosh in the night, you have to descend for at least 2 kms in the morning, to the dam site at Barsheni, from where you can proceed further towards Kheerganga.

A direct trail from Tosh is also there to proceed towards Kheerganga, but I don’t have any idea on that. I heard that trail is a bit difficult and merges with the main trail near Nakthan village en-route to Kheerganga.

Pulga Village: Pulga village is on the other bank of Parvati River, just opposite to Barsheni Village. Although it has a lot of accommodation options, but getting a room can be difficult during the heavy rush. It requires 1.5-2 kms walk through the dam to reach Pulga from Barsheni Village. If you stay there at Pulga, you have to come to the dam site again to start the trek to Kheerganga.

Kalga Village: My favourite option for the night stay is Kalga village. It is situated on an upward slope on the right side of the dam site, approx. 10 minutes from the dam. It is less crowded as compared to the other villages and has plenty of the homestays and the guesthouses.

One hiking trail goes directly from the Kalga village towards the Kheerganga. In case, you stay at Kalga, there is no need to return to the dam in the morning, instead, you can proceed directly towards Kheerganga on that trail. It reduces the distance by 1 km at least. This trail merges with the main trail of Kheerganga after 2 hours of walk. Interestingly, very few people prefer this trail to Kheerganga. The main trail that starts from the dam proceeds along the river, however, the trail starting from Kalga proceeds on a hill in the middle of the pristine forest. Multiple shops are available at both the routes, where you can get the breakfast and other things to eat.

I hiked to Kheerganga via Kalga village and returned to Barsheni via Nakthan Village following the most preferred trail. Personally, I find the trail from Kalga is more beautiful and challenging than the one starts from the dam site. This trail is leading through the dense forests, sometimes being alone in a thickly vegetated section feels scary on this trail. A beautiful waterfall is also on the way. The route is a bit confusing at 2-3 places, but overall it is a well marked trail. The trail that starts from the dam is in very good condition and there is no chance of getting lost.

Plenty of options are available for breakfast and other meals. Although the trekking season started from March in the Parvati Valley, but it reaches at its peak after the mid April only. So, I found many shops are either closed or just started 1-2 days prior to my trek.

The Kheerganga trek is fairly easy. Although the trek length is almost 12 kms, but it is easily doable in 4-5 hours at the comfortable pace.

After reaching Kheerganga, you have mainly 3 types of accommodation options:

The Wooden Room: Three person can easily stay in this room. Rent is Rs 500 per night for a room. The rooms are equipped with wooden takhats(platform) and bathroom/toilet is in common area for all.

The Tin Shade Rooms: The per night charge is Rs. 300 for a single room. Mat and blanket is available, but you have to unfold them on the room floor. No cot or takhat is available. 3-4 persons can stay together in a room.

A Large Hall: Few guest houses at Kheerganga has a big hall, like a dormitory, where you can occupy a space on a wooden platform in any corner and charge is Rs. 100 per night. A single halls can accommodate 30-40 persons. In the night, you get a blanket to brave the cold and if it still feels too cold, probably one more blanket subject to the availability.

Apart from these, you can independently pitch your own tent anywhere on the vast camping ground at Kheerganga.

The hot spring situated near the temple is considered as very sacred. Most of the people prefer to bath in the hot spring after a long tiring trek. A large pool has been erected for the bathing purpose. There is a wooden enclosure to separate the ladies pool from the gents. You are expected to wash your body through the another water pipes before entering the main pool. The pool has a magical effect on the tired body. All the tiredness of the journey vanishes immediately. After the 4 hours of trek, it feels like a natural spa surrounded by the mighty peaks of the Himalayas.

A lot of ashes like particles are visibly floating in the pool. These floating particles have a great relation with the mythology of Kheerganga and its nomenclature.

The Mythology: It is believed that Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, meditated here for many thousand years. Mahadev and Parvati used to visit this site once in a while and Parvati used to cook Kheer for them. The particles floating in the pool are methodologically related to that kheer and hence, the name Kheerganga. I tried to find out the origin of these particles and walked upwards to the pool. I reached to a certain extent upwards and the floating particles were visible everywhere.

Kheerganga mostly remains peaceful during the day, and slowly turns into a party town as darkness prevails. In the evening, every corner of Kheerganga looks like a party ground of many groups of young travellers. In the large common halls of the guesthouses, people assemble in small groups to enjoy the Puff, the drink and the music. The snacks, dinner, food all are available at the seat. You just need to find a place to assemble your group. Tea, Maggie, Paratha, Rice, Dal, Puff, Beer etc all are available instantly at this remote camping ground in the Himalayas. There are heaters to keep the room warm till the party is over. During the normal days, the party life at Kheerganga come to a halt by 11 PM, when the room-heaters go off.

Following morning, most of the people head back towards their home. After half of the journey, the road again bifurcates to Kalga and Nakthan villages. I hiked on the trail from Kalga while ascending, so while descending moved on the trail to Nakthan village. This is also the most popular route and 90% of the tourists hike on this trail only.

The pristine calm around Rudranag Temple, fierce flow of Parvati River through the deep gorges, a splendid waterfall, lot of apple orchards and green fields near Nakthan village enhance the beauty of this trail. The trail passes through the middle of Nakthan village and provides ample opportunities to glimpse the routine life of this Himalayan Village. Nakthan also has many fooding and lodging facilities for the trekkers. Moving further, this trail connects to the main road to Barsheni Village near the dam, where you can get a bus for the return journey.

If you are young, wish to travel in a Hippie style or if you are a backpacker looking for Himalayan beauty on the budget, then Kheerganga is a must go attraction for you. But, if you are in the higher age group, where you prefer to travel with your kids and family to enjoy the vista of the mighty Himalayas, then Kheerganga may disappoint you unfortunately.

There is nothing specific to do at Kheerganga. It is neither a lush green valley of blooming flowers nor a spectacular setting on the bank of a pristine lake. Just expect to spend 1-2 nights in the lap of nature away from the noisy towns and cities. Be there to walk in a vast camping ground for 400-500 meters, offer your prayer at Lord Shiva Temple, enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural hotspring, soak in the erstwhile lifestyle of the Himalayan Hippies, that’s all about Kheerganga.

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This Post Has 6 Comments

Love an adventure, seeking for something challenging, then solo backpacking it is the @ land of wanderlust is who you would want to travel with

It’s good place to trek

Yes, it’s indeed. I love the vibes very much.

Did you choose any travel company or backpackers group while doing this

No, I went there alone. It is an easy trail, perfectly fine to go alone.

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Kheerganga Trek – A COMPLETE Travel Guide & Safety Tips

Kheerganga trek is one of the names that always come up when you talk about trekking in India at a beginner level. It is the most recommended one among all the treks in Parvati valley and takes you through some amazing scenery. It needs neither too much time nor any prior trekking experience which makes it perfect for any beginner trekker or a backpacker.

If you were planning a trip to Kheerganga, in this travel guide, I will explain the different trek routes you can take, places you can stay at and how much will it cost you approximately. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to add or ask them in the comments section below.

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About Kheerganga

Kheerganga is basically a meadow, perched at an altitude of 2960 meters (9711 ft). It is in the area that is part of the larger Great Himalayan National Park . There are two things that make it so famous. First is its beautiful setting at the top of a mountain. But more than that, it is known for its hot water spring which is also where it gets its name from.

Initially, Kheerganga was actually a pit stop on the way to Pin Parvati Pass trek . As the tourism in Parvati Valley grew, it eventually turned into a short trekking destination in itself. The easy accessibility, short duration, moderate climb, natural beauty, and the overall hippie culture in Parvati Valley is what contributed to the popularity of Kheerganga Trek.

Other than being a favored trekking destination, the place also has its significance in Hindu mythology (covered later in the article).

Kheerganga Trek Overview

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Duration: 2 Days
• Maximum Altitude: 2960 meters at Kheerganga
• Starting Point: Kasol / Barshaini
• Best time to Visit: April to June, September, and October
• Total Trekking Distance: 12 kilometers one way
• Budget: Rs. 2000 – 3000 (depending on the itinerary)

How to reach Kheerganga Trek

To reach Kheerganga, you will first have to reach Kasol by either your own vehicle or public transport. From Kasol, you will then drive to Barshaini and start your trek from there.

The easy accessibility and year-round connectivity of the region is one of the factors that attracts trekkers and backpackers to Kheerganga. Kasol is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Himachal and getting here will not be a problem at all. It remains connected by road for all 12 months and public transport is available on regular basis.

How to reach Kheerganga from Delhi

Let me first talk about the route you will take if you were traveling by your own car or motorcycle. I will assume Delhi as the starting point but even if you were coming from a different city, the majority of the details below will still apply.

Delhi – Panipat – Chandigarh – Rupnagar – Swarghat – Sundar Nagar – Mandi – Bhuntar – Kasol – Barshaini

Until Bhuntar you will follow the Chandigarh Manali highway. A little out of Bhuntar, you will continue straight towards Seound and Kaol rather than turning left towards Manali.

The total distance traveled will be about 510 kilometers in 12-14 hours. An early start from Delhi is strongly recommended so that you are able to reach Kasol well in time. Rest for the night and drive to Barshaini the next morning from where you will trek up to Kheerganga. More details on this to follow.

There is a regular bus service available on the Manali route from all major cities nearby. HRTC and HPTDC have daily buses that you can board or can even opt for a luxury bus by private tour companies. Your first destination will be Bhuntar. Board the Bus for Manali and get down at Bhunntar.

From the Bhuntar bus stand, look for a bus going to Manikaran. These are available on an hourly basis and pass through Kasol. The fare is about Rs. 30 per person.

The nearest airport to Kheerganga is in Bhuntar, also known as Kullu Manali Airport. The problem however is that flights to this airport are very limited and often canceled. It will also cost you more. Hence, a better option is to book a flight to Chandigarh and travel to Kasol from there.

The nearest railway station to Kheerganga is in Joginder Nagar, at a distance of 125 kilometers. This one however is a narrow-gauge track and connected with Pathankot with a Toy train (like Shimla Kalka toy train ). The next nearest major railhead is in Chandigarh which is also a better option. Finding a train to Chandigarh will be much easier and simpler.

How to reach Kheerganga from Chandigarh

After you have arrived in Chandigarh by either flight or train, you can find a taxi for Kasol from the railway station or the airport itself. It will cost you anywhere between Rs. 4000 to 6000 depending on the type of car you chose.

If not a taxi, you can also travel to the Chandigarh bus stand and find a bus for Bhuntar from there. At Bhuntar, you will then change buses and find another for Kasol.

Kheerganga Trek Itinerary

After you have arrived in Kasol, below is an example of an itinerary that you can follow. It also covers a couple of other tourist places in Parvati Valley but if you were short on time, you can remove those days.

Day 1 – Kasol

This will be the day you reach Kasol. You can look for accommodation in either Kasol or Chalal. If you were on a tight budget or looking for a less crowded place, Chalal will be a better choice. It is only a short distance from Kasol and you can easily cover it on foot.

Also Read:  Weekend Trip to Kasol – How to Plan your Itinerary

Day 2 – Kasol to Kheerganga

Stay at either of these places for a night and start early the next day for Kheerganga. I will strongly recommend starting as early as 6 or 7 AM, by the first light of the day. The total trekking distance will be around 11 kilometers and you will need around 5-6 hours to cover it. Starting early will ensure that you reached Kheerganga in time and had the entire evening to explore the place and enjoy yourself.

Starting towards mid of the day is not recommended at all. It means that you are risking nightfall while you were still on the trek. If the clock showed anytime past 11 AM, it is best to stay in Kasol for the night and attempt Kheerganga the next day.

Kasol to Barshaini

Your first destination will be Barshaini, the starting point of the trek. Irrespective of how you reached Kasol, you should look for a bus or shared cab for Barshaini or a private taxi if you were in a large group. If you arrived in your own car or bike, I will recommend leaving it parked at the hotel in Kasol.

Also Read:  Best Time to Visit Malana – When to Visit Malana and Kasol

Barshaini to Kheerganga

There are two routes that you can take to reach Kheerganga. The first route goes via Nakthan Village and the second via Kalga Village.

Shortly after you cross Barshaini, you will come across a bridge which will decide which route you were going to take. After the bridge, if you turned left, you will go via Nakthan Village. If you turned right you will go via Kalga.

Via Nakthan

The route via Nakthan is the most popular one, is shorter and this is what the majority of the trekkers choose. This is however also the more difficult route of the two. The trail climbs up at a gradual pace at first and then becomes really steep before easing out again.

A few kilometers after Nakthan Village, you will arrive at the famous Rudranag Temple. It is best known for its beautiful waterfall which is also one of the reasons why people prefer this route. There are also two big cafes here which serve full meals as well as home stays. I did not notice it but I think Rudranag has a Dharamshala as well, set up for the pilgrims.

Take a break, relax, and start walking again. A little after Rudranag, you will arrive at a bridge on River Parvati. After crossing this bridge, the steep uphill climb begins which will leave you gasping for breath, especially if this was your first time on a trek. There is a dhaba near the bridge if you want to rest for a while before starting on the difficult climb.

At this point, the second trail from Barshaini via Kalga merges with the one from Nakthan. From here on, it is just one trail all the way to Kheerganga.

Since it is the more popular route, the entire trail via Nakthan is very well marked and you will have no problem navigating your way.

The route through Kalga village is a little longer but easier. The uphill climb is not that difficult on this trail and the climb is gradual. Because of this reason, a lot of people will prefer to climb from Kalga and return via Nakthan.

A short walk after crossing the bridge from Barshanini, you will arrive in the village of Kalga. Who chooses this route? It is mostly people who are interested in getting some hash brownies. Yes, they serve them here in many cafes in the village. Just ask around. Word of advise though, even if you did get some brownies, do not eat them here in the village since you have an entire trek ahead of you. You do not want to walk this path while you were high.

After Kalga, you will walk through a large grassland before entering the forest again. You will cross a small stream of water and the trail will start picking up altitude after this.

About 2 hours from Kalga village, you will reach the bridge on the Parvati River. This is the same one after Rudranag that I described in the Nakthan route. If you want to see the temple and the waterfall, you will have to cross the bridge and get on the other side of the river.

This is where the two trails will merge.

If you want to go back on the Nakthan trail from Kalga, you can also do so in the village itself. Once you reach Kalga Village, you will notice an Om Shanti Guesthouse and Cafe. If you turned left from here, you will reach back on the trail from Nakthan.

Also Read:  Best Time to Visit Tosh | Best Time to visit Kasol and Tosh

Kheerganga Trek from Tosh

There also exists a third route to Kheerganga from Tosh Village. This trail is used by tourists who stay in Tosh for the night and want to reach Kheerganga the next morning. It merges with the one from Nakthan and the only difference is the path you take from Tosh.

If you want to reach Tosh, you can do that as well from Barshaini. About half a kilometer out of the village, you will come across a point where the road starts going uphill. This is the one that will take you to Tosh.

All of the above three trails will finally merge into one after Rudranag temple and after that, it is just one trail to the top. On the way uphill, you will find many cafes during the first half of the trek. Shalom cafe is probably the most famous one. After a while of trekking, you start seeing a lot of tents and cafes.

Congratulations, you have completed the ascent of the trek and have arrived at Kheerganga.

Also Read:  Parvati Valley Trip Itinerary – The Best Way to Plan your Trip

Accommodation at Kheerganga

Camping is the only choice of accommodation available at Kheerganga. You will have to carry your own camping gear though and can pitch your own tent at a suitable place in the meadow.

Earlier there were a lot of chadar tents and dhabas that were providing accommodation but were removed by the government in 2018 because of the littering problem. Some locals even put up bricked and cemented structures at Kheerganga, imagine that. These were all later ordered to be removed in order to preserve the ecology of the place.

But as it always happens with most places, not all structures were completely removed. If you find such dhabas still there at the time of your arrival, you can stay with them. Or else you will have to pitch your own tent.

If you were in no mood to camp on your own and could not find any form of accommodation, you will have to trek down to Rudranag temple and can stay there.

There is also a place called Ashram at Kheerganga, maintained by the Sadhus and Pandits. They offer a place to sleep for the night or as low as Rs. 200, including meals (daal, chawal, roti). You can also fill your water bottle from the natural water spring in Ashram and avoid buying packaged water at twice the MRP.

Also Read:  Best Time to visit Manali – When to go to Manali

Things to do at Kheerganga

Take a dip in the water, enjoy natural beauty, and have a fun evening. That is all there to do at Kheerganga. It is a tourist attraction itself in Parvati Valley. A fun evening, the adventure of trekking, some great views, camping experience, enjoying a bath in naturally warm water in an amazing setting; this is what Kheerganga is all about.

Day 3 – Kheerganga to Tosh / Kasol

How you plan this day is completely up to you. If you were short on time, you can go straight back to Kasol via Barshaini and return home. If you had a couple of days more in hand, I will highly recommend spending some time in Parvati Valley.

After you walk back down to Barshanini from Khherganga, rather than going back to Kasol, you can go to Tosh and spend a day there. Or you do not even have to come back to Barshaini even. You can take the Tosh Kheerganga trail from Nakthan itself. For more details, please read How to Plan a Trip to Tosh .

Day 4 – Malana Village

This will be another optional day. There is a motorable road all the way to Tosh. So on this day, drive down from Tosh to Malana gate and then trek to Malana village. This is probably one of the most mysterious villages in all of Himachal and you cannot miss visiting here if you were in the region. For more details, please take a look at How to Plan a Trip to Malana .

Cover the village during the day and return to Kasol by evening as you cannot stay overnight in Malana.

Day 5 – Kasol to Delhi

On the fifth day, you will return to Delhi from Kasol via the same route that you took to get there.

Mythology of Kheerganga

As per the legend, the place is named such because Goddess Parvati once cooked ‘kheer’ for her son Kartikeya in the hot water spring here. It is said that Kartikeya resided at this place and meditated here for years. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati would frequently visit him and once, out of love for her son, she decided to cook him a bowl of Kheer (rice pudding). She used the hot water of the spring and this is why it is believed to be milkish white in color.

Another legend states that Shiv and Parvati once asked Ganesha and Kartikeya to travel around the world. Lord Ganesha insisted that his parents were his entire world and walked around Shiva and Parvati in a circle. Kartikeya on the other hand embarked upon a journey around the entire world. When he returned after some time, he found Lord Ganesha enjoying the benefits of being the favored son.

This infuriated Kartikeya and he felt cheated. Out of anger, he moved to Kheerganga and started living here. Goddess Parvati came here to appease her upset son and cooked kheer for him.

A third legend states that the kheer appeared on its own and out of nowhere. That is how it was named as ‘Kheer ki Ganga’. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati realized that in Kalyug, it will become the source of fighting among. Hence they asked Lord Parshuram to remove the kheer out of the water. After Lord Parshuram was done, only hot boiling water remained and kheer was gone.

The waters of Kheerganga are also said to be rich in minerals and to have medicinal properties. It is said that taking a dip here can help cure several illnesses.

Clothes to Carry for Kheerganga Trek

If you visit Kheerganga during summers, you will experience pleasant weather. It will neither be too cold nor too warm, so carry plenty of your regular cottons and keep a sweater/jacket handy.

But things can get freezing cold if you visit around November – February. You may even experience snowfall here. Like in the pictures above, you can clearly see us wearing 4+ layers of warm clothes by decathlon. We were still shivering while sleeping. So bring along a very warm and windproof pair of jackets.

If you were trekking during the monsoons season, bring clothes that can dry faster. You will also have to bring proper rain gear because sometimes it can rain here non-stop. Trekking for 6 hours with the water beating down on your head is not something that you will enjoy. You must bring a poncho.

Good trekking shoes with a sold grip are a must. If you were going in winter when you will have to walk in the snow, you will need boots that can keep the snow and the wet out.

Also Read:  Bike Trip to Chitkul in Winter – Delhi to Chitkul Bike Trip

Mobile Network at Kheerganga

There is no reception at Kheerganga. BSNL has the widest coverage in all of Himachal but even it does not work at Kheerganga. There will be a network in Barshaini, Kalga, and Tosh. But you will lose connectivity shortly after you move out of Barshaini. If you were on a BSNL postpaid , you may get some intermittent connection on the trail and it may even work at Kheerganga in short durations. It will be best to call your folks before you start the trek and let them know of your well being.

Best time to visit Kheerganga

The best time to visit Kheerganga is from March to June, September, and October. This is the time when the trek is safest and the weather is pleasant. But you can actually attempt it at any time as per your own convenience. For more details, please read When is the Best time to visit Kheergagna Trek .

Kheerganga Weekend Trek

If you were short on time, then you do not have to stay in Kasol or anywhere in Parvati Valley. For example, let us say you want to plan the trek over a weekend from Delhi. Catch an overnight HRTC Volvo from ISBT Kashmere Gate on Friday evening. It will drop you at Bhuntar the next morning between 6 to 7 AM.

From Bhuntar, there are regular buses available for Barshani. It will take about 2 hours from Bhuntar which will put you at Barshaini by 10 AM at the latest. This will give you enough time to complete the trek the same day.

Reach Kheergagna and stay there for Saturday night. On Sunday, come back down to Barshani and catch a bus for Bhuntar. From Bhuntar find a bus for Manali and reach back home by late night or early morning.

Kheerganga Trip Cost (Approximate)

• Volvo Tickets to and from Delhi – Rs. 2500
• Bhuntar to Barshaini Bus – Rs. 200 (Total both ways)
• Stay at Kheerganga or any other Village – Rs 500 per day
• Food – Rs. 500 per day

Food on Kheerganga Trek

There are several eateries and dhabas on the way and you will easily find water and food at these places. Expect the price to be steep as food in Kheerganga is a little expensive.

It is recommended to carry your own water bottle. There are waterfalls and dhabas on the way where you can fill the water. At Kheerganga, you can either buy packaged water from the dhabas or fill your own bottle from the natural spring in Ashram.

Tips for Kheerganga Treks

Below are some important tips that can be of help while visiting Kheerganga.

• Do not litter. This is definitely the most important rule that you must follow. Bring your plastic bags or any other trash back with you and dispose of it wisely.
• Lack of oxygen or altitude sickness will not be a problem but if you were feeling short on breath and started to feel unwell with gain in height, it would be best to give up the plan and return to Barshaini.
• Consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited at Kheerganga but some cafe owners won’t mind you drinking in their establishment.
• If you were trekking in monsoon, or when the snow had started to melt, you will find the trail to be very slippery. Practice extra caution.
• You can go to Kheerganga throughout the year but the situation gets a little bad during monsoon and in winters. It would be best to call ahead and inquire about the condition.
• While walking down, the entire body weight shifts to the front, increasing the chances of slipping and falling down. Walk carefully and do not rush.
• You won’t need a guide for Kheerganga as such but if you can afford one, then you should hire one. They can make your life very easy here; whether it is in terms of setting up the tent or guiding the way.
• You must hire a guide if you were trekking during the peak winter season.
• You don’t want to get caught with alcohol or cigarettes anywhere near the lake.
• Please make sure you maintain the dignity of the place.
• Food is expensive at Kheerganga so you may want to carry some light snacks and chocolates along.

FAQs on Kheerganga Trek

Below are some frequently asked questions about Kheerganga.

1. Where is Kheerganga trek?

Kheerganga trek is located in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh.

2. Is Kheerganga Trek difficult?

Kheerganga is considered a beginner trek and its difficulty level is easy. With that being said, you will also have to be decently fit and be able to walk 5 to 6 kilometers without any problem. The trek is mild, especially in the beginning, and crosses through apple orchards.

Another trek like Kheerganga that you can attempt is the Triund Trek from Mcleodganj .

3. How to reach Kheerganga from Delhi by train?

The closest you can get to Kheerganga from Delhi by train is Chandigarh which is not beneficial at all. It will just complicate the journey. Hence, it will be better to travel by Bus.

4. How to reach Kheerganga from Mumbai?

The best way to reach Kheerganga from Mumbai is to board a train for Chandigarh and then catch a bus for Bhuntar from Chandigarh.

5. How to reach Kheerganga from Tosh?

There is a trail from Tosh that will bring you to Nakthan Village and will merge into the main Kheerganga trail there.

6. How to reach Kheerganga from Manali?

From Manali, board any bus going towards Chandigarh and get down at Bhuntar to change buses for Kasol. Or you can find a bus or shared cab from Manali itself for Kasol.

7. How long is Kheerganga trek?

Kheerganga is a 2 days trek. It will take you 5-6 hours to reach Kheerganga from Barshanini.

8. How to reach the starting point early in the morning?

It will be difficult to find a bus for Barshaini from Kasol early in the morning. Your best bet is to keep a taxi arranged or hitchhike.

9. Is there an ATM at Kheerganga?

No there is not. The last ATM is in Kasol.

10. How is Kheerganga Trek?

Kheerganga is a beautiful trail that offers you amazing views and a perfect trekking experience. Since its difficulty level is easy, you can attempt it even if you have no prior trekking experience.

11. Is Kheergagan Trek dangerous?

No, it is not as long as you stay on the main trail. Yes, there have been deaths on the trek but only when people tried something ‘adventurous’ or wandered off the main trail. There are a lot of short cuts on the route but these are really for the locals. These shortcuts are tricky and steep and as a tourist, you must avoid them.

12. Same Day Trek to Kheerganga

Yes, same day trek to Kheerganga and return is possible if you started from Barshaini by 6 AM.

Kheerganga Trek – Conclusion

I hope the information above on Kheerganga Trek was of help. If you have any questions or need any other details, please feel free to ask in the comments section below, or at our Community Forum , and I will be glad to answer.

Vargis.Khan

Not much to write about me really except for that I love to travel around whenever I can and to wherever I can. This blog is just a small attempt to share my travel experiences with the world. Hope you like it !!!

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About Kheerganga Trek

Are you seeking different roads for the fulfillment and happiness of your soul? If yes, then Kheerganga is your perfect destination. The adrenaline-filled Kheerganga trek enamors you with the vast bounty of nature and also kicks your spirit with adventurous offerings. The trek is snuggled in the laps of the quaint Parvati valley. It is one of the must-do treks that treat you to the hypnotic vista of Himachal Pradesh.

The trekking route of easy to moderate gradient offers you some real adventure which is different from the routine Himalayan treks. You tread on diverse terrains such as narrow trails running amidst the fields which suddenly open up to thickets of oaks and pines. As you journey through this alpine flora, there are bird chirpings and calls of jungle fowls that reverberate in the surroundings throughout.

Then there are rocky paths, vast meadows, and tricky ascents along the bubbly Parvati river that take you to the abode of Lord Shiva. The river-crossing over the thunderous Parvati river and gushing nullahs is an experience that knocks you out of your wits. You swiftly maneuver on tree trunks lest you end up falling in the surging water below.

The beautiful trekking route is interspersed with plenty of Dhabas that serve lip-smacking food. There is no shortage of water as gushing waterfalls serve as an excellent source throughout the route.

In short, Kheerganga's short and crisp trail has all the integrants of a heady mountain rendezvous.

Note: Do not venture into various shortcuts along the way as these routes are infamous for being dangerous. We advise you to follow a proper route that is well-paved and buzzes with activity all through.

Some Quick Facts About Kheerganga Trek

• Region- Himachal Pradesh Himalayas
• Trek Altitude- 13,050 feet
• Trek Difficulty Level- Easy to moderate
• Trek Duration- 2 Days
• Distance- 12 km, one way
• Start Point- Kasol
• End Point- Kasol
• Base Camp- Kasol
• Nearest Railway Station- Joginder Nagar
• Nearest Airport- Bhuntar
• Last ATM- Kasol and Manikaran, it is a possibility that the ATMs at these places are out of cash, so carry enough cash
• Water Availability- There are enough water bodies along the way to keep you hydrated after long stretches of walking
• Phone Connectivity- Not very reliable, you may get sporadic BSNL or Airtel signals intermittently but most of the trek does not have any mobile connectivity

About Kheerganga

The Kheerganga trek is touted as one of the most refreshing treks of the Manali region. It is a beautiful place famous for hot sulfur springs surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

There is an ancient temple nearby to provide solace to your spiritual soul. Kheerganga is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, thus making it a spiritual site.

Highlights Of Kheerganga Trek

Parvati valley.

The mesmerizing Parvati Valley is one of the most beautiful locales of Himachal Pradesh. You revel in the enchanting beauty of this magnificent valley for two days. You explore the marvelous landscape of cascading waterfalls, stunning Himachal terrains, mystic hot springs, and roaring rivers amidst the snow-capped peaks.

Mountain villages

The scenic villages of Kalga and Pulga en route take you back in time. You get a chance to take a sneak peek into the primitive life of mountain people and explore their distinct Pahari culture.

Hot Springs

Parvati Kund set amidst the most scenic natural environs is a must-visit. As you dip into the hot sulfur springs after a tiresome trek, your whole body undergoes a therapeutic overhaul. This natural jacuzzi at an astounding elevation of 13,000 feet is the most mesmerizing attraction of the wondrous Kheerganga trek.

The holy town of Manikaran is a famous pilgrimage center for Hindus and Sikhs. It has beautiful temples and the famous Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara. The hot sulfur springs of Manikaran are known for their healing properties. Do not miss the sumptuous Langar cooked in the hot springs. Kada Prasad is also offered to the devotees.

Camping under the star-lit night sky of Parvati Valley is the most heavenly experience. The dazzling skies are a treat to watch. One may end up staying awake the whole night to get the most out of this scintillating view.

The offbeat town of Kasol is a mini-township in itself. It is just a 20-minute walk from Manikaran. Set amidst the most sylvan surroundings, this European-style town is the hub of bustling activities and also offers a quiet reprieve to someone seeking blissful solitude. It is also known as Mini Israel because of the large number of Israeli tourists who visit here. Enjoy Israeli cuisine at any of the cafes located in the charming village of Kasol. There are some cafes inside the quiet solitude of forests too. You can stroll alongside the effervescent Parvati and Beas rivers, which flow near this pretty Himalayan hamlet.

Kasol boasts of a local market that sells beautiful mountain stuff. Here you can buy souvenirs for family and friends, as a memento of this epic fiesta.

The Legend related to Kheerganga

Kheerganga trek is associated with two mythologies.

One legend has it that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s son Kartikeya meditated at Kheerganga. Goddess Parvati cooked “kheer” in the hot water springs of the area for her son, hence the name Kheerganga.

According to the second legend, when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati visited this region, kheer appeared out of nowhere. Parvati Ji converted this kheer into water. The greyish color and milky complexion of the water is because of this.

Kheerganga Best Time

The best time to visit Kheerganga is between April to June and between September to November. The temperatures are moderate, and the valley is lush with a green aura all around. The air is salubrious and the weather at its pleasant best. Monsoon season should be avoided as rains make the region prone to landslides, and road blockages.

How to Reach Kheerganga

Joginder Railway Station is the nearest railhead. From here, one can take a taxi or cab to reach Kasol, which takes around 4 hours.

From Delhi, you can reach Kasol in 12 hours by car. The distance of 565 km. between Delhi and Kasol is well paved. The beautiful road journey is dotted with some amazing views and some good stopovers. Many state buses and Volvo buses from ISBT Delhi run between Delhi and Bhuntar.

From Chandigarh, it takes around 8 hours to reach Bhuntar. Once you reach Bhuntar, you board the bus to Manikaran and get down in between at Kasol.

Kullu Manali Airport, at Bhuntar, is the nearest airport to Kheerganga. It is 31 km away from Kasol. However, the availability of flights to Bhuntar is limited. Mohali Airport, at Chandigarh, is a more reliable option. It is located around 300 km away. Once you reach Bhuntar, you board the bus to Manikaran and get down in between at Kasol.

Weather and Temperature at Kheerganga

Here is a quick look into different seasons and temperatures during the same-

Summer Season (March to June)- This season is best to undertake the trek. The summer temperatures range from 13 to 37 degrees Celsius. The weather is at its pleasant best and interspersed with sporadic rains. If lucky, you can even spot rare animals stopping over by the river bank for a drink. Kasol reverberates with energy during this time and hosts hordes of festivals to entice tourists.

Monsoon Season (July to September)- The monsoon temperatures range between 22 to 32 degrees Celsius. Even though the region dances in green music and fresh air, undertaking this trek in the monsoon season is a risky proposition. The area is prone to landslides, and road blockages, and the trails become very slippery.

Winter (October to February)- The winter temperatures range between 3 to 10 degrees Celsius. In January, the temperatures drop down to 0 to -4 degrees. The winter trek becomes difficult as many areas become inaccessible during this time.

There are no animal sightings and the air is thin, making hiking difficult. Despite the snow-covered panorama of the place, it is not recommended to undertake the trek during this season.

Is Kheerganga Trek safe?

Kheerganga is a safe trek that can be undertaken by couples or even done alone. There are a lot of mountain villages and cafes on the trekking route, so you are never away from civilization for long.

Difficulty Level of Kheerganga Trek

Kheerganga is an easy to moderate level trek yet an adventurous one. One has to cross rocky terrains, meadows dotted with rare blooms, hot sulfur springs, and pretty waterfalls in the beautiful Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh.

Fitness required for Kheerganga Trek

The moderate gradient of the Kheerganga trek entails that one has some fitness level and endurance to be able to maneuver through tricky trails. It is recommended to start preparing at least 2 weeks before you embark on this trek. Start with brisk walks, jogs, and cardiovascular exercises. The camaraderie, fun, and positive spirit are essential elements for this trek.

Day 1 :  Kasol- Barshaini- Rudranag- Kheerganga

• Duration- 6 hours (1 hour by bus, and further 5 hours by trek)
• Highlights- Exploring the scenic Parvati valley, visiting Rudranag Temple and Rudranag Waterfall, taking a dip in hot sulphur springs of Kheerganga, camping under the glittering night sky

You board a bus from Kasol, which takes around 55 minutes to 1 hour to reach Barshaini. From Barshaini, you trek 12 km to reach Kheerganga. It takes around 5 hours to reach Kheerganga from Barshaini.

Day 2 :  Kheerganga- Rudranag- Barshaini- Kasol

• Altitude-5,182 feet
• Distance-12 km by trek (Kheerganga to Barshaini) and 16 km by bus (Barshaini to Kasol)
• Duration- 6 hours (5 hours by trek, and further 1 hour by bus)
• Highlights- Retracing the steps of Day 1, enjoying the downhill vista of the previous day.

Today is an easy trek. You wake up in the beautiful Himalayan vista surrounded by the lofty peaks. You descend downhill and retrace the routes of the previous day, clicking pictures and reliving the memories of Day 1. After trekking a distance of12 km, you reach Barshaini. Take a bus or cab from here to reach the buzzing hamlet of Kasol.

You can stay in Kasol overnight in a hotel. Give a grand finale to your mountain odyssey by exploring this magical town.

Kheerganga Trek

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Kheerganga Trek Guide 2024: History, Highlights, Best Time, How to Reach & Itinerary

Table of Contents

Kheerganga Trek is a well-known place in Himachali altitude (3500 meters) a radiant spot lying in Parvati valley of Himachal Pradesh toward the finish line of Sylvan. It is well known for hot water springs which are accepted to be restorative and this place secures a very heartily importance for the Hindus and Sikhs.

On this astounding trip go through some amazing destinations like – Kasol, Rudra Waterfalls, and Shiva temple in the Himalayas.

History of Kheerganga  Trek

The name Kheerganga is gotten from a legend expressing that the Keerganga springs were once loaded with rice puddings given by Lord Shiva. Kheerganga’s history is rich in culture and has significant importance for both Hindus and Sikhs. As per a local people on losing the race against Ganesha, Kartikey chose to keep himself away from the world and meditate on these slopes.

So, once Lord Shiva chose to take on the task himself, shaping a flood of kheer (rice pudding) to bring Kartikey back. This trip offers an incredible chance to explore the nearby people and their cooking styles. The camping of this trip gives a glorious perspective on the extraordinary snowcapped tops. While journeying amid Barshini, adventurers can observe the delightful Parvati valley that chasms from Barshaini and adjoin the town.

Key Points of Kheerganga Trek

Highlights of kheerganga trek.

• Meet and greet the locals of the town.
• Visits cafes of Kasol and enjoys some Israeli dishes.
• Know interesting stories by locals, why lord Kartikeya meditated here for thousands of years.
• Enjoy bathing in the hot water at Kheerganga.
• Enjoy the views of snow-capped mountains.

Location of Kheerganga Trek 

Kheerganga trek is situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh , which is 22km away from Manikaran, a pilgrimage town. The place is known for its hot water springs and scenic views of the Himalayan mountains. The trek for Kheerganga started from Barshaini. You have to travel around 12 km to reach Kheerganga. 

Read more: Chandratal Lake Trek

Best Time to Visit KheerGanga Trek

The temperature at Kheerganga Journey differs as per the season. Throughout the colder time of year climate at Kheerganga gets very cold and the temperature raises a ruckus around town, with snow covering the scene in sparkling snow. During summer the temperature goes up to 26 degrees. i.e., late in May or early June. In the winters and in the stormy season from October to February, the temperature ranges between 3 degrees to 10°C, and it’s been 32 degrees.

How to Reach Kheerganga Trek

Kullu Airport is the nearest airport to Kheerganga. There are direct flights from Delhi to Kullu.

Ahuj is the nearest railway station to Kheerganga. You take a train from Delhi to Pathankot or Joginder Nagar, then take local transport to reach at your destination.

From Delhi, book your bus from ISBT Kashmiri gate, or Majnu ka Tilla to Kullu or Manali then take local transport to reach at your destination.

Kheerganga Trek Itinerary 

Day 1: tosh to kheerganga.

Distance: 14 Km: 6-7 Hrs

Walk by the street from Tosh to Barshaini, a little town in the valley which is where you start the climb in the woodland. Cross the town of Nathan and the famous temple of RudraNag, both ideal put to enjoying a short break while heading to KheerGanga which is where you can spend the night in tents.

Day 2: Kheerganga to Barsheni to Bhuntar

Distance: 12 Km: 6-7 Hrs

Get up and take a bath in a hot water spring and eat. After breakfast, start your journey to Barsheni. From Barsheni, get the bus or jeep to Bhuntar. There are daily buses and taxicabs to Delhi from Bhuntar

Frequently Asked Questions for Kheerganga Trek

How long is kheerganga trek.

Kheerganga Trek Distance is around 12-13 Km regardless of your route.

Is there a mobile network in Kheerganga?

Airtel was working in Tosh, and in Kheerganga only BSNL works. In Kalga, airtel, and BSNL work.

Which SIM works in Kheer Ganga?

Only airtel and BSNL work there.

How far is Kasol from Kheerganga?

You have to cover 22 km to reach Kheerganga from Kasol

Is Kheerganga a difficult trek?

 Kheerganga Trek Height is around 2,956 meters above sea level, the difficulty of the trek ranges from easy to moderate, making it doable for both beginners as well as experienced trekkers. It can be easily done by children as well.

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Kheerganga Trek: Expected More!

The Post Has Been Updated with some latest info and travel guide

—–

Kheerganga is a trek that has become too popular of late, mainly due to the popularity of Kasol as a hippie joint. It receives a regular flow of trekkers, as a fraction of the party crowd in Kasol gathers enough motivation to try this one out. I spent some quality time in the Parvati Valley last year but did not try Kheerganga. So, this time I wanted to finish it off. Since it is a pretty popular place, I doubt I have anything new to say. But nevertheless, I managed to make it slightly more interesting by taking the wrong route at the start.

We made an early start just after 6 am from Kalga, a place that I’ve described before. (There is another route that bypasses Kalga in case you want to start immediately upon reaching Barsheini). We were too confident and did not ask anyone about the route. There was no one else around that morning, which was surprising for such a popular route. But we consoled ourselves by believing that we are the more hardworking ones who managed to wake up so early.

However, confusion began to grow as even after 2 hours, every sign of a clear trail was lost. Then we met some locals tending to their cows and realized that we have come the wrong way. But the return was even worse as we even lost the faint trail that we took. We were hearing the sound of the river and so kept walking downhill through dense forest, and had to use both our hands along with the legs to survive this stretch. Eventually we did come out of the jungle, and emerged just at the right point, where the real trek starts from the village. It was already 11 am and we were starting afresh.

Anyway, by that time we’d vowed to complete the trek by the end of the day or die trying. We moved ahead with our tired legs but thankfully the real trek did not feel that hectic. There were many even stretches where we just had to walk along a straight line.

The initial stretches are regularly marked with advertisements for something called The Waterfall Cafe. It is approximately the midpoint of the route and the final 500 metres to this point was much steeper. Considering the escapades in the morning, we’d already do e several hours of trekking and gladly accepted the not so inviting and overpriced food at the café, which was basically a temporary shack set under a waterfall. I washed my face and filled my feet in water, only to withdraw after half a minute. The water was ear, clean, and freezing. The next half was comparatively steeper and the jungle got a bit denser. But eventually it was not as hard as I expected. It took around four hours to complete it, which was not bad as we’d wasted a lot of energy in the wrong place earlier in the morning.

The Kheerganga top was somewhat underwhelming in terms of the views and overcrowded compared to something as basic as Triund . The views were decent but the exotic name had made expect much more. Anyway, we were tired and we started looking for accommodation for the night. There were basically three different options being provided. Tents, private rooms in apparently temporary wooden huts and large dormitories with dozens of mattresses spread on the floor. The last option was the cheapest with 100-200 per bed depending on the provider. However, they looked like Chinese opium dens and did not look very secure.

Eventually we settled down for one of the private rooms with a large double bed shared with two more people. So we were four people in the room that cost 600 for the night. Most of these accommodations also served as restaurants and the menus claimed to provided almost everything under the sun but less said about their quality is better. I understand that in such makeshift facilities it is not possible to do much but due to excessive commercialization they still end up making very tall claims.

As most people must be knowing already, the key attraction of Kheerganga is the hotwater spring. As a result, it also remains occupied almost all the time. Your best chance is to try it out very early in the morning before anyone else wakes up.

For a while we consider making further trek to Tunda Bhuj, a next point much higher up, which promised better views ad a respite from the crowd here. However, it actually lies on the very long and challenging Pin Parvati Pass route. So, I gave up on the idea and decided to come back for the complete trek some other time.

The return was quick and mostly eventless except one moment when I spotted the following animal. I am not sure what it was. Someone else thought it was a flying squirrel but I could not spot the wings. It was on the ground, probably injured, and so it could not run away. It probably needed care but I had no skills or expertise for the same. So, I moved on, hoping someone else does. I did not feel very good about myself. A disappointing way to wind up a disappointing trek!

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Kheerganga Travel Guide

This is a short guide to reach Kheerganga updated post the ban.

How to Reach Kheerganga?

As you probably know already, for Kheerganga , you need to reach Barsheini , the last roadhead in Parvati Valley, where the buses would go from Bhunter via Kasol and Manikaran . A 10 mins hike from here takes you to Kalga village, famous for its INR 150-200 stays where you can also stay. After that, you have three options,

Kalga to Kheerganga Route

This is the direct route from Kalga village that I took. It should not take more than 3-4 hours through this route to reach the Kheerganga top and most people take this one. At the midpoint, there is a waterfall here, with a shack called… well… waterfall cafe!

Kheerganga via Nakthan and Rudranaag

This is an alternate route that starts from Barsheni and goes through a villages called Nakthan and Rudranaag. But eventually this route also meets the other route somewhere after the midpoint and the final stretch of it is the sameas the previous one.

Kheerganga via Bunbuni Pass

There is a tougher alternative route through the Bunbuni Pass from Kalga. It is steeper, and less crowded. So, if you are a serious trekker and find that route too easy, try this one. Read this post on the Bunbuni Pass here written by a friend .

Where to Stay in Kheerganag?

This is the interesting part. When I visited a few years ago, the Kheerganga Top was full of unauthorized huts. Some of them offered dorm beds at INR 100 apiece while some offered “private rooms” at INR 300-500. The in 2018 there was a ban on these settlements to prevent overcrowing and pollution and so the trekkers had to arrange tents for themselves. I even wrote a post on Kheerganga Ban last year. However, I have learnt that some of them have come back this year. Not sure if there is a reversal of order or simple offoical leniency. But anyway, ask around in Kasol before you leave.

Bathroom in Kheerganag?

Don’t expect too much. There used to be open makeshift toilets set up by the same accomodation providers when I visited. That is what everyone used. Not sure if they still exist.

Food in Kheerganga?

I even noticed shops selling all sort of packed items. Those who provide accommodation also provided food. However, naturally they are very expensive at the top as the supplies need to be carried through the trek from below. You can carry light stuff with you to save costs.

Best Season for Kheerganga?

The most popular season for Kheerganga is Spring, Summer, and Post Monsoon.

Spring (March-April) It is a beautiful season in Parvati Valley. In the lower areas you will get nice weather and spring blossoms. At the top, there should still be some snow left from the winer.

Summer (May-June) It is still a good season. But this is also the season when it receives maximum crowd.

Monsoon (July-August) Rainy season is generally avoided because with too much rain it gets slippery and you can’t also enjoy much.

Post Monsoon (Sept-Oct) Post teh rain season, it is again a good season for this trek.

Winter (Nov-Feb) In the winters also you can do it. But in November the greenery fades a bit and once it starts snowing, it gets cold and challenging.

Kheerganga Winter Snow Trek

Yes, it is possible to do this trek in the winter. However, do note that once it snows, trekking becomes much more difficult. You can still do it but if you are not experienced, consider taking a local guide, and also enough supplies and protection from the cold. If you just want to see snow, I may suggest trekking in March because the severe winter is over by then but the snow should remain at the top.

Kheerganga Hot Spring Bath

Kheerganga gets its name from the natural hot water spring at the top. This is the main attraction and this is where everyone takes bath.

Seperate Women’s Section at Kheerganga Hot Spring

Yes, the bath is now gender segregated. The women’s section is seperate, and covered with walls.

PS1: People mostly club Kheerganga with other popular nearby areas like Tosh, the route to which also goes from Barsheni. Here is a Budget Guide for Kasol, Tosh, Malana .

PS2: For a more comprehensive post on the valley, read my Parvati Valley Travel Guide .

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24 thoughts on “kheerganga trek: expected more”.

The images you have captured are so beautiful and powerful. I can hardly take my eyes off them.. I can understand that touristy places can be often annoying. But when you get to see such beautiful nature miracles.. I am sure everything goes puff out of the window 🙂

Yeah, I hear a lot of stories about the Kheerganga trek these days, mostly bad experiences 🙁 Your pictures are quite good 🙂 The last one is adorable!!

Loved your captures..

Lucky you, that is indeed a flying squirrel!

Amazing captures! It is indeed scary to lose the trail. That happened to us once in Maharashtra, and it also started raining. Most of us actually kept sliding down a waterfall. It was terrible. Thankfully no mishap happened!

something about Truind trek

there is already a post for Triund…. plz search

Hi Jitaditya , good work and lot of good info there. Question: Kheerganga trek doable in one day? I mean going and coming back. How much time to consider for trek bothways?

It is possible. Just start early. 3-4 hours on both sides.

nice pics. which camera is used?

Sounds and looks like an incredible hike. Can only imagine the frustration when the trek is hard/impossible to find. Nice to hear that you didn’t give up and actually completed it. 🙂

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Nice pictures but I differ from your opinion of the place. The comparison of the dorm with a ‘Chinese den’ just kills the local culture of bonhomie and sharing spaces that Himachal offers.

Also, for food, I am sure quality is a subjective term, but for I can vouch that you can never get a gourmet food served to you at a high altitude. Heights like these are places where cooking a maggi too takes heck of an effort. I felt taste not to be exceptional but the hospitality and warmness the locals have here just changes everything. Even food at home tastes bad sometimes!

More than the place, its such a beautiful place to soak in the culture, talking to people about their experiences, is what makes it beautiful. Nature isn’t like a man-made luxury resort where you get everything plated to please you, nature pleases your soul if you can atune yourself with its rhythm, if not, it’s just as a disappointment.

Hey Vishal, I do not think you even read the whole thing before commenting. I am not pining for luxury but am expressing my disappointment at overt commercialization. And no, that cannabis den has nothing to do wth local culture. You can try out some other places that has yet been untouched bythe nflux of Dill-Punjab gang and will realize what true nature means.

And I wonder how you were not disturbed by the huge garbage dump out there for someone so eager to get attuned with nature.

Unfortunately I have to agree with the author of the article. It would have been wonderful if we actually got to experience the local culture and mingle with genuine trekkers there but people come to that for all the wrong reasons. The dorm is nothing but a hotbed of stoners smoking a joint. I most definitely don’t want to mingle with those people and neither do any respectable nature loving trekker.

Commercialization sucks. We don’t need cafes with tables and chairs at a trekking location. We don’t need coca cola and bisleri being sold in plastic bottles at these places. We don’t need expensive gourmet meals at these places. Comfort and luxury are not what we expect anyway when we set out to trek. So having these things actually kills the experience of raw nature and attracts the wrong type of crowd.

It was a great pleasure to meet you in Kheerganga and that remains one of my happiest memories from the trek. I wholeheartedly agree about Kheerganga being too commercialised now and that has taken away all the charm.

Perhaps thats why I couldn’t even write about it. Maybe I’ll write a post of my disappointments at Kheerganga as well.

Kheerganga is a trek that has become too popular. As this is a weekend trek so it is quite preferable short trek for business people.

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I cannot believe you lost your track because there was only one route when I did kheerganga trek. there are 2 routes though it will differ only when your starting point is different. Some people starts the tracking by going directly up from the dam and some goes down from the dam and then starts trek, although I went directly up from the dam and came back from below of the dam.

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The information you provided is aboustely good and you can also check: https://shhhstuff.com/kheerganga-trek/

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Kasol Kheerganga Trek - Good Friday

Nestled in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, Kasol captivates travelers with its scenic beauty. Situated in the picturesque Parvati Valley and embraced by the meandering Parvati River, it exudes tranquility. For adventure seekers yearning to immerse themselves in Himachal's breathtaking landscapes, the Kasol Kheerganga Trek presents an irresistible opportunity. This trek offers a memorable journey through lush forests, majestic mountains, and natural hot springs, culminating in the stunning vistas of Kheerganga. Along the way, travelers encounter the vibrant culture of the region, dotted with quaint villages and friendly locals. Whether trekking solo or with companions, the Kasol Kheerganga Trek promises an enriching and unforgettable adventure amidst the unparalleled beauty of the Himalayas.

DAY 0: DEPART FROM DELHI BY 06:00 PM

We depart from Delhi around 6 PM in an AC Vehicle. (Know the true value of time snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it.)

Pit stop for dinner at any decent roadside restaurant.

Note: The pickup point will be Majnu Ka Tila (Near Vidhan Sabha Metro Station)

DAY 1: REACH KASOL | KASOL EXPLORATION | OVERNIGHT STAY AT KASOL

Check in to the hotel, freshen up & have breakfast or lunch (Depending on the Arrival). 

After having breakfast, go for a hike to Chalal Village and capture some beautiful views of Parvati Valley.

In the evening, we will visit the Local market, try different cuisines at the local Hippie Cafe's.

Return to the Hotel & Overnight stay in Kasol.

DAY 2: TREK TO KHEERGANGA | OVERNIGHT CAMP STAY AT KHEERGANGA

After early morning breakfast, a briefing session by the trek leader sharing all the necessary details about the Kheerganga trek would be provided.

Trek will start from a village called Barsheni (22 km from Kasol) and you will be transferred to Barsheni in private vehicles.

It takes around 5-7 hours to reach the spring.

Check-in to the camps and head to the springs for an exquisite swim.

Spend the night under a sky full of stars and surrounded by mountains.

Overnight stay in Kheerganga.

Note - Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of participants etc. may cause itinerary change. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of safety, comfort and general wellbeing.

DAY 3: TREK DOWN TO BARSHENI | MANIKARAN GURUDWARA | TIME TO HEAD BACK

Wake up to see the first ray of sun falling on the mighty Himalayas.

Post breakfast, trek back to Barshaini (the same trail).

Drive to Kasol from Barshaini.

On the way, visit the holy Manikaran Gurudwara, famous for it's natural hotsprings.

In the Evening, We'll board an overnight bus for our return journey to Delhi.

DAY 4: REACH BACK TO DELHI BY MORNING

• Reach Delhi in the morning

Accommodation in a hotel at Kasol for 1 night & in camps at Kheerganga for 1 night.

4 meals - Breakfast (Day 1) + Breakfast & Dinner (Day 2) + Breakfast (Day 3).

Volvo for Delhi to Delhi transportation, Local Surface transport from Kasol to Barshaini and back

Team Captain throughout the trip.

Guide while Trekking

Frequent factors such as weather, road circumstances, the physical ability of participants etc. May cause itinerary modification. We reserve the rights to amendment any schedule in the interest of safety, comfort and general wellbeing.

In case of the itinerary change due to severe weather conditions or heavy snow, the liability of the expense of the four wheeler shall be arranged by the guest. Capture A Trip shall not be responsible for such circumstances.

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“ Went on kasol-kheerganga trek with justwravel, everything was arranged well. Since i wanted to go to tosh instead of kheerganga, that was also separately arranged. Sahil (tour lead) was genuinely helpful and catered to whatever we needed. ”

Prabhanu Kumar Das 341

“ I did weekend trip to Kasol Kheerganga Trek in November. I had an amazing experience. Everything was well managed and the food was just amazing. Covid precautionary measures were carefully taken. My instructor Miftah was very supportive and helpful. Overall, it was an amazing experience and would recommend Just Wravel to make your tour more fun and organised. ”

Paridhi Agarwal

“ I had a great experience with the JustWravel team. It was my second trip with justwravel team, Everything was organized and full of adventures and made with some wonderful people. Our Trek lead Mr. Kamran (Kasol Kheerganga trek) is a wonderful trek leader and full of enthusiasm, looking forward to plan a trip to Spiti valley with Kamran as trek lead and other staff were really helpful and motivated the whole group throughout the trip. Kudos to the team! Cheers! ”

Anshul Yadav

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Kheerganga Trek

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Kheerganga trek is one of the most well-known destinations for trekking and is located at an altitude of 9,700 ft. Nestled deep in the Parvati Valley, it’s considered nature’s paradise as the beauty is almost spellbinding.

The Itinerary for the Kheerganga Trek starts with a drive from Delhi to Kasol. Then, the actual trek commences from Kasol itself which is a tiny hamlet in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district. Kasol is emerging as a popular tourist location best for budget traveling among young travelers. You can enjoy a night's stay in Kasol where you can indulge in camping, sit by the Parvati river, and go cafe hopping before we embark on the Kheerganga trek the next day.

All you need are two days to get completely mesmerized by the landscapes and witness the picturesque views. The Kheerganga trek reveals stunning terrains and provides an invigorating experience when one keeps walking on its enchanting trails. Here, you get to enjoy the lush green valleys in their purest form, hear the chirping of birds that has faded with time in metropolitan cities, and experience peace like no other. 

You’ll also get a chance to learn about the culture of Kheerganga while camping there. The history of Kheerganga dates back thousands of years and the place is considered the abode of Lord Shiva. 

The best time to do the Kheerganga trek is from September to June as the weather is pleasant and you can experience the true essence of this Himalayan trek with crystal clear skies and breathtaking vistas.

If you prefer a warmer climate and want to witness the spring flowers blooming all across the vast expanse of land, then March to June are the best months to do the Kheerganga trek. If you wish to trek on snow-laden trails where the entire landscape is covered in ivory white, then the months from November to February would be ideal to do the Kheerganga trek in winter.

Hot water springs and breathtaking views are a few things that make Kheerganga trek a truly beautiful experience. The phenomenon of hot water springs in the midst of such cold weather fascinates a lot of travelers and adds a certain boost to the tourism of Kasol and Kheerganga. 

The Kheerganga trek is a beginner-level trek as there is a gentle incline and it only gets steep at some patches in the trail making it easier for novice trekkers who don’t have a lot of experience to get the feel of walking on the mountains. You can rejuvenate yourself by dipping your feet in the cold water as there are many sparkling waterfalls on the trek route. 

One of them is Rudranag waterfall , which is the grandest waterfall you’ll encounter on this trek. The sparkling waterfall with snow-capped peaks in the background and dense forest all around make it a perfect natural retreat.

Additionally, the Rudranag temple that is nestled along the way to Kheerganga is also very popular amongst many pilgrims. The total distance covered during the Kheerganga trek is 12 Kilometers making it ideal for novice trekkers as it doesn’t exhaust them and they get to experience both the thrill and solace that the mountains provide them.

There are plenty of things to do in Kheerganga. While you’re on the trek, there are plenty of quaint villages that will offer the option of a homestay where you can indulge in insightful conversations with the locals, learn more about the history of the place and relish authentic Himachali food.

You also get to traverse the rustic village of Barshaini as you embark on the Kheerganga trek and enjoy stunning views of enchanting forests, and sparkling waterfalls en route. An important fact about Kasol and Kheerganga that travelers should note is that Kasol is the last stop where you’ll find an ATM. 

Also, if your inner adventurer is awakened, then you can also opt for indulging in thrilling activities that Kasol has to offer including trekking, rafting, hiking, and more.

Drive from Delhi to Kasol ( 514 Kilometers, 12 Hours Of Drive)

Hike to chalal | cafe hopping, kasol to kheerganga trek (12 kilometers, 5 hours), back to kasol | departure, delhi arrival | trip ends, age limit (trip wise).

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Things To Pack

You must pick a good quality backpack with a comfortable fit and straps that won’t give you shoulder pain. You can check out your nearest Decathlon store for a good trekking backpack.

Day Bag / Day Pack :

When you head towards the summit, you are required to carry only a few necessary items and for that, you need a day backpack as you will leave your bigger one on the campsite.

Hiking Shoes :

Durable footwear designed for rugged terrains.

Floaters or Sandals :

Although the entire trek requires a good quality shoe, you still need to let your feet breathe to avoid chafing and blisters. When you are at the camp, a good pair of sandals and floaters will help you to move freely.

Tees / Tshirts :

You must keep at least three pairs of quick dry tees so that you can wash them in between stops for proper hygiene.

A poncho is an evolved form of a raincoat that provides coverage to your body as well as your bag and ensures total water protection from rain.

Quick Dry Towel :

A quick dry towel will help in maintaining proper hygiene. It must dry quickly because the wet fabric will only increase the chance of bacterial growth.

Sanitizer :

Essential for maintaining cleanliness while trekking.

Sun Cap / Hat :

A lightweight sun cap with side flaps is perfect to keep your head cool and avoid sunburns on a sunny day.

Sunscreen SPF 40+ :

To avoid sunburns and chafing, you need to put on sunscreen as well as cold cream.

Water Bottle (Re-usable) :

Hydration is extremely important when it comes to trekking. Carrying a water bottle that you can refill with Himalayan water is a must.

Personal Toileteries :

A bag with all your essentials including napkins, toothpaste, sanitizers, paper soap, etc should be carried in a ziplock bag.

Personal Medication / First Aid :

A few cuts and bruises are almost inevitable when you are on a trek so carrying a medical kit with bandages, Dettol, etc is necessary.

Sun Glasses / Reading Glasses :

Photochromatic glasses are specs that are designed to transform into anti-glare shades depending upon exposure to the sun. They are good when it comes to eye protection but one can also opt for clip-on glasses etc.

To keep your electronic devices powered during the trip.

Power Bank :

Ensures your devices stay charged when there are no outlets.

Personal Documents & ID's :

Identification proofs like Aadhar Card, Drivers License.

Laundry Bag (Waterproof) :

In case your clothes get wet or your garments don’t dry, you can carry them in polythene. However, make sure that all the plastic that you are carrying into the woods leaves with you. Don’t litter in the mountains.

Track Pants :

A good pair of track pants made of polyester will let your skin breathe. They’re lightweight, dry easily, and comfortable to walk around in. You can easily avoid chafing and rashes by investing in a good pair of track pants.

Trekking Shoes :

A good trekking shoe is comfortable, provides ankle support, and has a good grip as well. They shouldn’t be chunky, instead, they should be lightweight and sturdy.

Cotton Socks :

Cotton socks are extremely comfortable to move around in and are lightweight as well which is why you can always count on a good pair of cotton socks while trekking. However, keep in mind to change them and avoid wearing them when they are wet.

Woolen Socks :

A good pair of woolen socks, especially merino, are comfortable, limit odors and provide adequate insulation from the cold so you can wear them at night.

Woolen Gloves :

Insulated gloves help in maintaining proper body heat in your hands and also provide a better grasp on trekking poles.

Main Jacket :

It’s emphasized that you need to carry proper layers so you can avoid getting cold which is why you need to carry a heavy jacket that you can put on over your other clothes.

Woolen Cap :

A woolen cap will help prevent cold when you ascend to high altitude. You can also cover your ears to avoid any pain and discomfort you might face in them when going at high altitudes.

A versatile layering option for various temperatures.

Scarf / Balaclava :

Along with sun rays and chilly winds, you also get hit by dirt and grime during treks which is why it's important to carry a scarf or balaclava so you can cover your face when needed.

Head Lamp :

You can’t rely on moonlight when you are in the mountains. A torch or even a headlamp with a fresh pair of batteries is always a good idea to bring along.

Trekking Pole :

The trekking pole assists in more than one way. It saves energy while also providing stability and helps you to maintain proper balance.

This should be obvious. To make sure that you get to capture all the great moments from your trek. Make sure that you have enough storage and some extra batteries as well.

Riding Gear :

If your trip involves biking or motorcycling.

Moisturiser & Cold Cream :

Your lips can become chapped due to the harsh cold winds so it's important to keep them moisturized.

Sanitary Pads :

Essential for feminine hygiene.

Insect Repellent :

Guards against pesky bugs and insects.

Emergency funds for unexpected situations.

Thermal is a piece of garment that helps in keeping your body warm in cold temperatures. It is a necessary item that you need when going on a high-altitude trek.

Snacks / Dryfruits / Energy Bar :

Provides quick energy on the go.

Positive Attitude :

The most important item for a successful trek or trip, keeping your spirits high and adaptable to the challenges of the journey.

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Valley of Flowers Trek: Complete Guide

Are you an adventure enthusiast seeking a thrilling escapade amidst nature’s bountiful beauty? Look no further than the mesmerizing Valley of Flowers Trek! Nestled in the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas, this enchanting valley is a paradise for nature lovers and avid trekkers alike. Be ready to embark on an adventure! – Valley of Flowers, […]

Have any Doubts

What are the famous places to visit in kasol.

You can visit nearby villages such as Tosh, Malana, Chalal, Grahan, and More along with famous places like Manikaran Saheb, Kasol Main Market, Jim Morrison Market, German Bakery, and a lot of things.

What Is the highest altitude attained during the Kheerganga Trek?

The altitude for Kheerganga Trek is 9,700 ft.

What Is The distance between Barshaini and Kheerganga?

Barshaini is the starting point for the Kheerganga Trek. From here, all you have to do is trek up for 12 Kilometers to reach the top. The trail is adorned by enchanting forests with the Parvati river flowing all along. 

Is It Possible To Do the Kheerganga Trek In May?

Yes! You can go to Kheerganga in May, and it is one of the best months to do the Kheerganga trek.

Is It Possible To Do the Kheerganga Trek In November?

Partially No! The reason for saying that is, the Kheerganga Trek gets closed from the end of November till the end of February due to heavy snowfall and slippery slopes. This is why you cannot do a trek during that time. 

What Is The Starting Point for the Kheerganga trek?

Barshaini  is the starting point for the trek. The trail to Kheerganga is adorned by coniferous forests with the Parvati river flowing alongside. The trek is popular for a picturesque view of the entire valley as well as the hot springs that await the trekker at the top.

Is It Possible To Do the Kheerganga Trek In March?

Yes! Kheerganga trek is readily operable during March, as it is the month when the trek restarts for the better part of the year and closes back in November.

What Is The Best Way To Do the Trek From Kasol To Kheerganga?

To go to Kheerganga from Kasol, you'll first have to reach Barshaini, and from there onwards, the only way to go is to follow the trail for 12 Kilometers. 

How Much Time Does It Take To Cover The Distance Between Kasol To Kheerganga Trek?

It takes somewhere between 3-5 hours comfortably while trekking up towards the Kheerganga Top. But, It depends from person to person. People who are expert trekkers can even complete the trek in less than 1.5 hours. You'll find localities carrying heavy baggage and still trekking up in less than record times because they are used to walking up the hills.

What is the best time to do the Kheerganga trek?

You can go for the Kheerganga Trek during the whole year except for the end of November to Mid February. Depending on the kind of landscape you want to witness, the ideal time can differ. 

Best months to do the Kheerganga trek during Summer: June, July, August, and September.

Best months to do the Kheerganga trek during Winter: November, December, January, and February.  

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Kheerganga Trek: A Journey To Wash Your Spirit Clean

If you wish to be happy in life, then be. Nature has it all placed right for you. All you need is to slip your feet slowly into your shoes, set out and never stop.

For me, the HRTC bus stop is always a beginning of the happy stories from the hills. The Kheerganga trek had been up there at the very brim of my bucket list. It was unbelievable to imagine a natural hot water spring midst the snow and the photographs of this beautiful hike had been stuck to my head for way too long. And one lazy evening when a friend spoke for way too long about the hows and wows of the Kheerganga trek, I had to see it to believe it.

I only had to convince the convinced trip buddies and we were ready to roll.

Kheerganga trek: my itinerary

Day 1: from city lights to star-sprinkled sky.

Delhi to Bhuntar (498 kms)

A 12 hour journey from Delhi to Bhuntar was an unbelievable crossover to the lap of Himalayas. It's best to start this bus journey at night but I had my qualms about missing out on the beautiful locales of Sundarnagar and other small towns midway. No one else really cared about what I was talking about until the morning sun brought the magical sight of the Sundernagar Lake outside the bus window. We now knew that this refreshing ride around the blue lake is only a trailer to the eventful days ahead.

Image Credits: Wikimapia

This bus ride took us through the Aut Tunnel, the longest tunnel in India and gave a wake up alarm to the dreary weary travelers. Few silent minutes inside the 3km long dark tunnel was indeed a little spooky for everyone.

The bus finally stopped at Bhuntar where the fruit market welcomed us with all the freshness of the hills and the Himanchal apples took my heart away at the very first sight.

Bhuntar to Kasol (30kms)

You can either choose to take this one hour journey through bus or a local taxi. Our long journey through the bank of the gushing Parvati River finally begun from here.

Day 2: At Kasol, here you do not take a trip, the trip takes you

This small town must firstly be mentioned for its lovely eateries. A walk through the streets of Kasol made us casually enter a cafe and choose something from a menu in hebrew we couldn't understand. We loved all that we saw, all that we had. Little Italy , Yan's Cafe and Evergreen are some of the restaurants which simply amaze you with all that they offer. There's something about this town that make you fall in love with it within hours of arrival.

Day 3: Kasol - Manikaran - Barshaini - Tosh - Nakthan - Rudranag - Kheerganga

Kasol was also a spot for our initiation into the Parvati Valley. A walk through the bridge that connects Old Kasol and New Kasol and a silent morning on the bank of the Parvati river prepared us all well for the day ahead.

Kasol- Manikaran (by bus/ taxi 4-5km)

Day 3 was a day of action. Bidding adieu to the bustling life at Kasol, we headed forward hiring a taxi from Kasol to Barshaini. You can either choose to take a comfortable local taxi or a bus ride from Kasol. Manikaran come midway, a destination of religious and spiritual importance, both in Sikh and Hindu belief system. A walk through the narrow street of Manikaran in desperate search for an ATM accidently took us to the Vishnu temple and the Manikaran Gurudwara. I also found some camera friendly locals posing with an easy smile for my camera.

The taxi from Kasol dropped us at Barshaini, the last motorable spot to reach Kheerganga. We managed a quick breakfast at Barshaini, Masala Thukpa, if that soup has a name at all. But the lovely lady at the restaurant gave us just nothing to complaint about.

Barshaini to Kheerganga (on foot 14kms)

Tosh, just 2kms away from Barshaini, welcomed us with some fresh air and beautiful mustard fields in full bloom in the month of April. Tosh also gave us the first glimpse of traditional Himachali houses in the valley.

After a few minutes walk from Tosh, we crossed Pulga Dam and spent few blissful moments on the bank of the freezing cold Parvati river. The apple orchards throughout with gushing waterfalls all around us left us in complete awe.

Nakthan was the next spot for some rest. This serene quiet village with dark cowsheds in the village houses took me back in time. A random cricket match with the village boys here was all that we wanted to keep our spirits high for the distance ahead.

At a distance of few kilometers Rudranag was the next stop where a local priest at the Rudranag Temple stopped us and offered lunch. Now where do you find people offering you free lunch like that? This mouth watering mutton curry and rice was enough to take away all the fatigue and we were fresh to start again.

At the end of the 14kms trek, we reached Kheerganga after finally fathoming the last slope which led to the pool of a beautiful natural hot water. We finally took the much awaited refreshing dive into the sacred water and lazed for hours inside the hot water pool.

A blissful hour inside this sacred hot water pool (kund) tookover all the weariness. We later walked down for a hot cup of tea to the amazing 'Ice and Fire' cafe. The cafe also surprised us with the most delightful Israeli dinner we could ever imagine at this remote spot. To spend the night, the cottages at Kheerganga offer bare minimum facilities. The forest is the wide vast toilet and some blankets and a comfortable fireplace helped us spend the night warm.

Day 4: Back to Kasol

The next day before the lazy afternoon sun could takeover, we started a walk back to Barshaini. The trail back is equally challenging since the trail is not a simple sloping pathway. Snow had slipped down to the narrow pathways making the trail more difficult than usual.

However, it took us relatively lesser time and energy to complete the distance back. From Barshaini local taxis and buses are frequently available to drop you back to Kasol.

Day 5: Kasol - Bhuntar - Delhi

Have you ever had tasted white honey which tastes almost like vanilla? Our Day 5 at Kasol began with a warm cup of honey lemon ginger tea. Later we booked a bus back to Delhi from Kasol and not before we had lunch, we took a local taxi from Kasol to Bhuntar at noon. This last day was also our only chance to explore Bhuntar. Though you literally need a lifetime to understand these mad small towns of Himachal, a hot cup of tea at a local chai shop in Bhuntar gave all the warmth and memories to keep close for years.

Though you literally need a lifetime to understand these mad small towns of Himachal, a hot cup of tea at a local chai shop in Bhuntar gave all the warmth and memories to keep close for years. A comfortable night bus from Bhuntar to Delhi with bollywoood music buzzing through tattered speaker lulled us to sleep.

A stopover that welcomes all with the scent of Himalayan apples.

People take trips. Trips take people here.

Out of a hundred legends about this small town, an interesting one notes that according to the Hindu mythology, Manu recreated human life here, after the flood.

बर्शेणी सड़क

The last stop on wheels, here's where the trail begins.

A village, majorly known for the Pulga Dam (under-construction) that we crossed on the way to Kheerganga.

The beautiful mustard fields here give the best start to the Kheerganga trek.

A concealed quaint village en route to Kheerganga. A random cricket match with the village boys here was all that we wanted to stir our spirits up.

At the end of the long tiring trail, the natural hot water pool awaits you to breathe in bliss midst the snowscapes.

The place is named after the resemblance of the waterfall here to a water snake.

Have you been to the Kheerganga trek? Share your experience in the comments below.

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Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass

Can You Help Us With Photographs Of This Trek?

We are looking to enrich this documentation with more photos. Pictures go a long way in explaining the trail, more than words ever can. If you have done this trek, can you share your photos with us? We will include them on this page, with due credit to you. Click here to contribute .

The Complete Guide to Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass

Trekking in Kheerganga seems to be the first Himalayan experience for many. Everyone is captivated by the swaying pine trees, the bubbling Parvati river, and the shaded trek to the hot springs at Kheerganga.

Yet, this is only a precursor to a great trek that lies beyond Kheerganga.

Why trekking in Kheerganga is incomplete without Buni Buni Pass

Trekking to Buni Buni pass, which is a day's distance from Kheerganga is where real trekking around Kheerganga begins. You leave behind the crowded pilgrim's trail to enter a dense oak forest. A brown carpet of leaves lines the forest floor. There is no one trekking there except you.

Mountain views from Kungti thach. PC: Tanmay Bain

Suddenly the forest gives away to spectacular views of big snow-capped mountains. Below, the superb Parvati valley stretches till far away. Right below the pass, we set up camp in the meadows. The next day, along another superb forest route, we descend down to Barsheni.

For those trekking to Kheerganga, Buni Buni pass is a natural, more beautiful extension.

Meadows around the Buni Buni Pass campsite. PC: Manish Kumar

Short Itinerary

Day 1: Reach Bhuntar by 7.00 am. Drive to Barshaini (7,261 ft); trek to Kheerganga (9,222 ft); 5-6 hours, 9.6 km

Day 2: Kheerganga (9,222 ft) to Buni Buni Pass (10,987 ft); 5-6 hours, 4.8 km

Day 3: Buni Buni Pass (10,987 ft) to Barshaini (7,261 ft); 3 hours, 7.46 km. Drive to Bhuntar - reach by 3.00 pm

It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo id for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

Trail Information

Day 1: reach barshaini. trek to kheerganga.

Barshaini is the base camp for the Buni Buni pass trek. The best way to reach here is to drive from Bhuntar, 3 hours away. Bhuntar falls on the Delhi - Manali road before Kullu. Get off here if you're taking a bus. Plan to reach Bhuntar by 7.00 am

A good way to acclimatise is to arrive a day early and stay at Kasol or Manikaran, both very beautiful places. Barshaini is a small village. The highlight of this village is a small dam under construction on the Parvati river. You will spot a village named Pulga on the opposite bank of the river. You can walk around Barshaini and explore the village.

• Altitude: 7,261 ft (2,213 m) to 9,222 ft (2,811 m)
• Time taken:  3 hours drive to Barshaini; 5-6 hours trek to Kheerganga
• Trek gradient: Easy. Initial level walk for 900 m followed by a steep ascent for 600 m. Very gradual ascent all the way to Kheerganga, except for a 300 m steep ascent which occurs 5.4 km from Barshaini.
• Water sources:  Carry 2 litres of water. You can refill your water bottle at a stream, 3.55 km into the trek.

The campsite at Kheerganga, at the edge of a forest. PC: Tanmay Bain

The trail from Barshaini to Kheerganga is very popular among trekkers. Kheerganga is known for its hot springs.

Take the trail leading out of Barshaini. Around 900 m from Barshaini, you will reach an under-construction dam on the Parvati river. The Tosh River meets Parvati close to the dam.

Once you cross the dam, take the trail going uphill on the left. After ascending for around 600 m, you will reach a dhaba . This is a good spot to take a break since the views around are good, and you can hear Parvati and Tosh rivers below you.

The trail changes as you leave the dhaba. It is covered with pine and chestnut trees. The ascent from this point is very gradual. Enjoy the jungle trail with the river flowing by. You will spot several trees fallen on this trail. You can use these as landmarks, if required.

After 2.55 km from Barshaini, you will reach a small stream. Cross over to the other side using the log bridge. There's another dhaba around 200 m from the stream. Walk past this and continue on the trail. You will reach another stream in about a kilometre. This is a good place to refill your water bottles.

Forest trail to Kheerganga. PC: Tanmay Bain

There will be a big rock on the trail around 300 m from the second stream. You will need to bend and negotiate your way around it. Within 5 minutes of trekking past the rock, you will spot a village to your left, on the opposite bank of the Parvati river. This is Natkhan, a beautiful village with a few huts.

After around 700 m on this trail (4.2 km from Barshaini), you will reach another dhaba. Continue past this. In fact, you will cross many dhabas on this trail. They all serve as landmarks and also have decent refreshments in case you wish to eat. You will reach another dhaba within a kilometre of this one.

Around 5.4 km into the trek, you will hear a loud sound made by a waterfall. The trail turns steep from here for about 300 m. This part is also rocky and muddy. You will be greeted at the end of this steep stretch by a huge waterfall. You can stop here to take in the view.

The trail eases off after the waterfall. A kilometre on this trail will bring you to another waterfall. This is a good spot to take a break and eat something.

Around 7.55 km from Barhsaini, you will hit a rocky section. Be careful as you navigate this since it is a little tricky. The ascent is very gradual. In about half a kilometre from here, you will reach a big patch of an earlier landslide. Around 30-45 minutes of trek from here will bring you to Kheerganga.

Kheerganga has a lot of dhabas, hotels and camping spots spread all over. Cross Kheerganga and trek for about 800 m. This place is secluded from the crowd of Kheerganga. It is a beautiful and quiet place to set up camp.

Day 2: Kheerganga to Buni Buni Pass

• Altitude: 9,222 ft (2,811 m) to 10,987 ft (3,349 m)
• Time taken: 5-6 hours, 4.8 km
• Trek gradient: Easy-moderate. Steep ascent for 1.3 km followed by descent for 1.5 km. 700 m of ascent which eases off into a gradual walk till the Pass
• Water sources: Carry 2 litres of water. You can refill your water bottles from a couple of streams around 2.5 km into the trek.

View from Kungti Thach, on the way to Buni Buni Pass. PC: Tanmay Bain

Start from Kheerganga by 8.00 am. The trail today is a delight - you have dense jungles, beautiful clearings, and snow clad mountain view. It has everything you could ask for in a trek.

The trail begins with a steep ascent in a dense forest. Maple and pine trees are predominant here. You will also see some flora such as cobra lilies and zeromium. There a lot of monkeys in the jungle. You will need to be careful while trekking in this section. The trail is steep and is laden with leaves and roots.

After 1.3 km in the jungle, the trail suddenly opens into a clearing. Views of snow clad mountains open up before you. To the west is Ali Ratni Tibba (5,682 m). You can also spot some glaciers in this direction. If you look towards the south west, you will spot Buni Buni pass. This clearing is called Kungti Thach. It is a popular place for shepherds who bring their sheep here to graze. You will find some  channi or shepherds' tents pitched here.

From Kungti Thach, the trail descends for about 1.5 km. Juniper, birch and rhododendrons grow here in plenty. Rhododendron is the state flower of Himachal Pradesh.

Be careful here since the terrain is rocky. A trekking pole will be very helpful here. You will soon cross a stream. In 1.5 km, you will reach another stream. Cross this using bridge of stones.

Buni Buni glacier, flowing down from the mountain. PC: Tanmay Bain

The trail begins to ascend after the stream. This stretch is rocky and muddy. After 700 m of ascent, you will reach a beautiful meadow. Buni Buni Pass is a 10-15 minutes trek from here, on a gradually ascending trail.

Buni Buni Pass is at an altitude of 10, 987 ft. The views from here are majestic. You can spot Tosh village from here. Walk ahead of the pass for around 500 m to pitch your tents. There are a few shepherds' tents around. You will also find a water source here. Rest and enjoy the views. The sunset here is beautiful - this is a good spot to capture it through a time-lapse.

Day 3: Buni Buni Pass to Barshaini

• Altitude: 10,987 ft (3,349 m) to 7,261 ft (2,213 m)
• Time taken: 3 hours, 7.46 km
• Trek gradient: Easy. Descending trail all the way.
• Water sources:  Two litres of water should last the entire trek. There is one source on the trail to refill your water bottles.

Channi or shepherds' tents near the campsite ahead of Buni Buni Pass PC: Tanmay Bain

Start by 8.00 am from Buni Buni Pass. The trail to Barshaini is through Kalga village. The trail descends all the way through forests.

In about 500 m from the Pass, you will reach a  channi (shepherds' tent) alongside a green coloured pond. Continue past this for another 1.2 km till you reach another  channi . This one is next to a stream.  Another kilometre down this trail brings you to a beautiful meadow. There's a  channi here as well. You can spot Kalga and Barshaini villages from here.

Shepherds' tents on the trail to Barshaini PC: Tanmay Bain

Once you cross the  channi in the meadow, the trail enters a forest again. It is muddy, moist and strewn with leaves. Be careful since there will be parts that are slippery. 1.5 km of trek through this forest will bring you to a beautiful clearing. You can spot a village ahead - this is Kalga. There are a few huts and apple orchards around. Do not pluck apples from the trees - you will have to pay a fine of Rs.5,000, if caught.

Trek past Kalga village. In 200 m, the trail merges with the one you took on Day 2, on the way to Kheerganga. Barshaini is 1.6 km from here. It'll take you 15-20 minutes to reach. If you take a cab from here, you will reach Barshaini by 3.00 pm.

How Safe is the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass Trek?

The Buni Buni Pass trek is an easy one. However, there are certain things that you must be aware of. While there are a lot of forest trails on the trek, you also pass through meadows and clearnings. Dehydration is something that is really common if you don't have enough fluids to hydrate yourself.

How to Reach the Base of the Trek

Barshaini is the base camp for the Buni Buni Pass trek. Indiahikes will arrange transport from Bhuntar to Barshaini. Pick up will be from the bus stop at 7.00 am. Transport from Bhuntar to Barshaini is included in the trek fee.

Bhuntar falls on the Delhi - Manali road, before Kullu. Board a Manali bound bus from Delhi or Chandigarh and get off at Bhuntar. Bhuntar also has an airport.

Getting Back

The trek ends at Barshaini. Indiahikes will arrange transport form Barshaini to Bhuntar. You will reach Bhuntar by 3.00 pm. Please plan you onward journey after according. Transport from Barshaini to Bhuntar is included in the trek fee.

Things to Take on the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass trek

[youtube_video id="PFtBdafs_PM" thumb="https://indiahikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/What-to-take-on-a-high-altitude-trek.jpg"]

Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass is a high altitude trek. The trekking gear you need to carry for this trek is different from regular treks. So pay careful attention to this entire section.

• A list of everything you need for the trek ( Skip to section )
• Useful videos to help you with your gear (Skip to section)
• A list of medicines for your trek ( Skip to section )

First, The Essentials. You cannot do the trek without these.

1. trekking shoes:.

Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass requires trekking shoes that are sturdy, have a good grip, have ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes .  

| Buying Tip : The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There really isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using .

2. Backpack :

For a trek like Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack . 

| Buying Tip : Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.

3. Clothes:

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Base layer:

3 t-shirts :.

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time . Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

3 insulation layers:

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 15, 100 ft. At these altitudes, it can get freezing cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek. You will need 2 light fleece layers, 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

Outer layer:

A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t really need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference . 

Two trek pants:

Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon in case of small stream crossings/rain.

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek. 

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass trek without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first. 

1. Sunglasses:

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection . 

| Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea. Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section, you must absolutely never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed. | If you wear spectacles : If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles . | Contact lens users : If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.   

 2. Suncap:

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance.

| Tip : In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woollen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head. | Pro Tip : Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks, prevent sunburns in every possible way and also they are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

3. Synthetic hand gloves:

On a trek like Kheerganga Buni Buni Passl you are going to be handling snow quite a bit especially in the month of May and October, You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.   

4. Woollen cap or Balaclava:

Ensure these cover your ears. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. Which is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap. Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is absolutely essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woollen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head. 

5. Socks (3 pairs):

Apart from two sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug in the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

6. Headlamp :

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles. Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you. 

7. Trekking pole (a pair):

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass trek, there are steep ascents and descents. The trek up to the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass is pretty steep.  A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace. 

8. Rainwear:

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing. Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are really not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.

9. Rain cover for your backpack:

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes, your warm gear in your backpack. It is important that your backpack stays dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain-covers. If your backpack does not have a rain-cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic. 

| Pro tip: It's good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.

10. Daypack (20-30 ltrs, optional):

On day 4, you will be coming back to Chakrateertha. So carrying a daypack is mandatory . In your daypack, you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. A daypack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not daypacks. Do not get them.

Other mandatory requirements

1. a toilet kit:.

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics -- toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

| Pro tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all. Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass. | For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose your sanitary waste .

2. Cutlery:

Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof. You will need this to have lunch, dinner and breakfast. 

| Pro tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at the highest. Watch this video on why steel cutlery is better than plastic.

3. Two 1 litre bottles or a 2-litre hydration pack:

Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass has long walking days. You need to carry two one-litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.

4. Plastic covers:

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Useful videos to help you with your gear:

• What to take on your trek 
• How to pack your backpack
• How to choose your trekking shoes 
• Trekking shoes vs sports shoes. How are they different?
• How to layer up on a Himalayan trek
• Why you need a trekking pole
• How to manage sanitary waste on a trek

Personal medical kit

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times.  

• Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend down to Badrinath. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass trek.    
• Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
• Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.
• Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 
• Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. 
• ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip : It also makes cold water easier to drink.
• Knee Brace (optional) : Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

How to Get Fit for the Trek

The Buni Buni Pass trek is classified as an easy trek. However, there are several sections that are rocky or slippery. Navigating these sections safely requires that you be fit and strong.

Cardiovascular endurance - Target 4 km in 30 minutes

The trail from Kheerganga to Buni Buni Pass has a couple of very steep ascents. This requires a good amount of endurance.  You can begin your fitness regime by jogging everyday. Jog at a slow pace to start with and slowly keep increasing your pace day to day. You should be able to jog 4 km in 30 minutes before the start of the trek. It takes time to be able to cover this distance in the given time. Swimming, cycling and stair climbing without too many breaks in between can help too. 

Strength - Target 3 sets of squats with 20 in each

This is another area you should work on.  You may have to walk through snow depending on the months you go in and this could be taxing for your legs. For this, strengthening your legs will help. You can do some squats to strengthen them. Start with 3 sets of squats, with 8 squats in each set and work towards reaching your target in 3 weeks.

Flexibility

Another aspect that will help you trek comfortably is flexibility. For this, you can do some stretching exercises - stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, lower back muscles and shoulders regularly. On your trek, it is important that you arrive on the slopes with your muscles relaxed. Carrying a backpack, however light, can become a strain after a while. These exercises will help you to be in good shape before the trek.

Here's a guide to help you get fit for the trek in 4 weeks.

Trek fitness guide

Working out indoors

If you can't go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here's a video you can use to work out indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Atm point and mobile connectivity.

Kasol and Manikaran are the last spots for an ATM. In case you require cash after reaching Barshaini, you can swipe your card at Parvati General Store. You will get the amount you require for at 10% charge.

Network is available on Idea and Airtel at Barshaini. Make sure you finish all your telephone calls here. Please inform anxious family members about poor connectivity in the mountains.

1. What will the temperatures be like during this trek?

Day time temperatures will range from 20-25ºC and night time temperature will range from 11-15ºC. 

2. Will there be snow on this trek?

If you're trekking here in April or May, you can expect to see some snow. You will not find snow here if you're trekking in October.

3. Which are the best seasons for the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass trek?

This is a trek that is best done in spring or early summer or autumn. Rains and snow make it inaccessible in other months.

4. Is this a good trek for a first timer?

Yes, being an easy-moderate trek, Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass is good for first timers. However, you still need to be physically fit to enjoy the trek.

5. If not the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass trek, what is a good alternative trek to do?

Prashar Lake and Nag Tibba are good weekend trek options that you could consider as alternatives. These are easily accessible from Delhi.

6. Can I take my child along on this trek? What is the age limit?

Yes, you can take your child on the Kheerganga Buni Buni Pass trek if they are physically fit.

7. Will there be water sources on the way? Will two litres of water be enough?

For your day’s trek, two litres of water should be enough. There are also a couple of streams on each day's trail. You can refill your water bottles from these.

8. Is there mobile network on this trek? Are there any electricity charging points on this trek?

You will receive networks on Airtel and Idea till Barshaini, after which it will be intermittent. Make sure you inform anxious family members about limited connectivity on the trek. There will be no electricity charging points anywhere on the trek.

9. Do I need special snow shoes on this trek?

You don’t need special snow shoes. A good trekking shoe is sufficient for the trek. We recommend the Forclaz 500 or 600 from Decathlon. Of these, the Forclaz 600 is more water resistant. When there is snow, we provide micro spikes and gaiters.

10. Why is the trekking pole necessary?

We suggest you watch this video to for a better understanding of why a trekking pole is necessary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=LXezaCVjEao

11. When it gets really cold can I consume alcohol?

Alcohol is dangerous in extreme cold, especially on high altitudes. Contrary to what people believe, alcohol does not make you warmer. Instead it opens your pores making your body colder. Moreover, it dehydrates you very quickly.

12. How do I manage the negative temperatures on the trek? Do I need special jackets?

At high altitudes, temperatures are sure to dip into negative at nights.. For these extreme cold temperatures, you need to keep the rule of 3 in mind. The rule of 3 usually takes care of cold that dip to -10°C. It is a simple formula of wearing 3 layers of woolen, inners and lower wear.

Follow this guide:

Wear one thermal and two T-shirts, three layers of woolens (two sweaters and a jacket). For your lowers wear a thermal inner with two layers of track suit. If you are prone to more cold, just add a layer.

The temperatures dip only late in the evening and early mornings. During the day if the sun is out, then you may even be trekking in your T-shirts. Make sure you use your thermal wear only at night and not while trekking.

A woolen cap/balaclava and gloves are a must.

13. How long is the kheerganga trek ?

kheerganga is around 14km totally

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• Kheer Ganga Trek 2024: Whispers From The Parvati Valley

27 Mar 2023

Fancy a plate of white sauce pasta, a bowl of sweet corn soup and a free jacuzzi – all at a height of 3000 metres. Add to it a climb through the charismatic grey-green mountains along with the thunderous Parvati river. Reach the top and find yourself in the abode of Shiva. Yes, I am talking about the infamous hash land and a land full of mesmerising passages to  behold – Kheer Ganga trek . In my attempt to explore the infamy and the glory, I went on a date with these hills and let my camera talk. Scroll down while I spill the whispers.

Best Time For Kheer Ganga Trek

Image Credit: Slopetrotter for Wikimedia Commons

While planning to go for Kheer Ganga trek, you must be wondering what is the best time to opt for this trek. Well, trekking is not considered suitable in extreme summer, monsoon or winter. So, it is recommended to find time in the transition weather. Keeping this in mind, the best time fo Kheer Ganga trek is from May to June and September to October when the temperatures are moderate. Neither it is too hot for trekking nor it is too cold. Moreover, as it is the post-monsoon season, you will not witness any slipperiness that you might otherwise have encountered in the monsoon season. 

Suggested Read: Don’t Miss Out On These 12 Awesome Things To Do In Kasol On Your 2020 Getaway To Himachal Pradesh!

3 Trekking Routes To Kheer Ganga

Kheer Ganga is around 9-10 kilometers from Barshaini which can be covered in three different ways. Here are the routes and ways from which you can opt for the most suitable one.

1. Via Nakthan Village

Image Credit: Jan J George for Wikimedia Commons

The best and the easiest route to reach Kheer Ganga is to reach Barshaini and take the left turn from the bridge which goes to the Nakthan Village. This is the most preferred route as it is the shortest one and takes only 3-4 hours to reach Kheer Ganga on average trekking speed. While on this route, you will get to witness the pristine Parvati River on the left side of the trek. As this is the most popular route, one can never get lost here as most of the trekkers opt for this trek. 

2. Via Kalga Village

Image Credit: Kiran Rawat for Wikimedia Commons

After reaching Barshaini, walk to the bridge and take a right turn to reach the most famous Kalga Village. As the route goes through dense forests, it might be difficult to keep on track so it is advisable to take a person or a guide who is already familiar with the route. Several people are not aware of this route but if you want to avoid the crowds then this serves as the best option. Moreover, the route joins the original route after a few kilometers. 

Suggested Read: Kasol In Winter: A Winter Journey In 2020!

3. Via Tosh Village 

Image Credit: Sanchit Garg for Wikimedia Commons

Another path goes from the popular Tosh Village which joins the original route near Nakthan Village. This route is mostly opted by people who are staying in Tosh for the night and want to go for trekking in the morning. You will get to witness the Tosh river here that ultimately meets the Parvati River. 

Things To Do In Kheer Ganga

Are you looking for some adventure activities while on a trip to Himachal Pradesh? You can plan for the Kheer Ganga trek and enjoy a relaxed walk on a beautiful trail while enjoying the views of colour villages on the entire trail.

Image Credit: Photos Worldwide for Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.

1. Plan For A Hiking Trip

If you are passionate about exploring adventure, you can indulge in the fun of hiking on the first day of your trip. Waking on the beautiful trails will make you refresh and energetic. There are places to visit near Kheer Ganga but if don’t want to take out much fun from discovering these spots, you can plan for a relaxed walk on these easy trails.

2. Get The Pleasure Of Stay In Homestays

A stay in a hotel will always give you comfort and provide all required as well as luxury amenities, however during your trip to Kheer Ganga, a stay in the homestays will be another level of worldly experience. Kheer Ganga trek has many small villages which offer different homestay options to its tourists. The most popular homestays among all of them are Tosh and Barshaini. You will get these homestays at an affordable price if you have a limited budget for this trip.

3. Give Your Legs Some Rest While On A Trek In Kheer Ganga

Undoubtedly the views of the eye-catching and colourful villages will mesmerize you while you will be on your trekking trails. While you will be trekking, you can stop at Naktan and relax for an hour or so and enjoy the views of this pit stop. There are two reasons for which you can take a halt in this spot. Firstly, Naktan is located exactly in the middle of your trek and if you are tired of walking you can take some rest for some time and this spot is popular for watermelon juice and noodles.

4. Explore The Charm Of The Pine Forest

A few steps ahead of Rudranag Temple, the trekkers will be welcomed by a dense pine forest that lets these trekkers explore the charm of silence amidst the forest.

5. Rejuvenate Yourself In The Natural Hot Spring Of Kheer Ganga

Kheer Ganga is all about enchanting views of the hills and natural hot springs. While going on the trek the travellers can relax and take a bath in the hot springs to relax the sored muscles due to continuous walk.

Kheer Ganga Trek – Planning And Route

Although tourism in Himachal is properly organized but reaching Kheer Ganga is not so easy and that’s precisely why it needs proper planning and iteration which can be calculated by following the Kheerganga trek map . The entire journey can be broken into two phases:

Reaching Bhuntar: Nearest railhead, Pathankot is 150 km. We suggest Delhi-Chandigarh-Mandi-Bhuntar by road. Regular bus services run from Delhi post 6 pm.

Reaching Barshaini: Though accessible by local bus from Bhuntar, private taxi costing INR 900 – 1,000, is also an option. If you have time, avoid a cab. Take a bus from Bhuntar to Manikaran (36 km in 90) and from Manikaran to Barshani (18 km in 40 minutes). Last bus from Barshaini to Bhuntar is at 5:00 pm. A shared cab from Manikaran can be helpful if you are tight on schedule. They usually charge INR 75 – INR 100 per person.

From Barshaini – the base to Rudra Nag, Kalga and Pulga, opt from two routes:

• Rudra Nag (13 km): It’s a steep climb, laced with stunning views; perfect for photography enthusiasts and easier to descend.
• Kalga (17 km): Easy climb with longer descends, suited for occasional trekkers and those low on stamina. Not a good option for photographers looking for breathtaking landscapes.

I took the Kalga route to save the best for the last.

Suggested Read: 20 Best Hill Stations In Himachal To Experience Pure Bliss

Enroute Kalga To Kheer Ganga

A 15-minute climb leads to Kalga – a small village full of stunning serenity amidst apple orchards. Here, there are a dozen, amazingly hospitable, home stays available at throw-away cost.

Charging INR 100 to 500 per day , these homestays with the delicious food they serve, can give any normal city hotel a run for their money. From refreshing teas and Chinese  platters to Israeli to local Himachali cuisine, the chef, who is usually the owner, serves like a sophisticated waiter. The local version of rajma and rice with desi ghee is a delight.

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Dining Areas And Rooms Are Pre-Installed With ‘ Tandoor ’

…and sealed windows for warmth. The spellbinding views from these glass panes and serenity inside the room guarantee the much-needed break from the tiring journey and climb. One can spend a night and relish the home cooked food.

Suggested Read: Gokyo Ri Trek: A Pocket Guide To This Majestic Peak In Nepal

There Are Galleries, Windows, And Chairs…

…and if you wield your pen, the moments here can help you create master pieces.

The Beginning From Rocky And Curvy Paths…

With bridges made from fallen trees and stones, the trek to Kheer Ganga via Kalga took us through one of the most untouched mountains… treks in Himachal .

Through Bridges That Have Been There To Behold.

With Some Sadness And Warnings,

The Show Had To Go On

While The Roads Cautioned!

Suggested Read: The Ultimate List of Adventure Holidays In India For Summer 2020

The Rustic Charm And The Scenic Vistas Were Luring…

And So Were The Joys Of Being Close To Nature!

Amidst Everything, River Parvati Did Conspire To Keep Us Going;

And The Charm Didn’t Cease

Even Through The Tricky Passages –

‘Coz There ‘Were’ Promises To Keep!

Kheer Ganga – The Hilltop

Amidst This Heaven At Kheer Ganga, Are Several Cafes, A Dharamshala And A Natural Hot Water Spring – Parvati Kund .

Stay Options At Kheer Ganga

On the top, there are several lodging and food options at pretty reasonable prices. The cafes offer stay in tents and large halls with inbuilt ‘ tandoors ’. The cost per bed varies from INR 100 to INR 200 depending upon the season.

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Sightseeing. Monasteries. Trekking. And beauty all along

Interestingly, The Kheer Ganga Committee Runs And Maintains A ‘ Dharamshala ’ Here…

With Private Rooms And Meals, At INR 100 Per Person!

Plus, There Is Pool Bliss; Of A Different Kind.

Spend a couple of hours in the hot water pool, float under the scenic beauties of hill tops and you are as fresh as any other morning at home.

And As The Sun Sets Behind The Heights, It’s Time For That Walk To Remember,

Followed By An Open-Eyed Dream At Night, While Staring At The Star-Studded Sky.

Wake up to a magical morning that stays with you forever. Pack up, and prepare for…

THE DESCENT

Through The Thunderous Roars Of Violent Parvati River

To Rudra Nag, Finally.

The Tea At Cafe Here Will Soothe You Down

To Let You Carry Your Journey Through The Mountains

While Some Clouds May Await You When You Reach the base, Barshaini!

This Kheer Ganga Trek Ends And Will Leave You With Memories To Cherish And A Lot To Ponder On.

Things To Carry To Kheer Ganga Trek

Image Source When going for Kheer Ganga trek, keep a down jacket or a woolen sweater for the night, a cotton t-shirt and waterproof trousers for the day, and also a poncho or a raincoat to save yourself from frequent downpours. You should also carry enough sunscreen, a torch, socks, and a cap with you.

Things To Keep In Mind

Image Source

Keep following things in mind if you want to have an amazing trek to Kheer Ganga and avoid all the unnecessary hassle:

• There are no ATMs after Kasol. So, dispense cash before you begin the trek. There is a possibility that ATMs in Kasol may be out of cash. make sure you have a back-up.
• Do not forget to check the weather in Kheer Ganga before beginning your trip. The trail of Kheer Ganga is prone to landslides. So, avoid being there during heavy rainfalls.
• The trek starts from Bharshaini which can be reached by bus or a shred cab. However, it would be dofficult for you to find any early in the morning.

Suggested Read:  21 Enthralling Trails For Backpacking In India That Will Instantly Get You Going In 2020!

Tips For Trekking

Image Credit: Orna Wachman for Pixabay

Here are a few tips for trekking that will help you plan a butter-smooth trek. Check them out and keep them in mind.

• It is always better to start a bit of walking before going for a trek. If you do not have a habit of walking then it might get difficult for you to cover the Kheerganga trek distance as you will be out of habit. 
• It is important to choose the correct footwear as the trek is going to be long and uncomfortable shoes might create some problems, especially if you are planning a Kheerganga trek in December .  
• Keep a walking pole with you as it helps in climbing on the high terrain regions. It also gives you support on narrow paths. 
• Keep enough water to hydrate yourself during the trekking experience. Sweat might lead to dehydration which is why it is always advised to sip water now and then while trekking. 
• Keep energy bars, snacks, and other food that are high in nutrients so as to provide you enough energy while trekking. 
• Pack important supplies and required medicines in your backpack. Make sure that your backpack is not heavy otherwise it will be difficult to trek for long. 

Suggested Read: 9 Things To Do In Tosh That Will Satisfy Both Your Heart And Soul In 2020

How To Reach Kheer Ganga

Image Credit: Jade for Pixabay

There are three different ways to reach Kheer Ganga but the most preferred one is by train or by road. 

By Road : There two ways to go by road – by your own car or by private bus. Tosh is around 515 kilometers away from Delhi and it takes about 10-12 hours to reach the destination, depending on the number of pitstops you take. On the other hand, you can take a private bus to Bhuntar from where you can take a local bus to Barshaini which is the nearest place to Kheer Ganga trek route . 

By Rail : The best way to reach Kheergang via rail is by reaching the Pathankot Railway Station from where you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Barshaini.

By Air : The closest airport is located at about 235 kilometers away from Kheer Ganga and that is Pantnagar Airport. From there, you can hire a direct taxi to Barshaini. 

Further Read: Two Girls On A Trip To Kasol And Kheerganga

All set for an adventurous Kheer Ganga trek? Want to embark on something similar? Pack your bags, boot-up and plan a trip to Kasol and leave right for an amusing vacation to relax amidst nature!

*All images used in the blog have been clicked by the author, Pushkar Ranjan.

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click  here . 

Frequently Asked Questions About Kheer Ganga

Is Kheer Ganga Trek free?

For Kheer Ganga Trek no guide is required and this trek is crowded in any season. A camp will cost around INR 500 for four people.

Is it good for the beginners to go for Kheer Ganga Trek?

If you are experiencing trekking for the first time or you are a backpacker and looking for hike inHimalayas, a trip to Kheer Ganga trek would be a perfect choice for you.

When is the best time for Kheerganga Trek?

April to November is the best time to trek to Kheerganga since the weather is pleasant. However, you should avoid the monsoon months as the trail becomes slippery and dangerous. It is not accessible once the snowfall begins.

How is the network connectivity at Kheerganga?

Kheerganga is located in a remote region where getting network connectivity is impossible. However, if you have BSNL or Airtel connection, you may get some connectivity along the way.

How much time does it take to reach Kheerganga?

The total trekking distance is 10-12 km. Depending upon your strength and experience, it may take from 4-5 hours to get to the top.

Are there any food stall en route Kheerganga?

Yes, you will find a lot of food stalls and tea halts throughout the trail. The surprising part is there are a number of hippie cafes even at the top. If you wish, you may carry tidbits with you to munch on while trekking.

What kind of shoes should I wear?

You should have proper trekking shoes to have a comfortable trekking experience. Sports shoes have a chance of slipping.

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• Kasol - Chalal - Manikaran - Kheerganga - Jibhi 6D/5N @11499/-
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• Popular for hot water springs and panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains, Kheerganga is situated in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Located about 22 Km away from the pilgrimage town of Manikaran, trekking through the dense forests and a bath in its hot springs are a refreshing experience.
• You can go trekking, camping nature walking, leisurely walks in the forest, mountain climbing and indulge in landscape photography during your stay at Kheerganga . The view of the sunset and trekking through Kheerganga forests are an incredible experience. 
• Barshaini, is the last motorable point. While trekking from Barshaini you will come across several sightseeing options like Rudra-Nag the serpent shaped waterfall, the rock formation of Pandu Pul and the Pin Parvati Pass (5400 m). The Pin Valley National Park is another tourist attraction and is known for its resident wildlife population including snow leopards.

Key Highlights:

• Kasol:  Kasol Market, Parvati River, Chalal Village, and Cafes Hopping
• Manikaran : Manikaran Gurudwara, Shiva Temple, and Hot Water Spring
• Kullu:  Kullu Rafting, Dry Fruit Factory, Shawl Factory, and Vaishno Mata temple
• Kheerganga : Parvati Kund, Kartikeya Temple, Rudranaag Waterfall, Rudranaag Temple
• Jibhi:  Jibhi Waterfall, Jalori Pass, Serolsar Lake, and 360-degree viewpoint.

Departure Dates from Delhi :

• September : 29
• October : 6, 13, 20, 27
• November:  3, 10, 17, 24
• December : 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• January:  5, 12, 19, 26
• Delhi :  11,499/-  per person.

Ad-on (per person):

• Triple Sharing : 1500/- per person
• Double Sharing : 3000/- per person

Note: You can book your seat at just Rs. 4000/- and pay the rest 15 days before the event date.

Brief Itinerary:

• ​Day 01:  Delhi to Kasol
• Day 02 : Arrive in Kasol. Kasol sightseeing. Stay in Kasol
• Day 03 : Trekking to Kheerganga and Camping, Stay in Kheerganga
• Day 04:  Kheerganga - Manikaran, Stay in Jibhi
• Day 05 : Jibhi sightseeing. Leave for Delhi
• Day 06  : Arrive in Delhi.

What is included in the tour

• Transportation : Delhi to Delhi Surface transfer via Tempo Traveler / Cab
• Accommodations : Hotel Accommodations on a Double/ Triple/Quad sharing basis as per the Itinerary. Swiss tents on a sharing basis as per the Itinerary. 
• Meal Plans:  06 meals ( Day 2 Dinner, Day 3 Breakfast + Dinner, Day 4 Breakfast + Dinner, Day 5 Breakfast )
• Sightseeing  as per Itinerary. 
• The  Trip Captain  will be present at all times during the tour.
• Toll taxes and parking charges.
• Driver Allowances. 
• Medical and Mechanical Backup.
• All necessary permits. 
• First Aid Kits. 

What is NOT included in the tour

• River Rafting at Kullu
• Early check-in at the hotel.
• Any additional expenses such as of personal nature.
• Any Entry tickets at exploration sites.  
• Additional accommodation/food costs incurred due to any delayed travel.
• Any lunch and other meals not mentioned in Package Inclusions.
• Any kind of tips
• Any other services not specified above in Inclusions. 
• Reach Delhi 11:00 AM
• Take a bus to Majnu Ka Tilla or take Delhi Darshan Cab
• Report at  Majnu Ka Tilla at 06:00 PM
• Take a Volvo / Cab to Kasol ( anywhere between 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm )
• Start journey from Delhi to Kasol. 
• Reach Kasol & Check into the Hotel.
• Freshen up, self-exploration of Kasol, Riverside walk.
• Explore the various Israeli vintage cafes over there and try delicious Israeli food. The second way to spend the day is by sitting by the Parvati valley and enjoying the sight of the nature to the fullest.
• Go for the hike to the  Chalal  village in the evening. There also you would get beautiful views of the Parvati valley and the day will be a beautiful one.
• While you return to Kasol, you can chill at the cafes again and try out various delicious food.
• Dinner at Hotel
• Wake up early in the morning .
• After having breakfast depart for Barshaini .
• Arrive at Barshaini, start your Trek to Kheerganga .
• Enjoy your walk in the heart of beautiful Parvati Valley.
• Camping under stars followed by bonfire dinner and sleep.
• Wake up early in the morning and have a breakfast.
• Trek back to Barshaini and visit Manikaran Gurudwara Sahib .
• You can explore the Kasol market before we start our jouney back to Delhi.
• 00:07 PM take cab to  Tirthan Valley
• Reach Hotel around 10 PM, Checkin and have dinner
• Visit the local markets Gushaini
• Visit Chhoie waterfall ( short trek )
• Visit Great Himalayan National Park
• Local markets of Jibhi
• Visit Jibhi Waterfall
• Take AC Volvo to Delhi at 07:00 PM
• Reach  Delhi by 8-9 am.

Things To Carry:

• Day backpack (20 – 30 Ltrs):  When you are on a local sightseeing tour, you are required to carry only a few necessary items and for that, you need a day backpack as you will leave your bigger one at your designated stay. 
• Floaters or Sandals:  When you are spending your day at leisure, a good pair of sandals and floaters will help you to move freely.
• 1 Down Jacket / Main Jacket:  It’s emphasized that you need to carry proper layers so you can avoid getting cold which is why you need to carry an insulated jacket that you can put on over your other clothes.
• 1 Pair of Thermal:  Thermal is a piece of garment that helps in keeping your body warm in cold temperatures. It is a necessary item that you need when traveling to cold regions.
• Outdoor Shoes:  A comfortable shoe is required when traveling outdoors, especially in the mountains. They shouldn’t be chunky, instead, they should be lightweight and sturdy.
• 3 Quick Dry Tees:  You must keep at least three pairs of quick dry tees so that you can wash them in between stops for proper hygiene. 
• 3 Pair of Cotton Socks:  Cotton socks are extremely comfortable to move around in and are lightweight as well which is why you can always count on a good pair of cotton socks while traveling. However, keep in mind to change them and avoid wearing them if they are moist.
• 1 Pair of Woolen Socks:  A good pair of woolen socks, especially merino, are comfortable, limit odors and provide adequate insulation from the cold so you can wear them at night.
• 1 Poncho:  A poncho is an evolved form of a raincoat that provides coverage to your body as well as your bag and ensures total water protection from the rain. 
• Quick-dry towel:  A quick-dry towel will help in maintaining proper hygiene. It must dry quickly because the wet fabric will only increase the chance of bacterial growth.
• Gloves : Insulated gloves help in maintaining proper body heat in your hands.
• Sanitizer : Prevent the risk of infections and maintain proper hand hygiene by making sure you carry a hand sanitizer.
• Sun Cap:  A lightweight sun cap with side flaps is perfect to keep your head cool and avoid sunburns on a sunny day. 
• Lip Balm:  Your lips can become chapped due to the harsh cold winds so it's important to keep them moisturized.
• Cold Cream & Sun Screen (SPF 40+):  To avoid sunburns and chafing, you need to put on sunscreen as well as cold cream.
• Water Bottle (1 Ltrs):  Hydration is extremely important when it comes to traveling. Carrying a water bottle that you can refill with Himalayan water is a must.
• Bag for all your Toiletries:  A bag with all your essentials including napkins, toothpaste, sanitizers, paper soap, etc should be carried in a ziplock bag. 
• Personal Basic Medical Kit:  Carrying a medical kit with bandages, Dettol, and medication for headaches, nausea, etc is necessary.
• Sunglasses / People who use spectacles (Use Photochromic glasses instead of contact lenses) : Photochromatic glasses are specs that are designed to transform into anti-glare shades depending upon exposure to the sun. They are good when it comes to eye protection but one can also opt for clip-on glasses etc.
• Mobile charger / Power bank:  Although you'll get electricity at most places, it is always advisable to carry a charged power bank in case of emergencies.
• Documents : Identification proofs like Aadhar Card, and driver's License.
• Extra Polythene:  In case your clothes get wet or your garments don’t dry, you can carry them in polythene. However, make sure that all the plastic that you are carrying into the woods leaves with you. Don’t litter.
• Camera : This should be obvious. To make sure that you get to capture all the great moments from your trip. Make sure that you have enough storage and some extra batteries as well.

Payment Details :

UPI ID : 7387523876@upi

Net banking :

• Name- RAJBALA YADAV Bank name - HDFC BANK  ACC No.- 50100308491863 IFSC code- HDFC0002501
• Name- NITIN YADAV Bank name - PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK  ACC No.- 0530001500002688 IFSC code- PUNB0053000

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

NO REFUND SHALL BE MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE INITIAL BOOKING AMOUNT FOR ANY CANCELLATIONS. HOWEVER IF FULL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE THEN,

• If cancellations are made 30 days before the trip's start date, 50% of the trip cost will be refunded within 5-7 working days.
• If cancellations are made 15-30 days before the trip's start date, 25% of the trip cost will be refunded within 5-7 working days.
• If cancellations are made within 0-15 days before the trip's start date, 100% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees. No refund will be processed.
• In the case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be canceled and in such cases, the operator will try his best to provide an alternate feasible activity. However, no refund will be provided for the same.
• No show No Refund.
• Event Tickets cannot be transferred to another date against cancellation.
• Event Tickets can be transferred to another person against cancellation.
• If we cancel the TRIP, only the TRIP AMOUNT will be refunded.

Trekhievers Policy:

• A complete schedule of the trek will be given to the registered participants 12 Hours prior on WhatsApp.
• Organizers have all the right to modify or change the schedule in case of any unavoidable circumstance.
• The tour is weather-based and depends on the weather conditions. There may be last-minute cancellations if weather conditions deteriorate.
• INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS

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