A wonder to behold, with air which not only mystifies your senses but makes you live in the impulses of life, Kasol is a village starting at the confluence of River Parvati and River Beas. It is famous for its picturesque coniferous forests and crystal clear mountain streams. Known for its thrilling treks, flavorsome food, rugged terrains, and roaring river, Kasol is the Himalayan hotspot for backpackers and a base for treks to Malana and Kheerganga.

Dev is a law student based in Delhi, who has a sweet spot for traveling and newfound adventures. Let’s dive into his 6-day solo escapade. 

Day 1

Having reached Kasol from Delhi at about 9 in the morning by bus, Dev started his day with a hearty breakfast and quickly moved towards Chalal, which happens to be quite on the opposite side from Kasol. Stopping at Chalal for a few minutes, he started his trek to Rasol which is 10,000 feet above sea level. Reaching there at 5 in the evening, Dev speaks highly of the beauty he saw there. Nestled in the Parvati Valley, Rasol is quite famous for producing some of the best hashish in the world since cannabis grows naturally in the area. Which is exactly how Dev describes it. Large open fields with a view stretching till the horizon. However, on his return journey back to Kasol. He booked a homestay for the night and called it a day. 

Day 2

Starting the day early at 7 am, he started his trek to Rasol Top. Offering quite a beautiful view, it is yet again filled with nothing but large cannabis fields, so it’s not an ideal place to stay overnight. However, you can enjoy the view and the calm. After spending a good number of hours, he headed back, which took him about 4 hours to get to Kasol. Not taking up much time for rest. He once again started his trek to Manikaran and then took the bus for Pulga from there. To make a note, there comes a point in the route where the bus stops and there is no mode of transport further, so you better put on good shoes because you’ll have to walk on foot for the next 20-30 minutes. Having reached Pulga, he booked his stay at Apple Garden Cafe which is also a homestay, for the night.

Day 3

Keeping the day light, Dev unplanned to do nothing much other than explore Pulga and its forests. Magic Fairy forest, the name certainly justifies the beauty that there is to be seen. Huge pine trees, sunlight bouncing off of them like diamonds, gushing of Parvati River nearby, mellow sound of hidden waterfalls and chirping of the birds, makes it a living fantasy of Mirkwood, the mystical forest in Lord of the Rings. Enchanted by the beauty and quiet, he did nothing after. Later attending a party happening at Pulga itself, he again stayed at the same as from the day before. 

Day 4

After having a good breakfast at 8 in the morning, he headed directly for his trek to Kheer Ganga. The 8 km trail took him about 7 to 8 hours to reach. Having accidentally traveled 4 km ahead of the destination, he found a hidden gem. Gorgeous waterfalls with open grassland. Enjoying his time there, he went back to the target place. And camped there for the night at Kheerganga trekking camps. 

Day 5

Starting the day at 9, Dev directly headed for Hot Springs. Water as pure and white as rice, Dev enjoyed a good soak in the springs and headed down. Upon reaching Barshaini Dam he took the bus for Kasol. He attended a party at Freedom Cafe in Kasol and then went to his friend’s place to stay the night. 

Day 6

Starting the morning by shopping at local markets in Kasol, he explored the nearby places. He then took a taxi and went to Malana Hydropower Plant. Deciding to walk on foot from the gate to the starting point of the trek, he realized he was very tired at that point to start a trek. Therefore, Dev suggests taking a cab all the way to the starting point of the trek. However, he again boarded another taxi that took him to Malana village.

Starting the trek from there, it took him about 2 to 3 hours to reach the top. Now, an interesting story, outsiders are not allowed to touch the local people at Malana, not even buildings or their properties, certain places are off-limits to even enter. And failing to do so might subject you to a heavy fine. So make a note of that if you plan to start the Malana trek. However, the route and trek themselves are quite beautiful. Having spent some time there, Dev headed back to Kasol. He had a bus booked to take him to Delhi. 

Having packed some beautiful and enchanting memories, Dev left Kasol, only with a promise to come back some other day!

So this was an eventful story of Dev Kaushik and his trip to Kasol. For more videos and photos, check out his page @devk.4.

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