Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas is this quiet little town called Parvati Valley. The beautiful dense pine, deodar trees and snow-capped peaks makes Parvati Valley one of the most beautiful valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Be it solo backpackers or hard-core hippies, this valley has beckoned travelers from a real long time. The deeper you explore, the chances of getting inclined towards adventure and spirituality are more. So if you are looking for some laid-back mountain adventure, this is the place to be. Here’s a comprehensive guide that will help plan your Parvati Valley trip better.
Table of Contents
Where Is Parvati Valley
The beautiful valley is located 5,000 meters above sea level along the Parvati River in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is so well placed that it serves as an easy gateway to other villages and towns such as Kasol, Chalal, Malana, Mateura, Chojh, Jari, Grahan, Manikaran, Barsheni, Pulga, Tulga, Kalga and Tosh. The starkly beautiful place with many waterfalls, hot springs and scenic landscape is truly worth a visit.
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How To Reach
Parvati Valley can be easily reached through multiple routes:
By Air: The nearest airport to the valley is the Bhuntar Airport which is in Kullu Manali. Since the flights to Bhuntar are very limited you can opt for the Mohali Airport in Chandigarh which is over 300 kms away.
By Road: There are many local buses and taxis operating to various points in the valley from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Manali. Delhi to Parvati Valley by road is around 550 km which takes about 12 hours.
By Train: Nearest major railway stations are Joginder Nagar railway station which takes about 4 hours and Pathankot which takes about 12 hours to reach the entry of Parvati Valley. People coming from Delhi can take the Shatabdi train to Chandigarh and from there hire a taxi or take a bus to the valley.
Best Time To Visit
Except for the peak winters, the weather in Parvati Valley is pleasant. However be prepared for unexpected changes in weather as the valley is at a high altitude.
The summer months between March to May are pleasant and ideal for sightseeing and exploring the hills.
Make sure to avoid the monsoon months of June and July as this is the trickiest period in the hills. It gets difficult to explore, even walking during this time of the year is difficult. Continuous rains can drastically affect your travel plans too.
During peak winter months between December to February the temperature drops to sub-zero levels making it very difficult to access many areas. However if you can handle the extreme cold weather, this is the best time to visit as it is the perfect time for winter sports.
Also Read: Simple Skin Care Tips for Winter Travel
Top Trekking Opportunities In Parvati Valley
The valley has become the favorite among many backpackers because of the numerous trekking options it offers. Listed below are few of the must try treks in the valley.
Kheerganga Trek
Height: 2950m
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 2 days
Pin Parvati Pass
Height: 5319m
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Duration: 8 days
Tosh-Buddhaban
Height: 2400m
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Duration: 3 days
Must Visit Places In Parvati Valley
Look around and you will be amazed to see that the valley is beautiful from any direction. If not all, try to see at least a few of these places listed below as each one has a beauty of its own.
Kasol
Kasol, the mini-Israel of India holds a special place in the hearts of many because of its hippie fame, trekking trails, parties and raves. There are a lot of young Israelis who come here to chill and unwind. The food scenes too are great here compared to the other big cities.
Manikaran
Manikaran is a major religious place for the Sikh as well as Hindu pilgrims because of the two popular temples, Gurudwara and the famous Ram and Shiva temple. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Parvathi spent a lot of time here. A dip in the natural hot springs are the highlights of this place.
Chalal
Chalal is a small beautiful village just 30 minutes’ walk from Kasol. It can be easily reached by crossing a hanging bridge from Kasol. The yummy food, colorful trees and peaceful surroundings makes it the perfect place to spend your holiday. A must visit place if you are looking for a laid-back vacation.
Rasol
Rasol is another beautiful village situated deep in the Parvati Valley. This mystical village which has only 100 homes is well protected, just like the neighboring villages. The green forests and unimaginable beauty around makes Rasol a gem of a hamlet.
Tosh
At the far end of Parvati Valley is a small village called Tosh which is famous for its scenic views. You can see a lot of backpackers and solo travelers who have come here looking for some peace and serenity. The unparalleled views of the snow-capped Himalayas is the highlight of this place.
Pulga, Tulga & Kalga
This trio sister villages of Pulga, Tosh and Kalga can be reached via a small trek from Barsheni. There are no raves parties nor any parties for the hippies here, hence the place is quite calm and peaceful. This is a place to enjoy the beauty of nature while slowing down the pace of life.
List Of Things To Do Here
- Trekking Excursions
- Rock Climbing
- Riverside Camping
- Bird Watching
- Nature Walks
- Dip In The Hot Springs
- Village Exploration
- Visit Local Temples
- Try Local Cuisine
- Attend Cooking Classes
- Visit Local Markets
- Souvenir Shopping
- Spiritual workshops
- Ayurvedic Treatments & Massages
- Landscape Photography
Some Essential Tips
- If trekking is on the cards, take prior approvals from the local police station.
- Pack warm clothes even in summers as the valley can get very cold during the nights.
- Ware good trekking shoes as there will be a lot of walking to do.
- Carry altitude sickness medication and acclimatize properly before starting to explore the place.
- Pack bottled water and eat street food only from hygienic places.
- Respect the local culture and etiquette of the valley.
- Make sure that you are dressed modestly as most of the places of visit are small villages.
What To Pack
To stay warm and safe during your mountain vacation it is essential to pack the below list of things:
- Warm and comfortable clothes.
- Comfortable light weight walking shoes and flip flops.
- Umbrella, rain jacket and waterproof boots, if traveling in the monsoons.
- Sunscreen, hat and mosquito repellent.
- Avoid plastic water bottles, carry a re-fillable filter water bottle.
- Bring binoculars, camera, flashlight and power bank.
- First aid box and regular medicines.
Suggested Reads: Rohtang Pass Guide For That Ultimate Thrill In The Himalayas
This comprehensive guide covers various information required to plan a Parvati Valley trip. So when you are ready for a trip to the mountains, do refer to this guide and travel responsibly. Let us know about how this guide has helped you and about your experiences in the comment box below.
FAQs
Pin Parvati Valley is famous for trekking trails, astounding natural beauty, folklore, beautiful rivers and the mouthwatering local cuisine.
Kasol to Parvati Valley distance is around 17 kms and it takes about 40 minutes to cover the distance by car.
A small village called Malana is the untouchable village in Kasol. The people here consider themselves the descendants of Alexander the Great and have set their own laws and traditions. They have a strict no-touch rule for outsiders. This rule is followed to preserve the villages’ cultural purity and identity.
