Kasol Tourism

In Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, there’s a small hamlet called Kasol which has gained fame in recent years for its ‘hippie’ culture and Israeli population. A number of Israeli nationals have made this village their home which has led to Kasol being nicknamed mini-Israel. Kasol tourism seems to emerge from a number of such foreign travellers who have heard of this place and have come to see its many bounties for themselves.

Now, Kasol which is near Bhuntar’s airport is best accessed through the road and seems to have been one of the few places that is not proliferated by selfie-stick wielding eager tourists as of yet. This is because Kasol tourism does not have the same level of glamour that is associated with other places in Himachal Pradesh like Shimla or Manali. Nevertheless, this is also changing as people are discovering this little beauty of a village at the bottom of Parvati Valley.

Kasol Climate

Kasol generally has good weather throughout the year. Summers are crowded with visitors because of the sunny days and clear skies. The monsoons however tend to be tricky and there can be flash floods and landslides, so it is not a good time for Kasol tourism. During winter, there’s a good amount of snowfall which lasts from December till February. Kasol turns into a white winter land during this time and the sights are breath taking indeed. But Kasol’s best climate is in early to mid-summer.

Kasol Culture

One of the first things that you might notice about Kasol is that restaurant board signs are in English and Hebrew. This is attributed to the numerous Israeli residents who live here. Don’t be surprised if you find Israeli food in the restaurants and cafés as well. Apart from that, there’s an inherent hippie and bohemian vibe about Kasol which makes it a haven for backpackers and other who want to have an offbeat holiday. Nearby, there’s Manikaran which draws a huge number of visitors to the Gurudwara there while there are also several temples that receive a number of devoted worshippers.

Kasol Tourism

A Kasol tour often includes trekking and hiking trips to several nearby villages and hamlets. While you can simply relax and chill by the river or just sip a cup of steaming tea in one of the many cafés here, most often people love the hikes to the picturesque Kheer Ganga too. This is one of the easier treks which even a beginner can attempt. The trek takes around four hours but is well worth the trouble for the amazing views of the lush greenery everywhere. Hot springs here make the trek worthwhile.

While Kasol isn’t exactly a glamourous tourist destination on its own, nearby there are several gorgeous places to visit. Parvati Valley too is a scenic spot and several people come here for river rafting and other such adrenaline inducing activities. For those not inclined to such heavy activities, this is a favourite spot of many for some stargazing. The night sky in places like Kasol is brilliant and looking up at the stars will make you feel weightless and free, like a mere speck in the cosmos.

The nearby Tosh Village is another popular trekking destination which, like Kasol, is famed for its hippie vibe where you can easily spot people doing yoga and meditation out in the open. The nearby Tirthan Valley is also a good option to visit with its waterfall and river. There’s plenty of scenic beauty to enjoy here too. Manikaran with its gurudwara is one of the favoured destinations here for the hot springs as well. Devotees often cook food in these springs before making an offering at the Gurudwara. People come to these hot springs because they are considered to be sacred, but they are also said to have medicinal properties. A dip in these hot springs will refresh and rejuvenate you.

While in Kasol, do try and visit Malana as well. You will be surprised at how little urbanisation has affected it. Things are quite rustic here and the locals have their own set of beliefs wherein they don’t like outsiders touching their belongings or them. Nevertheless, Malana is interesting and has several quiet moments as well.

Kasol tourism is more about the surroundings that the hamlet of Kasol itself. However, you could always decide to relax and do nothing when you come here as you look out over the inspiring views of the mountains.