Kasol: Experience Life In The Parvati Valley

A train ride or a flight to Delhi from any city in India, followed by a 12 hour long drive from India’s capital city; getting to Kasol could be long and almost unending. Once you’ve been through this, Kasol is a beauty amongst the hills of Himachal Pradesh. If you’re a traveler looking to experience something different, Kasol is an ideal town to explore.

Kasol is a hamlet in Himachal Pradesh discovered by travelers. Kasol’s beauty lies in its location as well as its people, and it is commonly known as ‘mini-Israel.’ The common name persists because many of the inhabitants here are Israelis rather than the Himachalis and other foreigners. Kasol is fitted snugly in the Parvati Valley and is sure to offer breathtaking views of the valley and mountains to everyone who visits. It’s reputation as a mini-Israel also brings along other hippie aspects to life in Kasol – from drum circles to moonlight parties, Kasol has it all if you know where to look.

For those who are foodies, the momos, pizza, fries, and baked items from German Bakery are a must-try. While visiting, however, one shouldn’t miss the Israeli food at the many cafés. For those who love the outdoors, Kasol is like paradise. Treks to Malana or Kheerganga begin from here. And for tranquility, walking along the banks of the Parvati to the other nearby villages is a great way to help you clear your mind. For those who know what else Kasol is famous for, there is no reason not to visit.

Aditi Mehta, a Mumbai resident who visited Kasol last year, shares, ‘I went to Kasol mainly because it is not crowded and commercialized like Shimla or Kasauli. We went during the month of June, so it wasn’t too cold or hot. The weather was just perfect. I remember waking up early every morning and walking or sitting on the banks of the river Parvati. If heaven exists, I think it would be nothing less than this. And the best part – it wasn’t even too crowded. Majority of the folks here are Israeli, and you find cafés and restaurants that serve authentic Israeli food. Momos, paranthas and pancakes were delicious! Since Kasol is located at a high altitude, I recollect at one point that the place was covered with clouds. It was beautiful.’

Kasol is an experience. The easiest and most popular route to getting here is by taking the overnight train from Delhi to Bhuntar and then proceeding to take the local bus onwards. You can also hire a private taxi, though that is substantially more expensive. Do check the weather reports before entering this region as erratic weather is not unheard of and may disrupt your travel plans.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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