Incredible India
7 Things to Do in Kasol, the Parvati Valley's Backpacker Capital
Set along the Parvati River in Himachal Pradesh, Kasol has grown from a sleepy riverside hamlet into the trekking and cafe-hopping base for the entire valley, without losing the mountains around it.
Sep 25, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Kasol sits on the banks of the Parvati River in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, at roughly 1,580 metres, and functions today as the main base for a valley that draws both Indian and international backpackers for its trekking routes and its noticeably laid-back cafe culture. Here are seven things to do, each with a direct map link.
1. Walk along the Parvati River
The riverside path through Kasol itself, lined with guesthouses, cafes and stalls, remains the easiest way to take in the valley's setting, with the Parvati running fast and clear beneath forested slopes on both sides.
2. Manikaran Sahib and its hot springs
A short drive upriver, Manikaran is home to a major Sikh gurudwara built beside natural hot springs long considered sacred in both Sikh and Hindu tradition; the springs are hot enough that the langar kitchen here reportedly uses them to cook.
3. Trek to Kheerganga
A moderate day-and-a-half trek from the trailhead village of Barshaini climbs through forest to Kheerganga, a high meadow known for its own natural hot spring pool with views back down the valley, and remains one of the most popular multi-day treks in the region.
4. Walk to Chalal village
A short riverside and forest walk from Kasol, roughly 45 minutes on foot across a suspension bridge, leads to Chalal, a small Himachali village with a quieter, more traditional character than Kasol itself and a handful of cafes of its own.
5. Day trip to Tosh
Further up the valley beyond Barshaini, the village of Tosh sits dramatically on a steep hillside and has become a popular day trip or overnight stop in its own right, with views across the gorge toward the surrounding peaks.
6. See Malana from a distance
Malana, a village known for its distinct customs and a long tradition of local self-governance, sits in a side valley reachable by a separate trek; visitors are asked to respect local rules around touching property and community spaces, and a guided visit is the more considerate way to see it.
7. Eat through Kasol's cafe strip
Decades of steady Israeli backpacker traffic have left Kasol with an unusually large concentration of hummus, shakshuka and falafel cafes alongside standard Himachali and North Indian food, a mix that has become as much a part of the town's identity as the trekking.
Traveller tips
- The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali Airport), around 45 minutes by road; the nearest railhead is Joginder Nagar, considerably further.
- Roads into the upper valley, including to Barshaini and Tosh, can be affected by landslides during the monsoon; check conditions before travelling June to September.
- Mobile network coverage is patchy beyond Kasol itself; download offline maps in advance.
- Warm layers are worth carrying even in summer, as evenings cool quickly once the sun drops behind the valley walls.
Where this is
Kasol, Himachal Pradesh