Looking for an Offbeat Getaway? Go Camping in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh and Rejuvenate Your Senses with its Breathtaking Beauty and Abundant Trekking Trails (2020)

Kasol is a small village located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, and is also known as the ‘Mini Israel of India’ due to the high number of Israeli tourists visiting this place and an equally high number of Israeli inhabitants. Kasol is blessed to be located on the banks of river Parvati and is surrounded by the beautiful Parvati valley. The area of this hill station is a mere 0.36 sq. km and it is located 5,180 ft above the sea level. This small place is gaining popularity as a hill station and a trekking point for backpackers, trekkers and nature lovers. Popularly known as the ‘Amsterdam of India’, Kasol is a serene village surrounded by natural picturesque splendour and breathtaking magnificent views. The raging Parvati river in the front and the snow-clad mountains in the background would make you want to sit in the lap of nature and keep on adoring the creator's marvel.

Not only the river and the mountains, Kasol also has enchanting details embedded in smooth boulders, green grass, white sand and the clear sea green water. The array of pine trees and the cliffs peeking from behind look equally panoramic amidst the gushing waterfalls. Kasol is a place not yet ruined by the flocking travellers and has few famous trekking trails nearby, like Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Pin Parbati Pass and Sar Pass. Kasol has a good number of cafes along the streets and you would also get Israeli food here, because of the Israeli inhabitants. Enjoying your meal in a place surrounded by dense green forests and picturesque mountains is a delight which one can’t even imagine in the mad rush of urbanisation. Kasol also has a small flea market, from where you can purchase pretty souvenirs, gift items, pendants, etc. to take back home as gifts for your family and friends.

Kasol experiences nice weather throughout the year, but displays almost all the flavors and beauty of different temperatures and weather phenomenon during different parts of the year. Winters set early in October and reach the peak between the end of December to the beginning of February, when the entire place is mostly covered in a snow blanket and the chilly air along with the sober winter sun makes it an attractive place for the solitude loving people who would want to enjoy the snowy winters.

March to June - the summer months, are considered as the party-lovers time and you can arrange or participate in house parties, rave parties or even music festivals. May and June are good months for trekking and camping activities when the days are warmer and the nights are mild and pleasant. However, the months of July, August and September are the monsoon months and not a very good time to visit this place, as heavy rainfall and rough weather conditions can result in landslides, blocked roads, cloudbursts or even worse, a flood-like situation. So, it’s advisable not to plan going there during the monsoon season.

Though Kasol itself is a small village, but there are many places nearby and around Kasol which are a treat for the camping and trekking enthusiasts. To reach Kasol by air, you can reach Bhuntar Airport near Kullu which is just 31 km from Kasol and is connected via air routes to Delhi, Pathankot and Shimla. You can also get buses plying from Delhi, Shimla, Solan, Kangra, Dharamshala, etc. to Kasol. The nearest railway station is Pathankot, which is about 150 km from Kasol and from Pathankot you have to take a bus to Kasol. The places mentioned below are near Kasol and you can easily visit these places by state run bus service or by hiring a local taxi.

The Mahadev River View Camps is a refreshing retreat from the hectic city life as the camps overlooking the river Parvati and surrounded by lush green forests welcome you with cosy tents, delicious food and local dishes cooked over fire, room service, housekeeping, toiletries, hot and cold water, etc. Above all, you get a lot of opportunities for trekking and bonfire in this camp. This place is just 1 km away from Kasol town centre and can be booked online on various travel-related platforms.

Kabila Camps is a popular site in Kasol and they provide a plethora of camping options from classic tents to Swiss tents. Located nearby the Parvati river and on the foothill of the beautiful mountains, Kabila Camps provide an enchanting view of nature’s beauty. Apart from the delicious food, they provide all the luxury amenities which you can hardly imagine in such a small place. Not only this, you can customise your camping trip as per your convenience and budget. You get free Wi–Fi, garden and balconies with mountain views and can enjoy activities like camping, paragliding and river rafting. Kabila Camps is 4 km from Kasol and 6 km from Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib.

Located at a walking distance from Kasol Market, Orchard Camps is situated on a serene hill and has a nice garden and spring bath as the main attractions. The tents equipped with washrooms and modern amenities, provide a cosy and comfortable environment for camping. One of the best places to unwind from the urban noise, this place has a splendid mountain view and trekkers can enjoy hiking and sightseeing amidst the lush green forests. Though food is not provided here, but the nearby restaurants and cafes provide a lot of culinary delicacies to satiate your taste buds.

A camping site which is surrounded by beautiful pine trees and the enchanting view of the Himalayan range, Parvati Woods Camp is located about 3.5 km from the main market and very close to the Parvati River. They provide private Swiss tents with attached bathrooms with two double beds in every tent along with a private sitting area. Activities like bonfire and music are organised in the evening and you can also rent a bicycle for sightseeing and exploring the nearby areas. They offer sightseeing in the local villages and also organise different trekking activities. Tourists can also enjoy activities like fishing, mountaineering and various games are available in this camp.

This camp has an interesting schedule of various activities which start with Asian breakfast in the morning. You can have it in your tent or their in-house cafeteria. After the breakfast, they have trekking activities planned for the entire day and the day ends on a musical note amidst bonfire in the night. The tents are spacious with attached washrooms, a sun terrace and beautiful gardens in the front. Visitors get free parking and bicycles are also available to enjoy the nearby areas. The natural beauty spread all around this place will leave you in awe for most of the time during your trek.

A home away from home is what describes Lee Garden Camps aptly. They provide clean bedding with extra beds and a nice ambience to their guests. The pleasant and peaceful environment gives a perfect hill station experience and for the adventure enthusiasts, they provide trekking facilities - high altitude treks and customised tours as well. Free Wi-Fi, parking, kitchenware such as fridge, microwave, coffee machine, electric kettle, etc. and toiletries in the washroom, mosquito net, fan, etc. are some of the amenities provided by them. Lee Garden Camps have their own restaurant on site which serves Indian, American, British, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, European and local food as well. The Parvati river is about 200 meters away from the camp and you can take a stroll near the river or simply sit and relax.

A perfect place for a family getaway in Kasol, the Camp Himalayan Midway offers a safe environment for your kids and provides the experience of a cottage amidst the hills. They provide customised packages to give you the best Himalayan experience. Camp Himalayan Midway provides comfortable stay, in-house delicious food and would organise various activities and games for different age groups.

One of the best places to visit in Kasol, the Kheerganga Trek is an easy to do 9 km long steep climb and you can cover the narrow and tricky trails in approximately 4 hours. Travellers in good health, are allowed to climb to the peak and those who complete the trek and reach the peak are welcomed by the hot springs. You can lie in the natural hot bath for a relaxing experience which is full of health benefits. You can also stay overnight at the peak as there are options available for a night stay along with delicious food and a campfire. Kheerganga is equally popular among adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers because of the breathtaking views of the Parvati valley, nearby mountains and the hot springs. The trekking time is from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., so you’ll have to plan your trek accordingly.

Tosh is a quiet village near Kasol and you have to climb up the hill to reach this village. The tarmac road ends at the beginning of the village and you’ll have to walk over a wooden bridge to enter the village. The view of Kasol looks magnificent from this village. If you are in no mood to trek up to reach Tosh, then you can also avail cab services available at minimal fare. You will find many cafes which serve lip-smacking Israeli and European food, so you can relax here while viewing the scenic beauty and relishing the delicious food. You can experience traces of European culture in Tosh and apple orchards in this village which is 7,900 ft above sea level. The village is quite a small place and you can walk around and halt at different points and submerge yourself in the serene beauty and shoot some beautiful ‘postcard’ pictures during the pursuit.

Malana is one of the oldest villages in this area and famously known as the ‘Little Greece of India’ because the village people consider themselves to be the descendants of ‘Alexander the Great’. The village should be visited not only for its natural beauty, but also for the unique culture, traditions and temples. You’ll have to rent a cab to reach the trekking point for this village, which is 21 km from Kasol and thereafter a 2 km climb would take you to the village. The natives of Malana believe that too much of interaction with the outside world would pollute the purity of their traditions and race, so a tourist can’t touch them or their belongings without their permission. So much so, that they would wash the wall with buffalo blood if it is touched by any outsider! The shrine of Renuka Devi and the Jamadagni Temple are the famous temples in Malana and various Gods and Goddesses are worshipped here. These temples are considered very sacred by the locals and are well preserved by them. You can notice dense deodar trees while trekking upwards to Malana and also see the Malana Dam.

Located around 60 km from Kasol, Tirthan Valley has no concrete roads and you’ll get the feel of a place which is completely untouched by urbanisation. You can sit and relax beside the river and trek through the forests to discover a gushing waterfall midway. Tirthan Valley is just 3 km from the entry of the Great Himalayan National Park and is a delight for the nature lovers due to the plethora of sightseeing options and lush green paths leading to nearby serene hamlets.

Located at a height of 5,300 ft above sea level, Chalal village is a 30 minutes trek away from Kasol. Chalal has retained its old world charm even in this era and is slowly becoming a tourist hot spot for the trekking and nature lovers. This small village has been nicknamed as the ‘Israel of Himachal Pradesh’, thanks to the dense and magical pine trees and the snow clad mountains surrounding Chalal village.