Posted 06 December 2022 in Winter wandering

Winter wonderland: Things to do on a winter vacation in Kasol

Kasol is a hamlet in the district of Kullu of Himachal Pradesh. It is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty, landscape, exciting treks, roaring Parvati River and lip-smacking food. Kasol is a small serene village situated at an altitude of 5000 ft in the lap of greenery and snow-capped mountains. The beauty and serenity of the place will make you forget the monotonous city life.

Kasol is a paradise for backpackers and the starting point for several treks to Kheerganga and Malana. It is also known as the Mini Israel of India as a lot of Israeli tourists come to Kasol. Nestled on the banks of Parvati River in the Parvati Valley, Kasol lies in between Buntar and Manikaran.

The weather of Kasol makes it more likeable among the tourists. While it has pleasant weather in summer, winters are equally beautiful. Tourists visit Kasol in winters to experience snow.

Things to do in Kasol in winters

1. Trek to Kheerganga for an astounding view of the snow-capped mountains

Kheerganga is situated in the exquisite Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is popular for its enthralling hot water springs and picturesque valley views. The trek will take you to an altitude of 9600 ft. Kasol acts as a base camp for this trek.

It’s a 12 km trek from one side. It is a 2-day trek and can be easily covered by anyone. The difficulty level of the trek is from easy to moderate. During winters, the trail will be covered with snow and it will be slippery. Trekkers need to be extra cautious while trekking in snow.

After completing the trek, a sudden feeling of peace will enter your heart. The beauty and serenity of the place will make you forget the monotonous city life.

2. Visit Manikaran Sahib

Manikaran Sahib is a gurudwara nestled in Parvati Valley between Beas and Parvati River in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Located at a distance of 3.5 km from Kasol, Manikaran holds its significance in Sikh communities and is a top pilgrimage centre for Sikhs.

Manikaran is a major tourist attraction in Kasol. Currently, the Gurudwara is under construction as a part of it was destroyed by a natural disaster. Don’t forget to eat at the Langar if you ever visit the Gurudwara. The food in the Langar is cooked in the Gurudwara itself.

3. Take a dip in the hot springs at Manikaran

Manikaran is sacred to both Hindus and Sikhs as there is the Ramachandra Temple, a hot spring and a Gurudwara at the same location. Your religion doesn’t matter when you are in Manikaran. Take a dip in the hot springs at Manikaran as it is believed to have healing powers.

According to the locals, a dip in the hot springs will wash away all your sins. The hot springs in Manikaran are used for several purposes. The devotees cook rice in the hot springs to offer it to the gods and then take a holy bath in the other hot spring.

4. Take a stroll around the Parvati River

Parvati River is termed as an aquatic pride of Himachal Pradesh for its beauty and calm waters. The river offers enchanting views of the Parvati Valley, its lush green forest and sparkling water of the river. Just stop by the river to look and appreciate the natural beauty that the river possesses.

See the river flowing and making its way amidst lush green pines and rocks. The surreal feeling of contentment and peace at the place is unforeseen. The area around Parvati River is great for nature lovers and nature photographers. The river is perfect for kayaking and other adventure water sports during the monsoon season. In winters, the temperatures are freezing and tourists can witness snowflakes on the leaves of deodar and pine trees. The whole scenario makes for a perfect picture.

5. Go cafe hopping in Kasol

One of the things to do in Kasol is to go cafe hopping. Explore some of the most happening cafes in the hamlet, also known as mini-Israel of India. Due to a lot of Israeli tourists in Kasol, the town is budding with themed cafes for foreign and domestic tourists.

There are several cosy, happening and unique cafes in Kasol which is one of the main reasons why tourists love to stay in Kasol. There are cafes where one can just sit around a bonfire and appreciate nature. Some of the popular cafes in Kasol are Stone Garden Cafe, Jim Morrison Cafe, Evergreen Restaurant, Bhoj Restaurant, Little Italy, Mama Cafe and Moon Dance Café among others.

6. Play in the snow in Kasol winters

Among all the things that Kasol is known for, snowfall will top the list. Kasol experiences heavy snowfall in the winter season. The months from October to February are extremely cold and chilly. Tourists can witness snowfall in these months. Those who love snow should visit Kasol in the months of December to January.

A lot of backpackers and travellers visit Kasol in winters for winter trekking and experiencing snow. The whole hamlet is covered in a blanket of snow during winters. Kasol experiences one of the most amazing snowfalls in Himachal Pradesh. Make your own snowman or go for a trek while the hamlet snows. Kasol’s snowfall season will make you fall in love with the winters and will give you a memory of a lifetime.

7. Gorge yourself on Israeli cuisine

Tourists can gorge themselves on some of the dishes from Israeli cuisine in Kasol. Savour on Israeli dishes like Lemon Cake and Shakshouka while having a view of the snow-capped mountains. Israelis love Kasol and that is the reason there is a high percentage of Israeli tourists in this quaint hamlet.

Other than theme cafes with bonfires and a view, Kasol offers you to dine on amazing Israeli food. Some of the fine cafes that serve Israeli dishes in Kasol are Turquoise Kasol and The Evergreen.

8. Camp with a view in Kasol

Camping is one of the major activities that trekkers and adventure enthusiasts love to do on hill stations and Kasol just happens to be the ideal destination for camping. Camp around Parvati River and witness the sparkling green water just flow with its speed. There are several areas in Kasol where you can camp with the view of the Himalayas.

Kasol offers its tourists an array of camping options from luxurious modern camps to economical ones. Fun activities like fishing, bonfire and others are also organised by the organisers to entertain the tourists.

Travel tips for Kasol

Do not litter the pathways during the trek. It may be fined at some places.
Always respect local cultures and keep a sensitive approach towards wildlife.
Temperatures differ in the high altitudes from the plains. Take suitable time to get adapted to high altitudes.
Don’t wander alone in the woods late at night or in the evenings.
Keep basic medicines with yourself as altitude can take a toll on your health.
Don’t wear flashy jewellery while travelling to quaint villages.

How to reach?

By air: Kullu Manali Airport is the nearest airport to Kasol. The airport is also known as Bhuntar Airport. Located at a distance of 30 km from Kasol, the Bhuntar Airport is connected to major cities of the country. You can take a cab or a taxi from the airport to Kasol.
By rail: Kasol does not have railway line connectivity. The nearest railway station to Kasol is Joginder Nagar Railway Station. It is located at a distance of 144 km from Kasol. Reach Joginder Nagar Railway Station and then take a bus or a cab to Kasol.
By road: Being a small quaint village in Himachal Pradesh, Kasol has no direct connectivity to other states. However, one can reach Kullu and then take a bus to Kasol. Buses are the cheapest mode of transportation to reach Kasol.

Climate/Temperature

Kasol has a humid subtropical climate. Weather is pleasant and soothing in most of the months in Kasol. However, it turns chilly during the winter season from late December to February. January is the coldest month of the year in Kasol.

Best time to visit Kasol

There are two favourite seasons for travellers to visit Kasol. For the summer season, the best time to visit Kasol is from May to June. The weather in the summer season is pleasant and bearable. Tourists can do a lot of sightseeing and activities in those months.

The best time to visit Kasol in the winter season is from October to February. Tourists who love snowfall should visit Kasol during these months. Winters in Kasol are popular for snowfall and winter trekking.

Conclusion

There is so much that Kasol has to offer its visitors. With an array of places to visit and activities to do in Kasol, it is undoubtedly one of the favourite destinations in Himachal Pradesh for a great winter vacation. The good food, snow-covered mountains and serenity of Kasol will transport you to a different world. Play in the snow or go for a trek with the trails covered in layers of snow – Kasol will host you perfectly!