Manali Kasol Kheerganga Backpacking Trip
At a moderate height of 6370 feet, Manali is a resort town surrounded by high peaks of the Himalayas and plethora of apple, plum, pear, and nectarine orchards. On the other hand, Kasol-Grahan-Tosh is literally the OG trek of the region. If you are looking for a fun, thrilling and productive few days of vacay; then Manali & Kasol is your best option because it can offer everything - from cable car rides to old markets and waterfall hikes. This itinerary also includes a day visit to the Solang valley, the Atal tunnel, Kasol, Kheerganga & Tosh, an absolute heaven for snow lovers and adventure sport enthusiasts.
Manali - Kasol details
- Duration: 7 Nights - 8 Days
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Highest Altitude: ~ 10,000 feet
- Temperature: -3 – 8°C
Manali Kasol Kheerganga Tour Cost
- Ex Kasol: Rs. 9500/- per person (participants have to reach Kasol by their own)
- Ex Delhi: Rs. 12500/- per person (participants have to meet at Delhi)
Manali - Kheerganga - Kasol Itinerary
Day 1 - Delhi to Manali
Arrive in Delhi by 05:00pm at Majnu ka tila. Bus for Manali will leave at 06:30pm. Overnight bus journey to Manali.
Day 2 - Manali & Day tour
Arrive at Manali in the morning. Move towards hotel in old Manali. Check in and freshen-up. After breakfast head out for Manali sightseeing. Will visit ancient Hidimba temple. After that will do short trek to non-crowded place. In the evening you can enjoy shopping or cafe hopping at old Manali market. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3 - Solang Valley - Atal Tunnel
Wake up and freshen up. After breakfast will proceed for Jogini Waterfall. There is a small trek till waterfall. After that will visit Sissu waterfall via Atal tunnel. After spending some time at Sissu waterfall will move towards Solang valley. In Solang valley you can enjoy adventure activities like cable car ride, paragliding, ATV ride, zip line (at additional cost). Back to the Manali. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 - Kasol & Day Tour
Wake up early and freshen-up. After breakfast move towards Kasol by local bus. After reaching at Kasol, check in to the hotel. Will do small trek to Chalal village. Enjoy beautiful valley view from here. Back to the hotel and rest for the day. You can enjoy shopping or cafe hopping. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 - Kasol to Kheerganga
Post breakfast, one should put on the hiking shoes and leave for Barsheni village (around 22 KM from Kasol). On the way we'll visit Mnaikaran Sahib Gurudwara and it's hot springs. Will reach Barsheni village. Kheerganga trek will starts from here by 10 am. While trekking enjoy the nature, tall pine trees and Parvati river flowing adjacent. You can have lunch on the way in cafe, they mostly serve maggi. Reach Kheerganga camp by 5pm. Stay will be at camp.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 - Kheerganga - Tosh
Wake up and freshen up. Post breakfast will start descend to Barshaini. After reaching Barshaini will start trek to Tosh. Reach at Tosh homestay. Tosh is the last village in Parvati Valley. Dinner and overnight stay at homestay.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 - Tosh - Kasol
Wake up and have breakfast. After breakfast explore Tosh village. By 12pm start descending to Barshaini. Reach Barshaini and move towards Kasol. After reaching Kasol catch your bus back to Delhi. Overnight journey by Bus.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi approximately by 09:30am and start your home journey. Trip ends here.
Please note - All treks/departures would be conducted as per schedule. However, due to unavoidable climatic conditions, there might be alterations in the scheduled departures. The same would be informed prior.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation on triple sharing basis in hotel, homestay or hostels.
- Camping on sharing basis at Kheerganga
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Volvo AC semi sleeper bus travel from Delhi to Manali and Kasol to Delhi.
- Local sightseeing by car or tempo traveller (depend upon group size)
- Tour leader
- Entry charges
What is NOT included in the tour
- Travel till Delhi/Kasol and back
- Lunch (We want you to try out local Cuisines & not restricted to a particular restaurant, cafe)
- Meals while travelling and which are not mentioned in the itinerary
- Adventure activities
- Personal porter charges
- Any unforeseen fees/cost due to natural causes
- Mineral water/lime water/ purchased for personal consumption
- All kinds of Extra Meals / soft drinks ordered
- Any kind of personal expenses (Camera charges, tips etc.)
- All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather
- Any medical / Emergency evacuations if required
- Any kind of cost which is not mentioned in the cost includes above
- Valid ID Proofs
- Sufficient cash as it is difficult to find ATMs in the mountains
- Waterproof trekking shoes & jacket
- Torch with extra batteries
- Warm clothes / thermals
- Camera with extra batteries
- Lighter & Trekking stick
- Personal medicines
- Proper haversack and one small backpack
- Extra pair of clothes and towel
- Rain jacket and rain cover for bag
- Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments or carrying precious items.
Cancellation Policy
- If cancellation done prior to 30 days of outing 90% will be refunded
- If done prior to 20 days of outing 75% will be refunded
- If done prior to 10 days of outing 50% will be refunded
- After that no refund will be provided
- No show No Refund
- Event Tickets cannot be transferred to another date against cancellation
- Event Tickets cannot be transferred to another person against cancellation
When is the best time to go backpacking in Manali, Tosh and Kasol?
The months of March through June are ideal for backpacking trips to Manali, Tosh, and Kasol. Clear skies and mild temperatures make these months perfect for outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and trekking. Avoid going on a trek during the months of July and August, when the monsoon season is at its peak, as the heavy rains can cause the trails to become muddy and unsafe. It's also best to avoid the area between the months of December and February, when the snowfall is heavy and the temperatures dip into the negatives.
What are the best spots to visit while backpacking in Kasol?
Backpackers in Kasol can see a lot of amazing sights. Some of the top places to visit are listed here.
- At Barshaini, hikers can explore the Kheerganga Trek, a well-known route known for its verdant forests, beautiful waterfalls, and soothing hot springs.
- Malana Village is a special place, full of interesting traditions and famed for its Malana Cream hashish.
- Tosh Village is renowned for its beautiful scenery, apple orchards, and the hiking track that leads to the Tosh Glacier.
- The Parvati River is a beautiful river that flows through the Parvati Valley. It has some of the most beautiful views and places to camp and go river rafting.
- Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara is a holy Sikh temple that can be found near the popular tourist destination of Manikaran, which is famous for its hot springs and free community meals, known as langar.
Which is better, Manali or Kasol?
Each places have unique attractions.
Manali is larger than Kasol and offers more activities including skiing, paragliding, rafting, & hot springs. It features a lively nightlife with several restaurants and cafes providing diverse cuisines.
Kasol, a little town in the Parvati Valley, is recognised for its beautiful nature and peacefulness. Backpackers enjoy walking, camping, and exploring local communities like Tosh and Malana.
To see the best of the region, visit both places.
What adventures can backpackers do in Manali, Kheerganga, and Kasol?
A backpacking trip to Manali, Kheerganga, or Kasol can include a variety of adventurous activities. Here are some of the most popular adventure activities:
- Trekking: There are several scenic trekking trails in the region, including the Hampta Pass Trek, the Kheerganga Trek, and the Sar Pass Trek.
- Camping: The area is abundant with lovely campsites, many of which boast breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- Manali's Beas River and Kasol's Parvati River are both excellent spots for whitewater rafting trips.
- Paragliding is a popular sport in Manali, and for good reason: the views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from above are breathtaking.
- Rock climbing: People who like to try new things can go rock climbing in several places in Manali and Kasol.
- Skiing: During the winter months, Manali is a popular ski destination.
- Mountain biking is a popular way to see the area, and there are many trails to choose from in this area.
Why is Kasol called as "Mini Israel"?
Kasol is so well-liked by Israeli vacationers that the nickname "Little Israel" has stuck. Its popularity began in the 1990s when many young Israelis travelled to India after military service. They settled in Kasol because of its beauty and peace.
Many cafes, restaurants, and stores in Kasol cater to Israeli backpackers. The town speaks Hebrew and has several Hebrew signs and menus.
