Kasol

I will start by mentioning, Kasol is so beautiful..one of the few places in India from where you just don’t wanna leave. Remember that tagline from Essel World, ghar nahi nahi jaunga mai? Well, something like that.

Making your trip memorable in Kasol is pretty easy as all you need to do is, just arrive although you could use a few pointers.

• Take a room somewhere near the river stream. The feeling of tranquility listening to the stream while you lay in your room is just wow. Look for an small cafe/hotel owned by an middle aged lady, she cooks this amazing Tibetan food. I can tell because I tried it in different places, nothing beats this. It’s near by the bridge that joins old Kasol with new. Go to Chalal, it’s a small village that is on the other side of that rope bridge. It’s pretty suitable for a small trek. You could lie down nearby the stream or trek up where on the top and spend some time with yourself. I remember reading a book, didn’t see a single soul for six hours straight. Stuff yourself, If you know what I mean.There are many cafes where you can sit and chill with your friends, I liked this one called the Stoner Garden or something, don’t really remember the exact name but they let me play my songs and people were jamming later on so it was sick! PLEASE, do eat in the German bakery, you cannot just miss the Nutella Croissant, Apple Pie, Doughnuts and well the list goes on. Visit Tosh and move ahead for a trek to Kheerganga (takes 4-5 hours, depends on how fast you are), man I tell you, taking a dip in the natural hot spring and looking at snow clad mountain peak with a drink in your hand, that’s some lifetime experience I got.There are other good restaurants to check out, they serve good Israeli food especially Shakshouka and Falafel. There are some restaurants like Little Italy and more that has a pool parlour as well. ‘

Needless to say, this place is your portal to connect to nature and that bond never breaks even after you have retreated. When in Ksaol, just get lost because sometimes it’s good not to be found! 🙂 I hope this helped, have a happy trip!

You don’t have to plan a lot in order to make this trip a memorable one but do keep few things in mind.

Okay, lets break it down:

• Don’t rush. There is a lot to see around Kasol. You can explore the place and its nearby villages even for a month and never get bored. So, take your time. Visit one place instead of two but give enough time to each and every place.
• Try to spend some time on the riverside listening to the sound of waves, feeling the calmness in the motion and let go of all the unnecessary thoughts.
• Try to meet the higher divine ( That’s also necessary :P) and contemplate life.
• No matter you are alone or with friends, try to stay in a Hostel. Meet new people, smoke with them, have bonfire and enjoy the new experiences.
• Visit Tosh or Kheerganga or both (if you have time). They will give you a complete different experience and you get to trek. So…Yay !!!
• Have langar at Manikaran Gurudwara and enjoy the hot spring.
• Try the amazing Israeli food at Evergreen Cafe and get trippy in Shiv Shanti Cafe.

Just don’t expect too much from this trip and don’t plan a lot. Let the nature do all the planning and be spontaneous.

Its okay if you want to spend an entire evening just staring at the mountains. It Happens !!!! 😛

Hope this helps

Have a Happy Kasol