An overhyped, but a connected town of Parvati Valley

I found many Kasol travel blogs that describe Kasol as a heaven or a tiny hamlet in the middle of himachal pradesh Until I traveled to Kasol, I also fantasized Kasol as a misty village where you start your day with mushroom thukpas and end it with an apple tea.

Until I traveled to Kasol, I also fantasized Kasol as a misty village where you start your day with mushroom thukpas and end it with an apple tea.

While you can still have your thukpas and tea, let me tell you that Kasol is not a dreamy hamlet, at least not anymore.

One thing you should know while planning a Kasol trip is that you would be in a commercialized small town that has over-utilized its presence in the mountains, therefore, taking out the essence of the hills altogether.

Whether you are on a solo trip to Kasol or you are with a group, your experience will depend on what you plan to do in Kasol and how many days you spent there.

In this Kasol travel article, we will talk about how Kasol is and the logistics that you need to plan a solo or group trip to Kasol. Knowing how to move around Kasol is important as Kasol is the entrance to the gorgeous Parvati valley, and to experience Parvati you have to head to Kasol first.

On my first time in Parvati this June, I took a bus from Bhuntar to Kasol. I have already described my journey to Kasol or the mishaps that happened on the way to Parvati valley in my so I won’t go into details again.

But the events of my first day in Kasol turned up in a way that I ended up staying at Moustache hostel in Kasol on the banks of village. Even though the Mustache hostel’s dorm wasn’t my first choice given it was a really loud, party place, I am glad to have found a bed for I had that had left me exhausted.

When I walked around in Kasol the first day, I couldn’t make much sense of the things around me.

If its your first Kasol travel trip, you would feel overwhelmed by the roaring Parvati that will constantly keep you company, the signboards stuck to the windows of tour companies inviting you to the many treks around Kasol, the hippies rushing about in the rain, the various cafes in Kasol that blast electronic noise pollution, and the souvenir shops that seem to offer the world from a distance but can only give so much.

So take your time and shield yourself from the chaos of Kasol by staying at peaceful homestays, eating local Himachal food, and thinking about the places to visit in Kasol.

While you are walking around Kasol wondering what the rush is all about, I would suggest you go towards the riverside and walk along the shore.

You would find many cafes, camps, and restaurants at the river bank. I went to one such camping site and took a table right next to the river after contemplating for a while as I could see groups of Indian men drinking in the restaurant there. With a loudspeaker at the top of the table, these groups seemed to have a good time.

Whatever I might say, a cup of chai along with the frothy Parvati that crushed the unwanted music was one of the best choices I made that day.

You might have a similar experience. If not, cross the bridge and walk to Chalal. My nirvana on my first days in Kasol was a walk to the Chalal village that sits on the opposite side on the Parvati banks. The walk goes through pine forests, and while stepping onto the dry pine leaves, you would feel as if you have time traveled.

Unless the rain starts beating down hard on you, and everybody rushes towards a shade. While returning half-way from the Chalal walk, I decided to go back to the hostel for I needed to crash.

When I arrived in Moustache for the night, I realized that Kasol is like a wanna be Hauz Khas village in Delhi. Rave parties in Kasol were more popular than the deodar and pine forests. Loud music, smoking, drinking amongst other things goes unhindered until the sun rises on the horizon again. So forget about getting a goodnight’s sleep in this tiny Himalayan village, Kasol.

And you cannot ask people to be quiet for Kasol is famous for a chilled trip amongst the youth — implications alcohol, party, deafening music, and repeat. I thoroughly enjoy this idea, but while never making my fun someone else’s nightmare. loud

Though Delhites and Punjabis are blamed for the chaotic elements of Kasol, you will find many Israelis, amongst other nationalities, backpacking Kasol and adding exponentially to the noise pollution. It is only for a reason that Kasol is known as the Mini Israel of India.

No matter wherever I went in Parvati or Himachal, in general, I found smokers who had a special affinity for ear-crushing loudspeakers. As I have spoken in detail about how this combination could be a big turn-off in my I will only say that Kasol wasn’t a pleasant experience.

After managing a night’s sleep while watching the full moon from my dorm’s window, I tried to rush out of Kasol the same day. But as I was traveling in Kasol in June, the rain gods didn’t let the grounds dry out forbidding me from going on a long trek or change villages.

That is when I thought of completing my Chalal trek. But this time instead of taking the regular trail from Kasol to Chalal, I found a trail which only locals use. On your walk to Chalal, climb up when you see the signboard for Star View Family house. Soon you would be on a beautiful curvy path that goes through the coniferous pine and deodar forests, and you would see the lush valley from above.

Through this path, you would come out near the Parvati river in Chalal. Though Chalal village is close to Kasol, it has a laid-back vibe as the village is spread in a sparse forest.

While in Chalal, some couples smoked and played comparatively less-loud speakers, I could read peacefully. Even though I walked to the villages that lay even further beyond Chalal in later parts of my Parvati valley trip, that day I returned to Kasol after spending a few quiet hours.

The guests of the homestay I was staying at that day(of course I had changed places) also played a stereo system right next to my room while a guy repeatedly asked me to join him for beer even though I had almost fallen asleep in the dorm (the only available bed that night).

Sleep dodged me, but I was even clearer about leaving Kasol the next day.

So I woke up early morning, packed a lighter travel bag, kept the rest of my luggage with the homestay lady, and walked onto Shila.

And then I switched villages in Parvati until I found the one that I liked.

Though Himachal is one of the most gorgeous states of India, the tourism culture there is truly questionable. To each its own, but please not at the expense of others’ vacation.

My request to everyone who visits Himachal is that please be respectful towards other travelers and locals. Keep the music to yourself for your sense of fun music might ruin nature’s day.