Exploring the Parvati Valley, India: What to Know

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I’ll be totally honest, before we set off on our one month trip to India, the Parvati Valley wasn’t even on my radar. I knew that there were beautiful mountains in India, but we quickly brushed this area off as too cold or too difficult to reach. But after chatting with our amazing homestay host in Jaipur (if you go to Jaipur, you need to stay at Le Fort Homestay), we quickly changed our mind and began planning a route north.

The Parvati Valley in located in the Kullu district of the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. 

In addition to the absolutely breathtaking mountain views, the Parvati Valley has a reputation for festivals a and high-quality (and abundant) ‘charas,’ or Indian hash. And therefore, is known to attract a bit of a hippie crowds. But if you like great hikes, beautiful villages, and 360 mountain views, then a trip to the Parvati Valley is for you. Read on to find out everything you need to know about planning your adventure.

How to get to Parvati Valley

Considering the remote feel of this Himalayan valley, it is actually surprisingly easy to reach the Parvati Valley from India’s major cities. I would even go as far as to argue that it is quite simple to reach the Indian Himalayas, especially when compared to famous hikes in Nepal, like the hike to Annapurna Base Camp.

By Bus

The most popular (and cheapest) way to reach Parvati Valley is by an overnight bus (Volvo bus) from Delhi. The journey takes 10-12 hours with semi-sleeper seats available. Most buses go from Delhi to Bhuntar, where you will need to take the local bus or taxi for the rest of the journey. However, there are also some buses that go all the way to Kasol.

By Flight 

By far the fastest way to reach the Parvati Valley is by flight. You can find direct flights from Delhi to Kullu-Manali International Airport. So if you are arriving in Delhi from the US or Europe, you can connect directly to your flight without ever leaving the airport.

From here, it is just a one hour taxi to reach Kasol. These flights can get quite pricey for the one hour journey, so I recommend booking in advance, especially during the high season.

You also have the option to fly to Chandigarh, which may have cheaper flights. However, from here it is still a 7 hour drive to reach Kasol. 

By Train

Unfortunately, the Parvati Valley is not particularly accessible by train. The closest train station, Joginder Nagar, is about 4 hours away from Kasol by car. 

Best time to visit Himachel Pradesh 

The best time to visit the Parvati Valley is in the spring or fall. The best months to visit are from late March to June or in October or November. It is advisable to avoid the cold, snowy winters, unless you’re planning to snowboard in the area, as well at the monsoon season in the summer months. 

If you’re visiting other states in India, such as Rajasthan or the south of India, I would recommend visiting these areas no later than March, and then you can head up to the Parvati Valley for the start of the season.

Best places to visit in Parvati Valley

Kasol

Kasol is worthy of mentioning first as it is the largest town in the Parvati Valley, however it is also my least favorite spot in the area. Often nicknamed “Mini Israel”, Kasol is busy, crowded and filled with party-goers. It has major hippie vibes, and attracts tourists interested in the trance and techno festival party scenes. Not my vibe personally, but a fine place to spend a night before heading further into the mountains to more beautiful villages. 

In Kasol you’ll find tons of restaurants, bars, pharmacies, wine shops, and markets to buy local souvenirs and warmer layers. 

This is the only place in the valley where you can find an ATM, so be sure to stock up on cash before heading into the smaller villages.

Where to eat: Evergreen Cafe (get the falafel burger), The Happy Uncle, Ming’s Tibetan Kitchen Rooftop 

Grahan Village

Grahan Village is easily my favorite place that we visited in India, and it the best place to visit in the Parvati Valley. Although you can take a jeep part of the way, the final 2 km to Grahan are a straight uphill trek that must be done on foot. This factor alone makes Grahan so special, as it limits the number of tourists entering the village. 

In Grahan you’ll find only a few hundred villagers, a few guest houses, 1 central temple, and a single tiny shop. And gorgeous snowy mountains in every direction! It is the perfect jumping off point for many hikes including a local waterfall, Padri camp, and the popular Sar Pass Trek. One thing to note is that alcohol is prohibited throughout the entire village.

Where to eat: Samy’s

Where to stay: Ghanshyam’s Place (reserve via Whatsapp: +91 9816572793)

Pulga 

Pulga is another magical village in the Parvati Valley. Although bigger than Grahan, it is still quaint and quiet. Visiting in the spring, you will find the village is full bloom, with beautiful flowers blossoming (in the spring) while the snowy mountains shadow in the background. 

From the center of Kasol you can grab a taxi for around 1300 rupees for the hour long ride, or take the bus. If you take the bus you will need to walk from the bus station for about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the village. On your way to Pulga from Kasol you’ll pass by Manikaran, where you’ll find a scared hot spring. It is worth a stop to enjoy the springs and try some of the food that is cooked directly in the hot water.

While in Pulga you can find some great hikes, especially in the nearby Fairy Forest, which is known for birdwatching. You can also hike to the other nearby villages of Tulga and Kalga, which are even smaller and less busy than Pulga.

Where to stay: Apple Garden Cafe

Where to eat: Freedom Cafeteria

Tosh 

Similar to Pulga, Tosh is another village that is not too far from Kasol and can easily be reached by taxi or bus. Unlike Pulga and Grahan Village, Tosh is significantly larger with plenty of guesthouses and cafes.

Tosh is located at 7,900 ft, which beautiful mountain views in every direction. It is a cheaper and more relaxing option to nearby Kasol.

Kheerganga

Kheerganga is one of the most popular treks in the Parvati Valley, and the reason that many travelers visit the Kullu district. This moderate 4-5 hour trek starts at Barshaini bus stand, the same bus that you would take to reach Tosh or Pulga. This beautiful trek brings you to a famous hot spring, where you’ll be able to take a mountain dip.

The hike, and the springs, can get extremely busy so I recommend visiting earlier in the morning, and on a weekday if possible to avoid the crowds.

Visiting India? Here are some other articles to check out:

• Grahan Village: India’s most beautiful village
• Best Things to do in Udaipur
• Best Things to do in Jaipur

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