How to reach Kasol

The shape of it

Kasol is up a side valley: the Parvati joins the Beas at Bhuntar, and everything that reaches Kasol comes through Bhuntar first — the Delhi buses, the Manali road, the airport. From there it is 32 km up a narrow road along the river, about 70 minutes by taxi and a little more by bus, past Jari and the Malana turn-off to the market on the road. Manikaran is eight minutes further on, and the road ends at Barshaini.

From Delhi — the overnight bus to Bhuntar

The standard way in, 494 km from ISBT Kashmere Gate. The state corporation's coaches leave in the evening for Kullu and Manali and set down at Bhuntar in the morning; a few private coaches run through to Kasol in season, which saves the change. At Bhuntar the valley bus leaves from the stand every hour or two and shared taxis fill up beside it. Book the bus a few days ahead for weekends and holidays and sit towards the front for the hairpins after Mandi.

Driving is the same road in daylight — the plains to Chandigarh, the climb through Mandi to the Aut tunnel, then the Beas up to Bhuntar — with the Parvati as the reward at the end. Two drivers, or a night at Chandigarh or Mandi.

From Chandigarh — car or bus

245 km and about 5 h of driving on the routing model; allow six with a stop. Chandigarh is where the railway, the airport and the Delhi road meet, so it is the second leg for anyone arriving by train or plane. Buses leave the ISBT 43 for Kullu and Manali through the day and drop at Bhuntar; taxis are hired at the airport and the station and quote by the day.

By air — Bhuntar

Kullu–Manali Airport is at Bhuntar, 32 km and about 70 minutes below Kasol: a short runway, a few flights a day from Delhi and Chandigarh, and cancellations in cloud and rain more often than at other airports. Book it if the fare is right and keep a road plan in reserve. Taxis wait outside; the valley bus stops on the road below the terminal.

From Manali

75 km and about two hours: down the Beas through Kullu to Bhuntar, then up the Parvati. The buses change at Bhuntar or the Kullu stand; a taxi does it in one run and will stop at Jari for tea. Many people do the two valleys as one trip — the Kasol and Manali five days is that plan.

By train

Joginder Nagar, the end of the narrow-gauge line from Pathankot, is the closest station at 143 km and about 4 h by road — slow and pretty, and not a practical route for most. For everyone else the railhead is Chandigarh, 245 km away, with the road up for the last five to six hours.

From Shimla and the Kullu side

Shimla is 219 km and about 6 h by road, over to the Beas and up through Mandi; a full day, worth doing once. Kullu, the district town, is 39 km and about 78 minutes away, with buses to Bhuntar every few minutes and the valley bus from there. The Tirthan side (Jibhi, Banjar) is 80 km and about two and a half hours, back down to Aut and up the other valley.

The last leg — up the Parvati

The valley road is the slow part: 32 km that take over an hour, one lane in places, with the river below and slides in the monsoon. Jari, 19 minutes below Kasol, is where the Malana road turns off; the market at Kasol is on the road, the bridge at the bottom of the lane. Beyond Kasol the road goes on to Manikaran and ends at Barshaini, 37 minutes further, where the walks begin.

Once you are here

The bus stops on the market street. Chalal is twenty minutes on foot over the footbridge; Manikaran is eight minutes by taxi or bus; the taxi stand at the top of the market quotes the day trips up the valley. The Kasol guide has the valley; our stays page shows where to sleep the first night.

Plans that include this

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A two-day Kasol plan for a first visit: the market and the footbridge, the pine walk to Chalal, Manikaran's gurdwara and hot springs, with measured road times.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · First visitClassic

Three days in Kasol — Chalal, the road-end and the walk up to Tosh, then Manikaran

The classic three days in Kasol: the river and Chalal, the taxi to Barshaini and the walk up to Tosh, Manikaran's springs on the way out, with measured times.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · TrekkersWalks & treks

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The Kheerganga trek done properly: Barshaini, Nakthan, Rudranag, a night by the spring, down via Kalga, Manikaran's tanks on the way out. Times and bands.

Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · CouplesSnow

Kasol in winter — three days with the snow at Tosh and the hot springs after

Kasol from December to February in three days: the half-closed town, a night in Tosh under snow with a stove and a quilt, Manikaran's hot tanks on the way down.

Best Jan–Feb · Dec

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2 nights · 3 days · PhotographersAutumn

Kasol in October and November — three clear days: Rasol, the harvest villages, Tosh at dawn

The Parvati valley's best season in three days: the clear light on the river, the steep walk to Rasol, Tosh at dawn and the harvest orchards at Pulga.

Best Oct–Nov

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