Nakthan

What it is

The last village on the path from Barshaini to Kheerganga, about an hour up from the road-end on the true left bank of the Parvati. Fields, a few houses, dhabas that open for the walking season, and a water point. Beyond it the fields stop and the path enters the gorge; it is the place to fill bottles, eat something, and start the real walk.

Getting there

On foot only: from the bridge at Barshaini, up the left bank for about an hour on a clear, well-used path. No guide needed. The valley bus ends at Barshaini and a taxi from Kasol is typically ₹800–1,500 one way as of September 2026.

The day

A stop of twenty minutes on the way up — tea, water, a paratha — and the same on the way down. A few walkers who start late sleep here and finish the climb in the morning. The Kheerganga plan passes through at half past nine on its first day.

When to go

With the Kheerganga path: April to June and September to November. The dhabas shut out of season and the path above is snow from December to February.

Around it

Barshaini below; Rudranag and Kheerganga above; Kalga and Pulga on the slope behind the road-end.

Plans that include this

All Kasol itineraries →

Day plan · First visitTemples & heritage

Malana from Kasol — a day out to the village with its own rules, and how to behave there

A one-day plan from Kasol to Malana: taxi via Jari to the road-end, an hour's climb to the village, how to behave there, and back to the river by afternoon.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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1 night · 2 days · First visitClassic

Kasol in two days — the river, the bridge to Chalal and Manikaran's springs

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

Kheerganga from Kasol — the walk up the valley, a night by the spring, and down

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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