KALGA

About kalga

Take your next Himachal trip in the mountains in Kalga in Parvati Valley if you love nature and enjoy exploring dreamy Himalayan villages. Think about dense forests, apple orchards and snow-clad peaks greeting you when you wake up in this tiny hamlet in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The small village is surrounded by dense coniferous forests and rhododendron trees, and located at an altitude of 2,280 meters, making it a paradise for all mountain lovers.  

When you arrive in this village, it feels like time has slowed down. The locals go about their day peacefully, living in small wooden houses surrounded by calm. Yet they welcome tourists like you with a warm heart and invite you to stay in their cosy homestays and treat you with fresh, home-cooked meals. 

The serene charm of this village is discovered in its trekking trails like the Kheerganga trek and waterfalls like Bunbuni Hidden Waterfall. There are cafes like the Holy Cow Café, Shalom Guesthouse & Café and Freedom Café, which are ideal for having coffee or work remotely. If you are looking for a reset button for your soul, Kalga is the place to enjoy solitude, reflect and meditate away from the distractions of urban life. 

Why Visit

1. For traditional homestay experience: In Kalga, you can stay in a traditional homestay and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals. 

2. To enjoy a thrilling trek: Kalga is famous for being a base to the Kheerganga trek, which offers a unique scenery on every turn of the trail. 

3. Experience raw natural beauty: You can discover colourful orchards and gushing waterfalls in the breathtaking scenery of Kalga. 

4. For its cafe culture: There are popular cafes like Soul Kitchen Café, Holy Cow Café, and Shalom Café in Kalga, where you can make new friends and share your stories with fellow travellers. 

5. To enjoy birdwatching: You can spot famous birds like the Himalayan Bulbul, Verditer Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie and Himalayan Griffon Vultures in Kalga. 

6. To discover offbeat Himalayan villages: With a trip to Kalga, you can explore remote villages like Tosh, Pulga, and Nakthan.

Things To Do in Kalga

1. Trekking to Kheerganga: You can enjoy the moderate-difficulty level Kheerganga trek from Kalga and experience an adrenaline rush. The trek rewards you with stunning views of Himalayan streams and mountains along with a relaxing break in the hot-springs at the end of the trek. 

2. Visit charming cafes: There are many small yet cosy cafes like Peace Cafe and Soul Kitchen Cafein Kalga which charm you with their local food. Whether you want your dal-chawal or craving for noodles, the friendly staff of these cafes make sure that your hunger is satisfied. 

3. Birdwatching and Photography: You can spot a variety of avifauna like Himalayan Bulbul, Verditer Flycatcher, Rufous Sibia and magpies when you are in Kalga. The birds are easily spotted near the meadows, streams and apple orchards which offer good photography opportunities too. 

4. Explore the remote villages: Beyond Kalga, there are small yet pretty villages like Pulga and Tulga which offer a dreamy retreat. These villages can be explored on foot and offer a glimpse into the day-to-day Himalayan village life. 

5. Discover local culture: You can mingle with the locals and get a chance to appreciate their art, festivals and rituals. The Kath-Kuni style of houses in Kalga, seasonal apple picking activities, preparation of herbal teas and Himachali meals offer a colorful insight into the life of locals. 

kalga Highlights

• Enjoy the quietude of village life with a peaceful stay in Kalga in Parvati Village of Himachal Pradesh at a height of 2,280 metres. 
• Gear up for a thrilling Kheerganga trek from Kalga to immerse yourself in scenic views of green meadows throughout the trail and a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs at the summit. 
• Discover quaint cafes and homestays where you can interact with fellow travellers and share your stories of adventure. 
• Explore nearby villages like Pulga and Tulga or discover hidden waterfalls like Bunbuni waterfall while enjoying nature walks in Kalga. 
• Indulge in traditional delicacies like Siddu, Madra and Rajma Chawal and enjoy the warm hospitality of locals in traditional homestays of Kalga. 
• Spot birds like Himalayan Bulbul and magpies during the day and gaze at the starry skies at night when you are in Kalga. 
• Keep your camera ready to click gorgeous pictures of dense pine and deodar forests along with apple orchards of Kalga. 

How To Reach kalga

1. By Road: You can take an overnight bus from Delhi, Chandigarh, or Dharamshala to Bhuntar to Barshaini village while travelling by road. Barshaini in Parvati valley is the last motorable city and about 15-30 mins away from Kalga on foot. You can enjoy an easy 30-minute uphill trek with views of nature through pine forests to reach Kalga. 

2. By Air: You can take a flight to Bhuntar, the nearest airport to Kalga, which is about 50 km away. Alternatively, you can also take a flight from any major city in India to Delhi, Chandigarh or Amritsar and then take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Barshaini village, about 15-30 minutes away from Kalga. 

3. By Train: You can take a train to Pathankot in Punjab, the nearest railway station to Kalga. If you don't have direct connectivity to Amritsar, then you can come by train to Delhi or Amritsar. Thereafter, take a bus or cab to Barshaini village, and trek for 15-20 minutes to Kalga.

Best Time To Visit kalga

In Kalga, you can experience a memorable stay throughout the year as each season has its own unique offerings. 

1. Peak Season (March to June): This is when Kalga brims with tourists for trekking with the onset of summer season. The mornings are beautiful and evenings are slightly chilly with temperatures between 15 °C and 25 °C. 

2. Moderate Season(October to December): For winter babies, this is the right time to explore Kalga and experience snow if your lucky. The temperature ranges between 5 °C to 12 °C this time which is ideal for birdwatching and stargazing. 

3. Low Season (July to September): With fewer tourists, this is the best time for soul seekers to enjoy the scenery of Kalga or try birdwatching. The monsoons make the landscapes prettier this time and temperatures remain between 16 °C and 23 °C. 

kalga Other Essential Information

1. Make sure you carry enough cash before going to Kalga, as it is a small village and ATMs are not easily available. 
2. Carry sturdy trekking shoes with good ankle support if you are planning to go on nearby treks like Kheerganga. 
3. The nights are slightly chilly in Kalga, so make sure you carry warm clothing like jackets and scarves while visiting here. 
4. In many places in Kalga there is poor network connectivity so it is advisable to inform your friends and family about your travel plans . 
5. Pack a pair of good socks, a raincoat and an umbrella if you are visiting Kalga in the rainy season. 
6. Avoid littering and throwing away garbage while you are trekking or exploring the forest trails near the village. 
7. Be respectful of the local language and customs while visiting homestays and cafes in Kalga.