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Camps in Kasol

What makes Kasol really special and popular among tourists is its lush landscapes, the rolling green and white hills, the roaring rush of rivers and the confluence of cultures in the heart of the village. The beauty of Kasol, with its trekking trails, its flea markets, and its quaint cafes, remain unparalleled.

Kasol is also known for its ‘pot-culture’, or the open use of hashish by its residents. It’s also highly regarded for holding the melting point of several religions in Manikaran. Manikaran is a pilgrimage center for both Sikhs and Hindus. It has many temples, including the Lord Ramachandra Temple and the Temple to Lord Shiva. It also houses the Gurudwara Shri Manikaran Sahib.

The village of Tosh is around 20kms away from Kasol. To reach there, one has to first reach Barshaini by buses and then trek all the way to Tosh via Pulga village. This trek route is around 7 km long and takes around 4-5 hours on foot. One can also hitch a ride or hail a cab to reach Kasol from Barshaini, which would take around 15-20 minutes of journey.

The main reason why Kasol is known as Mini Israel is due to the large number of Jewish and Israeli migrants who have settled here. As a result, there are also a large number of Israeli tourists who visit the place each year. The considerably large Jewish population in Kasol has also influenced its culture, cuisine, and lifestyle. Most of the cafés and stores that line the Kasol streets have signboards written in Hebrew. Israeli cuisine and dressing styles have also penetrated the Kasoli culture. The locals of Kasol are also well-versed in Hebrew.

Tosh is a beautiful village in Parvati Valley situated around 20 km away from Kasol. The best way to get to Tosh from Kasol is to take any bus en route Manali, and then get off at Bhuntar, which is a stop above 50kms from Manali. From here, one can easily get to Barshaini. From there, Tosh is only a short distance away and can be trekked on foot. Trekking to Tosh from Barshaini would take around 1 hour and 15 minutes. One can also take a shared cab uphill, which would take around 20 minutes and a 100 rupee fare to reach Tosh.

Nearby destinations worth a visit in Kasol:

Chalal: Chalal is the nearest place to Kasol and can be reached by just crossing the bridge across Parvati river.

Tosh: This serene hamlet is located only 20kms away from Kasol and can be reached through a scenic trek.

Kheerganga: Kheerganga is only around 5-6 km away from Kasol, and the only way to reach it is on foot. The reward? A natural hot spring surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga: Although they are three different villages, Kalga, Pulga and Tulga are fondly referred to as the “trio”, and can be reached easily via the Barshaini route.

Manali: One of the most popular tourist destination spots in India, Manali- divided into Old and New Manali- can be easily reached from Kasol by first taking a bus from Kasol to Bhuntar, and then hailing another bus from there to Manali.

Triund: Triund is a flat plain area between the majestic Dhauladhar mountain ranges. Although the trek-time to Triund is shorter than the time to Tosh or Kheerganga, the climb is steeper and a little more tiresome.

Yes, Kasol is a completely safe holiday option, and especially for solo travelers or a group of holidaying friends. However, its open use of marijuana and its rave hippie culture may prompt families, especially those with children, to reconsider.

Located in Himachal Pradesh, both Kasol and Kasauli are scenic hill stations and popular summer destinations for tourists from both India and abroad. However, the atmosphere and lifestyle of Kasol and Kasauli are completely opposite to each other. Both places are equally stunning and worth a visit.

However, while Kasauli is more crowded, noisy and tourist-oriented with a busy nightlife culture and multiple shopping centres, Kasol is more tranquil, serene and slow. While Kasol is more of an adventurous town, with natural attractions such as hot pools and trekking trails, Kasauli is known for its scenic beauty and has multiple tourist spots to visit.

Manali and Kasol are two very different destinations and are not exactly comparable. Although the atmosphere in Manali is more tourist-oriented, Kasol offers off-beat travel options with esoteric destinations and is worth a visit. Unlike Manali, Kasol is relatively untouched by tourist activity. As a result, the hotels are more budget-friendly. Kasol is a perfect holiday option for those who want to back-pack across the countryside or those who are looking for a bit of an adventure, or even those who simply want to relax amidst the lap of nature.