Rishikesh Rafting

Kheerganga or Kheer Ganga as the name comes from Ganga River and white comes due to the milky waters of the river flowing in all its expansion and its streams flowing into Parvati valley from all sides of the mountain. Kheerganga Trek is in the Parvati valley and located in the Kullu district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It offers a mysterious journey into woods and is one of the gifted habitats for natural hot water springs. The valley offers a beautiful view of the Parvati River and the Glacier of Lahaul Spiti. Kheerganga Trek has a lot to offer to travellers. Kheerganga is a hidden gem, very few people know about this place, its beauty lies in being unimpaired. There are lots of popular treks in the area but Kheerganga is the place to trek amid nature and relax along with hot spring baths when everything is covered by snow. Kheerganga Trek starts from village Barsheni which is motorable from a popular religious place of Sikhs – Manikaran. It’s a 22 km stretch in the mountain from Manikaran with untouched nature and simple village landscapes.

Kheerganga Trek has a lot of interesting spots pathways like a Shiv Temple and a bathing tank, Rudra Naag Waterfall and lots of interesting ancient rock formations. It also offers a huge variety of flora and fauna on the way to Kheerganga Trek. The valley is well known for snow leopards and other secured wildlife. Kheerganga is defaming for Charas (Marijuana) as there is a lot of cultivation of it in this area. Charas is prepared from the top of a full blooming Cannabis flower. Lord Shiva is described to consume cannabis as food.

Kheerganga’s captivating skies and massive greenery are a much-needed delight to the trekker’s eyes and specially the tired legs. Dhaba food is available up along the way. You can pack essential food for the rest of the climb. Guest’s houses are also available at all destinations. Camping can also be followed by trekkers on the Kheerganga Trek because of the natural beauty that it boasts of. Water is available in the guesthouses along the way. It is advisable to stock up in appropriate quantities of water whenever a refilling option is available.

Schedule for Kheerganga Trek

Day 1 : Trekking Tosh to Kheerganga

Distance 14 km. Durations – 6-7 hours

You have to walk through Tosh by road to Barshaini. It is a small village and a path from where your journey of trekking will be started. On your way, a small village by the name Nakthan and a religious temple Rudra Nag will give you a short break. Kheerganga is the place where you have to spend your
night at the campsite.

Day 2: Kheerganga Point to Barshani to Bhuntar 12 Km, Distance: 12 Km, Duration: 6-7 Hrs

Start your journey early in the morning get to wake up take a morning view of beautiful hill peaks and sunrise.
Before starting the trekking take a bath in hot natural flowing water and have breakfast, then start your journey. Pack your bag and get ready for the new heights of the journey to Barshani. From Barshani take a local bus to Bhuntar. Routine busses are going on that path on regular basis.

Kheerganga Trek: Best time to Trek

Kheerganga Trek and camping at Kasol are best done between April to June and September to October. You can avoid the monsoon season completely. The route can be muddy and slippery due to the monsoon. This monsoon season is also prone to a number of landslides, and road blockages. The temperature from April to June ranges between 13 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius and the weather is pleasant and best. From November to February temperature is quite low ranges between 3 to 10 degrees Celsius and it is mostly unfavourable for treks. Most of the roads become inaccessible and restricted for the trek. But in summers lots of parties and festivals are conducted in Kheerganga, it is a perfect destination for trekkers as well non-trekkers. Camping in Kheerganga for a night is one of the best treats for travellers and trekkers. Camping in Kasol, Kheerganga is always been a tradition. It is also known as ‘Amsterdam of India’, Kasol provides a deep passion for adventures. The classic beauty of nature makes this place a traveller pleasure.

Kheerganga Trek: Vacation Packing List/tips

• you have to carry your warm clothes with you it doesn’t matter at which season you are travelling.
• Be always ready with the trekking equipment that will help you out at the time of trekking.
• Always carry a medical kit with you and in that, you have to put some important items like medicine, warm bandages and all.
• Carry sports shoes at the time of trekking that will give you relax and it is time-consuming also.
• You have to carry all permits and permission papers along with you so that on your way you don’t want
  to face any problem
• Always carry raincoats and some other plastic bags that will prevent you at the time of rain.
• Carry your own cameras and batteries, there are no other shops in the forest area.
• Also, carry a raincoat along as weather at higher altitudes changes at every moment.
• Choose a well-qualified and professional guide.

Important Information for the Kheerganga Trek

• Duration of the Trek: 02 Days
• Days on Trek: 01N/02 Days
• Highest point of Trek: 10,065 ft.
• Distance (Both Sides): 26 Km
• Grade: Easy

Kheerganga Trek: What to explore

Early Walk: If you want to hike in beautiful weather you can start you hike in early morning. It is very peaceful place to trek early in the morning and avoid harsh afternoon sun. Also you have plenty of time to take rest and chill for some time.

Nakthan Pit Stop: A pit stop is a tiny village of Nakthan is a must to take a breath and sit back relax for some time. The village has a couple of cafes which serve excellent watermelon juice and noodles.

Mountain Dogs: the hike of Kheerganga is incomplete without the bunchs of dogs following you in the full trek. Atleast one dog always walks with you along with you in the trek if you take rest in some place he can sit with you also. You feel blessed to have a dog buddy in your full trek.

Robin Hood Woods: After Rudranag, you will enter the dense pine tree forest which will reminds you the excellent and beautiful scenery which you had saw in books or television. It is an excellent picnic spot you will have to just sit on the grass and experience the exotic view.

Spring Water: All along the hike, there are plenty of places where you can not only wash your hands but drink some of the fresh water and refreshed your body again.

Hot Spring: Kheerganga is all about the sulphur hot spring at the top of the base camp. The hot water is open from daybreak to evening and it is the perfect cures to those painful muscles. The bath is worth every single step on the hike.

Camping: There is no better way to camp out. The Kheerganga experience is complete only by spending night under the blankets and stars. Lots of campsites are available at the top and cost based on the day of the week. Avoids weekends and public holidays.

Sunset: The Sunset of Kheerganga is the best in the entire valley with the sky changing colour from orange to red. It is a sight to witness. You can watch the colourful nature in front of you.

Kheerganga Trek: How to Reach

• Fly to Dharamshala which is 4h 5m distance and then travel Dharamshala to Kheerganga trek.
• Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station from Kasol lies at a distance of 145km.
• Take Volvo buses or any other buses to Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Don’t head to Manali in the bus. Get down in Bhuntar from where you will head to Kasol. From Bhuntar you can take regular buses which travel in interval one after another till 5 in the evening or you can take shared taxi services to Kasol which are comfortable and cheap. Bike is also available if anyone wants to travel to Kasol.