Parvati Valley is without a doubt the most popular valley of Himachal Pradesh. Whether it is the spiritual travelers or the hard-core hippies – Parvati Valley has you covered. If you’re being advised on your first time travel into the hills – chances are friends would zealously recommend Parvati Valley. And, this is not without substance. For Parvati Valley has that draw and appeal that any novice traveler can also appreciate.
Add to that, the fact that Parvati is relatively easy to reach – and you’ve got yourself a pleasant holiday experience. Parvati Valley has been a hot topic around the blog this season. Continuing on towards laying the foundation of comprehensive travel Guides for the Himachal, including Kinnaur Valley, Spiti Valley, and Parvati Valley, we bring to you this guide for all your itinerary queries for the Parvati Valley!
Let's quickly dive into the details:
Planning a trip from Delhi to Parvati Valley
In the past, I have written a detailed travel guide of Parvati Valley and the myriad of treks in the region. These articles cover all aspects of how to travel to Parvati Valley, what to expect, and where to stay. However, given that there is so much to do – it is only natural to get confused about planning your trip.
In this article, I will share with you the most common Parvati Valley itinerary or a day by day travel plan that I suggest to many travelers every year.
The travel plan will cover the lower part of Parvati Valley limited to places like Kasol, Tosh, Kheerganga, Malana, and Chalal. And before we go into the meat of the article, let me re-share the background of Parvati Valley from my previous article.
A little background
Parvati Valley in Himachal Pradesh is situated along with the flow of Parvati River, which flows into Beas and originates from the Man Talai Glacier, below the Pin Parvati Pass. Moving westwards from the glaciers near the Spiti Valley, the Parvati river graces several Himachal hamlets along the way and provides a source of life for its residents and visitors alike.
With sharp sided valleys through the mountains, Parvati Valley is as green as it gets, especially in the lower altitudes. However, the higher up you go, the scarcity of vegetation becomes apparent.
Parvati valley is unabashedly the epicenter of beautiful landscapes, and with such a beautiful aura, it is also surrounded by great folklore and mythology. And, Parvati Valley truly is synonymous with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the places to see and explore.
Hence, it is no shocker that often, you’ll encounter long term visitors that stay in the region for months on end. The charm of Parvati Valley is such that it beckons you to stay and connect with your inner peace, match the pace of nature and reflect on the beauty within and outside!
Parvati Valley Itinerary – Most Recommended One
Given below is the day-by-day itinerary covering the majority of places in Parvati Valley. It does not cover the longer duration treks on which another comprehensive guide is written previously.
Hence, this Parvati Valley plan offers a good balance of comfort and ease while still diving deep into the beauty of Parvati. Even families & senior folks can thoroughly enjoy the detailed plan below. I am hoping that this plan will make your Parvati Valley trip a memorable one. Also, feel free to share this travel itinerary with your friends and families whom you know are planning a trip to this mystical place.
Key road distances
- Delhi to Bhuntar 490 km
- Bhuntar to Jari 23 km
- Jari to Kasol 8 km
- Kasol to Manikaran 3 km
- Manikaran to Barshaini 14 km
- 2-3 km from Barshaini. Shared cars are available.
Day by Day Plan
Let us look at this day by day plan for visiting Parvati Valley. It is highly recommended if you’ve 7-9 days of travel time.
Day 0 – Starting Point Delhi
- Catch an overnight bus from ISBT to Delhi. Many public transport buses leave ISBT, Delhi for an overnight journey to Bhuntar.
- Volvo/Mercedes buses will be available starting INR 1500.
Day 1 | Delhi – Chandigarh – Bhuntar – Kasol
- Schedule your arrival to Bhuntar around 8 AM.
- Catch the next bus to Manikaran from Bhuntar Bus Stand. Buses leave every hour. Get off at Kasol
- Alternatively, hire a personal/shared cab from the airport to reach Kasol. Total Travel time of around 1.5 hours.
- Venture out and explore cafes nestled in the hills and by the river. Enjoy the tranquillity of Kasol.
- Experience Israeli cuisine
Day 2 | Kasol – Chalal – Kasol
- Wake up early in the morning to take an easy trek of about 30 minutes to Chalal.
- Explore Chalal – many cafes are splattered around the hamlet
- Plan your stay at Chalal or return to Kasol is suggested
- Explore Kasol further
Day 3 | Kasol – Manikaran – Barshaini – Tosh
- Catch the morning bus to Manikaran. Pay your respects at Manikaran Sahib, although expect it to be busy
- Visit the Hot Springs and take a healing dip
- Take a shared cab to Barshaini, the last road head
- You can then trek 4 km to reach Tosh
- Relax and unwind after a long day
Day 4 | Tosh – Pulga – Kalga
- Explore the lesser-known hamlets of Pulga, Kalga, Tulga – immersed in extreme nature
- Stay at Kalga / Pulga overnight
Day 5 | Kalga – Kheerganga
- Start your trek from Kalga for Kheerganga as early in the morning as possible
- Head on to Nakthan Village, crossing dense forests on a well-marked route
- Cross apple orchards, stop at various cafes along some portions of the trek
- Experience Rudranag waterfall
- Camp under the stars
Day 6 | Kheerganga – Jari
- Return from Kheerganga, heading to Barshaini
- From Barshaini, take a shared cab to head on to Jari.
- Camp at Jari & enjoy the views. The night skies are insane.
Day 7 | Jari – Malana – Jari
- Hire a private/shared cab to cover the 23 KMs journey from Jari
- Trek the remainder 2-3 km to Malana Village from the road end
- Foreign tourists need to register at Naka near the Malana Power House
- Route is well-laid
- Choose to stay at Malana (camping options) or head back to Jari (recommended)
Day 8 | Jari – Bhuntar – Chandigarh – Delhi
- Catch the bus from Malana towards Bhuntar
- Alternatively, hire a private/shared cab for your return
- Catch a bus/flight from Bhuntar to Delhi
Day 9 | BUFFER Day
This will act as a buffer day to be kept in case of road closure due to landslides or snowfall. Or, perhaps you want to enjoy more (always a must!)
If you have fewer days in hand, you also have an option to merge Day 6 & 7 to reach Malana village on Day 6 itself.
Can I make a trip to Parvati Valley in 5 days?
Absolutely, you can make a trip to Kasol in 5 days! But, be prepared for a hectic schedule. I prefer to enjoy the hills at a leisurely pace – keep my eyes and heart open and absorb the self-reflection that the Himalayas induce.
However, it is only realistic to not get a lot of days off from work, or even just wanting to escape for a few days to rewind the clock.
Also, here’s a breakup for your days –
5 Day trip to Kasol from Delhi
- Day 0/1 | Delhi – Chandigarh – Bhuntar – Kasol
- Day 2 | Kasol – Chalal – Kasol
- Day 3 | Kasol – Tosh – Kheerganga
- Day 4 | Kheerganga – Barshaini – Kasol
- Day 5 |Kasol – Jari – Bhuntar – Delhi
The details of the days you can always refer from the 8-9 days Parvati Valley itinerary mentioned in the previous section of the article.
You should always carry your water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂
What is the best time to plan a road trip to Parvati Valley?
Parvati valley temperature remains pleasant through most of the year except winters. In winters, from November to February period is the season of snow. Hence, Parvati temperature plummets to sub-zero. No wonder it is one of the places to see snowfall in Himachal near Delhi.
You will need to be prepared for such winter temperatures. Also, it is best to avoid the area in the monsoon months, especially when you know how prone the hills are to landslides. If you’re a novice traveler, it can be overwhelming to deal with landslides. If you’re a seasoned traveler and love taking a risk – go for it!
However, for the rest of the year, you will find favorable road conditions and temperatures in Parvati.
Where can I get taxis for the Kasol trip?
Taxis to Parvati Valley are available from Bhuntar for Kasol and further at Kasol and Barshaini for traveling anywhere in the region. But, keep in mind that Barshaini is the last road head of the valley, and after that, you’ll have to explore the depths by foot through treks. It is well worth the effort if you ask me.
Many cab operators will provide you outstation rides for the duration of the trek. However, having your car is not necessary at all. It might be a headache when you’re exploring the hills. The costing may be anywhere around INR 20,000, depending on the number of days of the trip (as of 2019). In general, these local drivers charge from Rs 3000-3500 per day.
Why Visit Parvati Valley?
Do I need to get into this more even after detailing out this common Parvati Valley itinerary?
Of course, I love Parvati for all that it has to offer. But, I can assure you that you will fall in love with her too. If the idea of serenity, natural exquisiteness, and tranquillity excite your senses, then without a doubt, go and explore the magical Parvati Valley.
Conclusion
We have done our dandiest to ensure that information on traveling to the entire region of Parvati Valley exists on our blog. This day by day detailed itinerary of Parvati Valley will help stitch them together as a simple travel plan. Please do drop a comment below and let us know if we should be exploring some new region here. Also, always happy to have your feedback on the articles.
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Do not forget to share this detailed day by day travel plan for visiting Parvati Valley with your friends and family.
Happy travels to the Himalayas!
