Have you ever dreamed to have an authentic village experience in India? Visiting these 6 beautiful villages in Parvati Valley will give you the true feeling of the Himalayan village life of India.
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If you have always been intrigued by the cultures of India, then visiting the most charming villages of Parvati Valley will captivate your heart.
Most people travelling to India do not know how, or even know that it is possible, to visit and stay in beautiful villages all across the country.
When I lived in India, I only discovered the hidden gems of India through other travellers. Finding out about new places to visit along your travels may work for you if you have extra time on your itinerary. But knowing about these places before you arrive will guarantee you the most meaningful and memorable trip to India.
In this post, I will share with you 6 of the most enchanting villages in Parvati Valley that will add to you experiencing the essence of India and its culture.
ABOUT PARVATI VALLEY
The sacred land of Parvati Valley is the essence of nature abundance meets ancient Indian traditions.
The Parvati River, a true force of nature, flows through the magnificent lush green valley, painting a scenic landscape that completely captivates your senses.
Parvati Valley is situated in the Great Himalayan Range of Himachal Pradesh. It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated in the valley for about 3000 years. After all these years, he opened his eyes to see this breathtaking landscape in front of him. And so, he named it after his consort, Parvati.
Kasol is the main town of Parvati Valley from where you reach all of the villages from. Kasol is easily accessible by motor from Manali. You can drive to Kasol with your own transport or take local buses from Manali to Bhuntar and then to Kasol.
The entire valley is decorated by quaint Indian villages, majestic mountain views and misty pine forests. You can truly feel the energy of the mountains and the power of the river as you marvel at the landscapes of the valley.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PARVATI VALLEY
Even though Parvati Valley is accessible all year-round, the landscapes and weather do change throughout the year. The best time to visit is in Summer (March to June) or after monsoon season (October to February).
If you visit Parvati Valley during the winter months, October to February, the valley is covered in snow with much cooler temperatures. It is an absolute spectacle of nature to witness the valley during these months. However, some of the trekking may be closed due to the thick snow.
Visiting during the summer months makes for very pleasant temperatures. Some of the mountain peaks are still covered in snow which creates a beautiful contrast against the green valley.
A cultural perk to visiting Parvati Valley later in the year, is to experience the cannabis harvesting season in the villages.
Parvati Valley is known for massive plantations of wild cannabis growing all across the mountain sides and up along the villages.
The families who live here rely on the cannabis cultivation for their livelihood. One harvest season supports them and their families for the entire year until the next season. The women and children leave their homes and schools to participate in rolling hashish.
When you visit during September and October, you can see all of the villagers sitting in the fields, palm rolling hashish all day, every day.
The cannabis culture of Parvati Valley is truly something special to witness during the harvest season.
6 BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES TO VISIT IN PARVATI VALLEY
1. GRAHAN VILLAGE
Grahan Village is not only the most beautiful village in Parvati Valley, but some would say the most beautiful village in all of India.
Nestled between the green hills of Parvati Valley and surrounded by the Himalayas, is the enchanting village of Grahan.
Grahan is an escape from the noise and busyness of the outside world. With no cell phone reception in the village, you can completely disconnect from the world and fully immerse yourself into nature.
Not only do the aesthetic wooden houses give Grahan its charming atmosphere, but the mystical landscapes add to the fairy-tale feel of the village.
You can see uniquely formed mountains surrounding the entire village. Pine forests grow in abundance along the mountain sides. Farmers grow their crops along vibrant green pastures. There are many beautiful waterfalls to explore around the village. When the sun shines on the valley the vibrant scenery comes to life. And in the winter, the scenery transforms into a white wonderland of majestic mountains.
The people of Grahan Village are very welcoming and warm hearted. The villagers lead a very simple, yet beautiful, life. Their livelihood comes from farming, harvesting cannabis and homestays for tourism. It is important to note that alcohol is strictly prohibited in the village.
The only way to access the village is by hiking from Kasol. Grahan is 9km from Kasol, a 3–5-hour trek (depending on your speed) and is at an altitude of 2347m. There are no modes of transport through the village which adds to the authentic village feel.
You will find signs all along the trek to Grahan. You can also ask local villagers walking the paths for directions if you need help.
The trek to Grahan is moderately-difficult, with some steep inclines. But it is absolutely breathtaking! You can enjoy stunning landscapes all along the trek, pine forests and the Grahan Nalla Stream. Keep your eye out on the forest paths for some really beautiful and unusual mushrooms.
Because there is no reception in Grahan, booking accommodations is not possible before the time. But do not worry, there are plenty of homestays, guest houses and hostels to stay in. Most of these accommodations also have cafes and restaurants with delicious food.
I highly recommend asking villagers for Krishna’s Cafe. I absolutely loved my stay there; they had amazing food and the best view.
Between the sweetest villagers, the dreamy village and enchanting nature, Grahan Village is a true heaven on earth that should be at the top of your list when visiting the villages of Parvati Valley.
2. tOSH VILLAGE
My absolute favourite thing to do in Tosh Village is to drink tea at the cute cafes and admire the majestic beauty of The Great Himalayas.
While there is not a whole lot to do within Tosh, what makes this village special is that you are already in the most incredible nature scenery right from your home. Making this village a mountain lover’s paradise without even having to hike to see the most breath-taking views of the surrounding Himalayas.
Tosh is a quaint village on the hills at 2400m elevation, at the far end of Parvati Valley. It is only a one-hour drive away from Kasol, the main town at the beginning of Parvati Valley.
The roads are not in such great condition. There are many hairpin bends and potholes but it is do-able with a car, scooter or motorbike. Just make sure to drive slowly. The motorable road reaches the beginning of the village where you follow the paths through the village by foot.
The village has everything from lush green scenery, snow capped mountains, waterfalls and rivers and the Indian culture of the Himalayas. You will also see the unique wooden structures of the cottages as you walk through the village. I met so many lovely villagers here that made every day even more memorable.
Tosh is known for its hippie culture and sense of community. Making it safe for group and solo travellers to visit.
There are many choices for accommodations to stay in the village. You can arrive in Tosh and walk around to find the accommodation you love the most. You can also look on websites such as Agoda.com to book ahead of time.
It is also possible to start the Kheerganga trek from Tosh. Kheerganga is a 2-day trek into the heart of Parvati Valley where you can relax in hot springs and explore a lush green meadow.
This little haven on the hills unexpectedly left a heart-warming impression on me forever and I am sure you will feel the same once you have experienced its natural ambiance.
Visiting Tosh will leave you feeling reinvigorated by the fresh mountain air and enriched by the culture of this beautiful village.
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3. kALGA VILLAGE
Kalga Village has one of the most picturesque views of Parvati Valley!
The panoramic vistas from Kalga are a real treat to your eyes. It seems as though you can look out so far into the distance of the entire valley. You are very close to the Parvati River which can also be seen from the village.
The sunsets and sunrises kissing the valley are a divine experience you do not want to miss.
Not only is this the perfect spot to admire Parvati Valley, but you are in a 360 degree view of snowy mountains and tall pine trees.
You can follow the pine trees up into the meadow of Kheerganga and several other treks such as Bunbuni Trek and Sar Pass.
The village of Kalga has a rustic charm and continues the traditional wooden houses of Parvati Valley. Many of the guest houses have rooftops from which you can enjoy the views and meet other travellers (because everyone loves to relax with the most beautiful view right in front of them!).
You have to climb about 120 stairs to reach the village from where you park. It is a bit of a steep climb but very manageable and only takes about 20-25 minutes.
Although the guest house options fewer to choose from, there are a number of guest houses to stay at. It is also possible to show up at Kalga and walk around to find your stay. Most guest houses have their own restaurants. There is also a couple of restaurants in main part of the village.
Between the authentic aura of the village, the surrounding natural beauty and the vibe of community, Kalga is a true reflection of what the villages in Parvati Valley have to offer its visitors.
4. pULGA VILLAGE
Fairy forests, apple orchids, tea plantations and an authentic village atmosphere. This makes Pulga a little hippie haven for travellers to relax and soak in the energy of the valley.
Pulga is a secluded village that is untouched by modern ways of life and resources. You may not find cell phone reception in the village. This is the best opportunity to unplug from the world. There are only a few hotels on one side of the village that offers Wi-Fi.
Because Pulga is a very small village, there are limited accommodation options. You can choose from mid-range to budget guest houses when you arrive.
For the more authentic village experience, you can stay in one of the wooden houses made up of mud walls and dung floors. Staying in local homes always leaves you with the feeling of really appreciating the local lifestyle.
Many hikers start the hike to Kheerganga from Pulga. Even though the hike will be a bit longer from here. There are also smaller hikes from Pulga if you do not want to do the full Kheerganga trek. You can enjoy the waterfalls and captivating mountain views from the village and surrounding hikes.
It is possible for you to reach Pulga from Kalga, you will cross many bridges along this walk. You can also drive to Barshaini and walk from there to Pulga. Remember, you do not have to leave Kalga to get to Pulga. There is a walk between the two villages.
You definitely need more than one day in this charming village to fully appreciate the nature and the culture that surrounds you. There is so much peace in the fairy forest between the massive pine trees and the birds singing. You will want enough time to fully embrace the magic of this hidden little village.
5. cHOJH AND GAUR VILLAGE
One of the most special aspects of this village is that you have to cross the all mighty Parvati River to get to the village. As you cross the bridge, you can really feel the power of the river as it flows beneath you.
Not only does the Parvati River flow along the village, but you can see snowy summits peeking through the lush green forest hills.
From Choj, you can trek up to Gaur Village. This is the smallest village with just a few Indian families staying here. Gaur is a quaint village high up on the mountain slopes with fantastic views of the majestic valley.
The hike to Gaur is one of the best ways to see some of the tallest cannabis plantations in Parvati Valley. When you visit Gaur during harvesting season, you will see the women rolling hash in the village. I highly recommend avoiding this hike during monsoon season as the path is overgrown with plants and nettle that sting you like crazy! Otherwise, Gaur is a dream to visit during your stay in Choj.
The hike to Gaur is an easy-moderate hike. With the last bit of the hike being steeper than the rest of the way.
With its close vicinity to Kasol, this makes for an easier village to visit without venturing too deep into Parvati Valley. Choj is only 1km from Kasol. You can drive or walk to the bridge that crosses over the river to reach the village. The village is a little bit of an ascent from the bridge.
There are a number of guest houses and homestays in Choj who are run by the sweetest people.
Choj is a beautiful sanctuary of peace and calm away from the city and the noise, while still offering you the experiences of the traditional Parvati Valley culture.
6. MANIKARAN
Manikaran is a holy place of India that is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Sikhs. You can only imagine the powerful spiritual energy that permeates through this village.
Manikaran is different to all of the villages I have already mentioned. Even in the way that it is structured. As you walk through the village, you cannot help but be fascinated by the temples built along the edges of the rumbling Parvati River. This makes Manikaran a very special place to visit on your trip through Parvati Valley.
Manikaran is only 4km from Kasol. You will pass Manikaran on your way to Kalga, Palga and Tosh.
You can stay over a night in Manikaran or just visit for the day. Just make sure you have enough time to enjoy the famous hot springs. The hot springs are the reason why this sacred place attracts many of its visitors.
It is believed that the Manikaran hot springs can cure diseases because of its high mineral content. This is truly a blessed place to experience in India.
Between the mountainous scenery, the powerful Parvati River and beautiful temples, this village in its own feels like a powerful force of nature and spirituality.
Parvati Valley is a true fairytale region of the world. With the local architecture blending harmoniously with the divine landscapes, Parvati Valley and its authentic villages offer all nature and cultural lovers a wholesome experience of India.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I GET TO PARVATI VALLEY?
Parvati Valley is relatively easy to reach.
The nearest airports are Kullu Manali Airport and Chandigarh International Airport. You can fly into one of these airports and take a local bus or taxi to Parvati Valley. You can also rent a car from the airport or a scooter from Manali.
The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar railway. From here, it can take you about 4 hours to reach the beginning of Parvati Valley.
If you are travelling from Manali with your own transport, it is only a 2 hour drive to Kasol. But if you decide to take the local buses from Manali to Kasol, it can take up to 4 to 5 hours to reach Kasol. The HRTC buses leave every day between 07:55am and 12:18.
I personally loved having my own scooter to get around Parvati Valley as I pleased. It gave me the freedom to explore all around the valley and stop along the way for as long as I wanted to.
IS THERE A PARTY CULTURE IN PARVATI VALLEY?
More and more foreigners and local travellers are finding themselves in the hippie haven of Parvati Valley.
There is a culture of psytrance parties usually set up deep in the woods of a few villages like Kasol, Chalal, Tosh and Pulga. I have heard that these festivals are really something to experience with amazing ds from around the world.
In Parvati Valley you can choose if you want to be a part of the party scene, communities or just immerse yourself in the serene nature. If you are not a big party person but still love to meet new people in a more relaxed setting, Parvati Valley is perfect for you.
There are always communities of people in the villages who are friendly and also excited to meet new people.
IS PARVATI VALLEY SAFE?
Overall, yes, Parvati Valley is very safe. Just like anywhere else in the world, you need to practise caution when travelling.
Because of the party culture in Parvati Valley, knowing your own limits, not wondering around at night time and only attending events that are known to be safe is very important.
Part of practising safety is to make sure you are equipped and experienced enough to do the hikes that are on your itinerary. Some of the more difficult trails can be tough and confusing so hiring a professional guide to assist you will keep you safe on your treks.
As a woman, I did not feel threatened or in danger once during my time in Parvati Valley. I only dealt with uncomfortable stares which is very common in India. You can read my tips on how to stay safe in India as a solo female traveller here.
Using your common sense and travel experience to stay safe in Parvati Valley is key to ensuring you can enjoy your time here without any stressful experiences.
