Kheerganga-Trek (Khir Ganga), located at a height of about 2950 m, is one of the most well-known trekking destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Located deep in the Parvati Valley, Kheerganga-trek presents to the trekkers a wealth of memorable experiences! Kheerganga’s history is said to date back thousands of years when it was Lord Shiva’s abode. The temperature at Kheerganga Trek varies across the seasons! The weather can get extremely cold in the winters, with snow covering the landscape in glittering snow. The temperature can go up to 45 degrees during the days in summer, i.e., late in May or early June. However, the temperature in the winter hits negative and snowfall is common. The trekker can choose to undertake the trek at any time of the year as per his or her weather preference and the trek is an attractive prospect in all weathers, for all months, whether it be in December or in May. It is a short, easy trek, that even beginners can undertake. The total distance covered during the trek is 26 km and the terrain remains a gentle incline or decline throughout, though it does get relatively steeper in certain parts. It can be covered in 1-2 days easily.
Kheerganga is nature’s paradise, the beauty of the place is spellbinding. The place is famous for its hot water spring and a splendid view of the valley, there are some nearby places that can be visited; Tosh trek is a great option to rejuvenate your soul and mind, the place smells like marijuana, perfect for an escape; Malana is another adventurous trekking destination which will blow your mind with enchanting beauty, it is 21km from Kasol. Pin Parvati Pass is an adventurous trail of 110km, the perfect place for adventure seekers, Sar pass trek, Manikarn Gurdwara, and Rasol are some of the tourist attractions near Kheerganga.
With its promise of hot springs and a splendid view of the Himalayas and the Parvati Valley, this backpackers’ trip to Himachal Pradesh attracts people from all over the country. Kheerganga-trek is a pocket-friendly trip, its base, Barshaini, is located only 3 hour’s drive away from Manali, at an altitude of 1189 m. Three different possible routes can be taken from Barshaini to reach Kheerganga. For the full experience of the area, the route taken from Kheerganga-trek will be different from the one taken to it. The trek starts from Barshaini, at the dam built on river Parvati, and goes to Kheerganga, where you will be camping overnight in tents. From there, you come down back to Barshaini, towards Tosh which has seen a recent spurt in tourist activity. Tosh has especially gained popularity in recent times and this trek presents an ideal opportunity to go sightseeing in the quaint town and explore it for souvenirs! There are a lot of unorthodox paths running through the forests from Barshaini to Kheerganga. However, it is advised that these routes be avoided as they can be dangerous and unreliable. Make your holidays memorable with a trek to Kheerganga!
Along our way to Kheerganga-Trek, you can explore Nakhtan village and Rudra Nag village. The scenic hamlets make for the perfect stops and are ideal to delve into the local culture of Himachal Pradesh and interact with the locals and enjoy the local food and cafes. After a while, we reach the Rudra Nag temple. The ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and sees a lot of pilgrims annually, all lost in their religious fervor. The Rudra Nag Waterfall is another splendid landmark, which we come across during our ascend to Kheerganga. The water at the waterfall is cool and clear and you can refill your water bottles here as you enjoy the hot refreshments at the nearby cafe. Sometimes, you will also come across shepherds with their flocks of sheep grazing nearby. The picturesque scenes make this trek to Kheerganga an out-of-the-world experience. As we cross the waterfall, the path gets a little steeper, but we start spotting the blue and yellow huts that mark the trek’s final milestone. They mean that Kheerganga-trek is not far now!
Upon reaching Kheerganga, you can head straight for the Parvati Kund, or the natural hot water springs, which become all the more attractive in the winter. As you take a look around, you will notice that Kheerganga is full of little cafes serving hot meals and beverages. These are mostly open-air cafes, with all of them having closed places to cater to the public during the evenings as well!
You will be staying in camps, overnight, in Kheerganga. Experience campfire, tents, and sleeping bags like never before, during this adventure. The music session to be organized at the campsite is the cherry on top! During the upcoming holidays, plan a trip to Kheerganga and make your vacation extraordinary!
For this adventurous Kheerganga-trek, you have to meet us at the beautiful hill station Barshaini. To reach Barshaini from Kasol, you can take a bus or hire a cab from there. You can also take an overnight bus from Delhi to Bhuntar, and then take another bus from Bhuntar to Barshaini. Buses ply from Bhuntar to Barshaini frequently, and the distance can be covered in approximately 2-3 hours. Taking a flight to the Bhuntar Airport from Delhi can also be an option.
Quick inside tips from us:
- While in Kheerganga, instead of purchasing bottled water, you can maintain your stock of safe drinking water by refilling your bottle at the natural springs of a place called an Ashram. You can also fill your bottles at the various stops along the way, like at the waterfall.
- If you are a beginner, it would be a good idea to be prepared for the trek and start exercising some time ahead. Doing yoga would also be a good idea to make your lungs strong enough for high elevations.
- Since Kheerganga Trek is located at a relatively lower height of 2950 m, getting Acute Mountain Sickness is comparatively lower. However, it is always better to be safe, and so it is advised that you take an adequate number of pauses on your ascent from Barshaini to Kheerganga.
- Kheerganga Trekking is a physically taxing adventure and can take a lot of energy. It is thus better to be prepared and take ready-to-eat food with you, with an emphasis on sugar-filled items for energy. Things like energy bars, candies, chikki, and plum cakes are ideal.
- Internet and network connectivity can get extremely unreliable at high altitudes. It is better to inform anxious friends and relatives before starting on this adventure trek to Kheerganga.
Kheerganga-Trek Itinerary
Day 1
- 10 AM – Meet us at Barshaini. Before leaving Barshaini, take stock. This is where you can purchase additional supplies if need be.
- From here you will start the 12 km-long trek to Kheerganga. The estimated time to cover this trek is 5-6 hours.
- The beginning of the trek is a gentle incline, the path lined with beautiful apple orchards. As the trek progresses, massive Deodars and oaks also become a common sight. You can hear the constant roar of the river Parvati flowing nearby, easily visible from Barshaini.
- Upon reaching, you can relax for a while at the camp set up at Kheerganga.
- Once you’ve unloaded, you can jump straight into the Parvati Kund, the hot water spring – a highlight of the trip. The sight of the snow-capped mountains, easily visible in the distance, is almost comical in their direct contrast to the warm water flowing around you.
- After your tiredness from the trek has been washed away, you are welcome to enjoy the scrumptious meal prepared for you, before retiring to your tents for the night. Lights out!
Day 2
- 7:00 AM – Wake up to the serenity of the mountains and the slight chill in the air that always comes with altitude.
- After breakfast, you will start your trek back to Barshaini, in the Parvati Valley. This time, do make sure to explore this charming little town.
- On the way back from Kheerganga, you will come across the towns of Nathan and Rudra Nag. These scenic villages are ideal for pit breaks along the way and grabbing big additional supplies if you so need them.
- This is the end of this journey. After this, you are free to explore nearby places like Tosh village and go sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs in the town. You can also start for Kasol immediately, or go explore the Tosh river!
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