Parvati Valley (Autumn)
Hosted by Vagabond Experiences
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
All About It
- Best Season - April May September October
Welcome to Back-Pack-Go
We personally hope you leave the city version of you behind. We're going to the hills
Let us give you a little idea of how we at Vagabond Experiences do group trips. First of all, we don’t do ‘tour operators’. Every group will be accompanied by an Experience Manager (AKA. EM | AKA. Ex-Man). EMs are trained to do one job; help you have a comfortable, safe, and fulfilling experience.
Through the ages, the mountains have been a getaway for many a traveller. But, this valley holds a special place amidst them. Parvati is home to many small villages, some ancient cultures, and an abundance of natural beauty. Honestly speaking, a lifetime might not be enough to explore everything that this beautiful place has to offer. But think of this trip as a careful and relaxed introduction.
Highlights
-Explore the pristine and mysterious Fairy Forest
-Go apple picking in orchards and mushroom foraging in pine forests
-Live in a remote Himachali village surrounded by snow-capped mountains
-Experience the bustling and multi-cultural Kasol market
-Visit Tosh, Pulga, Chalal, Manikaran
Who should attend?
-There isn’t an age restriction on any of our experiences, everyone is welcome. However, the average Vagabond customer is anywhere between 20 – 38 years old. The experiences involve a good amount of time spent with the group. Depending on what experience you’re opting for, there could be a lot of walking and physical exertion.
-It’s important to understand that most of our experiences include very rustic accommodation and not a luxurious means of transport. These may be basic in their facilities, but the hospitality is homely and comforting. If you’re someone who doesn’t like compromising on your comforts while travelling, this experience may not be very enjoyable.
-Most of our trips have a healthy number of solo travellers. We encourage you to join us solo, especially if you’re tired of waiting on your friends. We promise you’ll return with many more.
-We try our best to be responsible travellers. Everyone is welcome to explore with us, but we pay utmost importance to cleanliness in all our experiences. We encourage you to #LeaveNoTrace while you discover the beauty of the outdoors.
-It’s important to understand that in a limited amount of time, only a limited amount of experiences can be had. We like to cover a few places in-depth rather than just ticking off a long list of things to do and places to go. However, if you are that kind of traveller, on almost all trips you can feel free to wander by yourself to places of your interest.
-At a Vagabond experience, it’s important to stay open-minded and positive when things don’t go as per plan. The essence of traveling in a group is being able to help each other out when in need. The weather could go bad, and plans could get altered. In such situations, we urge you to have faith in your EM to make the most informed decision for the group.
Day 1 - The Mountains Are Calling
Bus (A/C Volvo Semi-Sleeper Bus)
Stay Not Applicable
Meals Not Included
Our journey begins in the National Capital. Assemble at the R.K. Ashram Metro station (Pillar no. 9) in Delhi at 5:00 pm. Board a bus to Kasol. Goodbye traffic, goodbye families, and probably (hopefully), goodbye cellphone reception for a while.
Travel: 12-13 hrs bus journey (Delhi > Kasol)
Day 2 - The Heart of The Valley
Car (8 seater Sumo)
Homestay
Lunch, Dinner (Veg & Non-Veg)
We reach Kasol early in the morning and switch into taxis to get to Kalga, a hilltop village nestled in the heart of Parvati Valley. Settle into our homestay for the day. Take the rest of the day to familiarise ourselves with this beautiful woodside hamlet and explore the apple orchards.
Travel: 1-1.5 hrs taxi journey (Kasol > Kalga)
Day 3 - Hum Bhi Hai Tosh Main
Car (4 seater taxi)
Homestay
Breakfast, Dinner (Veg & Non-Veg)
A visit to the neighbouring village of Tosh is the plan today. It is one of the most popular hamlets in this neck of the woods. We will spend our day exploring this lil' village along with a quick hike to the waterfall (and maybe beyond). We will dine at our homestay after sunset.
Travel: 30 minutes taxi journey (Kalga > Tosh)
Day 4 - A Fairytale like Forest
Trek (Hike to Pulga)
Homestay
Breakfast, Dinner (Veg & Non-Veg)
There’s going to be a fair bit of walking today! We are going into the misty mountainside forest of Pulga called 'Fairy Forest'. A dense pine-forest where we can go mushroom foraging and also apple picking through Kalga and Pulga. We'll spend the day at a secluded waterfall in the middle of the forest and collect our mushrooms for the night's dinner.
Day 5 - K-Town
Car (8 seater Sumo)
Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner (Veg & Non-Veg)
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Kalga and head towards the town of Kasol by afternoon. Check into our rooms on the banks of the Parvati River. Spend the day exploring Challal and Manikaran, or eating and shopping in Kasol market. We regroup for dinner.
Travel: 1-1.5 hrs taxi ride (Kalga>Kasol)
Day 6 - Last Chance
Bus (A/C Volvo Semi-Sleeper Bus)
Stay Not Applicable
Breakfast (Veg & Non-Veg)
This is our last day in Himachal. You will have the day at leisure. Go shopping for those jholas, hemp paraphernalia, and jewellery that you've always wanted to buy from Himachal. We board our jeep for Bhuntar in the afternoon. Take an overnight bus back to New Delhi. Make the most of this night since we might not be seeing each other again (Aww damn!).
Travel: 1-1.5 hrs taxi ride (Kasol>Bhuntar) | 12-13 hrs bus journey (Bhuntar>Delhi)
Day 7 - Homeward Bound
Travel Not Applicable
Stay Not Applicable
Meals Not Included
Reach Delhi in the morning by 11 am. It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends. Until next time, Vagabonds.
PSA: Please wait at least a month before you put up “Take me back” posts.
Meet your host
Vagabond Experiences
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
Vagabond started out as a project by four friends with a disdain for the ordinary. The idea was simple; take people out of their comfort zones. Not like Roadies, but just enough to bond them together through beautiful and authentic experiences. Happiness, as they say, is only real when shared. And share we did. The company was founded in 2014. As fresh Bachelor of Arts degree holders, companies were lining up to hire us fine gentlemen; we’re kidding. Fueled by entrepreneurial zeal, we started with small events in the city like heritage walks through Bombay’s old quarters. As musicians and travellers ourselves, we decided to marry these two loves of our lives. That is how the idea for the first Fields of Sound™ came about. Since then, it has only been onward and upwards for us. Since 2014, we’ve made friends like family through our journey. Our little ‘Vaga’-Fam. It’s safe to say, it’s been quite an adventure. One we would like you to join :)
See Vagabond Experiences's other listings
Inclusions
-Bus fares to and from Delhi and Kasol for semi-sleeper AC buses
-Accommodation in comfortable rooms at Kalga and Kasol with decent amenities on a double-sharing basis
-Private internal transport (taxis/jeeps) in Parvati Valley
-Two meals a day i.e. breakfast and dinner (while in Himachal)
-All activities as per itinerary (Mushroom forage walk, Apple picking walk)
-Visits to places as per itinerary
-Basic medical and first-aid kit
-All permits, tolls and parking charges
-Experienced Vagabond EMs
Exclusions
-One meal a day
-Travel insurance (we recommend you take one)
Things to carry
1. Sturdy shoes for walking/climbing (well-fitting, neither loose nor tight)
2. An extra smaller backpack for day outings
3. Water bottle (try avoiding buying mineral water bottles to reduce plastic waste)
4. Toiletries, Torch, Lip-balm, Sunscreen, Sunglasses.
5. Personal Medication (Asthma, allergen medication etc.)
6. Slippers/flip-flops
7. Rainwear, rain cover for bags (VERY IMPORTANT if you're traveling during monsoons)
8. Binoculars, camera (optional)
9. Sufficient liquid cash
10. Crepe bandage (each person should have 1 roll each)
11. Warm clothes (Beanie, gloves, wollen socks, thermals, fleece jacket, padded jacket etc.)
HOW TO REACH
Depending on how you're travelling to Delhi, you can either take a rickshaw or taxi (Uber/Ola) to RK Ashram Metro. Further details regarding the exact location will be shared on a WhatsApp group closer to the trip date.
Policy and more
-In case of cancellations 30 days or more prior to the trip, Rs 4,000 will be deducted
-In case of cancellations 29 to 15 days prior to the trip, Rs 8,000 will be deducted
-In case of cancellations 14 to 7 days prior to the trip, Rs 12,000 will be deducted
-In case of cancellations within 6 days of the trip, no refund shall be admissible
(Please refer to the further Terms and Conditions mentioned in the footer of the website)
Terms and Conditions
-All timings and activities are subject to weather, group size, capabilities of participants, etc. -Vagabond holds the right to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances (for eg. unfavorable weather) -By registering for this trip, you agree to have read through and abide by the Vagabond terms & conditions mentioned below: I hereby agree, undertake, and declare as follows: IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to the Vagabond trip/event/trek/activity, hereinafter referred to as Activities conducted by Vagabond, (Hereinafter referred to as the Conductor, under the guidance of Elton Dmello and/or Shannon Fernandes and/or Nihar Nair, hereinafter jointly referred to as the Instructors, I do hereby: Acknowledge and agree that I am aware of the risks involved in the Activities and have also been apprised by the Conductor through his/her Instructors of the inherent risks and dangers associated with the activity and having understood the risks associated with the activity I have willingly agreed to learn/agree to send my ward to learn and participate in the Activities. I assure that I am / my ward is in proper and good health and I am / my ward is physically fit to learn and also participate in the activity and represent that I am / my ward is not suffering from any disease which might remotely either put myself / my ward or the other participants at any risk or danger; I agree to comply with the stated terms and conditions of participation; further, agree and warrant that if at any time when the Instructors believe and think that any conditions to be unsafe, they will have the right to ask me / [my ward] to discontinue further participation in the Activities immediately; I shall not hold the conductor, instructors, employees, other participants, owners, lessors or anyone responsible for any injury that might happen to me / my ward in the course of my journey to the venue and my journey backward I hereby release, discharge, and agree not to sue the conductor, Instructors, employees, any sponsors, advertisers, other participants, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, from all liability, claims, demands, losses, injuries, damage to property or other damages caused or alleged to be caused on my account / on account of my ward in whole or in part by the bonafide errors of the Instructors. I have read this letter and I fully understand its terms; I also understand that this letter intends to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the largest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be not valid, the balance shall continue in full force and effect.
Frequently Asked Questionss
Q: What region of north India are we traveling to?
A: We're traveling from Delhi to Kasol to Kalga which is a part of Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
Q: What altitude would we be traveling to?
A: Kalga is at an altitude of approximately 9,498 ft (2,895 m)
Q: What will the temperature be like while we're there?
A: Temperatures rise to a maximum of 14°C during the day and can drop to a minimum of 1°C during the night
Q: Where will we be staying?
A: Rooms will be on a double-sharing basis. There will be common washrooms at Kalga and attached washrooms at Kasol. We're living in a guesthouse at Kalga and a hotel in Kasol.
Q: What about food?
A: Vagabond will provide 2 meals a day. We will take care of breakfast and lunch/dinner every day while in Himachal. Meals while traveling by bus from and to Delhi will not be covered. For our meals, we will provide you with home-cooked nourishing options at the homestay itself. Do reach out to us if you have any dietary restrictions. The cuisines will be shuffling between Indian, Israeli, Continental, and Tibetan. We urge you to go explore the various cuisines that Parvati Valley has to offer in Kasol.
Q: How will we be commuting?
A: We will be travelling from Delhi to Parvati Valley and back in an AC semi-sleeper Volvo bus. We will transit around Parvati Valley in 4-8 seater taxis.
Q: Is there mobile connectivity in Parvati Valley?
A: You will have a good network and internet connection at almost all the locations.
Q: Are there any ATMs where we're traveling?
A: There are a couple of ATMs at Kasol market, however, carry liquid cash at all times.
Q: Can I smoke/drink on this trip?
A: We at Vagabond do not refrain our participants from smoking or drinking on our backpacking trips. However, there are times you will be disallowed to do so (monasteries, treks, sacred spaces etc). Indulge in these activities very responsibly.
Q: What will the group size be?
A: We will be maximum 15 travellers and 1-2 Vagabond EMs.
Q: Is there any age limit to join this trip?
A: No, there is no age limit to join this trip. However, based on our previous experiences, the age group of travellers is usually between 21-35.
Q: Can I join this expedition solo?
A: Yes, of course, you can! We have a good number of solo travellers on almost every Vagabond experience.
Q: How physically fit do I need to be to join this trip?
A: This trip doesn't have a very high physical requirement. You need to be able to walk long distances on flat plains and be able to do a day trek too. Those who have a low tolerance of cold should be prepared with temperature-appropriate clothing.
Q: Are there doctors/hospitals in Parvati Valley?
A: Kasol market has a doctors dispensary which is at a convenient distance from our homestay
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