Kheerganga Trek Guide: A Detailed Account of the Trek

Sitting in the lap of nature, hidden in the far end of the Pin Parvati Valley, and inspiring millions with its sheer beauty, is Kheerganga. A comparatively easy trek, Kheerganga is nothing but a kaleidoscope of nature’s best gifts.

The exquisite night skies and the shimmering greens of the day, make this trek exceptional in many ways, but the hot water spring is the best. As you venture on this trek, you will come across a number of water bodies including bountiful rivers, simplistic streams and spectacular waterfalls.

The resplendent natural beauty of this trek is still untouched by the demons of commercialisation and is only further accentuated by the simple life of the locals in the area. To delve deeper into the details, a compilation of the trek particulars has been given below.

Kheerganga Trek: A Complete Guide

Quick Facts About Kheerganga Trek

• Difficulty level: Easy
• The highest point of trek: 10,065 ft.
• How to get there
  • Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport.
  • Nearest railway station: Pathankot.

Best Time For Kheerganga Trek

Although Parvati Valley is pleasant throughout the year, the best time to undertake the Kheerganga Trek is between October and June. Trekking is not recommended during monsoons as it becomes risky and overly difficult during rains. October is generally considered a good month for the trek and you will find many avid trekkers on the Kheerganga expedition from August to October. April, May are good months too. The temperature will average from 15 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius.

Trekking Routes To Kheerganga

The trek starts from Barshaini after Kasol. To get to Kasol, you will first have to cross Bhuntar.

Getting to Bhuntar:

The journey to the beginning of the trek can be easily broken into two phases the first of which is reaching Bhuntar. Bhuntar has an airport, which makes the place easily reachable through the air, but if travelling by car or bus it takes 14hours to reach Bhuntar from Delhi.

Bhuntar to Barshaini:

In the second phase, you reach Barshaini from Bhuntar. You can reach Barshaini either through a bumpy bus ride or through a taxi. On your way to Barshiani, you can make a stopover at Kasol. Kasol is another one of the gems along the way, which acts as the base camp for quite a few treks.

From Barshaini there are two options to go for the Kheerganga trek; you can either go through the Tosh and Nakthan Village or through the Kalga Village route.

1. Nakhtan Village

This route is lined with exquisite panoramic views of the mountains and is preferred by the photography enthusiasts. This route is the most popular route to Kheerganga and traverses along the left side of the Parvati River.
The trekking level is medium with some difficult stretches. This route will take you three to four hours.

2. Kalga – Pulga Village

Offering an easier climb, the second route to Kheerganga is comparatively easy and with longer descends. Not so popular, this route is lined dense forests and does not offer as picturesque views as the trek from Tosh to Kheerganga, which is a distance of 7kms. This route is generally preferred by people low on stamina.

This route will also take you through the villages of Kalga and Pulga where you can halt for a while and take pictures. You can walk around and befriend the hospitable locals of these villages. If you keep a good pace, you can finish this route in 4 hours. If you like to slow trek, you can finish it in 5 to 6 hours.

Descent & Return

There is a small Shiva temple on the trek. Lord Shiva is said to have meditated in Parvati Valley for thousands of years. At the highest point, there is a pool with waters from a hot spring. It’s called Parvati Kund. All throughout the trek routes, you will see beautiful pine forests, gushing waterfalls and views you have never seen before. On both the routes, you will find cafes and dhabas for refreshment.

The descent should take you around 3 hours. You can proceed to stay at Tosh if you do not wish to camp overnight at Kheerganga. Catch the last bus from Barshaini To Bhuntar at around 2 pm.

Stay Options Near Kheerganga

Kheerganga has a lot of options when it comes to staying. These options include the Ashram on top of the hill and the wooden houses which act as the ideal homestays. You can go in for the option of the tents also.

They are available at affordable rates or you can set up your own carry your own tent equipment and set an abode anywhere you, please. The rates of these accommodations vary from Rs.100 to Rs.500 depending on your priority of comfort.

Food Options Near Kheerganga

Like most places in Himachal, Kheerganga also has a good variety of cuisines and café setups to please the passing travellers. The prices of the food are moderate and the quality good. The cuisines that can be easily found in this place include Chinese, Israeli, Indian and the local Himachali cuisine.

One of the must-try things at these little dhabas and cafes is their plethora of hot drinks like tea, coffee and others, which when combined with the spectacular view make for ideal rejuvenation package.

Best Time to Visit Kheerganga

The best time to undertake this trek is in the months of May, June, September and October. It is during these months that the weather is pleasant and there is very little or no humidity.

Kheerganga Trek Price

• Travel: A private taxi from Bhuntar to Barshaini will cost around Rs. 1200. Buses from Bhuntar to Barshaini can cost anywhere from Rs. 150 to Rs. 500. Shared taxis from Manikaran are available too, which can cost around Rs. 200.
• Accommodation: Room fare per night is around Rs. 500 at lodges and cottages. However, at the Ashram in Kheerganga, you can rent shared rooms for as low as Rs. 150. You can also set up your own tent for a small fee.
• Food: Rs. 500 per day

Overall, you may end up spending Rs. 4000 to 5000 on the Kheerganga Trek.

Itinerary for Kheerganga Trek

Day 1 – Bunnter to Barshaini

Reach Barshaini from Bhunter, stay overnight.

Day 2 Barshaini to Tosh

Distance: 12km., duration: 6-7 hours

Walk by road from Barshiani to Tosh, a small village from where the trek through the forest starts. As you trek you will cross the Nakhtan Village and the temple of Rudranag.

Both of these places can be opted for a stopover, before reaching Kheerganga. Once you reach Kheerganga stay overnight in your preferred accommodation.

Day 3 Back to Bhuntar

Distance: 12 km, duration: 6-7 hours

Wake up early to make sure you don’t miss the impeccable sunrise and the view of the mesmerising mountains in the orange glow of the dawn.

Then head for a bath in the hot water spring and gear up for breakfast. After breakfast, start the trek back to Barshiani. As you reach Barshiani, try and catch the evening bus to Bhuntar.

Safety & Travel Tips and Tricks

• Make sure to carry warm clothing irrespective of the season you opt to hike in.
• Carry your own trekking gear and equipment.
• All essential medications and a comfortable and hike friendly pair of shoes are indispensable.
• Since the weather is highly unpredictable, you should carry concise and portable rain gear also.
• Take the necessary permits for trekking in the region beforehand to avoid trouble.
• If opting for a guide, make sure he is a professional and fix the charges in advance.
• Make sure you carry a good camera along with you, to capture the captivating views. You should also carry extra batteries since there is a possibility of no electricity supply.

Embarking on this trek has been awe-inspiring to quite a number of travellers. Get your share of the change, as you experience such ostentatious beauty first hand. Feel free to share your experience and any suggestions in the same regard, in the comment section below.

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Suggested Reads

• 9 Adventurous Trekking Places in South India
• Everything You Need to Know About Sandhan Valley Trek
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• The Most Amazing Trekking Places in North India
• Visiting Kheerganga: The Beauteous Destination in Parvati Valley