Tosh Village: Perfect Place To Witness The Beauty Of The Himalayan Panorama

Tosh Village is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the charm of nature. It attracts a lot of tourists every year, the ones who want to bask in the glory of nature and also the adventure enthusiasts who want that adrenaline rush in their bodies. With the views of towering, snow-laden peaks and lush greenery, the village has a distinct allure that will definitely bring a smile to your face. 

If you are planning your trip to Himachal Pradesh, definitely add Tosh to your itinerary list. Here’s why!

About Tosh Village

Tosh village is situated on the banks of the Parvati River. It is at an elevation of 2400 metres, on a mountain slope that overlooks the other mighty mountains of the Himalayas. Tosh is considered to be the last village of the Parvati valley. The people living in the region mainly get their income from tourism and some also travel all the way to Kasol and Manali to establish their businesses. Apple orchards are other sources of income for the locals here. You will also find cafes that offer delicious local food and lodging options through which the residents earn their livelihood. Tosh village is mostly traditional but it’s hard to miss the hippie vibe of the region once you interact with the tourists here. 

Tosh in Himachal is also known for its breathtaking flora and fauna. You will find meadows and valleys around Tosh that house the most beautiful flowers that come in different colours. You can find the irises, marsh marigolds, buttercups, Himalayan Balsam flowers and the Himalayan blue poppies. You will occasionally see the Himalayan brown and black bears in the region. 

You will hear the chirping of the avians throughout the day in Tosh. This is because a lot of native birds like to dwell near the village. Lamagiers, Bull Finches, Rose Finches and the Himalayan griffons are some of the winged friends that you will find in and near the village. 

Picturesque Beauty

Tosh Village offers picturesque views of its surroundings. No matter where you stand in this village, there is always something to behold. And the quiet and tranquillity that you experience here is unparalleled. It feels like you can almost communicate with nature and have a conversation that will forever etch its place in your mind. Tosh Himachal Pradesh is not a secret to travellers. However, no matter how many people visit the region, its peace and calm is never lost. As if, everyone knows that they need to seal their lips to really feel nature’s beckoning. 

The snow-laden mountains peak from behind the pine trees. You can hear the gentle flow of the Parvati River. While you trek from the base to reach the elevation of Tosh village, you will see that the place has terraced fields that the villagers use to grow their crops. It is the vegetables and yields from these rugged terrains that the locals use to make their everyday meals. In the hotels and cafes of the place, these fresh crops are used for making delicacies too!

Tosh Village Himachal is very traditional. The people here follow their own customs and are known to live a different mountainous life and their attires are also different from what you will see people wear in the mainstream parts of Himachal Pradesh. They have simple wooden houses with slated roofs. You will not find multi-storey houses or buildings owing to the steep nature of the mountain on which Tosh is present. The maximum is only two floors, something more common in the lodging options here. 

Tosh also acts as a gateway to other spectacular villages of Himachal Pradesh. This includes the Kutla village known for its beautiful and attractive emerald canopies. Then there is the Malana village which has its own customs and traditions, very different from any place that you explore in Himachal Pradesh. People can also take the Sar Pass trek from Tosh village. 

Tosh is in the heart of the Himalayas so you can sit down for a while, gaze at those mountains, click the perfect Instagram-worthy pictures and go back when your heart feels content. 

Cafes to Explore in Tosh Himachal

Tosh village is known for its cafes. Well, your trip is not complete if you do not go to one of the cafes here and try out the ‘Pahadi Maggi’. 

Cafe Him 

Your way to Tosh is filled with a lot of twisted turns and rugged terrains. When you reach the base from where you will have to trek again for another half an hour, it is only natural that you’d want to sit down and relax for a while before embarking on that journey. That’s where Cafe Him comes into the picture. The beautiful place has a rustic charm and offers the best view of the rushing Parvati River and the surrounding dense greenery. While you are here, try their spicy Thupka that feels like heaven, especially in the cold and chill of the mountains. 

Stoned Age Cafe 

Stoned Aged Cafe is along the way to Tosh Village. It is about 1 km away from the main village. You can’t use Google Maps in the region so keep in mind that the landmark you are looking for is the Tosh waterfalls. You can also ask the locals there and they’ll guide you along the way. The cafe has a wooden body with a stone roof and overlooks the Parvati River to one side and the pine trees on the other. What’s special is the way to the cafe. It is a narrow trial and the Parvati River follows you until you reach the cafe. The place is very famous for its Masala Chai. It is definitely what you need while overlooking the mighty mountains and the pristine skies. 

Pink Floyd Cafe 

The cafe owners are fans of Pink Floyd. This is one of the most popular cafes in the Parvati Valley. The place has a laid-back atmosphere and you will see a lot of hippie crowd here, swooning and swaying to the tunes of Pink Floyd. Also, the place has the best psychedelic artwork on the walls along with posters and albums of Pink Floyd.

Visitors often find themselves immersed in a retro vibe that pays homage to the iconic rock era. The place offers the best Israeli cuisine so order yourself a plate and enjoy with a glass of iced tea. 

Magnolia Cafe 

Magnolia Cafe is the first eatery that you will come across once you enter the main Tosh village. The place seems fairly simple from the outside and has interesting doodles and drawings on the walls inside. There are tables and chairs present on a balcony that overlooks the scenic view of the mountains. This is where you can order the pahadi maggi and a chocolate pastry for dessert. Also, the place is famous for its momos and masala chai. Magnolia Cafe also happens to be one of the budget-friendly snacking places in Tosh. 

Tosh Valley trek

The Tosh Valley trek is one of the most anticipated activities, especially for the adrenaline junkies who visit Himachal Pradesh. The trek begins in the Tosh village and ends when you reach the Tosh glacier. The difficulty level of the trek is moderate but it can be very challenging if you are aiming to complete your journey of going and coming back within a day. It is fairly easy if you plan to find accommodation along the way and extend the trek to at least 2 days. 

Starting at Tosh village

The trek begins from Tosh village. You can easily find local transportation and taxis that will bring you from Kasol to the base of Tosh. You will have to climb up to reach the village that offers stunning views of the Himalayan vistas. The village is at an elevation of 2400 metres and you have steps that you can take to walk through the narrow trails. 

Tosh to Kutla 

The trek then leads you from Tosh village to the Kutla village. This is a silent and quiet hamlet that offers mesmerising views of the Himalayan greenery and the mountains.

You can sit down here on the rocks for some time, gather your breath and enjoy what nature has to offer. The place is very much liked for its silent breezes. Kutla is at an elevation of 2840 metres. 

Kutla Village to Tosh Glacier 

The trek gets a little challenging when you are heading from Kutla village toward the Tosh Glacier. The stretch involves moderate to steep ascents and we suggest that you take it slow without rushing. On the other side, you also get to see the breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges. The Tosh glacier is a world of its own! It is a beautiful alpine landscape that offers a 360-degree view of the Himalayan mountains. 

You can either choose to complete the trek and come back on the same day or you can find accommodation at Kutla village to spend the night and come back the next day. People usually enjoy the vibe of Tosh, trek to Kutla stay there overnight, see the glacier the next day and trek down again. Well, it depends on your fitness level. The ones who can complete the ascent and descent in the moderate to challenging terrain in just one day should definitely go for it. 

Several other treks in Himachal Pradesh are similar to the Tosh trek and will take you closer to the heart of nature. 

The best time to visit Tosh village

You can visit Tosh village all year round and when you plan your trip to the mountain village depends on your personal preferences and to some extent, the climatic conditions. 

The summer seasons are very pleasant and the temperature ranges between 15 to 25 degrees celsius. It is the ideal time for trekking and exploring the cultural belt of the place. Outdoor activities can happen without any hindrances. 

Tosh receives moderate to heavy rainfall during the monsoon months. The trails are often slippery and it can be dangerous to embark on treks during this time. The entire Himachal Pradesh region also experiences landslides during this time so it is important to check the local weather report before setting out on your journey. Monsoons are the off-season for Tosh village. 

Tosh village transforms into a fairyland during winter. This is the time when the temperature can drop to freezing levels – 0 to 15 degrees Celsius. You should not be surprised even if the temperature goes below 0 degrees Celsius. There is snow everywhere and the mountains stand out with fresh snow covering them. Trekking trails are usually closed because of the slippery snow but it is possible to enjoy outdoor activities if you like the snow. 

How to reach Tosh?

People who want to go to Tosh village must reach Kasol first. 

By Air

The nearest airport to Kasol is the Bhuntar airport. It is about 31 kms away. You can take a direct flight from Delhi to Kullu and from there, you will have to take another flight to Bhuntar. We suggest that you book your hotel in Delhi and wait for the flight that takes you to Bhuntar because they are not very frequent. Alternatively, you can also take a flight from your city to Delhi or Chandigarh. From there, you can hire a taxi or use bus services to reach Manali and then Kasol. 

By Rail

From Delhi, you can either reach the Pathankot railway station or the Joginder Nagar railway station. You will easily find local transport from these places to Kasol. From there, you can easily find transport to Tosh. For people who are coming from other Indian states, it is better to get down at Delhi railway station first and then directly take a train to the nearest railway station to Kasol. 

By Road

There are buses available that will take you from Delhi and Chandigarh to Kullu-Manali. From here, you will have to travel toward Bhuntar or Barshaini using the local transport or your own vehicle. To reach Tosh from Barshaini, you will have to trek for roughly half an hour. 

So, have you been to the marvellous Tosh Village before? Let us know about your experience in the comments section below.