Growing up watching movies like ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, we all dreamed of having an epic adventure with our guy gang. We’ve heard many stories about wild trips, late-night parties, and crazy fun. And to experience the same, I took a fun trip with my friends. Hi, I am Kaushal Choudhary, and this is my story of an adventure in Himachal Pradesh. My group of five friends from a small town in Odisha has been eager to embark on our boys’ trip for ages! And guess what? In May 2023, we finally planned a trip to Kasol. Keep reading to know about this epic journey.
Enroute Kasol – A Fun Train Journey
Kasol, located in Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh, is an ideal destination for couples and solo travelers. However, my friends were determined to visit this place. And despite some initial hesitation, we decided to go ahead with our trip to Kasol.
We took connecting trains from Rourkela to Ranchi and then to Delhi. And trust me, train journeys can be quite fun. Nobody was allowed to sleep; instead, we played cards and teased each other most unapologetically. Upon reaching Delhi and having a less-than-satisfactory lunch of Muradabadi biryani, we boarded a bus to Kasol. Although the journey was tiring, we didn’t get bored.
We were very eager to see the Himalayan ranges, so we pressed our noses against the cold windows to catch a glimpse of them. To our surprise, there were no mountains visible yet. Later, at 4 AM, the bus stopped for a brief tea break. We started chatting with the bus driver, who turned out to be from Odisha as well. ‘Jai Jagannath!’ we exclaimed, as we celebrated our shared roots.
Curious, we asked him when we would finally see the snow-capped mountains, and he assured us it would be very soon. When the mountains finally appeared, they were stunning, though the early morning darkness made them look somewhat fierce.
The bus started climbing up in a winding, helical pattern, which we found thrilling – except for one of our friends, who became nauseous and started to throw up. He later admitted that he gets sick in hilly places and is afraid of mountains. We just laughed and thought, “This is going to be even more fun!” I have to admit, as guys, we can be a bit mean about these things!
After what felt like an eternity of stops for our buddy to relieve himself of all that biryani, we finally reached Kasol. Our first pit stop was at a cozy little dhaba, where we could freshen up. I stepped outside, and wow! The crisp mountain air hit me like a breath of fresh life. The majestic peaks towering around us and the milky water gushing over rock-strewn paths were pure magic. Just as I was savoring the moment, one of my not-so-bright friends decided to light up a cigarette and ruin the vibe. Classic!
Once we hopped back on the bus, we chugged along to the main bus stand, where the real adventure began – searching for a room. Let’s just say, sitting for 13 hours in an AC bus is not exactly a spa treatment for our young spines.
Kheerganga Trek Begins With Our Guide
We had mapped out our grand plan the night before. First attraction was trek to Kheerganga, then diving into the wonders of Kasol. The excitement was electric, especially with the gym-loving crew, minus two, ahem, ‘chill’ members who preferred a softer approach to adventure. We knew to save a few bucks, we’d have to forgo the luxury of hot showers. Hence, we braced ourselves for a bone-chilling dip. As I stood there, ready to brave the cold, I chanted ‘Ram’ ten times before daring to pour that first jug of icy water! Now that’s what I call refreshing!
We then kept our luggage at the camp and set off for lunch – it was already 10 AM, after all! Aloo Parathas were the star of the show, and let me tell you, we devoured them like they were going out of style!
After satisfying our appetites, we learned that the adventure really begins with a ride to Barshaini before we could hit the trails. The buses were packed, so we opted for a cab. Now, let me set the scene: our driver was puffing away and whipping around the curvy mountain roads at 60 km/h. It didn’t feel that fast at first, but let’s remember – we’re in the Himalayas! Those narrow, twisty roads can make your stomach do flips!
But as we caught a whiff of the passive smoke, a burst of excitement hit us, and we found ourselves reveling in the wild ride. Our driver was quite the motivational speaker as well, regaling us with tales of the trek ahead. “It’s over 13 km one way!” he said, “and it’ll take you more than 6 hours. Some paths? Non-existent. People fall – some don’t even finish the trek, and good luck finding emergency services out there!”
His words had a flair that made the trek sound like an epic adventure. Hence, we couldn’t help but get pumped for the experience ahead!
Every great adventure needs a bit of drama, right? Ours started with just that! As we set out, Lord Shiva seemed to say, “These boys are really eager – let’s throw them a little challenge.” And what better way to do that than with rain? It poured so heavily that we thought our trek might be canceled.
But just as quickly as it began, the rain stopped, and the sun came out to brighten our spirits! Before we reached the trekking spot, we passed through shops selling snacks, trek gear, clothes, and more. Our driver warned us against wearing sports shoes since they don’t have the best grip, and suggested we rent some proper trekking boots instead. The boots were just INR 150 for the pair, and we grabbed some lightweight raincoats for only INR 20 each. Oh, and we couldn’t forget the most important gear – a sturdy wooden stick! It cost INR 40 and trust me, it’s a lifesaver for climbing, no matter how strong or young you are. I learned that the hard way!
The mountains and the bazaar are separated by a dam, which we had to cross carefully due to the strong winds blowing across it. After safely crossing, we finally began our trek at 12 PM. The first 500 meters of the trek were very slippery because it had just rained. We trekked for 3 kilometers, motivated by the sight of the distant snow-capped peaks. However, after a while, we realized that we might not be as strong as we had thought. Along the way, we met an elderly man who appeared to be quite old; he turned out to be a guide for the trek.
We hired him because the paths were complicated, with many routes leading to the same destination but at different times. He was a laid-back guy who shared stories about the local village, the mountains, and Lord Shiva. After walking for a bit and crossing a narrow, tricky creek on a wooden log, we took a short break to enjoy tea with Dadu, our guide.
The trail was slippery and muddy from the rain, and unfortunately, one of our friends lost his footing. I was right behind him and tried to grab his jacket, but I couldn’t catch him. He slipped down a bit, but Dadu quickly raced down to help him back up. The fall was frightening. Just picture it: six of us hiking in a dense forest on slippery paths, with some spots only reachable by climbing rocks, and a powerful, rushing river nearby. If someone fell in, their chances of being saved would be slim.
After a mini-disaster and trekking for almost 8km, we finally reached a waterfall. We took a well-deserved break of about 20 minutes. It was 3 o’clock, and everyone was tired and reluctant to continue. As it started to get dark, we quickly had some snacks, which included Maggi, omelets, and burgers. Along the way, we noticed small makeshift shops every 500 meters to 1 km that offered tea, water, and snacks.
I remember struggling during the climb when a native woman effortlessly crossed us with a huge load on her back, moving like the wind. For them, it was just a daily routine, and they are very comfortable with it. However, the toughest part of the trek was still ahead. As darkness fell, we found ourselves walking on cut rocks with no clear paths anymore! One rock was angled in such a way that it felt like we were playing the game ‘Twister.’ At that point, we almost began rock climbing.
As dawn broke, the chilly winter air began to settle in, and the jungle grew darker with no people around. We reached a point where crossing the flowing water was our only option, which felt dangerous – one slip could have meant a serious fall. Our guide assisted us, and we managed to cross safely. One friend became too tired to continue, so we paused to let him rest and catch his breath.
By the time we resumed, it was dark, around 7 PM. We switched on our flashlights and relied on the guide as we followed a distant light, likely from some tents up ahead. We finally arrived by 8 PM, exhausted and hungry, but also feeling a sense of achievement.
Reaching Attop Kheerganga
At the top, it felt like a small town, with bonfires everywhere and people eating, drinking, and dancing. The camps were reasonably priced at INR 600 per person for one night, so we decided to settle into one. To our surprise, we were greeted with spine-chilling cold water. The owner, a young married man, was very friendly and immersed us in the local folklore of the mountain. He shared stories about how tourists, yogis, sadhus, and unmotivated individuals come to meditate here for months, sometimes even years. For dinner, we enjoyed freshly cooked, warm aloo parathas and lentil curry by a small bonfire inside the camp.
The internet connection was very poor, but the owner set up Wi-Fi for an extra charge of INR 100 per person, which we decided to pay. Everyone informed their parents that we had successfully reached the top. However, we forgot to bring essential items, such as toothbrushes, towels, and a change of clothes, so we had to make do without them.
When I talk about the weather, I remember how cold it was – so cold that even two blankets weren’t enough to keep warm. The owner showed us a clever trick: if you spread a blanket underneath you like a bedsheet and then cover yourself with another blanket, it makes a big difference in staying warm.
I woke up early and admired the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan ranges; it was quite special for me. Feeling inspired, I sat down on a large rock and entered a meditation pose, meditating for about 25 minutes. Soon after, my friends woke up and decided to join me. They playfully splashed some cold water on me, and I felt a surge of joy since I had just finished meditating. However, the owner’s wife, who was cleaning nearby, saw what happened and began scolding my friends. Despite her reprimanding, it only added to the joy of the moment.
After all the fun, we spotted a hot spring. Just 100 meters above, there was a hot spring that had been damaged due to people engaging in inappropriate activities, as it is meant to be the sacred spring of Lord Shiva. However, the water was still available, and there was a proper partition for men and women. Feeling tired from the trek, we decided it would be best to take a bath there and relax. After enjoying a refreshing and soothing bath, we all felt re-energized.
Continuing our visit, we climbed another 100 meters up to a Shiva temple, where we went to perform puja. There, we also learned more about the significance of the area.
The meaning is as follows – The river used to flow with kheer, a rice pudding made from milk, symbolizing the grace of Lord Shiva and Parvati Maa. However, concerned that people in Kalyug might kill for this divine nectar, Lord Parshuram struck the river with his mighty axe, transforming it into normal water. This is why people call it ‘Kheer Ganga,’ where ‘kheer’ refers to the rice pudding and ‘Ganga’ symbolizes the holy water goddess.
Approximately 200 meters above us, Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, has performed penance in an ancient cave for many years. The snow-capped mountains appeared to be close, but in reality, they were quite far. After inquiring about it, we learned that reaching those snow-covered peaks would take six days of trekking.
The Journey For Manali Begins
Afterward, we enjoyed breakfast, which consisted of delicious aloo paratha, pickles, and hot tea. Sitting at the serene mountain top, surrounded by pristine scenery and sipping tea, felt magical. However, we couldn’t linger any longer, as we had other plans. So, after taking a farewell photo with the owner, we quickly began our trek back down.
After all the fun and the countless memories we made, it was time to head back to the base. Our guide accompanied us on the return trip because there were two routes to choose from, the way we came or a nearby village. The detour was small, and the time taken would be similar. However, we wanted to return before sundown since we planned to go to Manali that same day.
The first 5 kilometers were easy; we sang songs, joked around, and played. But after we took a break, we discovered that the walk back was harder than expected. Our knees were taking a lot of impact from the descent. The key to making it easier is to take fewer breaks and descend gently – no jumping, if you want to protect your knees!
After traveling a few more kilometers, we encountered a herd of sheep approaching us. Our guide, being proactive, advised us to climb up onto some protruding rocks and sit there, as the flock was not just 10 or 20 sheep, but more than 200 or 300. A group of girls, caught in the middle of the herd, yelled in fear that the sheep might push them. Fortunately, sheep are generally calm and don’t usually act aggressively.
We descended the final kilometer and reached Barshaini. It was already 5 PM and we had started our journey at 11 AM. As we crossed the dam, it started raining heavily and we had to take refuge behind small brick walls to protect ourselves.
After crossing, we took a cab and arrived in Kasol around 7 PM. We quickly packed our bags from the camp and hopped into another cab for Manali.
This was our first trekking experience, and we trekked approximately 26 km. Throughout the journey, we encountered adventure, fear, a sense of divinity, calmness, and the bonds of true friendship. Overall, this was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that everyone should experience with their friends and family.
