Backpacking to Kasol - Challal - Choj

Kasol is a small town located in the Parvati Valley of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, India. 

Situated at the heart of Parvati Valley, Kasol is an offbeat retreat for backpackers. Although the nearby villages of Kasol is quaint, Kasol has sufficient modern amenities such as travel agents, internet cafe and restaurants. 

Reaching Kasol : By  flight or bus to Bhuntar.  Regular bus plies to Bhuntar from Chandigarh/Delhi which takes approximately 7-8 hours from Chandigarh and 13 hours from Delhi.

From Bhuntar bus plies every 30 minutes to Kasol.  

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Reached Kasol on the morning of 18th October, 2014 with all excitement to explore the Parvati Valley. Upon arrival in Kasol, we were startled to find touts didn't approached for hotels which is usually common in any tourist place in India. Moving on towards Manikaran for 200 meters to find an inexpensive stay we found a beautiful place, Himalayan Guest House, owned by a local family. 

Our senses evoked as soon as we opened the balcony door. The view of the Himalayas, the ripple of the Parvati River as it hopped over the stones, the chirping of the birds; everything was so calm and serene. Soon we got fresh and had our breakfast in Moonlight Cafe/German Bakery and set out to explore the Parvati Valley.

Himalayan Guest House, Kasol

 Himalayan Guest House

Approach road for Himalayan Guest House

View outside room - Himalayan Guest House- Kasol

View from our room

Toast with Peanut Butter and Coffee

Choj

Choj is a hamlet, situated at 10 minutes walk from Kasol. 

Towards Manikaran

Bridge connecting Manikaran Road and Choj village. 

Challal

After exploring Choj, we headed towards Challal. The trail to Challal takes about 30-40 minutes. Travellers and locals can be found on the way and  human inhabitation is sporadic. The terrain is rugged and it is advisable to walk at a medium pace.  

Challal is a sleepy village with few cafes. The villagers are heart warming to talk with and they are always full of ideas to make backpacker's journey comfortable.   

An alluring thing that I found among the natives of the valley is that they are happy in their own terms. Right from a child to an old man everyone seemed quite joyous and their face resounded happiness. Perhaps their understanding of comfort and luxury is far more deeper because their comfort is to share a smile and luxury is to make a backpacker's journey comfortable. 

Bridge connecting Kasol and Challal

After crossing Parvati River

Road to Challal

A traditional house on the way to Challal

Parvati River

On the way to Challal

A village lady of Challal

Kids posing from their school ! 

In the village I meet the same kid  from the previous photograph and I gave him a Cadbury Dairy Milk. 

Barn

Interior of Challal

After roaming around the village for sometime and striking conversations with the locals we had our lunch in Freedom Cafe and headed back to our room in Kasol.