Kheerganga Trek: A Travel Guide To Hiker’s Paradise!

The Kheerganga is one of the most visited treks in India. it is a small village that rises above the sea level of about 2950 meters. It has the beautiful scenery of lush green forest, waterfall crossings, a peacefully flowing river, and an extended landscape that soothes your soul.

It is located near Kasol in Himachal Pradesh, a land of Himalayan landscapes and beautiful hill stations. The major attraction is the natural hot spring at the top of the mountain where you can take a dip in the cold weather. 

Beginners can also try the Kheerganga trek since it has only a 4-5 hour distance. The climbing is easy to medium level, so there are no worries for first-timers. The Kheerganga trek is worth the climb because the destination is so amazing that it can’t be missed. 

The place also has some religious significance for both Hindus and Sikhs. It is said to believe that lord shiva has meditated here and Parvati used to cook kheer (rice pudding) for her son. The name itself originated from popular belief.  

Additionally, it is the cheapest trek that promises so much more than the expensive ones. You get to witness the alluring beauty of the waterfalls, charming mountains, and landscapes all at once.  

Location

This beautiful landscape is situated at the Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. There are several routes to get there after reaching Kasol which will be discussed ahead in this guide.   

Climatic Conditions

The climate varies at Kheer Ganga in different seasons, The winter season starts in October and extends till February. During this time, The temperatures may drop from 3℃ to 10℃. There will be snowfall in January which makes the trekking hard. Experienced trekkers may also be careful when trekking this month when the temperatures drop to sub-zero levels. 

March to June is considered the best time for trekking at Kheerganga. The enchanting greenery and the mesmerizing scenery can soothe your eyes, You will get to experience the most beautiful and most favorable weather in this season.

Monsoon season arrives in the month from July to September which is not at all recommended for trekking. The trails will be slippery and there may be risks concerned with all the factors. 

Best Time To Visit Kheerganga Trek

As mentioned above, the most suitable time to visit Kheerganga Trek is from March to June as it will be the summer season. The benefit of choosing this month is that you can trek peacefully by experiencing one of the most alluring landscapes in the world. The peak winter season must be avoided to visit this place because of the heavy snowfall.  

Trekking Routes To Kheerganga

To reach the tranquil terrains of Kheerganga, one must reach the Barshaini village first. From Barshaini, there are trekking routes to Kheerganga:

Via Kalga village: There is a bridge in Barshaini that functions as a junction, you can reach Kalga village after taking a right turn from the bridge. This route consists of a deep, thick green forest. Although this route takes a bit longer to reach Kheerganga, the amazing atmosphere will make up for it. 

Via Nakthan village: Taking a left from the bridge of Barshaini, you will reach the Barshaini village after walking for about 3-4 hours. It is the most picked route by tourists who comes to visit from all parts of the world.  

Via Tosh village: This route is preferred mostly by tourists who stay at the Tosh village. The distance from Tosh village to Kheerganga is about 7 Kilometers.   

Mythology Of Kheerganga 

The beautiful Kheerganga where millions of tourists go trekking has a strong religious history. It is believed that Kheer (traditional Indian pudding) emerged from the Ganga River during the Satyug period as a result of the blessings of the lord shiva and Parvati.

The place got its name as white complexioned water from the river flows directly every day into the Parvati River from different sides of the mountain. 

It is believed that lord shiva and the brother of lord Ganesha, Kartikeya also meditated here for a long time. Parvati used to cook kheer for her son Kartikeya when she visited her son during the meditation. It is assumed that Parvati cooked the kheer in the hot spring itself. 

Food And Accommodation

There are many hotels in the area at an affordable range. You can have food like Maggie or fried eggs from the shop nearby. There are mainly camps and hostels for a budget-friendly stay.

It is recommended to pre-book the hotel to avoid hurry burry and chaos at the last minute. The Kheerganga might not be a familiar place for first-timers, so an option is to book the hotel before your journey that will assign you a guide who will help you explore and keep you safe throughout your journey. 

Kheerganga Trek Expected Cost

There are many affordable packages provided by different hotels and camps. There are some cheapest packages to the most costly ones. You can choose the package according to your requirement.

Things To Remember During Kheerganga Trek

• Morning is the best time to start the trekking so that you can reach Kheerganga in the evening to watch the sunset. 
• Do not forget to take some breaks during the trek which will help you reboot yourself a bit. 
• You would want to bring a camera with you to capture the scenic views of Kheeerganga
• Winter clothing and shoes are necessary.
• It is preferred to keep cash handy because the last ATM is in Kasol. 

Other Nearby Treks

Kheerganga & Tosh Trek

Tosh is a small village near Kheer Ganga that offers one of the best sceneries in Himachal Pradesh. To get Kheerganga, there are multiple routes. Kheerganga and Tosh Trek are one of the routes among them.

You may come across pleasing landscapes and the soothing river flowing by the side. The pilgrim site Manikaran is also in the way of this trek.

Kutla, a village near Kasol in Himachal- Approximately 1-hour trek from Tosh village.#Kutla #Kasol #Tosh #unforgettablehimachal #himachaltourismofficial pic.twitter.com/J9AMxM9jun

— Himachal Tourism (@hp_tourism) March 24, 2021

Kheerganga And Buni Buni Pass Trek

Buni Buni Pass is located near Kheerganga which is a day’s distance away. After walking down the trails, you will enter a dense oak forest where there will be fewer people.

The forest leads the way to the phenomenal view of the Himalayan mountains and the Parvati Valley. You have to trek to Kheerganga first to reach the Buni Buni pass.   

Kutla Village Trek Via Tosh

Firstly, you will have to reach Kasol and then Tosh village, from there a trail goes to Kutla village where you can get a chance to interact with the locals and learn more about them.

The journey covers a scenic view of the Parvati Valley, The great Himalayan landscapes, and numerous waterfall crossings. 

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