Parvati Valley and Kasol tour from Kangra

Around 220 km and six to seven hours, via Mandi, Bhuntar and then up the Parvati valley. The last stretch from Bhuntar is narrow and slow, particularly in season, so we plan for the afternoon rather than promising an early arrival.

A gurudwara and temple complex built over natural sulphur hot springs on the Parvati river, sacred to both Sikhs and Hindus. Anyone may visit; cover your head and remove your shoes. The langar is famously cooked in the hot spring itself. The stone underfoot near the springs gets hot, so watch your step.

The road goes as far as the Malana dam, and from there it is a steep climb of an hour and a half or so. Malana runs by its own strict customs — visitors are asked not to touch people, buildings or objects in the village, and that is taken seriously. Go with a local guide, which we can arrange, and go respectfully or not at all.

April to June and September to October. The monsoon brings landslides on the Bhuntar–Kasol road and the river becomes dangerous; the valley has seen flash floods. Winter is quiet and cold, with Tosh and the upper villages sometimes cut off by snow.

Kasol, Manikaran and the Chalal walk are fine for families and elders. The higher villages (Tosh, Kalga, Malana) mean steep walking from where the car stops. It is worth being plain about the valley's reputation for drugs: it is real, it is mostly confined to certain cafés and hostels, and it is easily avoided.