Parvati Valley (Autumn | 6D)

Day 1: The Mountains Are Calling
Our journey begins in the National Capital. Assemble at Majnu Ka Tila in Delhi at 5:30 pm. Board a bus to Kasol. Goodbye traffic, goodbye families, and probably (hopefully), goodbye cellphone reception for a while.
Travel: 12-13 hrs bus journey (Delhi > Kasol)

Day 2: The Heart of The Valley
We reach Bhuntar/Kasol early the next morning and switch into taxis to get to Kalga, a hilltop village nestled in the heart of Parvati Valley. Settle into our homestay for the day. Take the rest of the day to explore the beautiful woodside hamlet.
Travel: 1-1.5 hrs taxi journey (Kasol > Kalga)

Day 3: Hum Bhi Hai Tosh Main
A visit to the neighbouring village of Tosh is on the agenda for the day. Tosh is one of the popular hamlets in this neck of the woods. Explore the cute cafes and gorgeous views of the Parvati Mountain Range. We spend the day in Tosh and head back to our homestay for a chill night under the stars.
Travel: 30 minutes taxi journey (Kalga > Tosh)

Day 4: Of Fairies and Forests

We are going into the misty mountainside forest!

A short hike away from Kalga is its sister village, Pulga. This village is a gateway to one of the most beautiful places in the valley. Known locally as a ‘Fairy Forest’, this pine forest is the perfect place to commune with nature. This is where you can find a tree, rock or branch to sit on and find some peace. For the adventurous, one of the trails through the forest also leads to a calming and almost private waterfall. This is one of our favourite days of the experience.

After chilling in the forest, we explore the tiny lanes of Pulga and make our way back to Kalga for our final night in the village.

Day 5: Last Chance
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Kalga and head towards the town of Kasol. This is our last day in Himachal. We keep our luggage in the pre-booked room and explore the quaint cafes and throbbing markets. Go shopping for those jholas, hemp paraphernalia and jewellery you've always wanted to buy from Himachal. We board an overnight bus back to New Delhi after 7. Make the most of this night since we might not be seeing each other again (Aww damn!).
Travel: 12-13 hrs bus journey (Kasol>Delhi)

Day 6: Byeeeee
If we don’t catch any delays, we will arrive in Delhi in the early hours of the morning. We alight from our bus, bid farewell to our new friends and say hello to a few weeks' worth of ‘Take me back’ posts. Until next time vagabonds!

• Bus fares to and from Delhi and Kasol in semi-sleeper AC buses
• Accommodation at Kalga in cosy A-frame cottages with attached bathrooms on a quad-sharing basis (click for photos)
• Private internal transport (jeeps/cars) in Parvati Valley
• All activities and visits to places as per itinerary
• Basic medical and first-aid kit assistance
• All permits, tolls, and parking charges
• Experienced local guides
• Trip led by Vagabond EMs (Experience Managers)

• Meals
• Travel Insurance

• Earlybird: Rs 20,500 /- (+5% GST)
• Vagafam™ (Anyone who has been on 3+ experiences): Rs 18,500 /- (+5% GST)

-You can block your seat for an advance of Rs.8,000 /-

-The balance amount will have to be paid 20 days before the trip

• We will be staying at Kalga in luxurious A-frame villas at 'The Shire'.
• Rooms will be quad-sharing (4 in a room) with attached washrooms.
• These villas are built with soaring, peaked roofs that allow for plenty of natural light to flood the interiors, while also providing a cozy and intimate feel.
• The 2 cozy and comfortable bedrooms are on 2 levels, with plush bedding and luxurious linens that provide the perfect night’s sleep after a long day exploring the great outdoors. Click for photos or head to theshirekalga.com

• The reason we don't provide meals is so that you can explore the local cuisine that Parvati Valley has to offer
• We will guide you to the best spots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
• The cuisines will be shuffling between Indian, Israeli, Continental, and Tibetan.
• Depending on your preference, you can opt for vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals. Both are easily available.

• We will be traveling from Delhi to Parvati Valley and back in AC semi-sleeper Volvo buses
• We will transit within Parvati Valley in privately booked cars or jeeps

1. Sturdy shoes for long walks (well-fitting, neither loose nor tight)

2. An extra small backpack for day outings (20-30 ltrs)

3. Reusable water bottle (avoid buying mineral water bottles to reduce plastic waste)

4. Toiletries, Torch, Lip-balm, Sunscreen, Sunglasses.

5. Personal Medication (Asthma, allergen medication etc.)

6. Slippers/flip-flops

7. Rainwear (jacket/poncho) & rain cover for bags (precautionary measure)

8. Binoculars, Camera (optional)

9. Sufficient liquid cash (minimum ₹5,000 for food and emergencies)

10. Crepe-bandage (each person MUST have 1 roll each)

11. Warm clothes (Temperature appropriate clothing)

• In Delhi, we will meet at Majnu Ka Tila at 5:30 pm. Please do not be late.
• On your return journey from Delhi, please book your train or flights post 2:00 pm (to be on the safer side in case of any delays)
• Despite this being a backpacking trip, we will be running on a fixed schedule. Punctuality will be appreciated
• All of Parvati Valley is home to people across the world from different cultures. Please honour the local cultures and do not be disrespectful.
• This is a backpacking trip. Please be prepared for a good amount of walking up and down hills and hilly terrain.
• If you have any medical or physical conditions that may affect you during the trip, you are required to inform us before the trip begins.
• Carry adequate liquid cash. There are barely any ATMs at Parvati Valley. The ones that are there, don't work at times. We recommend at least ₹5000 for your basic food needs and emergencies.
• Carrying a backpack/haversack is MANDATORY. DO NOT carry trolley bags. You will find it very difficult to lug them up and down the slopes. There are no porter services.
• Please carry enough warm clothes like thermals, beanies, socks, gloves, and jackets. It is advisable to carry a few pieces of temperature-appropriate winter-wear as opposed to several layers of regular clothing.
• While we're moving in groups to various places, try and stick to the group and not wander off.
• Carrying rainwear is very important. Especially if the trip is between June and September. Take all necessary precautions to keep yourself and your belongings dry.
• The trip schedule is subject to change. Days of visits to the mentioned places could be shifted back and forth.
• While booking your transport to Delhi, please try and book refundable tickets wherever possible (especially flights)
• A week prior, you will be added to a WhatsApp group with all the other participants and your assigned Experience Manager. Further instructions will be shared on this group and you can coordinate your travel with your co-travellers. If you have any doubts before this, feel free to WhatsApp us on 74000 54929

1) What region of north India are we traveling to?

-We're traveling from Delhi to Bhuntar > Kalga which is a part of Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.

2) What altitude would we be traveling to?

-Kalga is at an altitude of approximately 9,498 ft (2,895 m)

3) What will the temperature be like while we're there?

-Temperatures rise to a maximum of 18°C during the day and can drop to a minimum of 5°C during the night

4) Is there mobile connectivity in Parvati Valley?

-You will have a good network and internet connection at almost all the locations.

5) Are there any ATMs where we're traveling?

-There are a couple of ATMs at Kasol market, however, carry liquid cash at all times.

6) Can I smoke/drink on this trip?

-We at Vagabond do not refrain our participants from smoking or drinking on our backpacking trips. However, there are times you will be disallowed to do so (monasteries, treks, sacred spaces etc). Indulge in these activities very responsibly.

7) What will the group size be?

-We will be a maximum of 15 travellers and 1-2 Vagabond EMs.

8) Is there any age limit to join this trip?

-No, there is no age limit to join this trip. However, based on our previous experiences, the age group of travelers is usually between 18-35.

9) Can I join this expedition solo?

-Yes, of course, you can! We have a good number of solo travellers on almost every Vagabond experience.

10) How physically fit do I need to be to join this trip?

-This trip doesn't have a very high physical requirement. You need to be able to walk long distances on flat plains and be able to do a day trek too. Those who have a low tolerance of cold should be prepared with temperature-appropriate clothing.

11) Are there doctors/hospitals in Parvati Valley?

-Kasol market has a doctors dispensary which is at a convenient distance from our homestay

• More than 30 days prior to the date of departure, 20% will be deducted.
• Between 29 to 15 days prior to the date of departure, 50% will be deducted.
• Between 14 to 7 days prior to the date of departure, 75% will be deducted.
• 6 days to the date of departure, no refund shall be admissible

3.8% of all booking amounts are payment gateway charges. This amount is not refundable

(Please refer to the further Terms and Conditions mentioned in the footer of the website)

• There isn’t an age restriction on any of our experiences, everyone is welcome. However, the average Vagabond customer is anywhere between 20 – 35 years old. The experiences involve a good amount of time spent with the group. Depending on what experience you’re opting for, there could be a lot of walking and physical exertion.
• It’s important to understand that most of our experiences include very rustic accommodation and not a luxurious means of transport. These may be basic in their facilities, but the hospitality is homely and comforting. If you’re someone who doesn’t like compromising on your comforts while travelling, this experience may not be very enjoyable.
• Most of our trips have a healthy number of solo travellers. We encourage you to join us solo, especially if you’re tired of waiting on your friends. We promise you’ll return with many more.
• We try our best to be responsible travellers. Everyone is welcome to explore with us, but we pay utmost importance to cleanliness on all our experiences. We encourage you to #LeaveNoTrace behind while you discover the beauty of the outdoors.
• It’s important to understand that in a limited amount of time, only a limited amount of experiences can be had. We like to cover a few places in-depth rather than just ticking off a long list of things-to-do and places-to-go. However, if you are that kind of traveller, on almost all trips you can feel free to wander by yourself to places of your interest.
• At a Vagabond Experience, it’s important to stay open-minded and positive when things don’t go as per plan. The essence of traveling in a group is being able to help each other out when in need. The weather could go bad, and plans could get altered. In such situations, we urge you to have faith in your group leader to make the most informed decision for the group.

Years of experience: We’ve been leading trips around the country since 2014. Our time in this field has helped us learn about places and people. This knowledge about the destination contributes to a safe, wholesome, and enriching group experience.

Footfall: Since our inception, we’ve led more than 5,800 people on treks, backpacking trips, camps, and meaningful experiences. Rest assured, we’ve dealt with all kinds of people.

Safety first: Given the time we’ve spent in the travel field, we know and believe in the importance of safety. All our experience managers are first-aid certified, and carry a well-equipped first-aid kit on every trip.

Solo traveller-friendly: Over the years, we have had a healthy number of solo travellers who have been from diverse backgrounds. Especially those who got tired of waiting on their friends to agree to a plan.

Group size: Taking large groups of people compromises on an intimate interpersonal experience. Thus, we do small groups which makes it easier for people to get to know each other over the course of the trip.

No discrimination: At Vagabond, we believe that your age, social class, caste, gender or sexual orientation doesn’t determine your travel experience. Everyone is welcome to travel with us and explore new places, and new ideas.

Flexible itinerary: On a Vagabond experience, you’re free to stray away from our scheduled itinerary and explore the place on your own. You do you. We’re not your school teachers. We’re here to facilitate a better understanding of the place and help you experience it in your own comfort zone.

Mindfulness to nature: Over the years we’ve seen the places we visit turn filthier by the day. We don’t want to contribute to that any further. At a Vagabond experience, we encourage you to reduce your contribution to waste and follow sustainable tourism practices as much as possible. Check out #LeaveNoTrace

In-depth research: We're not a tour & travel agency. Every experience we offer you has been researched and experienced first hand by our core members. We visit the locations ourselves and curate an experience that we believe to be in sync with our ideologies.