Kheerganga Trek : Complete Guide for Trek to Kheer Ganga

kheerganga-trek

Starting from Barshaini, a picturesque hamlet near Kasol, Kheerganga Trek is a well-known trekking destination in Himachal Pradesh. Trek to Kheerganga offers excellent meadows, forested ways with pine trees, crystal clear waterfalls, fresh air, tranquil surroundings, snow-capped mountains, hot springs, and a splendid view of the Himalayas. There are a lot of tiny hamlets and villages near Kheerganga that travelers explore, like – Kasol, Pulga, Tosh, Malana, Chalal, Rasol. The best part about the Kheerganga trek is that it can be done in any month of the year except January and February. Kheerganga officially closes in snowfall which generally happens from January to February.

Trek To Kheerganga Overview –

  • Location: Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
  • Duration: 1 Day
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
  • Kheerganga Trek Distance: 24 KM
  • Price Range: Rs 990 to 1500 per person
  • Kheerganga Trek Base: Barshaini
  • Routes for Kheerganga Trek:
  • Best Time for Kheerganga Trek: March, April, May, June
  • Temperature: In Day: 8°C to 15°C; and Night: 0°C to 3°C

Jump To :-

Kheerganga

About Kheerganga Trek

Located in Himachal Pradesh, Kheerganga is one of the most popular trekking destinations among trekkers looking for moderate-level treks. Kheerganga Trek starts from the kasol. Kasol is a beautiful village in Himachal Pradesh and situated in the Parvati valley, on the banks of the pristine Parvati River, placed between Bhuntar and Manikaran. Kasol is an emerging gateway to many popular treks and gets extremely crowded during the summer season. Kasol is the base point for a number of popular treks in Himachal like treks to Tosh, Chalal, and Kheerganga.

Kheerganga trek from Kasol is a short and easy trek, which even beginners can do. The distance of the Kheerganga trek is 24 km and the terrain remains a gentle incline or decline throughout the trek. Kheerganga Trek is a day trek and can be completed in one day. The specialty of Kheerganga is a river that flows through it and has the color of Kheer. Kheerganga is famous for hot water springs and a mesmerizing view of the Himalayan mountain and Parvati valley.

How To Reach Kheerganga (Khir Ganga Trek Routes) : 

There are three different possible routes that can be taken from Barshaini to reach Kheerganga. 

  • Through Nakthan and Rudranag (13 km): This route is perfect for people who are willing to do some photography as the route offers mesmerizing views. To take the Nakthan route, cross the bridge after Barshaini and take left from the Parvati river. This is the shortest and most preferred route and takes 3-4 hours for a person with average trekking speed. The path through Nakthan is the most popular route to trek to Kheerganga.
  • Through Kalga (15 km): Kheerganga Trek through Kalga village is the less popular route as compared to Nakthan and Rudranag. To take this route walk towards the right side of the bridge in Barshaini, and move towards Kalga village. This route is surrounded by dense forests.
  • Through Tosh Village: The route for the Kheerganga trek is different from the Tosh village and is mostly used by those travelers who stayed in Tosh one night and were planning to go to Kheerganga the next morning. 

About Bairshani, a Base Point for Trek to Kheer Ganga 

Barshaini is a starting and the endpoint of the Kheerganga Trek. There are few options for accommodation and a restaurant in this small but beautiful village. If you have to buy any supplies for the trek, it is recommended that you buy them from here. A small road from here diverges to go to Tosh village, which is around 3 km from Barshaini. The Parvati River flows down adjacent to the Barshaini village. 

Where to Stay?

As Barshaini is a small village in the upper Himalaya it has a couple of homestays in close vicinity. Tosh is a popular destination and has many options to stay, ranging from hotels to homestays. The recent tourist rush in Tosh has meant that the prices of rooms have gone up. On the other side, Kalga village has cheap and basic homestays, with an in-house restaurant as well. Prices for the stay vary according to the season.

Climate at KheerGanga –

The temperature at Kheerganga Trek varies according to the season. During the winter weather at Kheerganga gets extremely cold and the temperature hits the negative, with snow covering the landscape in glittering snow. During summers the temperature goes up to 26 degrees, .i.e., late in May or early June. In the winters & subsequently in the rainy season that’s from October to February, the temperature ranges between 3 degrees to 10°C, and normally it’s been 32 degrees.

kheerganga-trek

 

Kheerganga Trek Itinerary

For this adventurous Kheerganga trek, you have to meet the Trek Organiser at the beautiful hill station Barshaini.  You can reach Barshaini easily from Kasol by taking a bus or hire a cab from there. You can also take an overnight bus from Delhi to Bhuntar, and then take another bus from Bhuntar to Barshaini.

Below is the 2 Day Itinerary for Kheerganga Trek and Camping.
Day 1 : Reach Barsheni Village, Trek to Kheerganga

Trek to Kheerganga starts from the Barsheni, situated on the bank of Parvati River. After reaching Barshaini, your hiking will start. Trek starts with walking through the thick pine forests and then suddenly landscapes change into fields and villages once you cross an iron bridge over the raging stream .On the way to your trek, you stroll through the magnificent landscape of Himalyan Valleys.  As you trek further to Kheerhanga from Kasol, you’ll find many waterfall. Later you arrive at Rudra Nag and take a small halt to see the beauty and capture it. This trek gives you the opportunity to Interact with the locals, and to know about their culture and lifestyle. Since

Day 2 : Kheerganga to Barsheni to Bhuntar

Get up early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise and cherish the view of the misty mountains. After a hearty breakfast at the campsite, pack up and get ready to trek back to Barshaini

Kheerganga

 

Kheerganga Trek Packages

You will be staying in camps, overnight, in Kheerganga. Experience campfire, tents and sleeping bags, like never before, during this adventure. The music session to be organized at the campsite is the cherry on the top! During the upcoming holidays, plan a trip to Kheerganga and make your vacations extraordinary!

Kheerganga Trek Cost –

Rs 1299 to 1599 per person 

Kheerganga Trek Package Includes – 

  • Overnight stay in dome tents on sharing basis.
  • Transit Room on the day of arrival in Kasol for freshen-up
  • Veg meals – breakfast & dinner
  • Trek Guide (Experienced and Certified)

Kheerganga Trek Package Includes – 

  • GST 5%
  • Air/Train fare
  • Transportation of any kind.
  • Insurance
  • No lunch will be provided 
  • Anything not mentioned under the head inclusions.
  • Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary / stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, road blocks and / or any factors beyond control.
  • The tariff does not include barbeque, personal expenses like telephone, laundry etc.

Things To Know Before Starting Trek to Kheerganga:

  • Carry light backpacks with a pair of flip-flops, torch or headlight, light towel, poncho or raincoat, warm jacket, swimwear, travel soap, toilet paper, tissues, snacks, eco-friendly water bottle, and cash.
  • Items for personal use to be tagged along. Camera to capture some of the breath-taking views not available elsewhere. Medicines for cough and cold, fever; and ointments for minor scratches during trekking and camping should be taken along.
  • It gets very cold at night so carry warm clothes, socks, gloves and essential trek gears.
  • Extra cash in case of emergencies should be taken as there are few ATM facilities. The last ATM counter available is in Kasol.
  • There are no ATMs after Kasol. So, carry extra cash before you begin the trek. There is a possibility that ATMs in Kasol may be out of cash. make sure you have a back-up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kheerganga Trek

Which is the best time to go Kheerganga Trek?

Best Time to Visit best done between April to June and September to October

What is the duration of Kheerganga Trek?

The trek starts from Barshaini, and the total trek distance is 12-13 km and it takes around 6-7 hours to reach the topmost point of Kheerganga.

What type of footwear and cloths should be used for Kheerganga Trek?

A good pair of water-resistant trekking boots that will provide you comfort, grip and speed will be best for the trek.

Can beginner go for this trek?

This trek is known to be easy to moderate trek and perfect for even first-timers. The trekking route of easy to moderate gradient offers you some real adventure which is different from the routine Himalayan treks

Is trekking to Kheerganga Safe?

Yes, if you’re physically fit and using proper trekking gear, the Kheerganga trek will be safe.
If you are doing this trek with some trekking company then insure that the trekking guide is certified.

How is Kheerganga Trek in December?

Kheerganga receives snowfall during winters and the view here looks no less than a paradise. The hot springs at the Kheerganga top will tempt you to take a dip in the warm waters after a grueling trek. Due to snowfall, the routes of Kheerganga become muddy and slippery, so take proper precautions and proper trekking gear for the trek.

What is the Distance of KheerGanga Trek?

The Distance of Kheerganga trek from Barshaini to Kheerganga is around 12-13 km long and takes approx 5 to 6 hour to complete. Same distance will be covered while coming back to base.

From where the Kheerganga Trek Gets Started?

The base point for Kheerganga Trek is Barshaini, located only a 3-hour drive away from Manali, at an altitude of 1189 m. The trek starts from Barshaini, at the dam built on river Parvati, and goes to Kheerganga, where you will be camping overnight in tents. 

Is drinking water available on the routes to Kheerganga Trek?

It is advisable to carry all necessary items from the base as there are few shops after Barshaini. However, you can maintain your stock of safe drinking water by filling your bottle at the natural springs of the place called Ashram. You can also fill your bottles at various points along the way.

About Barshaini, Kasol

Barshaini is a small town with a few staying options, and has basic dhabas, a taxi stand and a wine shop. If you have to buy any supplies, it is recommended that you buy them from here. A small road from here diverges to go to tosh village, which is around 3 kms from Barshaini.

Kheerganga Trek from Tosh

The distance of Tosh to Barshaini is just 4-5 km, and you can cover it in about 15-20 minutes. You can also cover it by walking. Then from there, you can start your trek to Kheerganga. Or you can directly start your trek from Tosh village, which will further connect you to the Nakthan village route junction.

Kheerganga Trek from Kasol

The distance between Kasol and Kheerganga is 22 – 23 km. Kasol is the base location of many popular treks in the region. Once you arrive at Kasol, you will be getting plenty of buses and shared cabs or local cabs, which take you to Barshaini. It is located 16 km away from Kasol. From Barshaini, you can reach Kheerganga via Kalga village or Nakthan village. Both the routes require trekking and climbing.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *