A well-known tourist destination at Himachal Pradesh, Manali Iis a high altitude resort town located at the north end of Kullu Valley. This quaint town is also described as the part of the old Ladakh trade route. It is named Sage Manu. Himachal attracts thousands of visitors every single year by its spellbound beauty.
A large number of tourists visit Manali. The specialty of Manali is it is one such town that is surrounded by the lush green forests of Pine, Deodar, green Oak and many more Himalayan plants & trees species apart from the greenery snow-clad mountain peaks, enchanting water streams, captivating trails, and lush green farmlands.
There are various tourist destinations available in and around Manali like Hidimba Temple, Van Vihar, Sage Vashistha Ashram, Solang Valley, Bhuntar, Rohtang Pass, Kheerganga, etc.
Kheerganga is a popular tourist hub near Manali and has its own specialty, culture, and traditions. If you like anything about a quite but serene place, lush green lands, and mountains, this is the destination you must go to.
Kheerganga is a popular hill station full of fun, thrill, and excitement, making the tourists feel alive, vibrant and full of life.
Quick facts about Kheerganga trek-
Region: Himachal Pradesh
Altitude: 2960 meters
Distance: 13km
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Best time to visit- April to May and September to October
Starting point- Barshaini
How to reach Barshaini (base point of the Kheerganga trek)-
Delhi to Bhuntar distance– 490kms
Time– 10-12 hours
Bhuntar to Barshaini- 50-70km
Time- 2-3 hours
Barshaini to Kheerganga- 8-10kms
Time (trekking)- 5-7 hours
Barshaini is the base point of the Kheerganga trek. Barshaini is a tiny but serene village and has its own specialty. If you plan to undertake Kheerganga trek, you need to reach Barshaini first.
If you have your own vehicle, you can directly reach Barshaini from Delhi or Chandigarh or anywhere you are traveling from. But if you are taking a bus or train or flight to reach there, then there are several routes.
By bus
Catch a bus to get to Manali from Delhi or Chandigarh. Manali is well connected with Barshaini via the road.
By rail
Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Manali. Reach there and then take a taxi to reach Manali and then Barshaini.
By air
Bhuntar Airport is the nearest airport in the Manali region. So take a flight to Bhuntar airport and from there, head for Barshaini via road.
Related post: 25 Places for Summer Vacations in North India
Nearby places to visit on this trip-
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Kullu
Known as the “Land of Gods”, Kullu is settled at the banks of river Beas. It attracts all kinds of tourists of different age groups. It is also the gateway for the popular destination Manali. In terms of transportation, Kullu plays a major role. There are various activities you can do here such as- white water rafting, camping and pay a visit to Raghunath Temple and Vishveshvara Mahadev Temple.
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Barshaini
A small hamlet near Manali, Barshaini is more than just transportation point. Surrounded by mountain peaks and forests, it is the trek route to Kheerganga.
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Kheerganga
This most beautiful trekking destination in Parvati Valley gives its visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will feel the fragrance of Himalayan flora while walking on the trails. The whole Kheerganga trek is full of fun, thrill, excitement and natural wonders.
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Kasol
Kasol is situated in Parvati valley and known as “Mini Israel” in India due to a large number of Israeli Tourists. This hippie town is most famous among youngsters for Trekking, Partying, Camping and Music Festivals.
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Manikaran
Manikaran is a place where two religions meet at a single point. These two points are Hinduism and Sikhism. Surrounded by high mountain peaks and lush green forest with Himalayan flora & fauna, this place is considered sacred by the followers of both religions.
Related post: 5 Tourist Destinations Near Manali
Travel Tips:
- Carry minimum weight like a pro
- Do not litter here and there. Keep the surroundings clean and neat.
- Be a responsible trekker. Take care of your valuables.
- Do not make fun of the locals. Show respect to their culture, traditions, and lifestyle.
- First aid box with necessary medicines is very important to carry along.
- Always keep a bottle of water and some eatery supplements.
- If you are trekking in a group, do not wander off on your own. Follow the instructions of your group leader.