Known as the mini Israel in Himachal Pradesh, Kasol is a hill station in Parvati Valley, on the way to the pilgrim town of Manikaran. It is located 42 km east of Kullu at a height of 1640 m.
Owing to the high altitude, Kasol is well connected to the rest of India only by well-connected roadways. Regular bus services ply to and fro the city of Kasol; buses being operated both by private and government owners. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity to Kasol. 31 km away is the Bhuntar airport near Kullu, which is the nearest airport that connects Kasol to the rest of India. The nearest railway station to Kasol is in Joginder Nagar, which is 145 km away from Kasol, in terms of narrow gauge. Broad gauge wise, Pathankot is the nearest railway station available.
October to June is the best time to visit Kasol as the weather remains pleasant. Although Kasol experiences good weather throughout the year, the ideal time to go for trekking nearby is from March to May. At this time of the year, the weather is pleasant with the temperature ranging from 15 - 22 degrees Celsius. However, if you are fond of strolling in chilly nights and cool evening winds, winters, i.e. from October to February is the right season for you. The temperature during the season usually varies from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius and the roads leading to Kasol might be blocked because of snow.
Kasol is a quaint little village in Himachal situated along the banks of the river Parvati. Commonly known as the 'Amsterdam of India', Kasol is a tourist attraction that is rapidly gaining fame as a popular hub for trekkers, backpackers, and nature lovers. Kasol is situated 23 kms from Bhuntar and next to the religious town of Manikaran and is one of the best places in the country just to sit back and chill in the panorama of snow-clad mountains, pine trees and gurgling river.
Kasol is famous for its trekking trails, which include treks to Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass. To get a real feel of the culture in this region, go on a visit to the village of Malana. Located a few kilometres away from Kasol, Malana is a tiny hamlet inhabited by people living in self-imposed isolation. The people of Malana claim themselves to be Aryan descendants, as a result of which they avoid interaction with outsiders. The village has plenty of scenic sights, though, and is often called ‘Little Greece’.
Kasol is inhabited by a huge number of people from Israel, which is discernible from the plenteously available Israeli food, and the street signposts inscribed in Hebrew. Kasol has quite a few streetside cafes which serve delicious food, and the experience of sitting and enjoying a meal amidst the dark green forests and the awe-inspiring mountains make the meal even more enjoyable. Kasol has a flea market that sells a variety of items, so you can pick up trinkets, souvenirs, pendants, and even semi-precious stones to take back home for family and friends.