Kasol - Kheerganga Trek

Chalo Kasol!

OC - Kabeer, and OCC - Nikhil,  started planning weeks before the exams. Kabeer & Nikhil had already been to Kasol - Kheerganga in summer's so there wasn't much of the planning to do (obviously this is an understatement), I mean we didn't have to start from scratch. The only thing we had to decide was whom to take and whom not (this is important xD), with the expertise of Nikhil and Kabeer and the divided opinion of the rest which eventually came to a common ground we were ready to rumble.

This was going to be a long trip as we had a weekend plus the Dussehra holiday, this was another advantage on our side doing everything in a rush had always irritated me, savouring the moment is one of the most important parts of any trip.


October 4, 2019
We were finished with the exams but more than the exhilaration that comes with the end to another set of academic torture there was the excitement of the upcoming trip. We finally going !!!

On reaching the hostel the excitement dimmed and exhaustion of the past week caught up with us most took a nap, after all, we didn't want to miss the fun at night.
Packed rucksacks, double-checked schedules, proper equipment and after gathering of all 24 people on this trip we were finally ready to go!!!

It was 8 pm on the watch, travellers were already on the gate and we boarded as fast as we left the examination hall in the morning,  it was a race to choose the best seat traveller which we lost from Patiala - Kasol journey only.

You see, these trips aren't just for exploring and enjoying the scenery their the whole meaning is to bond with friends, make new connections and memories.


We left as soon as the bus was loaded with the luggage. Some were nervous as it was their first trip but surely everybody was ready to live the unexplored side of themselves. The excitement was literally unnerving.
The journey to Kasol was a total of 320km and it was supposed to take 8hrs 30mins (non -stop) according to Google.
We started at 8:30 pm and with few stops like dinner and tea break and some breaks due to vomiting (memory is dizzy in this matter, iykyk), we reached our hotel/guest-house/villa I really don't know what to call it around 9 - 9:30 am the next day.



October 5, 2019
The view from our Villa, made you hold your breath, it was breathtaking sight hours gazing upon it wouldn't be enough to admire it.
I slept for quite a while (due to unexplainable reasons), and in the evening we went to explore the Kasol market. 

Kasol is known as Mini Israel of India, so there's a lot of hippy culture influence. Complete with a main market and shops of every kind, filled with tourists and locals it held the charm of blending culture and history. Markets in my opinion are not just places to buy souvenirs and taste the local street food but sources of insight about the area and it's people and what all their culture, religion and customs consist of.

TOURIST OPINION:
Must try the food at King Falafel & The Evergreen restaurant.
If you want to trek a little, visit a restaurant - Jim Morrison Cafe (little expensive).



October 6, 2019
As we were supposed to come back to our villa, we left the heavy rucksack and carried just a small bag with essential stuff, because this is a TRIP-trek. After a very good breakfast, we left for the Kheerganga around 9-9:30 am. It was a drive of about 1hr 30mins until you reach the base checkpoint, from where you register and begin your trek. To reach the Kheerganga top, there are 2 tracks/paths. I don't know how to tell which path we took but it doesn't matter, only your excitement and enthusiasm matters, which ultimately led us to start our trek at 12 pm

Some facts and views -
It's 12-13km (one-way) trek, with moderate difficulty. Also, stamina is very important in this trek like any other climbing activity your fitness is tested. The track is easy but to make your body keep going needs effort, so stamina is an important factor in Kheerganga trek.
It will take about 6-7hrs max.
Parbati river is huge.

From where you start your trek is at some height, so you first descend and then start climbing upwards.
The trek is long and a good company is a must, otherwise, you'll get bored and might give up easily if you are into solo trekking then I encourage you to carry some good tunes .
A lot of picturesque points and small water-passings appear in the trek, that will help you to grace your Instagram feed with great posts.

Since we went in October, there were a lot of trekking groups and individuals. But if you want to enjoy the snowfall and the hot bath at Kheerganga top, December is the best. I cannot imagine what might be the difficulty level but in October it is more towards the enjoyable side. We took many halts for snacks, tea and restoring energy breaks. By the time we reached the top, where the tents by many companies are there, it started drizzling. The last 100m has a high elevation and is a little bit difficult and rain made it more challenging because of the slipperiness.


Everyone reached safe and about time. Maggi was already ordered for us, thanks to OC - Kabeer & Nikhil. Some took a power nap and some just sat in the big tent , chilling. I was supporting the napping team, and my friend Dips  now knows not to wake-up a tired person, Sorry bro. A good meal at the end of the day doesn't just  complete the day but also compensates for  the body aches and pains.

Later that night we sat near the bonfire a mandatory ritual (no black-magic, Dips! - someone said). It was a pretty good day.


October 7, 2019
Early to bed,
early to rise,
makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
And when on vacation this proverb needs little moderations :
Late to bed,
to rise,
makes a man - healthy with freshness, wealthy with sunrise & view and wise because you woke up.
(This might be lame, sorry not sorry)


Morning around 9 am,
It was still drizzling and when it stopped for a while, we decided to go for Hot Bath. Some did not - you guys will forever regret this decision. It was a natural hot spring and the water was damn hot. As I talked to one Uncle, he told me many things about the water - it's content and medicinal purpose. There's a process to take bath at the place where the water comes in directly.

After being in hot water for 40mins we changed clothes and went for breakfast at our tent. After a nice breakfast, time to pack. We were ready to leave around 11-11:30 am. Descending was very easy and fun. Almost everyone was in masti, few in pain - "It was 13km trek one side, no opinions needed". All in all, it was fun.

One very sassy moment - There was a group of 5-6 uncles, they were having Whiskey neat (I believe) with proper Glass-glasses at a cliff. Very fun to watch and going in the bucket-list.

During descending we were divided into groups of 3-5. I am always in the group with the best camera phone guy - Manan (Chd ameeri). Photos are my evidence! Our photos around the River Side are just mindblowing. Seeing the mighty pressure of the Parbati river is quite a moment (be very very careful).

Reminder: from the base we first descend and then ascend. Climbing that descended path took every bit of energy from my body, f**kin' tough. we reached the base checkpoint by 4 pm where our travellers where parked. We waited for an hour for everyone to arrive. We left for our Villa in Kasol around 5:30 pm. Traffic was bad but didt matter much,we were  already sleeping. We were back in kasol by 8.



October 8, 2019
Dussehra
We added a short subsidiary trip to our main trip.
Determined participants - Nikhil & Myself.



CONTINUED IN THE NEXT BLOG!


Thankyou Fellow TRIP- trek members for your awesome company, you are the reason I have an enormous collection of incredible memories :)