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Old Kasol Road
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Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
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"Grahan Village Trek" in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, India. It's possible that this trek does not exist or that it's not a well-known trek.
Kasol is a popular destination for trekking and hiking, but there are many popular treks in the area, such as the Kheerganga Trek, the Yanker Pass Trek, the Sar Pass Trek, and the Pin-Parvati Pass Trek. These treks offer beautiful landscapes, challenging trails, and cultural experiences. If you're interested in trekking in the Kasol area, it's best to consult with local trekking guides or tour operators for more information about the available treks and their difficulty levels, durations, and other details.
DINNER + BREAKFAST + BONFIRE + MUSIC
DINNER + BREAKFAST + BONFIRE + MUSIC
DINNER + BREAKFAST + BONFIRE + MUSIC
Grahan Village The plan was flexible, and the order of action depended upon our arrival at Kasol from Bhuntar. It was also difficult that we could not reach Bhuntar at the same time because we were all travelling from different parts. Our buses arrived in Bhuntar together, and we all met at a small dhaba for chai. We almost got frozen due to the cold weather and heavy rain. After enjoying a hearty breakfast consisting of aloo paranthas, chai and more at the local dhaba we boarded another bus to Kasol to begin our journey to Parvati Valley.
We reached the bridge in Kasol at 9:15 am. It was imperative that we finish our morning tasks, as we were about to embark on an 8-km hike. A stomach upset can make it difficult to hike for 4 hours. The new public toilet in Kasol was there to save the day. We decided to hike to the hidden village Grahan, which is approximately 8kms from Kasol. We started the trek from Kasols bridge. After asking a few locals, they pointed us in the right direction. I was worried about getting lost and not reaching Thunja village, but it didn not happen.
It was beautiful, and the hike was very easy. There were a few shops near the beginning of the trek to Grahan. Some locals said they also plan to go to Grahan to find work. We walked happily along the sparkling waters of the Grahan nallah, with a spring in the step. It was a pleasant experience to be in the jungle with its birdsongs, and gentle whisperings of pines. The signboard at our left pointed to Thunja village, but locals told us to continue straight.
The mountain air felt cool and refreshing, despite the heat of the plains. After a while, we stopped to rest by the river. We noticed that dark clouds were already forming and that it was better not to wait for it to rain. A group of locals accompanied us, who planned to set up a dhaba along the route as the treks to Sar Pass were due to begin in a few days. As I wanted peace and quiet in the village, I thanked them. I don not know about you, but I wanted Grahan village for myself. Sharing it with a larger group was not appealing to me.
We had a good time talking to the locals and praising them for their speed. The walk is quite easy until the first bridge. The locals were kind enough to ask us not to cross any bridges, especially the one near the beginning of the hike. They said it was a shortcut and a very difficult path. Finally, the trail (or road), ends. We can see a slender bridge that crosses Grahan nallah to reach the other side. We learned that a local also had a homestay in Grahan. We discussed the rates with him and agreed to go there!
The hike was about 3kms long in an hour. The trail continues deep into the forest until it reaches Grahan Village. Signboards and arrows are posted in the jungle every ten minutes to indicate the path to Grahan Village so that trekkers and hikers don not get lost.
The ascent was now underway and the path became narrower. We came upon a dhaba at the mid-point of our hike after another hour. We were both hungry and it had begun to drizzle so we decided to stop our trek and have lunch. Because of the unpredictable weather in the mountains, it often rains during hikes so these dhabas are great for rain shelters if you don not have your raincoats and travel unplanned.
After a delicious meal of dal rice, we continued our trek to Grahan. After about 30 minutes, a signboard indicated that the route to Grahan was 1.5 kms further. We couldn not decide which path to follow to Grahan village. We decided to take the left-hand trail as there was no one else. This was an uphill climb and it took us about 45 minutes to reach a small dhaba that sold chai and biscuits.
He stated that Grahan was only 30 minutes away from that point, and that we had indeed followed the correct path at the confused intersection where the paths diverged. We were still cold from the rain and the wind, so we felt the chill when there was a breeze. We finally spotted the first houses in Grahan at 3:00 in the afternoon.
The last 2km of the hike is quite steep and will test your endurance. The views from the mountains get better the higher you climb. The contrast between the dark green fores and the white-clad peaks of snow, thanks to the overnight snowfall, was stark. Its worth the exhausting hike to hear the sweet symphony from the Grahan nullah, which feels like distant music.
The mysterious signs (written in Hebrew) that mark the home stays appear just as youre about to give up and get tired. It is a bit confusing as the trail splits into two paths that lead to the same destination. The shorter route was more difficult, but it was the one we chose. The second is a longer but comparatively steeper route that reaches Grahan via Pulgi. You can find the routes by looking closely.
The homestay was owned by the same local we met on our way from Kasol to Grahan. We spotted it immediately. Although she was not sure if the rooms were available, the lady at the homestay offered to make us delicious chai. It was easy to see why I liked Grahans chilled-out vibe. The stunning view made it feel like a paradise. It seemed like paradise for children to play under the clear skies.
Grahan, a charming hamlet with wooden homes, is located at an elevation of approximately 2350m in the valley. This village has nearly as many homes as there are houses. One is left wondering where one is due to the pleasant smell of hash and the Hebrew-English–Hindi chatter. It is hard to believe that this all is taking place in a village 10kms from the highway.
The Himachalis have a great sense of hospitality and an entrepreneurial spirit. They will make sure you feel at home and provide all the necessary comforts, even in remote areas. The village bans the consumption of alcohol and anyone found violating this prohibition will be punished with a heavy fine. Multiple signs have been posted throughout the village to make it clear.
We settled down in the open-air seating area as soon as we arrived at the villages first home. It belonged to some of our friends from the road. The village was visible on one side, while the valley view was breathtaking with stunning views of the natural world on the other. We were recommended by our friends to stay at their homestay. The mens mother made the best chai using herbs from her garden. With the amazing chai she created, we were already her fans!
We told her that we would only eat at her house, regardless of where we were staying. We left our backpacks behind and set off to walk the streets of Grahan village. We reached the villages centre, where we found an intricate temple. However, outsiders are not permitted to enter (as in many other places in Kullu Valley). Other homestays were also available in the village. They all looked very simple and welcoming, as all the homes in Grahan village were made from wood.
We were treated to typical village scenes, with children jumping around and the women carrying feed for their cattle. We were captivated by the incredible views from some of the houses. The majority of these houses were wooden structures. We walked around the villages periphery and discovered an alternate route to Grahan via Nattai and Pulgi. This area was called New Grahan by the villagers.
As I had visited the village of Pulga, I was intrigued by the name Pulgi. There were fields along the trail, which provided a peaceful environment where one could relax and enjoy. We sat down there for quite a while, talking with locals returning from a day of walking in the fields.
Even more captivating was the scene on the opposite side of Grahan. The scene was dominated by colourful trees and swaying barley and wheat fields, with a pine and deodhar forrest and the final touches of the snow-clad peaks. This area had fewer homestays and most of them were newly constructed. I wondered briefly if I was given the option of where I would like to stay.
As the sun set, we had to make a cake for our fellow travellers birthdays. We asked around to find a local cafe that was supposedly the best in the area for making cakes. Even though they had very little time, the men promised to make us something and that it would be delicious. I believe the locals and I was happy with the job they did.
We were getting cold so we went back to our wooden homestay with the best sitting area. After a long time, we sat in the cozy sitting room and enjoyed chai. We were ready for dinner and went back to the aunties house to finish our meal. The dhaba was set up by our local friend. He had returned from work earlier and learned that we were celebrating a birthday. He started a bonfire, and promised to join us after he served the rest of the guests.
Given the cold, the bonfire attracted a large crowd. The rest of the evening was spent talking with people from all over the globe, enjoying delicious cakes and basking in the warmth of bonfire. After the trek, we were all tired and decided to call it quits. Sleep was easy with the twinkling stars overhead and dreams in our eyes, it was a cozy affair.
The sun shone brightly over the snowy mountains, and we were greeted by it the next morning. It was a great day to sunbathe. After a while, we took a break in the sun and then set off for our next destination. We had to travel back to Kasol to send birthday greetings to the birthday person because there was no network available in Grahan. We came across a few Thunja-related school children on our return. They claimed that Thunja had around 20 homes, but no homestay. It is beautiful and I would love to visit it soon. !
For the downhill descent, the route was through Pulgi village. It was beautiful walking along the river with fields of wildflowers, and many shades of green. It was a peaceful, tranquil hamlet in Grahan that felt far from the bustling Kasol. The heart longs to remain there. The mind is a complicated thing. After 2.5 hours of walking through forest, we reached Kasol. This trail joins the main trekking route at 1.5 km to Grahan.
Grahan is the first campsite for Sar Pass trekking in Parvati Valley. The YHAI groups have a different area to camp in New Grahan. The village of Grahan has a number of homestays that can be arranged for a comfortable stay. Grahan is a small, hidden village that feels even more intriguing because phones are not allowed in the area.
A Short Trekking Guide From Kasol to Grahan
It is very easy to start the trek from Kasol to Grahan. The path flows along the left side of Grahan Nallah. On the right side is a campsite. You will hear the gurgling sound as the water flows. The trail continues up into the valley for about 2 km.
Don not cross the bridge on the left that says Way to Thunja and Shortcut to Grahan Keep going straight, and don not take the wooden bridge that leads to Grahan. The trail runs halfway to Grahan. One must continue straight to the end to see a river crossing made of logs of timber.
Continue onwards and you will see signs pointing the way to Grahan. The first dhaba/cafe on the trail will be found approximately 30-45 minutes after crossing the river. This is the only permanent dhaba along the trekking trail from Kasol-Grahan. They also built rooms for guests. This is roughly the halfway point on the trek to Grahan.
You will find 2-3 other makeshift dhabas along the route, where you can stop for lunch or tea and get directions. After about 30 minutes, you will reach a 1.5km mark for Grahan. At this point, take the left path. It is shorter and will lead you to Grahan. Remember that there are signboards, markers and pointers at every 15 minutes on the entire trek from Kasol, Grahan. It is easy to follow the trekking trail. If you can not find directions for more than 30 minutes, you may be lost. Grahan is a popular spot for tourists in the summer months. This means that there is little chance of getting lost.
Grahan Village is a beautiful hidden village in the Parvati valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is situated at an altitude of 7,700 ft above sea level and has a population of only a few hundred people. Grahan Village is known for its scenic views, peaceful atmosphere and rich culture.
The only way to reach Grahan Village is by hiking from Kasol, the nearest town. The hike is about 10 km long and takes about 2.5 to 5 hours depending on your pace and fitness level. The trail is well-marked with red arrows and passes through forests, meadows and streams.
The best time to visit Grahan Village is from March to June and from September to November, when the weather is pleasant and clear. You can also visit Grahan Village in winter, from December to February, if you are looking for some snow adventure and solitude.
Some of the things to do in Grahan Village are:
There are a few guesthouses and homestays in Grahan Village that offer basic accommodation and food at reasonable prices. Some of the options are:
You can also camp at designated spots near the village or at Kareri Lake.
Grahan Village is a remote village with limited facilities. There is no electricity, internet or mobile network in the village. There is only one shop that sells basic items such as snacks, water and toiletries. There is also no ATM or medical facility in the village. You should carry enough cash, medicines and essentials with you before heading to Grahan Village.
Some of the challenges of hiking to Grahan Village are:
Some of the things to carry for hiking to Grahan Village are:
Some of the safety tips for hiking to Grahan Village are:
