- Since July 2024 camping at Kheerganga is banned, so it is a long day trek: up from Barshaini by 10 a.m., back down after the spring, with the top left by 2 p.m.
- Walk about 9 km each way (sources differ) to 2,960 m. April to October is the period the forest department opens the route; September and October are widely recommended.
- Register at the Barshaini checkpost (₹100 a person) with photo ID. Stay on the trail: shortcuts have caused deaths and people have gone missing in the valley.
Kheerganga is a one-day trek from Barshaini in Himachal's Parvati valley to a natural hot spring at 2,960 m. Since July 2024 you cannot camp at the top, so plan a very early start, a visit by 10 a.m. and a night in the valley.
Is Kheerganga for you?
Our sources grade it easy to moderate. It suits fit beginners who can walk uphill for four to six hours and then come back down the same day. It does not suit anyone who wants a quiet night under the stars at the top: the forest department ended that after about 500 tents and garbage piled up along the route. See the Kheerganga page for the 3D map.
Kheerganga trek itinerary
| Stage | Route | Distance | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up | Barshaini → Nakthan → Rudra Nag → Kheerganga | 9 km | 4 to 6 h | Reach by 10 a.m. |
| Down | Kheerganga → Barshaini, same path | 9 km | 4 to 5 h | Leave by 2 p.m. |
Distances come from Himalaya Shelter; other guides say 12 to 13 km, and the Tribune mentions a 13 km track, so your day may feel longer than the table. Cafes at Nakthan serve Maggi and juice, and there is a dhaba at Rudra Nag and a waterfall cafe about halfway (Discover with Dheeraj). Carry at least 2 litres of water.
Camping ban and the daily limit
The Forest Department banned camping in the Kheerganga area in July 2024, citing the fragile, religious site and its hot springs. The Tribune reported that tents had grown to about 500 by April and that the rest were removed before the ban. Visitors must reach the top before 10 a.m. and return by 2 p.m., with stays allowed in Nakthan, Barshaini, Kalga or Tosh. In February 2025 the Tribune reported a carrying capacity of 320 visitors a day, a checkpost to record trekkers, and permission to use the route from April to October. Rules like these change, so check locally.
Best time for the Kheerganga trek
- April to June: cool to moderate days. Treks and Trails reports about 13 to 28 °C in summer. See treks in April and May.
- July and August: slippery, muddy trail, leeches and mist; our atlas lists these as the harder months.
- September and October: after the rains and recommended by most guides, with about 3 to 15 °C. See treks in October.
- December to February: snow on the trail, and the route is outside the April to October window the forest department opens.
How to reach Kheerganga (Barshaini)
Kasol is the usual base. Taxis and buses run on to Barshaini, where the trail starts. A taxi from Kasol to Barshaini costs ₹400 to ₹600 one way (Discover with Dheeraj), and a 5 a.m. start means booking ahead. From Delhi, our guides list an overnight bus of about 485 km and 12 hours. The nearest airport is Bhuntar, about 31 km from Kasol, with few flights. The last ATM is in Kasol, so carry cash.
Kheerganga trek cost
Going on your own, the fixed costs we could source are the ₹100 registration per person and a taxi of ₹400 to ₹600 one way from Kasol; food and a bed in the valley are extra. Operators sell packages, shown here as base prices on their own pages in October 2026. Prices change.
| Operator (own page) | Base price | Notes on that page |
|---|---|---|
| MadTrek | ₹1,099 | ex-Barshaini, 2 days with a camp |
| BanBanjara | ₹1,150 | ex-Barshaini, 2 days with a camp |
| Himalayan Hikers | ₹1,800 | ex-Kasol, plus GST |
| Himalaya Shelter | ₹4,200 | 2 days, plus GST |
| Treks and Trails India | ₹8,999 | ex-Barshaini, 2 days with a camp |
All five still advertise a night at the top, which the forest department banned in July 2024. Ask where you will actually sleep and whether the price still applies. Broader context: how much a trek in India costs.
Permits and fees
No special permit is needed for Indian trekkers. Pay ₹100 a person at the Barshaini checkpost and show photo ID. Foreigners: Himalayan Hikers adds ₹800 for the trekking permit and asks for a passport and visa, and its insurance covers Indian citizens only. More in trek permits in India.
What to pack
- Trekking shoes (rocky, sometimes slippery), rain jacket, sun cap, spare T-shirt for the top.
- Down jacket, thermals, gloves and beanie in cold months.
- Photo ID, cash, power bank, 2 litres of water.
Full list: Himalayan trek packing list.
Safety on the Kheerganga trail
The Tribune reports at least 116 people have gone missing in the Parbati valley since 2011, 22 never found, 19 of them foreigners. Stay on the main trail, do not take shortcuts, tell someone your plan and avoid walking alone. At under 3,000 m altitude sickness is unlikely, but if you get a worsening headache or nausea, go down: see altitude sickness on treks, and how to read altitude gain. Leave no litter, since garbage is why camping was banned: leave no trace. For a bigger Parvati valley walk, compare Hampta Pass.
Sources
- The Tribune: camping prohibited in Kheerganga area (July 2024)
- The Tribune: Kheerganga route to be revamped (February 2025)
- The Tribune: why trekkers go missing in Parbati valley
- Discover with Dheeraj: Kheerganga travel guide
- Himalaya Shelter: Kheerganga trek
- Treks and Trails India: Kheerganga trek
- Himalayan Hikers: Kheerganga trek
- BanBanjara: Kheerganga trek
- MadTrek: Kheerganga trek
Quick questions
Can you camp at Kheerganga now?
No. The Forest Department banned camping there in July 2024. Visitors are told to reach the top by 10 a.m. and leave by 2 p.m., and to stay overnight in Nakthan, Barshaini, Kalga or Tosh. Some operators still advertise a night at the top, so ask where you will actually sleep.
How long does the Kheerganga trek take?
Himalaya Shelter measures 9 km each way, about 4 to 6 hours up and 4 to 5 hours down. Other guides quote 12 to 13 km, so allow a full day.
Is Kheerganga safe?
The main trail is popular, but shortcuts have led to fatal falls and 116 people have gone missing in the Parbati valley since 2011, per The Tribune. Do not walk alone or off the trail.
What is the best month for Kheerganga?
The route is open April to October. Guides favour April to June and September to October; July and August are muddy and slippery, and winter brings snow.
