Take your next Himachal trip in the mountains in Kalga in Parvati Valley if you love nature and enjoy exploring dreamy Himalayan villages. Think about dense forests, apple orchards and snow-clad peaks greeting you when you wake up in this tiny hamlet in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The small village is surrounded by dense coniferous forests and rhododendron trees, and located at an altitude of 2,280 meters, making it a paradise for all mountain lovers.
When you arrive in this village, it feels like time has slowed down. The locals go about their day peacefully, living in small wooden houses surrounded by calm. Yet they welcome tourists like you with a warm heart and invite you to stay in their cosy homestays and treat you with fresh, home-cooked meals.
The serene charm of this village is discovered in its trekking trails like the Kheerganga trek and waterfalls like Bunbuni Hidden Waterfall. There are cafes like the Holy Cow Café, Shalom Guesthouse & Café and Freedom Café, which are ideal for having coffee or work remotely. If you are looking for a reset button for your soul, Kalga is the place to enjoy solitude, reflect and meditate away from the distractions of urban life.
Why Visit
1. For traditional homestay experience: In Kalga, you can stay in a traditional homestay and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals.
2. To enjoy a thrilling trek: Kalga is famous for being a base to the Kheerganga trek, which offers a unique scenery on every turn of the trail.
3. Experience raw natural beauty: You can discover colourful orchards and gushing waterfalls in the breathtaking scenery of Kalga.
4. For its cafe culture: There are popular cafes like Soul Kitchen Café, Holy Cow Café, and Shalom Café in Kalga, where you can make new friends and share your stories with fellow travellers.
5. To enjoy birdwatching: You can spot famous birds like the Himalayan Bulbul, Verditer Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie and Himalayan Griffon Vultures in Kalga.
6. To discover offbeat Himalayan villages: With a trip to Kalga, you can explore remote villages like Tosh, Pulga, and Nakthan.
Things To Do in Kalga
1. Trekking to Kheerganga: You can enjoy the moderate-difficulty level Kheerganga trek from Kalga and experience an adrenaline rush. The trek rewards you with stunning views of Himalayan streams and mountains along with a relaxing break in the hot-springs at the end of the trek.
2. Visit charming cafes: There are many small yet cosy cafes like Peace Cafe and Soul Kitchen Cafein Kalga which charm you with their local food. Whether you want your dal-chawal or craving for noodles, the friendly staff of these cafes make sure that your hunger is satisfied.
3. Birdwatching and Photography: You can spot a variety of avifauna like Himalayan Bulbul, Verditer Flycatcher, Rufous Sibia and magpies when you are in Kalga. The birds are easily spotted near the meadows, streams and apple orchards which offer good photography opportunities too.
4. Explore the remote villages: Beyond Kalga, there are small yet pretty villages like Pulga and Tulga which offer a dreamy retreat. These villages can be explored on foot and offer a glimpse into the day-to-day Himalayan village life.
5. Discover local culture: You can mingle with the locals and get a chance to appreciate their art, festivals and rituals. The Kath-Kuni style of houses in Kalga, seasonal apple picking activities, preparation of herbal teas and Himachali meals offer a colorful insight into the life of locals.
