Are you a bored Delhiite and looking for a place to explore this weekend? You have come to the right place, my friend. Tosh will offer you a break from your hectic, polluted city life and provide you the serenity you are seeking for. It is an excellent weekend getaway and during summers, is an ideal escape from the scorching heat.

Tosh is a small village at the end of the Parvati Valley in Himachal Pradesh and situated at a height of about 7,874 feet. Alongside the village is the Tosh River which begins at the Tosh Glacier within Tosh Valley. Tosh is one of the most beautiful villages in the Parvati Valley, surrounded by snowcapped mountains and lush greenery on all sides. The splendid view from Tosh will take your breath away and satisfy your visual senses as you truly get to connect with nature and get lost in it. Another best thing about Tosh is the people. People of the village are so simple and filled with warmth, they are always eager to help and will make you feel welcome instantly. 

Best time to visit Tosh 

If you want to enjoy snow specifically, you should plan a trip around December or January.

The temperature would be pretty low at this time of the year. Make sure to carry loads of thick woolen stuff. The average temperature here ranges between 2°C and 7°C. The climate of Tosh is usually pleasant all throughout the year. So, you can plan your trip any time of the year as well. I have been to Tosh twice, once in the month of October and the next one during February. During both my visits, I felt that the temperature was almost the same. It is particularly cold at nights. 

How to reach Tosh & travel expenses 

Book a bus from Delhi to Bhuntar. These buses usually go to Manali and halt at Bhuntar. The bus fare is around 1000-1500 INR depending on the type of bus you choose. It takes about 12-13 hours to reach Bhuntar. After getting down at Bhuntar, you have two options, either take a cab or a local bus. The cab fare is around 1800 INR to Tosh. Or else, you can take a bus to Barsheni (100-200 INR/person) and from there a cab to Tosh (300 INR). The distance from Barsheni to Tosh is about 3 Km, so you can trek as well. It will take around 2 hours if you take a cab but if you opt for a bus it will take a little more time since the bus halts at Manikaran for some time.  Another option is that you can take a cab to Kasol (1000 INR), and then a bus from there to Barsheni (50-70 INR/person). Barsheni is the last stoppage on the bus route. 

Distance chart 

• Bhuntar to Tosh- 51 Km 

• Bhuntar to Kasol- 31 Km 

• Kasol to Barsheni- 17 Km 

• Bhuntar to Barsheni- 48 Km 

• Barsheni to Tosh- 3 Km 

Food and Accommodation 

Tosh is not a commercialized area. There are a fair number of decent places in Tosh that provide both food and lodging to the tourists. The food is not exceptionally good but the menu has a wide range of cuisines to choose from and you won't be disappointed. Sipping on some piping hot tea or coffee with a side of Maggi is always a pleasure in that weather.  

We stayed in a place called Pinki Didi, the last resort. Out of all the places in Tosh, I felt that their accommodation and food was on a better side than the others. And, also trust me on this. The view from Pinki Didi is worth it. You get a breath-taking view of the mountains from the terrace and balcony of the café. The café has a quirky décor and a cozy vibe to it and you will easily feel at home because of their hospitality.  

The room fare per day is 600 INR. The beds are comfortable and fairly clean. There are other options available for accommodation as well. The room fares start at 300 INR/day. Also, the food is on the expensive side in Tosh because it takes a lot of time, money and effort to transport the raw materials to the area.  

Things to do in Tosh

There is nothing much to do in Tosh except relaxing and enjoying the pristine view. You can explore the village and talk to the locals. The life of the locals is pretty tough, but their contentment is reflected in their faces. Unlike the city folk, these people are really simple, helpful, relaxed, and mentally satisfied. There are many trekking sites in and around the area, Kheerganga being the most popular one. We trekked to a nearby waterfall in Tosh itself which was quite a beautiful experience. You can ask the locals for directions. It is not quite a hectic trek, so if you are someone like me who gets easily tired, this might be an ideal trekking experience for you without much effort. Many people also opt for Kheerganga trek from Barsheni itself. It is a 12 Km trek and is famous for its hot water springs. It is a difficult and tiresome trek and you need to be well prepared. 

Things to carry 

• Warm clothes, thermals, and jackets. 

• Trekking shoes, energy bars, and energy drinks. 

• Toiletries. 

• If you are on a budget and want to save some money on food, you can carry an electric kettle, some instant noodles, snacks, etc., of your choice. 

• A good sturdy and waterproof rucksack is a must. 

• If you have motion sickness, please make sure to take medications because the roads have some pretty sinister twists and turns. 

Also, another important thing is that places in and around Kasol and Tosh are not ideal spots for family vacations. You will mostly find bachelors, couples and solo travelers there. 

I had such an amazing experience during my first trip to Tosh that I couldn't resist myself from going there for the second time. Kasol is a pretty cool place too. If you want to experience the hippy vibe, Kasol is the perfect option for you. It is pretty commercialized and you have amazing food and accommodation options available. It is mostly flooded with tourists and I felt that it was a little crowded. On the other hand, if you are seeking for some peace, tranquility, and relaxation, you must definitely go to Tosh.