If you love mountains, fresh air, and peaceful surroundings, then Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga in Himachal Pradesh is just the place for you. 

Three small villages in Parvati Valley offer breathtaking views, quiet surroundings, and a chance to experience life away from city crowds. 

This guide will help you plan your trip, including how to reach these villages, what to do, where to stay, and the best time to visit.

How to Reach Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga Villages

The journey to get here requires some effort. But honestly, the journey is beautiful and adventurous. Here is the route from which you can get here:

1. Reach Bhuntar

By Air : 

You can take a flight to the Bhuntar Airport, which is about 50 km from these villages. You can reach here from Delhi or Chandigarh. From there, there’s a taxi available from the airport to Barshaini.

By Bus: 

You can take an overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh to Bhuntar. There are plenty of government and private buses on this route.

By Car: 

If you wish to drive, you can take the road from Mandi to Kasol, which will lead you to Bhuntar. The roads are winding but have great views.

2. Bhuntar to Barshaini

Local Bus: 

From Bhuntar, you can take a local bus to Barshaini, which is the last motorable point before the villages. The bus journey takes about 2 hours.

Taxi: 

You can hire a private taxi from Bhuntar. It is more comfortable but costs more than a bus ride.

3. Trek to the Villages

After reaching Barshaini, you need to trek to the villages. The trekking distances are:

Kalga (15-20 minute trek): 

Immediately after crossing the Barshaini bridge take the left side trail. This path is easy, and well-defined.

Pulga (30-40 minutes trek): 

Go straight on to the right trail. The track passes through thick forest. A little bit upward, but passable.

Tulga (20-30 minute trek): 

Now cross a little wooden bridge at Pulga for Tulga.

These treks are not so tough and, therefore, achievable by beginners. The surroundings are green, and peacefulness makes the walk wonderful.

Day 1: Explore Kalga – A Quiet and Peaceful Village

Kalga is a small village that is famous for its apple orchards, wooden houses, and peaceful atmosphere. It is one of the most beautiful places to relax and enjoy nature.

Walk through the apple orchards: 

Kalga is surrounded by lush apple trees. A morning walk through the orchards is refreshing, and if you visit during apple season, you can even taste fresh apples.

Homestays: 

Many guesthouses in Kalga offer comfortable rooms with wooden interiors and stunning views. Some popular ones include Sunset Café and Peace Tree.

Read, write, or relax: 

Kalga is less crowded and hence perfect to go on for reading, journaling, or relaxing over a cup of tea.

Start the Kheerganga trek: If time allows, then Kalga is an ideal place to start your Kheerganga trek-one of the most famous trails ending at hot springs.

Eating Options in Kalga:

Sunset Café: Pasta and Israeli food, along with chai, offering splendid mountain views.

Peace Tree Café: Known for pancakes, herbal tea, and local food.

Day 2: Pulga – The Village with a Fairy Forest

Pulga is known for its dense pine forest, which the locals call the Fairy Forest. The place has a magical feel with towering trees, soft moss, and fresh mountain air.

Things to Do in Pulga:

Walk through the Fairy Forest: 

The forest in Pulga is thick and green, perfect for a morning or evening walk. It feels like a scene from a fairy tale!

Visit the local temple: 

Pulga has a beautiful wooden temple with unique architecture. The temple is a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the view.

Relish cafes: 

There are many small, cozy cafes here where you can enjoy good food and meet fellow travelers.

Make new friends: 

Pulga is a favorite haunt for backpackers, so you have a great chance of making friends and sharing your travel stories.

Where to Stay in Pulga:

Boom Shiva Guesthouse: A budget guesthouse with basic amenities.

The Forest View Lodge: A cozy stay with excellent views of the valley.

Places to Dine in Pulga:

Moon Dance Café – Good for wood-fired pizza, coffee, and dessert.

Boom Shiva Café: A good spot for breakfast, chai, and Israeli dishes.

Day 3: Explore Tulga – A Secret Treasure

Tulga is the most secluded of all three villages and hence the most suitable for visitors seeking solitude and calmness.

Things to do in Tulga:

Live with the local Himachali community: 

As Tulga is not as touristy, it allows you to experience the life of a genuine Himachali village.

Sit by the Parvati River: 

It is a walk of some minutes from Tulga to reach the Parvati River, where you might sit and enjoy the sound of the flowing water.

Visit villages nearby: 

As Tulga lies between Kalga and Pulga, it is not much of a walk time to reach both of them.

Where to Stay in Tulga:

Tulga Heights: A simple guest house whose surroundings are so peaceful

Riverside Guesthouse: It is a small stay near the river for any nature lover.

Best Time to Visit Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga

The best time for visiting these villages depends on which experience you desire:

Spring and Summer: That is March till June when skies are clear with comfortable weather. Flowers bloom this time.

September to November (Post-Monsoon): Trekking would be perfect at the post-monsoon during September till November. The lush green is at its prime.

December to February (Winter) : Snow would be there till February end with December and January being very chilling. Some homestays shut completely.

July to August (Monsoon): Avoid because heavy rains lead to landslides and make the trails slippery.

Packing Essentials for Your Trip

Trekking Shoes: You are going to walk a lot, so you need comfortable shoes.

Warm Clothes: Even in summer, it gets cold at night, so bring warm jackets and woolen socks.

Power Bank: Electricity is not always available in these villages, so carry a charged power bank.

Cash: There are no ATMs in Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga. So, withdraw some cash in Bhuntar or Kasol.

Reusable Water Bottle: Avoid creating any plastic waste to keep the environment clean.

Conclusion

A Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga tour is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors, is in search of peace, or just wants a dash of adventure. 

These are villages that come as a great break from your busy city lives and let you experience the unassuming beauty of the Himalayas. 

Whether it’s a silent homestay, roaming in the forest, or befriending like-minded travelers, this trip shall be an adventure you would never want to forget. So pack up your bags, and get set for a peaceful mountain break!

FAQ’s

Which is better, Tosh or Pulga?

Tosh is commercialized with great cafes and social atmosphere, and Pulga is quieter with the forests surrounding it, and for someone looking for isolation, it’s the perfect destination. So go to Tosh for activities and Pulga for peace.

What is Kalga known for?

Kalga is an apple orchard destination with peaceful surroundings and majestic mountain scenery. It also begins the Kheerganga trek.

What is Pulga known for?

Pulga is known for the Fairy Forest, a dense woodland with tall deodar trees, and its laid-back cafes, attracting backpackers and nature lovers.

How to reach Kalga, Pulga, and Tulga?

Reach Bhuntar, take a bus/taxi to Barshaini, then trek:

Kalga: 15-20 min uphill walk.

Pulga: 30-40 min forest trek.

Tulga: 20-30 min walk via a small bridge.

How to reach Pulga from Kasol?

Take a bus or taxi from Kasol to Barshaini (45 min), then trek 30-40 min to Pulga.

What does Kalga mean?

Kalga is the local dialect word for a small mountain village, indicating a peaceful highland settlement.

In which district is Pulga village located?

Pulga is a village in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh in Parvati Valley.

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