Kasol to Malana Trek

Overview

**Short answer:** The Kasol to Malana trek is a guided walk from Kasol (about 1,580 m) through Chalal and Rasol to Malana village at 2,652 m, in the Malana Nala side valley of the Parvati Valley, Kullu district. Our partner runs it for ₹5,000 per person. Malana has strict customs: visitors must not touch people, houses, walls or temples, and you cannot stay overnight inside the village. Cannabis is illegal in India, and we never arrange or help with it. ## Kasol to Malana trek: quick facts | | | |---|---| | Start | Kasol, Parvati Valley (about 1,580 m) | | Route | Kasol - Chalal - Rasol - Malana; return by road via Jari | | Highest point | Malana 2,652 m; about 3,250 m at Rashol Pass if crossed | | Duration | 2 days (itinerary confirmed on booking) | | Difficulty | Moderate: steep climbs, rough paths | | Best season | March to June, October to November | | Price | ₹5,000 per person | ## Where is Malana and how do you get there? Malana is the only village in the Malana Nala, a side valley that joins the Parvati Valley near Jari, northeast of the Kullu Valley. It sits on a plateau beside the Malana river, under the Chanderkhani peaks. There are two ways in: - **From Kasol on foot (this trek):** cross the Parvati at Chalal, climb to Rasol village, then continue over the ridge to Malana. This is the trekker's route and needs a full day or more on foot. - **From Jari by road:** a road now runs most of the way up the Malana Nala, past the Malana hydro project. The last stretch, about 4 km, is on foot. Kasol itself is reached by road from Bhuntar, near Kullu. From Dharamshala that means the long drive via Mandi; see our [Dharamshala to Manali road guide](/blog/dharamshala-to-manali) for the route and book a [taxi from Dharamshala](/taxi). ## What are the rules in Malana village? Malana governs itself through a village council that speaks for its deity, Jamlu Devta. Outsiders are expected to follow these customs, and your guide will remind you: - **Do not touch** people, houses, walls, temples or sacred objects. Fines of ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 have been reported for breaking this rule. - **Stay on the main path** and do not take shortcuts across fields or courtyards. - **No overnight stays inside the village.** Guest houses inside Malana were closed in 2017 on the deity's reported orders. - **Photography:** rules have changed over the years, and videography is not allowed. Ask your guide before taking any photo, and never photograph people or temples without permission. - **Shopping:** when you buy something, place the money down rather than handing it over. ## Is cannabis legal in Malana? No. Malana is known for cannabis, but growing, buying, selling or carrying cannabis (charas, ganja) is a criminal offence in India under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Police check vehicles in the Parvati Valley. We do not arrange, guide or tolerate any drug purchase on our treks, and a guide will end the trek if a guest tries to buy. ## When is the best time for the Malana trek? March to June and October to November. July to September brings monsoon rain, slippery paths and landslide risk. In 2026 the Kullu district administration suspended adventure activities from 15 July to 15 September, so check with us before planning a monsoon trek. In winter the higher sections can hold snow. ## Is the Kasol to Malana trek difficult? It is moderate. The climb from Chalal to Rasol is steep, and the onward route to Malana is rough and remote. Reasonably fit walkers manage it with breaks. If you want something gentler, try the [Pulga village walk](/treks/pulga-village-walk) or the [Tosh Valley trek](/treks/tosh-valley-trek). ## Where to stay Most trekkers base themselves in Kasol before and after. Coming from Dharamshala, you can break the journey with a night in town: see [hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj](/hotels). Browse all our [guided treks](/treks).

Itinerary

What to carry

Frequently Asked Questions