# Kasol to Malana Trek

> A guided two-day trek from Kasol through Chalal and Rasol to Malana, the isolated village at 2,652 m in a side valley of the Parvati, with a local guide who knows the village rules.

- **URL:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/treks/kasol-to-malana-trek
- **Difficulty:** moderate
- **Duration:** 2 Days
- **Distance:** About 8 km to Rasol, then about 4 km to Malana
- **Max altitude:** 2,652 m (Malana village)
- **Best season:** March-June, October-November
- **Price:** Rs.5,000 per person
- **Photos:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/malana-village.jpg, https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/kullu-valley.jpg

**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](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-to-manali) for the route and book a [taxi from Dharamshala](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/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](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/treks/pulga-village-walk) or the [Tosh Valley trek](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/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](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels). Browse all our [guided treks](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/treks).

## Itinerary

### Day 1: Kasol - Chalal - Rasol

Meet the guide in Kasol and walk along the Parvati to Chalal. Cross the river and climb steeply through forest to Rasol village. Overnight in Rasol (stay arranged by the guide; confirm on booking).

### Day 2: Rasol - Malana - Kasol

Early start over the ridge towards Malana. Walk through the village on the main path, following its rules, then descend to the Malana road head and return to Kasol by road via Jari. Route and timing depend on weather and fitness; the guide decides on the day.

## Included

- Local trek guide
- Overnight stay in Rasol
- Dinner and breakfast
- Route planning and village etiquette briefing
- First aid

## Not included

- Transport to Kasol
- Return road transport from the Malana road head to Kasol
- Lunch and snacks
- Personal gear
- Tips
- Insurance

## What to carry

- Sturdy trekking shoes with grip
- Rain jacket
- Warm layer
- 2 litres of water
- Snacks
- Cash in small notes
- Photo ID
- Headlamp

## FAQs

**How long is the Kasol to Malana trek?**
We run it as a two-day trek: Kasol to Rasol via Chalal on day 1 (about 8 km), and Rasol to Malana and back to Kasol by road via Jari on day 2. Malana can also be reached from the Jari side with a walk of about 4 km from the road.

**What is the altitude of Malana village?**
Malana is at about 2,652 m (8,701 ft). Kasol is at about 1,580 m, so you climb roughly 1,000 m. Routes over Rashol Pass go higher, to about 3,250 m.

**Can you touch things in Malana village?**
No. By village custom, outsiders must not touch people, houses, walls or temples. Fines of ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 have been reported. Stay on the main path and follow your guide.

**Can tourists stay overnight in Malana?**
No. Guest houses inside Malana were closed in 2017 and visitors are not allowed to stay in the village. Trekkers stay in Rasol, Kasol or Jari instead.

**Is Malana cream or cannabis legal?**
No. Cannabis (charas, ganja) is illegal in India under the NDPS Act, 1985, and police check vehicles in the Parvati Valley. We never arrange or help with drugs, and the guide will end the trek if a guest tries to buy.

**Can I take photos in Malana?**
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.

**When is the best time for the Malana trek?**
March to June and October to November. Monsoon rain makes paths slippery from July to September, and in 2026 the Kullu administration suspended adventure activities from 15 July to 15 September.

**How much does the Kasol to Malana trek cost?**
₹5,000 per person with a local guide. The price includes the guide, the night in Rasol and dinner and breakfast. Transport to Kasol, personal gear, tips and insurance are not included.

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From Dharamshala Stay (https://www.dharamshalastay.com). Contact: +91-98057-00665, hello@dharamshalastay.com