Snowfall In Tosh, Himachal Pradesh During January 2019 – 4 Reasons You Must Visit

Tosh is one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh, which is still untouched by the loads of people visiting Kasol every weekend. As I had mentioned before for Malana, Tosh too falls into the same category. Tosh is also famous for all the wrong reasons, may be because, visitors focus too much on their own business and forget to look at the amazing mountains. During winters, this side of the country gets the lowest no. of travellers turning into an off season.

Why off? I am guessing because of the cold and chilly winds surrounding the entire place. If you are lucky, you will be able to witness some or extreme snow too.

But wait!

Shouldn’t this be an even bigger reason to visit Tosh?

Well, we happen to reach Tosh during the first week of January, in the search for snowfall. The same search we had been continuing he past 2 winter seasons which lead us to various places in Himachal like Manali, Bharmour (a lesser know point in Himachal), Malana, Kasauli and even Ladakh. And finally here we were, just by chance, with just very less expectations. Guess what, we got lucky to experience the first snowfall of our lives.

We started from Delhi on Friday night around 10-10:30pm and reached Kasol by afternoon around 2pm on Saturday. Usually it doesn’t take this long but the foggy weather and the under-construction roads being constructed, delayed our arrival. We had a room booked in Challal and the plan was to grab something to eat and start trekking towards it. Right when we were on the Kasol crossing (bus stand), we happen to see couple of cars with snow on top coming from Manikaran road. We saw each other and both of us said in the same tone “Tosh challein” (Let’s go to Tosh).

How to reach Tosh from Kasol during snowfall/winters

Cab from Kasol to Barshaini

Cabs were a bit costly. They were charging from INR 700-1,000 from Kasol to Barshaini. We heard that after Barshaini, the roads were snow covered till Tosh village and it wasn’t possible to take the cars up there.

Trek from Barshaini to Tosh Village

If you let loose, you are more likely to get company of good people and thus we got 2 travellers who were ready to share the cab with us. All 4 of us reached to a point little bit ahead of Barshaini, from where the actually slippery snow covered roads were starting and we started trekking.

While we were walking, the snowfall started and grew gradually. It was in its extreme, to an extent that we found a car stuck with 5 people, who were waiting for the roads to get better for driving.

Raincoats, we bought just like that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Though they costed us INR 100 each, at least they saved the clothes we were wearing.

Be less demanding while traveling to remote locations

After trekking for almost 2 hours in snow, we reached Tosh village and took a room in the famous Blue Diamond hotel. Guys over there comforted us with whatever less menu options they had. After all, sourcing food resources is not easy in snow.

View from our Hotel in Tosh, Himachal Pradesh

Next morning, the hotel people warned us to cut our plan short and leave for Kasol as soon as possible. The snowfall was at its peak and they said if we didn’t leave then, we could be stuck there for next 7-8 days. Using the luxury of hot water, we got read and started to trek back to Kasol during the heavy snow, which was getting no lesser.

Trekking back in snow is usually difficult but it’s little better during the snowfall. While the snow is falling, you can easily get a good grip for walking. Fresh snow is fun to walk in. Getting the advantage of snowfall, we started walking and reach to the point where we saw a car stuck day before. It was shocking to see those gentlemen being stuck in snow for almost 28hour already. Thankfully, they had managed to inform the rescue team who was in its way to drag their car back. Within next 2 hours, we managed to reach the point from where the Kheerganga trek begins. Couple of cabs was waiting down there to take us back to Kasol. With all our wet bags & clothes, we managed to reach Kasol soon.

Trying to help car stuck in snow at Tosh

4 Reasons Why You Must Visit Tosh During Winters

1. No chances of sweat full trekking
2. Beautiful surroundings
3. Treks are easier during winters
4. If you are lucky, you will see the best snowfall in India

When I had posted a picture on my Facebook wall, a friend from Canada commented saying this is no less than every other day in Canada. But in India, it’s not easy to experience this beauty.

To be able to feel such snowfall in India is the best thing that has happened to us, till date. Those beautiful mountains and trees covered with white layers of, what looks like, cotton is not something you can see everywhere.

It has been an experience for a lifetime and we won’t be able to forget it ever till we die.

Also read: Malana Has More To Offer Than Just Malana Cream