Khirsu Complete Travel Guide Uttarakhand
Khirsu, located in the Pauri district of Garhwal, is the epitome of an idyllic offbeat Himalayan getaway. As Himachal Pradesh’s less-explored but equally beautiful counterpart, Uttrakhand. As a result, the sights are one-of-a-kind, less crowded with tourists, and offer a tranquil experience.
Khirsu, located at an elevation of 1700 meters above sea level, is approximately 20 kilometers from Pauri and 30 kilometers from Srinagar, Garhwal. Khirsu is about 365 kilometers from Delhi and thus makes for an ideal long weekend offbeat destination in Uttarakhand.
Today, I’d like to share a detailed and comprehensive Khirsu Travel Guide to help you plan a memorable trip to Khirsu. Khirsu will delight if your goal is to reconnect with nature and rekindle your romance with your surroundings.
Personally, I enjoy exploring places that aren’t overrun with tourists – learning about how the locals live and what life is like in these small towns is what makes the trip worthwhile. Khirsu is an offbeat destination in the Himalayan foothills with incredible 360-degree panoramic views that will delight nature lovers. Looking out at Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandkot, and Panchuli peaks are awe-inspiring.
Khirsu is a lovely village with lush green surroundings that politely asks you to match your pace with that of nature rather than letting the clock do your running. Enjoy yourself by blending in with your surroundings and breathing in the fresh air of the countryside.
Khirsu is surrounded by oak, pine, and deodar trees. The cobalt blue blanket of the sky and the greenery of the trees, combined with the old-world kaccha roads and beautifully constructed village homes, will take your breath away from afar.
Best Time to Visit Khirsu
Summers are calm and enjoyable, with a maximum temperature of 23 0C and a cool ten 0C at night from March to July, while the cold winter months of December and January have a temperature of 5 0C. The temperature in Khirsu begins to rise in March.
The monsoon season lasts from June to September, and the roads leading up to Khirsu may be difficult to navigate. It is worth noting that you can visit Khirsu in the winter to experience snowfall near Delhi. So, yes, snow and snowfall are possible in Khirsu.
Khirsu is best visited between April and October, when the apples are in full bloom, and walking through the orchards is unusual activity.
Winter seasons, of course, are an interlude to white magic and have their own charm. Because of the numerous landslides in the Garhwal region, it is best to avoid the region during the monsoon season (July – September).
How to reach Khirsu
Traveling to Khirsu is fairly simple, as you can either drive or take a train to the nearest railhead. Let me go over each one in detail.
Rishikesh (132 km) and Kotdwar (140 km) are the nearest railway stations to Khirsu, both of which are well connected to the rest of the subcontinent. The most cost-effective way to get to Khirsu is by train.
This would also allow one to visit other beautiful locations such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Kotdwara. To get to Pauri, one can take local buses or hire personal/shared taxis from any of these cities (which is approximately 15 km from Khirsu)
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is 145 kilometers away. Taxis and buses are available in Dehradun to take you to Pauri. From there, a change of cabs will lead you to Khirsu. A taxi from Pauri to Khirsu costs around Rs 50 per person in 2018. The journey from Pauri to Khirsu takes about 30 minutes and is surrounded by dense forest.
Khirsu is approximately 365 kilometers from Delhi and takes approximately 9 hours to travel by road. After passing through Meerut, continue driving north-eastward through Najibabad, Jim Corbett National Park, Lansdowne, and finally Khirsu (just before Shrinagar, Garhwal).
Its scenery and enthralling journey take you across the majority of Uttrakhand and many green covers. Because the distance between Chopta and Khirsu is 72 kilometers, some people combine a trip to Khirsu with a trip to Tunganath – Chandrashilla.
The local commute in Khirsu: Walking is the best way to explore any Himalayan town. The majority of the roads that connect different parts of the village are kaccha roads. As a result, it is best to leisurely explore the town at one’s own pace.
Places to visit in Khirsu
The lush green dense forest covering Khirsu draws its natural beauty from the beautiful panoramic snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The views are nothing short of spectacular. On a clear summer day, over 250 peaks surround the small hamlet.
The best part of Khirsu is seeing the sights and walking around the village to get a feel for the place. When one comes across hidden gems like the football field in the village, it is a place where one would want to camp.
Yes, I am well aware that this is not the field’s intended purpose. To have some fun, try hitting some balls. And, if you’re lucky, you might come across a game in which the locals invite you to participate.
1. Kandoliya
There is a temple dedicated to Lord Kandoliya that is a major attraction for devotees from all over the country. What makes this location even more exciting is that it is home to Asia’s highest stadium, which is located in these mountains. It is a must-see for anyone visiting this village. Along the way, you can take in the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the Gangwarsyun valley.
2. Ulka Ghari
Enjoy an exciting trek or a relaxing drive to Ulka Ghari, which sits at an elevation of 1900 meters. It is the ideal location for admiring the scenic views of the Himalayan Mountains as well as the magical misty valleys. It is truly breathtaking! Enjoying the scenery while sipping delicious coffee or tea is the best kind of relaxation you’ll ever need.
3. Deval Garh
It is one of the most well-known temples in the region, dedicated to Goddess Raj Rajeshwai, and is a prime example of Garhwal architecture. Every year, devotees from all over the country flock to this temple. Furthermore, the scenic beauty of this location is unrivaled. The experience is truly surreal, with the majestic temple surrounded by magnificent snow-covered mountains and dense alpine forests.
4. Dhari Devi
This temple, located on the banks of the Alaknanda River, is well-known for being one of the most religiously significant destinations of Goddess Kali. Spend some time here, letting the sound of the river fill your soul with calm and peace. Spiritually, the experience is very enriching. The drive along the Srinagar-Badrinath highway is also picturesque and memorable.
When it comes to staying at Khirsu, there are two major schools of thought. One – it may be preferable to stay in Pauri, which is 20 kilometers away, and travel to all surrounding areas, including Srinagar, Garhwal or Chopta, Chandrashilla, and Deoriatal.
The second train of thought would be to fully immerse oneself in the Khirsu region. Khirsu GMVN Tourist Rest House is a popular place to stay. Laze around and enjoy the fresh mountain air while taking in the views with an old-world charm. They will also take your request for cooking specialty food – Mutton Curry is a non-dream, a vegetarian’s so try it!