Kinnaur (Kalpa)

A high mountain district in eastern Himachal Pradesh, where the village of Kalpa faces Kinnaur Kailash and the Sangla Valley and Chitkul are the loveliest valleys on the India–Tibet border.

Kinnaur is a high mountain district in eastern Himachal Pradesh, India, bordering Tibet. The Sutlej River cuts east to west through deep gorges, flanked by 6,000 m-class snow peaks, apple orchards and traditional villages of wood and stone, whose residents mostly worship local deities blending Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. Travellers usually base themselves in the village of Kalpa, about 7 km above the district headquarters of Reckong Peo at around 2,960 m: at dawn, watch the Kinnaur Kailash range turn gold from the village or the Roghi cliff road, and spend the day visiting the ancient Narayan-Nagini temple and the orchards. To the south, the Baspa valley (Sangla Valley) is the district's most beautiful valley; Sangla has the Kamru Fort, and following the river upstream via Rakchham brings you to Chitkul at about 3,450 m, billed as the “last village” on the road to the India–Tibet border, about 2 hours' drive one way. Getting there: from Shimla, drive or take a state-run bus along NH5 to Reckong Peo (about 8–10 hours); the road is hair-raising, prone to rockfall, and passes the Taranda cliff section — consider breaking the journey overnight in Sarahan or Sangla. The best seasons are April–June and September–October, with the apple harvest in September–October; in the July–August monsoon, landslides often cut the road, and heavy snow may close roads in December–February. No permits are needed for Kalpa and Sangla, but foreign visitors continuing north to Spiti must obtain an Inner Line Permit in Reckong Peo. At high altitude, keep warm and acclimatise; ATMs are few, so carry cash. Allow 3–4 days.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries