If you are planning a trip to Kinnaur Valley, you have picked one of Himachal Pradesh’s finest destinations. Kinnaur is that rare corner of the Indian Himalayas where apple orchards, ancient temples, adventurous roads, and snow-capped peaks all come together within a single district. I have been visiting Kinnaur since 2011, and every trip still surprises me with something new.
This Kinnaur Valley travel guide covers everything you need to plan your trip in 2026, including Kalpa, Sangla Valley, Chitkul, and Sarahan. I will walk you through how to reach, the best time to visit, a suggested itinerary, accommodation options, costs, road conditions, and all the practical details that actually matter when you are on the ground.
Let's quickly dive into the details:
What Makes Kinnaur Valley Special?
Kinnaur is one of the 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh, tucked away in the northeast corner near the Indo-Tibetan border. The district is known for its apple orchards (Kinnaur apples are considered some of the finest in India), dense cedar and pine forests, beautiful meadows, ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples, and roads that will test your nerves. One of the roads to Sangla Valley was featured on History Channel as one of the Deadliest Roads in the World. That should tell you something about the adventure factor 🙂
The major attraction here is the Kinner Kailash range, a mountain sacred to Hindus, which towers over Kalpa at around 20,000 ft. The sunrises and sunsets over this range are among the most spectacular I have witnessed anywhere in the Himalayas. Then there is Chitkul, considered the last inhabited village in India on this side before the Indo-Tibetan border, and Sangla Valley (also called Baspa Valley) with its gorgeous meadows and traditional villages.
In winters, the entire valley transforms into a snow-covered wonderland. In autumn, the apple orchards turn golden and red. In summer, the meadows are a bright green carpet under clear blue skies. Kinnaur rewards you no matter when you visit, as long as you plan well.
Where is Kinnaur Valley Located and What is the Altitude?
Kinnaur Valley is located about 235 km from Shimla and roughly 570 km from Delhi (taking Reckong Peo as the reference point). From Chandigarh, the distance is about 340 km. Despite feeling incredibly remote, Kinnaur is not as far from civilization as people assume, and that is part of its charm.
Practical Info Box
District: Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
Distances: 235 km from Shimla | 570 km from Delhi | 340 km from Chandigarh
Key altitudes: Kalpa 9,711 ft (2,960 m) | Sangla 8,900 ft (2,696 m) | Chitkul 11,319 ft (3,450 m)
Permits: No permit needed for Indian nationals at Kalpa, Sangla, Chitkul
Best time: April to June, September to November
Budget: Rs 1,500 to 4,000 per day depending on travel style
Last updated: February 2026
The altitude in Kinnaur ranges from about 7,600 ft to over 22,000 ft across the district. The three main tourist destinations sit at different heights. Kalpa is at 9,711 ft (2,960 m), Sangla is at 8,900 ft (2,696 m), and Chitkul is the highest at 11,319 ft (3,450 m).
Keep in mind that people sometimes face acute mountain sickness (AMS) if they spend their second night directly at Chitkul without acclimatizing first. Hence, I always recommend spending a night in Sangla or Kalpa before sleeping overnight at Chitkul.
What is the Best Time to Visit Kinnaur Valley?
You can visit Kinnaur Valley throughout most of the year, but each season offers a very different experience. The best months for most travelers are April to June and September to November. Let me break it down season by season so you can pick the window that works best for you.
Kinnaur in December, January, and February (Winter)
Winters in Kinnaur are harsh. Temperatures drop well below zero, and several feet of snow is common. Many hotels remain closed, especially in Chitkul and upper Kinnaur. The road to Chitkul closes down in January and February and sometimes even in December. Roads to Kalpa and Sangla also close intermittently during bad weather, though authorities restore connectivity as soon as conditions improve. If you plan a winter trip to Kinnaur, prepare very well with heavy woolens and check road conditions before leaving.
Kinnaur in March to July (Spring and Summer)
Snow starts melting in March, and roads within Kinnaur, including the road to Chitkul, gradually open to welcome tourists. The heat picks up from April onward, and this is when the heavy tourist rush begins. From late April through June, Kinnaur sees its peak season. Temperatures in summer hover around 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, which is quite pleasant.
Once you hit the last week of July, the monsoon arrives. This is where things get tricky. The road journey to Kinnaur becomes problematic with landslides and closures.
Kinnaur in August (Monsoon)
I strongly feel that Kinnaur is not the place to be during the monsoon. The entire Kinnaur region sits on fragile mountains, and combining heavy rains with these fragile slopes creates a dangerous combination. Road closures become common, landslides are frequent, and you could get stranded for days. Hence, avoid August unless you are comfortable with the risks.
Kinnaur in September to November (Autumn)
Once the rains recede, the apple harvest season begins in Kinnaur from late August through October. My favorite time to visit Kinnaur Valley is autumn, when the orchards are loaded with apples, the skies are crystal clear, and the roads have dried up and improved significantly. In November, temperatures start dipping toward sub-zero, and water in pipes begins to freeze at night. The winter chill is right around the corner.
My pick: September to mid-October is the sweet spot. Clear skies, apple orchards in full harvest, dried-up roads, and fewer crowds. Read my detailed article on the best time to visit Kinnaur Valley for a month-by-month breakdown.
In case you are going during the apple season (late July to August), be ready for a massive mess of truck traffic along with rains and landslides. The apple trucks clog NH-05 during this period.
Also, keep in mind that Chitkul becomes inaccessible during peak winters. One snowfall can trap you for months in Chitkul 🙂 so never go there in late winters without checking weather conditions first.
How to Reach Kinnaur Valley?
Getting to Kinnaur Valley involves a road journey, whether you drive yourself, take a bus, or hire a taxi. There is no direct air or rail connectivity to Kinnaur. Here are all the options.
By Road from Delhi via Shimla (Most Common Route)
The most popular route to Kinnaur Valley from Delhi runs along the Hindustan Tibet Road (NH-05), passing through Shimla and Narkanda. The road is adventurous once you enter Kinnaur territory, with steep drops and narrow stretches that add to the thrill. If you drive yourself, you will enjoy the offroading in certain sections.
Here is the route with distances from Delhi:
Route to Kalpa: Delhi (0 km) → Shimla (360 km) → Narkanda (420 km) → Rampur (488 km) → Karcham (566 km) → Reckong Peo (587 km) → Kalpa (595 km)
Route to Chitkul: Delhi (0 km) → Shimla (360 km) → Narkanda (420 km) → Rampur (488 km) → Karcham (566 km) → Sangla (582 km) → Rakcham (596 km) → Chitkul (610 km)
At Karcham, the road splits. Go straight for Reckong Peo and Kalpa. Turn right for Sangla Valley and Chitkul.
You will need a minimum of 2 days from Delhi to reach Kalpa or Sangla. An overnight halt at Narkanda or somewhere near Shimla is ideal to distribute the journey evenly. If you are starting from Chandigarh, consider staying overnight at Sarahan, which is a 17 km climb from the Jeori turn-off on NH-05 (about 23 km from Rampur). Sarahan itself is home to the famous Bhimakali Temple and makes a wonderful first stop.
Food Stop on the Way
A pit stop must is a makeshift dhaba right after the Jeori/Sarahan diversion where an old lady serves lip-smacking Rajma Chawal. Yes, the hygiene is slightly questionable, but it is a dhaba after all! The taste is unbeatable. Rs 80 to 100 for an unlimited plate of Rajma Chawal, sign me up! The Annapurna Dhaba nearby is also quite famous for Rajma Chawal.
By Road from Manali
You can also travel to Kinnaur from Manali. Two routes exist. The shorter route goes via Jalori Pass to Rampur (about 310 km, 12 to 15 hours). This route merges at Rampur on NH-05 and then follows the same road toward Kinnaur. I recommend an overnight halt at Jalori to break the journey evenly.
The longer route takes you through the Atal Tunnel, into Spiti Valley from Manali side, and then down to Kinnaur. This is a much longer journey but a fantastic option if you want to combine Spiti and Kinnaur in one trip.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Shimla (Jubbarhatti), about 220 km from Reckong Peo. If coming from Manali side, the Bhuntar Airport near Kullu is about 245 km from Reckong Peo. Both airports have limited connectivity and small capacity. Chandigarh Airport is about 340 km away and is the most practical option if you are flying in from another part of India.
By Railways
Shimla has a narrow-gauge railway station (the famous Kalka-Shimla toy train), but connectivity is limited. My suggestion is to make Chandigarh your railway endpoint, as it is well connected to all major cities. From Chandigarh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Kinnaur.
By Bus or Public Transport
Reckong Peo is well connected with Chandigarh and Shimla by direct HRTC buses. Here are the key bus services as of 2025-2026:
- Chandigarh to Reckong Peo: Overnight bus available. Fare approximately Rs 700 to 1,200 depending on bus type (ordinary vs Himmani Deluxe).
- Shimla to Reckong Peo: Multiple departures daily. First bus around 3:25 AM, last around 9:20 PM. Fare Rs 250 to 650 depending on bus type. Journey takes 8 to 10 hours.
- Kaza (Spiti) to Reckong Peo: One daily morning bus connects Spiti to Kinnaur.
- Within Kinnaur: Connecting buses run from Reckong Peo to Kalpa (7 km, frequent), Sangla (about 40 km), and Chitkul (about 65 km). The Reckong Peo to Chitkul bus fare is approximately Rs 100 to 150.
Bus schedules change seasonally, so always verify the latest timings with HRTC before travel. You can book tickets online on the HRTC portal or at the bus stand.
For a detailed breakdown of bus routes, fares, and how to plan the entire trip by public transport, read my article on how to visit Kinnaur Valley by public transport.
How Much Does a Taxi Cost for Kinnaur Valley Trip?
Private taxis are a comfortable option for exploring Kinnaur Valley, especially if you are traveling with family or a group. Taxis can be booked from Shimla, Chandigarh, or even Delhi. I always recommend traveling with local drivers in remote regions like Kinnaur because they know the roads, the weather patterns, and the shortcuts.
As of 2025-2026, here are the approximate taxi rates:
- Per day rate: Rs 3,500 to 5,000 per day (includes driver’s stay and food). Rates have gone up from the Rs 3,200-3,500 range of earlier years.
- Full Kinnaur trip (7-8 days): Rs 28,000 to 40,000 depending on vehicle type and season.
- Shimla to Kinnaur (one-way drop): Rs 8,000 to 12,000 approximately.
You can connect with local taxi drivers through this list of taxi drivers in Kinnaur and Spiti Valley. The prices come down if you are traveling in a group. You can also book self-drive cars from Delhi or Chandigarh if you prefer driving yourself.
What Type of Vehicle is Best for Kinnaur?
Higher ground clearance vehicles are preferable, but 4×4 is not required. That said, many people make the trip in hatchbacks and sedans as well. It depends on your driving skills and the road conditions at the time. In monsoon, I would strongly recommend an SUV or at least a high ground clearance car.
Before you start packing, refer to my list of top 40 things to carry on a self-drive trip. Most of these apply to Kinnaur as well.
What is the Best Itinerary for Kinnaur Valley?
I mostly recommend people to spare at least 7 to 8 days for a relaxing trip to Kinnaur Valley. This gives you enough time to explore the beautiful places along the Hindustan Tibet Road and actually soak in the peaceful villages of Kalpa, Sangla, Chitkul, and Sarahan without rushing.
Here is a high-level day-by-day plan:
- Day 1: Delhi to Shimla or Narkanda (360 to 420 km)
- Day 2: Shimla/Narkanda to Sarahan (about 170 km from Shimla). Visit Bhimakali Temple.
- Day 3: Sarahan to Kalpa via Tapri and Reckong Peo (about 100 km)
- Day 4: Rest day at Kalpa. Explore Roghi Village, Chaka Meadows, watch sunrise over Kinner Kailash.
- Day 5: Kalpa to Sangla or Rakcham via Karcham (about 50 km)
- Day 6: Day trip to Chitkul from Sangla (28 km one way). Return to Sangla or Rakcham.
- Day 7: Sangla to Rampur or Narkanda (about 200 km). Halt at Daranghati, Narkanda, or Chail.
- Day 8: Return to Delhi.
If you are not someone who visits places just to tick them off a bucket list, you can refer to my detailed article on the Kinnaur Valley most common itinerary for a more detailed plan. I have also covered variations for shorter trips (5-day) and longer trips combining Kinnaur with Spiti.
If you want to combine Kinnaur with Spiti Valley, plan for at least 12 to 14 days. You can enter from the Shimla side, explore Kinnaur, continue to Spiti via the Kinnaur route, and exit via the Atal Tunnel to Manali.
Where to Stay in Kinnaur Valley?
Accommodation options are available at Reckong Peo, Kalpa, Sangla, Rakcham, and Chitkul. The range covers everything from budget homestays to comfortable mid-range hotels. Here is what you can expect in 2026:
- Budget homestays and guesthouses: Rs 500 to 1,200 per night. Available at all main stops. Basic but clean rooms with meals often included.
- Mid-range hotels: Rs 1,500 to 3,000 per night. Better amenities, hot water, attached bathrooms, and valley views.
- Comfortable/luxury properties: Rs 3,500 and above. Options like Hotel Rollingrang in Kalpa or Apple Pie in Sangla offer good comfort.
- PWD Rest Houses: Economical and comfortable, available at multiple locations in Kinnaur. You need advance booking and occasionally face the risk of being bumped for VIP visits. Refer to how to book HP PWD Rest Houses for the process.
- Zostel Chitkul: Dorm beds start from Rs 500 to 600 per night, private rooms from Rs 1,500 to 1,900.
Most hotels remain closed during peak winters (January to March), especially in Chitkul. In summer season, I recommend booking at least a week in advance, particularly for Kalpa and Chitkul, as options are limited and fill up fast.
For detailed hotel recommendations and reviews, read: Good hotels and accommodation in Kinnaur and Spiti Valley.
What are the Top Places to Visit in Kinnaur Valley?
Once you enter the gates of Kinnaur Valley, the towering mountains, deep gorges, and narrow roads set the tone for the entire trip. Every major stop in Kinnaur is closer to raw nature than to commercialized tourist towns. Here are the must-visit places.
Sangla Valley (Baspa Valley)
About 16 km from the Karcham junction on NH-05, Sangla Valley (also known as Baspa Valley) is one of the most beautiful valleys in Kinnaur. The valley is surrounded by thick forest slopes, and the views of snow-capped mountains from Sangla village are gorgeous. The meadows near Rakcham village have become popular for film shoots and advertisements too.
Things to do in Sangla: walk through apple orchards, visit Kamru Fort (a 1000-year-old fort about 2-3 km from Sangla), hike to the Glacier Point (easy 3-4 hour hike for some snow play), walk the 12 km trail from Batseri village to Sangla through dense cedar forests, and visit the Trout Fishery Farm on the other side of Baspa River.
Read the complete detailed travel guide of Sangla Valley for more.
Chitkul Village
About 28 km from Sangla at 11,319 ft, Chitkul sits on the banks of the Baspa River and is the last inhabited village in India before the Indo-Tibetan border on this route. The ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) has a checkpost here. Chitkul is famous for its magical beauty, its potatoes (Kinnaur potatoes are among the most expensive in the world), and the “Last Indian Dhaba” which is a must-visit.
The village closes during peak winters and the road usually remains blocked from mid-December to March. Do not miss the Mathi Devi Temple, which is over 500 years old.
Read the complete detailed travel guide of Chitkul Village for more.
Kalpa
Kalpa is one of the best places to see sunrise and sunset in the Himalayas, with the Kinner Kailash range right in front of you. The village is about 7 km from Reckong Peo (the district headquarters) and sits at 9,711 ft. I never thought it would be as beautiful as what I witnessed after reaching this place. The views of Kinner Kailash from almost any hotel in Kalpa would leave you speechless.
Things to do in Kalpa: watch sunrise/sunset over Kinner Kailash, visit Sapni Fort, walk to Chaka Meadows (easy hike), explore the old Kalpa village with its traditional wood-and-stone architecture, and simply sit and absorb the views.
Read the complete detailed travel guide of Kalpa for more.
Roghi Village
About 8 km from Kalpa, Roghi is known for its traditional Kinnauri lifestyle surrounded by apple orchards. It is a wonderful short hike or drive from Kalpa. The road to Roghi is narrow and runs along a cliff, so drive carefully. The villagers have great knowledge of the region’s flora and fauna. You will feel like you have stepped back in time if you spend an hour or two here.
Kothi Village
Just 3 km from Reckong Peo, Kothi has the Chandika Devi Temple with unusual architectural style and fine sculpture set against a mountain backdrop.
Sarahan
Though technically at the gateway to Kinnaur (17 km detour from Jeori on NH-05), Sarahan is home to the famous Bhimakali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. There is no entry fee, and the temple is open 6 AM to 8 PM. The Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary is just 4 km away. I recommend spending a night here as your first or last stop on the Kinnaur circuit.
Read the complete detailed travel guide of Sarahan for more.
How Much Does a Kinnaur Valley Trip Cost?
The cost of a Kinnaur Valley trip depends on your travel style. Here is a rough breakdown for a 7 to 8 day trip in 2026:
- Budget traveler (public transport + homestays): Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per person for the entire trip. Daily costs work out to Rs 1,500 to 2,000 including food, stay, and transport.
- Mid-range (own car/taxi + hotels): Rs 25,000 to 40,000 per person. Fuel costs roughly Rs 4,000 to 5,000 for the entire trip if self-driving.
- Comfortable (taxi + good hotels): Rs 40,000 to 60,000 per person with mid-range to premium stays.
Meals at dhabas and local restaurants cost about Rs 150 to 300 per meal. Hotel meals can run Rs 300 to 600 per meal.
For a detailed cost breakdown with exact numbers, read: How to calculate cost or budget for Kinnaur Valley trip.
What About Permits for Kinnaur Valley?
Good news: Indian nationals do not need any permit to visit the main tourist destinations in Kinnaur Valley, including Kalpa, Sangla, Chitkul, and Sarahan. These places lie below the Inner Line in Himachal Pradesh. Just carry a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, driving license, or passport) with you at all times.
If you plan to travel beyond the main tourist areas toward the Indo-Tibetan border (like beyond Chitkul or toward Pooh/Spiti), there is a police checkpost at Jangi where you need to register with your ID proof, vehicle registration certificate, and driving license. For more on permits in the wider region, read the Inner Line Permits for Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti Valley guide.
Foreign nationals may need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for certain protected areas near the border. Check with the SDM office at Reckong Peo for the latest requirements.
Where to Eat in Kinnaur Valley?
Most of the time you will be eating at your hotel, camp, guesthouse, or homestay. Many homestays in Kinnaur offer home-cooked meals (dal, rice, sabzi, chapati) which are both affordable and delicious. On the highway between Shimla and Kalpa, there are several dhabas serving good food.
Do not forget the famous “Last Indian Dhaba” in Chitkul. It has become quite a tourist attraction in itself. The Rajma Chawal at the dhaba near the Jeori/Sarahan diversion (mentioned earlier) is also a must-try. Trout fish is a local specialty in the Baspa Valley area. If you can get fresh trout, barbecue it over a campfire in the evening for an unforgettable meal 🙂
You should always carry your water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂
What About Phone Connectivity and Mobile Network?
Mobile connectivity in Kinnaur Valley has improved over the years but is still limited in some areas. Here is the current situation as of 2025-2026:
- Reckong Peo and Kalpa: Airtel, Jio, and BSNL all work here. 4G is available on Airtel and Jio. This is the most connected area in Kinnaur.
- Sangla Valley: Airtel and BSNL work. Jio coverage is patchy. 4G available on Airtel.
- Chitkul: Only BSNL works reliably (intermittent voice/SMS). Private networks are mostly dead here. Do not rely on data connectivity in Chitkul.
- Upper Kinnaur (Nako, Pooh, Spillow onwards): BSNL is the only option. Airtel connectivity drops off after Spillow (just beyond Reckong Peo).
My recommendation: carry a BSNL postpaid connection as backup if you need to stay connected throughout the trip. Postpaid connections from outside Himachal work better than prepaid in these regions. Also, make sure to download offline maps before you leave as data connectivity is unreliable in many parts.
Where are the Nearest Petrol Pumps and ATMs?
Petrol pumps and ATMs are limited in Kinnaur, so plan ahead:
Petrol Pumps
- Tapri: The most reliable fuel stop before entering deeper into Kinnaur. Confirmed functional as of 2025.
- Reckong Peo: About 10 km from Kalpa. This is the last reliable petrol pump before Spiti if you are continuing further.
- Rampur: A petrol pump on the right side while coming from Shimla. Good quality fuel.
- Narkanda: A good option to top up before entering Kinnaur territory.
The best strategy is to top up your fuel tank at Narkanda or Rampur. If you are heading to Spiti after Kinnaur, fill up at Reckong Peo as there is no fuel station until Kaza.
ATMs
There is an ATM in Sangla and reliable ATMs at Reckong Peo (about 8 km from Kalpa, 38 km from Sangla). There is no ATM at Chitkul. Whenever I travel to such remote villages, I always carry enough cash for emergencies. Do not rely on cards alone. I recommend carrying at least Rs 5,000 to 8,000 in cash per person beyond what you plan to spend.
Do You Need Medical Facilities in Kinnaur Valley?
There is a district hospital at Reckong Peo, the administrative headquarters of Kinnaur. Sangla also has a local hospital. For anything major, the next reliable medical facility is in Shimla. Carry a basic first-aid kit, any prescription medicines you need, and medicines for common mountain ailments like headache, nausea, and stomach issues. Also carry Diamox if you are prone to altitude sickness, though you should consult your doctor before taking it.
What Should You Know About Camping in Kinnaur?
Kinnaur offers some beautiful camping spots, especially near Sangla, Rakcham meadows, and along the Baspa River. If you are the camping type, you can either carry your own tent or book through organized camping setups that operate during summer season (May to October). Basic camping setups in the valley cost about Rs 1,000 to 2,500 per person per night including meals.
For detailed camping tips and site recommendations, read: Tips for camping in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.
Can You Combine Kinnaur with Spiti Valley?
Absolutely, and I highly recommend it if you have the time. The classic Kinnaur-Spiti circuit is one of the best road trips in India. You enter from Shimla side, explore Kinnaur (Sarahan, Kalpa, Sangla, Chitkul), continue on NH-05 through Nako and Tabo to Kaza in Spiti, explore Spiti Valley, and then exit via Kunzum Pass and the Atal Tunnel to Manali.
This circuit requires at least 12 to 14 days and is best done between June and October when both the Kinnaur route and the Kunzum Pass route are open. You can also enter from Manali side and exit via Kinnaur to Shimla.
For planning this combined trip, these guides will help:
- Spiti Valley via Kinnaur: how to plan your journey
- Best time to visit Spiti Valley
- Nako Village travel guide (key stop between Kinnaur and Spiti)
Conclusion
Kinnaur Valley is one of those places in Himachal Pradesh where you get to experience raw, untouched nature in its purest form. It is perfect for a family vacation, a romantic getaway (it also works beautifully as a honeymoon destination in Himachal), or a solo adventure. The apple orchards, the Kinner Kailash views, the adventurous roads, and the warmth of the local people make Kinnaur a place that stays with you long after you leave.
For more tips on visiting Kinnaur in winters or calculating your budget, check out those dedicated articles as well.
Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions about traveling to the Himalayas.
If you have been to Kinnaur Valley, feel free to share your thoughts and any additional information that might help fellow travelers plan better. And if your friends or family are planning a road trip to Kinnaur, do share this guide with them. Happy travels, my friend 🙂
Last Updated: February 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinnaur Valley safe for families with children?
Yes, Kinnaur is quite safe for families. The main destinations like Kalpa, Sangla, and Sarahan are well-connected and have decent accommodation. Keep in mind that the roads can be rough in some sections, and altitude might affect very young children at Chitkul (11,319 ft). I would recommend skipping Chitkul for families with toddlers and sticking to Kalpa and Sangla, which are at comfortable altitudes.
Do Indian tourists need a permit for Kinnaur Valley?
No. Indian nationals do not need any permit to visit Kalpa, Sangla, Chitkul, or Sarahan. Just carry a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, driving license, or passport). If traveling beyond the main tourist areas toward the border, you may need to register at the Jangi police checkpost.
How many days are enough for Kinnaur Valley?
A minimum of 5 days is needed to cover the main highlights (Kalpa, Sangla, Chitkul) if you are in a hurry. I recommend 7 to 8 days for a relaxed trip that includes Sarahan. If combining with Spiti, plan for 12 to 14 days.
Which is better, Kinnaur or Spiti Valley?
They are very different experiences. Kinnaur has lush green valleys, thick forests, apple orchards, and moderate altitudes. Spiti is a cold desert with barren landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, and extreme altitudes. Kinnaur is more accessible and suitable for families and first-time Himalayan travelers. Spiti requires more preparation and is better for adventure seekers. If you have the time, do both.
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Is there snowfall in Kinnaur in April?
Yes, it is possible. Kinnaur can surprise you with snowfall even in April, especially at higher altitudes like Kalpa and Chitkul. I have personally witnessed snowfall in Kalpa in April. Always carry warm layers regardless of the month you visit.
Can I visit Kinnaur Valley by bike or motorcycle?
Absolutely. The Kinnaur circuit is popular among motorcycle riders. The roads from Shimla to Kinnaur are mostly paved (NH-05), with some rough patches in the interior. A Royal Enfield or any 150cc+ bike handles the route well. Carry rain gear, basic tools, and extra fuel capacity if you plan to continue to Spiti from Kinnaur.
What mobile network works best in Kinnaur Valley?
Airtel and BSNL have the widest coverage in lower Kinnaur (Kalpa, Sangla, Reckong Peo). For Chitkul and beyond, only BSNL works. Jio is available in Reckong Peo and Kalpa but patchy elsewhere. Carry a BSNL postpaid connection as backup for reliable coverage throughout the trip.
Is the road from Shimla to Kinnaur safe?
The road (NH-05, Hindustan Tibet Highway) is generally safe during dry months (April to June, September to November). It becomes risky during monsoon (July to August) due to landslides and road closures. Always check road conditions before starting. Drive carefully on the narrow stretches after Rampur, where the road hugs the Sutlej gorge with steep drops. According to BRO and HPPWD, major resurfacing work has improved conditions on several stretches in recent years.
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Thanks Dheeraj. I think your modified version is probably ideal as it includes all places that we want to visit. Only query is whether it would be too hectic or is it doable comfortably.
Mayoor, I believe with amount of days in hand this is the optimum comfort you can achieve. It is more or less comfortable I will say with no day going beyond more than 5-6 Hrs of drive.
Thanks Dheeraj. You are a great help. Your blog is awesome. Keep up the good work. Your journeys inspires people like us to explore these secluded places.
Mayoor, Best wishes for the trip and if in case you happen to be happy to spread smiles, please execute our initiatives of DoW Causes on your own when you travel there, in order to help the local community up there in remote Himalayas. You can check more details about them at: DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel and can execute them on your own.
Dear Dhiraj
We are planning to visit Shimla & Kinnaur valley in the month of May from 6th May to 12th May. We are a family of four & we would be leaving from Mumbai on 5th May by air & reach Chandigarh where we plan to stay overnight. The next day we plan to start our tour. Can you please suggest an itinerary for the tour which will cover Shimla, Kufri, Fagu, Narkanda, Sarahan, Sangla valley & back to Chandigarh by 12th May to catch flight back to Mumbai.
Also, at which places would be find decent accomadation to spend the night. We are Vegetarians. Would finding good vegetarian food be a problem there. If so, we would then carry some food with us. Also can we do the journey by means of a rented Sedan Car or would we require a SUV.
Thanks in advance.
Mayoor
Hi Mayoor,
6th | Chandigarh – Shimla – Narkanda via Kufri
7th | Narkanda – Sangla Valley
8th | Sangla Valley – Chitkul / Sangla
9th | Sangla – Kalpa
10th | Kalpa – Sarahan
11th | Sarahan – Shimla / Solan / Barog / Chandigarh, where ever you prefer.
12th | Back Home from Chandigarh
You can get connected directly to some drivers in Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley. These drivers can come and pick you up from Manali & Shimla too.
The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3000-3500 per day depending upon the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price.
Otherwise, taxis in general are also available on the spot from Shimla or Manali from respective taxi stands
Dear Dheeraj
Thanks for your kind advice. I tried charting an itinerary which includes Nako lake. Please give me your advice as to to whether it is feasible or would it be too tiring..
6 th may….chandigarh to shimla to kufri to narkanda
7th may…..narkanda to sarahan
8 th may….sarahan to sangla
9th may…..sangla to chitkul to kalpa
10th may…kalpa..nako..kalpa
11th may…kalpa to narkanda or fagu
12 th may..return to chandigarh by 2 pm
Also does altitude sickness play a role here and do we need acclimatisation?
Pl suggest good hotels at above places and whether sedan would be okay or suv is required.
Thanks a lot
Dear Dheeraj,
I plan to visit Spiti valley some time in the future but maybe via the Kunzum pass. Will I be able to visit Nako lake along with Spiti valley or it would be better to club it with kinnaur. Pl advice.
Mayoor, are you planning Kinnaur or Spiti? The number of days in hand is not sufficient for Spiti as I replied to other comment. Best is to keep Kinnaur this time or extend the days further. Nako comes while going from Shimla – Kinnaur side BUT not from Kunzum Pass side in case you plan to return from Manali side only.
Hi Mayur,
Here is a little modified version:
6 th may… Chandigarh to Shimla to Kufri to Narkanda
7th may…. Narkanda to Kalpa
8 th may… Kalpa to nako to kalpa
9th may… Kalpa to Sangla or Chitkul
10th may… Sangla or Chitkul – Sarahan
11th may… Sarahan to narkanda to Fagu or Shimla or Shogi
12 th may return to chandigarh by 2 pm
This will help you in acclimatization as well and you need not worry much about it.
Regarding hotels, check: Good Hotels or Accommodation options in Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley
You can take the sedan too but it will get a bit lashing on the roads to Kinnaur. So, if you have any option of SUV take that only.
Regards
Dheeraj
Dear Dheeraj,
We four (aged around 30) are planning for a trip to kinnaur-kalpa-sangla for 5nights/6days(exclude train journey) in march end or april first. may we get snow at that time? we will start from kolkata, west bengal. what will be the best way to go there. we actually looking for some relaxing holidays with snows. if it lonely place we will be more happier. you can suggest some other place too, which can accessible from AMBALA. As it will better for us to make our journey to and fro from AMBALA cantt. Kindly remember we will catch return train at 10.15a.m. at Ambala cantt. on saturday.
Hello Aritra,
At that time of the year, you will get snow towards Chitkul from Sangla. Best is that you reach Ambala or Chandigarh and then take a bus to Shimla. From there you can hire taxi for Kinnaur Valley trip for next 5 days. Shimla to Sangla and rest up there for couple of days. Visit Chitkul and do the day visit to Kalpa or may be stay at Kalpa itself.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hii Dheeraj
followed ur suggestions and comments regarding the tour for kinnaur ,kalpa and associated places.Bro i m planning for my honeymoon to manali, kinnaur ,kalpa and sangla in mid february 2015. we will be 4 adults(2 couples) and we will have 7 days and 6 nights.But the problem is i cannot make out which places to visit and which places to exclude during this period.so request ur help for a tour itinery and vehicle arrangement.will book hotels after receiving ur schedule .pls help to make the honeymoon memorable
Biswarup, I will suggest to stick to either region towards Manali only OR you explore the Kinnaur Valley. Please keep in mind that Kinnaur Valley will be quite cold during the month of February and there will be tons of snow presence around.
Hi, Me n my wife r planning a trip to kalpa sangla kinnaur valley next february end, from 27th Feb for 4-5 days. Will it be wise to go there in that time?
Abhishek, it will be loaded under snow during that period of time. in case, you are fine with the cold conditions, you will have an amazing experience.
Thanks for the reply. I’m more concerned with road blockage than cold condition. Will it be safe ? Also,
1. can u kindly give an itinerary for a 5-6 day trip from Delhi ? I’m not considering Chitkul as it might be risky.
2. Is it fine to avail public transport ? (HPTDC bus)
Abhishek, road can be blocked for couple of days in case it snows during that time when you are there but it is a temporary period only. Chitkul will be closed and I doubt even Rakcham will be accessible during that time. So, Kalpa and Sangla are the only options.
There is no HPTDC bus that goes over there rather standard HRTC buses run from Shimla to Reckong Peo and a semi deluxe bus runs from Chandigarh to Reckong Peo.
Dear Sir,
I am planning to go to Shimla – Kalpa – Shimla from 26 – 28 Dec 2014. My kid wants to play with snow. Where can I take him for that. I am traveling all the way from Bangladesh only for this.
Pl suggest/advise me.
First of all you do not have sufficient time to go to Kalpa with kid or family and that too in December end. I will not suggest you this short trip to Kalpa. Regarding snow, you can check with few hotels at the places listed in the articles: Snowfall Near Delhi – 5 Places to Visit in Uttarakhand
AND
Snowfall Near Delhi | 7 Places to Visit in Himachal
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot. This is very helpful indeed.
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks again for these exciting and informative articles.
Pabbar Valley (Kharapathar – Shelapani – Rohru – Chanshal) is my choice so far. I shall start from Chandigarh. Where exactly should I base and visit others? I don’t plan many activities. Just my kid playing on snow and we watching. Can I go direct from Chandigarh to there! I need to stay at Shimla at least one day during coming back. I have to take Kalka express on 29th (23:50hrs).
Regards.
Aniruddha, you should base at Shelapani and visit other places I will suggest. You can reach Shelapani directly from Chandigarh.
Dear Dheeraj,
We are starting on 19th from Bangladesh. We are 5 adults and a kid. Luggage will be usual. Can you suggest me type of vehicle? If you have any recommendation for a rent a car service or a specific driver, I will be oblized. I want to hire a vehicle from Chandigarh to Shilapani to Shimla to Kalka (25th to 29th Dec). I want the vehicle to be with us for whole journey. Thanks for all your advices.
Regards
Aniruddha
You can get connected directly to some drivers in Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley. These drivers can come and pick you up from Shimla too.
Get in touch with Shimla based driver. Vinkle OR Deepak are great souls and even Dilip.
The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3000-3500 per day depending upon the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price.
Otherwise, taxis in general are also available on the spot from Shimla taxi stands
Hi Dheeraj,
First off hats off to you for your efforts to share your knowledge of adventure travels and letting the world see what we are missing. I am planning to travel to Sangla Valley as solo in the last week of December. I contacted most of the hotels and got negative response. Please help me plan out my accommodation and vehicle from Delhi itself. It will be great if I can find a travel companion thru your website. Also lets know what to expect in Sangla at this time of the year. My quest is to find snow and see how people manage live when they are cut off from rest of the world in winters. I want to witness how people of these region spent time and how their place looks when there are no tourist.
Ishtiaque, though it will be really cold up there with most hotels closed and some guest houses/home stays running up there in Sangla but if that is fine you can make a trip. Go preapred with heavy woolens and a good sleeping bag to withstand about 0 degrees at least if not -5 degree C.
If we do not got hotel to stay at that time, then is it possible to stay in car itself in night with having clothes and all.
Gaurav, you will surely get the place to stay in the form of home stay or guest house for sure and lately some hotels also keep running in winters. So, that is not an issue. But have good sleeping bags with you, they will be very handy. Sleeping in car would be challenge in cold conditions.
hi Dheeraj,
we are planning to go Kinnaur trip on 20th March..we will go from Kolkata..Do you let me know the best route we ca reach there??Is the right time to visit these places with family??please guide me…and please suggest me which places we will stay???
Ritika, route is explained in the article above and March will be fine to travel to Kinnaur though roads might not be that good during that time. However, plenty of snow to play with and weather will be pleasant too.
Thx for writeing, however need to know what time will be best to visit kalpa/sangla/sharanpur/khajjiar. we will be around 10 peoples & two are above 60 yrs. Kindly guide us
Ritika, April – May is good time to visit Kinaur Valley apart from September – October.
Dear Dheeraj,
I am planing a trip during Dec 26 – Jan 1st, 7 Day trip per following itenerary Shimla-Sarahan-Sangla- Chitkul-Kalpa-Narkanda-Shimla. Will the roads be accessible and hotels available during this time of the winter. Please suggest.
Raushan, hotels will be open in Kalpa and Sangla too. However, roads does remain open up to Kalpa and Sangla but it all depends if there is heavy snowfall or not in those days. In case it is, the road may close for a day or two temporarily.
Dear Dheeraj,
we are planing to visit kinnaur trip on 20th march from kolkata..could you please suggest me this route and which is the best places we are stay???& could u please help us which is the best places we can visit on kinnaur trip????
Ritika, how many days are you planning the Kinnaur Valley trip? Did you read the above comprehensive Travel Guide which details out the places to visit up there and also the entire route. If you can tell me the number of days in hand, I will be able to suggest the plan accordingly.
Thanks Dheeraj. The info is helpful. Can you please share of hotels that can be availed during this time of the year for this circuit.
Raushan, check the list at: Good Hotels or Accommodation options in Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley
Dear Raushan,
I too have a similar plan like yours and I am a solo traveler. Can I join you as this is my first trip in Himachal and I work in Kuwait so feels it will be better to have company.
Dear Ishtiaque , Thanks for the request. Actually I will be on my honeymoon trip with my wife so it will be difficult. Hope you understand.
Sir, I wish to visit KALPA/SANGLA in the month February’15. As my HONEYMOON TRIP. Is it possible to go KALPA & RAKCHAM (Near SANGLA) at that time FEBRUARY’15?
My tour plan is:
11/2/15: arriving KALKA,then by train SHIMLA,
12/2/15: Shimla to Kalpa,
13/2/15: Kalpa
14/2/15: Kalpa to Sangla to Rakcham,
15/2/15: Rakcham
16/2/15: Rakcham to Sangla to Manali
17/2/15: Manali
18/2/15: Manali to Delhi(by evening bus)
19/2/15: arriving Delhi….
what do you suggest?
Rakcham might not be reachable though Kalpa and Sangla remains reachable all round the year barring few days of heavy snowfall. In case it snows during that time the roads might close for a day or two temporarily.
Dear Dheeraj,
You have a wonderful blog 🙂
We are planning our trip from Delhi to Kinnaur from 18-Dec to 23-Dec.Could you please suggest us for the below:
1) Are the weather conditions be bearable ?
2) We will not be hiring a taxi from Delhi and have palns to get a local taxi in Kinnaur only. Would that be available?
3) Could you please tell us the places in Kalpa, Sangla and Chiitkul, which can be covered in 4 to 5 days Stay.
4) Please suggest govt. or private comfortable accommodation to stay.
5) Any other things to be taken care of?
Hello Nidhi,
Thanks. Regarding queries:
1. It will be quite cold, so be preapred for it.
2. Kinnaur Taxi? How will you reach there? You may need to get at least from Shimla. You can get connected directly to some drivers in Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley. These drivers can come and pick you up from Manali & Shimla too.
The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3000-3500 per day depending upon the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price.
Otherwise, taxis in general are also available on the spot from Shimla or Manali from respective taxi stands
3. Please refer Travel Guide article above.
4. Check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley
Hey Dheeraj
We are planning a similar trip from 26th Dec to 4th Jan. Have a few queries if you can please help
1. we are planning to take public transport, are there state transport buses available and will that be a good idea?
2. How are the weather conditions? Does it start snowing in Dec end?
Thanks,
Kushani
1. It all depends if it snows or not during that period. However, you should be able to find public transport for these places any how. In case it snows heavily during these days, the road closes for a day or two temporarily sometimes for safety of the vehicles.
I want to visit Kinnaur(Sarahan,Sangla,Kalpa and Nako) between February and April.Could you please suggest the best time to visit Kinnaur in this period?
Poulomi, the time window which you have picked, will be extreme winters up there in Kinnaur with road only upto Sangla be open and Chitkul / Rakcham will be out of reach due to snow. Secondly, most hotels up there will be closed and few will be running as water in the pipes tend to freeze. You passage will be dependent upon snowfall even through Narkanda types and hence, if you really want to make it I feel March will be better time as it is just about the time when snowfall in not extreme, but all depends on luck still and road are mostly open though in bad state. In april, though the roads are open but it is usually the time of landslides and snow slides as snow meltin starts up there causing avalanches and landslides in Kinnaur region.
Thank u Dheeraj for the information. Could you please tell me about the road conditions in late April/Early May? Also will the region be landslide prone in in late April/Early May?
Early May, much of the major snow slides are settled and is a bit safe to travel as compared to April.
My mom is asthma patient..is it okay for her to go to chitkul valley without oxygen cylinder?
chandrima, yes, should be fine. do consult the doctor too anyhow and carry couple of inhalers and keep them handy as we as a backup too. In anycase, you will be staying at Sangla so, day trip to Chitkul should not be much issue.
thank u dheeraj for ur co-operation but no the trip is not a day-trip they will stay there at night also..is night stay will be problematic..
Hmm, sometimes at night people face issues at Chitkul. Hence, I was suggesting to avoid the night stay as our body respiratory system is weakest when we sleep, as per my knowledge. Hence, consult a doctor for sure before deciding on it.
Hi we are planning to visit chitkul on 22nd oct from chd..and then proceed to tabo then kaza , kunzum, rohtang.. manali .. chd.. the question is how many days should i ideally keep aside.. and is passing kunzum and rohtang doable at that time of the year
Munish, I will not recommend to travel from Kaza – Kunzum Pass – Manali route that late in October. It will not be safe to travel. You need to come from Kinnaur only.
thanks Dheeraj,
I am now planning to go uptill kaza on 20th and then asses from there weather to go forward or return to shimla.. is it fine till kaza? Is it easy to get accommodation at this time of the year
Munish, yeah, upto Kaza it should be fine. Winters have set in up there, so carry enough woolens with you. Yes, you will be able to get accommodation easily up there in Spiti Valley.
My trip plan is as follows
Vehicle :Duster
Me and my wife
My intinary
Delhi to Shimla 2nd Oct
Shimla to sangla 3rd Oct
4 and 5 visit kalpa, rekong, chitkul etc
5th back to Chandigarh
6th back to Delhi
Itinary might change as per need
You must be enjoying your trip to Kinnaur Valley now, have fun.
Hi Dheeraj,
i am leaving for sangla this week on wednesday, would be staying in chandigarh on wed night and start on Thursday morning for sangla.
Intend to reach there on the same day itself.
Few things i wanna know since you were there last week as per your post
1. Road conditions
2. Would a sedan be OK to go there, got a skoda rapid
3. intend to leave chandigarh at 5 AM and reach sangla by 4 PM max.
Any special advises from your end would be welcome.
1. Road conditions at present were the best I have ever seen in Kinnaur but that does not mean they are not bad 🙂
2. Yes, Sedan can do it now a days. Drive with caution and care though.
3. It will take about 12+ Hrs to reach Sangla from Chandigarh.
Hello Guyz,
I am planning to visit kinnaur in october month. I want to cover Sangla valley, Spiti Valley & nearby Places.
1. Can you suggest a travel agent.
2. For how many days its better.
3. will i get snow over there
4. I have 1 year baby can i take him
Naveen, Spiti Valley is quite far from Kinnaur Valley and October is not a good time to visit Spiti. Stick to Kinnaur and follow the itinerary as suggested above in the article.
Hi Deeraj,
me and my husband have planned a trip to kinnaur. please guide us through our sangla/kalpa trip planned in september.
27th sep – reaching kalka in noon and heading for narkanda for a night stay (where should we stay?)
28th sep/ 29th sep – starting for sangla and halt for 2 nights to visit chitkul/rachkam (shud we stay at chitkul or sangla and which hotel is recommended?)
30th sep/1st oct – start for kapla and halt for 2 nights to enjoy reckong peo, roghni village and kapla (shud we stay at kapla or reckong peo? and which hotel)
2nd oct – start for shimla from kalpa (how many hours will it take ) will stay at shimla and move to kalka on 3rd oct as i have a train to catch from kalka on 3rd evening.
Richa, following are my advices:
You can stay at Narkanda – HPTDC Hatu. Better to stay somewhere at Rakcham first night to see cold conditions and then plan to stay night at Chitkul, Panchali Guest House is nice choice. I will suggest that you stay at Kalpa only. Reckong Peo is a town. Also, stay just one night in Kalpa and next day move to Sarahan from Kalpa to make it less hectic on last day and also explore the calmness of Sarahan 🙂
Hi there, I am planning a trip to kalpa and sangla from chandigarh in this last week of sept. … I just wanted some info…. till what point can I go by my own car??? I mean…. pakki sadak kahan tak hai??? or I should hire I taxi from rampur or sarahan? ?
Rajwinder ji, you can do Kinnaur with your car if you have experience of driving in hills and OK with careful/cautious driving. If it rains you can actually hire a taxi but for complete peace of mind and if you are not too much into travel or driving in hills, better take taxi from Rampur or Sarahan.
Hi Dheeraj,
Firstly, I must say that you are doing a great job by assisting so many people with their travel plans to Kinnaur. Kudos to you!
I am planning for a week long family vacation in Kinnaur this Diwali (4th week of October) and would like to solicit your expert advise for the same. I will be travelling with my 1 year old child. So will this be a good time to travel considering it should be the start of winters. Also we would be starting our journey from Chandigarh around noon. Do you suggest a night halt on the way?
Yogesh, I think I replied to your query in some other post, if not please let me know. Sorry for the delayed reply but I was away on DoW Mega Meet in Spiti Valley for last 10 days
Dear Dheeraj,
I would like to visit Narkanda/Rampur/Sarahan/Sangla/Chitkul/Peo/Kalpa in Mid December. Do i cover these places in mid December by self drive Alto 800, If not all then on which place I can stuck last according to you. I mean to say may I reach Sarahan/Sangla/Kalpa or even less. Thanks Gaurav
tell me road and weather condition as possible. Cold and Clothes I can manage.
dheeraj you forget to reply me dear
Gaurav, as I was away for the last 10 days in Spiti Valley, I am trying my best to complete all the 500+ pending comments to be replied by today 🙂 … I am sure you will get the reply today as I reach your comments sorted by date and time in descending order 🙂
Roads should be OK in conditions as compared to rest of the season. For sure you need to carry warm clothes with you.
Gaurav, yes for sure you will be able to cover these places in Alto. We just completed the entire circuit of Kinnaur – Spiti with an Alto too. You need to be very careful in driving in these terrains anyhow.
In which place among Narkanda/Rampur/Sarahan/Sangla/Chitkul/Peo/Kalpa I got snow in from mid novmber to mid december, if i would like to take driver from narkanda is driver available for small car alto for 2-3 days, thanks
Gaurav, only towards Chitkul from Sangla you will be able to get some snow in November to December period. At all other places, highly unlikely. Small car should be fine but the issue will be ice on the roads especially in Kinnaur towards Chitkul / Rakcham where you have to be very very careful as it tends to skid the vehicle.
Hi dheeeaj….i jus wana to ask me n my frnds plnaning to visit kinnaur in coming october n in frst week of october ..can we get snow there ..if not den where we can get snow in frst week of october
Divya, snow will not be possible in first week of October unless it snows that very lucky day for you 🙂
Hi Dheeraj,
IS is feasible to visti sarahan in first week of october, how abt th read conditions as I came to know that roads in Manali circuit are not good to go at the moment.Also is there any route which connects to Chakrata to Sarahan and what is road conditions,Is is good to go via simla to sarahan and Sangla in month of 1st week of Oct 2014(As there is rain in some parts of himalaya) Also will be able to see snow on peaks on any of the place.
Kapil, I think we discussed about your query in other thread. Lemme know in case you have any queries.
Hi Dheeraj,
I am confused between munsiyari and Kinnur vally visit in first week of october.I want to see snow peaks, which direction should be good in first week of october, what abt road conditions, basically we will be on road trip , please suggest best place
Try Munsiyari in that case, you can be able to see snow over the peak in that region. Kinnaur is all gone for snow and only tips had the snow last week when I was there. Road conditions to Munsiyari will anyday be better from Kinnaur Valley roads.
Hi, I am planning for Himachal in december 1st week and i am willing to visit to Kalpa side of Himachal, as Manali and those areas are common but still interesting…however i read lots of review about kalpa and nearest places around kalpa, my planning is scheduled to be on December first week, could you please suggest if this is good time and we will enjoy at that time?
i will be coming from Delhi to Shimla and will take 1 day halt at Shimla then will move to KALPA for 3 days.
Questions for you – 1- is this good time?
2- is cab available from Shimla to kalpa and return?
3 – what are nearest best areas to visit in 3 days?
4-which are best hotels (GOVT and private) in kalpa or near it? tarrif?
5- this will be our honeymoon, so is this my good decision to go there?
appreciate your help on this, Thanks.
Hi Kuldeep,
1. It will be very very cold up there at Kalpa but possible to visit if you can survive cold. Stay at a good hotel with heating facility.
2. Yes, taxis are available from Shimla
3. Try to visit Sangla as day visit from Kalpa. Hang around at Kalpa for a day and while coming back stay at Sarahan.
4. Try out Kinner Villa, listed above or Grand Shangrila. They are a bit costly but very nice. Ask Prithvi Negi at Grand Shangrila and you can refer DoW or my name as he knows me well as DoW.
5. Should be good just carry enough woolens.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thanks for your detailed advise, yes i heard about kalpa that it will be very cold at that time or may be closed for winter, however i am having second thought for going to manali and shimla for my honeymoon as it will be my first and i don’t want to spoil it, i can go some other time in may or june to kalpa.
anything you can sugggest on Manali and Shimla, like hotel rates and which one is best, also what are the cab rates from shimla to manali? my budget for hotel is upto 3K as i have to go for local sight seeing also, so there will be cab charges as well, can you suggest me what will be charges by CAB services there to roam around shimla for 2 days and in manali for 3 days? hope to hear from you soon, thanks in advance.
Kuldeep, best is to get to Manali and get a package of Honeymoon from Johnsons Lodge, stay a day at Naggar Castle too and that should be it. You will enjoy it to the core.
Hi,
Planning to visit Kinnaur Kalpa Sangla and Chitkul during the christmas vacation. Please help me know if it is the right time to visit. Also please let me know about the weather and road condition at that time. Thanks in advance.
It will be extreme winters with Sangla and Chitkul closed and most hotels will be closed too in Sangla. Water freezes in pipes and hence they close the hotels. Those open might not have running water washrooms. Hence, not really an idea time to visit Kinnaur Valley unless you are very adventurous.
We are planning a bike trip to Kinnaur during August 15-18. How favorable is the climate and route during this time of the year?
Adhip, Kinnaur is a not a good place to be in monsoons and if it will be raining then it will be quite difficult with such bad roads and chances of landslides are very common.
Hello Dheeraj,
Thank you for sharing such useful information but unfortunately we have made bookings at reckong peo. We are traveling between aug 14-18 this weekend in Honda Jazz (petrol) with 5 people. Please advise what needs to be taken care of in the road trip.
Abhishek, pray for good, dry weather and take care. Drive with caution and care !! Still, not convinced it is a good idea to travel but if you are adventurous enough, can’t say more. I wish luck and pray for dry weather all these days 🙂
we are planing to visit shimla in first week of december.After reading your blog,we feel to visit kalpa, kinnaur etc.1st or 2nd week of december is right time to visit?
Rahul, it will be quite cold during that period. If you can bear the cold then it is fine to visit Kinnaur Valley during that period
Hi Dhiraj,
Your informations on the Kinner-Kailash trip is extremely helpful. I am planning to visit in the first week of October this year. Do you think we can find snow that time? Also, my grandmother is accompanying us. She is around 65. Are there any chances of breathing trouble at the higher spots like Chitkul?
Snow will be very very rare to find unless it snows in Chitkul on your luckiest day of travel there. Keep everyone well hydrated and it should be fine. You will anyways be making a day trip to Chitkul and hence, sleeping low at Sangla. So, there should not be much issues.
We (me with my wife) will reach Shimla on 2.10.2014 on our own and we
> want to start from *04.10.2014 (morning*).
>
>
> We want to stay at night at Sarahan (1 night), Kalpa (2 nights), Sangla (2
> nights), Tabo (1 night), Mud (one night), Kaza (2 nights), Losar (one
> night), Manali (2 nights) and proceed to Chandigarh.
>
>
> On the way, we want to visit Chitkul, Dhanker Monastery, Nako Lake, Giu
> village, Ki-Kibber-Langcha-Komic, Chandratal Lake etc. etc.
I am a senior Officer of West Bengal Govt. U may please join us at Shimla.
sir,I am planning to visit simla in oct14.I want to visit kalpa as well as Manali and Rotang pass with in 10 days.Is it possible?plz help me with a tour plan.
Chiranjib, if you are OK to take a risk of traveling from Kaza to Manali from Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass, it should be fine, else you should avoid it from Spiti Valley side. In that case, you can visit Kinnaur Valley and come from Jalori Pass to go to Manali and then visit Rohtang Pass but there will be no snow there, keep in mind.
We (me with my wife) will reach Shimla on 2.10.2014 on our own and we want to start from *04.10.2014 (morning*).
We want to stay at night at Sarahan (1 night), Kalpa (2 nights), Sangla (2 nights), Tabo (1 night), Mud (one night), Kaza (2 nights), Losar (one night), Manali (2 nights) and proceed to Chandigarh.
On the way, we want to visit Chitkul, Dhanker Monastery, Nako Lake, Giu
village, Ki-Kibber-Langcha-Komic, Chandratal Lake etc. etc.
I am a senior Officer of West Bengal Govt. U may please join us at Shimla.
Hii..
After reading your blogs and different suggestionss I have decided a tentative itinerary… please go through it and correct me whereever I am wrong… I have got some queries also-
Day 1: Chandigarh Airport (arrival @12.20pm) – Narkanda
Q1 – is it possible?? How long it will take??
Day 2: Narkanda – Kalpa
Q2 – how long it will take and any sightseeing in between??
Day 3: Kalpa
Q3 – any sightseeing??
Day 4: Kalpa – Nako – Nako Lake – Tabo
Q4 – the timing it can take??
Day 5: Tabo – Dhangkar – Dhangkar Lake – Pin Valley – Kaza
Day 6: Kaza – Ki, Kibber, Komik, Langza – Kaza
Q5 – if Geu mummy visit can be accommodated in beteen somewhere??
Day 7: Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Chitkul
Q6 – is it possible and how long it will take??
Day 8: Chitkul – Sarahan
Q7 – whether I should stay in Sangla or chitkul??
Day 9: Sarahan – Chandigarh airport to catch 5.45pm flight to Kolkata
Q8 – as we ll have to catch evening flight whether we will be able to reach by 3 pm from Sarahan or not??
Please I am eagerly waiting for your reply.. I need your help..
Hi Moumita,
Below are the replies to your queries:
Day 1: Chandigarh Airport (arrival @12.20pm) – Narkanda
Q1 – Possible, around 5-6 Hrs it will take.
Day 2: Narkanda – Kalpa
Q2 – It will take about 6 Hrs to reach Kalpa from Narkanda
Day 3: Kalpa
Q3 – Refer Kinnaur Valley Travel Guide | Kalpa, Sangla & Chitkul
Day 4: Kalpa – Nako – Nako Lake – Tabo
Q4 – About 6-7 Hrs it will take.
Day 5: Tabo – Dhangkar – Dhangkar Lake – Pin Valley – Kaza
Day 6: Kaza – Ki, Kibber, Komik, Langza – Kaza
Q5 – There is no Geyu here, it is about 2 Hours detour while coming to Tabo from Nako as soon as you cross Sumdo.
Day 7: Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Chitkul
Q6 – Possible but a bit long. About 9-10 Hrs drive. Leave Early.
Day 8: Chitkul – Sarahan
Q7 – Stay at some home stay guest house at Chitkul OR stay at Rakcham may be.
Day 9: Sarahan – Chandigarh airport to catch 5.45pm flight to Kolkata
Q8 – It will take about 9 Hrs to reach Chandigarh from Sarahan. So, leave accordingly.
Regards
Dheeraj
We will start our journey from Shimla on 4.10.2014.
DAY 1 – SHIMLA TO SARAHAN on the way covering KUFRI, FAGU,. NRKANDA, RAMPUR. Night Stay at SARAHAN.
DAY 2 – Drive to SANGLA VALLEY Afternoon visit to KAMROO FORT. Night Stay at Sangla.
DAY 3 – After breakfast drive to CHITKUL and back to Sangla.
DAY 4 – drive to KALPA. Night Stay at Kalpa
DAY 5 – Visit to ROGI & CHINI Village. Night Stay at KALPA.
DAY 6 – Drive to NAKO. Walk to NAKO LAKE AND MONASTERY AND drive to TABO On the way visit to GUI VILLAGE . Night Stay at TABO..
DAY 7 – After visiting to TABO MONASTERY drive to PIN VALLEY. Night Stay at MUD VILLAGE.
DAY 8 – Drive to KAZA. Afternoon visit to KAZA TOWN. Night Stay at KAZA.
DAY 9 – Local tour to KEE MONASTERY & KIBBER VILAGE. Night Stay at Kaza.
DAY 10 – Drive to LOSAR . Night Stay at LOSAR.
DAY 11 – Drive over KUNZAM PASS & if possible, visit to CHANDERTAL LAKE. Night Stay at MANALI.
DAY 12 – Local sight seeing in Manali. Night Stay at Manali.
DAY 13 – Back to Chandigarh.
Now please go through my itinerary and comment.
Where I may get car at Shimla and what is the cost ? We are 2 (me and my wife).
Jamil, the itinerary you posted is quite fine except below;
DAY 10 – Drive to Chandratal. Night Stay at Chandratal.
DAY 11 – Chandratal to MANALI.
There is nothing to stay over at Losar for a day, IMHO. Rest your call. Instead like suggested above, go and stay at chandratal OR visit Langza, Komik, Hikkim which are much much beautiful than Losar where you planning to dedicate one entire day.
You can get connected directly to some drivers in Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley
The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3000-3500 per day depending upon the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price.
HI DHEERAJ,
I AM PLANING TO VISIT SANGLA VALLEY ON BIKE FROM DELHI AT THE END OF AUGUST OR SEPT FIRST WEEK. PLEASE SUGGEST ME THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE ROAD AND WOULD IT BE A RIGHT TIME OR SHOULD I CONSIDER THE END OF THE SEPTEMBER.
THANKS IN ADVANCE
Better you consider end of September so that rain fades away to major extent and roads settle down. There is no short route. you have to first night halt at Shimla or Narkanda and then next day you can reach Sangla.
HI , I am planning to travel to Kalpa and Sangla on 13th Aug 2014 from Delhi, will it be right time to travel on said time as last two times I have to come back from Narkanda and Sarahan because of Bad roads as advised by lot of people not to travel beyond, that was in June Period last two years.
This time I am planning for August, pl advise, I am comfortable with Hill Driving and will be travelling in Maruti Dzire.
Rgds
Sanjay
Sanjay, monsoons is not at all a good period to visit Kinnaur Valley. I will not suggest you to hit the roads in Kinnaur which are quite fragile and can lead to troubles in monsoon time.
I want to go Kalpa, sangla chitkul in 2014 october second week. we have one baby age 5 yrs. Please give me susation this is perfect tyme to visit ?
mrinmoy, it should be fine to visit Kalpa, Sangla and Chitkul in October. No worries. Just carry some woolens with you as it starts to get cold up there.
Hi Mrinmoy, I am a Govt. officer in Writers’ Buildings. me with my wife intend to travel Klapa-Kaza-Chitkul-Kunjum Pass in October 2014. We will start from Shimla on 4.10.2014. We are going on our own.
Whhat is your itinerary ?
Mr. Dheeraj We are planing to visit Sangla Valley wuth my family from 26 hune to 29 june from Patiala in my ALTO………are the road conditions suitable for ALTO & Please give me information about Weather???????
Baljinder, please read the most recent conditions of roads in Kinnaur posted by Amit in DwD Community at the link hereDelhi – Kinnaur – Spiti Valley | Road Conditions
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning to visit Kinnaur, with my family at the end of September. My mother and her elder sister are both in there 60s, can you please let me know that is it safe to visit this altitude?
Kinnaur Valley is pretty much safe to travel with respect to high altitude. Follow an easy itinerary as suggested in the article above and you should be good to witness the beauty of the whole terrain.
hey dheeraj i am really grateful to your blog, it was really helpful in planning the trip to Sangla Valley. we visited chitkul from 2nd june to 7th june. during the trip, we stayed at Rampur on 2nd and 6th and three nights at Rakcham. Rakcham is better place to stay than Sangla or Chitkul as it is more serene and beautiful and their are beautiful riverside camps, i.e., Kailash View Camps, just beside the Baspa River, galcier was at walking distance. There are only two hotels at Rakcham and hence, less commercialized vis a vis Sangla. There were number of streams and meadows around Rakcham within radius of 1 km. One can venture for walks and people with lesser experience can also venture for smaller treks. There is a new petrol pump now at Sangla also. The detour from Karcham was also blessing in disguise as the views and driving through the new route was marvelous. Yes we were lucky as there were no rains during said period that made our trip little easy on travelling time.
thanks again dheeraj
Thank you so much Inder for sharing it. I have posted it in DoW community Kinnaur Valley road conditions thread too. I am sure this will benefit many other. Yes, Rakcham is much much better place to stay than Sangla. Please share the details and some pictures if possible for Kailash View Camps in the community forum: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/himalayan-hotels-guest-houses/
just one more thing dheeraj….. till what time it is advisable to travel in the kinnaur district , as there are chances of landslides or mountain fall which might not be visible in the night?
Mohit, if you driving in night, please avoid 100%. Till the time day light is present, then only drive. So, leave early and sleep early, should be the case.
hi dheeraj
m planning tour to spiti valley via shimla, kinnaur on 22nd june in my VW VENTO… are the road conditions suitable for a sedan…
Nitin, for sure there will be challenges on the route to Spiti Valley and in Kinnaur. But, if you drive carefully, it will be manageable. Regarding Manali – KAza route, it will be very challenging in the sedan and be ready to get some under belley scratches and protect your engine sump for sure. It is almost driving on river bed.
Check some pictures here: Road conditions on Manali to Kaza – Spiti route
Hi,
I am planning to visit Kalpa around 16 – 21 June. Any feedback on weather conditions around this time?
Arman, please check the link: Kalpa Weather Forecast – Long Term … It says weather towards the end will be a bit rainy.
Hi Dheeraj ….. I am planning to go kalpa either from shimla or manali.
Do let me know the best way i can reach there?
Also i would like to know whether honda activas (scooter) are worth taking there?
In shimla is there any dealer who can provide me activas on rent
Hello Mohit,
Best is always to go to Kalpa – Sangla from Shimla side only. In Simla, you will not be able to rent the activas. Also, you need more time on road and in hand to drive an activa on mountains and cover this trip to Kinnaur Valley. At places, especially while dodging slush, you might feel lack of power.
Best is to take a bus or taxi from Shimla for Kinnaur Valley. Buses run between Peo and Shimla.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
is it advisable to take swift desire car..?? .please advise root and stay planing.
we have to travel from ludhiana to kapla
Vinay reports on email that “Sedans and Hatches can make it but the Road from wangtu to tapri is blocked for last 2 days due to landslide. Also there is diversion from tapri to choking via urni due to landslide. It adds 20 km of detour and traffic is released in batches one way. Hence plan an extra 2 hrs of travel”
has the wangtu-tapri road cleared now. any update on current status. we will be driving from narkanda to sangla on 17th.
amit
Amit, please avoid traveling there as I will suggest. Please check the update below “Kinnaur Valley Road Updates: Landslides, sinking villages and a threat of Flash floods from Urni to Tattapani due to artificial lake formed up there. Those who traveling must take care guys.” Read detailed article at the link in DwD Community: Delhi – Kinnaur – Spiti Valley | Road Conditions
Just came back from sangla rakcham . we left from narkanda on 17th morning. THe roads till are in decent conditions till about 5 kms before wangtu.after that they are almost non existant. Gravel with no tar top. but are quite broad hence not risky to drive on . Also we were in a santro and had no issues. The diversion from tapri to choling is still there. About 21 kms which is quite narrow. We did not get rains for entire week except 2 shorts showers but if it rains this stretch could be tricky to drive on. The diversion takes about an hour. But some one we met at batseri(sangla) had to wait for4 hours as a bus had broken down.there are fixed timings forgateto open each side but they vary a bit.From there till sangla the roads are more or less bad though relaying is happening at a few places.but they are motorable and we faced noissues and had a great trip.
Thank you Amit for the update on Road conditions. Good to know that you had a wonderful trip to Kinnaur Valley 🙂
Balwant, you can take your dzire there but after Bhawanagar road conditions are not that good and lot of slush in case it rains. Hence, you need to drive very carefully through slush stretches. It will not be easy but manageable. For all other details of route and stay, please check the article above.
There is normal to heavy rain predictions in and around kalpa, chitkul & surrounding areas from 08/06 to 15/07. So anyone going there pl. plan accordingly. That’s why I completed my journey from 28/05 to 04/06.besides road conditions after sarhan r very bad.
Thanks for the update Sanjay and yes, the time has come for rains in between here and there before the monsoon arrives.
Hi Deepak,
Last year I took your help in planning my vacation and it went great. Thanks for that. Now this year too, am back with another query. Below is my itinerary:
delhi-shimla-sarahan-sangla valley-kalpa-narkanda-fagu-delhi
I have 5-6 days and plan to visit all these places. But I am not sure if i am taking shortest route. I also need to know where I should stay for more than a day or if there are more than 1 places which I can cover in a day.
Please guide me.
Hi Priyanka,
You can follow the below itinerary for Kinnaur for 6 days:
Day 1 | Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 | Narkanda – Sarahan
Day 3 | Sarahan – Sangla Valley
Day 4 | Sangla – Chitkul – Kalpa
Day 5 | Kalpa – Shimla/Fagu/Chail
Day 6 | Shimla/Fagu/Chail – Delhi
Regards
dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning to go to Kinnaur on 8th June for about 3-4 days. I will be traveling with my parents from Chandigarh and want to know how should I go about with this trip. I will be leaving from Chandigarh around 1pm on 8th and will be coming back on 11th. Please suggest where should I stay overnight. Should I stay in Shimla or will I be able to reach Saharan on 8th itself??
Also, I want to know how are the roads in that area and if a Sedan car (Ford Ikon) can be taken. Also, please suggest the places which one must see which comes on the way to Kinnaur.
Regards,
Gagan
Gagan, frankly speaking you have very little time on hand for a trip to Kinnaur Valley. Even if you start for Sarahan, you will reach there late night. Then next morning you should start for Sangla / Chitkul and spend time there. On Day 3, start moving towards Narkanda from Sangla / Chitkul and finally on Day 4, come back to Chandigarh. You can check the latest road conditions at the link: Delhi – Kinnaur – Spiti Valley | Road Conditions
Thanks Dheeraj. I was planning to stay at Rampur on 8th n leave for Kalpa next morning (on 9th). Was planning to stay overnight at Kalpa (or any place near Kalpa) on 9th and leave for Sangla on 10th. Then go to Chitkul on 11th and reach back Chandigarh on 12th. Please let me know if it sounds feasible or if I should cut down to 2 places instead of 3 (Sangla, Kalpa and Chitkul). And can you please tell me in which order I should visit Sangla, Kalpa and Chitkul? I am not sure which will come first on my way from Chandigarh.
And please suggest which places I must visit at Sangla, Kalpa and Chitkul.
Gagan, so you have 5 days or 4 days? Regarding Chitkul to Chandigarh, it will be a very very long drive, about 14+ Hrs. If that is fine, then you can go ahead with this plan. You can go through the travel guide above to understand what to visit in Kinnaur Valley around these place. First the diversion to Sangla Valley will come while going to Kinnaur from Chandigarh, then at first Sangla will come and then Chitkul. You need to come back from the diversion to Karcham and then go ahead towards Powari from where the road to Reckong Peo – Kalpa goes.
There is normal to heavy rain predictions in and around kalpa, chitkul & surrounding areas from 08/06 to 15/07. So pl. plan accordingly. That’s why I completed my journey from 28/05 to 04/06.besides road conditions after sarhan r very bad.
Thank you for the updates. I am sure it will help people planning travel to Kinnaur Valley.
Planning to visit Kinnaur Valley Kalpa, Sangla & Chitkul in the mid of July 2014.
Is it the right time to visit these places with family. Guide me
Prabir, July is in general monsoons and I will say Monsoon is not really a good time to be in Kinnaur when it rains. The roads become very bad but if you have good buffer with you and are going by taxi or high GC vehicle, may be you can try it out for adventure. Else I will not suggest during monsoons to be in Kinnaur Valley.
Hi Dheeraj,
I returned on Sunday night from my trip to Chitkul. Your posts were really helpful.
Visit the following link for some travel pictures:
http://1drv.ms/1h7l1ok
Following is my trip report:
Day 1, 21st May, Wed: Exit from Delhi at 1 AM. ** Sarahan **
Route: Delhi > Ambala > Zirakpur (Took right from under the flyover, towards Shimla-Kalka bypass) > Parwanoo > Shimla > Narkanda > Rampur > Jeori > Sarahan. Reached Sarahan at 2 PM (afternoon). Took many breaks. Stayed overnight at Hotel Kasang. Very cheap but decent and clean. Rs 400 (Room only). There are other options as well.
Day 2, 22nd May, Thu: Exit from Sarahan at 8 AM. ** Rakcham **
Route: Sarahan > Jeori > Wangtoo > Tapri (Had to take a uphill diversion to Urni village as the Tapri-Choling route was closed due to landslide. This diversion was 23 kms and it got us back to Choling Bridge) > Rakcham Dam (Take right from this Dam.) > Sangla > Rakcham. Stayed overnight at Hotel Apple Pie. Got a double bedroom for Rs 1800 (Room only). Very spacious. Good cordial staff. Visited River Baspa, few kms from this hotel.
Apart from Banjara and Igloo Nature Camp, there is one Apple Camping in batseri village.
Day 3, 23rd May, Fri: ** Rakcham and Chitkul **
Visited Chitkul village (10 kms from our hotel). Thrilling ride. Excellent view. Saw snowfall at Chitkul. Rakcham to Chitjkul roads are very picturesque. Although it was broken but still it gave a great feeling. Cam back to Rakcham. Stayed overnight at Hotel Apple Pie.
Day 4, 24th May, Sat: ** Kalpa **
Route: Go back to Rakcham dam and then go staright this time towards Reckong Peo. It took me 4 hrs to reach Kalpa from Rakcham (3-4 breaks and slow driving due to broken roads). Reckong Peo to Kalpa roads are excellent. Stayed overnight at Hotel Apple Pie. Same owner as was in Rakcham. Room was smaller in size. Got it for Rs 1540 (Room only). Visited Suicide Point. Went for trekking to Roghi Village.
Day 5, 25th May, Sun: Kalpa to Delhi. Started from Kalpa at 7:15 AM and reached Rohini, Delhi at 1:45 AM. Thats approx 18 hrs of non stop driving. Uff.
Lovely, crisp report Dev !! Glad you enjoyed the trip fully. Thank you for sharing it with us. Pictures are refreshing and good to know that you got snowfall at Chitkul.
Thanks for the appreciation Dheeraj. I just follow ur footsteps. Frankly speaking, DOW is the best community I have seen. Everyone contributes and thats what helps us in successfully completing our travel sagas. I have written a travellogue at bcmtouring.com/forum/travelogues-north-india-f61/trip-report-sangla-valley-may-2014-a-t58954/
It some other info as well. Hope you would like it.
Thanks for sharing with us Dev.
Hi Dev yr pictures r superb. great details of yr trip. Could could u pl. tell me the availability of Petrol pumps from shimla to the routes covered by u. I’ll b leaving from ghaziabad on 30/05/14.I hope I’ll also enjoy the snow view as u enjoyed
Sanjay, there are no shortage of fuel pumps for Kinnaur Valley trip. You get fuel almost upto Jeori/Rampur and then there is one fuel pump at Tapri now. Then there is one at Reckong Peo. After that only Kaza has fuel pump.
Hi Dev
The elaborate account of your trip is really helpful.
Would it be possible for you to give contact details/link of Hotel Kasang. On internet, I am finding only Hotel Kasang Regency. Or are they same?
Thanks!
Sorry Priyanka, not sure about this hotel 🙁
Hi Dheeraj,
We are a group of 10 planning to drive from Sangla to Chandigarh after a Rupin Pass trek in the last week of June.
We are planning to cover the distance over two days and would like to stay overnight at some hill station on the way. Could you recommend some options?
We have already checked out Narkanda, Solan and Chail but aren’t getting reservation anywhere.
Looking forward to your reply.
There are camps at Daranghati, check that. Awesome place. Then check at Matiana. Solan is too low, don’t stay there. Then there is Fagu, a bit off track Thanedar, least Rampur.
Sir,pl tell me whether the road from narkanda to hatu peak is motorable.if I drive myself or should I hire some taxi if it is risky. What r the reasonable rates of taxi.
Sanjay, road to Hatu Peak is definitely a steep and narrow drive. If you are confident on driving there and have good experience of driving, I feel it should be OK.
hi Dheeraj:
we are planning a trip to spiti valley around last week of june… whats your take on route from kaza -kunzum la -manali that time…
1. will it be open ??
2. Is chandrataal Doable that time ?
Shashi, yes, Manali to Kaza should open by end week of June and regarding Chandratal, it might not be motorable completely but doable with some trekking.
sir, we plan to visit sangla, with three nights at sangla only, in first week of june 2014, with 6 to 8 people, please suggest whether sedan car would be ok and also suggest whether we should book hotels before hand or book on reaching sangla
Well, if you are not very much particular about your stay option or hotel, then I think you can go ahead with on the spot booking at Sangla Valley as well.
thanx dheeraj
Sir,whether the places suggested by u r on different route or on the way to narkanda, chitkul, kalpa, sarhan,Kinnaur etc.going to hilly means some enjoyment in snow. I usually go at hilly areas where I surely find snow but this route is first time. Pl. advise.
Sanjay, apart from Chitkul (with some chances) I do not think you will find snow anywhere else.
Sir, thanks for yr prompt reply.could u pl. suggest some other place in hilly area with good/average road conditions except J&K where we can find snow.I have already visited rohtang,leg,laddakh no. of times.
You can try out Pabbar Valley and from there road to Chansal Pass, you will find snow in June.
Sir, could u pl. suggest the place between shimla to Kinnaur where we can enjoy snow. I am planning to go there on or abt.may 26
Sanjay, go over to Pabbar Valley. Rohru – Kharapathar. You can drive towards Chansal Pass where you will be able to find snow.
Dheeraj ji,
I am planning a trip on 1 June from Ambala to Narkanda & then on 3rd june Narkanda to Kalpa for 3 days.So please guide me, I am going on my car chevrolet Beat, is it Ok or not? & Resently I listen that
there is some road block due to landslide
before Rekongpeo
Arun, roads close and open frequently near that area but did not hear of any major road block. Also, keep an eye on rain forecasts and if it rains then drive with care and caution as there is slush present on roads in Kinnaur especially near Shongtong area.
Thanks Dheeraj ji but what about the beat car. & can you make my itenary.I am reaching kalpa on 3rd june & returning to Ambala on 6th june from kalpa.
Arun, with careful driving, you can surely make it beat car.
Arun
I would request that you post an update once you are back on June 6. I am planning to be there in a small car as well a few days after you.
Hi Dhiraj,
we are planning a 7 days trip from chandigarh, around 8 People, can we go in June End? would it be the right time to visit there? we will be having kids of age in between 9 to 13.
Thanks,
Vishal
Yes, Vishal it should be OK time to visit Kinnaur Valley. Just keep a check on weather when you plan the trip there before a week or 5 days.
Hi Dheeraj,
Due to time constraints, we (5 families with kids) have changed our program from spiti vally to kinnaur valley from delhi (though i know it is still a tight schedule and that is why i amtravelling at night too.
we have 5 days and I have planned it on Tempo Travller like this, pls check
1. Leaving Delhi on 11 June, 8 PM in the evening.
2. Passing Shimla around 6 am on 12 June heading towards Sangla Valley and reaching at sangla Valley around 3 PM on 12 June (with out breaking our journey at Narkanda or Rampur)Stay at Sangla.
3. Visiting Sangla and local sightseeing (13 June)
4. Visiting Chitkul ( 14 June)
5. Start for shimla at 8 am on 15th morning and reach shimla around 4 – 5 pm…spend evening in shimla and leaving for Delhi at Night only (of 15 June) as we have to reach Delhi by after noon of next day (16 June).
please answer:
1. We are travelling during night. It is ok to travel at night?
2. I have not taken any stay break on the way (Sarahan or Rampur) (other than lunch/lunch. Is it any problem with this? Is stay or halt necessary or we can reach direct to sangla with proper refreshing breaks on the way? Without taking halt break, we will reach sangla valley by 3 pm on 12 June na(if we happen to Shimla around 6 am of 12 June in the morning, I guess!)
3. If you suggest halt, where should we stay, Rampur, Sarahan or Jeory?
4. After reaching Sangla/Baspa..Two days are there only…or should cover kalpa /recong peo also…( I dint cover it in the plan so that it does not become hectic.) and Sangla is better than kalpa/Recong peo!! I guess..(Am i right?)
should we cover kalpa too (is it worth missing?)if not, we can think of covering it too.
5. I have found out a list of home stay units at HP tourism site..which offer a reasonbly priced accomodation..it is ok to stay there?
any other thing u wud like to suggest..
Sorry for putting u to so many questions at the same time…
Thanks so much in adavnce
Pankaj munjal
Pankaj, With families including so many of them, I will not recommend such an hectic sechedule for you. If at all you still need, better go like below
Delhi – Narkanda
Narkanda – Sangla/Chitkul
Sangla/chitkul – Kalpa or stay at Sangla/chitkul
Sangla/chitkul – Sarahan
Sarahan – Delhi
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning to go Kalpa, Chitkul,Kinnaur,Sangla with my wife and a 5 years daughter in first week or mid of June. I am planning whole trip for 4-5 days from Delhi. I have few questions/doubts need to be clear.
1. Should i book hotels earlier for break journey like shimla etc. http://www.tripadvisor.in/Tourism-g3780960-Kinnaur_District_Himachal_Pradesh-Vacations.html
should i book hotels that you mentioned earlier or i can book at arrival.
1.Hotel Kinner Villa at Kalpa
2.The Golden Apple at kalpa
3.Banjara camps at Sangla
4.Mount Kailash at Sangla
Please suggest more hotels for break points with details.
2. Please suggest break points, road conditions and weather reports details. How i manage all these.
I am planning to visit places via Tavera. Also in my previous trip i was town with altitude sickness so any recommendations if you have would be helpful.
Hi,
1. I will suggest keep the bookings open and book on the spot if you are OK with searching here and there a bit. Banjara is costly. You can also check PRakash Hotel too at Sangla.
2. IMHO, you have less days in hand for Kinnaur Valley trip given the fact that you are traveling with a small kid anf family. Is there any chance you can increase the days in hand? You can refer the itinerary mentioned and linked in the article above for 5 and 7 days. I will prefer you go with 7 days with breaks suggested above.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thanks for reply. I read your article “Kinnaur Valley Sample Itinerary”, you have explained nicely everything here. Thanks again. So you are saying that i can get room at Narkanda easily on arrival.( I am little bit worried here as i have seen rush on hills area during summer time). As per your suggestion, i am planning trip for 6 days now but i am thinking to make Kalpa as base place and i think i can easily do movements from Kalpa to Sangla, Kalpa to Chitkul, Kapla to Reckong Peo, so i can enjoy each things with relax and peace of mind. Please suggest here. Also can you provide avag time taken between shimla to kalpa,Kalpa to Sangla, Kalpa to Chitkul, Kapla to Reckong Peo. Also would like know if i start my journey 4AM morning from Delhi, how much time it will take to reach Narkanda. one last doubt 😛 can you suggest best website about weather.
Well, you can check with Krish Rauni Resort at Matiana where you can stay, ahead of Shimla and quite a good place. I know uncle Kishore, very nice family. You can refer my name to them. Book in Narkanda and rest should be manageable unless you are too particular about your stay. Yeah, good though to go with Kalpa as base and explore rest of the Kinnaur Valley. Shimla to Kalpa will be around 8 Hrs. Kalpa – Sangla/Chitkul can be done in 7-8 Hrs of round trip including enjoying there.
Thanks dheeraj for useful info.
Dear Mr Dheeraj,
i am planning a trip from Sonepat to Kinnaur by Santro with my husband and one more couple with one kid(5yrs).
planning to start on 21st may at 5 pm to shimla. then we will spend one night there. next day morning, will start for kinnaur.
Please suggest to plan this trip more interesting with guidelines about more places to visit in route.
sorry. will start on 21st morning 5 am
Kalpana, how many days do you have in hand? You can refer the itinerary mentioned / linked in the above article in case you have 6-7 days in hand.
Hi Dheeraj,
After reading all the comments I am sure you can answer my question too. I am planning a two day trip to Sarahan, where I will start from Manali by a tourist car and take a halt in Sarahan for a day or two and then move to chandigarh. Could you please tell me wht is the travel time (roadway) from manali to sarahan and then sarahan to Chandigarh. And is the road safe?
Manali to Sarahan could be anywhere like 11-12 Hrs of journey, I feel.
Hi
How would the road conditions be in Sangla/Kalpa area in early/mid June. I was planning to drive down in an Honda Brio via Shimla. Given the low ground clearance of the car, I am a bit worried.
Also, is it advisable to stay in Sarahan or Narkanda on day 1 assuming i start from chandigarh?
Thanks
Vinay, well though people run alto too over there but all depends how much are you ready to sacrifice in your car with some scrapes in the underbelly or not. If it rains during that period, then definitely the conditions will be bad after bhawanagar. There will be slush, deep slush around Shongtong bridge and some sections near Tapri and all. I will suggest only if you love adventure more than your car, then only take it else do it in some taxi. OR if you have experience of driving in such road conditions then take it.
Dear Mr. Dheeraj Sharma,
We’re visiting the Shimla hills and Kinnaur in mid-May. We’ve two kids (12 & 7) with us. Our tentative itinerary is given below. Please feel free to suggest alterations.
17 May: reaching Delhi at 6 pm. Night in Delhi.
18 May: taking an early morning cab to Shimla. Night in Shimla.
19 May: Shimla sightseeing. Night in Shimla.
20 May: reaching Sarahan. Night in Sarahan.
21 May: start for Kalpa after breakfast. Night in Kalpa.
22 May: Kalpa.
23 May: Sangla. Night in Sangla.
24 May: Sangla.
25 May: Start for Narkanda after breakfast. Night in Narkanda.
26 May: Starting for Kalka after lunch. Return by Kalka-Howrah mail.
Thank you for maintaining this website. People like you make life worth living. All the best.
Rajiv, the itinerary is quite relaxed and very well done. I hop you have included a visit to Chitkul on the day you resting in Sangla. You will enjoy it perfectly.
Thank you Dheeraj Sharma. We kept it relaxed because of the kids. The highest we’ve climbed so far is Rishyap, near Lava, in the Kalimpong hills. Feeling a little jittery about Chitkul.
Rajiv, I feel it should be completely fine as you are first spending time at Sarahan, then Kalpa too. So, you will be acclimatized to quite an extent.
DEar sir i am planning to travel by my tata Manza from Gujarat to Kalpa, sangla, chitkul in Mid may. i have driven myself twice to manali via swarghat. how long will it take to reach kalpa from shimla and will we het to see snow covered peaks in mid may. thanks in anticipation
It will take about 8-9 Hrs to reach Kalpa from Shimla. You will be able to see snow on peaks. First go to Sangla Chitkul from Shimla and then from there go to Kalpa. time difference will be about 1 Hrs less in this case.
Sir a few queries, which will have better accomodation out of kalpa and sangla as i am travelling with my wife and 8 yr old son. any problems in going in a sedan? and any need for advance booking. thank you
Both have decent accommodations from varied budgets. so, you will not go wrong with any of the place in terms of accommodation and comfort. Regarding Sedan, if it rains, then there will be few stretches after Bhawanagar where you will find slush and bad roads, so drive with caution and care at those roads. Rest it is manageable by hatch and sedans. I hope you have experience of driving in hills before.
yes sir, i have driven to manali thrice via swarghat.. also solan to paonta sahib when road was being widened
Hmm… Just drive with caution and care once you cross Bhawanagar especially if it rains. Roads will be bad for you in comparison to places where you have travelled so far.
Hi, I am planning to visit the mentioned places with my family (4 people). We are planning to start our trip from 11th till 14th June. Our starting point would be Ambala. I need to know that in these 3 days whether it would be possible to visit Sangla valley and places around it and Kalpa and its surrounding areas OR only one of these two within the time frame. Please suggest asap.
Dhairya, in just 4 days with family, it will be super hectic brother. Still, you want I can suggest something like,
Day 1: Ambala – Sarahan
Day 2: Sarahan – Sangla – Chitkul
Day 3: Sangla – Chitkul – Shimla/Narkanda
Day 4: back to Ambala
HI Dheeraj,
We are travelling to Kinnaur, Starting from Delhi, from 16th May.
I would like to ask you, can we cover from DELHI-Narkanda in 7-8 Hours ??
Also, How much time it takes from Narkanda to Chitkul.
We have Fortuner.
Also how is availbility of hotel during Mid-End May. Do we need to book hotel at narkanda, Rakcham & Kalpa …
thanks al lot for your help
Fahad
Hi Fahad,
Delhi – Narkanda with least breaks can be covered in 8-9 Hrs. Narkanda to Chitkul considering bad roads ahead of Bhawanagar will take another 7 Hrs. Don’t pre-book unless you want to stay at a specific hotel only. You can walk in there, see yourself what is good, bargain and check in.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thanks Dheeraj,
Can you also Suggest, that If we make a move from DELHI at 4 A.M in the Morning, would it be wiser for us to make stay further Narkanda, I have heard the road Via Dharnaghati to rampur is very Scenic albiet in poor condition, can we make that road in this season ?? also if there is any hotel on the way, where we can stay or we have to force ourselves to stay at Rampur… Is it also WISE to CAMP ?? Which place would you think is best for Camping ….
Yes, you can make it there in case you leave by 4 AM in the morning with good daylight left in the day. Daranghaati is quite nice place but keep in mind that road is not good and narrow too. So, drive with care and caution. There are camps at Daranghaati, you can stay there overnight.
Hi dheeraj,
Please can you advice, if kufri Via chail is shorter than khanghat, we want save max time and reach chitkul….
Fahad, I will say while going you better take the Kandaghat – Shimla route only as it is highway and you make quick progress. While coming back, if you wish you can take the Kufri to chail road. The latter one is not highway, hence, small road and depending upon time and traffic it may slow the progress but it indeed is a beautiful route.
Hi Dheeraj,
can you provide me the best option of visiting chitkul or kalpa if i have 4-5 days. I will start from Delhi and i have honda amaze. I am used to drive on hills.
Mayur, 4-5 days are very tiring for a journey to Kinnaur Valley. You will be mostly on roads for more than 8 hrs every day. If you can’t extend the time, you can follow something like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 | Narkanda – Sangla / chitkul
Day 3 | Sangla / Chitkul – Kalpa
Day 4 | Kalpa – Sarahan / Rampur / Jeori
Day 5 | Sarahan / Rampur / Jeori – Delhi
Thanks Dheeraj, in case i can extend to 6-7 days then wht options i have? Can i cover both sangla and chitkul or just one. I believe both are on separated roads. Also may mid or end is good to go weather. Appreciate ur advice
Mayur, please check this itinerary for 7 days for kinnaur valley: Kinnaur Valley Sample Itinerary | Kalpa – Sangla – Sarahan
Sir,I wanted to visit Kalpa & kinnaur during Middle of May’14. I wanted to know the weather & road conditions.Also I have 9 days in hand from simla to kalka and since I will travel along with 14 others, Pl. advice your valuable comment.
Saikat, you can travel in mid of May, no issues on that front. 9 days are more than sufficient for easy, relaxing journey to Kinnaur Valley. You can spend couple of days in Chitkul, Sangla and couple of them in Kalpa. Then a day in Sarahan too. Rest consider Chail, Narkanda, as options of stay on the way and back.
Hello Dheeraj,
I am planning for sangla vally tour during 1st – 15th June, I have Alto K10 vehicle, Based on your analysis, please suggest whetherthe timimg and vehicle are okay. Earlier I drove upto Kedar & Badri with same vehicle.
Jitesh, there will be little hassles of Slush if it rains after bhawanagar but then it is manageable since you have already done Badri and Kedarnath. Roads in Sangla are bad when it rains and even after Bhawanagar you get alot of the slush. Just drive with caution there. Also, is 15 days trip you planning?
Thanks for your response Dheeraj
I am planning a trip of a 8-10 days. What can be the suggested coverage or tour plan you can advise.
Regards,
Jitesh
If you have 10 days, you can travel a bit of 7-8 Hrs per day you can cover Spiti Valley too. If you have 8 days, I will suggest to stick to a laid back trip to Kinnaur Valley only. Let me know in which one are you interested?
For 7 days of Kinnaur Valley trip, there is already an itinerary suggested in the article above. You can include a day more of relaxation in Kalpa or Chitkul OR can check out Daranghati while returning back.
Dear Dheeraj,
I am planning for 10 days trip. Please advise
Jitesh, in that case you can follow an itinerary something like below for both Kinnaur Valley and Spiti Valley as:
Day 1 | Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 | Narkanda – Sangla / Chitkul
Day 3 | Sangla / Chitkul – Nako – Geyu (Mummy) – Tabo
Day 4 | Tabo – Dhankar – Dhankar Lake – Pin Valley – Kaza
Day 5 | Kaza Sightseeing and around
— Ki – Kibber – Gette – Tashigang
Day 6 | Kaza – Hikkim – Comic – Langza – Kaza
Day 7 | Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Kalpa
Day 8 | Kalpa – Sarahan
Day 9 | Sarahan – Narkanda/Chail/Shimla
Day 10 | Narkanda/Chail/Shimla – Delhi
Hello Dheeraj,
Two questions
1. Can I reach Rakcham to Kaza covering Nako – Geyu (Mummy) – Tabo on same day?
2. Can you share the contact details for Sakya Adobe?
Hi jitesh,
1. Rakcham to Kaza doing Geyu and tabo will be quite quite long day.
2. You can get connected with Tsering at 09418208987 and can refer my name to him, he is more than a friend to me and a very humble/down to earth person up there in Spiti. He will ensure any concerns or requirements you have can be take care.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hello Dheeraj,
After long excercise I had planned as mentioned Below:
Day 1 – Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 – Narkanda – Kalpa
Day 3 – Kalpa – Nako – Tabo – Kaza
Day 4 to 6 – Kaza and surrounding
Day 7 – Kaza – Rakcham
Day 8 & 9 – Rakcham – Sangla – Chitkul
Day 10,11,12 – Not Planned what to cover while returning
How you feel about this. Any suggestions
Regards,
Jitesh
Hi Jitesh,
I will suggest some modifications as below:
Day 1 – Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 – Narkanda – Kalpa
Day 3 – Kalpa – Nako – Geyu Mummy – Tabo
Day 4 | Tabo – Dhangkar – Dhangkar Lake – Pin Valley
Day 5 | Pin Valley – Kaza Local Sightseeing
— For stay check Sakya Abode or snow lion are two good options at Kaza apart from PWD Guest houses. Get in touch with Tsering, the guy who runs it. He is a very good friend of mine and you can refer my name.
Day 6 | Kaza Local Sightseeing
— Ki, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang
Day 7 | Kaza Local Sightseeing
— Hikkim, Komik, Langza circuit
Day 8 | Kaza – Rakcham/Sangla
Day 9 & 10 – Rakcham – Sangla – Chitkul
Day 11 | Chitkul – Sarahan/Narkanda/Daranghati
Day 12 | Sarahan/Narkanda/Daranghati – Delhi
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj ji, I have planned Kinnaur-Sangla-Chitkul trip in this weekend (18th – 20th Apr). But, according to the weather forecast in various websites, it seems there are chances of moderate rainfall and/or snowfall in all these areas during my trip. In such condition, would you suggest me to still go for the trip?
I know that, in himalayas, weather changes very frequently and it may happen that it didn’t rain as per the prediction. I’m little bit confused to take the final decision about the trip. Need your valuable opinion on this. Pls help. Thanks in advance. 🙂
If you can postpone the trip I will say better do that because the roads are no good in Kinnaur especially when it rains. There will be lot of slush. However, if you are accustomed to such bad roads then you might see amazingly beautiful Kinnaur especially the floating clouds in the valley from Kalpa and high chances of experiencing snowfall at Chitkul
I want to cover Sangla and Kalpa valley in 2 n half day?Can you suggest where we should stay Reckong Peo or kalpa valley..
Mrinal, it is best to stay at Kalpa as Reckong Peo is a town. Kinner Kailash is best viewed from Kalpa only. At Kalpa there are many hotels and based upon your budget you can choose hotels there. If budget suits, Kinner Villa is good and my experience there was really good.
Thanks for your prompt response. 🙂
Best wishes for the trip
Iam Planning to visit kinnaur via narkanda. after kinnaur i want to visit manali via rampur. plz suggest me that roads to manali via rampur are safe to travel?
Sourabh, there are two routes Rampur – Karsog – Ner Chowk and then Rampur – Sainj – Jalori Pass. You can take either and both are common roads for connectivity to Kullu Valley from Shimla – Rampur side. Buses run over these routes.
hi,
i am planning to visit shojha in himachal on 18th April-20th April weekend…need to know the road conditions as i would driving myself..would be driving a sedan…
is it advisable?
Abhishek, except Jalori Pass the road conditions will be fine. Not much fuss. If you planning to take the Bilaspur road, it is horrible in condition from Kiratpur Sahib to almost Bilaspur and then improves abit. Better take the route from Shimla side.
am planning to take a ride in this route in first half of August.How risky it is?
Salil, Kinnaur Valley is usually NOT the BEST to visit in the month of August when rains are in full fury !! Mountains in Kinnaur are fragile and the chances of landslides exponentially increases when it rains… You should take calculative risk.
Hi,
we are planning to visit shimlamanali,rotang pass,kalpa,kinnaur,chitkul in 1st week of june. will we get snow in any of those places at that time??
Sourav, regarding snowfall extremely slim chances unless weather goes really bad in Chitkul or Sangla.
Hi!I am suparna. I am planning a trip to kinnaur valley with my husband and two children in around 26 or 27 of may from kolkata. We have 20 days in hand for the entire trip. Can you suggest a suitable iteniery with recommendations of good hotels and car rental. It will be very helpful to us.
Hello Suparna,
Are you planning 20 days for just Kinnaur Valley? I believe you can include many other places like Spiti Valley, if Kunzum Pass opens, then Lahaul Valley and Manali – Tirthan Valleys too. You can start from Shimla side and exit via Manali side. Are you interested in all these places?
Regards
Dheeraj
Dheeraj bhai,
We had planned to hit kinnaur valley in October, Kolkata to Kolkata 15 days, Self driven Bolero with 4 adlts 3 chldrn. Please suggest an itinerary. Rgds.
Sourav, how and when are you reach Delhi/Chandigarh? And how are you traveling back?
Hi Dheeraj,
We guys are planning to visit chitkal on 9th Apr’14. We are planning to come onbike. Please suggest if this is a right time to visit and which places nearby we should be visiting to make it ever memorable trip for us.
Jagrit Bhai, tu yaha sawal bhi puch dia hai?
Guess, you already have planned the journey to Chitkul. Sorry for delay in reply. It all depends upon the number of days in hand and road conditions aren’t that good now a days in Kinnaur but manageable for bikes.
Hi.I am going to kalpa,sarhan,sangla on 13 th April,I want to know about the temp,weather and what kind of precaution i should take.i am with my family.is there breathing problem or some kind of altitude problem?
Hi Tamal,
Kinnaur Valley is safe to travel with least impact of AMS / Altitude Sickness. Make visit to Chitkul as day visit to be on safest side. I am not sure how many days do you have in hand but the itinerary listed in the article above will give you a fair idea on how to go for on a trip to Kinnaur Valley.
Regards
dheeraj
hi Dheeraj,
i am planning to go to kalpa in 3rd week of may for 3 days with family no kids, will it be best in may?
also is there any chance we may find snow around it?
we will come from shimla by cab, appreciate your help!
Kuldeep, well, yes you can visit Kalpa in May and conditions will be much better during that time. Regarding snow, I highly doubt but you can get snow towards Chitkul side by little trekking towards higher reaches.
plz tell me when we will get snow around the kalpa kinnaur area. because we are fond of snow
kaushiki, when are you planning the trip to Kinnaur Valley. After May you will not find much snow in Kinnaur area. So, plan in April end types if you want to see snow in Kinnaur.
hey dheeraj, I’m travelling to Sangla in June. How long will it take me to drive from Sangla village to Chandigarh?
Rushit, it will take about 13-14 Hrs to reach Sangla from Chandigarh depending upon the number of breaks do you take and car you have. Small car means less speed on bad and bumpy roads.
is it a good plan to go there in mid march?
Ravi, if you are OK with a little cold, March is very good to go with tons of snow at Kinner Kailash peaks
Hi Dheeraj,
I was planning to visit kinnaur valley in April. Wanted to know about the road conditions and if I can bring my hatchback (Fabia)?
Ashish, Kinnaur Valley should be fine in April. Though due to intermittent rains there could be some slush on roads but nothing too much to worry about. Roads remain generally bad to worse in Kinnaur, so that’s what you have to live up there. By driving carefully, you will be able to make it.
Also, I am heading there to Spiti in last week of March, so stayy tuned for the road condition updates in the DwD Community Forum: Road Status & Conditions in Himalayas
Awesome 🙂
Thanks Dheeraj.
Hi Dheeraj, I was also planning to to there in last week of March 2014. but when I checked weather with accuweather I found the weather condition not very favourable. How do you check weather condition. I am interested in photography so it matters lot to me.
Ricky, in trans-Himalayas in general things change very fast and quick. We will surely monitor the weather conditions before venturing out there. But best predictions come in just few days in advance. So, we will check the weather updates on 18-19th of March before heading there and in DwD Community we have a sought of advisory in terms of weather, Aashish, our moderator for the same. We follow his advice 😀
Hi Dheeraj, I have one more question. I need to divide 6 nights among Sarahan, Sangla(kinner camps) and Kalpa. What do you suggest? 1 @ Sarahan, 3 @ Sangla camp, 2 @ Kalpa? Is this a good idea?
Ashish are these 6 nights just for Kinnaur? If yes, then probably, you should also include Nako into your itinerary as well. 2 days at Sangla should be sufficient enough I will say even on relaxing end. You can even visit Chitkul may be as a day trip if the roads to Chitkul are open.
Actually I’m travelling from Delhi to Delhi for 8 nights.
So how about this:
day 1: Delhi to Nakranda
day 2: Narkanda to Sangla
day 3: day trip to chitkul.
day 4: Sangla to Nako
day 5: Nako to Kalpa
day 6: kalpa to Sarahan
day 7: Sarahan to Shimla
day 8: to Delhi
But this doesn’t seem to be relaxing. Of all these (Sarahan, Nako, Sangla, Kalpa) which one should I leave if I wanted to?
Ashish, you should keep it like:
day 2: Narkanda to Sangla
day 3: day trip to chitkul.
day 4: Sangla to Kalpa
day 5: Rest at Kalpa or if you feel you are OK with 6-7 Hrs of drive in a day, then make day trip to Nako and come back to Kalpa same day. else just explore Kalpa more.
day 6: kalpa to Sarahan
Hi dheeraj,
The work you are doing is invaluable and unparalleled. I am planning a trip to spiti via manali and coming back via simla. What is the latest time I can do it in this year. Also will a small car like zen be ok for this trip. I have travelled a lot in hills so driving isn’t a problem for me.
Hi saurabh, thanks alot !!
There will be issues with small car especially between Gramphu to Kunzum Pass road. Rest will be manageable. Drive with care if you take it as it is not impossible to drive there even with hatch backs and sedans. Be well prepared though with spares and little DIY fixes. Also, I will suggest that you make the trip in other direction so that it helps you with acclimatization too. When are you planning the trip?
Regards
Dheeraj
Thank you so much for your reply dheeraj.
I am planning to go there as soon as rohtang pass and kunzam pass opens.
I dont have an suv or a 4×4 so I have no choice to do it in a small car.
What kind of issues can I face and what all spares should I carry along.I want to do this trip via manali as if I clear the rohtang and kunzam there will be no roadblock all the way to shimla. I plan to do it slow and steady in 10 days.
Saurabh, For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway, Spiti Valley and Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.
This enlists some essential spares, tips to have an understanding of issues that might come up. Don’t under estimate Kinnaur for being blocked as last year most people only returned from Kinnaur while the route to Kaza from Manali remained open 🙂 🙂 … So, the problem will be on both ends just that in case there is a blockage on Rohtang – Kunzum Side, you will not see the Spiti Valley and come back while if you go the other way round you might see Spiti Valley and come back. But again as I said, this risk is on both sides and the only thing is Kinnaur route help you acclimatize well so that you enjoy more.
YOU MAY LEAVE KALPA . NAKO IS FAMOUS for lake , sangla chitkul both are very very beauty full place ,remember when you move to chutkul from sangla you must be leave in morning and return to sangala because a nalla overflow on road in noon as a result of melting snow. mata bhimakali at sarahan very bautifull place
Hi Dheeraj,
Very informative article. Thanks for the same. I have travelled to Leh via road twice and this time i want to travel to Kinnaur. But i also want to cover Chandratal. What would be the route and best time?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Karan, well you can actually follow the itinerary at the link: most common itinerary for spiti valley
OR in case you planning to travel in September, you can join in over like minded travelers in DoW Mega Meet whose details are linked: Hidden Gems of Spiti Valley | DoW Mega Meet 2014
wow!! exactly what i was looking for. Thanks a ton. 🙂
Hey!
Planning to go to Spiti Valley.All girls. Is it safe?
Also, is it okay for people in their fifties to travel here or will it be too exhausting?
Thanks
GJ, it all depends how many days do you have in hand and which month are you planning the trip to Spiti Valley.
Mid-may. Thanks !
It should be fine to travel in mid of May but you will only be able to go through Shimla – Kinnaur side and come back from the same as the route to Spiti Valley over Kunzum Pass might not open by that time of the year.
Okay thanks! And is it safe for only women?
Yeah, no issues AFAI see it for Kinnaur Valley or Spiti Valley 🙂
Aap sabi mere ko sugest kro ki shimla se kinnaur kaise jaa sakte hai
Deepak, please read the article above and you will get all the required details for making a trip to Kinnaur Valley
Hello sir, Is kinnaur a good idea for honeymoon? We wanted to go in the Mid April. I want to know how is the climate or temperature at that time? can we see snow fall in the area in mid April? I heared there is not any market like mall road in shimla. We are scared of getting bore there because of much peaceful area. Which is the most beautiful area in kinnaur. Where to stay in kinnaur to cover the all surrounding areas? Please reply as soon as possible
Hello Piyush,
Yeah, Kinnaur will be very beautiful during Spring and can be considered for sure. Temperature will be pleasant in April, just like sought of Delhi winters with warm sunny days. In case you are party people then yes, you will get bored as it is a kind of offbeat place not a regular tourists destination with dine-ins and restaurants over mall roads. You can stay either at Kalpa and Sangla and execute the trip from these two places.
Regards
dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning to go to sangla in Mid March(15th-17th Mar), basically the holi weekend.
Would it be a good idea to go to sangla at this time of the year.
Also, i will be driving down in a sedan..would that do?
Awaiting your comments ASAP
Hi Abhishek,
Well, it will be a bit cold up there at that time of the year but still fine if you are OK with cold. Secondly, sedan shall be able to manage with a bit careful driving 🙂 …
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dheeraj any alternate route for reaching kalpa from delhi bypassing shimla?
Shammi, you can take the route from Chail to Kufri bypassing Shimla and then continue towards Kinnaur Valley.
i want to go kalpa in january on bike plz tell me is it possible
Aseem, if you an brave the cold and couple of small bad stretches it is possible to visit Kalpa in the month of January provided it does not snow near that very day you are riding because that will close the road for a day or so.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Need your help in planning a trip to Chitkul and around. I have 05 days between 12-16 Oct and will be starting from Delhi. Few queries
1. Is it right time to travel and will 05 days be enough.
2. How are the roads these days, is it doable in a hatch(only 168 mm clearance) or by car till Shimla and hire a bike from there onwards.
3. And What are major places you will recommend to cover in Kinnaur valley.
Thanks in advance,
Sunil
Hi All, please suggest if it is ok to travel in mid November to Chitkul & surrounding areas?
Chitkul, might close if it snows but you can always try your luck 🙂 … How many days are you planning for a trip to Kinnaur Valley?
PS: Sorry for delayed reply as I was traveling Ladakh for last couple of weeks.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Tbe hotel guy at kaza confirmed tht ppl are arriving frm kinnaur side …so i assume tht malling nullah has opened
Regards
Wow, that’s cool !! People will be relived 😀 I will update the thread in the community as well, thanks for your update,
hello kruti ,
had a talk with a hotel reception @ kaza , the roads are open till kaza as of today . even confirmed with om resturant @ poo , the roads are open .
even chitkul is accessible as of today .
hope this helps .
myself am scheduled for a trip starting 09 sep from mumbai , hence was in touch with the hotel guys .
regards
sumit
Sumit, thanks for the update. So, the Malling Nalla road has opened? Or the road upto Puh is open?
Hi Sumit
Thanks a bunch for the update. My travel dates are 27 sept-9 oct 2013. I hv only booked air tickets to & from chandigarh. So I guess, I will wait until 15th sept before I cancel the trip. Plz let us know about the route after your travel. Hope you have a great journey.
Hi Dhiraj
I wish to travel to spiti valley via Narkanda & kalpa in the last week of september 2013. On the way, i want to take a detour to Sangla valley & chitkul. Due to lanslides & rains, Sangla valley was cut off after Karcham, June onwards. What is the road-bridge status from Karcham to Sangla valley & chitkul? Is the entire circuit from chandigarh to spiti valley-kunzum- chandratal-manali-chandigarh travellable at the moment in september?
Kruti, as per the last updates from one of the readers linked at the DwD Community thread here, it is not recommended to travel the road to Spiti Valley from Kinnaur this year as in fact the road is closed at Malling Nalla for almost 15 days I think. The whole section has disappeared and BRO does not feel like they will restore it soon enough. So, read the updates at the thread and stay tuned if nay more and then only make a choise of attempting this trip. Otherwise, will suggest to postpone to next season OR risk it via Kunzum Pass in October.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks a million for your prompt response to my querry. I greatly appreciate it. I had decided to postpone my trip to next year but this was my last ditch attempt to find out if it is possible to travel this year. Your advise has convinced me not to do this circuit this year. Thanks once again.
Dheeraj, your blog is one of the best for the western himalayas sector. Kudos to you for such a great job. 🙂
Kruti, like you said in another post, please keep it open upto 15th and then you can call it off !! But, rest assured that though roads will be open and manageable BUT will be bad in shape after all landslides and flash floods happened this year. So, take a safe decision accordingly. I will try to post the updated status if I can find anyone coming or going there by next week before I go for Ladakh late in September 🙂
BTW, thank you so very much. The blog has a dedicated Himalayan Community as well. JOIN US at DoW – Himalayan Travel Community for Travel Itinerary advices, Find Travel Partners, share your Travel Tales and much more related to Himalayas!!
Hi Dheeraj
I hv just joined the DoW Himalayan community. Will contribute as and when I can. Thanks
Kruti
Thanks alot 🙂
HELLO ,
i plan to drive down covering the following places
Sangla , Chitkul , Kalpa , Poo , Tabo , Kaza and Ke Monastry.
Can i get an update on the road conditions prevailing.
I plan to do the journey in early week of september.
I will be driving a Logan.
Will i experience rains even at that time and what about slushy roads??
regards
sumit
Hi Sumit,
I will request that you please refer the following articles for planning a trip to Spiti Valley: Spiti Valley via Manali | How to Plan Your Journey AND Spiti Valley via Kinnaur | How to Plan Your Journey
They have all the details. Feel free to let me know in case of any doubts
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Very elaborate and detailed post. Inspires me to plan a visit.
thanks a lot!! 🙂 🙂 … Do visit this amazing valleys of Himalayas, if any help required please feel free to shoot any queries 🙂
Thanks so much for the article. I’d gone to Kinnaur Kailash Parkrama – http://colorodyssey.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/kinnaur-kailash-parikrama-magnificent-desolation/
Should add trek & Charang village to the above things to do 🙂
Cheers!
Ritu
Sure Ritu, thanks for pointing this out. I will surely add it in the above article. Also, the pictures are fabulous that you have clicked 🙂
Dear Deeraj,
Fantastic and useful blog..
I need a suggestion from you.
We four friends planned to do a trip to either Sangla Valley or Tirthan Valley. We are from Dehradun.
As I explored to Google map to find the route, I found the short route is Dehradun-Chakrata-Rohru-Rampur-to Either Sangla Valley or Tirthan Valley.
We have only 3 days in hand. Looking forward your suggestion to plan our trip. we will start from dehradun on June 14th Evening. With Own ALTO K10 vehicle. please tell about the feasibility also.
The alternate route is Dehradun-nahan-chandigarh-bilaspur-mandi-tirthan valley seems to be longer than the route i mentioned earlier. But i do not really know the road conditions of Chakrata-rohri-rampur-tirthan vallye or sangala valley section.
Thanks in anticipation
Venkat, Rohru road though sorter but have very very bad roads as per last updates. Sangla Valley will be tight and so will Tirthan in just three day. First day at Max I can think you can reach Narkanda from Dehradun with that bad roads and then next day you will reach Tirthan and then again you need to come back the other day. So, you will just be reaching Tirthan and coming back.
Thanks Dheeraj,
Let me Brief my plan.
Starting from Dehradun-14th 4.30 pm. I can reach Shimla Via Nahan (road conditions are very good except for 20km stretch from nahan towards shimla). I can reach shimla by midnight.
With brief rest, If i start 5 am from Shimla (15th), I can reach Tirthan valley by 2 pm? If so, I have one and a half day in Tirthan valley. Then start back on 16th Evening either Via Aut-bilaspur-chandigarh or return through same route. Please suggest if this is possible.
SECOND OPTION: Can you suggest a good place in Garhwal (Uttarakhand) for a two day trip to enjoy. I dont like places filled with people. Need a isolated, natural place to enjoy with friends.
Thanks in advance.
Venkat, instead of so much traveling all the way to Tirthan why not you travel to Harsil. Much better and pristine then Tirthan and near to you too in terms of accessibility. It is just about 8 hrs drive from Haridwar/Rishikesh.
Hi Dheeraj, from Rishikesh to harshil should be atleast 9-10 hours.
Aah, Amit, I thought it shall be manageable in 8 Hrs as it seems 220 odd KMs from Rishikesh though I have never been to it, just read few travel accounts of it. Thanks for correcting me though but still feel shall be better option to drive than to hit Tirthan Valley from Dehradun.
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks for your advise. I found harsil is best in terms of travel time.. so decided to go to Harsil.. between 14th and 16th June.. Can you help me finding a good budget hotel accommodation there in Harsil. Please suggest some places to enjoy there.. thanks in advance..
Venkat, Harsil will be perfect. I always stay with KMVN or GMVN as I found them value for money with respect to locations and cleanliness.
Informative piece.
thanks a lot 🙂
We are going there on june 9th for 7 days……i wonder what is the condition of roads there.
Saurabh, you can check the current road conditions and even update them once you are back at the DoW – Himalayan Travel Community link: Delhi – Kinnaur – Spiti Valley | Road Conditions
Another marvelous post with useful information. The pic of the bus in the tunnel is really good..
Thank you so very much Prasad. Yesh, it is too one of my favorite giving the context of the scale too. I am sure, once you will plan the trip here this is going to be useful in some or the other context 🙂
Truly enchanting…such beautiful vistas..maybe one day I will make that trip!
thanks alot. Yes, it indeed is one of the nice places in Himachal to visit.
Very Informative with excellent pictures… 🙂
thanks a ton 🙂
Sir, I am fond of travelli g hilly areas with my low ground base small car.Last yr I visited chardham yatra and during yamunotri and gangotri visit I found the worst road conditions which were narrow too. Now I am planning to go to narkanda, sangla, chitkul, kalpa etc. and i wish to know that whether the road conditions r more worst as compared to yamunotri/ gangotri roads? Is there any permission/ regn. Reqd. To visit these places.
Sanjay no permissions are required. But road conditions are more or like same and it is just about 100 KMs where you need to suffer from bad roads rest are all good.
I would like to have some information on a trip in Lahul – Spiti and Kinnaur. We are 4 adults and 1 kid and we are looking for a 9 days trip in this region. Could you please suggest us an itinerary for 9 days. We would like to spend some time in the place where the landscapes are best – so please allow time in the itinerary in those places where we can see the best landscapes for our photography purpose.
Also, I would like to know how Key monastery is placed. Can that be included in the itinerary?
Appreciate if you please also suggest on cost for 4 adults and 1 kid. We are not looking for 4/5 star hotel but clean and hygienic accommodation is a requirement.
Please send this ASAP
Hello Rima,
Since you looking for a relaxed trip and time on hand and traveling with family too, you can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley.
Regards
dheeraj