Kinnaur Valley — Shimla to Chitkul via Sangla &Kalpa.
Distance
390 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
3,800 m
Kinnaur Valley — Shimla to Chitkul via Sangla & Kalpa.
Two days on the Hindustan-Tibet Road from colonial Shimla to Chitkul — the last village before the Tibet border. The NH5 climbs through apple-orchard Narkanda, follows the Sutlej River to Karcham, then turns up the dramatic Baspa River gorge into the apricot-and-prayer-flag villages of Kinnaur. Kalpa sits across from Kinnaur Kailash (6,050m), a sacred Shiva peak. The road is paved throughout but blasted into cliff faces — narrow, twisty and spectacular. Inner Line Permit required beyond Karcham.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance390 km
Days2
Total climb3,800 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyModerate
Loading map...
2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 9 waypoints to discover along the way.
ShimlaStart · Colonial summer capital at 2,205m. Head east on NH5 — the historic Hindustan-Tibet Road built by the British in the 1850s.
Narkanda Apple CountryScenic Point · Apple orchard ridges at 2,708m. Detour to Hatu Peak (3,400m, 8km from town) for panoramic Sutlej valley views.
Rampur BazaarRestaurant · Old trade town on the Sutlej. Lavi Fair every November brings Tibetan and Ladakhi traders. Lunch at a local Himachali dhaba.
Karcham ConfluenceScenic Point · Where the Baspa joins the Sutlej. The 1,091MW Karcham-Wangtoo hydroelectric dam dominates the gorge. Turn south here for the Sangla Valley.
SanglaOvernight · Overnight in Sangla at 2,680m. Apricot orchards, trout streams, and traditional Kinnauri wood-and-slate houses. The Bering Nag temple is unique.
Chitkul VillageScenic Point · Last inhabited village before the Tibet border at 3,450m. Wood houses with carved balconies set against snow peaks. End-of-the-road feeling.
KalpaScenic Point · Apple-pine village across the Sutlej from Kinnaur Kailash (6,050m), a Shiva pilgrim peak. Best viewed at sunrise — book a guesthouse with a balcony.
Rekong PeoFuel Stop · Kinnaur district headquarters. Last fuel and ATM before Spiti. The road north continues to Tabo and Kaza — Spiti country.
Rekong PeoEnd · End in Rekong Peo. Continue to Spiti next day or return to Shimla via the same Hindustan-Tibet Road.
More routes in IN HP
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS