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
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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.
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