India Tourism | Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul

Located in the dizzy heights of the Himalayas, with passes that remain closed for six months, Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul were till now, a forbidden land. Now this area has been opened for the daring and adventurous who can discover what had been hidden from the world for centuries. From the riotous green of the Sangla Valley- filled with orchards of apricots, peaches, apples and Chilgoza pine forests, to the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley, Mother Nature's portrait is everchanging in Kinnaur. This land lying on the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, ringed by the majestic mountains of the Himalayan and Dhauladhar range is a land of plenty.

Entry Formalities

Foreign nationals can travel with permits issued by

a) District Magistrate: Shimla; Rekong Peo (Kinnaur); Kullu; Keylong (Lahaul);

b) Sub District Magistrate: Shimla; Rampur; Kalpa, Nichar (Kinnaur); Keylong, Udaipur (Lahaul); or

c) Additional Deputy Commissioner's office: Pooh (Kinnaur); Kaza (Lahaul) only when they are traveling in a group of four(4) or more persons with a predrawn itinerary through a recognized travel agent. The permits can be obtained on presenting the following documents,viz. i) Three passport size photographs, ii) Police verification from home town or any other equivalent documents like passport, driving license etc., which can establish the identification of the applicant. Foreigners are required to present an itinerary and introduction by a recognized travel agent. The tourists are advised to get their documents verified at the check points at Chitkul,Lippa,Khud (Kinnaur) and Kaza (Spiti).

How to get there - Kinnaur

	Air: The nearest airport Shimla is 224 kms from Kalpa (in Kinnaur).
	Rail: The nearest railhead Kalka, 314 kms from Kalpa in Kinnaur, is connected with the major places in India.
	Road: Kalpa is one of the main places in the district of Kinnaur. Some of the road-distances from Kalpa:- Shimla 224 kms, Rampur 108 kms, Pooh 94 kms, Moorang 22 kms, Nichar 39 kms, Wangtu 34 kms, Narkanda 160 kms, Chakrata 248 kms, Kufri 210 kms, Sarahan 77 kms, Chaura 63 kms, Karcham 35 kms, Chitkul 102 kms, Tashigang 116 kms, Shipki La 126 kms etc.
	Local Transport: Buses, jeeps and taxis are available from Shimla and Rampur.

How to get there - Lahaul & Spiti

	Air: Kullu and Shimla are the nearest two airports. By road Keylong is 158 kms from Shimla.
	Rail: Shimla and Pathankot are nearest railheads. By road Keylong is 436 kms from Pathankot.
	Road: National Highway No.21 connects Manali to Lahaul & Spiti and Leh. Keylong is one of the main places in the district of Lahaul & Spiti. Some of the road-distances from Keylong:-, Kullu 158 kms, Manali 118 kms, Pathankot 436 kms, Jogindarnagar 284 kms, Rahla 102 kms, Rohtang Pass 67 kms, Khoksar 46 kms, Gondhla 18 kms, Udaipur 48 kms etc.
	Local Transport: Regular buses and taxis are available from Manali and Shimla.

Places of Interest and Excursions

At Kinnaur

Bhabha Nagar (35 kms from Rampur on NH)
Nichar (18 kms from NH on a link road near Bhabha Nagar)
Sangla Valley (Alpine meadows)
Poari (Oil filling station 40 kms from Bhabha Nagar)
Recong Peo (Dist. H.Q. 7 kms from NH on a link road diverting from Poari)
Kalpa (14 kms from Poari on link road)
Kothi (House of Goddess Chandika, 3 kms from Recong Peo)
Ribba (16 kms from Poari, famous for local brew `Angoori' made from grapes)
Moorang (Famous for apricot orchards, 26 kms from Poari on NH)
Pooh (58 kms from Poari)
Nako (8 kms from NH on a link road diverting 1 km short of Yangthang)
Tashigang Gompa (Treking route)
Tilasangh Monastery (1 km trek from Ka, which is 12 kms short of Yangthang)

At Spiti

As Kullu is the valley of Gods we can say Spiti is the valley of Monasteries. Monasteries like Tabo, Gulling, Dhankar and Kee are located in this valley. Sumdo (Entry point of Spiti, situated at the confluence of the river Spiti and Pare-chu, at an altitude of 3350 mtrs)

Schichiling (50 kms from Sumdo, famous for Dhankar monastery)
Attergu (From here one can turn right to enter the Pin Valley to reach Kungri
Kaza (A famous monastery situated 11 kms from Kaza atan altitude of 4160 mtrs)
Losar (60 kms from Kaza, near the confluence of the Losar & Peeno streams)
Kunzam Pass (4590 mtrs, gateway to Spiti from Lahaul).

At Lahaul:

Batal (From here one can trek to Chandra Tal and go up to Bara Lacha Pass, on the Manali-Leh road)
Bara Singri Glacier (On the left bank of Chandra River)
Koksar (Coldest place in Lahaul, 3140 metres, 21 kms beyong rohtang Pass)
Gondhla (18 kms from Keylong)
Tandi (8 kms short of Keylong)
Bara Lacha Pass (4883 metres, on Manali-Leh road)
Udaipur (Mrikula Devi Temple)
Trilokinath Temple (4 kms short of Udaipur)
Suraj Tal (4883 metres, 65 kms from Keylong)
Sarchu (Ladakh border)
Lake Chandra Tal( 4270 metres, approchble through Kunzam Pass) and some Monateries viz. Kardang (5 kms from Keylong)
Shashur (3 kms from Keylong)
Tayl (6 kms from Keylong)
Guru Ghantal (4 kms)

The Region