About Kinnaur

Kinnaur, also known as "Land of god" is about 235 kms from Shimla and is known for its serenity and beauty of the lush green and rocky mountain scape having Satluj, Baspa and Spiti River snaking through it. A brotherly fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism at one place reflects the existence of a culture of a different sort which is well preserved by its people in this era of modernization. Hindus visit Kinnaur to see the famous Kinner Kailash, believed to be the home of Lord Shiva and the Shivaling rocks, the stories of Pandavas and their link with Kinnaur is a great attraction. There are also old Buddhist monasteries and temples in the vicinity which hold special importance and are revered by Buddhists. Apart from religion, Kinnaur also has a large scope in adventure sports like trekking and skiing. There are about nine known routes for trekking and some which are five day or six day trips. Kinnaur is well known for its delicious apples, Chilgoza, handlooms and handicrafts materials. Slight traces of modernization can be seen in the town, its cultures and people but the area continues to be pristine, simple and magnificently beautiful.

Tourist Attractions In Kinnaur : 24

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1: Kalpa

Imagine ambling through the pathways as the sun with a dash of redness rises up the skyline to turn into a mild yellow gold artwork; mornings of such sorts are a feast to the soul and Kalpa is famous for such beautiful sunrises. The Narayan Nugani temple in Kalpa exhibits the sincerity of the craftsmanship of the region without even slight failure.

2: Reckong Peo

Reckong Peo or Peo is also known as the Land of the Gods for the amazing natural beauty it possesses, for it is believed that this is the place where the Gods will certainly dwell at. The headquarters of Kinnaur district, Peo is a hoard in the middle of the Himalayas, a serene town in the centre of the great Himalayas. The apple orchards, along with the stately deodars and the fresh scent of pine trees make this place a stronge one to resist. With a breath taking view of the Kailash Parvat and the Shivling, this spot is a hard one to miss. Reckong Peo or Peo is also known as the Land of the Gods for the amazing natural beauty it possesses, for it is believed that this is the place where the Gods will certainly dwell at. This spot is an amazing showcase of the splendour which the Himalayas are capable of presenting. The headquarters of Kinnaur district, Peo is a hoard in the middle of the Himalayas, a serene town in the centre of the great Himalayas. It is well-known mostly for its apple orchards. These apple orchards, along with the stately deodars and the fresh scent of pine trees make this place a strong one to resist. Now largely urbanized, Reckong Peo was hardly ever known till a few years back, and it is still counted as a place people visit very rarely as tourists.

3: Kamru Fort

Located at a height of around 2600 mts above the mean sea level Kamru Fort is a historic tourist attraction around 2 kms from beautiful Sangla Valley. Set in front of a scenic background, the fort exudes stunning views of magnificent Himalaya. The fort can be accessed crossing a series of gates. At the main gate a blissful statue of Lord Buddha blesses the visitors. The fort encloses a 15th century shrine of Lord Badrinath. The wooden balcony of the fort serves as an ideal spot to witness the grandeur of Himalayan landscape. On the third floor of the fort, there is an idol of Goddess Kamakhya which was believed to be brought from Guwahati, Assam. A famous fair dedicated to the deity is arranged once in three years. During this fair the deity of the temple is taken to Gangotri, the origin of river Ganga.

4: Chango Temple

Chango Temple, located in the village of Chango in Kinnaur District, attracts a large number of tourists from all over. The village is known for its splendid landscape, beautiful temples and juiciest apples. Most of the natives of this village follow Buddhism while some practice Hinduism. Some of the Hindu deities of the region include Gyalbo, Yalsa, and Dabla. There are mainly three temples in this village, and one of them is situated in the lower Chango. The red colour walls of this temple can be seen from a distance. There is also a village temple, which has beautiful wall paintings, clay idols, and a large prayer wheel. In the path between these two temples, one can also see a huge stone carved image of Avalokiteshwara, a Buddhist enlightenment being.

5: Nako Lake

Nako Lake is situated in a small old fashioned village of Nako in Kinnaur. It is located at a distance of 2 kms from the famous Hangrang Valley. One of the significant features of this lake is that it remains covered with snow for the most part of the year. The lake is surrounded with four beautiful temples and several trees, which further enhance its beauty. There is also a foot like impression, which according to folklore, is of Guru Padmasambhava, known as the second Buddha by the Nyingma school of Buddhism. One can find animals such as horses and yaks in the region. The local deity of this region is Deodum, who is worshipped by the natives. The village also serves as a base for Trekking to the Pargial Peak and falls on the way to the Thashigang Monastery.

6: Brelengi Gompa

Brelengi Gompa is a popular monastery, which is situated in proximity to Reckong Peo. A noted religious centre of Kinnaur, this monastery is a perfect example of the modern Buddhist architecture. The society of Mahabodhi constructed this gompa for the Dalai Lama in the year 1992 for performing the Kalcharkra Ceremony. There is also a 10 mts long idol of the standing Buddha located close to the monastery, which can be seen from a significant distance.

7: Chandika Temple

Chandika Temple is a popular religious centre located in the village of Kothi in Kinnaur. Also known as Shuwang Chandika, the Goddess is considered as very powerful and the local people have immense faith in her. The idol of the Goddess is made up of gold and is seated in an ark. During the time of worship, the idol is danced up and down by four people. According to a legend, Chandika is one of the 18 children of the demon ‘devta’ or king; Banaasur. He presided over Kinnaur and his eldest daughter Chandika presided over Sairag, popularly known as the heart of Kinnaur. The legend also says that Chandika, with the help of her brother Chagaon Maheshwar, fought with a demon in order to maintain her hold over the area.

8: Charang Ghati

Charang Ghati is situated at an altitude of 5242 mts and acts as a base for trekking in the Chitkul Village, which is located in the Sangla Valley. The area was opened for tourists in the year 1994 and since then it has become a popular trekking area known as the Charang Ghati Pass. While trekking, travellers can enjoy the natural beauty of the place along with observing the beautiful local temples. The months of August and September are considered ideal for visiting the Charang Ghati as till mid July travellers would find a lot of snow in the region.

9: Charang Temple

Charang Temple, also known as the Rangrik Tungma Complex is situated in Charang in the district of Kinnaur. This eleventh century temple is dedicated to Rangrik Tungma, who is supposedly a pre-Buddhist deity. A tiny metal statue of the deity, riding a horse is situated inside the temple. Apart from this, travellers can also find an idol of Maitreya and Buddha in the temple complex. The most interesting feature of the temple is the clay idols. Travellers can also spot ancient hoard of ivory, daggers and bone handled knives along with several wall paintings. It is believed that while a gang of robbers tried to raid the temple, the idols of protecting deities positioned at the entrance of the temple made noise similar to the galloping horses. This noise scared the robbers and saved the temple from being plundered.

10: Hangrang Valley

Hangrang Valley is the second largest valley of the region, which is located at the border of Kinnaur with Tibet and Spiti. With just eight villages in the valley, the population of the region is quite less. The place is devoid of vegetation owing to the rocky and barren terrain, and the main occupation of the natives here is animal husbandry. Trekking here is quite a complicated task because of the hilly terrains. Even experienced trekkers find it very difficult to trek in the region. However, the valley is noted for other adventurous activities such as mountaineering and bird watching.

11: Kanam

Kanam, a prominent monastic village located in the district of Kinnaur, is also known as ‘The Land of God’. This place is noted for its 7 big and small monasteries built by Rin Chan Sang Po and the local deity of the region is Dabla Shu. One of these monasteries is located at the top of the village and has 25 rooms. Travellers can also find copies of encyclopaedia related to Lamaism, known as Kanjur and Tanjur. The monastery has an idol of Buddha made up of gilt Bronze having blue hair. Located at the foot of the Nessang Valley, Kanam is supposedly one of the oldest trade routes to Tibet.

12: Leo

Leo is a noted tourist spot, which is situated at a distance of 94 kms from Reckong Po and 307 kms from the city of Shimla. On the eastern sides, there is insulated rock that was once a fort and is now in a wrecked state.

13: Khab

Khab is a small village situated at an altitude of more than 800 ft above sea level. It is basically the confluence of the rivers Spiti and Satluj. The whole village is surrounded by huge mesmerizing mountains. Moreover, Khab is also a perfect spot for adventure lovers as Trekking can be enjoyed in the region.

14: Suicide Point

Suicide Point is one of the popular tourist destinations in Kalpa, which is situated just 10 minutes away from the popular apple gardens. Dangerous trench and vertical slopes are the highlights of this region.

15: Batseri

Batseri is a prominent village situated on the banks of the Baspa River. This place can only be reached by walking through a traditional bridge built over a stream. This bridge is made up of the cantilevered logs. Unique buildings, cobbled paths, and the temple of Badri Narayan are the important attractions of the village. There is a small chorten or stupa at the entry of the village, which according to the locals, protect the village from the offenders. Art lovers can see the beautiful traditional architecture of the region called ‘Kathkundi’ or ‘Kathkuni’. This is quite unique where horizontal wooden sleepers are crammed with the wooden stones. In this type of architecture, vertical chambers are not included. In proximity to this village, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Buddha.

16: Kinner Kailash

Kinnaur Kailash Mountain, also called the Kinner Kailash Mountain in the local language, is a noted mountain peak of Kalpa which measures 6500 mts in height. This mountain borders the Kinnaur District in the south. The mountain holds a great religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists.

17: Chaka

Chaka is a prominent mountain peak, which is located at an altitude of 15000 ft above sea level. This peak is a prominent trekking zone, where uphill trekking takes around 2 to 3 hours and downhill trekking takes around 2 hours. Travellers can hire local guides for Trekking in the upward region alongside the water channel from Kalpa. It is recommended that the trekkers start early to experience the natural beauty of the place. During the day trip, travellers can pass by a lake and a beautiful valley, which is used as a grazing land around Chaka and Kalpa.

18: Sangla Valley

Sangla Valley is located at an elevation of 8900 ft above sea level. This place is located on the banks of the Baspa River amid magnificent twisty streams. The scenic beauty of the place is enhanced with the presence of snow covered mountains and lush green meadows. Some of the popular tourist attractions located close to the valley includes the Kamru Fort, Kilba, Sapni, Rackchham, and the Naga Temple.

19: Roghi Village

Roghi Village is situated at a distance of about 18 kms from Kalpa and 210 kms from Shimla. This place is known for its beautiful apple orchards and traditional village life. Roghi is located in proximity to the Suicide Point, which is just 5 minutes away. Tourists who are religiously inclined can also visit the temple located in the Roghi Village.

20: Sapni Fort

Sapni Fort, renowned for its exceptional architecture, is located in proximity to the Sapni Village. The fort is built by joining two buildings together. The main tower of the building is quite ancient and has seven floors. There is a temple located on the 5th floor of the building, which is devoted to the Hindu Goddess Kali. The front portion of the building was been built by Raja Padam Singh of Rampur. Travellers can see beautiful wooden carvings on windows and the door frames.

21: Sangli Village

Sangli Village is situated in Arki tehsil and located in Solan district of Himachal pradesh. It is one of 325 villages in arki Block along with villages like Pakhrer and Bayantlu. Nearby railway station of Sangli is Solan.

22: Chango

At a distance of 122 kms from Kalpa, Chango is a collection of 4 hamlets in Pargna Shuwa, sub tehsil, Hangrang on the left bank of river Spiti. It is encircled on every side by high hills, which is a witness to the presence of a former lake. Buddhism is generally practised here, but there are some local Hindu deities too namely Gyalbo, Dabla and Yalsa. Chango is the last village of the Kinnaur district and in its monsoon free aridity grows the finest apples of the area. Chango is the starting point for the mountainous areas towards the east, falling near the Tibetan border. This Trans Himalayan tract is famous for its awesome and inspiring landscapes.

23: Chitkul

The last inhabited village on the Indo Tibettan border, Chitkul is found on the bank of Baspa River. It is the last point in India till where one can travel without a permit. The village is a perfect retreat for the travellers who are looking for a break from crowd and chaos and turns to a perfect bliss for the sparse population over the region. The village remains almost covered with snow during winter season. It is during this period of time, the local residents move to the lower Himalayan regions. The main attractions of Chitkul are its houses which have either slate or wooden plank roofs. It also houses a small Buddhist Temple and a small tower. There is a monastery called Kagyupa Temple where an age old image of Shakyamuni Buddha is worshipped. The valley proffers an unsurpassed view of the river Baspa with the vistas of snow clad mountains on the left and apple orchards and wooden houses on the right.

24: Kothi

Kothi also known as Koshtampi has a religious reverence due to the temple of Hindu god Bhairon baba and another temple of one of the most powerful and eldest goddess who bestow magical boons to her devotees. Goddess Chandika is believed to slash the head of a demon that helped the takur of Chini in ruling Sairag and by this she brought a rush of bliss to the town.

How To Reach Kinnaur

By Air - Shimla Airport is nearest to Kinnaur, which is located at a distance of 249 kms from Kalpa, which is the chief village of Kinnaur District.

By Rail - Nearest railhead to Kinnaur is the Shimla railway station, which is situated at a distance of around 230 kms.

By Road - Travellers can avail buses for Kinnaur from the nearby places such as Shimla and Rampur. Bus and taxi services can be availed at affordable prices.

Local Transport - Some of the routes in Kinnaur are really rough and challenging however, buses and taxis are readily available here but there are some regions which could not be covered by them and people walk by foot to reach such destinations.

Traditional Food (Regional cusine of Kinnaur)

1. Siddu: A beloved steamed bread stuffed with a delectable mixture of spices, often served with ghee or chutney for a delightful culinary experience.

2. Chilra: A savory pancake made from buckwheat flour, seasoned with local herbs and spices, and typically served with tangy chutneys or yogurt.

3. Aktori: A traditional sweet dish prepared with buckwheat flour, ghee, and jaggery, cooked until golden brown and enjoyed as a delightful treat.

4. Thupka: A hearty noodle soup infused with flavors of Himalayan herbs and spices, often containing vegetables or meat, providing comfort and warmth in every spoonful.

In Kinnaur, you'll find an array of eateries that offer authentic local flavors, allowing you to savor the region's rich culinary heritage. Some popular dining destinations include:

1. The Monk's Retreat: Nestled amidst picturesque surroundings, this restaurant offers a serene ambiance and serves a variety of traditional Kinnauri dishes, along with Tibetan specialties.

2. Himalayan Inn: Located in the heart of Kinnaur, this cozy inn's restaurant serves flavorful dishes crafted from fresh, local ingredients, providing a true taste of the region.

3. Sangla Kitchen: Situated overlooking the stunning Sangla Valley, this restaurant offers breathtaking views along with delicious Kinnauri cuisine, making it a perfect dining spot for travelers.

4. Kinnaur Valley Retreat: Embraced by the tranquility of nature, this retreat's restaurant serves wholesome meals prepared with love and care, showcasing the essence of Kinnauri flavors.

5. Cafe Himalaya: A charming cafe known for its warm hospitality and delectable offerings, including traditional Kinnauri snacks like siddu and chilra, providing a culinary journey through the flavors of Kinnaur.

These dining experiences in Kinnaur promise to tantalize your taste buds and leave you with a deep appreciation for the region's culinary treasures.

Weather & Quick Info Of Kinnaur

Nestled amidst the majestic landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur beckons travelers with its timeless charm and awe-inspiring vistas.

With its pleasant climate prevailing from October to March, Kinnaur provides the perfect backdrop for exploration and rejuvenation.

Exploring Kinnaur typically requires 1-2 days, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its natural beauty.

Venturing beyond Kinnaur opens up a plethora of nearby attractions, including the ancient temples of Sarahan (110 km), the scenic beauty of Sangla Valley (90 km), and the adventure hub of Kalpa (50 km), ensuring an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Himachal Pradesh.