™ 1Kalpa
An old village facing the Kinner Kailash range across the valley, with apple orchards, a temple and a monastery.
Kinnaur travel guide
The land of apples and Kinner Kailash – Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa and the old Hindustan–Tibet road
📍 Himachal Pradesh 7 places to visit 🏨 1 stay to book Updated 31 Oct 2026
Kinnaur is a high mountain district of Himachal Pradesh along the Sutlej river, bordering Tibet. Apple orchards, wooden temples, slate-roofed villages, the Kinner Kailash range and dramatic roads make it one of India’s most beautiful drives – and the gateway to Spiti.
History of Kinnaur
The Kinnauras are mentioned in old Sanskrit texts as the Kinnars, a people “between gods and humans”. Kinnaur was part of the hill state of Bushahr, ruled from Sarahan and Rampur, and sat on the trade route between India and Tibet.
In the 1850s the British began the Hindustan–Tibet Road along the Sutlej, and the route later became the national highway that still runs through the district. Kinnaur became a separate district of Himachal Pradesh in 1960.
The valleys mix Hindu and Buddhist traditions – wooden temples to local deities stand near gompas. Kinner Kailash, a peak sacred to Shiva, rises above Kalpa, and Kinnaur’s apples and chilgoza pine nuts are famous across India.
Best time to visit Kinnaur
April–June and September–October are best; September–October is apple season. July–August brings landslide risk; December–March is cold and snowy, with Sangla and Chitkul often cut off.
Apr–Jun
Spring & summer · Pleasant, about 10–25°C
Best
Orchard blossom and green valleys.
Jul–Aug
Monsoon · Some rain
Avoid
Landslides on the highway – check road status.
Sep–Oct
Apple season · Clear, cool
Best
Apple harvest and golden autumn colours.
Nov–Mar
Winter · Cold, snow
Good
Snow in Kalpa and Sangla; Chitkul road may close.
How to reach Kinnaur
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Nearest airport
Shimla Airport (Jubbarhatti, SLV); Chandigarh (IXC)Shimla about 240 km to Reckong Peo (8–9 hours); Chandigarh about 350 km.
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Nearest railway station
Shimla (narrow gauge) / Kalka (main line)Shimla about 230 km to Reckong Peo (8–9 hours by road).
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Bus stand
Reckong Peo bus stand – HRTC buses to Shimla, Chandigarh, Delhi, Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa and Kaza. Rampur and Karcham are the main change points on the highway.
| From | Distance by road | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla | About 230 km | 8–9 hours (to Reckong Peo) |
| Sarahan | About 100 km | 3.5 hours (to Peo) |
| Sangla | About 40 km | 1.5–2 hours (from Peo) |
| Chitkul | About 65 km | 2.5–3 hours (from Peo) |
| Kalpa | 7–8 | 20 minutes (from Peo) |
| Nako | About 105 km | 4 hours (from Peo) |
| Kaza | About 200 km | 7–8 hours (from Peo) |
Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.
Famous places to visit in Kinnaur
2Roghi village & cliffs
A traditional village on a narrow road cut into the cliffs above the Sutlej – a famous view and drive.
3Sangla valley & Kamru Fort
The green Baspa valley with orchards and the old wooden Kamru fort-temple above Sangla.
4Chitkul
The last inhabited village on the Indian side of the old Indo–Tibet route, with wooden houses and a river meadow.
5Rakchham
A pretty village by the Baspa river with meadows and camping sites.
6Nako Lake & village
A small lake in a high-desert village near the Spiti border, with old monasteries – the last big stop before Spiti.
7Bhimakali Temple, Sarahan
A striking wood-and-stone temple of the Bushahr rajas at the gateway to Kinnaur.
Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.
🏔️ Kinner Kailash at a glance
- What
- A range sacred to Shiva, with a tall rock pillar seen as a shivling
- Best view
- From Kalpa at sunrise
- Parikrama
- A tough multi-day trek, usually in July–August
The Kinner Kailash parikrama is a high-altitude trek – go only with experience and a local guide.
Kinnaur itinerary
3 days in Kinnaur
Day 1
- Drive from Shimla via Sarahan to Sangla.
Day 2
- Chitkul and Rakchham; back to Sangla.
Day 3
- Kalpa and Roghi at sunrise; continue to Nako or return.
5 days – Kinnaur into Spiti
Day 1–2
- Sangla and Chitkul.
Day 3
- Kalpa.
Day 4
- Nako and Tabo.
Day 5
- On to Kaza.
Trip budget for Kinnaur
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (homestay / hotel) | About ₹1,200–4,000 / night | Orchard homestays in season |
| Food | About ₹400–800 per person / day | |
| Taxi Shimla → Sangla | About ₹7,000–9,000 one way | 8–9 hours |
| 3 days for 2 (approx.) | ₹18,000–30,000 | Stays + food + taxi |
Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026.
Kinnaur vs Kalpa and Nako
Where to stay in Kinnaur?
| Place | From Shimla | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangla | About 220 km, 8 h | Green valley, orchards | Chitkul trips |
| Kalpa | About 240 km, 8–9 h | Village with peak views | Kinner Kailash sunrise |
| Nako | About 340 km, 12 h | High desert lake village | Stop before Spiti |
Where to stay in Kinnaur
Base yourself in Sangla or Chitkul for the Baspa valley, and in Kalpa for the Kinner Kailash views. Village homestays along the highway – like those around Kuppa – break the long drive from Shimla and offer orchard life up close.
See all stays in Kinnaur →
Plan your stay in Kinnaur
Find stays
1 homestay, hotel or cottage – book directly with the host.
Own a homestay or hotel in Kinnaur? List it with Stay in Bharat
Good to know before you go
RoadsThe highway has landslide-prone stretches – drive in daylight and check road status.
PermitsForeign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the stretch near the Tibet border towards Spiti.
FuelFill up at Rampur, Reckong Peo or Powari.
ApplesBuy apples straight from orchards in September–October.
FAQs about Kinnaur
How far is Kinnaur from Shimla?
Reckong Peo, the district headquarters, is about 230 km from Shimla – 8–9 hours by road.
What is the best time to visit Kinnaur?
April–June and September–October. September–October is apple season.
Is Chitkul open in winter?
The road to Chitkul is often closed by snow between December and March.
Do I need a permit for Kinnaur?
Indian citizens don’t. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the border stretch towards Spiti.
Where can I see Kinner Kailash?
From Kalpa, especially at sunrise.
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