Chhitkul Village
Chhitkul is a townlet situated in the district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. It's the last Indian townlet with a border of China that's why it's under Indian Paramilitary Force ITBP control where you can go without a permit as it's situated at Indo China border.
The nearest city to Chhitkul is Rampur in Himachal Pradesh.
Chhitkul is at an elevation of 3450m. The climate of Chhitkul makes it actually special. It's covered by snow in winters and people living in Chhitkul have to move down from it because of snow.
The climate remains cold all over the time in Chhitkul. Potatoes grown in Chhitkul are one of the finest potatoes and are precious too.
Chhitkul is at a distance of 569 km away from Delhi.. Chhitkul is an actually cold and windy venue and its roads remain restricted by the first snowfall in November but it's best for enjoying the snow.
Sangla Valley is about 28 km away from Chhitkul. It takes half an hour to travel from Sangla Valley to Chhitkul. If you're allowed to spend your vacations in Chhitkul make sure you take satisfactory cash and fuel with yourself as Chhitkul has no fuel station and ATM establishments.
For medical help and extremities, you have to go back to a Sangla that's about 28 km down. Places to stay in Chhitkul are precious.
There are wooden houses that are turned into lodges for travelers. Numerous travelers prefer to stay at Sangla and go to Chhitkul for one day trip due to similar precious lodges.
Chhitkul is a beautiful place to visit for holidays and there are many places to explore and visit in Chhitkul Himachal Pradesh
Sangla Valley
The literal meaning of Sangla in Tibetan is 'Pass of Light'. The Sangla Valley attracts tourists with its mesmerizing Himalayan mountains, dense oak and devdar forests, glacier streams, and the ancient Baspa river flowing along the valley.
Sangla Valley is undoubtedly a destination for nature lovers who can enjoy the serenity and pristine ambiance of this destination in Himachal Pradesh.
One of the top sightseeing places in Sangla Valley is Kamru Fort. Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kamakshi, this temple converted fort is an architectural marvel and an artistic delight.
Goddess Kamakshi is seated on the third floor of the temple.
Another popular temple in Sangla is the Bering Nag Temple. Dedicated to Lord Jagas, Bering Nag Temple is a popular tourist attraction and a place of great religious importance.
Sangla Valley gives an opportunity to spend some time on the banks of baspa river and get mesmerized by the speed of its sparkling waters. The Baspa River is a popular tourist destination with various fishing and camping activities.
One of the most important apple growing regions of Himachal Pradesh, the hill town of Sangla has many beautiful and vast apple and apricot orchards. Experience a delicious burst of flavor from the red juicy apples of the region.
This small town also offers an opportunity to visit the local huts located in the lush green meadows of Sangla.
One can experience the local customs, traditions and lifestyle of Tibetan and Hindu people in this region of Himachal Pradesh.
For those who wish to bring back memories of the place as a souvenir, there is a Tibetan Wood Carving Center in Sangla, a center for exquisitely crafted handmade items.
Travel to the nearby shopping paradise of Batseri (a village 5 km from Sangla) and shop for the beautifully designed famous Kinnauri hats and handmade shawls.
Sangla offers many restaurants and cafes the opportunity to serve authentic and delicious Tibetan dishes such as thukpa and momos and simple lentils, rice, vegetables and roti.
Popular Tourist Attractions in Sangla Valley
Situated in the apple-rich Kinnaur district and nestled in the green Himalayan mountains, the tiny town of Sangla offers some beautiful temples, a handicraft market, and several scenic locales to see. This nature lover’s dream destination is also the hub for many trekkers.
KAMRU FORT
Tibetan Wood Carving Center
Baspa River
Bering Nag Temple
Mathi Temple
If you are traveling to Chitkul then Mathi Temple is a must-visit. It is at an altitude of 11262 feet. This temple is dedicated to their local deity Shri Mathi.
The beauty of the temple lies in the idol of the goddess, this temple is made of walnut wood and decorated with tufts of yak tail. This temple was built 1000 years ago.
The temple is built in the traditional Kathuni style and is situated in the middle of the village. It combines the unique architecture and amazing woodwork of those old days with a beautiful blend of tradition with the uniqueness of other Hindu temples.
It is a traditional Hindu temple from the inside, but outside it has dragons that resemble some other sects that have nothing to do with the temple inside.
Since the temple is in the center of the village, visitors are completely immersed in the unique tradition and culture of Kinnaur on their way to the temple, while getting a closer look at the inner life and lifestyle of the local people.
Rakchham Village in India
Rakchham is a quaint village located in Himachal Pradesh, about 9 km from Chhitkul, the last Indian village before the Tibet border. There are two temples in Rakchham dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and Maa Kali.
This small village is situated in the charming valley on the banks of river Baspa, which is an important tributary of the Sutlej. This area is full of dense vegetation throughout the year.
The winters in this village are so cold that the locals migrate to low-lying areas and return every year in April to start farming.
Baspa Valley / river in India :
Baspa river is the main attraction of Chitkul. This river is a wonderful place for some activities and adventures. This place is a very ideal place for photography, along with this tourists can do adventure things like fishing, trekking, camping here.
Covering a long distance through the mountains in the area, one can spot rainbow and brown trout. If you are looking for a peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, then this will prove to be a great trip for you.
Batseri village
Located about 8 km from Sangla, Batseri village is where you can buy some interesting local handicrafts. The village is most famous for handmade shawls and kinnauri caps.
If you visit this village, do not forget to buy pine nuts or chilgoza, which are grown here. Trout fishing form leads from this village you should not miss it.
Kamru Fort Tourist Attraction
Kamaru Fort is an ideal place to get a glimpse of the artistic heritage of the past. This fort has now been converted into a temple. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kamakhya Devi.
The fort has a wooden balcony in which a large idol of the goddess is placed on the third floor. The fort welcomes its visitors with a huge statue of Lord Buddha at its main entrance. If you are a history lover then you must visit this fort.
History of Kamru Fort
This fort was built by the people of Tish Khunang i.e. seven villages. The seven villages that make up this fort in Kamru, the capital of Bushahr princely state, include Chitkul, Sangla, Shong, Raksham, Batseri, Chasu and Kamru.
The history of this fort is nothing short of a miracle. In fact, where the fort is located, it was not being constructed.
According to the belief, the decision was taken to build this fort in the lower part of Kamru village, the people of Tish Khunang i.e. seven villages were collecting construction material stone, wood together.
Every day hundreds of people would return home from nearby areas keeping this material at a fixed place throughout the day, but when they reached work in the morning, the construction material would be found missing.
When this sequence lasted for several days, the villagers held a meeting and started a search operation in the entire area, then all the construction materials were kept at the place of the present fort. By obeying God, all the villagers decided that now the fort will be built at this place.
This 1100-year-old fort, built of deodar and high-grade stones, still stands as it is, with complete compulsion and strength. As if it had been only a few years since it was built.
Traditions still persist today
Even today the old rules and traditions have been maintained for entering the temple and fort. Before entering the fort, it has been made mandatory for every person to wear a cap to cover his head and tie a gachi around his waist.
Under no circumstances should these rules be violated. The entry of any outsider is prohibited inside the fort and in the sanctum sanctorum of Mother Kamakhya. Here only the royal family or the car-worker of the local temple committee have the right to enter.
The idol of Mata Kamakhya has been installed in the new temple built in the courtyard of the fort, in view of the outsiders and tourists not returning disappointed.
People take blessings after seeing it. The majestic luxuries, weapons and antiquities that are gathering dust within the fort will soon be housed in a museum being built on the premises.
So that the tourists and devotees coming here can get acquainted with that ancient culture. In this village, the descendants of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and the royal family are still considered as gods.
Whenever there is a religious program in the royal family, the people of Kamru village participate in the program with priority. This is the reason that whenever Virbhadra Singh was in power, the people of Kinnaur have been getting special preference.
Kalpa Village
Kalpa is the main village of Kinnaur located in Himachal Pradesh which is a very nice place to visit. The village is known for its many beautiful temples and monasteries and is also famous for apple orchards. Let us tell you that Kalpa is situated at an altitude of 2759 meters above sea level.
A morning walk to this beautiful place will give you a chance to experience the magic and mystery with the sunrise. Rich in flora and fauna, this village is a small and attractive tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh.
Bering Nag Temple
Bering Nag Temple is a very beautiful temple that is a major tourist destination of Sangla Valley. Let us tell you that this temple is known for its architecture.
Any tourist who goes to visit Chitkul must visit this temple once. Bering Nag Temple is considered one of the main temples of Hindus. It is dedicated to Lord Jagas.
If you are going to visit this temple then you should visit between the months of August and September and enjoy the famous Falich fair celebrated every year.
Dodital Lake
It is about 31.7 km away from Chitkul. It is at an altitude of 3117m. It is best for trekking and adventure. It is surrounded by nature all around the river, wildlife, birdlife, beautiful and dense forest of deodar trees.
The trekking area of Dodital is 22 km. It begins from Sangam chatty which is in Uttrakhand district. It is steep with an uphill climb and is above sea level which makes it a panoramic natural beauty.
Kagyu temple
It is one of the famous temples in Chhitkul to visit. It is 0.2 km away from Chhitkul. It has a beautiful and ancient idol of Shakyamuni Buddha.
The beauty of this temple lies in the four cravings made in different directions of doors. Kagyu is the main school in Chitkul for Tibetan Buddhism.
Trekking In Chhitkul Village
If you want to go trekking?
If you have a passion for trekking and want to trek in the most beautiful valleys, then this village is just right. Lamkhaga pass trek and Borasu pass trek will take you in the lap of mountains and from here this trek is only a few hours.
From here, if you want to trek for more than a day, then Lamkhaga Pass can also reach Gangotri by moving forward.
Chhitkul village is not only about scenic landscapes and beautiful valleys. The place also boasts of splendid treks around the Himalayas.
As you know Chhitkul is near the borders of Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Tibet so the passes and treks here to connect with Himachal and Uttarakhand.
Borasu Pass Trek
Borasu Pass trek is such an adventure activity that is very famous. At an altitude of more than 17000 ft, the treks will lead you to some of the most astonishing views.
The glacial view of Har ki Dun is one such beautiful site. Borasu Pass trek is famous for its trekking routes. The trekking route takes you through dense forests of Chestnut and willow trees.
After the forests, you will be trekking around the bed of snow. This unique landscape and combination of trails make this trek exciting.
Camping around the village
Ok, I understand you are not much into trekking but still love to do some adventure activities so then for you Camping in Chitkul village is the best option.
Take your time out and camp in the dense forest of Chitkul. In the night burn some wood and cook good food. With that, the clear sky full of stars looks extremely beautiful.
If you are camping around the Baspa village than you would hear the gushing sound of the river in the background. The overall aura of camping here in Chitkul village is absolutely fantastic.
Few other Important places and Things here
Tibetan wood carving center
As the name suggests Wood-based products are made here. Located near the saffron farms in Sangla the place is best to find some authentic gifts for your loved ones. The artisans here are very hardworking and their work on wood is very intricate.
Hindustan Ka aakhri Dhabaha
While this is neither a tourist place nor a trekking place but eating in India’s last Dhaba is surely some achievement. The last Dhabha of India serves breakfast lunch and dinner.
The Akhri Dhaba is located near the Baspa river around the Indo- Tibet border. You must visit and eat out here.
How to reach Chitkul Village
Chhitkul being far in the Himalayas is tough to reach. The only possible mode of transportation is via road. The nearest big cities from Chhitkul is Shimla and Manali but Shimla is close to Chhitkul.
Reaching by Air
Shimla airport is the nearest airport to Chhitkul Village. The total distance between Shimla and Chitkul is around 250 km and it takes around 8 hours to cover the distance. There are various buses and taxis available from Shimla to reach Chhitkul. The second best option would be reaching Chandigarh airport which remains a fairly big airport in the region.
Reaching by Train
Like the closest airport, the Shimla railway station also remains the nearest big railway station also. While overall the nearest railway station from Chhitkul is the Kalka railway station. The Kalka railway station is connected to the Chandigarh railway station which is further connected to big railway stations like Delhi, Jaipur, Dehradun, and other cities. From the railway station of Kalka, you can find buses and taxis for Chhitkul Village via Sangla valley.
Reaching by Road
All major North Indian cities are well connected to Shimla Bus station and from Shimla bus station you can take for Chhitkul via Reckong Peo. While if you are coming on your vehicle then after reaching Shimla NH5 will take you to the Chhitkul via Rampur Bushahr and Sangla valley
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Best Time to Visit in Chhitkul Himachal Pradesh
The valley is open all year round. Every season comes with added benefits and the charming valley
December to March Visiting in Winters
The best time and season to experience snowfall and watch the mountains of baspa valley. The place is filled with snow at this point in time.
The valley remains absolutely beautiful and astonishing. While it is very beautiful but winters come with their cons too. In winters there is no electricity here, no internet a complete digital detox from the world. Not only that in winters the roads get jammed and it remains inaccessible.
In summers April to June
The temperature in early May month is somewhere around 10° to 15° max in the day. In the night, the temperature drops to below freezing point.
After mid-May the weather gets pleasant and the facilities around the valley are also possible. This is the best time if you do not want to get stuck in the village as in winter.
The weather too remains pretty clear all day around which is best for traveling and trekking.
July to September in Monsoon.
Monsoon is also a great period for experiencing the valley in full bloom and greenery. The Baspa valley experiences a little more rain than the rest of the Kinnaur valley.
More rainfall also means more greenery around. Baspa valley is also known as the green oasis of Kinnaur due to its lush green meadows and forests. While the place remains absolutely fantastic in the monsoon but does check out for rain forecast because sometimes monsoon can get harsh in Hills.
October and November In Autumn
While you don’t want to encounter any rain and just want to wander around the valley then Autumn is best.
Photographers love the Baspa valley in Autumn due to its scenery at this time and also due to savoring crisp apples of the Sangla valley. Alluring blue skies and marigold-colored landscape offer amazing contrast around the valley.
Where to stay in Chhitkul Himachal Pradesh
There are various good places to spend nights in Chhitkul are Zostel, Hotel Batseri in Sangla, Swiss Camp, Notonmap - Adobe the cloud, The Wanderer’s nest, Lake view resort in Kinnaur, Banjara camp & retreat, Samaa Resorts, Vanshika homestay, The ALAR and many more.
Make sure that you visit Chhitkul with your family and friends once in the vacation and enjoy the mesmerizing atmosphere of these amazing places.
