Sutlej gorge, Himachal
Kinnaur
Kinnaur follows the Sutlej gorge east of Shimla, climbing from apple country at Sarahan to the high villages of Kalpa and Chitkul near the Tibetan border. It is usually travelled as the approach to Spiti and takes three to four days on its own.
- Best time
- May to October
- Days needed
- 3 to 4, or as the approach to Spiti
- Key stops
- Sarahan, Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa, Rekong Peo
- Known for
- Kinner Kailash range, apple orchards, Baspa valley
Sarahan and the Bhimakali temple
The first proper stop out of Shimla, with a pagoda-style temple complex in slate and timber and the Srikhand range behind it. It sits at about 2,300 m and is a sensible first night for altitude.
Sangla, Chitkul and the Baspa
The Baspa valley branches off the Sutlej and ends at Chitkul, the last village before the border. It is greener and softer than the main gorge, and Chitkul at about 3,450 m is where most itineraries turn around.
Kalpa and Kinner Kailash
Kalpa faces the Kinner Kailash wall directly across the valley, which is the view the whole district is known for. Early morning light on the rock is the reason to stay overnight rather than pass through.
Questions people ask
Is Kinnaur the same trip as Spiti?
They are usually sold together because Kinnaur is the southern approach to Spiti, but they are different landscapes. Kinnaur is a green river gorge with orchards; Spiti is a cold desert above the treeline.
How many days does Kinnaur need?
Three to four days covers Sarahan, Sangla, Chitkul and Kalpa without rushing. As part of a Spiti circuit it usually takes the first four days of a nine or ten day trip.
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Tours that go there
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Read next
- Spiti Valley travel guideSpiti is a high cold desert between 3,000 and 4,500 metres, reached either from Shimla through Kinnaur or from Manali over Kunzum La. The Manali road is open roughly June to October; the Kinnaur road stays open most of the year. Eight to ten days does the full circuit properly.
- Best time to visit Spiti ValleyMay to October is the season for the full Spiti circuit, because the Kunzum La road from Manali is only open in those months. The Kinnaur approach from Shimla stays open most of the year, so winter Spiti is possible as an in-and-out trip but not as a loop.
- How to reach Spiti ValleySpiti has two road approaches: from Shimla through Kinnaur, about 420 km and open most of the year, or from Manali over Kunzum La, about 200 km and open roughly June to October. The Shimla route gains altitude gradually and is the safer choice for a first visit.
- Inner line permits for Ladakh, Spiti and the North EastInner line permits are required for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and other protected areas of Ladakh, for Arunachal Pradesh, and for foreign nationals on parts of the Spiti circuit. They are arranged locally or online before entering, and are checked at multiple points on the road.
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