Kalpa :( 2,670 metres ) It is one of the main villages of the district connected by link road 14 km. from Powari beyond Rekong Peo. Looming in front of Kalpa is an imressive view of 'Kinner Kailash' directly across the Satluj river. This mountain changes colors several times a day with a change of weather conditions or may be as destined by Lord Shiva his eternal abode. 'Parvati Kund' is located on the top of Kinner Kailash. The ancient villages of Pangi, Moorang and Kanum are situated close to Kalpa.

 

Sangla :
( 2,680 metres ) It is an important village of the Baspa valley situated on the right bank of Baspa river is built on a slope with houses rising one above other with gigantic 'Kinner Kailash' peak ( 6,500 meters ) towering from behind is also famous for 'Kamru Fort'. This fort was the place where so many Rajas of Kinnaur were crowned. The entire place is adorned by soothing saffon fields and alpine meadows.

Kalpa has all the makings of an Indian Fairyland. At a height of 10,900 feet in Himachal Pradesh, 265 kms ahead of Shimla on the NH22 in Kinnaur District is this hideaway town. It is located at the base of the imposing Kinner Kailash ranges and Shivling peaks which rise upto 20,000 feet, towering above the clouds, kissing the heavens, encircling the area around. Kalpa itself is spread amidst chilgoza forests, apple plantations and the holy deodhars. It is reached after crossing the quaint town of Recong Peo, which has a hundred-year-old monastery.

Fast Facts

Location: 616 km from Delhi, 265 km from Shimla.
Height asl: 3300 metres.
Route: New Delhi - Chandigarh - Shimla - Narkanda - Rampur - Karcham - Powari - Recong Peo - Kalpa.

Nearest Railheads: Shimla.
Nearest Airport: Shimla.
Taxis: Available from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Kullu and Manali.
Temp: April & Oct - Min 3 deg C and Max 15 deg C.
June - Min 11 deg C and Max 24 deg C.

Clothing: Days from April-Oct are warm, early morning & evenings being colder, light woolens May-July and heavy woolens in rest of the season.

Accomodation: Hotel Kinner Villa - Deluxe rooms with attached bath, hot/cold running water, excellent Himalayan views, multicuisine restaurant.

About Kalpa

Location: From the turn off at Karcham to the lofty Chung Sakhago pass, the Sangla Valley - along the Baspa river - is about 95 kms long. Till Chitkul, roughly halfway up the valley, it is fairly populous and heavily cultivated. 26 kms from Karcham along the Baspa river Rajesh and Ajay offer 'tented accommodation'.

In and Around Kinnaur:

Sarahan(2000 m): 40 kms from Rampur. Ancient Bhimkali temple complex of mixed Buddhist and Hindu tradition is stunning. Spectacular view of Shrikhand Mahadev Peak (5200 m).

Recong Peo(2300 m): District headquarter of Kinnaur with a large Tibetan monastery. Famed for its chilgoza forests.

Kalpa(3300 m): Kalpa, 60 kms from Sangla, offers the best panoramic view of the 6,000m high Kinner Kailash range and Shiva Ling peaks. Kalpa is also famous for its apple and chilgoza plantations.

Tabo(Spiti): At 3000 m, 164 kms ahead of Karcham. Home of a thousand year old monastery, second in importance only to Thomping Gompa in Tibet. Banjara Camps offer accommodation here as well.

Kaza(3600 m): 47 kms ahead of Tabo. Headquarter of Spiti region, the people here have always been renowned for their skilled horsemanship.

Pin Valley National Park: 30 km from Tabo. A 675 sq km valley at 3600 to 6000 m in Spiti, where the Siberian Ibex, snow leopard and pika roam.