Kinnaur Valley

Kinnaur feels like a different world, and it is easily one of Himachal’s most beautiful corners. Tucked along the old Hindustan-Tibet route, this tribal district blends apple orchards, ancient monasteries and snow-capped peaks into the kind of landscape you don’t forget.

Spiritually, Kinnaur is powerful. Kinner Kailash, with its natural Shivling rock formation, draws pilgrims and trekkers every year. Nearby, Shrikhand Mahadev sits officially in Kullu district, but the trail runs close to the Kinnaur and Shimla borders, so many travellers link it with this region. The Yula Kanda Krishna temple, reached by a trek above Sangla Valley, is another sacred highlight.

The villages are what make Kinnaur special. Sangla Valley, along the Baspa river, is a postcard come to life. Chitkul, one of India’s last villages on the Tibet side, is quiet, windy and unforgettable. Kalpa offers mesmerising views of Kinner Kailash, while Reckong Peo works as the district’s busy headquarters. Rakcham, Kamru Fort and Roghi add old-world charm.

Further up, Khab Sangam is where the Spiti and Sutlej rivers meet, and Nako Lake, with its mountain-ringed village, feels almost unreal. Trekkers also love the Rupin Pass route, which touches this region.