One of the most beautiful regions in Himachal Pradesh, Mystic valley of Kinnaur is one of the few places on our planet that will mesmerize you completely. Situated 250 km away from Shimla, the tribal district is referred as the land of fairytales and fantasies. With backdrop of snow-clad peaks and cold desert mountains, the region is known for its lush green scenery, apple orchards and vineyards.
A perfect holiday destination from the busy and hectic life of metro cities, the serene valley promises to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul of the travelers. Kalpa is the one of the biggest and the main villages of Kinnaur. Situated at an altitude of 2758 m above the sea level, you can get a glimpse of majestic mountains of Kinner Kailash range from the beautiful village of Kalpa.
How to get there
You can reach Kalpa by boarding transport buses or by hiring taxis from Shimla and Rampur. The route is on NH – 22 (The Hindustan Tibet Road) which diverges to Kalpa from Powari. The Nearest Airport (267 km) and Railhead (244 km) from the village is at Shimla. Another route to reach Kalpa is via Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kunzam Pass – Kaza (400 km).
Accommodation offered by HPTDC at Kalpa
There are two beautiful hotels are managed by HPTDC in Kalpa that offer accommodation to the tourists and travelers. One of them is The Kinner Kailash Hotel, Kalpa. Inspired by the traditional architecture of the area, the hotel offers enthralling views of the surrounding landscape and is equipped with all the modern facilities. The rooms are well-furnished with attached baths and running hot & cold water.
The restaurant serves Indian, continental, Chinese and Himachali cuisines. The hotel offers parking within premises and a sprawling lawn so that you can enjoy a healthy walk amidst nature. The other hotel in Kalpa is the Kailash Cottage that too offers all the modern facilities to its guests along with enchanting views of the Kinner Kailash range. The best time to visit the place and experience the hospitality of these hotels is summers as due to extreme weather conditions they remain closed from December to March.
Tariffs at the Kinner Kailash Hotel starts from 2200 to 6000, while a stay at Kailash Cottage, Kalpa will cost varies from 1600 to 2500. HPTDC also offers online booking for these properties.
Places of interest around the properties:
Sangla Valley: One of the most stunning places on earth, Sangla Valley can leave anybody speechless with its divine and magical beauty. Fort Kamru, a 300m towered structure resembling the Bhima Kali complex, is about 2kms from Sangla. Chitkul at an altitude of 3450m, on the banks of Baspa River, is the first village of the Baspa Valley and the last village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route.
Rekong Peo: At an altitude of 2670m and 13 km from Kalpa, Rekong Peo is the headquarters of the district Kinnaur. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Chanadika Devi at Kothi, a village just 3kms from Peo. The temple has an attractive gold image of the Goddess enshrined in sanctum. The temple has an unusual architecture and is set against the backdrop of mountains and deodar trees.
Riba: Well-known for its vineyards and local wine ‘Angoori’ made from grapes, Riba, at an altitude of 2745m is just 18 km from Powari.
Jangi: Situated 36km from Kalpa, this is the place from where the famous Kailash Parikarama trek starts touching Morang, Thangi and Kunocharang villages and entering Chitkul village in Sangla Valley.
Nako: Largest village above sea level in the Hangrang valley, Nako is located at a height of 3662m and is 117km from Kalpa. The place is famous for Nako Lake, which offers boating facility in the summers and is used for ice-skating in the winter season when the surface is entirely frozen.
Tabo: Situated on the left bank of the Spiti River, it is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries. At an altitude of 3050m and 163kms from Kalpa, Tabo is also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. A famous tourist destination, the monastery is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a national historic treasure of India.
Kalpa is heaven for tourists who come seeking peace and gust of cool wind, and an absolute Mecca for explorers who love wilderness and going out of breath in no vegetation zone while en route to the Kinner Kailash.
