OVERVIEW

Call it an artist’s imagination or a Nirvana destination or an adventurer’s delight, CHITKUL village is a hidden gem located on the left bank of the Baspa river in the backdrop of the Kinner Kailash mountains.  A visit to the KINNAUR valley is considered to be incomplete if you have missed out CHITKUL, the last village before the Indo-Tibet border.  Undoubtedly, the scenic beauty of Chitkul is so divine, you will feel that a painting has turned to life.

Chitkul boasts of unmatched vistas with orchards of apples and apricots & walnuts spread over the entire valley. The adaptive atmosphere & the fertile soil is also a home to high quality potatoes, which fetch a handsome price in the Northern India. Uttarakhand is about 20 kms from Chitkul.

GEOGRAPHY

Chitkul is the last village in the Baspa Valley of the Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh. It is at a distance of 246 kms from Shimla & at a height of 3450 metres (11,319 feet) above sea level. Although Chitkul is the last village on this side of India, the Indo-Tibet border is 90 kms away. Civilian movement beyond Chitkul are prohibited.

CLIMATE

Due to heavy snowfall, the roads mostly remain closed till February. Planning a winter trip to Chitkul between December to February should be avoided. Overnight snowfalls can shut down the roads, cause landslides & you could be stranded for weeks or any indefinite extended periods.

MARCH to JUNE

Roads open up somewhere in March permitting the inflow of tourists. This is one of the best preriod to visit Chitkul with temperatures ranging from 8 deg C to 30 deg.C. A good number of tourists visit the BASPA valley to enjoy the blissful & pristine climate. Hotels & Guesthouses open during this season and business is in full swing.

JULY to AUGUST

Monsoon gives a very different charm to this place. But it rains quite heavily and the already fragile terrain buckles under the impact causing landslides & road blocks. It may not be a good idea to visit CHITKUL during monsoon. If you must travel, check for weather conditions before proceeding.

SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER.

September & October are very good months to visit Chitkul. Post monsoon, the roads would have dried up, the weather is pleasant & the whole valley turns green with colourful flowers. Its also the harvesting season for apples. This whole village looks like a carpet woven with shades of multicolors.

November marks the onset of winter & the weather starts becoming chilly. Hotels & Guesthouses & dhabas close down gradually marking the end of the season.

DECEMBER to FEBRUARY

Once winter sets in, the BASPA valley is full of snow. Things become pretty unpredictable. The roads may be open, but can close anytime following heavy snowfall. Chances are that you may get stranded indefinitely due to road blockages. Visit during this period is not recommended.

BEST TIME TO VISIT CHITKUL

If you love to see the snowcapped peaks, but not wish to remain confined due to weather issues, March to June should be your preference.

  • For those, who love the fascinating green, golden & vivid colors of the valley should travel during September / October.
  • November & December would not be very comfortable & pretty uncertain with the chilly weather setting in. Overall climate would be a bit gloomy.
  • For someone who would like to see the white SANGLA valley can take a chance & visit during late February. There would still be a risk of getting trapped in one place due to road blocks & landslide. One could be confined to the hotel room & miss out on any outdoor adventure activities

HOW TO REACH CHITKUL

BY AIR

  • The nearest airport for CHITKUL would be SHIMLA (246 kms), but practically CHANDIGARH airport would be a better option due to its direct connectivity with major cities of India.
  • From the Manali side, BHUNTAR airport (266 kms via Jalori Pass) would be the nearest airport. However, this is subject to Jalori Pass being open for travel. From December to March / April, Jalori pass may be closed due to heavy snow. Again like Shimla, Bhuntar is a small airport with very limited direct connecting flights. In all practicalities, Chandigarh airport would be the best option.

BY RAIL

  • The nearest railhead would be Shimla on the Kalka-Shimla route. The narrow gauge route takes you through 105 tunnels & mesmerizing vistas throughout. You should experience this journey, unless you are short of time of course. Practically again, Chandigarh / Kalka station would be faster options.

BY ROAD

CHITKUL is well connected by roads to all the major cities of India. Below routes with distances are listed.

  • CHANDIGARH-114 kms-SHIMLA- 61 kms- NARKANDA-66 kms-RAMPUR-23 kms–JEORI-54 kms-KARCHAM-18 kms-SANGLA-15 kms-RAKCHAM-9 kms-CHITKUL (360 kms)
  • MANALI-42 kms-KULLU-158 kms-(via JALORI pass)-RAMPUR-23 kms–JEORI-54 kms-KARCHAM-18 kms- SANGLA-15 kms-RAKCHAM-9 kms-CHITKUL (317 kms).
  • MANALI-250 kms (via Mandi)-SHIMLA- 61 kms- NARKANDA-66 kms-RAMPUR-23 kms–JEORI-54 kms-KARCHAM-18 kms-SANGLA-15 kms-RAKCHAM-9 kms-CHITKUL (496 kms)

At Karcham, while approaching from the Chandigarh / Shimla side, take a right turn & cross the bridge over the KARCHAM dam. The ascend of the next 42 kms road will take you to CHITKUL via SANGLA. The road takes you through some exciting narrow stretches hugging the hill on one side & valley on the other.

WHAT TO SEE in CHITKUL

CHITKUL village is blessed with a picturesque beauty in abundance. The towering snowcapped mountains, the sun rising beyond, the emerald clear waters of the BASPA river gushing through, the pine & dlandscapes, the mountain slopes & a dwindling road ending up in the village reminds us of the drawings which we all have drawn from our imagination in our childhood. Chitkul is that imaginations coming to life.

If you are of the typical hill station type, then Chitkul may not be the place for you. If you just want to relax, gaze at the hills endlessly and wish to have some peace & traquility, you are in the right place. If you are an adventure lover, you have a lot in store for you. Chitkul serves as a base for various treks suitable for beginners as well as experienced.

BASPA RIVER BANK

Take a stroll & reach out to the river bank below. Listen to the chirping of the birds OR the gushing sound of the river. There’s a road with a typical Kinnauri style entrance which goes down to the river bank. 

A small path from the “Hindustan ka Aakri dhaba” also takes you below to the riverbank. There is an iron bridge to go on the other side. Trek down the road & cross over to the other side of the bank to take a stroll in the meadows. 

The Iron Bridge below the Hindustan's Aakhri Dhaba
Banks of the Baspaa River with Chitkul in the backdrop

NAGASTI ITBP POST

It is at a distance of 4 kms from Chitkul. You can hike your way on the banks of the Baspa river OR take your vehicle till the road permits & walk the remaining part. It’s a light trek and may take about 3-4 hours to visit & return. It can be covered in the morning.

Enroute Nagasti ITBP Post

RANI KANDA MEADOWS

It’s along the same road of NAGATI ITBP post. You would have to extend yourself for another 6-7 kms to reach RANI KANDA. Its ideally a 2 day trek with an overnight stay & return on the next day. There is no accommodation & you would have to carry tents to be pitched there.

LAMKHAGA TREK (Max.Height:- 5300 mtr)

RANI KANDA also offers as a base for the LAMKHAGA TREK from Chitkul to Gangotri. While difficult is a very subjective term, this trek is considered to be one of the most toughest treks of the northern Himalayas. It takes 10 days to complete and passes through some of the most remote & beautiful areas of Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh. This trekking route was discovered by a Greek British author & mountaineer Marco Alexander Pallis in 1933. Since this trek takes you through a border sensitive region of Indo-Tibet, you would be required to apply for permits at Recong Peo. This trek can be done from both the sides (i.e. Harsil to Chitkul & Chitkul to Harsil). But if you are starting from the Harsil side, you would not require a Permit (ILP).

The trekking route is between Chitkul & Harsil. Harsil is connected to Gangotri (26 kms) & Chitkul on the HP side is well connected by roads. After a day’s acclimatization at Rani Kanda, the trek takes you through cascading waterfalls, flowery meadows to Dumti & Gundar. From here the climb to the Lamkhaga Pass base camp (Himachal side) becomes steep. It requires technical gear too. There are 2 base camps before the pass & then you cross over to the Uttarakhand side. You will then descend in the Jalandhari valley which is full of flowers post monsoon.

BORASU PASS TREK

Connecting the two glorious states of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand at a staggering height of 17880 feet, the Borasu Pass is a gateway to experience the untouched, pristine beauty of both these states.

The trek starts from Chitkul & reaches Rani Kanda from where the route diverges to Bonga base camp. The third day is the toughest day of the trek. The three hours of the steep final ascend is guelling and requires technical gear too, before you cross the Borasu pass & you reach Shorabira for the overnight halt. The next halts are Morinda Tal, Hari-Ki-Doon, Osla & finally Sankri. It would take about 8-9 days to complete the trek.

  • HOTELS IN CHITKUL
  • SAMAA RESORTS (earlier known as PANCHALI HOTEL)
  • Address                        :- Sangla-Chitkul Rd, Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh 172106
  • Tel.No.                        :- +91-98920 98962 / 98191
  • E-mail                          :- info@samaaresorts.com
  • Facilities                      :- Spacious & luxurious room with attached bath, 24 hrs hot water, room service, restaurant, free parking,
  • Price Range                 :- Rs.2000-Rs.3500/- (would depend on the season & availability too)
  • Reviews                       :- I have personally stayed in this hotel. The location is the best in Chitkul. Being the last hotel in the line, it                                         offers the best view from  its balcony. Excellent service by the people, very courteous & co-operative. The best                                     part  of this hotel is the view of the snowcapped towering peaks from the  balcony.
SAMAA RESORTS & Hotel Badshah next to it.
A view from SAMAA resorts balcony
  • HOTEL BADSHAH
  • Address                        :- Sangla-Chitkul Rd, Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh 172106
  • Tel.No.                        :- Not Available.
  • Facilities                      :- Spacious & budget room with attached bath, 24 hrs hot water, room
  •                                         Room service, restaurant, free parking,
  • Price Range                 :- Rs.1000-Rs.2000/- (would depend on the season & availability too)
  • Reviews                       :- I had personally stayed in this hotel in 2014. This hotel is just before SAMAA Resorts. In 2014, this hotel was                                          the last hotel in Chitul & boasts of the excellent panaromic views from its windows. However, after SAMAA                                            resorts constructed its building next to it, the mountain views were blocked. It’s a good hotel for budget                                               travellers with a good restaurant facility. For views, you would have to step out of the hotel.
  • THE WANDERER’S NEST
  • Address                        :-  Sangla-Chitkul Rd, Valley, Himachal Pradesh 172109
  • Tel.No.                        :- +91- 84484 49964
  • Facilities                      :- Clean rooms with attached bath, room service, restaurant, free
  •                                        Parking.
  •  
  • RANI GUEST HOUSE
  • Address                        :-Village & Post Office-Chitkul, Teshil-Sangla, Dist-Kinnaur,HP – 172109
  • Tel.No.
  • E-mail                          :-
  • Facilities                      :- Average rooms with attached bath, restaurant, room service, free
  •                                        Parking & Hot Tub.
  • Reviews                       :- It a budget hotel located opposite to SAMAA RESORTS.
  • ZOSTEL CHITKUL
  • Address                        :- VPO Chitkul, Nr Thakur Guest House, Chitkul,Dist.Kinnaur. HP 172 106
  • Tel.No.                        :- 022-4896 2265.
  • Facilities                      :- Dormitory type rooms, Double bed rooms & Tents, no room service,
  •                                         Hot water, free parking & Restaurant.
  • Reviews                       :- Suitable more for solo travelers, group travelers & those on road trip.
  •                                        Good basic facilities for budget travellers.

FESTIVALS IN CHITKUL:-The SAJO festival (January), the DAKHRAIN festival (July), the JAGRO festival (September), the FULAICH festival of flowers (October) & the KHEPA festival.

PHONE SERVICES:-Except for MTNL / BSNL, there are no phone services in Chitkul. I always carry a MTNL / BSNL postpaid sim card (Jeevansathi Plan, with no rental & pay as you call. Some nominal charges of Rs.100/- apply every 6 months, if your phone is not in use). MTNL / BSNL would mostly cover every region & its surrounding places. You may be without a signal on the routes between two destinations.

ATM:-There are no ATMs in CHITKUL. The next reliable ATM would be at RECONG PEO. Please carry sufficient cash & do not rely on Debit / Credit Cards for payments in the valley.

PETROL PUMPS:- There are no petrol pumps in CHITKUL. There is one at RECONG PEO which is operational. It is advisable to tank up at Chandigarh / Shimla & top up at NARKANDA / RAMPUR. There is a petrol pump at POWARI too, but it is not functional. The next petrol pump would be at KAZA.

TO SUMMARIZE

In this article, I have tried to provide as much information possible on the travel routes, weather conditions, best time to visit, places to see in CHITKUL, stay options & services. If you find my article useful, please share it with your family, friends & contact aspiring to visit the KINNAUR valley.

If you still require any further assistance, please feel free to write to me in the box below. I would be glad to be of any assistance to you.