Incredible Himachal Pradesh

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Lahaul & Spiti : Kaza (3050 m, 180 km from Manali)

This is a mountainous area that is located between Ladakh and Tibet in the north and the Kullu valley in the south. Lahaul begins 51 km north of Manali, right after crossing the 3978 m Rohtang Pass. The road further climbs Kunzum la (4560 m) before reaching Kaza. It is approached from Zanskar by going over the Shinga La Pass and from Ladakh by going over the Baralacha la Pass (4,870 m). A good word to know is "jule," which means hello, thank you and goodbye.

CHANDRATAL lake (4270 m) - 18 km trek from Batal, which is at the base of Kunzam la (4590 m) on the Kyelong - Kaja road.

Kaza is the main town in Spiti and is of the "old town" and the "new town". Many of the peaks here are over 6000 m, the highest being Mulkila at 6,500 m. It has some interesting Buddhist gompas and secluded villages.



What to See : Pin Valley National Park via Atargo, Kye Monastery, Kibber Village, Komic Village and Langza which is famous for its pre-historic relics in form of fossils.

Trekkers from Manali - Manikaran - Pulga, cross the Pin Parvati Pass and reach Dhankar via Mud and Sangam.

Route : Damphug - Losar - Hansa - Kibber - Rangrik - Kaza - Dhankar - Tabo (374 km from Shimla) - Sumra - Chango - Nako - Puh (Spiti)

Kaza is 180 km from Manali via Rohtang Pass. Follow NH 21 from Manali to Marhi and take the narrow road via Chhatru, Jilang, Losar, Hansa, Pangmo, Moorang, Sumling (Key Gompa is nearby), Rangrik, Spiti and to Kaza.

The road further leads to Lingti (3460 m), Sichling (Dhankar Gompa is nearby), Poh, Tabo (Gompa), Hurling, Sumdo and to the NH 22 (Shimla - Shipki la road) near Khab. Tabo is 47 km from Kaza. The 10th Century Tabo monastery houses more than 60 lamas.

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Kinnaur : Kalpa & Sangla

Kinnaur is situated on NH 22 which is 250 km away from Shimla. The district has trees like oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia, apple and apricot.

Kalpa is a little town situated in the lap of Mt. Kinner Kailash (6474 m), around 240 km from Shimla. Kalpa is surrounded by snowy peak for almost the whole year.

Shimla to Kalpa by bus (244 km) via Rampur. Kalpa to Thangi (2966 m) by bus. Trek to Lambar (12 km) - Charang (12 km, 3500 m) - Lalanti (8 km, 4420 m) - Base camp (6 km, 5000 m) - Chitkul (9 km, 3450 m) via Lalanti Pass (5000 m) - Sangla by bus : 8 days.

Carry on the NH22 to Narkanda (64 km, an easy 2 h drive), then Rampur (another 73 km, 2 h). From Rampur, you pass thru Jeori (23 km), Wangtu (37 km) and finally Karcham (20 km). The road from Wangtu to Karcham is in a bad state and occasionally the road is blocked for a couple of hours due to landslide. At Karcham, a right goes to Sangla valley, take a left towards Recong Peo/Kalpa (35 km). At Recong Peo, take the shorter steeper 7 km route to Kalpa.

Sangla valley starts 57 km short of Kalpa which has been named after a beautiful & populous village Sangla. Sangla (2680 m) is situated on the right bank of Baspa river 17 km from Karcham. Journey from Karcham onwards is enjoyable and adventurous throughout the valley. The natural scenery all around and the eternal snow view are picturesque and charming. It is also known as Baspa Valley since Baspa river flows through this area. This is the most charming valley in the entire District of Kinnaur. A temple dedicated to Nages god is worth a visit & other places are Sapni, Rackchham, Kilba, Kamru Fort which can also be visited.

The road from Sangla further leads to Chitkul (3,435 m, 1 hour by road). Chitkul is covered with snow during May.



Route : Shimla - Theog - Narkanda - Kotgarh - Rampur - Jhakri - Jeori - Wangtu - Karchham - Reckong Peo - Rispa - Jangi - Spello - Puh - Khab.

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Dalhousie (80 km from Pathankot railhead)

Isolated by high mountain ranges, the valley of Chamba is noted for the magnificence of its scenery.Set amidst thickly wooded hills, clothed in deodar and pine, Dalhousie has marvellous forest trails and picnic spots with splendid vistas over the Chamba Valley.

Pathankot - Jogindernagar toy train is another attraction (163 km)

Around Dalhousie

Khajjiar (1,851 m)
While it is possible to go by road, Khajjiar is just a pleasant one day walk from Dalhousie. An emerald, saucer shaped meadow at Khajjiar, surrounded by dense deodar forests, has a lake at its centre with a floating island, a forest rest house, a little temple with a golden spire and a golf course (22 km).



Subhash Baoli (2,085 m)
Not far from the G.P.O. Square is the spring at Subhash Baoli with panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. (1.6 km)

Satdhara (2,036 m)
Sparkling springs close to town, rich in mica and other minerals, are noted for their medicinal properties.

Panjpulla
Beyond Sathara is another pretty spot where the water from a natural tank flows under five little bridges (2 km).

Bakrota Hills (2,085 m)
The Bakrota Mall, a popular walking circuit around these hills has a spectacular view of the mountains.

Kalatope (2,440 m)
An ideal weekend retreat with forest rest houses and beautiful spots for picnics, in a little wildlife sanctuary (8.5 km).
Bara Pather : Enroute to Kalatope is the temple of Bhulwani Matha, in the village of Ahla (4 km).

Dhainkund (2,745 m)
The high peak of Dhainkund offers a bird's-eye view of the verdant valleys of the Beas, Chenab and Ravi rivers (10 km).

Sach Pass is a (4420 m) : It is 175 km from Dalhousie. 127 km from Chamba. Sach Pass is a short route to Leh compared to the Manali route. The pass is open from June to mid October. The road is narrow and unmetalled. It is the gateway to the Pangi Valley. Dalhousie - Chamba - Trella (90 km, 5 hour) - Sach Pass (motorable road) - Killar - Leh.

Trek to Bhanodi (2744 m, 13 km, 6 hour) from Trella, Satrundi (3658 m, 13 km, PWD rest house), to Sach pass (5 km, 3 hour). Start early morning to avoid high winds.



Getting There & Away

Air : The nearest airport is Kangra (Gaggal, 12 km)

Rail : The nearest narrow gauge railhead is Kangra (18 km). The nearest broad gauge station Pathankot, (90 km), is linked to major towns (Jalandhar).

Road : Well connected by road. Delhi 514 km, Chandigarh 239 km, Kulllu 214 km, Shimla 332 km.

General Information

Altitude : Between 1,250 m and 2,000 m
Temperature: Between 35 C in summer and 0 C in winter
Best Season : April to June/September to October
Clothing : (Summers/Winter) Light Woollens/Heavy Woollens

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Dharamsala (1457 m, 90 km from Pathankot railhead, 3 hour by road)

McLeod Ganj is 5 km from Dharamsala where Dalai Lama lives, home of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Snow and sleet is common during the winter in upper Dharamshala, i.e., McLeodganj, Bhagsu Nag, Naddi etc. Bhagsu waterfall is behind the Bhagsunag Temple (2 km from McLeod Ganj), Dal Lake (2 km from McLeod Ganj) and then a further 3 km walk will lead the trekkers to Dharamkot. The snow line of Ilaqa Got is just a 5 km walk.

Dharamsala is the Headquarter of district Kangra.

Jawalamukhi Temple (54 km from Dharmasala) with shining gas flame is revered as Goddess. Jawalamukhi mela (October).

Distances

Chandigarh 239 km., Delhi 514 km., Nangal 145 km., Jalandhar 166 km., Hoshiarpur 128 km., Mandi 147 km., Jwalamukhi 55 km., Kullu 214 km., Manali 252 km., Chamba 192 km. and Shimla 322 km.

Prayer wheels



Trekking

Triund hill is a one day trek from McLeod Ganj (2975 m, 9 km)

Toral Pass trek (4575 m) which begins from Tang Narwana (1150 m, 10 km from Dharamshala).

There is a 6 day difficult trek across Bhimghasutri Pass (4580m) via near-vertical rocky ascents, steep cliffs and dangerous gorges.