Famously known as the land of fairy tales, the district of Kinnaur is one of the top offbeat places in Himachal. With the perfect composition of elevation, climate and topography, Kinnaur hosts some of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh. Sharing its borders with Tibet, it reflects the influence of both Indian as well as Tibetan culture in its realms. The wildlife sanctuaries are also a part of the district due to their ecological and geomorphological reasons.

With its lush green mountains and rugged landscape, the road to the stunning Spiti Valley is one heck of a journey. One of the twelve jewels of Himachal Pradesh, the Kinnaur district is the gateway to the Spiti Valley as well. With offerings of tons of cinematic views, Kinnaur houses the following wonderful places:

Kalpa –

Kalpa is Kinnaur’s district finest place, popular for its truly divine sunrise spots as well as sunset because of its beautiful mountain shores. At an altitude of 2759 meters, Kalpa is a beautiful little valley town surrounding the snowy peaks of the Kailash range. It is known “best in the world” apple orchards, Kalpa is inhabited by the Kinnauri people. The amazing gateway offers spectacular views of several mountain ranges like Kinner Kailash.

Kalpa serves as the starting point for tons of offbeat things to do in Kinnaur. For an adventurous experience, you can head for a trek to the mighty Kailash or to Chakka along the bubbling water channel. Admire the Kinnauri craftsmanship, head to the Sapni Fort and Kamru Fort. Experience their religious realms, Narayan Nagini Temple and the Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery serve as perfect examples.

Sangla –

With world-class charming valleys, Sangla is popular for its natural beauty and quaint architecture with spectacular views. Sangla literally translates to “pass of light” in Tibetan which points to the valley receiving sunlight during the day. The best way to take in everything Sangla has to offer is by staying in camps along the Baspa River banks where you can experience nature at its best. The clear waters of the Baspa River are just where you want to be.

Out of all the offbeat things, the trek to Rakcham that takes you near the snowy regions of glaciers comes out on top. Others include rappelling, rock climbing, river crossing and more. Experience the Sangla’s culture with a visit to the 800-year-old Kamru Fort and the holy Brelengi Gompa. Afford the best views of Kinner Kailash, the Sangla Meadows is a pretty location.

Rakcham –

Located between Sangla and Chitkul, Rakcham is the second-last village on the border of Tibet. One may have never heard of it like most other people, but its relatively unknown destination is a must for all offbeat Himachal tour package. With a sparse population of only 800 inhabitants, the sense of relaxation and serenity experienced in this part of the Kinnaur district is unbeatable.

Located in the heart of town are two temples, one dedicated to Lord Shiva and the other to Goddess Kali. The temples of Rakcham have a pinch of both Buddhist and Hindu ideology. The tiny village that it is one can cover the whole of it on foot in only half a day. With a wide variety of flora and fauna, the lush green lands and the colorful trees of Rakcham seem like a perfect place for photographers to be.

Chitkul –

A traveled way back to the past – it's exactly how Chitkul feels like. Traveling without any permits? The last village on the Indo-Tibetan Border is as far as you can go. Far away from the hustle and buzz of life, this remote village houses authentic natural bliss and no cellular coverage or ATM or Wi-Fi which makes it perfect for a relaxing gateway. Simple houses with wooden plan roofs, and a small Buddhist temple are the main attractions in Chitkul.

Located at an altitude of 3450 meters, Chitkul is an absolute natural wonder. Walking is the best way to get around the maze-like lanes of the village. At the centre of the village is a temple complex of the goddess Mathi.

Nako –

Located at the border of Kinnaur and Spiti districts, Nako overlooks the Hangrang Valley’s barren landscape and the auspicious Spiti River bullying its way through the rocks. Acting as a gateway to the Spiti Valley, Nako is a prominent part of the famous Spiti circuit. The village is famous for its Nako Monastery celebrates the Buddhist translator, Richen Zangpo. Chango Gompa, located on the road to Spiti.

Nako is a peek into the spellbinding Spiti Valley, a tidy mix of barren mountains, an escape into the long green fields and the picturesque views of the placid Nako Lake. Tibetan food items like Thukpa, noodles and momos are readily available here.

Conclusion –

After going through this article, you might have understood how to discover the offbeat side of Kinnaur. So, let’s go on a remarkable Himachal tour and make sure to add all these in your itinerary.