Kalpa, nestled in the beautiful Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh, has been one of the most beautiful villages I’ve ever visited in my life. The fabulous views of the Mountains all around, the divine Kinnaur Kailash, amazing culture, Apple Gardens are a few reasons to visit this lovely village.
The trip to Spiti is incomplete without visiting Kinnaur Valley and Kalpa is a must visit destination in Kinnaur. Also everyone planning a Spiti trip from the Shimla side would first visit Kalpa then proceed to other destinations in Kinnaur and Spiti. Read more about my experience in Kalpa here.
About
Kalpa, nestled in the majestic Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, is a picturesque town that exudes tranquility and charm. Kalpa’s allure lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its rich cultural heritage, as it is home to ancient temples and monasteries that speak volumes about the region’s spiritual significance.
Visitors to Kalpa are treated to an authentic Himalayan experience, with opportunities for trekking amidst lush forests, exploring quaint villages, and immersing themselves in the local way of life. With its serene ambiance and awe-inspiring vistas, Kalpa is truly a heaven for those seeking solace amidst the grandeur of the Himalayas.
Location
Located on the eastern side of the Himachal Pradesh, Kalpa is just 13 kms from Reckong Peo, the HQ of Kinnaur Valley and largest city as well. Shimla is 218 kms from Kalpa and the road connecting Shimla to Kalpa is popularly known as Hindustan-Tibet Highway as the British used this road to commute between India and Tibet from Shipki La Pass which is the current Indo-China Border controlled by Indian Armed Forces. Hence this highway is maintained by the Border Roads Organization.
As the road passes through rocky mountains it is highly prone to landslides and as there is no alternate connectivity from Shimla to Kinnaur Valley except the long route from Kaza, when the road is blocked for several days it becomes a serious trouble to the local people and tourists.
How to Reach
Train
The nearest Railway Station is Shimla which lies on the Kalka-Shimla line. This is a narrow gauge line starting from Kalka. Once you reach Shimla, you can take a HRTC or Private Bus to reach here. Even private taxis can be hired.
Air
The nearest airport is Shimla Airport 22 kms from the city. Only Alliance Air operates ATRs here. Other major airports are Chandigarh or Delhi too. Once you reach Shimla by road one can reach Kalpa.
Road
Once you reach Shimla the only way to reach Kalpa is by road. The distance is 218 kms and the journey is filled with a lot of adventure as the roads after Narkanda are very narrow and the views are fabulous. This road is popularly known as Hindustan Tibet Highway and most of the parts are done by the method of Half Tunneling which is rarely seen in other parts of India. Private taxis are available in Shimla and also many rental bike providers are available in Shimla city.
HRTC buses ply between Shimla to Reckong Peo, which is the HQ of Kinnaur Valley and Kalpa is 5 kms from here. Few direct buses do go to Kalpa from Shimla at various timings. Reckong Peo is well connected by direct buses from Delhi, Haridwar, Chandigarh and other important places of HP. All the buses which run in Spiti are actually operated by Reckong Peo depot.
Local Commute
Once you reach Reckong Peo, frequent HRTC buses and local buses ply to Kalpa. Private taxis can also be hired from Reckong Peo.
Weather
Due to the proximity towards the Himalayas, this village at a height of 9,800 ft usually experiences a very cold climate. The winters in the months of December, January, February and March receive heavy snowfall and even in other months the snow capped mountains can be easily spotted.
Though the roads are blocked frequently due to landslides, they aren’t closed due to snowfall, also due to a short distance from Shimla, this is a popular destination to witness snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. The best time to visit would be from September to December as the weather is not too cold and it is the Apple season in Spiti. Don’t forget to taste juicy, fresh apples during this weather.
Culture
The culture of Kalpa, particularly in the Kinnaur Valley, is a vibrant tapestry woven from centuries-old traditions and influences. The people of Kinnaur Valley, predominantly belonging to the Kinnauri tribe, have preserved their unique customs and way of life amidst the rugged beauty of the Himalayas.
Additionally, Kinnauri handicrafts such as shawls, carpets, and wooden artifacts showcase the skilled craftsmanship of the local artisans. With its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, the Kinnaur Valley in Kalpa invites travelers to involve themselves in an authentic Himalayan experience.
Accommodation & Food
Though the overall size and population of the village is relatively small, there are enough homestays and hotels available in Kalpa. There isn’t any option to stay in the monastery as such but private options are available. Few options are available online but most of them aren’t listed there, so one can call and reserve or book online as during peak seasons the hotels are always full. These are the contacts of hotel owners in Kalpa.
Hansraj – 8628011766
Satyajit – 9547644133
Vikrant – 8894076987
Most of the hotels have restaurants attached and mostly North Indian and even in few hotels South Indian food is available. Chinese food is easily available in small stalls as locals usually prefer the same. Food won’t be a problem during your stay in Kalpa.
Things To Do
There’s the majestic Kinnaur Kailash range, where you can enjoy stunning views of snow-capped peaks. This is one among the Panch Kailash and nowhere else in Kinnaur Valley one can find a great view of this range and the Shivling rock at the top. Then, you have the ancient Narayan-Nagini Temple, which is known for its intricate architecture and religious significance. Don’t forget to explore the nearby Roghi Village, where you can experience the local way of life and witness traditional Kinnauri culture.
Also make sure to take a look along the banks of the Sutlej River to soak in the serene ambiance of this beautiful Himalayan town. The Buddhist Monastery named Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar Monastery in a serene sanctuary offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere and observe the monks engaged in their daily rituals and prayers.
For those seeking a more adventurous experience, Suicide Point, also known as Kalpa Suicide Point or Roghi Suicide Point, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. However, it’s important to exercise caution and respect the natural surroundings while visiting this viewpoint.
Ideal Plan to visit Kalpa
The Ideal trip to Kinnaur Valley can be planned for 3 to 7 days as per your timings. After Kalpa one can straight away head towards Chitkul, which is another lovely village in Kinnaur Valley and later to Sangla Valley and Rakcham on the way to Chitkul itself. The trip can be further extended to Spiti Valley which would need much more time as the journey itself takes a day.
Nako is another beautiful village on the way to Kaza in Spiti Valley. After Nako the Spiti Valley starts from Sumdo. This can also be added in the plan but it extends the length of the trip.
The ideal trip to Spiti actually starts from Shimla exploring Kinnaur Valley and later heading towards Kaza then to Manali completing an entire circuit which we even did. This requires a minimum of 8 days, but trust me this is the best trip I have ever taken.
Kalpa can also be reached from Manali but the journey would start from Atal Tunnel-Kunzum Pass-Kaza-Tabo-Nako which completes your entire Spiti trip as the major tourist attractions in Spiti are close to Kaza which is the HQ of Spiti Valley. This is a very long and tedious journey and traveling at night isn’t recommended, thus taking the entire 2 days.
Things to keep in mind
- Winters are extremely cold and even the average temperature itself is lesser, don’t forget to carry winter clothing.
- Landslides are common in Hindustan Tibet highway, check the road status before you plan your trip. We reached Reckong Peo from Haridwar in a HRTC bus and the next day the bus wasn’t operated due to the landslide, we were lucky to reach the previous day. The block continued for a few days and luckily we planned to explore Spiti through Kaza and we escaped without trouble.
- Petrol Pumps are easily available in every town on the way from Shimla to Reckong Peo, even there’s an Indian Oil outlet in Peo. But once you cross Reckong Peo the next fuel outlet is available in Kaza itself, make sure you plan your trip accordingly.
- The Jio network in Kalpa is pretty good and internet speed is good as well.
- ATMs are available in Reckong Peo
- Trekkers can also trek to various remote places around Reckong Peo. Rupin Pass, Kinnaur Kailash are the few major treks.
Monastery Kalpa
Conclusion
Trust me, Kalpa is way more beautiful than you can ever think of. You’d never regret visiting such a fabulous place. Do drop any questions or information you’d need to know about planning your trip to Spiti Valley and also your experience of visiting Kalpa.
Also Read
Spiti – The Magical Valley with Breathtaking Landscapes
Myths and Realities of Spiti Valley
Why Spiti should be your next destination along with Ladakh
Great Travel Guide!
Gotta visit Kalpa!
Definitely!! Hope this helps you
🕊️👑📌
:))