I wonder why people who plan to explore the most scenic state of Himachal Pradesh only end up visiting Shimla or Manali?
What a lost opportunity to experience the real beauty of Himachal Pradesh, which lies in locations beyond these popular towns. Chitkul, for instance, is a hidden gem that can offer a memorable experience away from the most touristy places.
I was fortunate to visit this amazing place last year, a first-hand experience unheard of by many.
Hopefully this blog will show you the true beauty of this small village and the next time you consider including it on your bucket list.
This is a small village in Himachal Pradesh called Chitkul (or Chhitkul). In pop culture the place is known as the Last Inhabited Indian Village of India.
I had never heard of Chitkul until then. But always wanted to visit Himachal. I think it’s one of the most scenic states in India. Friends recommended the more regular options of Shimla or Manali for the trip.
But I always preferred visiting places beyond the obvious. Destinations that have been far less traveled.
And that’s how, during my preliminary research, I came across Chitkul — the
last inhabited Indian village on the Indo-Tibet border and part
of the Sangla Valley. It’s the last point in India where one can travel without a permit.
Under the Vibrant Villages Programme of the Government of India, Chitkul and 76 other (including Charang. Pooh, Nako, Leo, and Chango) border villages or Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti District were declared as the first village of India.
Indian Express
The program was announced in the government budget of 2022-23 for the mobile, road, and internet connectivity, social entrepreneurship, skill development, infrastructure and rural tourism development of border villages of India that are located along India-China border.
The government also asked the people to call such villages as ‘country’s first village‘ instead of the ‘the last village of India’.
The sheer beauty of this place I witnessed online through pictures and blogs helped me make up my decision to visit Chitkul village.
Chitkul Village
And I planned this very special trip to Chitkul in almost a week’s time. In the end, it was one of the best experiences of my life, and this became my first travel blog.
Nestled in the picturesque eastern edge of Sangla Valley of Kinnaur lies Chitkul. An adventure lover’s delight, a geography enthusiast’s paradise, and an all-out, enchantingly surreal landscape lends Chitkul its eternal delight!
All About Chitkul
At 11,319 feet above sea level, Chitkul is a paradise that is hard to reach. All things worth having in life don’t come easy, so Chitkul should definitely be on that list.
If traveling to offbeat places is what gets your rhythm going, Chitkul should be a must-have on your list!
There was no internet connectivity in this paradise until 2023 (though BSNL, Jio and JioAirFiber is available now). The cellular network connectivity is still patchy and unreliable.
It makes you disconnected from the world and complements your connection with the beautiful environment and binds you to nature, and much more.
With Kinner Kailash peak visible in the backdrop, Chitkul brags of uncompromising views, from its soft spot on the Baspa River.
On the left bank of the Baspa, there lie snow-clad mountains that you can look on until you wish and on the right bank, there lies an expanse of multi-color fields and orchards.
Chitkul bagged the award of the best “tourism village of 2023” on October 1, 2023.
The remote Chitkul village in Himachal’s tribal Kinnaur district has been adjudged India’s best “tourism village” of the year by the tourism ministry, officials said on Sunday.
The Tribune.
The slopes of this magical land are bound by the majestic Deodars and Chilgoza trees. Baspa valley also boasts of abundant orchards, catering to the world some of the finest ‘Golden & Royal Delicious’ apples.
Also, this settlement is famous for its high-quality potatoes, given the conducive weather and the fertile soil.
The villagers are either Hindus or Buddhists, speak a Tibeto-Burman dialect known as Kinnauri, and wear distinct green Pahari caps. You got to travel back to the ancient mythology, where it is said that the people of Kinnaur were known as Kinnauras, the halfway between gods and humans. This further proves right the belief that Kinnaur is the land between heaven and earth!
Where is Chitkul Village?
Chitkul is situated in the Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Tibet surrounds Kinnaur on the east; Garhwal on the south; Spiti Valley on the north, and Kullu on the west. Interestingly, the Uttarakhand border is just ~ 40 km from Chitkul.
The distance from Delhi to Chitkul is 569 km and the nearest town of Sangla is about 24 km.
Rakcham village is the midway point between Sangla and Chitkul and the drive from Rakcham to Chitkul is breathtaking, adventurous and just 916 22K pure gold beautiful!
The Indo-Tibet border is about 90 KMs from the Chitkul village. But, no civilian movement—without a permit—is allowed beyond Chitkul, which is why it is famously known as the last village before the Indo-Tibet Border. The area beyond the village is in control of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, ITBP.
Weather in Chitkul
Summers are mildly cold temperature-wise, with highs of 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures around five degrees Celsius.
The weather in Chitkul is pleasant during most of the year, with the exception of the winter months of October to April.
Best time to visit Chitkul
The best time to visit is during the summer months, especially from April to June and September to October. The thrilling roads of India–Tibet Highway (now National Highway 5) and Karcham-Sangla road leading up to Chitkul and the clear blue skies make for the perfect adventure, with enough safety mixed in.
But, September and October is harvest season for the apples in Sangla valley and makes for a sight to never be forgotten, with the entire vistas turning into colors of the fertility of the land. Since the winter months are uninhabitable, it isn’t a practical option.
How to reach Chitkul?
Reaching Chitkul will be an unforgettable journey. The thrilling adventure is unmatchable, thanks to the high escalation in the mountains in crossing different valleys of the Kinnaur region.
The lush green forested mountains complemented by the cobalt blue of the skies almost makes one forget the insanely difficult roads. There is a reason they are called the most treacherous roads in the world.
The best route to take (assuming that Delhi is the starting point) is via
Delhi » Chandigarh » Shimla (2200 mt) » Narkanda (2708 mt) » Rampur(1350mt) » Karcham (1813 mt) » Sangla(2696 mt) » Rakcham(3048 mt) » Chitkul (3450 mt).
Depending on the mode of transportation you may choose, you’d still have to travel a large part of your journey by road. Roads are decently maintained for most of the route. Here, the road takes you along the crest of the mountains, for the most part, gliding along many valleys and providing beautiful green vistas as your companion.
All pictures by Ramesh Tahlan.
Once Narkanda is passed by, you will be driving mostly downhill to reach the river bed of Sutlej, right up till Karcham, after which an ascend begins again towards Sangla and further to Chitkul!
But, it is always advisable to always be alert on the tricky Himalayan roads, splattered with hairpin bends and high ascends and sharp descends. Oncoming traffic can also be tricky to maneuver on single-lane roads. Also, a lot of the time you’ll be in awe of the local Himachali drivers and their daring skills!
Some travel tips
Hamlets such as Chitkul are best discovered on foot –explore the little alleyways and get a feel for a local villager. The village has a population of just under 1,000 and is rich in culture and community.
Chitkul has three temples dedicated to Mata Devi; the oldest is said to be 500 years old. The entire compound is beautiful and a must-visit for experiencing the Kath-Kuni wooden architecture. The temple seems to have a high prominence in the Bengali culture, as you would see a lot of pilgrims from there!
Unquestionably, you must walk down to the banks of the Baspa river and reawaken your soul by dipping your hands in the glacial water. The crystal-clear water will keep you enthralled.
Treks Near Chitkul
Chitkul is also the start or endpoint of many easy, medium, and difficult treks around the region. Some of them are:
Trek to Nagasti ITBP Camps
This is a relatively easier trek of about four kilometers. Do make sure to take a water bottle with you and keep sipping water every now and then.
Ranikanda Meadows hike
About 10 km in totality, the trek from Chitkul to Rani Kanda Meadows is completely worth it. Easy to Medium in difficulty level, the panoramic views of the vistas and the valleys will make the effort completely worthwhile on your trip to Chitkul.
Borasu Pass trek, Lamkhaga Pass trek are others which you have got to try. Try your hand at Off-roading, bouldering, climbing & slacking.
The next most interesting activity you can do is, go fishing in the fresh, crystal-clear water of Chitkul. Both rainbow and brown trout fish can be seen swimming against the water.
Hindustan ka aakhri Dhaba (“Last Dhaba of India”) is always on the list of must-do things of visitors.
There are many such dhabas splattered across Chitkul’s end of the road, and one can choose whatever they fancy. Momos & Thupka are easily available, emphasizing the Tibetan influence and ancestry of the place. Of course, the staple affair of Maggi, Paranthas are aplenty.
Stay in Chitkul
A PWD Rest House is available at Chitkul. This place has basic amenities and even if you’re visiting for a day trip, you can easily use the facilities.
If you’re planning on spending a few days in Chitkul, which I highly recommend, then do try the Wanderer’s Nest or The Zostel at Chitkul.
This place is at a higher elevation and provides views that will be etched in your memory forever. While the place is basic, the staff is extremely courteous and the food is always piping hot.
You can check the list of some good accommodation or stay options in Kinnaur Valley. A lot of the old-school Himachali wooden houses are converted into hotels and provide exceptional views. However, due to isolation, these places tend to be slightly more expensive.
There are a few camping spots near the village, and you can easily spot some locals to help you out! So, do not hesitate to take your camping gear and spend a night beside the Baspa river under a billion-star night sky.
It’s been almost a year since I had been to Chitkul, but the experience is still fresh in my memory. Probably, it is one of those special destinations which you can’t let go of. I wanted to share this wonderful place with as many travelers as possible. Don’t miss it during this lifetime!
FAQs
- Uber Charming Chitkul Village of Himachal Pradesh – February 7, 2021
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