A lady from Charang village of Kinnaur

Delightful Charang Village of Kinnaur

After trekking for what seemed like most part of the day from Thangi & Lambar, we reached Charang – a delightful little village. I had no clue what lay ahead of us – the Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama (otherwise known as Charang-La pass)!

Charang, last village on Indo-Tibet border

One of the most challenging, once in a lifetime adventures I’ve had in the Himalayas. A day at Charang village and monastery was the best part of the trek, blissful!

mountain passes around Charang village of Kinnaur
Map by Harish Kapadia

The parikrama(circuit) of the holy Kinnaur Kailash peak starting from Charang village in Tidong valley and ending at Chitkul village of Baspa valley.

Charang Ghati Pass (Altitude, 5200 m) is a famous pass on the Kinner Kailash parikrama. It is crossed for many years by locals, and it is now a popular trekking route. From Charang village (Tirung / Tidong valley) in the south, the route climbs gently, across Lalanti to the foot of this pass. The last climb is steep and the view from the pass excellent. Steep, long and tiring descent over loose scree till Chitkul (Baspa valley).

From “Across peaks and passes in Himachal Pradesh” book by Harish Kapadia.

Charang-La aka Charang-Chitkul pass forms the drainage divide between the Tidong and Baspa or Sangla valley of Kinnaur.

Surrounded by harsh mountains, Charang is a pretty delight.
Surrounded by harsh mountains, Charang is a pretty delight.
Charang Village in Kinnaur
Charang Village
Kinnaur is the most beautiful and least explored part of the Himalayas
Fields of Charang & a stream flowing by the village.

Kinnaur is the most beautiful and least explored part of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Surrounded by harsh mountains, Charang is a small village of wood and mud houses at an altitude of 3500 meters in Morang, accessible only by foot, a beautiful trek through Thangi and Lambar.

Update: There now is a paved road till Charang Village.

Sonu Negi

Less than a hundred families live in Charang and every home here has solar panels, their only source of electricity. They have been living here in this remote corner of the Himalayas, with almost no connection from the outside world.

Proximity to Tibet has a Buddhist influence on the people and culture here. The PWD guest house is a great place to stay with the beautiful view of the river, chorten & the village in the distance. The gorgeous village and heart-warming people were as much a delight as the amusing kids! 🙂

A typical mud & wooden home in Charang
A typical mud & wooden home in Charang
Entrance to a house with a wall of stones with dung patties and an unusual lock
Entrance to a house with a wall of stones with dung patties and an unusual lock
A local woman outside her house
A local woman outside her house
Locals wearing the Kinnauri cap
Locals wearing the Kinnauri cap
Lush green fields in such arid mountains
Lush green fields in such arid mountains
Birds at Charang
Birds at Charang
Birds at Charang
Birds at Charang
Rats!
Rats!
These kids were a bunch of fun!
These kids were a bunch of fun!
Laughing and cracking jokes
Laughing and cracking jokes
Having fun!
Having fun!
Delightful kids at Charang
Delightful kids at Charang
A lone sweet little kid
A lone sweet little kid
Helping with the daily chores in the mountains
Helping with the daily chores in the mountains
Nuns at Charang Rangrik Monastery
Nuns at Charang Rangrik Monastery
Portraits of Nuns at Charang Rangrik Monastery
Portraits of Nuns at Charang Rangrik Monastery
The temple at Charang village
The temple at Charang village

A two-hour trek from Charang village is the ancient Rangrik Monastery – one of the most sacred and beautiful monasteries in India, in my next post.

Ritu Saini

Comments

One response to “Delightful Charang Village of Kinnaur”

  1. Hari Sitaula Avatar
    Hari Sitaula

    wow amazing post, thanks for sharing wonderful photos..

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