Kinnaur

Kinnaur is a mountainous district in northeast Himachal Pradesh. It borders Tibet to the east, Uttarakhand to the south, Shimla and Kullu to the west and Lahaul and Spiti to the north. Its headquarters is Reckong Peo. The Sutlej runs through a deep gorge, with cliffside roads along the old Hindustan-Tibet route. The culture blends Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and both revere Kinner Kailash. Highlights include Sangla and the Baspa valley, Chitkul, and Kalpa with its Kinner Kailash views. You can also see Sarahan with its Bhimakali temple, and Nako lake and Tabo further north. The district is known for apples, chilgoza pine and old wooden temples. The Shimla to Kinnaur road is open most of the year. Landslides and winter snow can hit it, especially near Nako. Heights vary a lot, so go up gradually. Plan five days or more to cover Kalpa, Sangla and Chitkul, ideally as part of a Shimla to Spiti circuit.