|
|
Himachal Pradesh
Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul
Located in the dizzy heights of the Himalayas, with passes that
remain closed for six months, Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul were till
now, a forbidden land. Now this area has been opened for the daring
and adventurous who can discover what had been hidden from the world
for centuries. From the riotous green of the Sangla Valley- filled
with orchards of apricots, peaches, apples and Chilgoza pine
forests, to the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley,
Mother Nature's portrait is everchanging in Kinnaur. This land lying
on the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, ringed by the
majestic mountains of the Himalayan and Dhauladhar range is a land
of plenty.
Foreign nationals can travel with permits issued by
(a) District Magistrate:-
Shimla; Rekong Peo (Kinnaur); Kullu; Keylong (Lahaul);
(b) Sub District Magistrate:- Shimla; Rampur; Kalpa, Nichar (Kinnaur);
Keylong, Udaipur (Lahaul); or
(c) Additional Deputy Commissioner's office:- Pooh (Kinnaur); Kaza (Lahaul)
only when they are traveling in a group of four(4) or more persons
with a predrawn itinerary through a recognized travel agent. The
permits can be obtained on presenting the following documents,viz. i)
Three passport size photographs, ii) Police verification from home
town or any other equivalent documents like passport, driving
license etc., which can establish the identification of the
applicant. Foreigners are required to present an itinerary and
introduction by a recognized travel agent. The tourists are advised
to get their documents verified at the check points at
Chitkul,Lippa,Khud (Kinnaur) and Kaza (Spiti).
Getting there
Kinnaur
Air : The nearest airport Shimla is 224 kms from Kalpa (in
Kinnaur).
Rail: The nearest railhead Kalka, 314 kms from Kalpa in
Kinnaur, is connected with the major places in India.
Road: Kalpa is one of the main places in the district of
Kinnaur. Some of the road-distances from Kalpa:- Shimla 224 kms,
Rampur 108 kms, Pooh 94 kms, Moorang 22 kms, Nichar 39 kms, Wangtu
34 kms, Narkanda 160 kms, Chakrata 248 kms, Kufri 210 kms, Sarahan
77 kms, Chaura 63 kms, Karcham 35 kms, Chitkul 102 kms, Tashigang
116 kms, Shipki La 126 kms etc.
Local Transport: Buses, jeeps and taxis are available from Shimla
and Rampur.
Lahaul
& Spiti
Air : Kullu and Shimla are the nearest two airports. By road
Keylong is 158 kms from Shimla.
Rail: Shimla and Pathankot are nearest railheads. By road
Keylong is 436 kms from Pathankot.
Road: National Highway No.21 connects Manali to Lahaul &
Spiti and Leh. Keylong is one of the main places in the district of
Lahaul & Spiti. Some of the road-distances from Keylong:-, Kullu
158 kms, Manali 118 kms, Pathankot 436 kms, Jogindarnagar 284 kms,
Rahla 102 kms, Rohtang Pass 67 kms, Khoksar 46 kms, Gondhla 18 kms,
Udaipur 48 kms etc.
Local Transport: Regular buses and taxis are available from Manali
and Shimla.
Package Tour
HPTDC runs package tours for Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul in season.
For details information & reservation: H.P. Tourism Development
Corporation (HPTDC), The Mall, Shimla- 171 001. Tel: (0177) 78311,
6810.
Places to see
Kinnaur
Bhabha Nagar (35 kms from Rampur on NH); Nichar (18 kms from NH on a
link road near Bhabha Nagar); Sangla Valley (Alpine meadows); Poari
(Oil filling station 40 kms from Bhabha Nagar); Recong Peo (Dist.
H.Q. 7 kms from NH on a link road diverting from Poari); Kalpa (14
kms from Poari on link road); Kothi (House of Goddess Chandika, 3
kms from Recong Peo); Ribba (16 kms from Poari, famous for local
brew `Angoori' made from grapes); Moorang (Famous for apricot
orchards, 26 kms from Poari on NH); Pooh (58 kms from Poari); Nako
(8 kms from NH on a link road diverting 1 km short of Yangthang);
Tashigang Gompa (Treking route); Tilasangh Monastery (1 km trek from
Ka, which is 12 kms short of Yangthang);
Spiti
As Kullu is the valley of Gods we can say Spiti is the valley of
Monasteries. Monasteries like Tabo, Gulling, Dhankar and Kee are
located in this valley. Sumdo (Entry point of Spiti, situated at the
confluence of the river Spiti and Pare-chu, at an altitude of 3350
mtrs); Schichiling (50 kms from Sumdo, famous for Dhankar
monastery); Attergu (From here one can turn right to enter the Pin
Valley to reach Kungri0; Kaza (A famous monastery situated 11 kms
from Kaza atan altitude of 4160 mtrs); Losar (60 kms from Kaza, near
the confluence of the Losar & Peeno streams); Kunzam Pass (4590
mtrs, gateway to Spiti from Lahaul).
Lahaul
Batal (From here one can trek to Chandra Tal and go up to Bara
Lacha Pass, on the Manali-Leh road); Bara Singri Glacier (On the
left bank of Chandra River); Koksar (Coldest place in Lahaul, 3140
metres, 21 kms beyong rohtang Pass); Gondhla (18 kms from Keylong);
Tandi (8 kms short of Keylong); Bara Lacha Pass (4883 metres, on
Manali-Leh road); Udaipur (Mrikula Devi Temple); Trilokinath Temple
(4 kms short of Udaipur); Suraj Tal (4883 metres, 65 kms from
Keylong); Sarchu (Ladakh border); Lake Chandra Tal( 4270 metres,
approchble through Kunzam Pass) and some Monateries viz. Kardang (5
kms from Keylong), Shashur (3 kms from Keylong), Tayl (6 kms from
Keylong), Guru Ghantal (4 kms).
|
|
