Journey to the Last Indian Village in Himachal – Chitkul

Located in the heart of Kinnaur Valley in Himachal Pradesh, Chitkul is a little station which gives you the sentiment of having gone far away from civilization. The village lies on the Indo-Tibetan trade route, therefore being the last village of India which can be visited without a permit. Bearing a distance of about 600 kilometers from Delhi and 28 kilometers from Sangla Valley, Chitkul is handsomely based at a height of 3450m and excites travelers with its enchanting beauty. 

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There are two routes to reach Chitkul and the drive is purely a delightful treat both ways. You can start off for Chandigarh from Delhi via bus. From Chandigarh, board a state bus or HRTC and reach Reckong Peo in about 10-12 hours. Chitkul lies 60 kilometers ahead of Reckong Peo. Another transit bus will drop you at Chitkul within 3 hours.

Alternatively, you may travel to Shimla from Delhi, stay a night there and board an early morning bus to Sangla and reach there in around 7 hours. In another 2 hours, you will reach Chitkul via Rakcham. Sangla Valley is a wonderful creation of God which offers enthralling scenic views for nature lovers.

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The small hamlet of Chitkul is situated on the banks of Baspa River that hold crystal clear blue green waters. Around 600 people reside in the village and traces of Indo-Tibetan connection can still be seen in the region. On the left bank of Baspa River lies the snowcapped mountains while on the right bank, the whole tail is flooded with apple orchids. Chitkul is an amazing destination for Himalayan Trekking. It is a perfect place to go for long walks, long and short treks as well as night camping. It is a gateway to Lamkhaga Pass Trek, Rupin Pass Trek & Borasu Pass Trek. Just a few kilometers away from the village is the Nagasthi ITPB post, the last Indian outpost on the border. Ranikanda meadows is a 10 kilometer beautiful trek from Chitkul. The small pretty village is also famous for trout fishing and adventure sports such as mountain biking, bouldering, slackling etc. Mathi temple is a must visit place. The temple is said to be 500 years old and is well known for its art and architecture.

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There are roadside dhabas and few teashops that serve tasty Tibetan style food like momos and thukpa (noodle soup). Bright colored Kinnaur shawals and woolen stuff make a lovely gift to carry back. Also, look up for attractive silver jewellery embedded with turquoise, coral and rare Tibetan pearls. The delicious golden apples and peaches can be bought from there at cheap prices than on the plains. 

Best time to visit the place is from May to October. During these months, you can explore mountains, wide grasslands, apple orchids and swirling river currents. However, the village is closed from November to February due to heavy snowfall. Chitkul, being away from civilization, is an ideal holiday spot for travelers and peace seekers. The mini land of Chitkul is blessed with splendid mountain sights and wonderful natural bliss.

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