Kinnaur

Natural Beauty

Himachal Pradesh

2°C / Clear

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Situated on the Indo-Tibet border, Kinnaur is an interesting mix of nature’s beauty and local cultural beliefs. From here, you get to witness the mind-blowing views of the snow-clad Dhauladar range as well as the Zanskar Valley.

Did you know that Kinnaur is also known as the Land of God, its most significant attraction being the Shiva Lingam which is also the representation of Lord Shiva?

Irrespective of religious destinations, Kinnaur also lets you indulge in some really cool adventurous activities like trekking and skiing.

And the excitement doesn’t just end here, as the scrumptious apples, Chilgozas, along with local handlooms and handicraft work is something to look forward to.

Best Time to Visit Kinnaur

When it comes to travelling here, you can come here during any time of the year, however, still, the spring and summer season is considered to be the best time to make a visit to Kinnaur.

History of Kinnaur

As there are no authentic historical records of Kinnaur, people speculate that in ancient times, Kinnaur went by the name of Kinnaura or Kannaura.

With the onset of the fourteenth century, the entire region of Kinnaur was dissected into seven parts which came to be known as the sat kund.

Coming on to the medieval period, some of the hill states like Kangra, Chamba along with Sirmaur were attacked and also made tributary to the Mughal Emperor at Delhi.

Major Attractions in and Around Kinnaur

1. Reckong Peo

The Reckong Peo was also the headquarters of the Kinnaur district along with the middle Himalayan regions. Situated at 260 km from Shimla at a height of about 2,300 metres, this serene town is quite popular for its apple orchards. And the beautiful scenery of this place will compel you to come here again and again.

2. Kalpa

If you want to witness rejuvenating mornings that can fill you with excitement and enthusiasm, then a visit to Kalpa, a small village located in Sutlej River Valley becomes a must. There are many places to visit here locally like the Narayan Nugani Temple which showcases the impeccable craftsmanship of the region.

3. Sarahan

Now, this is a beautiful hamlet situated in Himachal Pradesh. Also known as the Gateway to Kinnaur, Sarahan is located in quite a proximity to the Sutlej river valley. The apple orchards as well as the deodar forests, wildflower fields, ravines are all the more reason to plan a visit to this place.

4. Nako

Situated at about 3,600 metres above sea level, Nako is a beautiful village that is full of some of the most captivating natural surroundings. The visual depiction of nature is simply mind-blowing. You won’t regret your trip to this place.

How to Reach Kinnaur

Kinnaur is a mind-blowing travel getaway which you cannot hope to miss out on for the sheer brilliance of it. To reach Kinnaur, you will need to cover an approximate distance of about 600, 2,014, 2,123, 2,776 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the details on how you can travel to Kinnaur by the following means of public transportation.

By Air

There is no airport in Kinnaur. You will need to deboard at Shimla Airport (SLV) situated at 278 km. And to reach here it is best advised for taking connecting flights via Delhi and Chandigarh i.e. from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Chandigarh International Airport (IXC). After deboarding your flight, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of public transportation.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Shimla

By Train

There is also no railway service to Kinnaur. However, if you want to travel by train then you will need to deboard at Shimla Railway Station (SML). On July 8 2008, UNESCO added the Kalka–Shimla railway to its list of World Heritage Sites. From the station, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of public transportation.

By Road

You can also consider visiting Kinnaur by roadways. The national highway 22 is considered as one of the most convenient routes to traverse to reach Kinnaur. From the nearby regions, you can book taxis, jeeps to reach here in a convenient manner or as an alternative, you can also book interstate buses via Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation or also book a bus online.