An Epic Road trip to Kinnaur!

We had put Kinnaur on our bucket list ever since we heard about it. The rich green flora, full to its abundance, and the panoramic valleys with snow-clad Kinner Kailash at the background was a perfect location for our anniversary celebration. While everyone wanted a social bash, we chose to go the offbeat way – and, hence, the Road Trip to Kinnaur!

This amazing valley left us jaw-dropped!

It takes a certain amount of passion for traveling, which we are not short of, and even more, madness to cruise over one of the deadliest roads in the world. Yes, you read that right! The road to Sangla has been featured as one of the deadliest roads by Discovery Channel. The jaw-dropping and rugged terrains actually had our hearts pounding. The twisting and turning sleek roads coiling the high mountains with a deep trench on the other side made us sick to our stomach. Certain stretches along NH22 were a dreadful drive. But, what made up for all of this was the breathtaking scenic beauty clad with the ever-amazing Kinner Kailash ranges, adorned in snow, guarding the gorgeous valleys.

It was a treat to our eyes, after a taxing 6-hour drive on a rough terrain.

We chose two of the most beautiful, yet different kind of locations in Kinnaur district – Sangla Valley and Kalpa. Sangla being the remote one out of the two, brought out the adventurer in us. Kalpa, on the other hand, was a leisure filled destination. We just roamed around the valley, only to explore more, and were drooling over the majestic beauty of Kinner Kailash at a close view.

It was scary but we loved the view!

We drove all the way from Paonta Sahib( Sirmour District) to Sangla and then to Kalpa. The route we followed was no simple but it added to the charm of our road trip. Set off with loads of winter clothes and few snacks, we left for our destination early morning and took a night halt in Narkanda. Beautiful little town, we’d say! Arriving later that evening and tired from an all day drive through a rough terrain, we still had energy left to explore. Narkanda welcomed us with some amazing blooming cherry orchards and a little chill. We started off early in the morning for and we’re still drooling over the entire roadway from Narkanda to Sangla.

This is how beautiful the sunrise looked from our guest house at Narkanda.

Sangla Valley, Kinnaur

Gaining recent popularity in the world of tourism, Sangla is still a remote valley prospering in the deep woods of Kinnaur district.

They call it a village, we’d say it was a heaven!

The valley rests at the foot of the mighty Kinner Kailash ranges with the crystal-like Baspa river meandering between the valley. The sturdy and green pine trees touching the stark sky is rather an often sight in Kinnaur.

Our camps were engulfed by the mighty snow-capped ranges.

We pre-booked our stay in Kinner Camps for a night, and we don’t feel a single regret about it. Their services were top notch, and did they go out of their way to make our stay forever worth remembering! After a taxing drive through the hefty mountains, we wished for a comfortable stay. A cozy blanket to help us from the biting cold and warm food. Well, we were delighted with a wonderful welcome and welcome drinks, a Kinnauri Apple Juice, and a frolic barbecue by the side of a campfire. The camp arranged felt so cushy, that we were tempted to cuddle up into our quilts and enjoy the wintery chills.

We’ve no idea how many times we’ve asked for the apple juice and every time we gulped it down, we were left wanting for more.

After laying off our weariness and savoring from an exquisite lunch served with Himachali love, we set off to explore the Sangla Valley. Not far from our camp rested a far-flung village on a hilltop – Batseri.

https://stampthatpassport.com/2016/05/28/an-epic-road-trip-to-kinnaur/

It took us climbing down a cliff, crossing the Baspa river and then climbing up the hilltop on which this beautifully picturesque village prospered. Few drops of drizzle did the trick! A little village with beautiful little huts plunged at every turn, adorned with apple orchards sprawled on both sides of a little pavement, mountains covered at peaks with snow and a little chill made up for a worthy trek.

This was the most beautiful village we’d ever seen.

Kalpa, Kinnaur

Th next day, after another delightful meal and an amazing view from our camp, we left for our next destination.

This is how breakfast should be, every day!

At four-hour drive from Sangla rests a beautiful little village known as Kalpa. Highlands covered in lush green turf and meadows and the captivating snow -laden Kinner Kailash ranges allured us to Kalpa.

Need we say more!

A sumptuous lunch was much in desire after our another tough drive. We chose to savor from HPTDC’s restaurant. Perched on one of the highest points of Kalpa, this hotel failed to disappoint us when it came to food and an overview of the entire valley. The Kinner Kailash range is at a very clear view from the hotel grounds and might we say, it is the best place to enjoy their mightiness.

https://stampthatpassport.com/2016/05/28/an-epic-road-trip-to-kinnaur/

A sumptuous lunch was much in desire after our another tough drive. We chose to savor from HPTDC’s restaurant. Perched on one of the highest points of Kalpa, this hotel failed to disappoint us when it came to food and an overview of the entire valley. The Kinner Kailash range is at a very clear view from the hotel grounds and might we say, it is the best place to enjoy their mightiness.

https://stampthatpassport.com/2016/05/28/an-epic-road-trip-to-kinnaur/

After spending 2 days in Kinnaur, we realized how amazing it is to spend your life so close to Mother Nature – vast landscapes sheathed with lush turf and green meadows, scattered homes of every color lodged in distant highlands, sleek roads running up and down the hills, enormous ranges camouflaged in the snow far away and the very air you breath intoxicating every part of your body!

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