Kalpa
Kalpa is a bustling little mountain transit town in Kinnaur Valley in India. It sits at around 2800 meters.
Kalpa is linked with Reckong Peo by several buses daily, first one at 6 am. Otherwise it's a 45 minutes walk downhill or a 250 rs taxi ride (if you arrange a taxi from Reckong Peo to pick you up).
A sunset view of Kinnaur Kailash from Kalpa
From Shimla
Kalpa is approximately 250 km from Shimla, via National Highway 22 (also known as the Hindustan Tibet Road) till Poari. From Poari, take the deviation to Reckong Peo and then to Kalpa.
By Bus
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC)[5] runs three buses daily on this route from end to end - one ordinary bus that leaves Shimla from Riwari bus stand at 6:45 AM, one that leaves at 23:15 hours and one deluxe bus coming from Chandigarh going to Reckong Peo at 11:00 AM. Buses will take 10-12 hours to ply this distance. You can check the exact timings at the HRTC website[6] and searching separately for Kalpa and Reckong Peo.
By Taxi
Taxis can be hired for rates starting from 1500 INR per day from the mall or through the hotels. Taxis would take 10 hours to ply this route. A good option would be to break the journey at Rampur or Sarahan and then continue the next day
Get around[edit]
Chhitkul & Sangla
Sangla is 42 km from Kalpa is a town on the banks of the river Baspa. Further 31 km ahead on the same road is Chhitkul, where the road ends. Chhitkul is at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level and provides breathtaking views of the river and snowy mountains
- Kinnaur Kailash. Views of this stunning snow-capped mountains abound from Kalpa, you'll likely be staring at it as the sun sets. edit
- Tibetan Buddhist temple. A small nondescript gompa in the middle of the village. Great views of Kinnaur Kailash. edit
- Hindu temples, (down and behind the Buddhist temple). A complex of wooden temples against the backdrop of Kinnaur Kailash. Some interesting wooden sculptures. edit
- Roghi village, (8 km from Kalpa village). A small village near Kalpa with lots of apple orchards and providing a good insight into the village life at these parts of Himachal Pradesh edit
- Chaakka, (trek upwards along the water channel). hire a local guide and trek up the mountain from Kalpa. Uphill takes 2-4 hours, downhill would take 1.5 hours. Recommended to start by 9:30 AM edit
Indian and Tibetan dishes are available at Hotel Golden Apple Kalpa. The food are prepared and served hygienically.
- Hotel Kinner Kailash, Kalpa, [1]. The restaurant at the hotel serves decent north Indian food at reasonable rates edit
It's difficult to get beer in Kalpa. There's no 'English Wine & Beer Shop' and most guesthouses don't sell it.
- Hotel Golden Apple, ([email protected]), [2]. A ten-roomed hotel with views of Mt Kailash. Restaurant on site, along with internet, washing machine, filtered water and a telescope. Ask about an excursion to visit the naturally mummified body of a monk in sitting posture, believed to be more than 500 years old. edit
- Monal Residency, (100 meters uphill from the village center). Double rooms with shared balconies and en suite bathrooms. Great views of Kinnaur Kailash from the balcony. Restaurant (with no beer) and laundry service available. Rs 300. edit
- Hotel Kinner Kailash (Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation), Kalpa Village, [3]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 12:00. The main hotel here, run by the government department - Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. The lowest rate is 1400. edit
- The White Castle, The Mall, Kalpa, ☎ 9418171588 ([email protected]), [4]. New with great view edit
Hotel Grand Shangrila, Kalpa Village, [5]. Run by Prithi Negi and is considered to be the best among the lot.
- Grand Shangrila. checkin: 12; checkout: 12. It is placed in the middle of apple farm, on a slightly difficult uphill. But main benefit of it being on the slight height is , it is immune to vehicular traffic & 2nd is it has fabulous view of surrounding mountains. This hotel appeared to me, having one of the best view of the region. 700. edit
Get out[edit]
