.. Lahaul Spiti

Surrounded by the Kullu Valley in the south, Ladakh in the north and Tibet in the east, the twin valleys of Lahaul and Spiti are nature at its wildest. The region remains cut off from the rest of the world for much of the year. It was closed to visitors, till recently, because of military and political reasons. The area encompasses glaciers, high ridges, broad valleys, pastures and has a minimum elevation exceeding 3000 m. This is a high altitude cold desert dotted with famous monasteries, villages dotted like oasis in a stark, brown and dry landscape, miles of rolling pastures, 6000 m peaks and swollen rivers which turn into mere trickles in winter.

.. Kinnaur

Kinnaur, the land of fairy tales and fantasies, has a spectacular terrain of lush green valleys, orchards, vineyards snow-clad peaks and cold desert mountains. The border district of Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur is also rich in flora & fauna and its culture and language is different from other parts of the state. Kinnaur, the tribal district of Himachal Pradesh, is about 250 km away from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is situated on the national Highway No. 22 (Hindustan Tibet Road).

.. Places to See in Kinnaur ....................

» Bhaba Valley
A beautiful valley along Bhaba river. Link road to valley originates at Wangtu. It is a beautiful landscape, reservoir lake and alpine meadows and is the best for famous trek route to Pin valley in Spiti.

» Bangla
(2,880 m) The Central villages in the valley, scenic Sangla is 18 km from Karchham. A link road that goes off the N.H. into the Baspa valley offers an enchanting visit at every curve. There are saffron fields, orchards and higher up, as the road climbs the steep inclines lovely alpine meadows, Sangla is on a sharp slope with the houses rising in tiers. The Kinner Kailash peak dominates the view. From Sangla, it is possible to visit the Kamru Fort, an impressive fortress-style temple dedicated to the goddess Kali.

» Karchham
The N.H. 22 that follows the old Hindustan Tibet Route goes past the villages of Jeori, Wangtu, Tapri and Karchham. Karchham (1,899 m) located at the confluence of the Satluj and Baspa rivers is the start of the picturesque Baspa or Sangla valley.

» Rakchham
(2900 m) is about 13 km on the way to Chitkul from Sangla. lt is situated on the fight bank of Baspa river and is famous for its scenic beauty.

» Kalpa
(2,768 m) Beyond Recong Peo (1 4 km from Powari) on the link road, is Kalpa, the main village of the district. Across the river, facing Kalpa is the majestic spectacle of the Kinner Kailash range. They are a spectacular sight early in the morning as the rising sun touches the snowy peaks with crimson and gold light.