How to reach Kinner Kailash?

Kinner Kailash Trek:

         

The Kinnaur Kailash is locally known as Kinner Kailash having height of 6050 meters. It is considered sacred by both Hindu and Buddhist Kinnauris. The Kinner Kailash trek is considered as moderate but it is one of the most challenging trek. Entire Trek is about 17-18 km one way which took about 03 days to complete the Trek. You can also complete it in two days but you have to be little bit fast and start your journey early.

           The base camp of the Kinner Kailash trek is Tangling village which is 13 KM from Karcham or 53 KM from Chitkul or 155 KM from Narkanda. If you are coming from Reckong Peo or Kalpa side through car/taxi, cross a Bridge near Shongtong, 4km before Powari or by crossing a Jhoola pul near Powari 11 km.

      Guides and Porters can be hired either from Reckong Peo or Tangling Village.

Best time to visit: From May to October but avoid monsoon season i.e. June to August.

 

Itinerary of Kinner Kailash Trek and visit to Chitkul:  

       Consider following itinerary to save your time to Trek to Kinner Kailash and visit Chitkul village which is a dream destination for nature and adventure lovers:

Day 1: Delhi to Narkanda (445 KM).

Day 2: Narkanda to Tangling Village ( Base Camp) (155 KM)

Day 3: Tangling to Bheem Dwar / Parvati Kund

Day 4: Bheem Dwar/ Parvati Kund to  Kinner Kailash Shivlinga and come back

Day 5: Bheem Dwar to Tangling and then Chitkul village

Day 6: Chitkul village (local sightseeing and relax)

Day 7: Chitkul to Reckong Peo or Kalpa (65 KM)

Day 8: Reckong Peo or Kalpa to Shimla and return.

How to reach Kinner Kailash from Delhi: 

Delhi →Narkanda (445 Km) → Tangling Village (Base Camp) (155 KM)→Kinner Kailash Lingam (18 Km, one way appx)→ Chitkul (54 Km) →Reckong Peo or Kalpa (65 Km)→ Shimla (240Km) →Delhi (345 Km). [Total distance: 1350 Km (appx)]. 

Day 1:  From Home to Narkanda (445 Km):

       For saving time in Kinner Kailash Trek, try to reach Narkanda on the first day, if you are travelling through your car. But, if you are going through bus, then you can reach Shimla from Delhi in the night and can move upto Sarahan on next day after spending some time in Shimla.

   If you are going through the train then you either reach Chandigarh or Kalka in night and then move upto Sarahan by taking by taxi or by bus which may be taken from both the places i.e. Chandigarh and Kalka and even from Shimla to upto Chitkul but you have to confirm their timing from the Bus stand.

Road journey to Kinner Kailash:

  If you are travelling from Delhi by your car, start your journey around 05.00 AM to 06.00 AM because its ideal time to leave the city to avoid traffic chaos of Delhi.  Take Eastern Peripheral Expressway , if you are living around Ghaziabad, Noida or Greater Noida, to save your time and can cross Sonepat, Haryana within an hour.

Take a 30 minutes break for breakfast or for washrooms at Motel Golden Saras, Kurukshetra which is around 180 Km from Connaught Place, Delhi and 80 KM before Chandigarh. This place has a very good ambiance and sitting area some photogenic spots and clean washrooms. Have some Tea or Coffee with snacks.  Then move to Narkanda for your overnight stay.  Check-in your pre-booked Hotel and take rest.

Day 2: Narkanda to Tangling Village ( Base Camp) (155 KM)

Wake up early in the morning to visit Hatu Peak. The Hatu Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh is situated on the highest peak of the Shimla and Narkanda region at Hatu Peak. It is about 12000 ft above sea level. This place is lesser known but more serene like a paradise on the earth.

Hatu Peak is a very good trekking trail of 7 Km on one-side (total 14 KM) amidst pine, fir and cedar trees with beautiful landscape. You will mesmerize by the surroundings and it may be your one of the best memorable moment of the trip.

Here, I want to clear you that the approaching road to the Temple is very narrow and require extra care, very good concentration and driving skills even though you know how to drive in the Mountains, very well? So it is advisable to hire a small vehicle, to visit the temple at Hatu Peak. Save your time and move further either to Chitkul or Tangling (base camp).

It is suggested that you first trek to Kinner Kailash and then visit Chitkul so you will enough time to relax in Chitkul before returning to your home.

Reach Tangling by visiting the places like, Rampur, Sarahan, Jeori, Nathpa-Jhakri, Karcham etc.

Day 3: Tangling to Ganesh Park or Kailash Darshan Park or Bheem Dwar (8-9 Kms).

       The Kinner Kailash trek starts from Tangling village.  Trek upto a small fresh water stream rivulet which is about 2-3 Kms, in one and half hours. Refill your water bottles here as you will not find any water on the way upto Ganesh Park or Kailash Darshan Park. Move to Bheem Dwar for night stay. Keep your night backpacks with you,  open it and take a tight sleep. The night views are fascinating here so never forget to enjoy them.

Day 4: Ganesh Park to Kinner Kailash Shivlinga and comeback (14 KM both ways)

         Start early at 04.00 AM and take a halt at Parvati Kund, (5 Km) which is a glacial lake at the base of the Kinnar Kailash peak. There is no other source of water in between Bheem Dwar and Parvati Kund, so it is necessary to carry enough water from here. I would rather suggest you to carry enough water from Bheem Dwar for reaching upto Kinner Kailash Peak and back to Bheem Dwar.

      The last part of the trek from Parvati Kund to Kinner Kailash peak (Lingam) is required a lot of dedication and strength because of the vertical climb of around 2 Km.

The Kinner Kailash Shivling is about 79 feet high and 30-40 feet wide and worshipped as the Lingam of Lord Shiva. It is basically a rock pillar neatly balanced on rock slab and also resembles a trident. The rock pillar faces towards Reckong-peo and changes its colour during the day.

You can also see some high peaks of the Great Himalaya Mountain Range like Mt. Jorkandan and Mt. Rangrik. Return to Bheem Dwar.

Day 5: Return to Tangling Village and  then Chitkul village, Himachal Pradesh:

        Chitkul, is a dream destination for many of us and some have travelled it and some has added it into their bucket list. It is something a  special destination for which you have to move from your comfort zone to feel the nature in true sense in serene environment of the mountains of Kinner (Kinnaur) Kailash.

          The Chitkul is situated at a height of 3450 m above sea level, in the Baspa Valley, Himachal Pradesh. It is the last inhabited village before the Indo-Tibetan border on the earlier silk route.

The snow peaks, wide valley, glaciers, beautiful Baspa river gives an impression like a gateway of heaven. Here you feel that you can touch the snow clad mighty mountains with your bare hands and can smell the essence of snow, clean and fresh air in every breath you inhale. Where the mountains are waiting to grab you in their arms and you mesmerized with the serene environment of the nature.

You can consider spending one more day, leisurely, to enjoy the nature at its best.

 

       Take a small Trek from Chitkul to Nagasthy, approximate 3 KM. This is the last Indian post where a civilian can visit. The trek is easy and recommended for astonishing view, experiencing the beauty at the best and peaks looking nearer as you touch them. Take some memories at the ‘Hindustan ka Akhri Dhaba’.

Pay a visit to local Deity which is related to the Deity of Gangotri and the locals would carry the Deity to Gangotri on foot over high mountain passes.

Chitkul is religiously important as it is considered the last point in the Kinner Kailash Parikrama (circumambulation of the Kinner Kailash Mountain).

Hotel Rock View or similar Hotel may be a good option for you.

DAY 6: Reckong Peo, Himachal Pradesh:

If you want to visit Reckong Peo or Kalpa then you will not disappoint here. It was once the favorite getaway of Lord Dalhousie. In the morning, witness the beautiful sunrise over the Kinnaur Kailash Peaks where a 79 feet high rock formation that resembles a Shivlinga that changes its colour as the day passes.

Take a hike to Chaka Meadows from a trail near Hotel Rakpa Regency. It’s about 3 Km modest hike, which would check the strengths of your lungs and legs, as well. But, you will definitely love the hike and capture the beautiful landscapes for your memories. You will experience a new world of nature.  You can also visit to Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar, Buddhist Gompa. Return to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay at Kalpa.

Hotels like The Grand Shamb-la, Kalpa or Hotel Apple Pie, Kalpa or Hotel Rakpa Regency or other similar Hotel may be a good option for you.

Useful Tip for visitors:

In order to enjoy your travel, it’s always better to prepare a very good and thoughtful itinerary for travelling with family to tone down hurdles from your journey. for which get some idea from: 20 questions/ items to be think before preparing a well balanced itinerary.

• It’s my belief that secluded places are more comfortable and convenient for rejuvenation of your mind and body after full relax in the lap of nature but WITHOUT compromising with your SAFETY and SECURITY.
• Always pre-book hotels, if you are going to offbeat destinations to avoid any inconvenience there.
• Always carry cash for Fuel (Petrol/ Diesel) because the Pumps either don’t accept the Cards or cards are useless due to network issues.
• Always have dry food like Biscuits, Fruit Cakes, Chocolates, Namkeens, Dry Samosas, Mathi, Bread packet, Butter, some vegetables like Cucumber, Onion, Tomato, green Chilli, Tomato Ketup and one knife (for making vegetable sandwiches), some drinks like fruit juices, Shikanji or Roohafza, cold drinks etc. for alternative food/ energy source, if you don’t get food on the places remote places.
• Always top up you water bottles during Treks from running water which is good for drinking rather than from a frozen and stable lake.
• Don’t rash drive in the Hills. Always keep your vehicle in your control. Keep in your vehicle in your lane only. You never know from which bend another vehicle come before you. How much you know about the driving, it doesn’t matter in hills. It matters only how you drive in the hills. So be sensible, be careful and follow the traffic rules etc.
• Keep in touch with your local guide who will support and help you in your journey because he is familiar with the atmosphere and surroundings and tell you each and every thing you wish to know.
• Remember, this trek depends a lot on weather and is not suggested during peak monsoon season.
• A number of road accidents and natural calamities have happened in the past, so one has to be careful before embarking on this journey.

Useful items to carry:

Apart from your normal packing following items may also be considered as your companion:

• Woolen clothing/ Wind cheaters / Cotton/ Woolen socks
• Flashlight/Headlamp with extra batteries
• Trekking boots
• Walking stick/ Trekking pole
• Sunscreen/Sun hats/Lip balms/Sunglasses, Light gloves
• First aid kit
• Extra passport size pictures
• Synthetic camp booties/ Sleeping bag
• Water purification/filter and chlorine tablets
• Wind and rain gear with hood
• Swiss Army Knives.