Chitkul: Amazing Travel Guide & How To Reach

Chitkul Village is situated in the Sangla and Kinnaur valleys belonging to Himachal Pradesh. It may be the last village on the Indo-Tibetan border, but it should be your first choice for your next vacation. Chitkul has the simplicity of a village as well as the charm of a hill station. This place is covered in snow almost all year long! You can visit Chitkul any time of the year to explore its scenic and cultural beauty.

Chitkul Village Himachal Pradesh is worth visiting for many reasons. It has many tourist spots that can impress everyone. And it would be absolutely a great idea to spend your honeymoon or marriage anniversary in Chitkul to ignite the spark of love and care.

Nevertheless, Chitkul can also be one of the best destinations for families and young kids who want to enjoy the snow and the culture of North India as well as the exotic Tibetan heritage or the adventurous trekkers who want to explore the mountains and landscapes filled with snow and scenic beauty! Retired Senior citizens who are looking forward to spending a relaxing time in a cool and beautiful destination can also visit Chitkul to stay in a place that’s home away from home.

Chitkul’s weather and climate can be very cold at times of the year; therefore, consulting an authentic travel planner is a must for all those who plan to visit Chitkul to get appropriate guidance and support on your tour.

Chitkul is famous for being the last village in India. Some special places should be visited by all coming here. Even though this place is cold most of the time, the warmth of the people and culture of this place is indeed heartwarming. Besides its tourist spots, Chitkul also offers some interesting activities for its visitors.

There is a common question that arises when planning a long-distance tour, Why should you visit Chitkul in the first place? The Chitkul Village has beautiful mountains, and orchids growing luscious apples, meadows, forests, rivers, temples, grasslands, wildlife sanctuaries, and much more. You can opt for many interesting day activities in Chitkul.

Best Places to Visit in Chitkul Village

Temple visits: There are some beautiful temples in Chitkul and among them, the Mathi Devi Temple has become a famous tourist spot. This temple is a beautiful place to seek blessings, meditate, and experience serenity and peace. We mentioned this temple because besides the divine experience, you can also come across the adorable wooden architecture of the temple and of course the scenic beauty all around this temple.

The Kamakhya temple made out of the Kamru fort is a favorite among most visitors of Chitkul. It is a must-visit place in Chitkul.

Another beautiful temple in Chitkul is the Bering Nag Temple. It has splendid architecture and a beautiful statue of lord Jagas.

Riverside stroll: The Baspa River in Chitkul looks stunning with its crystal clear and cold water. The river attracts many tourists and, we would also recommend you take a stroll around the Baspa river during your visit to Chitkul to explore the beauty of natural water surrounded by beautiful glacial landscape.

Trekking: Chitkul is also a famous trekking destination. Some of the spectacular treks which are done in Chitkul are:

• Kinner Kailash Parikrama trek: As the name suggests it’s a trek that includes going around the breathtakingly beautiful Kinner Kailash. This is one of the most spectacular treks near the Indo-Tibet border.

• NagastiIndo Tibetan Border Police Camp trek: This is an easy trek and well-suited for beginners.

• Rani Kanda Meadows’s trek: This is a moderate to difficult level trek with a beautiful view throughout the trek.

• Borasu Pass trek: This is a difficult trek because of the height, slopes, ridges, and boulders which are all a part of this trek.

• Lamkhaga Pass trek: This is also a difficult trek. It may take you at least two weeks to complete this journey.

Shopping: Visiting the Tibetan Wood Carving Centre in Chitkul can offer you beautiful wooden products and handicrafts to buy as souvenirs. You can also visit the Batseri village, located at a distance of around 8 km from Chitkul, famous for selling handicrafts, Kinnauri caps, and shawls.

Chitkul from New Delhi, Manali, and Spiti Valley

Distance from New Delhi to Chitkul: Chitkul is located at a distance of 579.6 Km from New Delhi and it can take around 15 hours to travel by road to reach Chitkul from New Delhi.

Distance from Manali to Chitkul: The distance between Manali and Chitkul is 311.8 Km. It can take around 10 hours to cover this distance from Manali to Chitkul by road.

Distance from Spiti Valley to Chitkul: The distance between Spiti Valley to Chitkul is 487.5 Km and Spiti Valley is located north of Chitkul. It may take around 14 hours by road to travel from Spiti Valley to reach Chitkul.

FAQ's

Best Time to Visit Chitkul Village?

The best time to visit Chitkul Village is during the summer and monsoon months of May to September. This is because the climate is comparatively pleasant and travel is more convenient than in the winter months. 

However, Chitkul in winter is a winter wonderland. The best time to visit Chitkul in winter is from October to February. It’s the winter months in Chitkul that bring out some of the absolutely mind-blowing views. If you have a good fitness level and are adventurous then you can visit Chitkul in the winter as well. 

For couples, families, and seniors we would recommend the summer and the monsoon months to explore, experience, and enjoy Chitkul. Children can spend a beautiful time with their family in the natural setting of Chitkul during the summer vacations.

Where can you stay in Chitkul?

Chitkul offers you a variety of stay options. From PWD rest houses to posh hotels, Chitkul is a wonderful place to stay. The Chitkul rest house provides all of the basic stay facilities at a low cost. There are some hotels in Chitkul Village like Wanderer’s Nest or The Zostel or other local houses with beautiful architecture that have been converted into hotels for tourists to stay in are a little expensive but worthwhile because of the view, comfort, and awesome food. The hotels near the Baspa River provide a lovely stay as well as a spectacular view of the night sky.

The people of Chitkul are very friendly. They speak Kinnauri, Garhwali, Tibetan, or Hindi languages which are like sweet treats for the ears. The food of Chitkul is also something very special and a must-try for its tourists. The famous ‘Hindustan Ka Akhri Dhaba ‘also known as the ‘Last Dhaba of India’ is an awesome place to eat. Chitkul restaurants serve thukpa, momos, noodles, and a variety of parathas. All in all, Chitkul is a wonderful tourist destination, and we highly recommend you visit Chitkul soon! 

How to Reach Chitkul Village?

Now let’s talk about how to reach Chitkul Village. To reach this beautiful hill station in the Sangla-Kinnaur valley of Himachal Pradesh in North India, one has different modes of travel. 

By airway: If you want to travel to Chitkul village then Delhi airport is the nearest major airport and you can reach Chitkul from Delhi by taking a flight directly to Shimla airport. Shimla Airport is the nearest airport to Chitkul village. Landing at the Bhuntar Airport which is located between Chandigarh and Manali is another way to reach Chitkul.

If airway tickets or flights are unavailable at these two airports, then the third airway travel option is to fly from Chandigarh Airport. From Chandigarh airport, you can reach Chitkul. Moreover, Chandigarh airport is better connected with other major cities in India so traveling from here is recommended. After reaching any of these airports you can hire taxis or travel by bus to reach Sangla/Karcham/Chitkul.

By railway: If you want to travel by railway train then the nearest railway stations to reach Chitkul are Shimla, Kalka, and/or Chandigarh railway stations. After reaching any of these stations you can further travel by bus which can help you reach Chitkul via Sangla.

By roadway: If you are traveling by your own or hired vehicle and opting for road travel then you can first travel to Chandigarh, then Shimla, Narkanda, Satluj basin, Karcham, and ultimately Sangla. Chitkul is located near the Sangla Valley, district of Kinnaur.

There are many state transport as well as private buses that can help you reach Sangla or Reckong Peo. These buses leave from Shimla and reach Sangla or Reckong Peo. Reaching Sangla by bus is a preferred mode of transport.

Once you reach Chitkul Himachal Pradesh, one of the best ways to explore Chitkul is by foot. Walk around the village of Chitkul to experience its charm to the fullest. Chitkul is sparsely populated yet filled with scenic and cultural beauty.

We hope you liked reading about this charming tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is a state filled with scenic beauty and an ideal place for tourists to spend an enjoyable time traveling and staying.

Chitkul Village is one of the best places in the state of Himachal Pradesh in North India and we recommend all travelers explore Chitkul at least once only to keep coming back here every year. Maybe that’s a bit exaggerated but Chitkul is definitely a beauty that will bedazzle you.