Chitkul

Every travel bug would’ve come across the phrase “A journey to the end of the world”. It’s always been an idea that clicks the button of fascination and it surely did for me when I heard about Chitkul.

Chitkul, a village located on right bank of Baspa River, is the last village of the Baspa Valley and the last village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route. It is also the last point in India one can travel to without a permit. Located at an altitude of around 11,000 ft. With the backdrop of Kinnar Kailash, Chitkul offers totally breathtaking views along the Baspa River.

In the valley with the cleanest air, walking through the crystal clear waters is the most peaceful yet the most thrilling thing to do.
Passing through the Sangla hills is the icy river of Baspa that converges with the satluj.

Nestled in the picturesque Kinnaur Valley lies Chitkul. An adventure lover’s delight, a geography enthusiast’s paradise, and an all-out, enchantingly surreal landscape lends Chitkul its eternal delight!

Chitkul’s height is about 11,319 Ft in altitude, which is assured enough to make it a hard-to-reach paradise. As they say, all things worth having in life never come that easy, so I say, Chitkul should be on that list.

If traveling to offbeat places is what gets your rhythm going, Chitkul should be a must-have on your list! No internet connectivity in this paradise (though BSNL works fine for audio calls in Chitkul).It makes you disconnected from the world and complements your connection with the beautiful environment and binds you to nature, and much more. With Kinner Kailash visible in the backdrop, Chitkul brags of uncompromising views, from its soft spot on the Baspa River. On the left bank of the Baspa, there lie snow-clad mountains that you can look on until you wish and on the right bank, there lies an expanse of multi-color orchards.

The slopes of this magical land are bound by the majestic Deodars, Birch and Chilgoza trees. Baspa valley also boasts of abundant orchards, catering to the world famious Golden Delicious apples. Also, this settlement is famous for its high-quality potatoes, given the conducive weather and the fertile soil.
The villagers are either Hindus or Buddhists, speak a Tibeto-Burman dialect known as Kinnauri, and wear distinct green Pahari caps. You got to travel back to the ancient mythology, where it is said that the people of Kinnaur were known as Kinnauras, the halfway between gods and humans. This further proves right the belief that Kinnaur is the land between heaven and earth !

Chitkul bagged the award of the best “tourism village of 2023” on October 1, 2023.

Some travel tips about Chitkul
Hamlets such as Chitkul are best discovered on foot –explore the little alleyways and get a feel for a local villager. The population of Chitkul is just below 1,000; the town is full of culture and community.

Chitkul has three temples dedicated to Mata Devi; the oldest is said to be 500 years old, Uniquely carved walnut wood weaved carefully with clothes and tufts of yak tail. The entire compound is beautiful and a must-visit for experiencing the Kath-Kuni wooden architecture. The temple seems to have a high prominence in the Bengali culture, as you would see a lot of pilgrims from there!

Unquestionably, you must walk down to the banks of the Baspa river and reawaken your soul by dipping your hands in the glacial water. The crystal-clear water will keep you enthralled.
Treks Near Chitkul
Chitkul is also the start or endpoint of many easy, medium, and difficult treks around the region. Some of them are:
* Lamkhaga Pass trek
* Borasu Pass trek
* Ranikanda meadows hike
* Kinner Kailash Parikrama trek
Trek to Nagasti ITBP Camps
This is a relatively easier trek of about four kilometers. Do make sure to take a water bottle with you and keep sipping water every now and then.
Ranikanda Meadows hike
About 10 km in totality, the trek from Chitkul to Rani Kanda Meadows is completely worth it. Easy to Medium in difficulty level, the panoramic views of the vistas and the valleys will make the effort completely worthwhile on your trip to Chitkul.

Borasu Pass trek, Lamkhaga Pass trek are others which you have got to try. Try your hand at Off-roading, bouldering, climbing & slacking.

The next most interesting activity you can do is, go fishing in the fresh, crystal-clear water of Chitkul. Both rainbow and brown trout fish can be seen swimming against the water.
Hindustan ka aakhri Dhaba

Rakscham :
A relatively unknown travel destination on the way to Chitkul via Sangla, Rakcham is found at a height of around 2900m. A sparse population of around 800 people inhabit the village. While moving towards Chitkul from Sangla, the village is found on the left side of the main road and the river Baspa flows on the right. The inhabitants of Rakcham are known as Kinnaurs and mostly nomadic. The men in Rakchum normally take care of the herd of sheep and cows whereas women tend to farming and household chores. During winter the village the village remains under thick snow coverings and people move to the lower regions. They move to the village again in April to sow the seeds. The village has two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali.This village covers a large area of wild life reserve & such a treat to your eyes this village brings tranquil & peace