Kalpa at a Glance Himachal Pradesh

Kalpa, the main village of Kinnaur, in the Sutlej River Valley is a place to remember and cherish. Known for its many beautiful temples and monasteries, this town is also famed for its apple orchards. The majestic Kinnaur-Kailash range peeking from across the Sutlej River makes for a blissful break. An early morning walk through this paradise will give you a chance to experience magic and mystery with the sunrise.Anyone wanting to explore a quaint and secluded space with friends and family, in the lap of nature should visit this beautiful town of Kalpa. People having an eye for cultural diversity and richness can as well look out for this town.

A small mountain town located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, at a distance of 240 km from Shimla, Kalpa is a treat to the eyes. This pristine town is situated in the lap of the Kinnaur Kailash at an extremely high altitude of 3000 mt from the sea level. The place is cold all throughout the year, with stretched areas of snow to whatever meets the eye in the extreme winter months. Positioned close to the Satluj River Valley, the place lets the visitors experience the best of nature to whoever might come its way. Numerous waterfalls and hillslopes in the locality are bound to leave you spellbound while you make your way to this small town.

Kalpa is placed in the Kinner-Kailash range. It sits above the Reckong Peo, which is a hub of Buddhist culture and home to various monasteries. Kalpa is a home to many Hindu shrines from where one can view the breathtaking snowy peaks. Tourists may also enjoy the beautiful view of the Sutlej River in Kalpa that flows down the Himalayas and passes through the rocky surface of Kinnaur. Earlier, the region was under the reign of the Magadha Dynasty that was followed by the Mauryan Empire during 6th century. In fact, Kinnaur was also ruled by the Guge Kingdom of Tibet during the 9th and 12th centuries. Later, King Akbar ruled the region and brought it under the Mughal Empire.Once you visit Kalpa, you'll find a picturesque view of green orchards, gorgeous valleys, forests of cedar, high altitude deserts and striking gorges. A long drive through the rugged mountains rising up from the riverbanks and the Sutlej slicing deep gap through the Himalayas give a wonderful experience to cherish forever.

From Kalpa we can get views of three peaks Roldang 5499 meter, Jarkanden ( 6473 meter ) and the Kinnaur Kailash at 6050 meter height. The Suicide Point is another famous spot, which is 10 minutes away from the apple orchards. Adventure seekers may enjoy trekking in Kalpa and unfold the scenic beauty of the place. Holidaying in Kalpa is admirable for its perfect combination of Hindu and Buddhist culture, gardens and blooming valley in summer. Main attraction is Narayan-Nagini temple and Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery. This monastery was founded by Rinchensang-po ( 950-1055 AD ). Walk along the narrow lanes of this village upto the temple and you will get a good glimpse of Kinnaur culture and its colorful villagers.

 Activities

Kapla offers plenty of activities for adventure seekers. One may enjoy mountain-biking, trekking, mountain-cycling, trout fishing, jeep safaris, and angling in the Baspa River.Other outdoor activities include star-gazing, hiking, camping, and river rafting that you will love to indulge in.

Shopping

You can buy Kinnauri shawls and caps from the Handicrafts Emporium in Kalpa. The place is also popular for offering high quality Chilgoza that are grown here.

Festivals

One of the main festivals of Kalpa is the Phulech Festival, which is celebrated with great zest in the month of September and October. Locals collect flowers from the surrounding areas and offer them to the God of the village and later on these flowers are distributed among the people.

Best Time to Visit
June to August are the peak months when tourists from all across the world visit here for sightseeing tour, trekking and exploring the lush green valleys and forests.

How to Reach

By road - The route opted by tourists is mainly via National Highway 22 and Hindustan-Tibet Road. There is also direct bus service available from Rampur. From Manali, you need to travel via the Rohtang Pass.

If you are coming from Shimla then take bus of taxi till Rekong Peo which is at a distance of 14 km from Kalpa. Direct buses from Delhi to Rekong Peo are also available. But if you are coming
from Delhi then it is better to take a halt at Shimla otherwise your journey will be too hectic. Route from Delhi is Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Narkanda-Rampur-Karcham-Powari-Rekong Peo-Kalpa.