Kinnaur Valley

Kinnaur is close to the Spiti Valley and many choose to combine the trip with the valleys. Despite its proximity to the high Spiti Valley, Kinnaur Valley is lower and therefore the landscapes are green, wide and beautiful, which is the main reason it attracts many travelers.

In Kinnaur, you travel between small and authentic villages located between the green hills and mountains, the amazing view is visible from every corner. In addition, there are many hiking trails in the jungles, lakes, streams and waterfalls, temples and more. 

Due to its proximity to the Tibetan Spiti Valley, but also to Manali and Shimla, you can see a beautiful combination of Hinduism and Buddhism in Kinnaur. The locals are known for their friendliness. A trip to Kinnaur Valley is definitely an opportunity for freedom and peace in the special Himalayan air.

Capital: Rekung Pyu. A town considered the capital of the Kinnaur Valley. In Rekung Pyu, you can obtain a permit required for moving from Kinnaur to Spiti.

Religion: Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism

Recommended season in the Kinnaur Valley: April – October. It should be taken into account that during the monsoon season, June-September, there may be rains that can change plans, but in between it is sunny and pleasant and visibility is excellent.

How to get to Kinnaur: The most common way to travel to Kinnaur is From Manali. There are two options – or an organized trip with a jeep that will take several days and can be easily booked through the agencies in Manali, this way the jeep driver is at your disposal all the time and can take you and stop wherever you want. The second option is to do the trip with locals – local buses and hitchhikers, this is a more complex and less convenient option, but much cheaper and can bring extraordinary experiences and meetings with the locals. The most convenient way to reach Kinnaur by local bus from Manali is to start in the magical village of Jibhi (about 3 hours from Manali, located on the border of Kinnaur), there is no direct bus there – you have to take a local bus to the village of Banjar (3 hours from Manali) and from there a half-hour drive to Jibhi.

if you don't want to leave Manali, there is also the option of leaving from Kasol. From there you can also rent a jeep to take you on a trip for a few days or take a taxi or buses to Jibhi and start the journey from there.

If you want to get to Shimla, this is also an option. From Shimla there are direct buses to Rekong Pyo, and several other villages in the Kinnaur Valley.

Getting around in the Kinnaur Valley: Here too, it depends on how you choose to travel. If you choose the jeep option, then everything is simpler, the jeep will be with you the entire time and will take you wherever you want. Usually, those who choose to travel in locales also get around by hitchhiking, don't worry, this is a common phenomenon and is known in India by both Israelis and locals, and Indians will pick you up with joy and interest.

Villages and trips in Kinnaur:

––Jibhi – Jibhi is actually on the way from Manali to Kinnaur, and it is a small and amazingly beautiful village, built in front of an ever-green landscape, and inside a jungle with lush tropical vegetation and magical walking trails. In Jibhi you can find many places to stay of all types - guesthouses, home stays, tents, bungalows, and more. As well as Western and local cafes and restaurants. Jibhi, which has not yet become a strong tourist destination for hummus, has become a common tourist spot in the city for local tourism, and is truly a real gem. There are trails leading to the stream, waterfalls and ponds around the village. And more serious hiking trails.

-Jaluri Pass – A pass (a saddle between two mountains) located near Jibhi, from which there is a spectacular view and from which you can go on various hiking trails. One easy, hour-long trail will take you to a tropical lake, another trail will take you to a large fort overlooking the valley and the distant mountains. On the various trails you can reach and ask the local population there who will be happy to help.

– Shringa Rishi Temple –A temple near Jibhi with an amazing view. You can also walk to it on foot along a beautiful path in the forests.

– Rekung Pyu – the capital of the Kinnaur Valley, it is a large and relatively modern town for the region, there is reception and internet (which is not available in most of the Kinnaur Valley), travel agencies, an ATM, and more. From there you can cross over to the Spiti Valley. This crossing requires a permit. The permit can be obtained in Rekung Pyu.

– Sarahan village – a pastoral village in the Kinnaur Valley. The village is amazing in its beauty, situated on a green ridge and overlooking a large river. The village has a famous temple – Bhimakali, dedicated to Goddess Kali. In addition, the village has a birdwatching area. Himachal Pradesh has many species of birds that are rare in the rest of the world, and many eagles and birds of prey.

– Kalpa village – an ancient village above Rekung Pyu. A quiet and magical village amidst the magnificent scenery

– Sangla Valley, Rakshasa and Chitkul –Sangla Valley is a relatively small valley that branches off from Kinnaur, and there are other pastoral villages at the foot of the mountains in the heart of the amazing landscape. 

– Chandra Tal Lake – One of the popular attractions when traveling in the Spiti and Kinnaur valleys. This is an amazingly beautiful lake! Located at an altitude of 4300 m above sea level, with fresh water in the heart of the Himalayan mountain range. The lake is located on the border of the Kinnaur and Spiti valleys.