HIMACHAL & IT'S DESTINATIONS

Himachal Pradesh is full of hill resorts, pilgrimages, adventure sports destinations and wildlife that attracts a wide range of tourists. Himachal Pradesh is one of the most important tourist destinations in India. It also has excellent trekking routes, majestic mountain ranges like the Dhauladhar's, wide rivers for rafting and peaks for para gliding.

The main tourist destinations are Shimla, Palampur, Dharamsala, Kulu-Manali, Chamba-Dalhousie. There are Temples at Bhima Kali, Sarahan, Hatkoti, Jawalaji, Chamunda Devi, Chintpurni, Renuka and Rewalsar, Deoth Siddh and Naina Devi which are major attractions for pilgrims.

Himachal's famous tourist destinations :

• Shimla - capital of Himachal
• Kullu / Manali
• Lahaul Spiti
• Dharamsala / Mcleodganj
• Chamba
• Kinnaur & Kaza
  

DESTINATION KINNAUR

Kinnaur is a border district, and remote mountainous district between Shimla and the Tibetan border. The region was de-restricted in 1991 and travel to and around Kinnaur is now possible with easy-to-obtain permits. Kinnaur is bound to the north by the formidable Zanskar Range, which forms the border with Tibet. Two turbulent rivers race through Kinnaur-the Sutlej and the Spiti. The slopes are covered with thick forests, while the basins hold orchards, fields and picturesque hamlets. Kinnaur holds three of world's grandest mountain ranges-the Zanskar, the Greater Himalaya, and the Dhauladhar-and the famous 4,573-meter high Kinner Kailash mountain by whose side is the seventy-nine foot vertical rock formation that resembles a Shivalinga and changes color as the day passes.

The beautiful valley along Bhaba River is an important tourist spot. It is a link road to the valley, which originates at Wangtu. It has a reservoir lake and alpine meadows and is famous for the trek route to Pin Valley in Spiti. Karchham (1,899 m), located at the confluence of the Sutlej and Baspar rivers, is the start of the picturesque Baspar Valley of which Sangla is the largest settlement.

Sangla is 18 km from Karchham and is perched at a height of 2880 meters. A link road that goes off the National Highway into the Baspar valley offers an enchanting spot at every curve. There are saffron fields, orchards, and higher up, as the road climbs the steep, there are lush green alpine meadows.

Rakchham is situated on the bank of Baspa River, at an altitude of 2900 meters, and is famous for its scenic beauty. It is about 13 km from Sangla on the way to Chitkul. The last and the highest village in this valley, Chitkul, 28 km from Sangla, is noted for its alpine meadows and snowscapes. It has a rest house and is placed at an altitude of 3450 meters above sea level. Powari, 70 km from Rampur, is the last major stop, on the Hindustan-Tibet Road.

Located 240 km from Shimla and 7 km from Powari, Rekongpeo is the headquarters of the Kinnaur district. It is placed at an altitude of 2670 meters, has a rest house and hotels, and offers a fine view of the Kinner Kailash. At a distance of 3 km from Rechong Peo, Kothi has a temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandika Devi. Set against a backdrop of mountains and groves of deodar, the temple has a special architectural style and fine sculpture. At a distance of 14 km from Powari is Kalpa, the main village of the district. It is at an altitude of 2768 meters. Across the river, facing Kalpa, is the majestic spectacle of the Kinner Kailash range.

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