Shimla also called “Queen of Hills” is the capital of Himachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 7200 feet and is also the largest city of the state. Surrounded by majestic Himalayas and forests of pine and oak, Shimla was also chosen as the summer capital by the British due to is cool climate. Popular places for tourists in Shimla are The Ridge, Mall road bustling with small eateries and coffee shops, Lakkar bazaar, Jakhu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Vice-regal Lodge. Other popular places around Shimla are Chail, Kufri, Mashobra, Naldera and Narkanda. Kalka – Shimla railway line built by the British built between 1898 - 1903 with 102 tunnels is recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Mountain railway site. Shimla is accessible round the year to the tourists by road and train. There is an airport in Shimla but the flight schedules are irregular. Shimla has a lot of hotels, lodges, cottages and luxury resorts to suit every budget.
Kinnaur also known as “Land of Gods” and “Land of Fairytales” is one of the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh located on the Indo-Tibetan border. Kinnaur can be best described as land of snowclad mountains, lush green valleys, meandering rivers and orchards. From most places in the district you can get magnificent views of Zanskar Valley, Dauladhar range and in the valleys of Kinnaur flow the popular rivers Satluj, Baspa and Spiti. Kinnaur is a dream destination for adventure lovers, it offers numerous treks, skiing, motorbike & jeep safaris and camping sites for tourists. Kinnaur is famous for its delicious apples and orchards spread throughout its valleys. The most popular peaks in the district are Kinnaur Kailash also known as Kinner Kailash peaks. A very popular religious trek – Kailash Parikarma trek, is undertaken by both Hindus and Buddhists which covers a distance of 70 Kms and takes you to an altitude of 17200 feet. It is a high difficulty level trek and requires a high level of physical fitness. Other popular treks offered are Bhabha Pass trek and Sangla Valley Trek. Apples from the orchards of Kinnaur are some of the best in the world.
This Road trip can be under taken by people of all ages provided you are physically fit and young at heart. Kinnaur road trip can also be combined with Spiti Valley & Manali, in case you have enough time, if not then you can just cover Kinnaur Valley. People suffering from Asthma heart ailments and back problems must consult their doctor before undertaking this trip. However, everyone needs to make some preparation for this trip and should try to have as much local information as possible on the places you will be visiting.
Kinnaur can be describe in two as “Land of Fairytales” and it is here that you find the snow clad mountains, green valleys, quaint villages where time has come to a standstill, smiling faces of locals, their warm hospitality and valleys crisscrossed by fast flowing rivers. One can travel to Kinnaur for various reasons – a holiday of peace & quiet in natures lap away from the hustle and bustle of cities, for an adrenaline rush by undertaking challenging treks of various difficulty levels, putting your driving skills to test by going on a motor bike safari or SUV safari, for star gazing and photographing nature to your hearts content.
Spring and summer period is the best to visit Kinnaur. However, the monsoon months should be avoided.
So best months are April, May, June, September and October.
In winters Kinnaur experiences extreme weather and sometimes the roads are closed due to avalanche or heavy snow. We request all travelers to check the weather during the trip a few days before starting the trip, due to global warming weather around the world has become unpredictable.
Kinnaur is accessible only by road and Shimla is the gateway to Kinnaur.
