Chitkul is a village located in the Baspa Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It is a frontier village and the last settlement before the Indo-Tibetan border. It is also the last northward point in India that one can travel to without a permit. Chitkul is known for growing some of the finest quality peas and potatoes in India.

It is religiously important as it is considered the last point in the Kinner Kailash Parikrama .

The town of Sangla is the nearest tourist destination. People travelling to Chitkul usually stay at Sangla and plan a day trip to Chitkul as accommodation in the village is neither in plenty nor cheap, compared to Sangla. It is suggested that those travelling to Chitkul, carry adequate money and fuel, as neither ATMs nor petrol pumps are found along the 28 km route from Sangla to Chitkul.

Chitkul height is about 11,319 Ft in altitude, which is staggering enough to make it a hard-to-reach paradise. As they say, all things worth having in life never come easy, so I say, add Chitkul to that list. If traveling to offbeat places is what gets your rhythm going, Chitkul is the bass! The lack of a mobile signal in this hamlet, makes you disconnected from the world and complements your connection with the surroundings.

With Kinner Kailash visible in the backdrop, Chitkul brags of unmatchable views, from its soft spot on the Baspa River. On the left bank of the Baspa lie snow-clad mountains that you can look at till pigs start flying and on the right bank lies an expanse of orchards.

The slopes of this magical land are flaunted by the majestic Deodars and the dignified Chilgoza, Chitkul also boasts of abundant orchards, catering to the world some of the finest’ Golden Delicious’ apples. Also, this settlement is famous for its high-quality potatoes, given the accommodative weather and the fertile soil. I kid you not, the quality of these potatoes is unmatchable, and justify the high price!

The villagers are either Hindus or Buddhists, speak a Tibeto-Burman dialect known as Kinnauri and wear distinct green pahadi caps. In ancient mythology, the people of Kinnaur were known as Kinnaras, the halfway between gods and humans. This further lends to the belief that Kinnaur is the land between heaven and earth!

Chitkul is situated in Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Kinnaur, the land between paradise and earth, is surrounded by Tibet on the east, Garhwal on the south, Spiti Valley on the north and Kullu on the west. Interestingly, Uttarakhand border is just 20 km from Chitkul. If you choose to, you can walk into Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary after crossing Borasu Pass (17,880 ft).

The distance of Delhi to Chitkul is 569 km, and the nearest settlement of Sangla Valley is at approximately 28 km. Rakcham village is the midway point between Sangla and Chitkul and the drive from Rakcham to Chitkul is breathtaking, adventurous and just pure gold beautiful!

The Indo-Tibet border is approximately 90 KMs from the Chitkul village. However, no civilian movement is allowed beyond Chitkul, which is why it is famously known as the last village before the Indo-Tibet Border. The area beyond the village is in control of the Indo-Tibet Border Police.

Tirthan Valley is easily one of the most breathtaking places in all of Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), this beautiful untouched valley is located right next to the Tirthan river. Spring is easily the best time to go, with blooming flowers all around. For an escape from the city, but also an escape from the more-crowded Himachali getaways, it doesn’t get much better than Tirthan.

You will hardly meet anyone during your two to three days here, not counting the charming, hospitable locals of course. People usually stay one night in the valley before going off on a trek in the GHNP, since Tirthan falls in the so-called buffer zone of the Park. But if you’ve only got one (preferably long) weekend, you can also do one-day treks or enjoy the many adventure activities.

The distance from Delhi is a bit more than 500 km, which makes it the perfect three-day getaway. It is also feasible within two days, but will inevitably be a bit tiring (something that can be salvaged by some of the stay options of course). You can go by car, by bus or even by air. By bus, it takes around 13 hours from Delhi, through Aut and Banjar, with Gushaini or Mungla as your final destination.

A place for trekkers, hikers and nature lovers alike, the Great Himalayan National Park provides one of the finest trekking opportunities in the country. Note that it takes a minimum of two days’ trekking from Tirthan Valley to even enter the park; an overnight two-day trek is therefore the minimum. But for those craving more action, your stay can be extended up to seven days.

Excursions within the GHNP include the Rolla Trek (two days), Shilt Hut Trek (three-four days), Maranhi Trek (three-five days) and Raktisar Trek (five-seven days). Himalayan Ecotourism (himalayanecotourism.com) organises treks through the year. It is best to go with them, as tourists aren’t allowed to venture without professional guides.

One of the incredible things about the park is the fact that not a single person is said to reside within it; even the villagers who live at the border are not allowed inside, presumably to retain the delicate ecological conditions of the park. Only some trails have been carved out and maintained by park management. Rest assured, though, that even a planned itinerary for GHNP will guarantee beautiful vistas and excellent trekking terrains.

Tirthan Valley is also a great starting point for one-day treks in its verdant surrounds, through small, quaint villages and towards beautiful vistas.

The Dingcha and Tinder Hike starts from Gushaini, and goes up till the local village of Tinder. The trek to Dingcha is slightly steep and can take about two hours to complete. But it is worth it, as Dingcha offers a fantastic panoramic view of the Tirthan Valley. On the way back, you can cross the village of Ropa, and stop by for lunch in Tinder.

The Nohanda-West Hike, also called the Himalayan Villages Hike, starts from the village of Pekhari, and the trail goes through several other villages, including Lakcha and Nahin, with spectacular views of the GHNP.

The hike to the Park gate goes along the Tirthan River, crossing a few traditional villages and deep forests, and can last up to five hours, so it is best to head out early and plan out your breaks. At the park gate, there is a campsite where you can have lunch.

Serolsar Lake is feasible via Jalori Pass. Hence, for this one-day trek, you will first need to take a jeep to Jalori Pass, and then walk for two-three hours till you reach the mountain lake. Upon your arrival, the trip will seem immediately worth it when you gaze out at the crystal-clear waters. The sight is nothing short of heaven.

Banjar located at an altitude of 1416m in Tirthan Valley, is a nice place to visit in Himachal Pradesh. It’s popular for its mountains, solo travel and trekking. It’s somewhat offbeat. You won’t find the place crowded.

Banjar Valley is coverred with light snow during the winters. Very few tourists visit this region and the number is even less in the winters. That doesn’t mean that it is less beautiful during the winter months. The beauty of this place is of the untouched and remote kind which gives you a feeling of being one with nature.

It is the gateway to the Great Himalayan National Park and lies on the road from Shimla to Manali. You have to cross the Jalori pass at 10,240 ft to reach the Banjar Valley. As this pass is not very high it is accessible even in winters.

The road near Jalori pass had some sharp bends and is unpaved at certain places. So, in winter this road can be sliperry and needs some extra expertise to ride through. There are very few tourists and vehicles on this road, so you can enjoy its heavenly beauty as you ride through this area.

These are some of the best tourist places in Jibhi which provide maximized visual treat. Getting a brief knowledge will provide you with detailed data about the next vacation planning. Keep scrolling down and read all about the places and what are they famous for!

• Jalori Pass: For Pine Trees And Rocky Hills
• Serolsar Lake: For A Mesmerizing Visual Treat

The distance of the Jalori pass from Jibhi is 12km. It is located at an elevation of 3000metres. This is a beautiful place where you can get dislodged in nature. You can listen to the minimal whispers of nature and also the sound of the breeze that flows. It is a must-visit place due to serenity brought due to the pine trees and the beautiful shapes of rocky hills. The surrounding of this place is mesmerizing, which makes it a must visit.

The encounter with some amazing plant life and wildlife, while passing by will let you know about the true aspects of nature. In a nutshell, the scenic beauty of this place makes it worth a visit. The feeling of being relaxed, tranquillity and free from the hectic world is the foremost reason to travel here. It simulates the paradise on earth. You should pack the desired clothes as per the season here. A trip between November to March needs proper woolen clothes as that is wintertime in this region.

Another one in the list is Serolsar Lake which is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Jibhi. It is covered up amid thick woods secured with pine trees. The lake lies calmly and is a visual treat to watch. Lake deceives the east of Jalori Pass, which is at an elevation of 3040 meters. It is a simple trail of five km, which begins from Jalori Pass. Trekking is the main choice to arrive at the lake.

Lounge around this lake or plunge your feet into the water to restore your spirit. Aside from fanciful visual treat, there is one fascinating truth related to the lake. Even though various Silver Oak trees encompass lake, one can’t see even a solitary fallen leaf on the outside of the lake. This is a direct result of two sparrows named Aabo that live close to the lake. Local people accept that at whatever point a leaf falls on the outside of the lake, these sparrows quickly take the leaves out. This is one of the most interesting stories related to this lake.

In the 8th century AD, the great Guru Adi Shankaracharya is said to have tread on these fields. The temple built by him at Joshimath still exists. For hundreds of years, the colorful semi-nomadic tribes of the Bhotiyas, of the Mongolian stock, traversed the trails at Auli, locally called Thatauli. Their longhaired yaks, laden with an assortment of goods, assisted them in conducting a flourishing trade with nearby Tibet.

Before Auli was developed as a ski resort, its slopes were the training ground for men of valor and courage-the ski-equipped men of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. Among the awesome, legendary peaks ranged round Auli, the 23,490-feet-high Trishul (literal meaning, the strident of Lord Shiva) was the scene of a unique expedition in 1958. The mountaineers took four days to climb the peak and only 90 minutes to ski down to the base camp.

Auli can be visited anytime during the year. However, since Auli is the skiing destination and is famous for its peaked snow mountains, it is better to visit this beauty during the winter season. Reaching here during the winters might get difficult though due to road blockages, so before leaving for this place do ask for the road conditions.

Below I am listing down the months in which you can expect what kind of weather.

Summers: The summertime in Auli is from March to June. However, you won’t be able to find snow during this time. Since the mountains here are barren, the mountains will have a brown shade, with a little snow on the top of the peaks. The temperature stays about 15 degrees, which is ideal for beating the heat of the city. You can go on many treks and enjoy the sight-seeing activities due to the pleasant weather.

Monsoon: Monsoon stays between July to October in Auli. During this time, the temperature falls a little further and might go down to 10 degrees. While visiting the place during this time, do check if landslides are happening since mountains are prone to this. I would suggest you to avoid visiting Auli during this time since due to rain you might get stuck in the hotel rooms itself and exploring the place might get difficult.

Lying at the height of 2,800 meters, Auli offers the most captivating views of mighty Himalayas. It lies in Uttarakhand, which in itself offers an abundance of natural beauty. It lies in the Garhwali district and lies in the upper ranges of the Himalayas.

Auli offers amazing views with high peaks of the Himalayas. One can see Nanda Devi from here. The mighty Nanda Devi is at the height of 7800 meters. From far you can see the snow-clad mountains, and it is so relaxing to have a cup of tea while watching these mountains. The colors become even more enchanting during the sunset time when the entire sky lit up in a shade of pink color. This time is when you will get the “peace of mind.”

The high peaks can be seen in all the four corners and this panoramic view will always be stuck in your eyes.

This is a perfect place for trekking and there are many trekking spots that are located here. The village of Mana can be visited as day trip from Badrinath. There is a waterfall called the Vasundara Falls that is located nearby and this is also a good place to see while travelling to the village of Mana.

There is small passage called the Bhim Pul that is located here and the River Sarawasti plunges headlong into the path and this is a sight to behold. The local population of the village lives in small cottages that are decorated and carved exquisitely.

One can visit the temple of Mata Murti that is located near the town and the temple holds an annual fair, visiting which can be an interesting experience.

A 10 minute drive on a well-kempt tarmac road from Badrinath led us to Mana. Sight of the well-bred mountain dogs running towards us, the noise of the gushing Saraswati, rows of army camps on either side of the road and that one massive village gate that read ‘The Last Indian Village’, everything around us seemed like an intimation about how far away we had come.

This village at an altitude of 3115 metres in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand introduced us to divinity in a rather peculiar way. The kids of the village narrated the stories from Mahabharata as they guided us from the gate through the congested village street all the way up to Vyas Gufa, the cave where Ved Vyas compiled the four Vedas and narrated Mahabharata for the first time.

Visiting Mana village is in itself a very awesome and satisfying experience. This term, “India’s last village” overcomes both your mind as well as your heart, and giving that adventurous spark in you, with a sense of accomplishment too. The moment you step foot on its ground, the vividness of nature as it is surrounded by the Himalayas and is on the banks of the river Saraswati grasps your attention.

These destinations namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, collectively known as Char Dham. These pilgrimage centers draw the maximum numbers of pilgrims each year, thus becoming the most important hubs of religious travel in the whole of Northern India. Traditionally, the pilgrimage begins from the West and ends in the East. Thus, the Char Dham Yatra commences from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Each of these four sites is devoted to a specific deity. Yamunotri is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna who goes along the pilgrims to the high altitudes of the picturesque Rawai Valley. It is believed that a bath in the waters of the Yamuna protects the devotee from untimely death. Gangotri is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga. The shrine overlooks the River Bhagirathi, another name of River Ganga – the name having been derived from the myth of the ancient King Bhagirath’s penance that succeeded in bringing her upon the earth from the heaven. Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also a part of the Panch Kedar. It is the northernmost Jyotirlinga and is close to the source of the holy River Mandakini. Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated on the bank of the River Alaknanda. According to legend, Lord Vishnu meditated here while his consort Lakshmi took the form of a berry (Badri) tree to offer him shade.

Before embarking on this journey, one has to be prepared to experience physical as well as mental hardships on the Himalayan roads. The Char Dham Yatra is one of the quite accessible yet most arduous journeys. The Yatra route in the state is usually bustling with activity, especially during the summer. The scenic beauty of the mountains solemnly provides strength to the pilgrims as they move towards their destination.

बद्रीनाथ धाम से जुड़ी रोचक बातें

1. पुराणों के अनुसार बद्रीनाथ धाम में पहले भगवान शिव अपने परिवार के साथ वास करते थे। एक बार भगवान विष्णु तपस्या के लिए एक शांत स्थान की तलाश कर रहे थे लेकिन उन्हें कोई ऐसा स्थान नहीं मिला और अंत में वह बद्रीनाथ धाम में आए और इस स्थान को देखकर मोहित हो गए । लेकिन उन्हें यह नहीं पता था कि यहां भगवान शिव अपने परिवार के साथ वास करते हैं।

2.इस स्थान के लिए भगवान विष्णु ने एक बालक का रुप लिया और जोर -जोर से रोने लगे । एक बालक को इस तरह रोते हुए देखकर माता पार्वती उन्हें चुप कराने लगी।लेकिन वह बालक चुप नहीं हुआ।

3. भगवान शिव इन सब के बारे में जानते थे । उन्होंने माता पार्वती से उस बालक को छोड़ने के लिए कहा। लेकिन मां ने शिवजी की बात नहीं मानी और उस बालक को सुलाने के लिए चली गई।

4.उस बालक को सुलाने के बाद माता पार्वती बाहर आ गई । जिसके बाद भगवान विष्णु ने अंदर से दरवाजा बंद कर लिया ।

5.जब भगवान शिव वहां आए तो उन्होंने शिवजी से कहा कि मुझे यह स्थान पसंद आ गया है। आप केदारनाथ चले जांए।

6. जिसके बाद बद्रीनाथ भगवान विष्णु का धाम बन गई।

7. इससे जुड़ी एक और कथा का शास्त्रों में वर्णन है । एक बार माता लक्ष्मी भगवान विष्णु से रुठकर अपने मायके चली गई । जिसके बाद भगवान विष्णु ने माता लक्ष्मी को मनाने के लिए कठोर तप किया।

8.भगवान विष्णु को ढुंढते हुए मां लक्ष्मी उसी स्थान पर पहुंची जहां वह तपस्या में लीन थे।

9.भगवान विष्णु एक बेर के पेड़ पर बैठकर तपस्या कर रहे थे। जिसके बाद से ही मां लक्ष्मी नें उन्हें बद्रीनाथ का नाम दिया।

10. बद्ररीनाथ धाम में की जानें वाली आरती को एक मुस्लिम शायर ने लिखा है। यह शायर फकरुद्दीन (बदरुद्दीन) था जो चमोली जिले के नंदप्रयाग के रहने वाले था। फकरुद्दीन यह आरती केवल 18 वर्ष की उम्र में लिखी थी।

The exact age of the founding of the Key Monastery is not known but it is believed to originally date back to 1100 CE, although many believe the site is even older. Now sitting on top of a mountain foothill, the early structures built by the original monks would have been much lower. However as the peaceful Buddhists were attacked by the area Mongol barbarians the reconstruction efforts would simply build upon what had gone before, eventually creating the erratic patchwork of rooms, tight hallways, and hidden courtyards that exists today.

Much of the monastery bears a distinct Chinese design influence like many similar structures in the area, dating back to a period in the 14th century when the style came to the area. The interiors are also rich with historic murals and documents precious to the orders which have lived in the ever changing monastery.

Today Key Monastery is still a fully-functioning training ground for lamas operated by a Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhist monks. Around 250 monks reside on the site at any given time, training, farming, and generally keeping the thousand year old wonder alive.

Overlooking Kaza from a height of about 13,500 ft, the Kye monastery is the largest in the valley and holds a powerful sway over the most populous part of the valley around Kaza. The gompa is an irregular heap of low rooms and narrow corridors on a monolithic conical hill. From a distance is resembles the Thiksey monastery near Leh in Ladakh. The irregular prayer chambers are interconnected by dark passages, tortuous staircases and small doors.

Hundreds of lamas receive their religious training in the monastery. It is also known for its beautiful murals, thankas, rare manuscripts, stucco images and peculiar wind instruments that form part of the orchestra whenever Chham is enacted in the gompa in summer. Another interesting aspect of the gompa is its collection of weapons which may have been used to ward off marauders as also to maintain its control over people betraying a church-militant character.

Thousands of devotees from all over the world were attended the Kalachakra ceremony which was performed in August, 2000 by His Holiness Dalai Lama.Kalachakra initiation (Skt. Abhisheka, Tibetan Wang) is not just an elaborate puja or a religious congregation.

It is a workshop in a grand scale to make an earnest effort by both the teacher and disciples to awaken their Buddha nature by the combined forces of teaching, prayer, blessing, devotion, mantra, yoga and meditation. It is an effort by every participant to try to discover the true and permanent peace for the sake of all others. The Buddhists believe mere presence during this elaborate initiation ceremony stretching over a few days, liberates the participant from suffering and bestows on him the bliss of Enlightenment.

The ceremony focuses on five main subjects – cosmology, psycho-physiology, initiation, sadhana and Buddhahood. A Kalachakra mandala and Viswatma deitiy in union with his consort are at the centre of this ceremony guiding the disciple through the tedious process of initiation.

The gompa is approached by road from Kaza (only 12 km). However, it is only 8.5 kms trek from Kaza.

Kaza is a popular tourist place in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is divided into two areas-the old Kaza and the new Kaza, while the old kaza is called Kaza Khas and comprises king’s palace, monasteries, gompas, and ancient buildings, the new Kaza is called Kaza Soma and houses government offices, hotels & restaurants. Tourists from all over the world visit this stunning destination to get a glimpse of the beautiful mountain terrains and pristine locals that also offer adventurous activities such as trekking, mountaineering, etc.

There are three most popular trails from Kaza that conects to the lovely villages around here, plunged in a rich natural beauty of the Spiti Valley. Also, available here are some very ancient and exquisite monasteries and gompas that depict the culture and tradition of Kaza. One can easily reach this amazing spot from the Kinnaur Valley and Lahaul Valley. The route from Kinnaur Valley is most appropriate as it remains open throughout the year, while the Lahaul Valley route opens only during the summer as the Kunzum Pass closes during winter.

Kaza can be best visited in summer as the winter is quite severe with the temperature plunging to sub-zero levels. The locals remain within the confines of their houses and venture out only if it is absolutely necessary. They stock up the supply of their food that last them through the winters; the locals also utilize their time to produce handicrafts that can be sold during tourist season i.e. summer. There are many hotels and restaurants at Kaza, so one can stay comfortably and enjoy a holiday worth remembering.

Kaza makes for an ideal base camp for all the treks and tours within the valley and provides guides, porters, and most importantly permits for treks.

According to some texts I purchased at the monastery’s book shop, the Tabo gompa came up under the patronage of the ancient Tibetan royal dynasty of Purang-Guge; it was one of the 108 constructed between the tenth to twelfth centuries AD, when the second diffusion of Buddhism was supposed to have taken place. These were spread across the Lahaul-Spiti valley, Kinnaur region and Ladakh, all a part of present day India, as well as what is now Western Tibet.

These were located along the trade routes of the time and involved heavy financial outlays; traders could take night halts here securing their lives and possessions from bandits. The monastery is currently home to about 50 lamas or monks, many still very young.

Tabo Monastery is an ancient monastery that was established in 996 CE. It is considered to be an important monastery and is often referred to as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. The complex has 9 temples and many stupas—all of which are made in mud and have been standing like this for more than 1000 years.

The main temple is an assembly hall where monks used to pray together. This hall has all its walls painted with Buddhist stories. There are stories of the life of Shakyamuni (the Buddha) and various Bodhisattvas. There are also 33 stucco sculptures of Bodhisattvas on the walls with their names mentioned for recognition.

You can go around the hall and admire the paintings, some of which date back to the time when the monastery was built, but most of them are from a later period when probably conservation and restoration work was carried on. The paintings do seem to be inspired from Ajanta paintings though the style of is a bit different. Other temples are usually closed, but monks might open them for you on request.

These temples belong to Buddhist deities like Tara and Buddha Maitreya. No photography of the paintings is allowed at Tabo Monastery though you can take pictures of the complex outside. However, picture postcards of these beautiful paintings are available with monks for sale.