Kalpa Tourism And Travel Guide

Located in the foot hills of the famous Kinner-Kailash, Kalpa is a remote village in Himachal Pradesh. The Sutlej River passes through the mountainous land, making the scenery of the region even more pristine and making tourism in Kalpa pretty popular. You can reach this gorgeous village directly by road, but if you want to go by air or rail, you will have to take a flight or a train to cities adjacent to Kalpa and then travel by a cab to reach Kalpa.

The weather in Kalpa is usually always on the pleasant side and most of the year it stays cold, due to the harsh winter. The summer is the best time to visit, as tourists have various options to spend their time there. You can simply go trekking to see the magnificent Kinnaur-Kailash range or take a stroll by the beautiful apple orchards or Chilgoza pine forests. Follow our travel guide to Kalpa to plan out your next vacation in an organized manner.

By Air:

There are no straightforward flights to this village; therefore, the nearest airport that you can go to is the Shimla Airport, which is 245 km from Kalpa. You can also travel to the Bhuntar Airport which is also 245 km from Kalpa, after which you can take a cab from the airport to reach the destination.

By Road:

Kalpa can be reached easily by road due to the roadways being well connected to adjacent cities. The landscape that is seen during a road trip to Kalpa is simply amazing and pleasant for the eyes. You can also take an overnight bus facilitated by the HRTC from nearby cities to reach Kalpa.

By Rail:

Since there is no direct train to Kalpa, the nearest one is the Shimla Railway Station, located at 244 km from the Himachali village. Major trains ply from prime cities to this railways station. Once you reach the station, a 6-7 hour cab ride should take you to your desired location in Kalpa.

Getting Around:

Although Kalpa is located in a remote spot in Himachal Pradesh, it is still easy to get around the place due to it being a popular tourist place. You can move around by renting a cab for the duration of your stay. Alternatively, you can use the bus service which is facilitated by the HRTC, which is an option if you want to save money.

Summer (April-June):

The months from April to June see an average temperature of 10°C to 25°C, making it the best time to visit Kalpa. The mild heat of the sun melts the snow off on the mountains and the grasslands, bringing out the beauty of freshly blossoming flowers. This is also a good season to indulge in various adventure sports.

Monsoon (July-September):

The region of Kalpa sees heavy rainfall in the months of July until September. The temperatures during this season range from 8°C-20°C. It is not suggested to visit during the monsoons due to slippery slopes making it dangerous for tourists to even walk around.

Winter (October-March):

The winter season is the harshest season in Kalpa, with temperatures dropping down drastically to -15°C. The slopes become slippery, the lakes freeze up and most of the times there is a road block due to the immense amount of snow. Although, the beauty of the place is incredible during this season and the environment is absolutely serene, this may not be the best season for someone who is not comfortable in the cold.

Visit Temples and Monasteries:

Due to Kalpa having a mix of both Hindu and Buddhist cultured people, the places of religious importance have a lot of Hindu as well as Tibetan influence. The Nag Nagini Temple, the Chandika Devi Temple and the Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar Monastery are some of the renowned temples and monasteries that have excellent architecture and definitely worth a visit.

See Breathtaking Views:

Witness the most exquisite views of the Kinnaur Kailash ranges after a trek through some of the most beautiful sceneries of Kalpa. You can also do a 2-3 hour trek to Chaka to unravel the beauty of nature and see a sight that you will never forget. Tall mountains and green grasslands are just the start.

Visit Quaint Villages:

If you have come all the way to Kalpa, you must visit the neighbouring villages as well to get a feel of the culture of that region. Visit the Kothi village and the Roghi village to learn about the culture in Kalpa. You can also visit a few attractions in these villages to know more about the architecture of the structures that are built.

Appreciate the Architecture:

The architecture of the Sapni Fort that is located in Kalpa is absolutely stunning. This fort is seven storeys high, overlooking another fort, which is said to be the queen’s fort. The woodwork on the doors and windows, especially on the fifth floor where there is a Kali Temple, is worth visiting for.

Walk in an Orchard:

Visiting an orchard is something you must do when you come go to Himachal Pradesh. Kalpa’s livelihood comes from farming apples, after which these fruits are sold nationally and internationally. Vibrant shades of apples are seen in these orchards, which prove to be a very calming experience.

Kalpa is known for finger licking North Indian as well as Tibetan cuisine. You must try the ‘Cha’ which is the local tea in the region; it is a salty Kinnauri tea for which you have to have an acquired taste. Delicious North Indian curried goat preparations are quite famous. Try Tibetan cuisine and chomp on some momos and dumplings and slurp on some hot thukpa to satiate your taste buds.  

The district of Kinnaur is famous for a number of handmade items and shoppers from various cities go buy certain things every time they visit. Kalpa is well known for the famous Kinnauri caps, shawls and the different kinds of handmade wooden handicrafts made by the locals. You find a number of shops and individual craftsmen on the streets selling silver and gold ornaments, woolen clothing, rugs etc. You can also purchase delicious apples, walnuts, almonds from local shops or wholesale shops in Reckong Peo.