Travelogue: A family trip across Kinnaur and Spiti

I am yet to cover Chitkul section as I had covered during the return leg.
I stayed at Panchali resort in Chitkul. Very basic but is the better options out of the two (owned by same guy) available there.

Dinesh - Tons of thanx and gratitude for being so kind. Sorry to disturb you in your troubled time.
I have started my own thread titled "Proposed Trip to Kinnaur & Spiti" under Himachal Pradesh forum to invite comments and suggestions to this poor chap. Five of eight of our team members are past 50 and I am leading the pack at 57. We do not think that we will be able to do a repeat trip to this wonderful part of India ever in future - even though we travel twice a year, there are still so many wonderful places to visit in our beautiful country and age will be debarring factor to high altitude places. As such, this time we do noit want to keep any thing to chance.

- Anirban

Mosederbaer - It is so kind of you all to come to my rescue. I have thanked Dinesh already with all humbleness in the next page. As explained to Dinesh, We would like to have an absolutely well planned trip barrinh Force Majure. In May, Kolkata's summar vacation of schools start and to escape heat and pre monsoon humidity, Bengalis, like us, take off towards hills. You have mentioned May being off season - but I doubt very much. HPTDC charges top of the season rates from May to July. As such, the moment. we get railway reservation, we would like to book all the hotels of our choice including specific rooms, where we want to stay, for best views.
My plan is that in Chitkul, we will stay in Panchali or Shahensa (both owned by one of my Howrah based friends. This friend owns Rakpa Regancy at Kalpa. The top floor three rooms of that hotel has an attached roof and offers fabulous views. These rooms are in our hit list. at Kaza, we plan to stay at Spiti Sarai of Mr. Lotay - away from dean and bustle and rooms in both the towers offering wonderful views. Two third of the total tour tenure, we will spend at these three places.
At Narkanda, I will go by your suggestion. Tabo - would that home stay suggested by you, have enough space for eight? Or else, a number of traveelers have suggested Trozan Guest House as a simple but good place to stay. I have phone No. stored somewhere. Your Kind suggestion please. At Sarahan, Owing to good views, and recommended by numerous IMers, I would like to stay at HPTDC Srikhand.
Please let me know, if you have suggestions, contrary to my ideas, stated.
Somebody suggested Tempo Traveller as my preferred vehicle, since we do not want cramped space. I have no idea where to book a vehicle - Tempo or otherwise - a trustworthy source. Do I need an airconditioned vehicle? It is May and we need to travel to and from Delhi. I read somewhere that in Kinnaur, days are hot? Is it true?

Thanks and regards,

CA Note: This thread has been moved to the Travel Photolog forum.

Hi Dinesha,

I am planing to visit HP in July. The itn planned is like this:


• 20.07: Day 1: HWH dep via Kalka mail at 7.40 pm.
• 21.07: Day 2: Train
• 22.07: Day 3: Arrival at Kalka at 4.30 am. Catch Shivalik at 5.30 am for Shimla. Arrival at Shimla at 10.15 am. Stay in Shimla.
• 23.07: Day4: Stay at Shimla
• 24.07: Day 5: Leave Shimla around 9 am for Sarahan. 6 hours by car. Stay at Sarahan at Bhimakali temple(is this a good option?)
• 25.07: Day 6: Sarahan to Chitkul. Stay in Chitkul at Panchali GH.
• 26.07: Day 7: Chitkul.
• 27.07: Day 8: Chitkul
• 28.07: Day 9: Chitkul to Kalpa . Stay at Kalpa at Rakpa regency
• 29.07: Day 10: Kalpa.
• 30.07: Day 11: Kalpa to Shimla. Stay at Shimla.
• 31.07: Day 12: Shimla to Kalka. Kalka mail boarding.
• 01.08: Day 13: Train
• 02.08: Day 14: Howrah.

What do you think of this? I plan to start from Kolkata on 20th July. Couple of questions:

1. Will the weather be favourable?
2. The approximate cost of hired car. I plan to hire a small car as there are just two of us, me and my wife?
3. Though I have read a lot in the net including IM and both your and Kshil's report but is there anything else I missing out, I should know? This is my first trip to HP.

Any suggestion is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Your trip seems to be a great one and hope you post more on these.

Hello dinesha

I am a newbie here and planning a trip and referring heavily on the excellent travelogues and planning threads.
Did you pay any advance to your driver before reaching Chandigarh ?

Thanks and regards

I have a question.
Is it possible to cover kalpa, chitkul and sangla valley in between 25th December to 1st January? If yes then please give me an itinerary for 5days only on these 3 places.... excluding our starting from kolkata.
Which place will be best to start there...kalka, chandigarh or shimla?

One of these days I am going to try and finish this TL

It will be difficult to do Chitkul in peak winter..

I did not pay any advance..

Called Vinkal today. He said it will be ok to visit kalpa, chitkul and Sangla in Dec end but staying option will be limited.

He quoted Rs 2700 per day for car. Is this alright?

love the way of your narration

@dinesha,

I just came across your TR today, and have been mesmerized by the vivid writings and of your photography. I eagerly keep my eyes into your TR as it is a family tour help guide for me.

Debashish

I will be visiting the region from narkanda1 June 2013. How much will be per day rental for one innova ? Whether innova will be the best option for the tour on that route upto baralacha and back to manali ?
Please suggest.
Ashok

I am in negotiation with Vinkal so that he can accompany us with a vehicle in our tour in the region scheduled to start from 3rd June, 2013. (I wish to take the route Simla-Narkanda-Sarahan-Chitkul-Kalpa-Tabo-Kaza-Keylong-Baralacha-Manali-Kalka). While I am requesting him to get one best conditioned Scorpio, then Vinkal is insisting me to take his Innova instead. Is it that he can not hire a Scorpio and drive with the same for us?

Ashok