Sangla Valley Tourist Places | Baspa Valley Tourism and Attractions | Reuter Ranks Sangla Valley as one of the 10 most attactive tourist places in the World

Baspa valley or popularly known as Sangla Valley, 589 km from Delhi and 230 km from Shimla, is one of the most beautiful valleys of the Kinnaur Kailash Range in State of Himachal Pradesh. It is a river valley and named after the Baspa River. Incidently, it is only 30 km from the Tibetan border. The Valley, 95 kms long, is located at a distance of 30 kms from the Tibetan border and starts from Karcham where the Baspa River coming from the east joins the Satluj. Sangle is a major town in the Baspa Valley, and is popularly known as the Sangla valley.

The Baspa river is a tributary to the Sutluj river, and one may approach the Baspa Valley by taking a diversion at Karcham, which is in the Sutlej valley. Sangla lies on the banks of the Baspa River that runs nearly 900 meters deep in some places. The valley reamins untouched and unspoilt by today’s civilisation. It is situated at a height if 2700 metres. The lower hills of the charming valley are flanked by thick forests of Himalayan cedar and these forests are home to spruce, alder and the unusual birch - the ‘bhojpatra’ tree.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Sangla valley village is on a slope with houses rising one above the other with gigantic Kinner-Kailash peak (6,050m) towering over it. This is the most charming valley in the entire District of Kinnaur. Sangla valley is also famous for Kamru Fort. This fort was the place where rajas of Kinnaur were crowned. Now this fort is dedicated to Kamakshi Temple. The Goddess idol was brought from Guwahati (Assam). A temple dedicated to Nages god is worth a visit & other places are Sapni, Rackchham, Kilba, which can also be visited. For sports lovers, the valley offer para gliding facilities.

Banjara camps in the valley are irresistible and amazing. Situated amidst apple orchards adjoining the quaint and typically Kinnauri village Batseri with the Baspa River flowing right next to it, trout fishing can be one experience. Banjara Camps, Sangla Valley Camp is an ideal setting for total relaxation with cosy Swiss-style tents that have attached bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and evening bonfires that keep the chill away.

Across the Baspa River, off Banjara camps, and through a small forest, one is suddenly face to face with a rough, stony riverbed. During the period when the entire Kinnaur valley lies hidden behind a thick cloak of snow, this is one of the points where glaciers come hurtling down. The sudden barren streak down the mountainside is a reminder that there are facets of nature yet unfathomable to human minds.

The last inhabited village in the Sangla Valley, Chitkul, is surrounded by lush fields and high mountain peaks. A drive to Chitkul situated at 3450 meters, about 20 km away from Banjara camp, passes through one of the most scenic route.  With its quaint houses, temples, gompas and friendly inhabitants, Sangla is surely a pictuesque destination in Himachal. Chitkul is the last village on the Indo-Tibetan trade route and the Tibetan influence makes its presence felt. A 4-km walk and you arrive at Nagasthi, the last Indian outpost. The Sangla Valley was closed to travellers until 1992 but today the spot serves as a well known tourist destination. No civilians are permitted beyond this point, for across the mountains lie Tibet. Here the mountains turn craggier, less green, and more barren.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the beautiful Sangla Valley is in the months between April and May and again September and October. All these months are good for camping.