Sangla

If anyone wishes to experience the snow clad mountain peaks, serenity, scenery, beautiful meadows and cool breeze, then Sangla is the right place to go. Nestled between mighty snow covered Himalayan peaks and a lush green landscape, Sangla is heaven on earth.

Sangla is the largest village in the Sangla Valley. It is also known as Baspa Valley since Baspa river, a tributary of Sutluj River flows through this area. Thus makes Sangla more beautiful. The valley gives a magnificent view of the snow capped mountain ranges with meadows full of flowers, fields and fruit trees.

The word 'Sangla' in Tibetan language means 'Pass of Light'. The local story is that if while crossing the beautiful mountains, you would suddenly see the sunshine that is reflected with the scenes of natural beauty. Hence Sangla.

Sangla Valley is one of the five most beautiful valleys in the world rated by a reputed magazine 'Outlook Traveller'. The picturesque little hamlet of Sangla is located in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh state very near to the Tibetan border. Situated at an elevation of 8,900 feet above sea level, it is a tranquil destination, surrounded by richly forested slopes which are not very steep and high mountains.

Since, its position in the greater Himalayan range gives a cool and pleasant weather. Till 1989 outsiders could not enter the valley without a special permit from the Government of India, because it is very near to the Tibetan border (around 70 kms). But today, it serves as a well known tourist destination. As one enter the hill town, one can see houses, built of wood which exhibiting the finest craftsmanship. Visitors who entered the town can see a lively market where essentials are available. One can get the Sangla's famous local handmade shawls and typical Kinnauri caps from here. Also one can buy the famous beans which are the speciality of the Sangla Valley. Situated amidst the fruit orchards with oak, pine and deodar trees, Sangla is also famous for its delicious red apples. October is the the best to see this, because the harvest season for the delicious apples is in October.

Sangla offers a great experience of trekking, mountaineering and paragliding which is famous among the adventure enthusiasts. The hilltown offers angling also. One can buy trout at the Fisheries Farm near the village.

Sangla valley is also famous for Kamru Fort, once the bastion of the rajas of the erstwhile Rampur Bushehr State of Kinnaur. It is situated just 1 km north of Sangla just before the road enters the village. This fort is now reconstructed as the Kamakshi Devi temple. At the main gate, one can see a huge statue of Lord Buddha is stationed adding distinction to the spot. Goddess Kamakshi Devi’s idol is installed on the third floor of this temple. The idol was brought from Kamakshi Temple in Guwahati, Assam.

Chitkul a 1-hr drive north from Sangla, is the highest village in the valley. Chitkul is a picturesque place with a backdrop of the majestic snow-clad Kailash peaks, has the gurgling Baspa river, running alongside. Located some 250 km from state capital Shimla, it nestles amid nature, with abundant wildlife and exquisite flora and fauna.

Rakcham
It is a must visit village while in Sangla. It is located between Sangla and Chitkul. Situated on the right bank of the Baspa River, one can enjoy the magnificient views of the Great Himalaya. The village is separated from villages like Batseri and Chitkul by just a few kilometres. The bright-reddish orange fields of ogla, a small flower seed grown in the Baspa Valley for grinding into grain, are incredible to see in the Autumn season. One can trek from Rakcham to Jakhol in Uttarakhand’s Jaunsar-Bawar region, over the 16,730 ft-high Lamea Pass in the Dhauladhar.

Batseri
Situated 8 km from Sangla, it is a beautiful village surrounded by magnificent snow peaks and apple orchards. There is a Devta temple,which was burnt down in 1996, but a new temple rebuilt which is a splendid example of hill architecture depicting the attributes of religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.