Kalpa in the Kinnaur valley is a remote Himalayan village in India where time seems to have stood still. Just a few shops and dhabas (small restaurants) make up its town centre with numerous homestays dotted around the apple orchards. Kalpa offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the Kinnaur valley, with snow capped peaks visible all year round. Still relatively unknown by tourists due to its remote location, Kalpa is the ideal place to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet, and maybe a hike or two! This is our article of the top 6 things to do in Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh!
- Top 6 things to do in Kalpa, India
- 1. Trek to Chakka Meadows for epic views
- 2. Walk to Roghi via the “Suicide Point” viewpoint
- 3. See the apple orchards and drinks some local apple juice
- 4. Visit the Narayan Nagini Temple and Kalpa Monastery
- 5. Enjoy some local Himalayan food in one of the many Dhabas
- 6. Find a cosy cafe and live like a digital nomad
- Bonus point: Take a multiday hike to Kinnaur Kailash
- Where to stay in Kalpa
- How to reach Kalpa
- When to visit Kalpa: The best time of year
- Need to know! Your FAQs about Kalpa answered
- What to do next?
Top 6 things to do in Kalpa, India
1. Trek to Chakka Meadows for epic views
Situated a few kilometres away from Kalpa, further up the hills, are the Chakka Meadows. Sitting around 3800 metres above sea level, Chakka is above the treeline and offers incredible views of the Kinnaur valley and its mountains.
The hike starts from near the Meteorological Observatory on the Kalpa – Pangi road. Taking a left turn after going past the monastery will take you onto a side road. This path takes you through the edge of Kalpa, through forest and finally up to Chakka top and the meadows. If you visit during peak season, there are campsites at Chakka that offer food and overnight stays for around 1000 rupees per person per night.
The hike will take you around 3-4 hours to the top, with around 1400 metres of vertical elevation, so bring enough food and water (especially if hiking outside of peak season as there will be no food available at the top!).
2. Walk to Roghi via the “Suicide Point” viewpoint
Roghi is a small village about an hour’s walk from Kalpa. The road that leads to Roghi is home to some great views, in particular the “Suicide Point” viewpoint, where 2 women are said to have taken their lives by falling from the cliff. This road is also part of the original Tibet – India road that dates back centuries and was used by traders on the Silk Road.
Once you reach the village of Roghi you can visit the local monastery, and have some lunch at one of the small shops or restaurants in the area.
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3. See the apple orchards and drinks some local apple juice
Kalpa and the surrounding area is full of apple orchards and trees. This is a relatively new industry for Kalpa for locals to make some money farming apples. During the spring the apple orchards are full of white flowers and this makes for some great views! Lots of the shops in Kalpa will sell fresh apple juice from the area for around 100 rupees (roughly 1 euro) for a large bottle. If you are in Kalpa and get the chance to try some, make sure you do!
4. Visit the Narayan Nagini Temple and Kalpa Monastery
The Narayan Temple is believed to be over 5000 years old, and features a blend of Indian and Tibetan traditional architecture. Both Hindu and Buddhist in nature, the temple is devoted to Vishnu and his consort Goddess Nagini. Still used to this day the temple is very well preserved and sits at over 3000 metres above sea level, it offers stunning views of the surrounding Kinnaur Valley mountains.
Situated just next to the temple is the Kalpa Monastery (sometimes called the Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery). This monastery is also believed to be thousands of years old and a religious site has said to be in this location for thousands of years. It features a typical tibetan buddhist style with prayer wheels and a tall stupa, covered in colourful prayer flags.
5. Enjoy some local Himalayan food in one of the many Dhabas
Kalpa is home to many small local restaurants (dhabas) offering cheap plates of momos, chowmein noodles and other Tibetan dishes. With dishes for as low as 100 rupees (roughly 1 euro) there is no shortage of cheap and tasty places to eat in Kalpa.
Some of our favourites are:
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6. Find a cosy cafe and live like a digital nomad
What better a backdrop for working than the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas? In our opinion, Kalpa is a digital nomads dream. Fast internet is available in the town, and there are a few cafes and bars with Wifi and great views of the mountains where you can buy a coffee and do some work for an afternoon. Food and drinks are relatively cheap so you can spend a few hours somewhere for a low price! Our favourite in Kalpa was Manirang Cafe & Diner.
Bonus point: Take a multiday hike to Kinnaur Kailash
Kinnaur Kailash is a 30 metre tall monolith with great religious significance in the area. A popular destination for pilgrims, the monolith requires a multi-day trek from the bottom of the valley to reach. Situated at an elevation of 4800 meters above sea level, trekking to the monolith is no small feat!
Trekking to this site is a serious undertaking, and requires days of acclimatisation and the proper equipment. Due to its altitude it is only possible during the summer months of the year, and we do not recommend taking it on without a guide or as part of an organised group tour. That being said, it is a once-in-a-lifetime trek and should not be missed if you have the willpower and fitness level required to complete it!
You can read more about this trek here including how to book here.
Where to stay in Kalpa
Accommodation options in Kalpa are scattered throughout the local area. The centre of town has some accommodations, but the best ones in our opinion are a 15/20 minute walk out of town into the apple orchards. These accommodations have the best views and feel really peaceful! Most hotels and homestays here will offer food and drinks for an additional price, so you won’t always have to trek back to the centre of town for meals.
All our recommendations below are rated 8+/10 on booking.com and all offer food and drinks!
Hotels in Kalpa View all
How to reach Kalpa
Kalpa is situated in Himachal Pradesh along the old route between India and Tibet, on the way to the Spiti valley. Its remote location means that travelling to and from Kalpa is time consuming, but worth it! The closest major city is Rampur, which has bus connections to the larger city of Shimla. We took a bus from Shimla to Rampur, and then from Rampur further into the valley.
Journey times in this part of India are long, and road conditions are not always predictable. Landslides occur frequently and roads are often closed for repairs. In our opinion, the best way to reach Kalpa is by hiring your own car as it will give you the freedom to travel at your own pace and to other areas in the valley easily.
Renting your own car when traveling gives you the freedom to discover the country at your own pace, and it’s often cheaper too! When travelling we always use DiscoverCars.com. They check all the local companies and find you the best car at the cheapest price! Check out DiscoverCars.com here.
From Delhi
The easiest way to reach Kalpa from Delhi is to first take a bus from Delhi to Shimla. From Shimla you can then rent a vehicle and drive to Kalpa, or take another bus from Shimla into the valley. From Shimla the bus to Kalpa takes around 9 hours, but you can break this journey up by spending a night in Rampur on the way.
Check bus times from Delhi to Shimla here, and from Shimla to Kalpa here.
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When to visit Kalpa: The best time of year
✅ The best time of year to visit Kalpa is between the summer months of April to October. Temperatures will be pleasant and Kalpa will most likely not be covered in snow, making the journey through the valley much easier! July and September are often considered the monsoon months, but planning your trip around the heavy rainfall is doable.
❌ The cold of the winter months between November and March make Kalpa much more difficult to visit. There will likely be snow covering the local roads, and many of the homestays will be closed as the owners move down the mountain to warmer areas. Furthermore, any hikes in the area from Kalpa will be out of the question due to the cold and altitude.
Need to know! Your FAQs about Kalpa answered
What is Kalpa?
Kalpa is a small hilltop village in the Kinnaur Valley region of Himachal Pradesh in India. Relatively untouched by tourists because of its remote location, Kalpa is a great place to spend a few days amongst the mountains of the Himalayas.
Where is Kalpa?
Kalpa is situated in the Kinnaur Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. The closest main town is Reckong Peo and it is around a 9 hour drive from Shimla on the way to the Spiti Valley.
How to reach Kalpa from Delhi?
The easiest way to reach Kalpa from Delhi is via the city of Shimla. Shimla has daily buses that go to Reckong Peo which is a short 20 minute drive from Kalpa. Shimla is well connected to Delhi by a number of buses each day.
Is Kalpa worth visiting?
Yes! Kalpa is a really unique and peaceful place amongst the mountains of the Himalayas with many things to do and see!
Why is Kalpa famous for?
Kalpa is famous for its ancient monasteries, breathtaking views and apple orchards.
Is Kalpa in the Spiti Valley?
Kalpa is in the Kinnaur Valley which is close to the Spiti Valley. You can reach Spiti from Kalpa in around 4 hours.
What to do next?
Himachal Pradesh in India is home to may remote hilltop villages, and one of our favourites is the remote village of Kutla in the Parvati Valley. You can also hike to the remote villages of Grahan and Rasol from the town of Kasol.
Did you find our article on the top 6 things to do in Kalpa, India, helpful? Leave us a comment below. If you’ve been to Kalpa, or a planning your own trip to India we’d love to hear about it!
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