Kinnaur (Baspa Valley): Sangla, Batseri, Rakcham, Chitkul

From Kalpa our next destination was Batseri in what is commonly known as the Sangla Valley area along the banks of Baspa River. Sangla is an overcrowded place with ugly constructions. Hence, we decided to stay at Batseri, which is a few Kms ahead of proper Sangla town. Before arriving at Batseri we visited the famous tower-fort at Kamru, an ancient architectural marvel built in Himachal's traditional Kath-Kuni architectural style. In Batseri we went for a walk in the village, which has preserved much of its old world charm and architecture, and spent time beside Baspa River.
Rakcham (pronounced as: रक्षम) is easily the prettiest place in the region. Here, too, we went exploring the village and spent hours on the banks of Baspa River. During the months of August-September, thanks to the flowering, the place gets draped in sheets of various colours. It is a sight for which we will have to, someday, visit again.
Chitkul (pronounced as: छितकुल) is located close to the Indo-China border and is said to be the last inhabited village in this part of the Himalaya (an ITBP officer we met there confirmed this claim). A walk, along the banks of Baspa River, to the ITBP camp at Nagasthi (beyond which civilians aren't permitted to go) is a must for the breathtaking vistas it affords.
Apart from these places, one can spend time enjoying the sight of numerous apple and plum orchards, go for hikes to glacier points (we couldn't because of bad weather) and explore many hamlets which still have houses built of wood and stones in the Kath-kuni style.
Throughout our three day stay, we got clear blue skies for a total of only a few hours - it was either raining or snowing. But it was lot of fun and made for wonderful memories. For some spots, we got three sets of pictures - one with clear blue sky, another with rain / mist and then with snow. Could one ask for more?
Lastly, whenever you visit Sangla Valley, don't forget to have Paranthas at Pappu da Dhaba in Taapri town - those were the best I've ever had.
All the images in this gallery were taken during 10th - 13th April, 2018.

He decided to show us some dance moves when he learnt we were from Mumbai. Badrinarayan temple, Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri Incredible India Indian Culture My Bioscope People portraiture Street Photography Portraits People of India Portrait
He decided to show us some dance moves when he learnt we were from Mumbai. Badrinarayan temple, Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Badrinarayan temple, Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Friendly local's back. This time to tell us more about the place. Badrinarayan temple, Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri Incredible India Indian Culture My Bioscope People portraiture Street Photography Portraits People of India Portrait
Telling us about the place and local customs. Badrinarayan temple, Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Traditional Himachali houses, Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Traditional Himachali houses, Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Storage shed, called 'Kathar'. That lock and the small window-like door to enter amazed us. Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Another one. Storage shed, called 'Kathar'. That lock and the small window-like door to enter amazed us. Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Traditional Himachali house, Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Traditional Himachali house, Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
A small temple at the back end of Batseri. It's a nice quiet place with woods in the background.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Mulberries. Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Wandering in the village. Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Storage shed, called 'Kathar'. Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Wandering through Batseri village
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Apple orchard in Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Apple blossoms. Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Apple orchard in Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Apple orchard. Batseri.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Baspa River. Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Baspa River. Batseri
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Batseri
Plum blossoms. Rakcham.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Rakcham Rakchham Incredible India My Bioscope mybioscope
Plum blossoms. Rakcham.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Rakcham Rakchham
Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Rakcham
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Rakcham Rakchham
Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Rakcham
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Rakcham Rakchham Incredible India My Bioscope mybioscope
Glimpse of a glacier on the way to Chitkul.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Bridge that leads to Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Mountains near Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Mountains near Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Baspa River, Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul Incredible India My Bioscope mybioscope
Baspa River, Chitkul. Chitkul (pronounced as: छितकुल) is located close to the Indo-China border and is said to be the last inhabited village in this part of the Himalayas (an ITBP officer we met there confirmed this claim).
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Baspa River, Chitkul. Chitkul (pronounced as: छितकुल) is located close to the Indo-China border and is said to be the last inhabited village in this part of the Himalayas (an ITBP officer we met there confirmed this claim).
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Post lunch we headed out for a stroll, and it began to snow. Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Snow fall at Chitkul. Baspa River
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Snow fall at Chitkul. Baspa River
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Snow fall at Chitkul. Baspa River
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Kids walking back from school in the snowfall. Chitkul.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul Incredible India Indian Culture People People of India Portrait Portraits portraiture Street Photography
Caught in the snowfall. Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Kids walking back from school in the snowfall. Chitkul.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul Incredible India Indian Culture People People of India Portrait Portraits portraiture Street Photography
Kids walking back from school in the snowfall. Chitkul.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Kids walking back from school in the snowfall. Chitkul.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul Incredible India My Bioscope Indian Culture People People of India Portrait Portraits portraiture Street Photography mybioscope
Kids walking back from school in the snowfall. Chitkul.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Snowfall at Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul Incredible India My Bioscope Indian Culture People People of India Portrait Portraits portraiture Street Photography mybioscope
Kids chasing cattle in the snowfall, Chitkul
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 India Kinnaur Himalayas Baspa River Sangla Chitkul Incredible India Indian Culture People People of India Portrait Portraits portraiture Street Photography
It stops snowing and the sun peeps out through a crack in the clouds. Chitkul. Baspa River
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 Himalayas India Kinnaur Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
It stops snowing and the sun peeps out through a crack in the clouds. Chitkul. Baspa River
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 Himalayas India Kinnaur Baspa River Sangla Chitkul
Enjoying the vistas. Sky begins to clear after the snowfall. Chitkul. Baspa River.
Himachal Pradesh Maneesh Goal 2018 Himalayas India Kinnaur Baspa River Sangla Chitkul Incredible India My Bioscope Indian Culture People People of India Portrait Portraits portraiture Street Photography mybioscope

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Kinnaur (Baspa Valley): Sangla, Batseri, Rakcham, Chitkul

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