Last Village of India – Chitkul
Naturally blessed with stunning landscapes, the Kinnaur district of Dev Bhoomi houses many wonderful destinations. Among them, the valley is home to the last village of Himachal, Chitkul, which allows visitors to get trapped in its mesmerizing natural beauty and rural charm during their visit here.
From the breathtaking scenery of natural wonders to the captivating beauty of traditional houses and welcoming people, there is so much special about Chitkul Himachal Pradesh. If you’re planning a visit to this amazing destination, then get yourself ready by exploring essential information like connectivity, the best visit time, and the top 5 places to go there.
A Brief Overview of Chitkul in Himachal Pradesh
Perched on a sky-touching height of around 11,319 ft., the last village of Himachal, Chitkul is the perfect destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Offer its visitors the chance to witness the charm of the traditional way of life while enjoying unimaginable scenic views of snow-capped peaks, the Baspa River, and green meadows.
The backdrop of Kinner Kailash Mountain adds more value to its natural beauty. The inhabitants of this village are called Kinnauris, who have preserved their age-old costumes, architecture, and way of life. They speak a dialect called Kinnauri, a part of the Tibetan-Chinese family of languages. The village remains covered with snow in most of the winter months, which makes inhabitants move to the lower region of the Himalayas during that time.
| Elevation | 11,319 ft. |
| Type of Destination | Perfect for nature and adventure enthusiasts. |
| Key Attractions | Traditional way of life, scenic views of snow-capped peaks, Baspa River, and green meadows. |
| Backdrop | Kinner Kailash Mountain enhances the natural beauty. |
| Inhabitants | Known as Kinnauris, preserving age-old costumes, architecture, and traditions. |
| Language | Kinnauri, part of the Tibetan-Chinese language family. |
| Winter Conditions | Covered with snow during most of the winter months, leading inhabitants to relocate to lower regions. |
How to Reach Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh
Chitkul, the last inhabited village on the Indian side of the Indo-Tibetan border, is not easily accessible from major cities and has limited transport connections from other stations in Kinnaur. It can be reached by air, train, and road.
| Mode of Transport | Details |
| By Air | – Shimla Airport: 267 km away (best connectivity) – Bhuntar and Jubbarhatti Airports: Limited flights – Chandigarh Airport: 358 km away (more frequent flights) |
| By Train | – Nearest station: Shimla (connected to Kalka by toy train) – Chandigarh Railway Station: 350 km away, connects to major cities |
| By Road | – HRTC public buses from ISBT Shimla, Chandigarh, and Delhi – Self-drive route: Chandigarh-Narkanda-Satluj River-Karcham-Chitkul |
Best Time to Visit Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh
| Best Time to Visit | May, June, September, and October |
| Weather During Best Time | Pleasant weather with colorful meadows |
| Winter Accessibility | Inaccessible during winter due to heavy snowfall |
| Reason for Best Time | Ideal weather conditions and vibrant natural beauty make it perfect for travel and exploration |
Top 5 Must-Visit Places in Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh
1. Mathi Devi Temple
The temple dedicated to Goddess Mathi, located on Sangla-Chitkul Road, is among the must-visit places in Chitkul. By hiring a local taxi, you can easily reach the nearby parking space to the temple, from where a short walk will take you to your destination. This temple of Lord Badrinath’s wife, Devi Mathi, is renowned for its peaceful ambiance, unique wooden architecture, and unparalleled views of the Himalayas. The temple’s complex houses three shrines, among which one is 500 years old.
| Temple Name | Mathi Devi Temple |
| Location | Sangla-Chitkul Road |
| How to Reach | Hire a local taxi to a nearby parking space; a short walk leads to the temple. |
| Dedication | Dedicated to Goddess Mathi, wife of Lord Badrinath. |
| Key Features | Peaceful ambiance, unique wooden architecture, and stunning views of the Himalayas. |
| Temple Complex | Houses three shrines, one of which is 500 years old. |
2. Sangla Meadows
Located 27 km away from the last village of Himachal, Sangla Meadows is a nearby popular sightseeing place. The scenic beauty of this place features a distinction between crimson, green, and brown colors of apple orchards, meadows, and mud patches. Trekking through it and staying the night there, camping in the open under the moonlit sky can be one of the most beautiful experiences you’ll ever have in your life.
| Place Name | Sangla Meadows |
| Distance from Chitkul | 27 km |
| Key Features | Scenic beauty with colors of crimson, green, and brown from apple orchards, meadows, and mud patches. |
| Activities | Trekking, overnight camping, and enjoying the moonlit sky. |
| Experience | One of the most beautiful and serene experiences in the region. |
3. Kagyupa Temple
The age-old monastery of Shakyamuni Buddha, Kagyupa Temple, is among the must-visit places in Chitkul. This place holds high spiritual importance for the Kagyu lineage, as they practice their teachings of sutra and tantra here. A special focus is given here on the Vajrayana and Mahamudra tantric teachings. It is located 3.5 km away from chitkul village and is easily accessible.
| Place Name | Kagyupa Temple |
| Dedication | Shakyamuni Buddha |
| Spiritual Importance | Significant for the Kagyu lineage, focusing on teachings of sutra and tantra. |
| Special Teachings | Vajrayana and Mahamudra tantric teachings |
| Distance from Chitkul | 3.5 km |
| Accessibility | Easily accessible from Chitkul |
4. Charang Chitkul Pass Trek
One of the most challenging yet worth taking treks in the last village of India in Dev Bhoomi is the Charang Chitkul Pass trek. The trek features steep climbs, slippery slopes, and loose soils; however, it offers unimaginable views of Kinner Kailash Mountain, the Baspa River, and age-old monasteries, including Charang and Rangrik. This strenuous trek starts at Charang and ends in Chitkul in Himachal Pradesh.
| Trek Name | Charang Chitkul Pass Trek |
| Starting Point | Charang |
| Ending Point | Chitkul |
| Difficulty Level | Challenging |
| Terrain Features | Steep climbs, slippery slopes, and loose soils |
| Key Highlights | Views of Kinner Kailash Mountain, Baspa River, and age-old monasteries like Charang and Rangrik |
| Experience | Strenuous but offers unparalleled scenic and cultural experiences |
5. Aakhri Dhaba
Located 600m from the main bus stand of Chitkul, Aakhri Dhaba is a worth visiting place in the last village of India in Himachal. Surrounded by snowy mountains and the Baspa River, the Dhaba’s open seating area offers incredible natural views. From enjoying delectable Himachali and classic Indian dishes to clicking pictures at the iconic signboard, this place elevates the joy of the trip to Chitkul.
| Place Name | Aakhri Dhaba |
| Location | 600m from the main bus stand of Chitkul |
| Surroundings | Snowy mountains and the Baspa River |
| Key Features | Open seating area with incredible natural views |
| Cuisine Offered | Himachali and classic Indian dishes |
| Special Attraction | Iconic signboard for photography |
| Experience | Enhances the joy of the trip with delicious food and scenic beauty |
Conclusion
Get ready to witness the exceptional beauty of the last village of India in Himachal, Chitkul, with Luxury Trails of India. From enjoying scenic views of natural vistas to learning about the village’s history, local legends, and mythological accounts, there is so much that a trip to this amazing destination in Kinnaur can offer you. Explore this quaint village of Dev Bhoomi with us, the top-ranked travel-related services provider in the country.
Also Read – Things to do in Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh
