Shimla to Sangla Taxi & Cab Booking

The first two hours, to Narkanda, follow the same old Hindustan–Tibet road as Kufri and Theog. From Narkanda the road drops nearly 1,700 m to the Sutlej at Rampur, then follows the river upstream through an increasingly narrow gorge, with hydroelectric projects, tunnels and rock overhangs. After Karcham, the Baspa valley road climbs steeply on a shelf above the river before the valley opens out into Sangla's orchards.

It's a long day but a spectacular one. Breaking it with a night in Sarahan, home to the Bhimakali temple, makes it much easier and adds one of Himachal's finest wooden temples.

Sangla is a base rather than a sight in itself. Kamru, about 2 km above town, has an old tower fort that was once the seat of the Bashahr rulers. Batseri, a few kilometres up the valley, has wooden houses and orchards. Rakchham and Chitkul lie further up, about 12–14 km and 24–28 km away; the drive up and back makes an easy half-day. Trout fishing and riverside walks along the Baspa are popular in summer.

Sangla works best as part of a Kinnaur loop. A good five- to six-day plan from Shimla: Sarahan for a night, two nights in Sangla with a day trip to Chitkul, then Kalpa for the Kinner Kailash sunrise, and back to Shimla. If you're heading on to Spiti, Kalpa or Reckong Peo is the next stop, and from there it's two days to Kaza through Nako and Tabo.

With one car and driver for the whole loop, you don't need to find local taxis in Kinnaur, where they're fewer and more expensive.

Sangla is at about 2,700 m, a little higher than Shimla, so most people feel fine. Chitkul, at about 3,450 m, is high enough for some visitors to get headaches or poor sleep, which is why a night in Sangla first is a good idea. Drink plenty of water, take the first evening easy, and tell the driver if anyone feels unwell; descending even a few hundred metres usually helps.