Overview
Kinnaur in winter is snow-covered, quiet and still reachable, with the wooden villages of the Baspa valley and the apple orchards of Kalpa under white. This six-day trip goes up from Chandigarh through Narkanda to Sangla for two nights, with a day at Chitkul, the last village before the Tibet frontier, if the road is open. Then it's on to Kalpa for sunrise on the Kinnaur Kailash range, before returning via Shimla. It's colder than Shimla but far milder than Spiti, and no permits are needed for this route.
Best for: Travellers who want deep snow and wooden villages without Spiti's extreme cold
- Sangla's wooden villages under snow
- Chitkul, the last village on the Baspa
- Kinnaur Kailash at sunrise from Kalpa
- Roghi village and its cliff-edge road
- Snowy Narkanda on the way in
- 4x4 vehicle with a winter driver
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Narkanda
About 180 kmOvernight: Narkanda
Up through Shimla and Kufri to Narkanda at about 2,700 m, where the forests are often white in mid-winter. An easy first day.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Narkanda → - Day2
Narkanda to Sangla
About 155 kmOvernight: Sangla
Down to the Sutlej and up the river through Rampur and Karchham, then into the Baspa valley to Sangla. The last stretch, cut into the cliff above Karchham, is one of Himachal's most dramatic roads.
Road guide: Shimla to Sangla → - Day3
Chitkul and Rakcham
About 50 kmOvernight: Sangla
Up the Baspa to Rakcham and Chitkul, if the road is clear of snow. Chitkul's wooden houses and temple sit at about 3,450 m beneath snow peaks. Back to Sangla for a warm evening and the Kamru fort if there's time.
Road guide: Shimla to Chitkul → - Day4
Sangla to Kalpa
About 50 kmOvernight: Kalpa
A short drive to Kalpa, above Reckong Peo, with the Kinnaur Kailash range filling the view. Walk to Roghi village along the cliff road and watch the sunset on the peaks.
Road guide: Shimla to Kalpa → - Day5
Kalpa to Shimla
About 230 kmOvernight: Shimla
Sunrise on Kinnaur Kailash, then the long drive down the Sutlej and back up to Shimla, about eight to nine hours.
- Day6
Shimla to Chandigarh
About 115 km
Down to Chandigarh after breakfast, in time for afternoon trains and flights. Your driver helps with luggage at the station or airport, and if your train or flight leaves late we can add a lunch stop or a short detour on the way.
Road guide: Shimla to Chandigarh →
Kinnaur in winter
Kinnaur's villages are built in the kath-kuni style, with alternating layers of stone and timber and slate roofs. Under snow they look like something from a winter fairy tale. The apple orchards of Kalpa and Sangla are bare, and the valleys are quiet: most visitors come in summer and autumn.
Driving the Kinnaur road
The road beyond Rampur is cut into cliffs above the Sutlej, with stretches of falling rock and narrow passing points. Our drivers know it well and drive it slowly. In winter, snow and ice add to the challenge, and we only travel in daylight.
Staying warm
Hotels in Sangla and Kalpa have heaters, and many serve warm meals around a stove in the evening. Bring thermals, a down jacket, gloves and waterproof boots. Days can be sunny and pleasant out of the wind, so layers you can remove are best.
Who this suits
This trip is for travellers who like snow, quiet villages and big mountains, and who are comfortable with cold nights and the occasional change of plan. It's a good introduction to the high Himalaya before attempting Spiti in winter, and it doesn't need a permit for foreign nationals. Children who are used to the cold enjoy it, but it isn't suitable for anyone with heart or breathing problems.
Route and price at a glance
The Winter Kinnaur trip covers about 780 km by road over 6 days, with overnight stops in Narkanda, Sangla, Kalpa and Shimla. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 1,500 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 5 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹20,000 for 5 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹50,000 for the car and driver and a ₹10,500 service fee: ₹80,500 in all, or ₹40,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Narkanda (about 180 km, overnight Narkanda)
- Day 2: Narkanda to Sangla (about 155 km, overnight Sangla)
- Day 3: Chitkul and Rakcham (about 50 km, overnight Sangla)
- Day 4: Sangla to Kalpa (about 50 km, overnight Kalpa)
- Day 5: Kalpa to Shimla (about 230 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 6: Shimla to Chandigarh (about 115 km)
Winter Kinnaur price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹40,000 ≈ US$470 | ₹80,000 | Innova |
| 4 | ₹26,000 ≈ US$305 | ₹1,04,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹27,000 ≈ US$320 | ₹1,62,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹20,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹50,000
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹10,500
- Total for both₹80,500
Included
- 5 nights in Narkanda, Sangla, Kalpa and Shimla, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 6 days (sedan or Innova for two, Innova for four, Tempo Traveller for six), including fuel, tolls, parking, state taxes and the driver's allowances
- Pickup from Chandigarh and drop at Chandigarh
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Chandigarh
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Entry fees, ropeways, activities and snow gear hire
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
Good to know: roads, permits and safety
- No permits are needed for Sangla, Chitkul or Kalpa; the permit area starts beyond Jangi.
- Chitkul is sometimes unreachable in mid-winter; we'll go as far as Rakcham if needed.
- Nights fall to around minus 10°C in Sangla and Kalpa in January; hotels provide heaters.
When to go
The whole year at a glance
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • January and February bring the most snow; roads to Chitkul can be closed for days at a time.
- • December and March are milder, with snow on the higher villages.
- • After heavy snow, the Kinnaur road between Karchham and Reckong Peo can close for a day; allow flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Winter Kinnaur package cost?+
About ₹27,000 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹40,000 per person for a couple, for all 6 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
Is Chitkul open in winter?+
Often, but the road can close for days after heavy snow. We check each morning.
Do we need permits for Kinnaur?+
Not for this route. Permits are only needed beyond Jangi, on the way to Spiti.
How cold is Kinnaur in winter?+
Days are around freezing and nights well below, but much milder than Spiti.
Can we go on to Spiti?+
Yes. Our winter Spiti package continues from Kalpa to Nako, Tabo and Kaza.
Which car do we get on the Winter Kinnaur trip?+
A Toyota Innova for two travellers, an Innova for up to four and a Tempo Traveller for six, with the same driver for the whole trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Kinnaur district · Wikipedia: Chitkul · Wikipedia: Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh · The Thrill Himalaya: Spiti package prices
