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Kinner Kailash Trek Overview
Quick Facts of Kinner Kailash trek
Maximum altitude: 17200 ft
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Duration: 10 Days/ 9 Nights
Trekking distance: 50 km
Trail type: Steep Climb
Railhead: Kalka, 87.0 km from Shimla
Airport: Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti, 16.6 km from Shimla
Snow Season: October to March
Service from: Shimla
Base camp: Charang
Best season: Summer (June to mid-September)
Region: Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
Who can participate: Any adventure-spirited visitor who does not suffer from health issues
Kinner Kailash Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Shimla
- Your Kinner Kailash trek will commence from Shimla so you will need to reach the hill station.
- Reach Shimla early morning, check in to your accommodation
- Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast, then start your trekking tour by climbing the Jhaku hill.
- Offer your prayers at the Hanuman temple of Jhaku Hill
- Take a tour of the museum and the advanced study hall
- Return to the hotel for an enjoyable lunch
- Take a rest in the afternoon or explore the famous Shimla Mall
- Return to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: Shimla to Sarahan
Altitude - 1920m
Distance covered - 190 km
- The second day of your Kinner Kailash circuit trek will start with a hearty breakfast, post which you will begin your day’s sightseeing
- You will be visiting Kufri, and Narkandha before descending to reach Rampur, the former Himalayan kingdom of Rampur Bushahr.
- Next, proceed on your journey to reach Sarahan, the summer capital of the Rampur Bushehr.
- Explore a 1500-year-old temple and feel mesmerized looking at the captivating view of the Shir Khand peaks.
- Enjoy your stay in a camp in Sarahan at night.
Day 3: Sarahan to Recongpeo - Kalpa
Max Altitude - 2290 m
- Day 3 of your Kinner Kailash trek will take you to the district headquarters of Kinnaur, Recongpeo.
- Pay a visit to the monastery built on the top of the town
- Delight in watching the mighty Kinner Kailash Mountain, which will be in direct vision from Kalpa.
- Feel exhilarated as you watch the lofty mountain, famous for being the mythical abode of Lord Shiva.
- Opt to spend the night either at a camp or a guest house
Day 4: Recongpeo to Lamber
Max Altitude - 2896 m
Trekking Distance - 12 kms
- Next day, you will be driving to reach Thangi
- Thangi Khas village is located in Morang tehsil of Kinnaur district
- Relax for a while before continuing your journey
- Next, you will be embarking on a gradual trek along the stream to reach the quaint village of Lamber.
- Lambar is a small Village or hamlet located in the Pooh Tehsil in Kinnaur District
- Delight in spending the night in Lamber in tents at the campsite.
Day 5: Lamber to Charang
Max Altitude - 3500 mtrs
Trekking Distance - 12 kms
- On the 5th day of the Kinner Kailash circuit trek, you will trek from Lamber to reach Charang.
- Charang is a small village, located at an altitude of 3500 meters and is accessible by road only in summer.
- It is also the last village along the Indo-China Border.
- Explore the village and journey through different terrain to reach Surting shepherd's house.
- Enjoy the vista surrounding you during the parallel walk from Charang to Surting shepherd house
- Overnight stay in Surting shepherd house
Day 6: Charang to Lalanti
Max Altitude - 4421 metersTrekking Distance - 11 kms
- This day of your trek to Kinner Kailash will take you from Charang to Lalanti
- Feel captivated during your journey as you drink in the scenic beauty of wildflowers covering 11 km of area.
- Lalanti is a high-altitude shepherd pasture and has an excellent camping area
- You may come across a snow leopard if you visit in winter.
- Lalanti is also famous for Ibex.
- Spent overnight at the camp at Lalanti.
Day 7: Lalanti to Base Camp of Charang
Max Altitude - 4550 m
Trekking Distance - 6kms
- On the seventh day of your Kinner Kailash trek in June, you will trek back from Lalanti to the Base of Charang.
- You will be trekking on a 6 km long trail which will go through Moraine and ascend upwards till reaching the base camp
- The base camp is located on the glacier field on the moraines
- The Charang acts as the base for trekking to the Chitkul Village
- Overnight stay at the base camp of Charang
Day 8: Base Camp to Chitkul Village (3450 m) via Charang Pass (5242 m)
Trekking Distance - 6kms
- Day eight of your Kinner Kailash circuit trek will take you on a two-hour steep track over rocky terrain till you reach the Charang Pass at an altitude of 5242 m
- After the pass, there is a scenic trail descending to reach Chhitkul, the last village of Baspa valley before the Indo-Tibet Border.
- Explore the village of Chhitkul
- Stay overnight in a camp near the village.
Day 9: Chitkul to Sangla (8900 ft)
- On the next day, you will be proceeding from Chitkul to Sangla
- Sangla is located in the Baspa Valley, which is the most beautiful valley of Kinnaur
- A major attraction nearby is the historic Kamru Fort, located 2 km away from the enchanting Sangla Valley.
- Visit the fort and village for the rest of the day
- Overnight stay in a camp.
Day 10: Drive from Sangla to Shimla
Drive - 203 kms
The final day of your Kinner Kailash trek will see you traveling from Sangla to ShimlaYou will be traveling for 6-7 hours by road and cover a 203 km of distance to reach ShimlaOn the way, you will be crossing the Karcham Dam and traveling through the Shimla Kaza Highway.Reach Shimla feeling refreshed and carrying happy memories of your adventurous trek.
What to Pack for Kinner Kailash Trek?
Clothes: Trek Pants will be more comfortable during the trek than jeans or trousers. Wear T-shirts, which are more comfortable than shirts and dry fast. Wear jackets to protect you against chilly weather. Take lots of warm clothing such as fleece, woolen layers or thermals. Cover your head with a cap or balaclava. Wear woolen gloves to protect your hands.
Footwear: Get yourself sturdy well-fitted trekking footwear so that your feet do not hurt during the trek.
Essentials:
A strongly built 50 to 60 liters backpack with good support is an absolute must for a trek.
Personal toiletry items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, sanitiser etc.
Carry sunscreen to protect your skin.
Personal medical kit with items such as prescribed medicines and common ones for altitude sickness, pain relief, headache, fever, stomach problems, motion sickness, allergies, diarrhea, etc. Also an antiseptic cream, a pain relief spray, bandage and cotton for cuts.
Take along a Hiking pole for support during the trek.
Water bottle to refill with water to hydrate yourself during the trek.
Sunglasses for protecting the eyes.
Torch to use at night.
Camera with rechargeable batteries to capture the scenic beauty.
Carry Toilet paper & wipes as you will be staying at camps at few destinations.
Know Before You Go for Kinner Kailash Trek
Trekkers must be careful about a few pointers during their Kinner Kailash trek. This will make their journey safe and enjoyable. A few tips to note are:
Climatic conditions in high altitudes are different from the plains; So, take time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.
Get your medical checkup done to ensure fitness before you go on a trek.
People with heart, respiratory and blood pressure problems should not go trekking without a doctor’s advice. The trek is also not recommended for pregnant ladies.
Pay attention to your trek instructor to enjoy a safe and sound trek.
Do not waste water as it is precious in the hills.
Carry some light snacks such as dry fruits to keep you energized. Carry water bottles with you, so that you can refill them.
Wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable for trekking.
Carry a medical kit which may come in handy for sprains, cuts etc.
Be careful as you walk. Do not get distracted while walking, which might result in losing your foothold and spraining your legs.
Do not litter local sites or campsites.
Hotels and camps are basic in nature and do not provide luxury.
To begin your trek to Kinner Kailash, you will need to first reach Shimla.
By Road: Travel by road from Delhi and cover 350 km to reach Shimla in 8-9 hrs approximately. You can either travel by your own car or take the overnight bus.
By Air: The nearest airport to Shimla is Jubarhati, which is about 23 from Shimla town. You can get regular flights from Chandigarh to Delhi to reach Jubarhati. From Jubarhati, you can get a taxi to reach Shimla.
By Train: Kalka is the nearest railhead to Shimla and the station is well-connected with the rest of the country.
Kinnar Kailash Trek or Parikrama of Kinner Kailash has a single route which starts from Shimla and reaches Charang village traveling through the villages of Sarahan, Recongpeo, Kalpa and Lamber. From Charang village, the route further goes to Charang La Pass via Lalanti and then proceeds to Chitkul. From Chitkul, the route goes to Sangla and then back to Shimla.
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FAQs of Kinner Kailash Trek
What is Kinner Kailash famous for?
Kinner Kailash is famous for being the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva and is situated at a height of 6500 meters above sea level. It is considered to be sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists and visitors go for a holy parikrama starting and ending in Shimla. The lofty mountains are also well known for their scenic view of mountain peaks, gushing streams, captivating valleys, quaint villages and more.
What is the best time to trek Kinner Kailash?
The best time for the Kinner Kailash trek is from mid-June to September. During these months the weather is comfortable for a day-long journey as it is neither too chilly nor too hot.
What is the Kinner Kailash trek trail distance?
The total distance of the Kinner Kailash trek trail is 50 km. The trail starts from Shimla and passes through the villages of Sarahan, Recongpeo, Kalpa and Lamber to reach Charang. From Charang, the trail further goes to Charang La Pass via Lalanti and then proceeds to Chitkul. From Chitkul, the trail goes to Sangla and then back to Shimla.
Is Kinner Kailash Trek difficult?
Yes, the trek to Kinner Kailash is considered to be very challenging and moderately difficult. It may not be suitable for everyone, so check out its details thoroughly and ensure that you will be able to complete the trek comfortably before you embark on it.