Overview Chhitkul
The Last Village Chhitkul—
The last village inside Indian borders, a traveller's heaven. Mere 100 odd KM down the road from Chhitkul is the Indo-Tibetan border. Chhitkul is the last place inhabited by the Indian population.
The village comprises typically Kinnauri style wooden huts. Buddhist community, culture & their distinctive temple structures are a commonality in Chhitkul. Lush lavish thick green forest, wildflowers, pleasing bank of the river Baspa right at the backdrop of snow-covered majestic Himalayan sierra, mesmerised every human soul with the essence of the arrival at earthly heaven.
Altitude—
2620 Metres
District—
Kinnaur
Tourist Map
☞ How To Reach Chhitkul
State—
Himachal Pradesh
Location—
Between Shimla & Kaza
Road Route—
Delhi >> Shimla >> Sangla >> Chhitkul
Spoken Languages—
♦ Chhitkuli Kinnauri Or Kinnauri-Jangram
● Regional Language
● Common Language
‣ Chhitkuli Kinnauri is the regional language of the area & is commonly spoken by the locals of Chhitkul & Rakchham. It is essentially been derived from the Tibetan Chinese language family.
♦ Hindi & English
● Common Language
‣ Most natives to the place can speak and understand Hindi & English.
People associated with tourism are fluent in Hindi & English
☞ Places To Visit Chhitkul
Best Time To Visit—
● Mid-April to Mid-October - Cold Up To -5 °C & Warm Up To 25 °C
● November To March - Heavy Snowfall & Cold Up To -28 °C
‣ Summer is the best time to visit Chhitkul. Kinnaur district receives heavy snowfall in winters. Handsome numbers of Rakchham village & Chhitkul village natives relocate themselves to much warmer places on account of arduous & punishing local weather conditions. The winter-tide just alchemized the whole zone into a brutal terrain to reside.
Recommendation - Avoid July & August rainfall
Watch Out For—
● Curvy Hilly Roads - Watchful driving is crucial
● Monsoon - The area is prone to landslide during rainfall
‣ The last 40 KM to Chhitkul, the road condition is not amongst the best one usually expects in Himachal Pradesh, although the rest of the district roads are in the superior & much healthier state.
Sedan Or SUV- Chhitkul is motarable by sedan
☞ How To Reach Chhitkul
Chhitkul Is Also Known As—
● The Last Village Of India
● Chittkul ● Baspa Valley
Must-Shop In Chhitkul—
● Souvenir & Decoratives
● Art Craft Of Wood
● Pine Decoratives
● Kinnauri Caps
● Shawls
● Locally Woven Woollens
● Apples & other Native Fresh Fruits
Must-Try In Chhitkul—
● Food At Hindustan Ka Aakhari Dhabba
● Fishing
● Camping
● Local Alcoholic Beverage
● Maggie With Masal Tea
USP—
● Seabuckthorn - Locally Grown
Usually Used In Juices & Cha or Local Tea
☞ Places To Visit Chhitkul
History & Culture
Legends Of Mahabharata—
Gods Human & Demi-Gods-
● 1st May 1960, Kinnaur district was formed.
● Some of the ancient legends & traditions prevail here. The story goes by, that brothers Pandava have spent several years of their exile in the region.
● Ancient texts narrate local people as halfway between humans and gods.
● The locals are overwhelming & highly hospitable to visitors.
Local Cuisine—
Chhitkul has a high percentage of the Buddhist community among the Hindu population, hence local food at Chhitkul is a blend of Tibetan & Pahadi cuisine.
Popular Food & Beverages-
1. Thukpa-
It is a noodle soup with steamed veggies and also with chicken, served with Tibetan bread made of barley or millets.
☞ How To Reach Chhitkul
2. Sea Buckthorn Juice Or Tea-
Sea buckthorn is a locally grown berry and is a fine anti-oxidant. It helps visitors adapt to low temperatures & high altitude.
3. Chang & Arakh-
It is advisable to go for at least an attempt to try Chang (barley beer) or Arakh (barley whiskey) which are local alcoholic beverages made of barley.
4. Cha Or Tea-
Cha (Tea) water is put to boil with wild tea leaves, salt, milk, butter, walnut, almond and spices.
Local Alcohol-
1. Anguri-
A local swine made from different varieties of grapes, support the high altitude lifestyle of Kinnaur.
2. Chuli-
A very popular drink among Kinnauri's, constituent apples, apricot and some other native fruits. Chuli is a transparent and light drink.
☞ Places To Visit Chhitkul
Fairs & Festivals—
1. Sajo-
The locals take a dip in the Baspa river during the wintry cold month of January. The water of the river is considered holy & the bath signifies the purification of body, mind & soul. Numerous food delicacies are prepared in celebration & the food is offered to God, three times a day.
2. Dakhraini-
Dakhraini is the festival of dance & music, held during the rainy month of July. The Goddess symbol is brought out of the temple. The locals perform the native dances on folk music and regional flowers are offered to gladden the Goddess.
3. Beesh-
Beesh can also be called Baisakhi of Kinnaur. Beesh is a celebration of the end of the winter season & welcoming of the summers. The festival is held in April, Beesh symbolizes dance, music, food & drinks. People buy & wear new clothes on the occasion, which are less warmer than the clothes worn in recently concluded winter.
☞ How To Reach Chhitkul
4. Losar-
Losar is a new year celebration of Kinnaur. The fest is held to honour and welcome the coming year ahead. Losar is a prominent occasion of Kinnaur, where people meet & greet families and friends to mark the beginning and best wishes for the year coming ahead.
5. Flaich Ukhayang-
Commonly famed as the festival of flowers is held in September. The deity of the village is carried is a profession alongside the huge crowd. The deity stage is majestically decorated with locally grown flowers. A goat is also sacrificed in honour of the Goddess.
Culture—
● Majorly Hindu Pahadi - ‣Kanets ‣Domangs ‣Ores ‣Kolis ‣Chamangs
● Buddhist - Healthy Tibetan Population
● Muslims
● Sikh
● Tinge Of Christians Population
Accommodation
Govt Recommended—
♦ Rest Houses | Hotel | Resort | Homestays-
● Book stay through eco-tourism society of Himachal Pradesh
● Click for Government accommodation, homestay, Rest house, hotel, resort
You can effortlessly locate budget hotels at Sangla or Chhitkul & travellers could also pick a new experience of a homestay. Homestays are available for as low as Rs 1000 per pax. Open camping sites are a commonality in Sangla. Stargazing at the camping site is a magical and must-try experience.
Hotels At Chhitkul & Sangla—
● Hotel Batseri - Sangla
● Zostel - Chhitkul
● The Wanderer's Nest - Chhitkul
● Samaa Resorts - Chhitkul
● Monal Regency - Sangla
● Mount Kailash - Sangla
Important Info
Stuff To Remember—
● The weather at high altitude is very unpredictable. A major consequence of high altitude is breathlessness, hence it is wise to carry some basic medicines & portable oxygen cylinder.
● Do not forget to pack a hat or a cap, sunscreen, a good moisturiser as well as a hydrating lip balm to stay safe from direct and harsh sunlight.
● Full sleeves woollens, woollen caps, gloves, socks, an umbrella & a raincoat, are essentials to carry.
● Indian travellers need to carry valid ID’s, the best option would be Adhaar Card.
● Travellers extending their journey further into Himachal Pradesh, foreign national need permit for the distance between Reckong Peo & Kaza.
Helpline Numbers—
● Himachal Pradesh Tourism Helpline - 0177-5522315, 2657314
● Police Helpline - 9459100100
● Disaster Helpline - 01786-223151/52/53/54/55
● District Ayurvedic Hospital (Govt) - 01786-222209
● Jindal Sanjeevani Hospital (PVT) - 9805970854
● Regional hospital Kinnaur (Govt) - 01786-222319
● District Police headquarter Reckong Peo - 01786-222210
● Police Station Moorang - 01785-252524
● Himachal Pradesh State Human Right Commission - 0177-2624909, 2620721
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