Chitkul, the last inhabited village of India

After taking a mouthful, delicious breakfast of Aloo Paratha and curd at Sarahan, we set out for our next destination to Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh and the last inhabited village of India. Chitkul is the place which can truly be remembered as the place where earth meets the sky through the peaks of Kalpa range of Himalaya. From Sarahan (2100 meter, 6900ft) to reach to Chitkul (altitude of 3425 meter, 11300ft), it took around 6 hours. Chitkul is a small and last hamlet at the border of India enriched with its tribal flavour, Kagyupa temple and hard but simple lifestyle of the villagers amidst the serendipitous beauty of Himalaya. This place is also very sacred for the trekkers since it's the last point of the popular Kinnaur Parikroma.

Sangla Valley

Chitkul remains inaccessible because of its high snowfall for more than six months of a year. This picturesque village draws its lifeline from the snow melted water of Baspa river that runs like vein of its body. Surrounded by the Snow clad mountains by 360 degree and falls, this place is just like a place found in fairy tale. There is only a handful of accommodations. One hotel Alpine View, Riverside Camps by Deblok Group of Hotels, and one Govt. PWD Bungalow are only available for accommodation.

PWD Inspection Bungalow, Chitkul

We reached there after crossing Rochham, Korchham, Sangla Valley. Here in Sangla for the first time we encountered the bliss of Himachal Pradesh, i.e. Red, Golden and Green apple here and there. we became really spellbound to experience such bounty of nature. Almost the whole Sangla valley was overflowing with the sight of apples. In the middle of our journey, we found a plenty of Walnut trees. The whole Sangla valley is full of apple trees and just before reaching Chitkul, one has to cover a stretch of 5-6 kms of Alpine Trees with falls of fresh melted ice from Himalayan peaks. The air is so fresh that one can hardly stay in car.

Apple at Sangla Valley

Chitkul is inhabited by the tribal people of Himachal Pradesh. It is also the location of famous Kagyupa Temple which bears the touch of local artistic work of wooden handicraft. See the video  of Chitkul, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ4BAWxSM2g&t=20s 

Kagyupa Temple, Chitkul

Since Chitkul remains estranged from the rest of the world for more than six months in a year, the local people uses method of storing foods in order to keep their existence on earth and they are maintaining this tradition even today. They raise a platform and built square type wooden structure like a room on pillar and store foods for the winter season for the members of the village so that during crisis, food should be provided.

Food Store House, Chitkul

And they lock the store room with the traditional locks 

Typical lock used by the people of Chitkul

People of Chitkul are very industrious and during our stay we have seen they start their day at 5.30am amidst sizzling cold and arid climate.

Tribal woman at Chitkul

Hardworking people of Chitkul

From the Hotel Alpine View of Deblok Groups, it's some 5 minutes walk to the Kagyupa Temple and the village of the tribal people of Chitkul. The total population of Chitkul is 800 (Census, 2010). They produce organic products for their own and cattle use. During our visit, we have seen that they cultivate Ramdana that serves the purpose of rice to them. 

Ramdana

Experience say:

1. Do not drink alcohol if you are planning to stay at Chitkul since oxygen level falls at night;

2. Book your accommodation early;

3. Take sufficient comforter since temperature often falls below zero degree;

4. Charge the battery of gadgets early since there is a crisis of electricity;

5. Take your identity card with you since the military personnel check it before entering Chitkul;

6. Do not pluck apples from trees since this kind behaviour annoys the local people;

7. Try to reach Chitkul in daylight since it is extremely risky to drive the roads of Chitkul at night;

8. There is a bus service from Chitkul to Shimla that leaves Chitkul at about 6am.
9. Get up early in the morning to see the mountains becoming Golden to Silver with the morning sunrays.

Please note, there is a movie called Liar's Dice that very vividly shows the life and hardwork of the people of Chitkul.