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Sangla
Valley Report
By: Gurpreet Singh
History
: being close to China border,Indian Govt.
opened this area for tourist in early nintees.Still
foreigners have to take permission to visit
certain area . Sangla is considered one
of the beautiful valley of Indian Himalayas
and is very picturesque.Situated on Indo-Tibetan
road which is just modernization of old
silk route to China.
PHASE1
: Drive to Recong Peo
One has to take bus early in morning from
Shimla.It is almost 10-12 hrs. journey and
all depends upon weather and road conditions
as usually there are landslides and roads
are blocked.If one is having own vehicle
still early morning drive is preferred as
scented air and absence of traffic make
it easy to reach Rampur Busheher.For people
who are new to Himachal Pradesh. Shimla
is very well connected by roads and rail.
One can reach chandigarh by air also.trains
are also available from Chandigarh-Shimla.
Shimla used to be summer capital of colonial
India and British developed it according
to their taste and standard of living.Drive
from Shimla is very scenic ...actually this
all drive upto Sangla and Chitkul is very
scenic but dangerous also. 6 ft of road
has somne very tricky turns which needs
very alert and experienced hands on steering.
A small confusion and err in judgment can
lead to disastrous end.As it is sheer drop
in river Satluj.....
PHASE2:
Reaching Recong Peo
is somewhat tiring job. One has to search
for hotel of choice.So have cool air and
search for one according to your taste...otherwise
Govt. rest houses can be tried. It is good
to spend a night at Recong Peo. It is first
hand feeling ofpeople and their strong cultural
ties. Start early and ask for Raksham. It
is way back to Shimla road and a clear diversion
will take you alongside the river.The road
gets altitude..and comes Karsham...and from
here drive becomes very difficult with steep
cuts and dangerous turns...it needs cool
mind to drive in this area. Here comes Sangla.
It is now very developed town. With STD/ISD
facilities...chinese/Tibetan food and range
of hotels.Stay for a night here.There are
small,one day excretions from Sangla. try
to have a visit or prefer to stay at BANJARA
CAMPS.It is justified for every pocket.It
is much better and advised to stay there,instead
of staying in Sangla.
PHASE3
: Ask anyone about Banjara Camps &
If you are good walker...try going to Chitkul..on
foot but better take your sleeping bags
as sometimes one prefers to stay there.
Better to take matlled road for this purpose.The
main purpose is to get maximum view of valley
and have better photography. Onway,one can
also witness rural life of tribal Kinnaur.
Chitkul is highest village connected with
road and boasts of regular bus service from
Shimla and Recong Peo. IMPORTANCE
Of Chitkul is that childless couples
from far off places(Even Europe) visits
here...at Chitkul Mandir to get blessing
for child.
One can stay in Forest rest house but usually
it is heavily booked.But there are sufficient
guest houses available now...so staying
there is no problem...otherwise turn back
...there are buses and jeeps available now.
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