Himachal Pradesh does not need an introduction, it has something for all kinds of tourists and even more for travelers. I explored the little corners of shimla in the morning.
There is no dearth of hotels in this city and I was really impressed by the cleanliness which adds an extra star to this place.
I woke up at 6 am to a chilly sunny morning and every inch of my wanted to stay in the bed. After heavy negotiations with myself, I hailed a taxi from the hotel towards ISBT and boarded an HRTC bus towards Reckong Peo.
TIP: The HRTC website does not mention all the buses so it's advisable you manually inquire about the bus timings a day before.
I asked about shared taxis but got a negative response. I was internally happy that I wanted to travel in their renowned buses anyway. The journey of 9 hours is grueling and even more so in a state owned bus but till now the buses had accepted me as one of their own. I drifted off for a minute only to be awakened by the driver yelling at another vehicle. I knew it wasn't our driver's fault hence the opposition was silenced in a matter of minutes.
Empty tummy bus ride mein ultiyan karoge." You'll puke if you travel in the bus with an empty stomach.
As luck would have it or was it something else, the bus broke down shortly giving me some time to calm my growling stomach.
Tapri is another interesting place to bunk for a night or two as it sits comfortably on the banks of muddy Sutlej river overlooking mountains full of pine and deodar trees. The elevation of this small town is not much for you to feel completely enveloped by huge mountains on all sides.
The constant cluttering of the windows as the driver tames the treacherous turns of the majestic Kinnaur Valley is an experience you won't get in a Taxi.
As the bus entered Reo, I could not help but gasp at the proximity of snow laden mountains which seemed at an arm's length. As I alighted the bus, I thanked the driver and the conductor for a safe and a comfortable 9 hours long journey which put a smile on their exhausted faces.
A little girl caught my eye as she was frolicking towards home with her school bag flaunting her naturally pink cheeks.
I had to board another bus towards Kalpa which took another 45 minutes and the drive had some of the most royal vistas of Kinnaur.
I shortly checked into the hotel which charged a nominal rate and the receptionist was really kind and helpful. He answered all my questions with patience and I immediately extended my stay for another night
The mountains make you feel belittled, and you need a chai to soak in the beauty they have to offer. as i strolled through the streets of Kalpa, I knew immediately that it was a good decision making this beautiful village a part of my itinerary. As the sun set with a promise of a better tomorrow, the golden hues on the mountains reassured me that everything will be just fine.
Train Station Near Kalpa
The nearest train station also is at Shimla but like the airfield, this train station also is a small one. Connected to Kalka by the famous Kalka – Shimla toy train. The nearest major railway station is at Chandigarh. Trains to which are available from all major cities in the country.
How to reach Kalpa from Delhi by Bus
Kalpa is very well connected by public transport and getting here by bus is not difficult at all. From Delhi and Chandigarh, there are HRTC Buses available for Reckong Peo. in Delhi, you can board this Bus from ISBT. Reckong Peo is about 10 kilometers from Kalpa and once you get there, you can board another local Bus to get to Kalpa which will cost you about Rs. 15 and is available every one hour... the travel time from Delhi to Reckong Peo via Shimla is about 18-19 hours (sometimes even more). From Peo to Kalpa, it is a journey of 20-25 minutes at most
The HRTC Bus is an ordinary one and can be a bit uncomfortable for a long journey. If you do not want to travel by it, then another option would be to board the HRTC AC Bus. It leaves ISBT Delhi at 7:30 PM and reaches Reckong Peo the next day at 9 AM. The total fare is about Rs. 1000 per person.
You can book HRTC buses online at https://www.hrtchp.com
What to see in Kalpa
There is not much to see in Kalpa really. It is not a major town with a long list of must visit places. What is does offer in plenty however is peace and tranquility.Come to Kalpa if you want to spend some time away from the crowd and city life. the view of Kinner Kailash peaks remains to be the primary attraction of Kalpa.
Another tourist spot is the suicide point which is about 4 kilometers out of Kalpa towards Roghi village. If you wish to, you can continue another 5 kilometers on the same road to reach Roghi village, popular for its apple orchards and ethnic village life, which includes temples, monasteries, Kinnauri style buildings.
Things to do in Kalpa
There is not much to do in Kalpa except to savor the natural beauty around. If you are into trekking then you can take a hike to Kinner Kailash peaks. If not, then just relax at your hotel and enjoy your stay. Short walks towards suicide point and Roghi Village can be a pleasant activity.
Kalpa Itinerary
Now to the most important part. how to plan a trip to Kalpa. for the sake of this article, i will assume that you are starting from Delhi. A journey to Kalpa will then take two days. On day 1, you will reach either Shimla or Narkanda. On day 2, you will travel for 6 to 7 hours and arrive at Kalpa. Depending on the number of days in hand, you can stay at Kalpa for a day or two and then travel back to Delhi the same road.
If you have any questions, please give me a shout!