Delhi to Kalpa – A Must Worth Experiencing Long Road Journey

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I had left from Delhi to Kalpa the day before my birthday because I wanted this birthday to be unique.

There is nothing better than exploring an Unknown region in the mountains.

Let me ask you something what sort of an image do you make in your mind when you hear regarding,

Hey, let us go on a Kinnaur Valley Trip? Yes, where the Highway movie was shot.

Let me think for you, something like:

High mountains with sharp edges and heart-stopping views while driving on the deadliest roads in India!

                                       OR

The mighty Kinnaur Kailash range is situated at an elevation of (6,050m).

Is that what you are thinking?

We are on the same mountain. Let us proceed!

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How to Reach Kalpa from Delhi

Kalpa is located very far from Delhi. It will roughly take one whole day of bus journey to reach Kalpa from Delhi. I hope that this will give you an impression of the distance. That is why I had listed this as a must worth experiencing road journey.

The Delhi to Kalpa distance is 600 km approx.

The distance can be covered by –

Delhi to Kalpa Flight

The nearest is Jubbarhatti Airport which is located 22kms away from Shimla. The distance between Shimla to Kalpa is 243km.

Upon reaching Shimla, there is no direct Shimla to Kalpa bus, but you can get an interchangeable bus –

1st option – Taking a bus from Lakkar Bazar, ISBT, or an old Shimla bus stand which will drop you at Reckong Peo (Headquarters of Kinnaur district)

2nd option – Taking a cab that will directly drop you at Kalpa

1. Delhi ➡️ Shimla (flight) (347km) ➡️ Reckong Peo (231km) (Bus) ➡️ Kalpa (3km)
   OR
2. Delhi ➡️ Shimla (flight) (347km) ➡️ Kalpa (Cab) 

Delhi to Kalpa Train

The nearest railway station to reach from Delhi to Kalpa by Train is Shimla, the Shimla railway station.

It would help if you took a bus from Shimla by any medium you choose from Delhi to travel on public transport. From Shimla, you will get a bus to Reckong Peo. The preferred routes that can be taken are –

1. Delhi ➡️ Shimla (train) (347km) ➡️ Reckong Peo (231km)(bus) ➡️ Kalpa (3km)
   OR
2. Delhi ➡️ Shimla (train) (347km) ➡️ Kalpa (Cab)

Delhi to Kalpa Bus

You can get buses from Delhi to Shimla every day. You can even choose between an Ordinary bus or a Volvo bus.

The Delhi to Shimla ordinary bus fare would be around Rs.700 – Rs.800. So you will not face any issues finding the buses from Delhi to the Shimla route.

You would be getting a bus to Reckong Peo from Shimla. Later, a bus from Reckong Peo to Kalpa –

1. Delhi ➡️ Shimla {night Bus (347km)} ➡️ Reckong Peo {day Bus (231km)} ➡️ Kalpa in the evening (3km)
   OR
2. Delhi ➡️ Rampur {night Bus (474km)}➡️ Reckong Peo {day Bus( 99km)} ➡️ Kalpa in the evening ( 3km)

Delhi to Reckong Peo Bus

There is a Delhi to Reckong Peo fixed bus that departs at 8:10 p.m. every day from the Kashmiri Gate bus terminal. The time taken could be longer since the bus would be going straight to Reckong Peo. You will get breakfast and lunch breaks where the bus will stop between dhabas.

1. Delhi ➡️ Reckong Peo (573km)➡️  Kalpa (3km)

Shimla to Kalpa Bus

There is no direct Shimla to the Kalpa bus, but you can get to Reckong Peo from Shimla.

The Shimla to Reckong Peo bus fare is Rs.417 per person. It will take around 6-7hrs to cover a distance of 225km.

Reckong Peo to Kalpa is 3km, and you will get another bus from outside the Reckong Peo bus stand to Kalpa. The Reckong Peo to Kalpa bus fare is Rs.15 – Rs.20 per person. So it takes around 20mins to cover the distance.

Note – The fares can be subject to change

Shimla to Kalpa Road Conditions

The drive from Shimla to Rampur Bushahr is Pleasant, and afterward, the back-breaking journey will start.

The roads are not smooth for at least 80-100 km before reaching the Reckong Peo. But you will be going to enjoy this lifetime road trip experience.

Major Note – It will going to be a long bus journey. So, do not travel on empty stomachs, particularly on the bus.

I traveled on public transport; let me share what happened during my Shimla to Kalpa bus journey. The lady sitting ahead of me started vomiting and continued until the bus trip. The reason is that she has not eaten anything. So, the moral is to never travel on the bus empty stomach in the mountains.

Rampur Bushahr to Kalpa

Rampur Bushahr to Kalpa distance is 100 km (approx.) It is also a big town, from where the bus availability to anywhere is Himachal can be found (Just like Shimla).

For more updates on HRTC buses, you can also check the HRTC website.

Reckong Peo to Kalpa

Once you have reached Reckong Peo, firstly, give a high-five to yourself that you had covered such a long distance on a bus.

Later, you can easily reach Reckong Peo to Kalpa by taking a taxi or bus.

Reckong Peo to Kalpa by Taxi

The Reckong Peo to Kalpa taxi fares is around Rs.400 – Rs.500 per person. The taxi will directly drop you at your desired location in Kalpa.

Reckong Peo to Kalpa by Bus

The Reckong Peo to Kalpa bus fare is Rs.15 – Rs.20 per person. But, unfortunately, the frequency of the buses is not regular. So, you have to wait for the bus to arrive.

The last bus from Reckong Peo to Kalpa leaves around 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

While coming from Delhi to Kalpa, the possibility will be very high that you will be reaching the Reckong Peo bus stand in the late evening the next day. Therefore, you will be in no condition to catch the last bus unless and until you are lucky enough.

In that case, an option is to stay near the Reckong Peo bus stand & leave for Kalpa the following day.

You can take a taxi or even hitchhike if reaching Kalpa is necessary.

Let me share my hitchhike experience when coming back from Kalpa –

I had to catch a bus from Reckong Peo to Shimla. I had traveled on a truck & that truck was a film shooting truck. At that time, a film shoot was going on in the Kalpa. They had dropped me half the journey.

I did another hitchhike on a car for the rest of the journey. Finally, the person dropped me at the Reckong Peo bus stand. And I was able to catch my bus.

Reckong Peo ➡️ Kalpa (3km)

Why Sojourn in Kalpa only?

The reasons listed below are from my observations and experience in Kalpa –

1. The convenience of the bus

The buses are available from Kalpa to Reckong Peo and are scheduled to leave every 30-40 min. The last bus departs from Kalpa to Reckong Peo and leaves at 5:40 p.m. The fare for the Kalpa to Reckong Peo is Rs.20 per person.

Since I stayed in Village Kashmir on a Homestay near Kalpa, barely any bus passes passed from that route. So every time I had to come to Kalpa to catch a bus & that was around 2-3km from my homestay.

Staying at Kalpa would be a better decision for you.

Suppose you wanted to see how Kalpa looks in the pictures. You can find out on my Kalpa Valley Photo Blog.

2. The Heritage village

If you had opted to stay at Kalpa, it would be a pleasant experience for you because I had day visited Kalpa & the experience was Amazing. I had set a particular day to explore Kalpa & the majority of the day was spent in Kalpa only.

Without any doubt, the vibrant energy of Kalpa and the surroundings will hold you tight & will leave you speechless.

However, it is a small village with a population of 1300 approx. But the days you will spend in Kalpa will be one of the best days in the Kinnaur region.

Weather in Kalpa Kinnaur

Kalpa is located at an elevation of 9,711 ft. The weather remains pleasing throughout the year.

Jan-April

It will be the sheer month of winter with min. 0- 8 degrees and max. 8-20 degrees of temperature.

May-Aug

Summers are the month of escape from the heat, and Kalpa city is the place to go, with temperatures ranging between 13 degrees to 24 degrees.

Sept-Dec

The monsoons are probably not an ideal time to come to Kalpa. The roads of the Kinnaur region are dangerous, and landslides are prone to happen.

In winters, the night becomes colder, from 13 degrees to -1 degrees.

Best time to visit Kalpa

Summers are the best season to visit Kalpa, from May – to Aug.

Avoid hilly areas during the monsoon or even pre-monsoon arrival.

The landslides, roadblocks, and floods will going to block your way. And will spoil your Kalpa trip.

Reckong Peo

The headquarters of Kinnaur Reckong Peo is also known as Peo by localities. It comes before Kalpa. You can take a bus from Reckong Peo to Kalpa, which charges Rs.15 per person. The majestic view of the Kinner Kailash range can be easily visible from Reckong Peo. However, the view is a much more beautiful view from Kalpa.

Reckong Peo Bazar is just below the bus stand. From Bazar, the upper road goes to Kalpa, and the straight road goes to Pangi.

Reckong Peo is the hub of the Kinnaur region in terms of Shopping & Travelling. You can even take permits to go to Spiti Valley.

Considering the narrow roads, there will be parking space at Reckong Peo under the Indian Flag which charges, Rs.30 for 6hrs and Rs.50 above 6hrs.

Places to Visit in Kalpa

Kalpa is a heritage village. After the release of the movie Highway. The travelers wanted to witness the edgy mountains & were willing to walk in the Kalpa. Apart from taking a walk in the Kalpa, some of the places to visit in Kalpa Valley are –

1. Hu-Ba-Lan-Kar Monastery

It is located at the crossroads of Kalpa is Hu-Ba-Lan-Kar Monastery. The locals believe whatever you want, it will find its way to reach you.

It is among the few oldest monasteries founded by the great translator Rinchansang-po.

2. Chandrika Temple

A few steps from Hu-Ba-Lan-Kar Monastery is Chandika Temple. It is next to the Anganwadi.

3. Vishnu Narayan Nagini Temple

The temple is constructed in a Tibetan style of Architecture.

The Villagers have to come in the Kinnauri dress to go inside the temple (I had heard these lines from a resident of Kalpa)

4. Suicide Point

On the Roghi Kinnaur road lies a vertical slope is known as a Suicide point. People believe you will be shaken up if you look down from your mind.

Also, the Kinnaur roads are one of the deadliest roads in India. So, the point is justified.

Delhi to Kalpa Budget

I will be suggesting the budget required for Delhi to Kalpa Trip from my experience. If you wanted a Hassle-free journey Solo or with your members alone. THat can come in handy during your planning phases –

Firstly, Starting, I will be taking the onward & backward journey by bus –

Shimla – Reckong Peo – Kalpa

Delhi to Shimla Volvo Bus dare is Rs. 650-Rs.750 per person

Shimla to Reckong Peo Bus fare is Rs. 420 per person

Reckong Peo to Kalpa Bus fare is Rs.15 per person

Secondly, Stay –

It will be going to cost you between Rs.1000 – and Rs. 1500 minimum for a night if you plan to stay in a hotel.

Homestays that cost you around less than Rs.600 – Rs.700 per person are also available.

Thirdly, the food options are reasonable. You can get your stomach filled at Rs.200-Rs.300 for a day per person.

Overall, the 3-4 days of the Delhi to Kalpa Valley trip can be done at a budget of Rs.7000- Rs.8000 per person.

I end up Trip to Kinnaur Valley for under 8K. You can read further how you can do it too.

You can read further the following article.

Kalpa to Chitkul

The distance between Kalpa to Chitkul is 72km. Therefore, you can go straight to Chitkul valley after summarizing your Kalpa trip.

FAQ

Q. Is Kalpa Trip enough for 2 days?
Ans. Yes, definitely. Kalpa Trip can get completed in one day only. If you want to spend more time, it’s fair enough to stay one more day.

Q. Where can I go near Kalpa Kinnaur?
Ans. Roghi village is located 10-12km from Kalpa and is also a beautiful place.

Q. In which month can I find apple orchards?
Ans. If you want to see Apple orchards, They can be found in August. It has a shelf life of four months.

That was my Delhi to Kalpa valley blog and if you have any other questions, mention them in the comment section below.

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Until then, see you on the roads.