Kinnaur apple country: Shimla, Sangla and Kalpa

Day 1: Arrive in Shimla

Shimla

• Mall Road, the Ridge and Christ Church · 2.5 h. The pedestrian heart of Shimla; the lift from Cart Road saves the climb. Christ Church is lit up at night.
• Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study) · 1.5 h. Guided tours of the 1888 viceroy's residence where Partition talks took place; check the opening days.

Local tip: The pedestrian heart of Shimla; the lift from Cart Road saves the climb. Christ Church is lit up at night.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Shimla

Shimla

• Jakhoo Temple and ropeway · 2 h. The giant Hanuman statue tops Shimla's highest hill. Monkeys snatch glasses, phones and food — keep everything zipped away.
• Himachal State Museum and Gaiety Theatre · 1.5 h. Pahari miniature paintings and local crafts; the restored Victorian Gaiety Theatre is on the Mall. The museum is closed on Mondays.
• Kufri and the Himalayan Nature Park · 3.5 h. About 45 min from Shimla, with snow play in winter; agree pony rates up front if you ride to Mahasu Peak.

Local tip: The giant Hanuman statue tops Shimla's highest hill. Monkeys snatch glasses, phones and food — keep everything zipped away.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Shimla → Sangla & Chitkul

Sangla & Chitkul · Shimla to Sangla & Chitkul, Car ~7–8h via Rampur and Karcham

• Kamru Fort and Badri Narayan temple · 2 h. A wooden fort-temple above Sangla; wear the cap offered at the gate and follow the rules for visitors.

Local tip: A wooden fort-temple above Sangla; wear the cap offered at the gate and follow the rules for visitors.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Sangla & Chitkul

Sangla & Chitkul

• Chitkul village and the Baspa riverbank · 4 h. The last inhabited village on this road before the border; wooden houses, a carved temple and the 'last dhaba of India'. It's cold even in summer.
• Rakchham village and meadows · 2.5 h
• Apple orchard visit · 1.5 h. Harvest runs roughly August to October; buy apples and dried apricots direct from growers.

Local tip: The last inhabited village on this road before the border; wooden houses, a carved temple and the 'last dhaba of India'. It's cold even in summer.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Sangla & Chitkul → Kalpa

Kalpa · Sangla & Chitkul to Kalpa, Car ~2h via Karcham

• Kinner Kailash sunrise · 1 h. The sun lights up the 6,050 m Kinner Kailash peak and the Shivling rock face right across the valley.
• Roghi village and cliff road walk · 2.5 h. A narrow road carved into the cliff leads to Roghi; stay well back from the unfenced edges.

Local tip: The sun lights up the 6,050 m Kinner Kailash peak and the Shivling rock face right across the valley.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Kalpa

Kalpa

• Narayan-Nagini temple and Kalpa old village · 1.5 h
• Reckong Peo market and Chandika temple · 2 h. The district town below Kalpa, with ATMs and Kinnauri caps and shawls; foreign visitors get their Protected Area Permit here.
• Apple and chilgoza orchard walk · 1.5 h

Local tip: The district town below Kalpa, with ATMs and Kinnauri caps and shawls; foreign visitors get their Protected Area Permit here.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Kalpa

Kalpa

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.