Sangla Tourism And Travel Guide

Hills embedded with pines trees and stunning high mountains make up the scenery of the beautiful village of Sangla, located in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh. With temples having slated roofs and low lying houses made of wood, the architecture of the structures in Sangla is one of the most beautiful things to see. This quaint village is known for its vibrant orchards of apple, apricots and nuts. You can reach Sangla by air and rail, but not directly, due to the remoteness of the region; you can take a train or a flight to any adjacent city. You can also travel by road, with which you can directly reach Sangla.

Tourism in Sangla is popular during the summers and monsoons due to the pleasant and favourable weather condition. Winters are extreme with temperatures seeing a drastic fall. The region boasts of a culture that is a mix of Hinduism and Buddhism and as a result, you will find both; beautiful temples and stunning monasteries established in and around Sangla. You can even unwind in the arms of nature by going for treks and camping right beside the meandering Baspa River. Browse through our travel guide to Sangla to start planning your trip.

By Air:

The closest airport to Sangla is the Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla which is 194 km from Sangla. You can also take a flight to the second closest airport called Bhuntar Airport, which is even further away. Although these airports are the closest, flights do not connect to other cities very frequently. Hence, travelling to Chandigarjh Airport and then taking a cab from there to Sangla may also be a viable option.

By Road:

Sangla is connected to many national highways that eventually connect to roadways of bigger cities. Going to this remote location by road is one of the most fun things to do and the scenic beauty on the way there is definitely a treat for the eyes. You can also travel to Sangla by bus from Shimla, Delhi and a few more cities that are at close proximity.

By Rail:

Since Sangla is situated deep in the hills, there is no direct train to the place. The closest Railway Station is the Kalka Railways Station, at a distance of 288 km. You can also take a train to the Chandigarh Railway station, due to trains plying frequently from other cities.

Getting Around:

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation provides tourists as well as locals with a bus service that connects several different places in Sangla. Although this makes it easier to get around in Sangla, the busses aren’t able to access certain areas due to the narrow roads. You can also rent out a cab for a comfortable ride during sightseeing. 

Summer (March-June):

Summers are a brilliant time to visit Sangla, due to the lovely sceneries it exhibits. Temperatures fluctuate between 18°C- 28°C, with the weather being highly pleasant. This is hands down the best time to visit Sangla because of the tranquil atmosphere that is created by the evergreen forests and the tall mountains in this season.

Monsoon (July-September):

Sangla receives a good amount of rain in the monsoons with the weather being cool and pleasant. Temperatures rise to 20°C and drop down to an average of 12°C in the night. The rains make the region look absolutely awesome; making the greenery around so lush, the air so fresh and the atmosphere so foggy.

Winter (October-February):

The winter months are the most extreme in Sangla. Owing to this fact, it is not the best time to visit Sangla due to heavy snowfall and temperatures passing sub zero. With temperatures going as low as -10°C, the once green mountains in the summer now turn completely white, covered in soft snow falling all winter. If you do visit during this time, make sure you pack winter essentials as you definitely require them.

Spend a Day at a Remote Village:

There are a number of villages around Sangla River that will tell you more about the culture and lifestyle of the people living in the region. You can enjoy the sport of fishing in Batseri Village, located at a distance of 8 km from Sangla. You can also visit villages like Chitkul and Rakcham that are set in remote areas and enjoy some peace of mind.

Appreciate the Architecture:

Majorly made of wood, the Kamru Fort is one architectural marvel worth visiting. There are several gates at the entrance to this fort that have intricate designs and exhibit the beauty of the architecture of the ancient era.

Get Ready to Fish:

The Baspa River or the Sangla River gives its visitors a great opportunity to enjoy fishing. Trout breeding in India first started in this river and hence, it is found in abundance here, which makes trout fishing very popular in this region.  Visit in summers to get a good catch!

Camp beside the River:

This is probably one of the best camping sites in Himachal Pradesh. Camping in the midst of the Baspa river flowing on the left and the beautiful mountains standing tall on the right is a must do in Sangla. Visit various camping sites to stare at the starry night sky for hours on end.

Drop by an Apple Orchard:

Sangla is an important apple growing region in Himachal Pradesh; with beautiful orchards spread all over green grasslands. Spend a day at the Apple Orchard Farm and Camping retreat in Sangla, set at an elevation of 2700 m to engage in various activities and enjoy the lovely orchards.

Sangla comprises of both Hindu and Budhhist cultured people and therefore the region also has north Indian food as well as Tibetan food. You can eat at dhabas if you want to go for something Indian, but if you have a taste for Tibetan cuisine, stop by at an authentic Tibetan joint and energize your taste buds with some momos, thukpa and dumplings. Café 42 in Sangla serves tourists with delicious food and is very much accessible by road. Go ahead and enjoy a wholesome meal, sitting right by the mountains.

Sangla is famous for things like handmade handicrafts, shawls, Kinnauri Caps, wood carvings and of course the delicious apples grown in the orchards in the region. You can find these items in shops that are set up on the streets, with the items on display. Look out for apricot oil called Chillu, which is supposed to have healing properties. Other than that you can also shop for almonds, apricorts and other nuts that are grown in the region.