baspa (sangla) valley

Location: Himachal Pradesh
Main Center Have: 2,680m
Also known As: Sangla Valley
Sangla Valley, also known as Baspa valley, is by far the most beautiful valley of Kinnaur. It starts from Karchham-1, 999m (31029'N, 78011'E) where the Baspa River, coming from the east joins the Satluj (also spelt as Sutlej). The road for Baspa Valley branches off from Hindustan - Tibet road at the river junction and after turning south, crosses the Satluj over a bridge to reach Karchham. The road then veers southeast to arrive at Chitkul (31021'N, 78025'E) via Sangla.
Right up to its confluence with the Satluj at Karchham, the Course of the Baspa River, its source is through a narrow guage. It is the most romantic and beautiful valley of Kinnaur district situated most of the important villages. It has green pasturelands on both side and the meadow nearer the valley is full of flowers and fruit trees. The upper parts of the valley are almost half of its total length and as far as the village named Chitkul, there are barren ranges covered with snow all the year round.
Sangla situated at an elevation of 2,680m is also the Tehsil Headquarter with a small population. A temple known as Bering Nag dedicated to Jagas God and a Buddhist monastery is worth a visit. Famous Fair Fulaich is celebrated every year in the month of August-September over here.
Fisheries Department has established a Trout farm at Sangla and the river has plenty of trouts. The tourists can obtain license for fishing from the Fisheries Officer.
The village houses are unique examples of wooden architecture. About a kilometer backward to Sangla, there is a Saffron Farm. Tibetan wood carving Center also exits here.
The valley opens up beyond Sangla and is full of wooded slopes as far as Chitkul is like a fairyland. The quaint little houses, temples, gompas, and the people of Baspa valley conjure up a perfect image of Shangri-La.
Sangla village is built on a slope with houses rising one above the other with gigantic Kinner-Kailash peak (6,050m) towering from behind is also famous for Kamru Fort. This fort was the place where so many rajas of Kinnaur were crowned. Now this fort is dedicated to Kamakshi Temple. The Goddess idol was brought from Guwahati (Assam), where the main temple is situated on a hillock. Phaffra, Ougla, Bathu, Apples, Chuli, Bami, Walnut, Chilgoza, Almond and Saffron are the main crop of this valley.
Baspa valley is connected with Garhwal by several passes situated along the southern ridge of the valley. The Shinka, Kimlay and Borsu Passes lead to the famous Har Ki Doon Valley. The trail over Lamkhaga pass descends to Harsil (2,620m) near Gangotri on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. Another trail branches off at the base of Lamkhaga Pass, climbs upto a 5,151m high pass, and joins the main trail on the western side of the pass, which meets the Harsil road-head near Gangotri.
Another popular trail climbs northeast from Chitkul and after crossing Charang Pass (5,266m), goes down northeast to Rahtak where two paths cross; the trail left (N.W.) and follows down the Tirung Gad to Thangi and then turns north to Morang (31036'N, 78027' E), situated on the left bank of the Satluj river.