Kinnaur located nearly 235 kms from the capital of Shimla is one of the most scenic but less known districts of Himachal Pradesh. Located on the Indo-Tibetan border, it is surrounded by Tibet to the east, Garhwal Himachal to the south Spiti valley to the north and Kullu to the west.
Kinnaur, the land of fairy tales and fantasies, was a part of the Rampur Bushar state which ruled the area for a long time. Earlier known as the Chini Tehsil of Mahasu it became a district with formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh in 1960. Kinnaur very much near to the Tibetan part has varied natural environs; from lush green pastures to cold desert mountains and from vineyards to snow capped mountains. The Sangla valley and the Kalpa village being the prime attraction of this place, is ringed by the majestic Himalayas and the Dhauldhar ranges. This spectacular valley is rich in flora and fauna and is the favourite route to enter the cold desert of Leh - Ladakh in the neighbouring state of Jammu and Kashmir.
While at green landscapes and fine orchards are present at the lower altitudes of the district, the places at the higher altitude mark a stark difference with the rest of the state blending in to the wilderness of the cold desert of Leh. The Kinner Kailash adds regal magnificence to the beauty in this wilderness. The cultural race of Kinnaur is different from the rest of the state as is its language.
