Planned trip to Kinnaur from Chennai

[sridhar39]

Hi, we are three couples from Chennai planning a trip to Kinnaur. Our itinerary is as given below

09.10.21 : Arrival in New Delhi airport and hiring a self-drive SUV and drive to Chail, H.P. Night stay in Chail
10.10.21 : Departure from Chail to Sarahan. Night stay in Sarahan
11.10.21 : Deaprture from Sarahan to Rakcham. Night stay in Rakcham
12.10.21 : Departure from Rakcham to Kalpa. Night stay in Kalpa
13.10.21 : Rest in Kalpa. Night stay in Kalpa
14.10.21 eparture from Kalpa to Kufri. Night stay in Kufri

15.10.21 : Departure from Kufri to Solan or Barog. Night stay in Solan or Barog

16.10. 21: Departure from Solan/Barog to New Delhi to take the evening flight to Chennai

The last time I travelled in Kinnaur was in 2013 and the road from Rampur- Karcham- Rekong Peo was in bad condition. Has anyone travelled in that section of late? What is the road condition in that stretch?

One more question.

As we will be taking a flight it would be difficult bring our booze from Chennai. Is there a good place en-route where we can buy some booze? From Delhi airport we intend to reach the GT-Karnal road via Punjabi Bagh and then proceed to Chail via Panipat, Ambala and Zirakpur.

Any information on these questions would be highly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[devindrabhandari1]

The Rampur-Reckong Peo road stretch is in good condition barring a few places near Nigulsari and Jeori (where landslides occurred lately). Even the bad span is likely to get normal once the monsoon rains are over.

There are umpteen liquor shops on Delhi-Panipat-Zirakpur route.

 

[adsatinder]

15.10.21 : Departure from Kufri to Solan or Barog. Night stay in Solan or Barog

Why are you staying at Barog ?
Want to meet famous ghost at Tunnel No.33 ??
LOL !

You can easily reach Chandigarh or Ambala or even to Delhi from Kufri easily.

 

[sridhar39]

The Rampur-Reckong Peo road stretch is in good condition barring a few places near Nigulsari and Jeori (where landslides occurred lately). Even the bad span is likely to get normal once the monsoon rains are over.

There are umpteen liquor shops on Delhi-Panipat-Zirakpur route.

The Rampur-Reckong Peo road stretch is in good condition barring a few places near Nigulsari and Jeori (where landslides occurred lately). Even the bad span is likely to get normal once the monsoon rains are over.

There are umpteen liquor shops on Delhi-Panipat-Zirakpur route.

Thanks Mr. Devindra. Yes, I do hope that even the bad stretches will be mended somewhat after the monsoon.

 

[sridhar39]

Why are you staying at Barog ?
Want to meet famous ghost at Tunnel No.33 ??
LOL !

You can easily reach Chandigarh or Ambala or even to Delhi from Kufri easily.

Well, the ghost at Tunnel no.33 is news to me. Let me see if it shows up when we are there next month. LOL! Actually, I want to stay the last night of our vacation also in the hills but closer to Delhi. So, I thought by staying in Solan or Barog we can reach Delhi faster, from where we have our return flight.

 

[devindrabhandari1]

Thanks Mr. Devindra. Yes, I do hope that even the bad stretches will be mended somewhat after the monsoon.

Apart from Monsoon rains, large trucks carrying apples cause frequent traffic jams. It returns back to normal after September month though.

 

[sridhar39]

The Rampur-Reckong Peo road stretch is in good condition barring a few places near Nigulsari and Jeori (where landslides occurred lately). Even the bad span is likely to get normal once the monsoon rains are over.

There are umpteen liquor shops on Delhi-Panipat-Zirakpur route.

Hi, as a second thought I am contemplating going to Nako from Rakcham and then return to Kalpa the next day. Any idea about the condition of the road from Rakcham to Kalpa? How long do you think it would take from Rakcham to Nako?

 

[devindrabhandari1]

Hi, as a second thought I am contemplating going to Nako from Rakcham and then return to Kalpa the next day. Any idea about the condition of the road from Rakcham to Kalpa? How long do you think it would take from Rakcham to Nako?

Barring a span between Ralli-Shongtong-Powari and near Pangi Nallah (en route Nako) the road is in good condition.

It takes about 5 hours from Rakcham to Nako.

Kalpa is located on a different route. If you want to visit Kalpa, you need to take a detour to Kalpa from Powari Jhulla -- a place on highway from where a road diverges to Kalpa and then return back on to highway.

I would recommend you to visit Kamru village and fort while in Sangla.

You can find pictures of the place on the Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/_kamru_fort_

And brief history of the place here:
Sangla Valley Of Kinnaur | Best Time To Visit In 2021

 

[sridhar39]

Barring a span between Ralli-Shongtong-Powari and near Pangi Nallah (en route Nako) the road is in good condition.

It takes about 5 hours from Rakcham to Nako.

Kalpa is located on a different route. If you want to visit Kalpa, you need to take a detour to Kalpa from Powari Jhulla -- a place on highway from where a road diverges to Kalpa and then return back on to highway.

I would recommend you to visit Kamru village and fort while in Sangla.

You can find pictures of the place on the Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/_kamru_fort_

And brief history of the place here:
Sangla Valley Of Kinnaur | Best Time To Visit In 2021

Thanks a lot for your valuable information, Devendra ji. I shall surely check out the Kamru fort. I have one more question. While driving from Delhi, I guess, we will be crossing in to Haryana at Sonipet and then to H.P at Parwanoo. These are two state borders where we have to pay state tax ( as we will be driving a hired car ). Is my understanding right? Your information would be highly appreciated.

 

[skysat2005]

Thanks a lot for your valuable information, Devendra ji. I shall surely check out the Kamru fort. I have one more question. While driving from Delhi, I guess, we will be crossing in to Haryana at Sonipet and then to H.P at Parwanoo. These are two state borders where we have to pay state tax ( as we will be driving a hired car ). Is my understanding right? Your information would be highly appreciated.

Yes, you would be crossing into Haryana at Sonepat, Punjab after Ambala, again Haryana after Zirakhpur and then into Himachal at Parwanoo.

With online tax payment available at Checkpost ~1~85
, paying taxes is not a challenge anymore.

Now that you would be crossing into Haryana from Delhi, it is important to note that Delhi - Haryana road border is closed by protesting, so called, farmers and it is a challenge itself to cross this stretch. Be prepared to keep atleast 1-1.5 hours extra for this particular stretch considering you would be crossing into day time.