Baspa, also known as Sangla valley, is one of the beautiful valleys in
Kinnaur District of
Himachal Pradesh. Its altitude varies from 1,830 m to 3,475 m. The lowest altitude is at the confluence of the
Baspa River with the
Sutlej River and the highest is where the village of
Chitkul is situated. The
Baspa River flows here for roughly 95 km.
The valley is fertile and is famous for green pastures, flowers and fruit trees. The Chung Shakhago Pass is on the top of the valley. The higher ranges are covered with snow all the year round. The inhabited part of the valley is from Chitkul to Sutlej. The people living here are believed to be the descendants of the Kinners, the demi gods of the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds are described in Sanskrit poems.
The vegetation of the upper zone consists of deodars, blue pines, firs and silver birch. Down the stream, this valley opens at Satluj valley and the people of this land are rich and prosperous. Due to heavy monsoon rain, the valley has rich grassy lands and alpine pastures. The rivers, which meander through the valley, offer opportunities for trout fishing.
Baspa Valley can be reached from Shimla, which is 230 km away. Another route is from Rampur, which is the major city before Kinnaur. Karcham, 80 km from Rampur, on the national highway, leads to Sangla, which in turn goes right through the Baspa Valley. There are buses from Sangla.
