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Sometimes, all we want to do is just pack our bags and go to a peaceful place with beautiful scenery and peace. But then the reality hits and we are all sitting in the office chairs and thinking about the weekend and how we all just want to escape the hustle bustle of the city and just relax in the mountains.
Sangla Valley is one such place, surrounded by evergreen forests, mountain slopes and snow- clad peaks. You can visit the place and just relax with a beautiful view of the valley or sit near the banks of the Baspa River and look at the clean waters and enjoy yourself for hours. And if you are in for some adventures, Sangla Valley also offers some beautiful trekking trails which you can do within a day and soak in all the beauty that the valley has to offer.
Read on to find out more about Sangla Valley and plan a relaxing trip for the upcoming weekend:
1. Kamru Fort
An ancient wooden fort located in the Sangla Valley, Kamru Fort was the original seat of
the Bushehr dynasty. The Fort was built thousands of years ago by Lord Badrinath and is
situated at a height of 2600 meters. Kamru Fort is one of the oldest forts in Himachal
Pradesh. Set in a picturesque location, the Fort offers a beautiful view of the Sangla Valley,
streams, apple gardens and much more.
When entering the Fort, one can see a series of entry gates, while the main gate has a
stunning statue of Lord Buddha. One of the key highlights of the Fort is its wooden
balcony. At the top of the Fort one can see the idol of Kamakhya Devi, which is believed
to have been brought from Guwahati and is of great importance to the people of Sangla.
According to some of the folklore, there are 33 crore Gods and Goddesses present inside
the Fort premises.
2. Sangla Buddhist Monastery
Sangla Buddhist Monastery, popularly known as Brelengi Gompa, came into existence in
1992 and was founded by the Mahabodhi Society to provide assistance to the Dalai
Lama for observing the Kalachakra ceremony.
A modern Buddhist Monastery, it has the 10-meter-high status of the highly revered
Buddha. The sight is a treat for the eyes. The top attractions of the Monastery are its
wooden walls. The roof of the Monastery has a very beautiful and delicate design which
will take your breath away.
3. Bering Nag Temple
Dedicated to Lord Jagas, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, the temple is a popular attraction
for tourists, especially during the months of August and September. Often known as an
architectural wonder, the Bering Nag Temple is considered as one of the most important
temples for Hindus.
The locals visit and worship in the temple for the wellbeing of the village and its
inhabitants. The temple is especially a must visit during the Fulaich fair, which is celebrated
between the months of August and September. The festival is celebrated to honor the
deceased and is done by offering them food items like wine and rice.
4. Sangla Kanda
A relatively unheard trek, Sangla Kanda is a 6-hour long trek. Often considered a close
competitor for Chitkul. Sangla Kanda is a small village with a handful of people and a
beautiful lake, known as Kanda Lake. Kanda Lake is a gorgeous lake, situated at a height
of 3,568 meters and is surrounded by snow- capped mountains whose reflection in the
algae encompassing water just adds to the beauty.
The snow- capped mountains surrounding the lake are believed to be Kailash- Lord Shiva’s
Home. According to the locals, no person who dares to climb the Kailash Mountains ever
returns, as it is not easy to find God.
At the base of the hill is a meagre river flowing and is called Black River, which merges
into the Baspa River upon reaching the Sanga Valley. The river has a slight black color
and is rumored to be cursed, hence the name, Black River.
The place is a great site for camping and even provides the basic camping needs like
food and washrooms. It is advisable to reach the top of the Sangla Kanda by afternoon
because as the day goes by, the place becomes cooler. Also, if you have planned a day
trip, then arriving early will give you the benefit of time to soak in the beauty of the place
and return during the daylight, as trekking at night can be difficult.
5. Rakchham
Rakchham, pronounced as Rakshaym by the locals, is quite a remote village 14km from
Sangla Valley. The place is blessed with beautiful gardens, snow- capped mountains and
lush green trees. The place has only 800- 1000 people and offers an uninterrupted peace
and solitude in the town.
Being a quiet and solitary place, Rakcham is not visited by many travelers. However,
those who choose to stop over here get to witness the picturesque beauty, the mountain
peaks, the fresh atmosphere and the way of life of the people of Rakcham. The people
here are very warm and friendly and always welcome everyone with a smile.
One can come here or just trek to the town. The place also offers some thrilling sports, like
river crossing, nature walks, etc.
6. Tibetan Wood Carving Centre
One of the most famous attractions of Sangla is the Tibetan Wood Carving Centre. The place, as the name suggests, has a large number of delicately carved wooden articles to
see as well as buy. Most of the carvings are done in the Tibetan style.
The place offers a host of hand- made wooden articles which one can buy. From small
trinkets to large statues, the place has it all. One can find kitchenware items for
decorative pieces and souvenirs carved in Tibetan style. So, practice your bargaining skills
as the things here are a little overpriced.
7. Baspa River
The beautiful Baspa River in Sangla Valley is one of the most picturesque rivers in the mountain ranges. The river provides a breath-taking view of the Sangla Valley, apple
orchids, snow- clad mountains, streams and much more.
The Baspa River originates near the Indo- Tibetan boundary and is the main tributary of
the Satluj River in its upper course. The river is considered a fishermen’s paradise as it has
a huge variety of fishes in it. The Baspa River also attracts a lot of tourists as it is a great
attraction for campers as well as travellers.
8. Rupin Pass
One of India’s most popular treks, Rupin Pass, connects Uttarakhand to Sangla Valley in
Himachal Pradesh. The trek starts from Dhaula camp in Uttarakhand and ends up in the
Sangla Valley. The Rupin Pass Trek is situated on a traditional cowboy and hiking trail.
During ancient times, people used this trail for commuting and trading and also for
grazing sheep and goats. The route offers a breath- taking view and the journey is full of
surprises and thrills. The place looks even more serene and offers a spectacular trek in
virgin snow and is a scenic campsite and surprisingly wide clearings in forests.
Grab a bite:
1. Sonu Tibetian Café
A small café located in Sangla, Sonu Tibetian Café, is a decent café which offers mostly
Tibetan cuisine. The café has a good rating and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Address: C7G7+WFQ, Oposite co-op bank, Sangla, Himachal Pradesh 172106
Timing: 7am- 9pm
2. Saryu’s Café and Restaurant
A mid- range family restaurant, Saryu’s Café and Restaurant offers a variety of Indian and
Chinese cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With a clean environment to eat your
food, one can definitely check out the café.
Address: Saryu's Café & Restaurant, Sangla, Himachal Pradesh 172106
Timing: 9am- 10m
3. Boudhist Café
A small café run by a lady and her son, Boudhist Café, offers a variety of Tibetan and
Indian cuisines. The food tastes like home and the diners always appreciate the homely
food that the owner cooks herself.
Address: C7G7+V8Q, Sangla, Himachal Pradesh 172106
Timings: NA
4. Mount Kailash Restaurant
A restaurant with beautiful indoors, Mount Kailash Restaurant offers a variety of cuisines
be it American, Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, Italian, etc., at a fairly decent price. The
restaurant also offers outside seating which looks beautiful during the night-time.
Address: Kamru, Sangla, Himachal Pradesh 172106
Timing: 10am- 9pm
So, the next time you want to have a relaxing and peaceful weekend, definitely think about the beauty of Sangla Valley.