The Sutlej River Valley (Part 2) - Kinnaur Himalayas

Kinnaur is one of the twelve districts of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh with its district headquarters at Reokong Peo and consists of three main administrative areas - Pooh, Kalpa and Nichar.

This enchanting area is traversed by three high mountain ranges, Zanskar, Greater Himalayas and Dhauladhar with Tibet to its east. Dhauladhar range forms its southern boundary with the districts of Simla and Uttarkashi (Uttaranchal). Towards the west Srikhand Dhar separates Kinnaur from the Kulu district. Spiti and the Pare Chu rivers, form the Northern boundary of Kinnaur with the remote Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal.

The remarkably scenic valleys of Sutlej, Spiti, Baspa are situated in this region with the Hindustan-Tibet road passing along the Sutlej valley to finally enter Tibet through the Shipki La Pass. Kinnaur has a temperate climate with long winters and short summers and its altitude ranges from 2,320 to 6,816 metres. One of the famous peaks in the area is Kinnaur Kailash, with the height of 6050 meters and is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva by the Hindus.

The area abounds in alpine forests of juniper, pine, fir, cypress, rhododendron with trees of oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia found at lower altitudes. Kinnaur is famous for is apples, and dry fruits like chilgoza.