How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh – 2023 Updated

Chitkul is a beautiful tourist place with clean air surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It is the remotest destination in Himachal Pradesh bordering China after Spiti. This blog will share complete knowledge of how to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh through different modes.  

Where is Chitkul located?

Chitkul is a small village in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is the last inhabited village on the India – China border. It lies on the Baspa river’s bank, the tributary of river Satluj. Baspa river meets Satluj at Karcham from where the road diversion for chitkul is. 

Name of the Place	Chitkul ( छितकुल )
State	Himachal Pradesh
District	Kinnaur
Elevation	3450 m, 11300 ft
Accessibility	By road
Best time to visit	April – June, September – October
Travel Distance by road	350 Km
Travel Time by road	12 Hrs  (approximately)

How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh

Chitkul is connected by road and accessible throughout the year except during heavy snowfall or during heavy rainfall. The distance between Chitkul from Chandigarh is around 350 Km. There are different modes by which one can reach Chitkul.

How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh by Road

There are various options to reach Chitkul by road.

 You can refer below table to plan your journey to Chitkul.

Sr. No.	Location	Distance (Km)	Elevation (ft & m)	Time  (Hrs)
1	Chandigarh	0	700 ft 225 m	00:00
2	Solan	65	5100 ft 1550 m	02:00
3	Shimla	115	7200 ft 2200 m	03:30
4	Kufri	130	8500 ft 2600 m	04:15
5	Narkanda	175	8900 ft 2700 m	05:45
6	Rampur	235	3300 ft 1000 m	07:30
7	Bhaba Nagar	285	5100 ft 1550 m	09:15
8	Tapri	305	5600 ft 1700 m	09:45
9	Karcham	315	5900 ft 1800 m	10:00
10	Sangla	330	8500 ft 2600 m	10:45
11	Chitkul	355	11300 ft 3450 m	11:45

How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh on a Bus

If you want to travel to Himachal with a limited budget then traveling by Bus would be the best option. Unlike other hilly states, the bus network in Himachal is very good and night service is also available.

Himachal Pradesh State Owned Buses are called HRTC buses ( Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses). They are usually green/blue in color.   

Reaching  There are multiple options to reach Chitkul by bus. You can take the bus to major bus stands / ISBTs and then a further connecting bus can be taken.

Before moving to the options we need to understand the route map. 

Option – 1 Chandigarh – Sangla by bus and then Sangla to Chitkul by another bus.

Below are the bus details you can choose 

From Chandigarh to Sangla bus.

Bus : 1
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: 518
Depot: REC PEO
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 3:15 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 17:15 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 14 Hrs 0 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): DELHI ISBT KASHMIRI GATE (21:58) ➔ CHANDIGARH 43 (3:15) ➔ PANCHKULA (3:30) ➔ PINJORE (3:45) ➔ KALKA (4:00) ➔ PARWANOO (4:05) ➔ SOLAN (5:30) ➔ KANDAGHAT (5:50) ➔ WAKNAGHAT (6:05) ➔ SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI (7:15) ➔ KUFRI (8:15) ➔ THEOG (8:45) ➔ NARKANDA (9:45) ➔ SAINJ (11:15) ➔ RAMPUR (12:30) ➔ JEOURI (13:15) ➔ BHAWANAGAR (13:45) ➔ TAPRI (16:00) ➔ KARCHAM (16:15) ➔ SANGLA (17:15)

From Sangla to Chitkul

Bus : 1
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: MND-RMP-CKL
Depot: MANDI
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 7:45 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 8:45 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 1 Hrs 0 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): MANDI (18:00) ➔ SUNDER NAGAR (19:00) ➔ KARSOG (23:30) ➔ RAMPUR (4:00) ➔ TAPRI (6:45) ➔ KARCHAM (7:00) ➔ SANGLA (7:45) ➔ RAKSHAM (8:15) ➔ CHITKUL (8:45)

Bus : 2
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: RPO-CKL-01
Depot: REC PEO
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 12:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 13:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 1 Hrs 0 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): RECONGPEO (9:30) ➔ KARCHAM (10:20) ➔ SANGLA (12:00) ➔ RAKSHAM (12:30) ➔ CHITKUL (13:00)

Bus : 3
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: RPO-CKL-002
Depot: REC PEO
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 14:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 15:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 1 Hrs 0 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): RECONGPEO (12:00) ➔ KARCHAM (12:50) ➔ SANGLA (14:00) ➔ RAKSHAM (14:30) ➔ CHITKUL (15:00)

• Pros
  • With this option, you need to stay at Sangla for One night. This will help you in acclimatization.
• Cons
  • Since there is only one bus which origins from Delhi and there is no online booking, there is a limited chance of a seat on this bus. 
  • You need to travel by ordinary bus which is very much uncomfortable in long-distance hilly.

Option – 2 Chandigarh – Reckong Peo by bus and then Reckong Peo to Chitkul by another bus.

Below are the bus details you can choose

From Chandigarh to Reckong Peo:

To reach Reckong Peo from Chandigarh kindly reach this blog

From Reckong Peo to Chitkul:

Bus : 1
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: RPO-CKL-01
Depot: REC PEO
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 9:30 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 13:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 3 Hrs 30 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): RECONGPEO (9:30) ➔ KARCHAM (10:20) ➔ SANGLA (12:00) ➔ RAKSHAM (12:30) ➔ CHITKUL (13:00)

Bus : 2
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: RPO-CKL-002
Depot: REC PEO
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 12:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 15:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 3 Hrs 0 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): RECONGPEO (12:00) ➔ KARCHAM (12:50) ➔ SANGLA (14:00) ➔ RAKSHAM (14:30) ➔ CHITKUL (15:00)

• Pros
  • There are many buses available on this route.
  • You can also that connecting bus to Chitkul if you reach Reckong Peo on time.
  • You can also take the deluxe bus on this route.
• Cons
  • There is no direct bus from Chandigarh to Chitkul and you have to go to Reckongpeo. This will add a minimum of 2 Hrs to your travel. 

Option – 3  Chandigarh to Shimla, then to  Chitkul.

The bus service from Chandigarh to Shimla is much more frequent. You can easily reach Shimla based on the connecting bus from Shimla.

From Shimla to Chitkul Travel you can read this blog with complete details of Buses.

• Pros
  • There are many options for buses available. 
• Cons
  • You have to change many buses.

Option – 4 Chandigarh to Tapri, and then to Chitkul. ( Best combination) 

If you want to reach Chitkul without any halt and not to Reckong Peo then the best combination which I can suggest is to reach 

1. There are two buses from Chandigarh to Recokong Peo at @5:50 PM (Delux bus with Online Booking) and Other @6:00 PM ( Ordinary bus without Online Booking).
2. Take the ticket to Tapri and you will reach Tapri at around 6:00 AM
3. Then take Tapri to Chitkul Bus which departs at @6:45 AM, you will reach Chitkul by around @9:00 AM.

From Chandigarh to Tapri: 

Bus : 1
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: 1511
Depot: REC PEO
Bus Type: HIMMANI DELUXE 2X2 NON AC
Departure Time : 17:50 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 6:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 12 Hrs 10 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): CHANDIGARH 43 (17:50) ➔ SOLAN (20:50) ➔ SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI (22:20) ➔ THEOG (23:35) ➔ NARKANDA (0:50) ➔ RAMPUR (2:45) ➔ JHAKHARI (3:25) ➔ JEOURI (4:30) ➔ BHAWANAGAR (5:30) ➔ TAPRI (6:00) ➔ KARCHAM (6:30) ➔ RECONGPEO (7:00)

Bus : 2
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: CHD-SML-RPO
Depot: REC PEO
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 18:00 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 5:45 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 11 Hrs 45 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): CHANDIGARH 43 (18:00) ➔ SOLAN (21:00) ➔ SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI (22:30) ➔ THEOG (23:45) ➔ NARKANDA (1:00) ➔ SAINJ (2:00) ➔ RAMPUR (3:00) ➔ JHAKHARI (3:30) ➔ JEOURI (4:00) ➔ BHAWANAGAR (4:45) ➔ TAPRI (5:45) ➔ RECONGPEO (7:00)

From Tapri to Chitkul:

Bus : 1
Transport Name :HRTC
Service No. / Name: MND-RMP-CKL
Depot: MANDI
Bus Type: ORDINARY
Departure Time : 6:45 (24 Hrs Format)
Arrival Time : 8:45 (24 Hrs Format)
Time Taken : 2 Hrs 0 Mins
Route (Time – 24 Hrs Format): MANDI (18:00) ➔ SUNDER NAGAR (19:00) ➔ KARSOG (23:30) ➔ RAMPUR (4:00) ➔ TAPRI (6:45) ➔ KARCHAM (7:00) ➔ SANGLA (7:45) ➔ RAKSHAM (8:15) ➔ CHITKUL (8:45)

For online booking of buses on the HRTC website kindly Click here

Note: If you planning to take HRTC bus, kindly re-confirm the timings from the HRTC Depot office before finalization. Click here to know the phone numbers. 

 How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh on your own Vehicle

If you have good exposure to driving on mountainous roads and your vehicle is an SUV then this is a perfect option to travel to Chitkul. Below are Key things to be considered while traveling to Chitkul on your own driving.

1. The travel time is more than 12 hrs so please make sure you start early in the morning so that you reach Chitkul in the evening before it is dark.
2. Roads till Solan are good ( separate lanes for up and down traffic).   
3. Highway road up to Karcham after that single-lane road.
4. Road near Chitkul is not so okay, so having a high-ground clearance vehicle would be a good option.
5. You don’t require a 4X4 vehicle there as the normal vehicle can reach there.
6. The road from Rampur to Chitkul is considered among the most dangerous road so driving should be done carefully.
7. There would be many landside-prone areas that are treacherous during raining season.
8. In winter there would be high snowfall above Shimla till Narkanda and then in the Kinnaur district so weather updates to be taken before the start of the journey.
9. There are limited petrol pumps the way after Rampur.

How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh on a bike

Nowadays traveling into the Himalayas on Bike is getting a trend. Lots of bikers every year travel to remote areas and enjoy the beauty. Reaching Chitkul on the bike would be the dream for every adventure lover. Kindly consider the below points before planning a trip to Chitkul on a bike.

1. Every bike can reach Chitkul but prefer a bike with > 150 cc engine if you are with a pinion rider. 
2. You will feel the major variation in the temperature while traveling on the bike as there is a gain and drop of altitude. Shimla to Narkanda at a higher altitude than Rampur at a lower altitude.
3. Ride carefully as the road from Rampur to Chitkul is considered a dangerous road so driving should be done carefully.
4. Carry rain covers along with as there might be rainy uphill while it is a clear sky on the plains.
5. There are many landside-prone areas that are treacherous during raining season.
6. During winters Bike riding is not advisable as there will be snowfall / black ice on roads and bike riding is extremely dangerous..
7. There are limited petrol pumps the way after Rampur so please plan and fill the tank based upon the fuel consumption of your bike. 

How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh on a Taxi

Taxi can easily be hired for Chitkul and there are many options available on the online platforms. Following key things to be considered while taxing taxis to Chitkul.

1. The driver should be experienced in traveling in these areas.
2. Vehicle to be comfortable since travel time would be more than 12 hrs.
3. Ground clearance of the Vehicle is good.
4. Negotiate well before finalization.

How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh by Train

The nearest railway station en route to Chitkul is the Shimla railway station. But this station is on the narrow gauge. You need to change the train from Kalka railway station. The Kalka railway station is for both broad gauge and narrow gauge. You can easily reach Kalka railway station from Chandigarh which is less than an Hour.

• Pros
  • This route is a UNESCO world heritage site.
  • Best train route to see beautiful Himalayan mountains.
• Cons
  • Travel time is much high since the maximum speed of this train is around 30 km/hr
  • The frequency of the trains between Kalka and  Shimla is quite low.

How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh by air

Since Chitkul is located inner in the Himalayas, there is no major airport nearby.

The nearest airport en route to Chitkul is Shimla airport but there is no direct service available on the plane is available from Chandigarh.

Heli service is available from Chandigarh to Shimla. 

Summary – “How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh”

Let’s summarize what we have understood in this blog  “How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh ”

• Chitkul is a wonderful travel destination located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh around 350 KM from Chandigarh.
• You can reach Chitkul in one day from Chandigarh.
• Chitkul can be reached throughout the year but the best time is from April – June and then from September – October.
• Chitkul can be reached by self-driven car, bike, taxi, and by Bus.
• The nearest railway station is  Shimla which is a narrow gauge. The train can be taken from Kalka.
• The nearest airport is Shimla airport but no direct service from Chandigarh.
• The cheapest way to reach Chitkul is by the HRTC bus and many options are available.

We hope you have got a good understanding of “How to reach Chitkul from Chandigarh ”. If you want to give suggestions on this blog ” please do comment.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions:

 

If you want to reach Chitkul from Delhi kindly click here