How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla – 2023 Updated

Up from Shimla there lies a beautiful green Himalayan valley near the China border. This blog will share complete knowledge of how to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla through different modes.  

Where is Sangla Valley located?

Sangla Valley is an offbeat destination in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Its name is derived from the Village Sangla which is around 15 Km from Karacham. This valley lies on the Baspa river’s bank, the tributary of river Satluj. Sometimes this valley is also called Baspa Valley.  Baspa river meets Satluj at Karcham dam, where there is a diversion for Sangla Valley. 

Name of the Place	Sangla ( सांगला घाटी )
State	Himachal Pradesh
District	Kinnaur
Elevation	2600  m, 8500 ft
Accessibility	By road
Best time to visit	April – June, September – October
Travel Distance by road	215 Km
Travel Time by road	7:15 Hrs (approximately)

How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla

Sangla Valley is connected by road and accessible throughout the year except during heavy snowfall or during heavy rainfall. The distance between Sangla Valley from Shimla is around 215 Km. There are different modes by which one can reach Sangla Valley.

How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla by Road

There are various options to reach Sangla Valley by road.

 You can refer below table to plan your journey to Sangla Valley.

Sr. No.	Location	Distance (Km)	Elevation (ft)	Elevation (m)	Time  (Hr)
1	Shimla	0	7200	2200	00:00
2	Kufri	15	8500	2600	00:45
3	Narkanda	60	8900	2700	02:15
4	Rampur	120	3300	1000	04:00
5	Bhaba Nagar	170	5100	1550	05:45
6	Tapri	190	5600	1700	06:15
7	Karcham	200	5900	1800	06:30
8	Sangla	215	8500	2600	07:15

How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla on a Bus

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 Sangla Valley by bus.

Option – 1 Shimla – Sangla by bus and then Sangla to Sangla Valley another by bus.

Below are the bus details you can choose 

From Shimla to Sangla.

SR. No.	SERVICE NO.	SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI	SANGLA	DURATION	DEPOT	TYPE	ORIGIN	DESTINATION	ONLINE BOOKING
1	518	7:15 AM	5:15 PM	10:00 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	DELHI ISBT KASHMIRI GATE	SANGLA	NO

• Pros
  • Direct bus to Sangla
• 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 Shimla – Reckong Peo by bus and then Reckong Peo to Sangla Valley by bus.

Below are the bus details you can choose

From Shimla to Reckong Peo:

SR. No.	SERVICE NO.	SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI	RECONGPEO	DURATION	DEPOT	TYPE	ORIGIN	DESTINATION	ONLINE BOOKING
1	333	3:40 AM	4:00 PM	12:20 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI	POOH VILLAGE	YES
2	633	4:30 AM	1:30 PM	9:00 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	DHARAMSHALA	THANGI	NO
3	1220	5:00 AM	2:15 PM	9:15 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	HARIDWAR	RECONGPEO	NO
4	556	5:45 AM	3:00 PM	9:15 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	DELHI ISBT KASHMIRI GATE	RECONGPEO	NO
5	255	6:56 AM	4:40 PM	9:44 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	SOLAN	RECONGPEO	NO
6	1513	9:00 AM	7:00 PM	10:00 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	CHANDIGARH	RECONGPEO	NO
7	CHD-RPO	10:30 AM	7:00 PM	8:30 Hrs	REC PEO	HIMMANI DELUXE 2X2 NON AC	CHANDIGARH	RECONGPEO	NO
8	273	6:30 PM	3:30 AM	9:00 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI	RECONGPEO	YES
9	1511	10:20 PM	7:00 AM	8:40 Hrs	REC PEO	HIMMANI DELUXE 2X2 NON AC	CHANDIGARH	RECONGPEO	NO
10	CHD-SML-RPO	10:30 PM	7:00 AM	8:30 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	CHANDIGARH	RECONGPEO	NO
11	1512	11:30 PM	9:00 AM	9:30 Hrs	RAMPUR	ORDINARY	CHANDIGARH	KALPA	NO

From Reckong Peo to Sangla Valley:

SR. No.	SERVICE NO.	RECONGPEO	SANGLA	DURATION	DEPOT	TYPE	ORIGIN	DESTINATION	ONLINE BOOKING
1	RPO-CKL-01	9:30 AM	12:00 PM	2:30 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	RECONGPEO	CHITKUL	NO
2	RPO-CKL-002	12:00 PM	2:00 PM	2:00 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	RECONGPEO	CHITKUL	NO

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

Option – 3 Shimla to Tapri, and then to Sangla Valley. 

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

1. There are two buses from Chandigarh to Reckong Peo at @5:50 PM (Delux) and Other @6:00 PM ( Ordinary bus) they reach Shimla at around 10:15 PM ( without Online Booking).
2. Take the ticket to Tapri and you will reach Tapri at around 6:00 AM
3. Then take Tapri to Sangla Valley Bus which departs at @6:45 AM, you will reach Sangla Valley by around @9:00 AM.

From Shimla to Tapri: 

SR. No.	SERVICE NO.	SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI	TAPRI	DURATION	DEPOT	TYPE	ORIGIN	DESTINATION	ONLINE BOOKING
10	1511	10:20 PM	6:00 AM	7:40 Hrs	REC PEO	HIMMANI DELUXE 2X2 NON AC	CHANDIGARH	RECONGPEO	NO
11	CHD-SML-RPO	10:30 PM	5:45 AM	7:15 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	CHANDIGARH	RECONGPEO	NO

From Tapri to Sangla Valley:

SR. No.	SERVICE NO.	TAPRI	SANGLA	DURATION	DEPOT	TYPE	ORIGIN	DESTINATION	ONLINE BOOKING
1	MND-RMP-CKL	6:45 AM	7:45 AM	1:30 Hrs	MANDI	ORDINARY	MANDI	CHITKUL	NO

Option – 4 Shimla to Karcham, and then to Sangla Valley.

Again, if you want to reach Sangla Valley without going to Reckongpeo, this combination might help you.

Take the Bus from Shimla and reach Karcham before the connecting bus which is coming from Reckong Peo to Sangla Valley / Mandi to Sangla Valley

From Shimla to Karcham : 

SR. No.	SERVICE NO.	SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI	KARCHAM	DURATION	DEPOT	TYPE	ORIGIN	DESTINATION	ONLINE BOOKING
1	1511	10:20 PM	6:30 AM	8:10 Hrs	REC PEO	HIMMANI DELUXE 2X2 NON AC	CHANDIGARH	RECONGPEO	NO
2	1512	11:30 PM	8:45 AM	9:15 Hrs	RAMPUR	ORDINARY	CHANDIGARH	KALPA	NO

From Karcham to Sangla Valley: 

SR. No.	SERVICE NO.	KARCHAM	SANGLA	DURATION	DEPOT	TYPE	ORIGIN	DESTINATION	ONLINE BOOKING
1	MND-RMP-CKL	7:00 AM	7:45 AM	0:45 Hrs	MANDI	ORDINARY	MANDI	CHITKUL	NO
2	RPO-CKL-01	10:20 AM	12:00 PM	1:40 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	RECONGPEO	CHITKUL	NO
3	RPO-CKL-002	12:50 PM	2:00 PM	1:10 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	RECONGPEO	CHITKUL	NO
4	518	4:15 PM	5:15 PM	1:00 Hrs	REC PEO	ORDINARY	DELHI ISBT KASHMIRI GATE	SANGLA	NO

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

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

 How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla on your own Vehicle

If you can reach Shimla in your own Vehicle then reaching Sangla Valley is not too much difficult a task.

1. The travel time is around 8 hrs so please make sure you start early in the day so that you reach Sangla Valley in the evening..
2. Highway road up to Karcham after that single-lane road.
3. Road near Sangla Valley is not so okay, so having a high-ground clearance vehicle would be a good option.
4. You don’t require a 4X4 vehicle there as the normal vehicle can reach there.
5. The road from Rampur to Sangla Valley is considered among the most dangerous road so driving should be done carefully.
6. 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.
7. There are limited petrol pumps the way after Rampur.

How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla 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 Sangla Valley on the bike would be the dream for every adventure lover. Kindly consider the below points before planning a trip to Sangla Valley on a bike.

1. Every bike can reach Sangla Valley 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 Sangla Valley is considered a dangerous road so driving should be done carefully.
4. Carry rain covers along with as there might be rain at higher reaches.
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 Sangla Valley from Shimla on a Taxi

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

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

How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla by Train

Sangla Valley is not connected by train. The last station is at Shimla

How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla by air

Since Sangla Valley is located inner in the Himalayas, there is no airport nearby. The Last airport is at Shimla.

Summary – “How to reach Sangla Valley from Shimla”

Let’s summarize what we have understood in this blog  “How to reach Sangla Valley from Delhi ”

• Sangla Valley is a wonderful travel destination located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh at around 215 KM from Shimla.
• You can reach Sangla Valley in one day from Shimla.
• Sangla Valley can be reached throughout the year but the best time is from April – June and then from September – October.
• Sangla Valley can be reached by self-driven car, bike, taxi, and by Bus.
• Cheapest way to reach Sangla Valley is by the HRTC bus and many options are available.

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

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions: