Rakcham, Kinnaur

Nestled between the mighty snow-capped peaks and a lush green landscape, Rakcham is a piece of heaven on earth. Situated on the bank of gushing river Baspa, this little hamlet is relatively deserted than other places in Kinnaur and a perfect retreat for solitude seekers.

Description:

Located about 14 km away from Sangla and 10 km far from Chitkul, Rakcham is a quaint village in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Covered with dense vegetation and surrounded by mountains, Rakcham offers a sight to behold. Pronounced as "Rakshyam" by the locals this nomadic village offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire Baspa valley, lush green fields with alpine trees, apple orchards along the mountain slopes and the sky-scrapping peaks of the Himalayas. With a beautiful trekking route along the Baspa valley till Chitkul, Rakcham is a hidden treasure trove for adventure lovers. Situated at an altitude of 2900 meters, this remote hull station has a couple of hotels and PWD guest house for accommodation.

With a population of approximately 800 people, Rakcham is disconnected from the rest of the world and just has a couple of shops selling basic necessities. There is no access to the internet, newspaper, postal services and wine shops. In terms of sightseeing, Rakcham has two Hindu temples, one dedicated to goddess Kali and the other to Lord Shiva. Reflecting on the rich culture of Tibetan people, the temple complex of Rakcham has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist ideology.


Things to do

• Soak in the tranquillity and uninterrupted peace of this quaint village to rewind your mind.
• Enjoy leisure walk through a wide variety of flora, talk to the villagers and delve into the lifestyles and customs of the local people.
• Thrilling activities like hiking, camping, river crossing, angling makes Rakcham a popular spot amongst adventure junkies.
• Trek through this village till Chitkul to enjoy its splendid natural beauty
• Visit the two popular temples and a Buddhist shrine to know about the rich culture of Tibetan people.
• Enjoy camping out on the banks of the pristine river Baspa.

Traveler tips:
• Take a small kit of emergency medicines, a torch, and toilet paper.
• Carry a full-charged power bank with you.
• As the night gets really cold in this area, carry a lot of warm clothing.
• Keep your camera’s battery fully charged, you will find plenty of good shots.

Best time to visit

The summer months (April-July) prove to be the best time to visit this beautiful hill station in the Himalayas. Another best time to plan a visit to Rakcham, Kinnaur is between September-October. Avoid planning a visit to this place between November and February, as winters in this region are extremely harsh with the temperature between 9 and -10 degrees Celsius.

How to reach?

Rakcham doesn’t have direct flight train connectivity. The most convenient way to reach Rakcham is by road as it is well-connected to major cities like Shimla, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Sangla. Located at a distance of 267 km, Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla is the nearest airport to Rakcham. The closest railhead is the Kalka Railway Station located in Shimla about 206 kilometers away. Located 11 km away from Rakcham, the closest town is Sangla. HRTC buses and many private buses ply between Sangla and Chitkul, halting at Rakcham. To have a hassle-free and joyful trip to this quaint hill station and other popular places in Kinnaur, it’s always a good idea to grab a tour package from a reputed travel agent in your city.

Nearby attractions:

The following are some of the popular tourist spots that you can add to tour itinerary while planning a vacation in Rakcham.
• Sangla meadows
• Kamru fort
• Chitjul
• Basteri village
• Bering Nag temple
• Rupin pass
• Trout farm, Sangla

If planning a trip to Sangla and don’t have plans to visit Rakcham, you will be missing out on something very important. Plan a vacation to this picturesque village Rakcham, Kinnaur to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.