Kibber, Himachal Pradesh

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10 Monasteries of HP
Hidden away in the remote desolation of Himachal Pradesh, away from dense urban populations or the distractions of modern India, lies a road less traveled.

WHEN TO GO

Best: July – Mid October
Roads finally give way from the high altitude snow fall making access a snap on the single lane road. Temperatures are moderate, but the sun can be deceptive. You’ll want sunscreen and a warm jacket just in case those cool nights creep up. Double check road conditions toward fall.

Good: May – June

Warm clothes are still a must as temps slowly creep back up. Planting begins once the last frost has come.

Skip: October – April

The fall harvest has been completed leaving the entire area a barren grey khaki color. A cooler wind whips through in time for winter snow making roads treacherous if not impassible at times. Wait for the spring planting.

Kibber For Beginners | Next Steps | Deep Finds

Kibber’s claim to fame is that of being the world’s highest motorable village. It may seem this remote and isolated village of mostly Tibetan Buddhists would be void of many of life’s luxuries but that isn’t true. Electricity, a clean water source, a post office and even a high school keep this agricultural town running. Only a few hundred people inhabit the village, and yet, it’s nearly silent save for a few sounds from individual homes performing daily chores.

The harsh landscape of limestone rocks and cliffs in this arid high altitude desert doesn’t deter tourists who come in search of the monastery. Captivating views of the Himalayas certainly aid in building an audience who rarely have a chance to reach such heights by way of a vehicle. Visitors can roam the town in peace while relying on residents to point them in the right direction. English is not widely spoken so you’ll need to use clear enunciation of names or proper hand signals for dialogue.

WHAT’S HERE

Kibber Monastery
Simple. Void of the modern Buddhist monasteries with colorful murals to dazzle the eyes, the unsophisticated block building looks nearly identical to all the other structures in town. It’s perch near the highest point of town delivers obscene views of the nearby mountain peaks and valley below.

NEXT STEPS

Trekking
Gete: This village lies roughly 30 kms beyond Kibber to the east. It is inaccessible by road. From here, hike back to Kibber, Kye village to the southwest, or Langza due south.

Dangmachan 5157m: A nice and easy trek to the peak rising above Kibber village (4220m). This route can be done in a day for experienced trekkers. September is ideal for overnighting.

DEEP FINDS

Experience Village Life
Several travel agencies can arrange homestays with local Kibberian villages. Learn the way of an uncomplicated yet challenging way of life for these farmers who pass time making handicrafts when not working their fields.

Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
This is the only cold desert area sanctuary in India. The high altitude sanctuary spans approximately 1400 sq km, and is home to a variety of wildlife such as blue sheep, red fox, ibex, Himalayan wolf, lynx and snow leopard. Several species of birds can also be seen here.