When to visit›Himachal Pradesh›Kinnaur Valley›December
Kinnaur Valley in December: mostly shut — here's what's open
Closed in December.
Kinnaur Valley is shut in December; this page is for planning the trip around when it reopens. Cold days around 7°C, nights near -2°C, almost no rain. Nights drop to -2°C — pack properly for them. Stays run about 30% below the usual rate this month.
The next season opens in May, 5 months away. It reopens in May, 5 months away. The rains usually arrive in June, 6 months away. The cold months usually begin in May, 5 months away.
Kinnaur Valley is closed in December
Roads snowbound November–April. Inner Line Permit required beyond Shipkila pass.
What the weather actually does
10-year average · Kinnaur ValleyCold days around 7°C, nights near -2°C, almost no rain. Nights drop to -2°C — pack properly for them.
What a day in Kinnaur Valley looks like
The things most people actually do here, by time of day.
Morning
- Kalpa village dawn — Kinner Kailash silhouette2h · easy
- Chitkul — last Indian village walk3h · moderate
- Kamru Fort & Kamakhya Devi Temple2h · moderate
Afternoon
- Sangla Valley apple orchard walk2h · easy
- Nako Lake & silk route village2h · easy
- Reckong Peo local market & views1h 30m · easy
Evening
- Baspa River riverside camping2h · easy
About 14h 30m of activity in total — the planner spreads this across your days and fits travel time around it.
What a December trip costs · 4 days, total for two
Budget
₹8,348 for two
- Stay · 3n₹1,890
- Food₹3,640
- Local + entry₹2,200
- Buffer₹618
Mid-range
₹21,267 for two
- Stay · 3n₹5,292
- Food₹8,400
- Local + entry₹6,000
- Buffer₹1,575
Luxury
₹48,179 for two
- Stay · 3n₹13,010
- Food₹19,600
- Local + entry₹12,000
- Buffer₹3,569
December multiplier already applied (0.70× on stays). Covers stay with GST, food, local transport, entry & activities, 8% buffer for two people sharing one room — the same figures the planner opens on. Excludes travel to Kinnaur Valley. How we price this
Getting to Kinnaur Valley
Usually the biggest line in the budget — and the one the estimate above leaves out.
Shimla → Reckong Peo
bus · 9h
₹350
1 way / person
Shimla → Reckong Peo
cab · 7h
₹4,000
1 way / person
Cheapest listed route is Shimla → Reckong Peo by bus. Return for two works out to about ₹1,400 — so a whole trip lands near ₹9,748 for two, travel included.
Fares are typical one-way estimates per person from Kinnaur Valley's common gateways, not live prices — book early and expect festival months to run higher.
Every month, scored
What you’ll actually do in Kinnaur Valley
Worth knowing for when you do go — several of these are unavailable in December.
- Kalpa village at dawn (Kinner Kailash silhouette)
- Sangla Valley apple orchards
- Chitkul — last Indian village on Indo-China border
- Reckong Peo markets
- Kamru Fort & Kamakhya Devi Temple
- Baspa River riverside camping
- Lippa-Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ancient silk route ruins at Nako Lake
Within reach: Sangla Valley · Kalpa · Reckong Peo · Spiti Valley.
Packing for December
- Thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a cap — nights drop below freezing.
- Sunglasses and strong sunscreen: the sun is harsh at altitude even when it is cold.
- A day to acclimatise before any high pass, and altitude medication only after talking to a doctor.
- Walking shoes with grip and a power bank — charging points and signal are patchy on hill roads.
December questions, answered
Is December a good time to visit Kinnaur Valley?
No — Kinnaur Valley is closed in December. Roads snowbound November–April. Inner Line Permit required beyond Shipkila pass.
How much does a trip to Kinnaur Valley cost in December?
A typical 4-day trip for two costs from ₹8,348 (budget) to ₹48,179 (luxury), excluding travel to Kinnaur Valley. Seasonally adjusted for December.
When is the best time to visit Kinnaur Valley?
The best months are October, May, June. From December: The next season opens in May, 5 months away. It reopens in May, 5 months away. The rains usually arrive in June, 6 months away. The cold months usually begin in May, 5 months away.
What is there to do in Kinnaur Valley?
Kalpa village at dawn (Kinner Kailash silhouette). Sangla Valley apple orchards. Chitkul — last Indian village on Indo-China border. Reckong Peo markets. Kamru Fort & Kamakhya Devi Temple. Baspa River riverside camping. Shimla is the nearest railhead, 235 km away.
Is Kinnaur Valley open in December?
Roads snowbound November–April. Inner Line Permit required beyond Shipkila pass.
Nearby, same trip
Elsewhere in India in December
Instead in season this month, from Tourisma's ranking of all 238 destinations for December.
- North Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹16,618 for two, 4 days
- Rann of Kutch · Gujarat · from ₹5,335 for two, 2 days
- Konark Sun Temple · Odisha · from ₹4,708 for two, 2 days
- Kohima · Nagaland · from ₹5,530 for two, 2 days
- South Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹11,734 for two, 4 days
- Pelling · Sikkim · from ₹4,514 for two, 2 days
- Gangtok · Sikkim · from ₹9,916 for two, 3 days
- Kisama (Hornbill Festival) · Nagaland · from ₹7,593 for two, 2 days
Want this as a real plan?
Kinnaur Valley in December, priced for your group, dawn-starts built in — about 40 seconds.