About Chitkul Village
Chitkul Village is the last inhabited settlement on the Indo-Tibetan border in the Baspa Valley of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 3,450 meters on the right bank of the Baspa River, it marks the final point accessible without a permit on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route. The village is culturally significant for its 500-year-old Mathi Mata Temple and traditional Kath Kuni architecture. It serves as a base for high-altitude treks including Lamkhaga and Borasu Pass.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a remote Himalayan village setting with traditional wooden and stone houses built in Kath Kuni style. The landscape features snow-capped peaks, the flowing Baspa River, and terraced fields. Key cultural sites include three temples dedicated to Goddess Mathi, particularly the main 500-year-old shrine. Travelers may encounter local Kinnauri culture, cuisine such as Siddu and Chana Madra, and opportunities for trekking or riverside walks. Basic accommodation and food stalls are available within the village.
Key highlights
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Last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibetan border
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500-year-old Mathi Mata Temple with Kath Kuni architecture
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Located at 3,450 meters altitude in Baspa Valley
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Starting point for Lamkhaga and Borasu Pass treks
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Final accessible point on old Hindustan-Tibet trade route without permit
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Traditional Kinnauri wooden houses and cultural heritage
History of Chitkul Village
Chitkul was the last stop on the ancient Hindustan-Tibet trade route and remains the final Indian village before the border. The main Mathi Mata Temple is believed to have been constructed approximately 500 years ago by a resident of Garhwal.
Culture & Context
The village preserves traditional Kinnauri architecture, cuisine, and customs. The Mathi Devi deity is central to local religious life and is the only non-Buddhist deity honored during the Kinner Kailash Parikrama pilgrimage.
Route
| By air |
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