Rakcham: The Quaint little Village

It had already started getting unbearably hot in the plains, and with a mixture of the train journey and car ride, we found ourselves in the pristine meadows of the quaint little village Rakcham. It was like a dream for both of us.

Yes! You heard it right, ‘Rakcham’. If you’re in Sangla and haven’t made the trip to Rakcham, the quaint little village in Himachal Pradesh, you’re missing a drop-dead picturesque spot. It’s around 14 km from Sangla en route to Chitkul.

Situated midway between Sangla and Chitkul, this Rakcham quaint little village sits just a few miles short of Indo – Tibet’s border. Rakcham village has it all: beautiful gardens, snow-covered mountains, lush green trees, and Apple farms.

Tourists can’t stay away from this location because of the extraordinary beauty of the area. As a result, many tourists choose this village as a starting point for a trek toward Chitkul.

This time, we intended to stay in Rakcham and enjoy the area’s natural splendour.

Location of Rackham

Rakcham is a quaint village in Himachal Pradesh about 23 km from Chitkul, the last Indian village before the Indo-Tibet border. The picturesque hamlet is situated in the enchanting Baspa Valley by the River Baspa, an important tributary of the Sutlej.

Throughout the year, the region is densely forested. The tranquil snow-capped peaks of the Kinnaur Kailasha mountains, which border the district of Kinnaur, can also be seen from this tiny hamlet.

The Rakcham village’s remoteness is a distinguishing feature. The village is less populated than many other villages in the area and is cut off from the rest of the world. Oh! You got me wrong, there is good network availability from Airtel, Rjio, and BSNL in this area, so there won’t be any connectivity issues.

The locals rely primarily on crops grown between April and October before the freezing winters arrive. Because the winters are freezing here, the locals migrate to low-lying areas and return in April to begin farming. In short, Rakcham has only a few local shops that sell daily necessities.

Because of its remote location, Rakcham is not a popular tourist destination. However, a few tourists visit each year to explore its breathtaking beauty, mountain peaks, beautiful ambience, and the region’s unique culture. The beautiful sunrise is one of the valley’s best features.

How to reach Rakcham

Rakcham is easily accessible because it connects to major cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla.

Nearest Airports to Rakcham Kinnaur

1 Shimla Airport
2 Bhuntar Airport, Kullu
3 Chandigarh Airport
4 Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
5 Kangra Airport

The route we chose was:

Lucknow ▶Chandigarh▶Narkanda (by road) (overnight stay)▶Rakcham

Special thanks to our cab driver Mr RajuRam. Besides being a cab driver, RajuRam provided information about Himachal Pradesh and the sites we visited. He was happy to stop the car for photos, as there were so many spectacular sceneries around us.

If you want to contact him for your visit, you can ping him on this number, do give my reference to him. (RajuRam +91 94185 31003)

Places to visit Near Rakcham

1. Rakcham Village

2. Chitkul

Chitkul, hidden in the lap of the Himalayas, is known as India’s “last village.” Chitkul is best known for its enthralling beauty and peaceful surroundings. The picturesque location and scenic beauty of the area are what attract visitors. Don’t forget to visit the last Dhaba of India in Chitkul.

3. Kamru Fort (Buddhist Monestry)

The most well-known historical structure near Sangla is Kamru Fort. It is a wooden tower built by a local chieftain several centuries ago. It is situated on a hill overlooking Sangla in the small village of Kamru. Because of recent growth, hotels have sprouted along the entire stretch, and the village and town are practically connected. Near the fort, there is a kamkhaya Devi temple.

4. Baspa River

The Baspa river has an incredible thrill, allowing the tourist to have a great time and a quick break.

5. Batseri village

Like Rakcham, Batseri is also a picturesque village with snow-covered mountains, lush green trees, and Apple farms.

6. Bhimakali Temple in Sarhan

The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Mother Kali and is close to 170 km from Shimla. Bhimakali Temple timings are kept in such a manner to let most of the visitors seek the blessings of Maa Bhimakali. This temple is 800 years old and has a unique architectural design.

Kali and Shiva temples, as well as Buddhist shrines, can be found in the village, demonstrating the Tibetan people’s rich cultural heritage. An amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs can be found throughout the region.

Apart from these places, one can spend time enjoying the sight of numerous apple, cherry, and plum orchards, go for hikes and explore many hamlets which still have houses and temples built of wood and stones in the Kath-Kuni style.

Sarhan Sawls

While walking down Sarhan Street, we came across a local weaver who still uses the traditional pit loom weaving. Woollen shawls are handcrafted by winding, drafting, denting, pulling, and adjusting as needed. The geometric decoration of the shawl’s border is woven as a basket weave using a slit-tapestry or dovetailing technique.

These shawls are a treasure trove that you will want to add to your closet as soon as possible. Get the warmth of this material, in the winter, without giving up your style. It is also an excellent gift for almost any occasion for your loved ones.

Related post: Travelling Wadi Shab With Kids

Things to do In Rakcham

• Let yourself be rejuvenated by the serenity and peace of this quaint village.
• Take a leisurely walk through a diverse range of flora, talk to the villagers, and learn about their lifestyles and customs.
• Thrilling activities like hiking, camping, river crossing, and angling make Rakcham a popular spot amongst adventure junkies.
• Trek through this village till Chitkul to enjoy its splendid natural beauty.
• Visit the two famous temples and a Buddhist shrine to learn about their rich culture.
• Enjoy camping out on the banks of the pristine river Baspa.

Where to stay in Rakcham

Zostel Homestay Rakcham

We were completely perplexed about where to stay in Rakcham when one of our friends suggested staying at Zostel Homestay. It was our first-time experience staying in a homestay, but we absolutely loved it.

The staff was amiable and cooperative. Caretaker Sumit was very friendly, and Kaushal Ji cooked tasty homely food. During our 3-day stay, Kaushal Ji prepared a couple of local dishes for us (apart from the usual north Indian dishes like chapati, rice, and curries made from seasonal vegetables). We found that these people were great travel advisors also.

Personal Tips:

• Take a small kit of emergency medicines and a torch.
• Carry a full-charged power bank with you.
• As the evening gets freezing in this area, carry a lot of warm clothing.
• Keep your camera’s battery fully charged; you will find plenty of good shots.
• Keep your tracking boots handy.

Related post: TRAVEL TIPS FOR FLYING WITH KIDS

What to eat in Rakcham

Your homestay will be providing meals. Otherwise, numerous restaurants serve traditional Indian or Tibetan cuisine. Local shops in Kinnauri markets give delicious soups with momos or chowmein. Our Zostel homestay cooked tasty homely food, so we never tried any restaurants.

Best time to visit Rakcham

The summer months (April-July) are ideal for visiting this beautiful Himalayan hill station. Another ideal time to visit Rakcham, Kinnaur is between September and October, when the apple gardens are in full bloom. Avoid visiting between November and February, as the winters in this region are extremely harsh, with temperatures ranging between 9 and -10 degrees Celsius.

Siddu (A local dish of Himachal Pradesh)

As I am writing about this, I am craving for it. I will never forget the taste of Siddu. Thanks to our driver who forced us to try this dish. Siddu is a popular dish among residents of Shimla and Kullu Manali. Whenever you visit Himanchal Pradesh, don’t forget to try Siddu, you will definitely thank me for this.

Siddu is commonly eaten with ghee in the state during the winter season to maintain body temperature and boost energy.

So, the next time you plan a trip to the Sangla Valley, don’t forget to stop by the quaint village of Rakcham in Kinnaur to revitalise your body, mind, and spirit. Feel free to ask me any questions about your trip to Rakcham.

Please travel responsibly if you take these less-travelled paths; no littering and no plastic. Please carry your trash back and help to keep the surrounding landscapes clean. Thanks.

P.S: Photographs and Memories are my own.

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