Batseri is a small village located in Sangla Valley of Kinnaur district in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Owing to the delicious varieties of apples, Kinnaur is sometimes referred to as the ‘apple district of Himachal.’ It is among the lesser-known tourist places but amongst the most beautiful ones.
At a height of 2700 meters, Sangla is all about snowcapped jaggy mountains, forested slopes and a beautiful valley. Not to forget the majestic emerald Baspa river that surges through the valley. It is best suited for nature-centric experience, walking treks to explore the pristine and unmatched creation of God.
In my current blog, I will take you all through the nitty-gritties of planning a trip to the apple district of Himachal. It is one of the most ideal destinations for those who would like to explore more and get away from busy city life.
Sangla Valley is located at a distance of 214 km from Shimla, while Batseri is situated 7 kilometers from the main town of Sangla. It is approximately an 8-12 hour drive from there. However, due to the rough terrain, it is advised to stop at Sarahan. The road to Sangla is highly dangerous with narrow cuts for several kilometres. So, if you’re driving or riding yourself, exercise caution.
Batseri Village: An Overview
| Location |
| Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Topography |
| Green valley, orchards, snow-covered and arid mountains |
| Best time to visit |
| March-October |
| Accommodation |
| Kinner camps/ banjara camps |
| Cost for a 5-day trip |
| 10-15k (appx.) |
How to Reach Batseri Village?
For reaching Batseri, one needs to arrive at Sangla first. For those who would like to travel by bus should get off at Reckong Peo, connected by almost all the major cities of Himachal. From here, take a bus to Sangla. However, it is advised to take tourist cabs as it would be difficult to find conveyance on your way back. Furthermore, it is not expensive (appx. 1000-2000 INR) – best suitable for backpackers and a budget-friendly trip.
Stay at Sangla
Staying at the Banjara/Kinner camps is really fun. They have tried to provide us with as many luxuries as possible. However, one may find it difficult to take a bath with the chilling water. The people who run the camp are very hospitable, and try to make your stay as comfortable as possible. There are various activities at the camp. Apart from that, they can guide you and assist you for various treks in and around Sangla.
Food should be the last concern. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian, they ask you personally what you would prefer in the meals. Fresh apple wine prepared from the famous Kinnaur apples, are also available at the camps, which is a must-try. It is served in beer bottles, and it’s great to enjoy the wine with a bonfire at night.
Apart from the buffet food available at the camp, one can even go to the main town to eat at dhabas. There are small Tibetan food joints where you can try thupka-a local soup, noodles, momos etc. Each and every item having their own different flavour and taste.
A hot bowl of thukpa against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains is one of the most comforting things ever. Thukpa is a Tibetan noodle soup, which is now popular in parts of Nepal, and the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, etc.
River Baspa and the Bridge
The walk to Batseri village starts from the camp. On the way, comes a picturesque wooden bridge, beneath which the white currents of river Baspa gushes out. It is an ideal spot to sit down, ponder and appreciate the beauty of nature, undisturbed. The sunset and sunrise view from this bridge is absolutely breath-taking. Watching the sun change its colours from calm and golden to a submerging violent pink sun, and finally sinking into the Baspa river is priceless. The bridge then leads to an enchanting trail with pine, fir and cypress -the alpine species.
Batseri Village
This village is unlike any other Indian village. It is beautifully romantic and scenic. Set amongst a backdrop of towering snowcapped mountains are small apple orchards with small sloping roofed wooden houses, adorning the village. These houses have an ancient carved wooden door, each of them so different and pretty that one feels like posing and clicking in front all of them. They are magnificent in their own unique way. Adding more to the rustic beauty of this little known place, is the gravelled path with pebbled walls on either side, guarding those little houses, straight out of a storybook.
Apples are widely grown in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Not only can you see trees with apples hanging, but can also binge on the crispy fruit, or enjoy apple-based products like wines and juices. Apple cultivation in Himachal supports the income of a large number of locals. A large amount of the produce is also exported to other states and countries around the world.
The People of Batseri: Amiable, Friendly and Warm
Kinnauris are amiable and greet everyone with a warm friendly smile. The kids, especially are really interesting to talk to. Their livelihood mainly comes from the apple cultivation. They are very hardworking and most of the population here is engaged in some of the other work, no matter how menial it is. The kids can be seen playing football in the evening, and you are free to join and play with them.
What is most striking and rare about this small settlement is the cleanliness and education. It is spick and span, the people here are very particular about it and in case you do drop something, they might especially ask you to pick up the litter or do it themselves. Language isn’t an issue here; they not only understand Hindi but can converse in English too.
Kinnauris are amiable and greet everyone with a warm friendly smile. Kids can be seen playing football or cricket in the evening, and you are free to join and play with them. It’s wonderful to see how they manage to have fun with even a bare minimum – like these makeshift stumps in the photograph. There’s so much to learn from the locals, and their minimalistic way of life.
Shops
There are a few handicraft and grocery shops in the Batseri. One can purchase souvenirs from here. I particularly purchased paharitopi – a traditional and beautiful handicraft. Bargaining a lot is of little use – most of the shops have fixed rates.
For the ones who are more adventurous and love to explore, can follow the trail into the forest, and enjoy tranquillity amongst the fragrant deodar and pine trees. There is also an old ruined temple, whose history is less known. Going deep into the forest is not advisable, in the light of wild animals.
Travel tips for First Timers at Batseri
Advisable to go with an experienced driver, the roads to Sangla Valley are very narrow and dangerous
Make sure to carry portable chargers for the journey, there are frequent in and out of electricity. Also, there is only one charging point in the rooms.
A beautiful stream on the way to Batseri. Most of the time, water from such streams is safe to drink. This is because the water if flowing, and thus free from impurities. However, if you have your doubts, get it confirmed by the locals before drinking it.
This small district, Batseri is a magical place to visit, while exploring this village one completely loses track of time. In the end, I would sum up my experience with just one word- supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!
Happy wayfaring 🙂
