Yulla Kanda Trek takes you to 3,895 metres (12,778 ft) in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district, home to the world’s highest Lord Krishna temple perched on a sacred frozen lake surrounded by the majestic Kinnaur Kailash ranges. This 11–12 kms easy-to-moderate day trek from Yulla Khas village explores mythical Pandava legends, alpine meadows, Brahamkamal flowers, and offers an extraordinary spiritual experience particularly during Janmashtami celebrations when the temple opens for just one day annually.
Trek Details, Difficulty, Duration, Distance, and Altitude
The Yulla Kanda Trek is an easy-to-moderate trek in the Rora Valley of Kinnaur, above Kalpa and Reckong Peo, leading to the Yulla Kanda Temple at 3,895 metres (12,778 ft). Surrounded by a circular alpine lake and colourful prayer flags, the temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during their exile and opens only on Janmashtami, when thousands of pilgrims gather for celebrations. The 12 kms round-trip trek is usually completed over 3–4 days and involves gradual climbs through forests and meadows, with a moderately challenging final ascent covering nearly 38,000 steps. The trail is suitable for beginners with good fitness, day trekkers, and spiritual pilgrims. During the trek, you may also spot the rare Brahma Kamal and vibrant Himalayan alpine flowers blooming at higher altitudes.
Trek Route Map and Trail Information
The main route follows: Delhi/Rampur → Tapri → Yulla Village → Base Camp → Yulla Kanda Lake & Temple → Yulla Village → Tapri → Rampur → Delhi.
You’ll cross beautiful Kinnaur villages and dense forests. The forest stretch is roughly 3 kms. From base camp to the temple, the hike is approximately 45 minutes. The trail passes through scenic valleys with waterfalls. You’ll find a sign board marking the left side going to Zula village, with Anganbaadi and Janmashtami Marg nearby.
Starting Point and Trek Base Camp: The trek officially starts from Yulla Village, which is accessible by local transport from Tapri. The base camp is the mid-way camping spot, which is the only camping spot allowed. No camping is permitted at the lake or temple area.
How to Reach Yulla Kanda
By Air: The nearest airport is Shimla Airport (Jubbarhatti), about 240 kms from Tapri. From the airport, hire a taxi or take a bus to Shimla, then continue to Tapri and Yulla Khas.
By Rail: The nearest broad-gauge railway station is Kalka, around 230 kms from Tapri. From Kalka, travel by road via Shimla to Tapri, then take a local bus or taxi to Yulla Khas.
By Road: Yulla Khas is the trek’s starting point and is well connected to Tapri by local buses and taxis. From Delhi or Chandigarh, take an overnight Volvo/HRTC bus to Rampur or Shimla. Continue by HRTC bus towards Reckong Peo, get down at Tapri, and take a local bus or taxi to Yulla Khas. You can also travel directly by road from Shimla or Rampur to Tapri before heading to the trek starting point at Yulla Khas.
Itinerary for Trek
Three-Day Standard Itinerary
Day 1: Chandigarh to Tapri
Take an overnight bus from Chandigarh and reach Tapri early in the morning the next day. Sleep through the journey and save on accommodation costs.
Day 2: Tapri to Yulla Khas to Base Camp
Start immediately after reaching Tapri. Take a local ride to Yulla Khas village and begin your trek early. Trek 8 kms through forests, waterfalls, and valleys to reach the base camp by evening. Sunset views from here are absolutely amazing. Stay overnight in camps (approximately ₹1,000 with food). This is the only camping spot allowed.
Day 3: Base Camp to Yulla Kanda Temple to Yulla Khas to Kalpa
Start early in the morning and trek 4 kms to Yulla Kanda Temple. After darshan at the sacred temple, try to descend early to the base camp. Reach back to Yulla Khas the same day and head towards Kalpa (31 kms). Spend your night in Kalpa.
Day 4: Kalpa to Return
Wake up to the magical view of Kinnaur Kailash. Enjoy the sunrise, explore Kalpa village, and then start your return journey.
Two-Day Budget Itinerary: Skip Kalpa overnight and return directly from Yulla Khas to Tapri on Day 3.
Trekking Essentials
Carry warm clothes including thermal innerwear, fleece jacket, and padded or down jacket for higher altitudes. Pack trekking shoes with waterproof options if possible, and extra socks. Bring a good quality raincoat as weather changes quickly. Pack water bottles, light snacks, protein bars, and dry fruits for energy. Carry power bank, battery, and light for trekking. Bring basic medicines including ORS, altitude sickness medicine, and bandaid for emergencies.
Essential items include fruits, dry fruits, chocolate for energy, extra pants and socks, and a backpack. Airtel and Jio network work in the region, so mobile phones are useful for photography. Trek in a group for safety. Do not carry single-use plastic water bottles.
Best Season to Visit Yulla Kanda Trek
The best time to visit Yulla Kanda is from May to October. May–June offers pleasant weather (15–20°C during the day, 3–8°C at night) with lush green trails, while September–October brings crystal-clear skies, spectacular mountain views, and cool temperatures (8–15°C by day, dropping to -2–4°C at night in October). Janmashtami (usually in August) is the most special time to visit, as the temple opens and thousands of pilgrims gather for celebrations, though monsoon rains and crowds are expected. Avoid July and most of August due to heavy rainfall, slippery trails, and landslide risks. The trek remains closed in winter as heavy snowfall blocks the road to Yulla Khas and buries the trail under snow.
Places to Visit Near by Trek
- Kalpa: 31 kms from Yulla Khas, offering magical views of Kinnaur Kailash. Enjoy the sunrise and explore this beautiful village.
- Tapri: The transit point with better accommodation options. Good for overnight stay.
- Reckong Peo: Gateway town to Kinnaur district with bus connections.
- Chitkul: Famous last inhabited village near Indo-China border, accessible from Kinnaur.
- Rampur Bushahr: Historic town with ancient temples and cultural significance.
- Kinnaur Kailash: Sacred mountain range visible from Kalpa, offering stunning vistas.
Permissions Required for Yulla Kanda Trek
No special permits are required for Yulla Kanda as it’s not in a protected area. However, respect local customs and the temple’s religious significance. The temple is open only on Janmashtami, and you must visit on that day for darshan. Book accommodation in Tapri or Rampur well in advance during Janmashtami due to thousands of pilgrims visiting.
Survival Hacks
- Start the trek from Yulla Khas by 4:00 AM to comfortably reach the temple and return before evening.
- Descend early from the summit, as weather can change quickly in the afternoon.
- Pace yourself throughout the trek, as the complete ascent and descent involves nearly 38,000 steps.
Other Important Information
- Budget: Expect to spend ₹4,000–7,000 per person, including transport, local travel, camping, accommodation, and meals.
- Homestay: Mountain View Homestay, Yulla Village is a convenient stay option.
Conclusion
Yulla Kanda Trek offers a unique blend of spiritual pilgrimage and Himalayan adventure, it is more than just a trek, Yulla Kanda that weaves mythology, spirituality, and majestic mountain landscapes in one trip. It is one of Himachal Pradesh’s hidden gems with snow-covered peaks, tranquil environment, and an unforgettable experience at the world’s highest Krishna temple.
By: Anushka Singhal
