Kinnaur district, surrounded by Tibet to the east, Lahaul & Spiti district in north and Shimla district in south-west, lies in the northeast corner of Himachal Pradesh. The region has three high mountains ranges i.e. Zanskar, Greater Himalayas and Dhauladhar, enclosing the valleys of Sutluj, Spiti, Baspa and their tributaries. The slopes are covered with thick wood, orchards, fields and picturesque hamlets. The famous Shiv Ling lies at the peak of Kinner Kailash mountain. The old Hindustan-Tibet road passes through the Kinnaur valley along the bank of river Sutluj and finally enters Tibet at Shipki La Pass.

In the ancient mythology the people of Kinnaur are known as Kinners (halfway between men and gods). The people of Kinnaur have strong religious beliefs and follow Buddhism and Hinduism. The Kinners believe that the Pandavas came and resided in the land while in the exile. Thousands years old monasteries still exist in the area. Both the Buddhists and Hindus live in perfect harmony symbolising the traditional brotherhood and friendship of the people of both the faiths. The apples, chilgoza and other dry fruits are grown here are world famous. Beautiful trekking routes includes the 'Parikarma of Kinner Kailash'. Here is also the Beautiful Nako lake and three famous wild life sanctuaries.

Climate: Due to the Geographical conditions Kinnaur has long winter from October to May (the snowy season) and Summer from June to September. From April to May is Spring and September to October is Autumn. Only the Baspa valley, lower region of the Sutluj valley and the area south of the Great Himalaya receives monsoon rains, while in the upper areas monsoon showers progressively decreases.

Access: Reckong Peo, the district headquarters of Kinnaur is 235 km from Shimla. National Highway NH-22 is the most convenient road network to Kinnaur. For those who can afford it, taxies are the best way to travel in Kinnaur. Buses ply regularly, except in winter and early spring when road conditions impose long breaks. There is one direct Bus service from Shimla to Kaza plying on the Sutluj route, which takes 24 hours. Other services go to Nichar, Sangla and Pooh. While driving to Kinnaur is a very thrilling experience, safety precautions need to be taken. With road blocks and slides possible in winters and rainy seasons it is advisable to get information about the road condition and then start the journey. The other route from Manali-Kaza-Reckong peo remains closed in winter and spring.

Best Time to Visit: April to October

Clothing: Summers in Kinnaur requires light woolens; while very heavy woolen clothes are required in the winter season.

Adventure Tourism: Kinnaur has tremendous scope of adventure tourism. There are many trekking routes in the district. Ski slopes are available at Kalpa and rock climbing can also be done. In ancient times people walked through the dense., untouched forests and they walked across unknown passes and mountains in search of grazing grounds and game. Numerous passes connect the two valleys across the range. These passes have legends and even today they are mysterious,  and challenging. The valleys have some of the most interesting meadows, view points, lakes and lush green pastures to add to its beauty and mystery. Chir, deodar, blue pine, rhododendrons and junipers covers its slopes up to 11,500 ft numerous tiny colourful birds dwell in the forest.

Tourist Information Centre: The information regarding tourism can be gathered from the Tourist Information centre located at Deputy Commissioner Office, Reckong Peo.

Permits for Foreigners: Permits for foreigners visiting Kinnaur are available from the various Offices. These offices include the office of MHA Govt of HP; DM Concerened/ITBP/Spl. Commissioner (Tourism), Govt. of HP/ Resident Commissioner HP, Delhi/DGP, HP, Shimla. The places open for tourists under PAP include Poo, Khab, Sumdo, Dhankar, Tabo Gompa, Kaza, Moorang, Dabling.

History: Kinnaur, became a district of Himachal Pradesh on 1st May, 1960. Earlier it was known as Chini tehsil of the former Mahasu district. Chini tehsil covered the entire Kinnaur valley beyond Wangtu which was created in 1891 by the then ruler Tika Raghunath Singh. Thus 1891 onwards Chinni tehsil continued to be in existence with its vast area beyond Wangtu uptill 1960. Before that, Kinnaur valley was a part of erstwhile Bushahr State which had its headquarters at Rampur.

The area between Sutluj, its tributaries and Baspa up to Mansarover lake was under the rule of Thakurs from very early times, under the overall suzerainty of Mauryan and Gupta kings. The Thakur of Kamru annexed nearby territories by force after the fall of the Kanauj Empire and laid the foundation of the state of Bushahr. The consolidation and addition of territories of the Bushahr state continued. The Thakoorais of Dulaitoo, Kurungoloo and Kuaitro were annexed about Samwat 1611. Raja Chatar Singh who brought the whole area of the erswhile Bushahr State under his control, was considered most virtuous ruler during his reign.

A descendant of Raja Chata Singh, was Kehri Singh. Raja Kehri Singh was known for his bravery. His successors were not of the same mettle. It is said that one Raja Ram Singh made Rampur his capital in place of Sarahan and Kamru. During his reign a series of contests began with the Raja of Kulu and Bushahr had lost the territory of Seraj. It seems that the territories which were annexed by Raja Kehri Singh became free during the weak rule of Raja Rudra Singh. But his successor Ugar Singh took them over by force.

Immediately after the death of Raja Kehri Singh, the Gurkhas attacked Bushahr. The minor ruler and his mother fled to Namru leaving behind a rich treasury at Sarahan. The Gurkhas looted the treasury and completely destroyed the records of the state. The tract between the Sutluj and Yamuna came under British protection by the treaty of 1809 between Ranjit Singh and the British Govt. The British defeated the Gurkhas on 15th April, 1815. On the conclusion of the Gurkha war Raja Mahendra Singh was granted a sanad on 6th November,1815. It gave Khaneti and Delath thakurais to Bushahr and a part of Rawin, which was a Distt. of the state was transfered to Keonthal, Kumharsain was constituted a separate Thakurai.

From the foregoing account it would appear that during the princely days Kinnaur valley acted as a bulwark to the Bushahr state. However with the lapse of paramountcy, the Kinnaur then known as Chini tehsil was merged to form a part of then Mahasu district. The pargana Atharahs Bish comprised of village Nichar, Sungra, Kangos, Ponda, Baro, Bari, Tranda, Chaura village with patwar circle at Ponda. The Paragana Bish consisted of the revenue estates of Nathpa, Kandhar, Barakamba, Chhotakamba, Garshu and Rupi with patwar circle at Rupi were in Rampur tehsil.