Kibber

Kibber is a village in Eastern Himachal Pradesh, at altitude of 4,200 m.

The entrance to Kibber village

Understand

Kibber is about 20 km from Kaza and a few kilometer from Ki Monastery. It's one of the highest inhabited village in the world.

Get in

By bus

There is a daily bus from Kaza in the afternoon, returning to Kaza early in the morning. Sometimes shared jeeps are also available.

By taxi

Hiring a taxi from Kaza taxi stand costs ₹600 (2008).

On foot

You could actually hike into Kibber from Karzok in the Changthang Western Lakes region of Ladakh, a 100 km hiking trail through Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary—see trail.

Get around

Walking is the only option.

See

• 1 Kibber Gompa (at the upper end of the village). A new, modern Buddhist monastery. 
• 2 Old temple (in the middle of the village). There are some frescoes and a big prayer wheel inside. 
• 3 Holy source (directly above the village). Marked by prayer flags, this is the spot where the teacher of the Dalai Lama passed away in the 1980s. 

Do

Kibber is a perfect place for short treks around the village, including the following:

• 1 2-3 hr walk to Chichim. A village situated in the opposite slope, across the Parilungbo canyon. Soon there should be a bridge across the gorge, making the walk shorter but less interesting. 
• 2 Tashigang village by Gete village. 
• 3 Dangmachan peak (5,157 m) (directly above the village). The hike is very easy, along highland pastures. The main summit is not directly visible from the village however, making the next fragments of the ascent visible only during the hike. Great views of the 6,000+ m Chau Chau Kang Nilda and Shilla peaks. .
• 4 Parang La (pass) (5,744 m). This woould be the pass that you pass coming from Karzok. (updated Sep 2023)

Buy

There are shops with basic provisions, including bottled water, in some of the guesthouses. Otherwise not much to buy.

Eat

Some guesthouses have restaurants. Norling Guesthouse offers tasty food.

Drink

Norling Guesthouse sells beer.

Sleep

There are several guesthouses.

• 1 Norling Guesthouse (near the entrance to the village). The best place in Kibber with a friendly owner, good restaurant and a great balcony. Rooms on the 2nd floor have bathrooms. Beer available on request. ₹150 for a basic room, ₹350 for a better one with bathroom (hot water from geyser). 
• 2 Serkong Kibber Home stay. A great source of village culture and natural living. Located in the heart of the village. Many comfortable rooms available and some of the most delicious home cooked food in Spiti and beyond. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

• Kaza
• Manali