Bounded by Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges on either side, the Kullu Valley is often referred to as Valley of Gods or Eden of Apple. In old Indian texts such as Brahmand Puran, Brihatsamhita and Markandeya Puran, this area is mentioned as ‘Kul-anta-peetha’, which famous traveler Penelope Chetwode has translated as the End of the Habitable World – as anyone who has stood at the top of the Rohtang Pass, bounding Kullu and Lahul, will understand.

Kullu, once known as Kul-anta-peetha - "the end of the habitable world", is the capital town of the Kullu District, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of Beas (Vyas) River in the Kullu Valley about ten kilometers north of the Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar. Kullu is a broad open valley formed by the Beas river between Manali and Larji. This valley is famous for the beauty and its majestic hills covered with Pine and Deodar Forest and sprawling Apple Orchards. Kullu valley is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan ranges.

Kullu got its first motorable access only after Indian Independence. The long centuries of seclusion have however allowed the area to retain a considerable measure of its traditional charm. The road through the Kullu Valley and Lahaul is now paved all the way connecting, and providing the major access route between the northern Indian plains to Leh in Ladakh.

Area-wise List of Hotels | Guest Houses | Resorts | Restaurants on Kullu's Map

Geography of Kullu

Kullu has an average elevation of 1,362 metres (4,469 feet). The town of Kullu lies on the bank of River Beas. A major tributary to river Beas is Sarwari-Khud, (derived from "Shiv-Baardi") coming from another adjoining beautiful valley called “Lug-Valley” which is less explored and steeper on the west side of Kullu valley. On the east of Kullu lies a broad mountainous ridge having the village-temples of Bijli Mahadev, Mounti-Nag and Pueed. Beyond the ridge lies Manikaran valley, along the Parvati river which joins Beas river at Bhuntar. On the South of Kullu lie towns of Bhuntar, Aut (leading to yet other un-explored places in Anni, Banjar and Seraj Valley). To the north lies the famous town of Manali, which through the Rohtang pass leads onto the Lahaul and Spiti Valley.

How to Reach Kullu:

Kullu is well connected by road to Delhi through NH-21 and NH 1, which goes on to Manali, Rohtang, Lahaul & Spiti and Leh and is claimed to be world's highest motorable road. Leading up to Kullu from New Delhi are the towns of Panipat and Ambala in Haryana, Chandigarh (a Union Territory), Ropar in Punjab, and Bilaspur, Sundernagar, and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Kullu is not easily approachable by Train (rail). The nearest broad gauge rail heads are at Chandigarh (~270 km), Pathankot (~300 km) and Kalka (~320 km). The nearest narrow gauge railhead is at Joginder Nagar (~110 kilometres).

The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is about 10 km from Main Kullu Town. Currently, Kingfisher Red operates daily nonstop air-line services from Delhi.