Valleys of Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh create a centre of attention to the global tourists. In Kinnaur district, Sutlej River passes through the Himalayan chain and runs through the centre of Kinnaur. The four major valleys of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh to the southeast and east are listed below -

Baspa Valley
The Baspa valley is considered as the loveliest and most beautiful of all the Himalayan valleys. Many travellers have visited this valley, for it is connected to Garhwal in the south by some famous passes which have been crossed from time immemorial.

The main passes are as follows -
* Buran Ghati: Sanga to Pabar gad
* Rupin Ghati: Sangla to Rupin gad
* Nargah Ghati: Sangla to Nargani khad
* Singha Ghati: Mastarang to Supin gad
* Khimloga Pass: Chhitkul to Supin gad
* Borasu Ghati: Nagasti to Har-ki-Doon
* Lamkhaga Pass: Upper Baspa valley to Harsil

All these passes offer possibilities for trekking, climbing small peaks and of grand views. There are also two major passes which lead to Tibet. The famous one is the Yamrang La (5570 m) and a little to its south is the Gugairang La. For mountaineers the upper Baspa valley offers a lot by way of shapely peaks. Generally they are all around 5600-5900 m with about five peaks rising above 6000 m and the highest up to 6227 metres. Many have passed through this valley but the climbing history is brief. Col Balwant Sandhu led an expedition here in the year 1976 which climbed a peak north of Sui Thatang. Another visitor was Jack Gibson on two trekking visits the Yamrang La was visited in 1978 and Soli Mehta crossed the Lamkhaga pass with Maj JungalwalLa, in 1966.

The I.T.B-P have been in the area for many years, and some officers have written warmly and authentically about it.12 But the two reported climbs in the Baspa valley which include the three high peaks north of Dunthi have, unfortunately, no accurate written record. A good road branches off at Karchham to Sangla. It is extended further to Rakchham, and Sushung khad, four km short of Chhitkul. Buses ply regularly up to Sangla and sometimes further up to Shushung khad. In a year or two the road should reach Chhitkul.

Tirung Valley (Tidong)
This valley north of Baspa has close connections with the Baspa valley across the Charang Ghati (5242 m). It runs in the east to the Khimokul La (Gunrang La) and Tibet. A jeepabte road leads from Morang to Thangi. Ahead, the road is being constructed to Charang. Thangi has been used as a starting point to attempt the peaks in the Kinnaur Kailash range. It also gives access to Phawararang (6349 m) which has been climbed a few times. Northeast of Thangi lie two shapely peaks, both on the Tirung-Gyamthang divide.

Kinnaur Kailash Range
There are three peaks to consider. First is Kailash (6050 m), seen from Kalpa near the Shivling-shaped pillar which is the real Kinnaur Kailash, and worshipped as the holy summit. Finally there is Jorkanden (6473 m), the highest peak of the massif, often mistaken for Kinnaur Kailash. Jorkanden has received various attempts and ascents. After the recce by P. R. Oliver in the year 1931, it was attempted by the Indian Army in 1964, 1967, 1972, and finally in the year 1973 by Major D. K. Khullar. The first ascent was made in the year 1974 by the I.T.B.F, which was followed a month later by the Army. Since then, it has been climbed by the Indian Army again in the year 1978.

Gyamthang Valley (Nisang)
A relatively unknown valley to the north of Tirung Gad is approached from Kanam. It leads to the Raniso pass (into Tibet) and has one major peak the 6063 metres high Gang-chha. Further to the east lies Gang Chua (6288 m). It was climbed in the year 1974 by an Army team from the Hojis Lungba valley to the north. To the north of this there are no mountains of great height till the Shipki La and the gorge of the Satluj and its meeting with the Spiti River north of Puh.

Leo Pargial (Hangrang valley)
This peak at 6791 m is a high landmark north of the Shipki La on the Tibetan border, and has attracted mountaineers for many years. It was first climbed by Marco Pallis and C. B. M. Warren in the year 1933. It was attempted several times by the Army, and climbed by them in 1967, 1975 and 1980. The I.T.B.P. made the third ascent in the year 1971. The peak has been frequently attempted by civilian parties and was climbed twice in the year 1982. Its principal approach is from Nako and another route has been receding from Chango.

These major valleys of Kinnaur district have been climbed and explored several times.