Hello and welcome to the forum!
What is the route from Shimla to Kalpa/Kaza like?
The distance between Shimla and
Kalpa is about 250.4 kms. You'd have to drive at least 8 hours to reach Kalpa. Here's the route you have to take:
- Shimla > Rampur > Sarahan > Sangla > Chitkul > Kalpa
From Shimla to Sarahan, road conditions are good. Roads are mostly paved and smooth as well. You won't encounter any problems but I suggest filling up the tank of your vehicle in Sarahan or in Jeori. After Sarahan, expect bad road conditions and you'd have to drive carefully. Roads can be round and in damaged conditions.
Now, let's go to Kaza. The distance between Shimla and
Kaza is about 451 kms which can take you 11 hours of travel time. You can take the same route as above:
- Shimla > Rampur > Sarahan > Sangla > Chitkul > Kalpa >Nako > Tabo > Kaza
The same road conditions apply here. After Sarahan, expect unpaved roads and steeper curves. Otherwise, another route you can take is:
- Shimla > Rampur > Wangtu > Karchham > Espillo > Khab > Nako > Chango > Sumdoh> Tabo > Dhankar > Kaza
From Shimla to Karchham, there's not much problem in the road conditions. Some are even wide enough for two vehicles to pass through. When you get to Espillo, it can get pretty challenging. You might encounter bad patches with rocks or unpaved roads. Since the route is uphill, you will also encounter zig-zag roads. It gets easier from Khab although the roads aren't as wide like Wangtu. From Tabo to Kaza, roads are in good condition as well.
Would you suggest any other places or routes other than the ones I have mentioned?
Other places near Shimla I can suggest are:
- Thanedar. This is just 80 kms away from Shimla. You mentioned that you'd like to explore a place where you can relax and Thanedar is just that. You can enjoy apple picking or just enjoying the view of the lake here. It's the best place to unwind and enjoy nature. Attractions here include: the Tani Jubbar Lake, the Apple Orchards and the Nag Devta Temple.
- Kasauli. This is about 70 kms away from Shimla. This isn't overly crowded like other tourist destinations. My favourite attractions here are the Sunset Point and the Monkey Point.
- Narkanda. If you'd like a little bit of adventure, consider Narkanda. It's not as commercialised as Kullu and Manali but it's a great place for skiing too. You can also visit the Hattu Peak here which offers amazing views of the mountains.
- Triund. An offbeat destination for trekking. The snow here is quite lovely as it's pure and almost untouched. Attractions here are: the Triund Hill and the Lahesh Cave.
- Chanshal Pass. This is just 180 kms from Shimla and is a great alternative to the Rohtang Pass. The view from the Chanshal Valley is amazing.
Would it be easy finding accommodation during the peak season if I don't prebook?
It's better if you prebook as Himachal Pradesh is quite a tourist destination and you'll find accommodations fully booked in peak seasons. You might end up not having many options if you don't prebook in advance.
I hope this helps!
P.S.
I do think visiting Kaza and Kalpa at least once in your life is a must. The views from the trek are amazing and beyond comparison to other routes. Make sure you time your visit during the summer months though, from May to June. Peak tourist season is from June to October. Avoid November and December as the roads can be dangerous during these months. Good luck!
