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Hikkim Post Office with Himalayan mountain backdrop in Spiti Valley.jpg

Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office

A small Spitian village at roughly 4,400 metres, home to a working post office that has been stamping postcards from the top of the world since 1983

Village~4,400 mKaza · ~16 kmMay to OctPost office since 1983

What makes it special

Hikkim is a small Spitian village in the high desert above Kaza, roughly 16 km off the main road and sitting at around 4,400 metres. There are about a hundred residents, a few stone houses, barley fields, and a single low building with a faded blue board outside that reads "Post Office Hikkim". That post office is why almost everyone comes up here. It has been functional since 1983, run for most of those years by the same postmaster, Rinchen Chhering, who became something of a folk figure for handling mail at altitude that most courier services would refuse to touch. India Post operates it as a regular branch office, so the postcard you stamp here moves through the same network that delivers mail anywhere else in the country, just slower. A card sent from Hikkim can take anywhere from one week to a month to reach an Indian address. Foreign destinations take longer, occasionally much longer. Honestly, the visit itself is short. You drive up, stamp a few postcards, take a photo with the board, maybe sit for a cup of tea at the small cafe across the path, and move on to Komic or back to Kaza. The reason it feels worth the detour is partly the post office and partly the drive itself, which loops you through some of the highest inhabited country in India. Treat it as a 30 to 45 minute stop, not a destination, and the place delivers exactly what it promises.

Is Hikkim worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already doing the Langza Komic Hikkim loop from Kaza. The post office is the genuine reason to stop, the drive itself is the bonus. Skip it only if you have severe altitude symptoms or no real interest in sending a postcard.

How much time do you need at Hikkim?

Thirty to forty five minutes is enough. Stamp your cards, photograph the post office board, drink a tea, leave. Lingering longer at this altitude rarely pays off, and there is little else to do in the village itself.

Can you send postcards to your home country from here?

Yes. It is a regular India Post branch and accepts mail to anywhere India Post has a delivery agreement, which covers most countries. Allow two to six weeks for international delivery, sometimes longer. Reliability is decent but not guaranteed. Address clearly and use waterproof ink.

Have a question about Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office?
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Quick facts

Everything you need to know at a glance

At a glance

Altitude
Around 4,400 m / 14,400 ft (sources vary, often quoted between 4,330 and 4,440 m)
Location
Spiti sub division, Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh
Nearest town
Kaza, around 16 km
Best season
Mid May to early October, generally
Post office hours
Generally weekdays roughly 10 AM to 4 PM, often shut for a midday break and on Sundays. Hours can shift, confirm locally
Entry
No fee. Postcard plus stamp typically costs about ₹20 to ₹50, foreign mail more
Time needed
30 to 45 minutes as part of the high villages loop
Post office operational since
1983
Effort
No real walking, altitude is the genuine factor

On the ground

Mobile network
BSNL and Jio occasionally flicker, often nothing usable. Treat it as offline
ATM
None at Hikkim. Nearest reliable ATMs are at Kaza
Fuel
No fuel at Hikkim. Tank up at Kaza, the only reliable pump for a long way
Food
A small cafe near the post office serves maggi, thukpa, momos, tea and coffee. Limited menu, slow cooking
Washrooms
Very basic, at the cafe. Nothing on the road up
Parking
Open ground near the post office, easy on weekdays, tighter midday in July
Permits
Indian travellers do not need a permit. Foreign nationals should check current Inner Line Permit rules for the wider Spiti and Kinnaur route, rules can change
Drones
This is a sensitive border region. Follow current civil aviation rules and avoid flying near villages or the post office
Walking inside
Flat, but the altitude makes even a short walk feel longer

Seasonal weather

May to mid Jun
16°0°
Late spring
Jun to Aug
18°5°
Summer
Sep to mid Oct
12°-3°
Autumn
Nov to Apr
-2°-25°
Winter

Suitable for

CouplesFamiliesSeniorsSoloFirst-timersPet-friendly

How to reach Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office

4 approach routes with seasonal access

From Kaza

Generally motorable mid May to October, snow can shut the upper road in winter
DistAround 16 km
TimeAround 45 minutes to 1 hour
Road
Tarred for most of the way, narrow uphill stretches near the village

The standard direct approach. Drive out of Kaza, climb past the Sakya Tangyud monastery, and turn off for the Hikkim road. Most travellers do not visit Hikkim alone, they fold it into the Langza, Komic, Hikkim loop, which takes around 5 to 6 hours total with stops. A small car manages in dry conditions, an SUV makes the climb easier on the engine.

Fuel stop: Tank up at Kaza, no fuel anywhere on the loop

From Kaza, via the Langza Komic Hikkim loop

Mid May to October
DistAround 35 to 40 km loop
Time5 to 6 hours including stops
Road
Mostly tarred and narrow, some rough sections

The version most day visitors actually do. Drive Kaza to Langza first, around 14 km, photograph the big seated Buddha, then climb on to Komic for the monastery and lunch, then drop 4 km down to Hikkim for the post office, then back to Kaza. Counter clockwise also works and is sometimes better for crowd timing. Either way, send the postcards from Hikkim before driving back.

Fuel stop: Kaza only

From Manali via Kunzum and Kaza

Late May to early October
DistAround 215 km from Manali
Time10 to 12 hours, do it across two days
Road
Mountain road with rough patches and two high passes

This route crosses the Atal Tunnel, drops into Lahaul, climbs over [Kunzum Pass](/places-to-visit/kunzum-pass), then enters Spiti via Losar and Kaza. Sleeping a night at Kaza before driving up to Hikkim is non negotiable. Going from Manali to Hikkim in one shot is how people end up with proper altitude sickness.

Fuel stop: Manali, then Kaza. Long stretch in between with no reliable fuel

From Shimla via Kinnaur

Generally open year round, with weather based closures
DistAround 445 km
Time2 to 3 days, with overnight halts
Road
Mostly tarred, narrow and exposed in stretches through Kinnaur

The longer, body friendly approach. Shimla to Narkanda or Sarahan, then Kalpa, Nako, [Tabo](/places-to-visit/tabo-monastery), then [Kaza](/places-to-visit/kaza). Spend a night each at lower altitude stops. Visit Hikkim on day 4 or 5 once your body has settled in. This is the route we recommend for first time Spiti travellers.

Fuel stop: Shimla, Rampur, Reckong Peo, Powari. Last reliable fuel before Kaza is at Powari

Best time to visit

Season-by-season breakdown to help you plan

Recommended
Late spring
Mid May to Jun

Roads open, post office back to regular hours

Temperature
Around 10 to 16°C day, 0 to 5°C night
Roads
Manali side opens late May to June, Shimla side usually open
Crowds
Low to moderate
Postcards
Stock and stamps usually available

Roads from both Shimla and Manali open up by late May to early June. The post office runs regular weekday hours, the cafe is back, and the high villages loop is in good shape. Mornings are still cold, nights below 5 degrees. Solid window for first time Spiti visitors.

Summer
Jul to Aug

Busiest stretch, midday queues at the counter

Temperature
Around 12 to 18°C day, 5 to 8°C night
Roads
Both sides usually open, watch for landslide closures on approaches
Crowds
High between 10 AM and 1 PM
Postcards
Stock can run out, carry your own from Kaza

Spiti sits in a rain shadow but the roads in from Kinnaur and Manali can be hit by landslides during the plains monsoon. Hikkim itself stays mostly dry. Day trippers fill the loop between 10 AM and 1 PM. The post office can have a queue and sometimes runs out of postcards. Arrive before 10 AM if you can.

Recommended
Autumn
Sep to mid Oct

Cleanest light, fewest queues

Temperature
Around 8 to 12°C day, minus 3 to 3°C night
Roads
Generally open through September, Manali side may close mid October
Crowds
Low
Postcards
Stock generally fine, fewer people at the counter

If you care about photography or quiet, this is the window. Crowds drop, the air gets sharper, and the contrast between brown ridges and cobalt sky becomes ridiculous. Nights start dropping below freezing by late September. A proper down jacket is not optional. Roads from Manali side may close suddenly with early snow in mid October, watch the dates.

Winter
Nov to Apr

Snowbound, post office often shut for days at a time

Temperature
Around minus 5 to minus 2°C day, minus 20 to minus 25°C night
Roads
Manali side closed. Shimla side open with frequent blockages, upper road to Hikkim often shut after snow
Crowds
Almost none
Postcards
Post office often closed, do not plan around it

The Manali approach via Kunzum closes for the year. The Shimla side stays open with frequent disruptions. Hikkim itself is often cut off after heavy snowfall, the upper road can be impassable for days. The post office sometimes shuts during the worst of winter. Most homestays in nearby villages close. Temperatures drop to minus 25 at night. Only for properly equipped winter travellers.

Things to see & do

7 experiences at Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office

1

Send a postcard from the world's highest post office

20 to 30 minutes
The whole reason you came. Walk in, ask for stamps, write your card at the small counter, and hand it across with the postage. The postmaster usually adds the location stamp himself, which is half the souvenir. Carry a fine tip pen, the counter has very basic supplies. Address every card clearly and in waterproof ink, the journey is long. Allow one to four weeks for delivery within India, longer abroad. Keep one card for yourself, addressed to your own home, it is the kind of thing you will smile at when it shows up a month later.
2

Photograph the Post Office Hikkim board

10 minutes
The blue and white board outside the building is the photograph everyone leaves with. Late morning light is harsh, early morning or late afternoon is softer. Be polite about queueing for it, especially in July when small groups all want the same shot. Avoid blocking the door, it is a working post office, not a photo set.
3

Stop for tea at the small cafe near the counter

30 minutes
A tiny cafe operates near the post office in season, often called the highest cafe in the area, though similar claims sit nearby in Komic. Maggi, thukpa, momos, hot tea, and very slow coffee. Water boils slow at this altitude, expect a wait. Order, sit on the bench outside in the sun, do not rush.
4

Visit the small village monastery and chortens

20 to 30 minutes
Hikkim has a small village monastery and a cluster of whitewashed chortens at the edge of the settlement. It is not an A list gompa like Key or Tabo, but a quiet 20 minute walk through the village shows you a working Spitian hamlet rather than just a postal counter. Walk clockwise around the chortens. Leave the prayer flags alone.
5

Combine with Langza and Komic on the standard loop

5 to 6 hours from Kaza
The natural shape of the day. Kaza to Langza for the seated Buddha and the fossil ground, up to Komic for the monastery and lunch, down to Hikkim for the post office, back to Kaza. Counter clockwise, with Hikkim first, often has fewer queues at the counter. Most groups do this in roughly 5 to 6 hours including stops.
6

Vote and walk the high election trail (context only)

Reading, not an activity
Hikkim is also widely cited as having one of the highest polling stations in the country, set up during election seasons. There is nothing to see outside an election period, but the fact tells you something about how India runs administration even at 4,400 metres. Worth knowing if you are the kind of traveller who likes the small civic story behind a place.
7

Sit on a low wall and just look

20 minutes
The view from Hikkim opens out across the Spiti valley toward the ridges around Kibber and Key. There is no formal viewpoint, just a few low stone walls at the edge of the village. Find one, sit, breathe slowly. The wind picks up after midday, layer up if you stay past noon.

Know before you visit Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office

Essential information for planning your visit

Nearby attractions

Other places worth visiting nearby

Komic VillageAround 4 km · 15 min
Komic Village
A small Spitian hamlet at roughly 4,587 metres, often promoted as the highest motorable village in the world, with a fortress style Sakya monastery on the canyon edge. Always done as part of the same loop with Hikkim.
Explore
LangzaAround 7 km · 25 min
Langza
The fossil village at around 4,400 metres, with the large seated Buddha statue overlooking the valley. Marine fossils from the old Tethys Sea floor are still found here. Pairs naturally with Hikkim and Komic on the standard high villages loop.
KazaAround 16 km · 45 min to 1 hour
Kaza
The main town of Spiti and the only sane base for visiting Hikkim. ATMs, fuel, cafes, homestays, and the only proper medical care for a long way around.
Explore
Key MonasteryAround 25 km · 1 hour from Hikkim via Kaza
Key Monastery
Spiti's largest and most photographed gompa, stacked on a hill above the Spiti River at roughly 4,166 metres. Usually visited on a separate morning from Kaza.
Explore
Kibber VillageAround 28 km · 1.25 hours via Kaza
Kibber Village
Another high Spitian village at around 4,270 metres, known as a snow leopard spotting base in winter. Often combined with Key Monastery on a separate day from the Hikkim loop.
Chicham BridgeAround 30 km · 1.5 hours via Kaza and Kibber
Chicham Bridge
Often described as one of Asia's highest suspension bridges, spanning a deep gorge near Kibber. Quick 15 to 20 minute stop if you are already heading up to Kibber.
Jispa
Jispa
A quiet Lahauli village at around 3,200 metres on the Bhaga river, where the camping is the point and the Manali to Leh highway runs right through
Explore
Mud Village
Mud Village
The last village in Pin Valley at around 3,810 metres, where the road ends and the trekking trails take over
Explore
Losar Village
Losar Village
The first village of Spiti from the Manali side, at around 4,080 metres, where the cold desert really begins
Explore
Gue Mummy Monastery, Spiti Valley
Gue Mummy Monastery, Spiti Valley
A 500 year old self mummified monk in a glass case, in a tiny village above the Spiti River near the Indo Tibet border
Explore
Langza Village
Langza Village
A small Spitian village at roughly 4,400 metres above Kaza, known for its giant seated Buddha overlooking the valley and the marine fossils scattered across its slopes
Explore
Kibber Village
Kibber Village
A high Spitian village at roughly 4,270 metres above the Spiti River, base for the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and the only realistic place in India to try and see a snow leopard in winter
Explore
Dhankar Monastery & Lake
Dhankar Monastery & Lake
A thousand year old fort gompa clinging to a cliff above the Spiti and Pin rivers, with a quiet alpine lake an hour's climb above it
Explore

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Frequently asked questions about Hikkim

Hikkim sits at roughly 4,400 metres, about 14,400 feet, though figures across sources vary between 4,330 and 4,440 metres. Treat any specific number as a close approximation. Either way, it is one of the highest inhabited villages in the world that has a functioning post office.

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