About us

THE GRAND SHAMBA-LA SINCE 2010

On 14th of October 2010 The Tibetan style front doors of
“The Grand Shangri-la” ( The Grand Shamba-la ) 
Hotel in Kalpa were opened during a ceremony.
The 9th Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, named “His Holiness Cheogon Tenzin Choe-Ki-Gyatso”
Inaugurated and blessed the Hotel and its future guests at that day.
From that day on, both valued international & domestic guests, as well as Buddhist Lamas from the world, stay in this small paradise on earth, On The same location In 2015.

The Grand Shangri-La” was changed To “The Grand Shamba-La”And Now it has been upgraded with Yeti Explorer – The Himalayan Kitchen offers an array of treats that are as unique as their ambience and decor. Explore lip smacking options at our Multi-cuisine Restaurant with Buffet in Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. You can also unwind with your favorite cocktail at our recreation bar. What’s more, we have also snuck in “Traditional Himachali Food” and assure you have a great time at our Restaurant.

Yeti Sports Bar
At our Sports Bar, For movie and Documentary, guests can enjoy drinks while watching, We have installed Monitor of 11th series powered by Anthem MRX 720 Amplifier which gives you Versatility & Elegant touch of technology with its the most Advanced Technologies while being there.
Yeti Retreat – Meditation Hall, here you can Practice Meditation to develop a peaceful mind in the calm & silent ambient, valley view, direct Sunlight. We have installed here Bose Lifestyle 535 Sound Touch for world class sound.

Though there are a number of dance forms popular in the state, but Chham Dance performed in Kinnaur, counts amongst the favorites of the tourists. We arrange cultural group dance on demand for our guests where they can find the essence of deep culture, traditional costumes.

The Hotel was founded by the two brothers venerable Nawang Rapsel and Chhonjor Gyatso (later referred to as “the two brothers”), who were born in 1928 and 1934 in Tibet, in a small village near Lhasa.

Both were elected by an Oracle to be among the eight direct disciples of 8th Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche. When the Chinese invaded Tibet in January 1959,
Buddhist Masters and Buddhist monks were not safe any more in their own country. That is why the brothers started a tough escape in February 1959 through the Himalayan Mountains together with their Master. With them were also Ga Rinpoche and Khamptrul Rinpoche with their disciples, forming a group of 42 people.
After 30 days the group safely arrived in Calcutta together with their Lamas on the backs of horses.

The Buddhists living in the Kinnaur area were earlier used to go to Tibet frequently to attend their Master’s teachings. Lama Sonam Dupke was heading the Buddhist society in the Kinnaur area by that time, and he lived then in Lippa. When he heard the group fled from The Dechen Choekhor Monastery in Tibet to Calcutta India, he immediately invited the Masters to stay at the Lippa village, together with their 42 disciples. There the masters and their disciples built up a new life.

In The 10th century, the Buddhist Hu-Bulakhang Monastery was built in the Kalpa village, most likely by Lotsava Renchen Zangpo. Unfortunately, the Monastery was burned down in 1959 due to an accident with a butter lamp. Because the Buddhists from Kalpa lost their place to pray and receive Buddhist teachings, they went to Lippa from that moment, where the 8th Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche with his disciples was located since their escape from Tibet.

The 8th Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche ordered the two brothers to build a new Gompa in Kalpa after his death. So as ordered, the two brothers moved to Kalpa together in 1966 and during seven years, they put huge effort, love and devotion in building the new Gompa and a gigantic Prayer Wheel. They were helped by workers from Bhutan and by Tibetan Lamas for making the Thankas (paintings) and the statues of the Buddha of Avalokitesvara and Guru Rinpoche.

In the late 70s, Chhonjor Gyatso got married. He and his wife built a new house in Kalpa, near the place where the Gompa was built. They were then blessed with one daughter and two sons. Since the remote Kinnaur area did not have many places to stay for the travelling Lamas, Chhonjor Gyatso wanted to build an accommodation to host Lamas and the 9th Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, the reincarnation of his predecessor who passed away in 1966.

“WITH SINCERE MODESTY IN OUR HEARTS AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE ARE GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO WELCOME YOU IN OUR HOTEL”