World's Highest Post Office, Hikkim

The Hikkim post office is situated at an altitude of 15,500 feet above sea level in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. This post office serves as a lifeline for the local community and is the only means of communication with the outside world for the residents of Hikkim and its neighboring villages.

The post office was established in November 1983 and was the brainchild of Rinchen Chhering, a local postmaster who saw the need for a post office in the remote region. It is a one-room post office that caters to the needs of the local population and tourists who visit the region.

The post office operates for two hours a day and is managed by a single postmaster who also doubles up as the postman. The post office provides basic postal services like sending and receiving letters, parcels, and money orders. It also offers various philatelic products like postcards, stamps, and envelopes.

Visiting the Hikkim post office is a unique experience for tourists who get the chance to send postcards and letters to their loved ones from the world's highest post office. The postcards and letters bear a special cancellation stamp that marks them as being sent from the Hikkim post office.

Overall, the Hikkim post office is a testament to the human spirit of resilience and determination in overcoming geographical barriers and providing essential services to the people living in the remotest corners of the world.

The post office is located in a remote region and serves as a lifeline for the local community.

It is the only means of communication with the outside world for the residents of Hikkim and neighboring villages.

The post office was established by Rinchen Chhering, a local postmaster who saw the need for a post office in the region.

The post office is operated by a single postmaster who also doubles up as the postman.

He manages all the functions of the post office, including sending and receiving letters and parcels.

The post office operates for only two hours a day due to the extreme weather conditions and lack of accessibility to the region.

Visitors to the post office can send postcards and letters to their loved ones with a special cancellation stamp marking them as being sent from the world's highest post office.

The post office is a popular tourist destination, and visitors from all over the world come to visit this unique post office and take pictures.

The post office has become a symbol of human resilience and determination in overcoming geographical barriers and providing essential services to people living in remote regions.

The Hikkim post office is not the only unique post office in the region. There are two other post offices in the Spiti Valley, including one in Komic, which is the highest village in Asia, and one in Langza, which is home to a 1.5 billion-year-old marine fossil.

The best time to visit the Hikkim post office is during the summer months from May to June and from September to October. During these months, the weather is pleasant and the road conditions are relatively better, making it easier to access the remote region.

It is important to note that the Hikkim post office is located at a high altitude of 15,500 feet, so visitors should take proper precautions to avoid altitude sickness. It is recommended to spend a few days in the region to acclimatize before visiting the post office.

Also, visitors should be prepared for the harsh weather conditions in the region, even during the summer months. It is advisable to carry warm clothes, rain gear, and sturdy shoes for hiking in case of sudden weather changes.

Overall, the best time to visit the Hikkim post office is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant, and the road conditions are relatively better.