Rohtang Pass to Spiti Valley — Gramphoo to Kaza via Kunzum La and the Chandra River
Kunzum La or go home. It's that simple.
At Gramphoo, 3,280 metres up in Himachal Pradesh, the paved road to Leh splits left and the Spiti Valley track splits right — and that fork is where things get real. The route climbs the Chandra River valley to Kunzum La at 4,590 metres, a high pass marked with a ring of prayer flags and the wreckage of vehicles that underestimated it, then drops into the Spiti Valley and runs 96 km down to Kaza. River crossings on the Chandra are the defining obstacle: the glacial melt runs fast, cold, and entirely unpredictable by afternoon — cross in the morning or don’t cross at all. The track surface swaps between loose rubble, eroded dirt, and stretches of nothing but wet boulders. Landslides close sections without warning and the Border Roads Organisation works continuously to reopen them.
This is Expert territory. A modified 4WD with a snorkel, skid plates, good ground clearance, and a recovery kit is not optional — it’s the price of entry. Altitude sickness is a genuine threat: acclimatise properly in Manali before attempting Kunzum La. Fuel in Gramphoo and Kaza; nothing in between. The route is open roughly mid-June through October depending on snowmelt and monsoon damage — check BRO road status before you move. Inner Line Permit required for areas near the Spiti/Ladakh border. What you get: cold desert silence, ancient Buddhist monasteries perched on cliff faces, a sky above the dust that you genuinely will not see anywhere else.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 96 mi / 155 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15059 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with snorkel and skid plates |
| Nearest town | Kaza, Himachal Pradesh |
| Land manager | Border Roads Organisation / Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Himachal Pradesh Spiti Info Border Roads Organisation Road Status |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Mahindra Thar or Gypsy handle this route, or does it need to be built?
Stock is a hard no. Minimum is a modified 4WD with a snorkel, reinforced skid plates, and load-rated all-terrain tires — the Chandra River crossings can hit door-sill depth and the rocky track to Kunzum La will destroy an unprotected oil pan. A Thar or Gypsy properly built for high-altitude off-road works; a stock SUV does not.
When exactly is this route open and what closes it?
The window is roughly mid-June to mid-October, depending on snowmelt and early winter storms. Kunzum La (4,590 m) is the chokepoint — BRO clears it after Rohtang, and a single early snowfall in September can shut it without warning. Check BRO road status before you leave Manali; conditions change fast.
What permits are required to drive into Spiti Valley?
Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for restricted zones approaching the Tibetan border near Kaza — get it in Kaza or Rekong Peo before pushing deeper. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP), obtained from the District Magistrate office; you cannot self-drive this as a foreigner without it, and checkposts at Gramphoo and Losar will stop you.
What's the hardest section and what specifically makes it dangerous?
The descent from Kunzum La into the Spiti Valley is the crux — loose shale switchbacks with sheer drop exposure, no guardrails, and a surface that turns to greased rock when wet. Combine that with altitude-induced engine power loss above 4,500 m and oncoming truck traffic on a one-lane track, and you're managing multiple threats simultaneously. Take it slow, don't trust momentum, and don't attempt it in rain.
How far is the nearest fuel from Kunzum La, and can I make it on a single tank?
The last reliable fuel is in Manali before you depart; Kaza has a petrol pump but supply is inconsistent and queues can be long. The full 155 km route is manageable on one tank for most 4WDs, but altitude, 4WD engagement, and river crawling burn fuel faster than expected — carry a minimum 20-liter jerry can and top off in Manali before heading to Gramphoo.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.