Rohtang Pass to Spiti Valley — Kunzum La High Crossing via Chandra River
Two passes, zero mercy, infinite reward.
From Manali you climb through the Rohtang Pass chaos (4,051 m) and descend into the Lahaul Valley, then push east up the Chandra River gorge to the Kunzum La at 4,590 m — the gateway into Spiti. The road is a narrow, unmaintained ledge in places, blasted into sheer cliff faces above the Chandra and Spiti rivers. The descent into Kaza via Losar is a 50 km grind on broken river-edge track with multiple unbridged seasonal crossings. Key waypoints include Batal (last fuel and chai before Kunzum), Losar village, and the ancient Kibber road that skirts a cliff above 4,200 m. Snow can close Kunzum La as late as mid-June and as early as mid-October.
A modified 4WD is the minimum — lifted, skid-plated, with MTTs and recovery gear. Altitude sickness is a real risk; acclimatise in Manali before pushing. Fuel is scarce: fill in Manali, carry extra, and top up at Kaza. No ATMs in Spiti until Kaza, and cell signal disappears after Gramphu. The Inner Line Permit for Spiti is required for foreign nationals and obtainable in Manali or Kaza. What Spiti gives you — 10,000-year-old rock monasteries, 4,000 m villages, and roads that feel like the planet is trying to swallow you — is unlike anything else on earth.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Altitude, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 138 mi / 222 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15059 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-clearance with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Kaza, Himachal Pradesh |
| Land manager | Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department / District Administration Lahaul-Spiti |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | HP Tourism official site |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Mahindra Thar or Gypsy handle this route, or does it need to be built out?
Stock Thar or Gypsy will struggle — you need a modified 4WD with genuine high clearance, skid plates, and a snorkel for the Chandra River crossings. Rock sections approaching Kunzum La can bottom out unprotected transfer cases. A well-sorted build with all-terrain tires is the minimum; budget for a recovery kit and carry a spare.
When does the route actually open after winter, and how long is the window?
Rohtang Pass typically opens in late May to early June, but Kunzum La often stays snowbound until mid-June or later depending on the year. The window closes by late October when snowfall returns — aim for July through September for the most stable conditions, accepting that July brings monsoon mud on the Lahaul side.
What permits do you need and where do you get them?
Foreign nationals require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Spiti Valley, obtainable online through the Himachal Pradesh government portal or at the SDM office in Kaza. Indian nationals need a permit for Rohtang Pass (daily vehicle quota applies — book the Rohtang e-pass at rohtangpermits.nic.in before you go). Carry physical copies; checkposts at Gramphu and Losar will ask for them.
What's the hardest section and what makes it brutal?
The descent from Kunzum La (4,590 m / 15,059 ft) into Spiti is the crux — loose shale switchbacks with no guardrails, exposure on both sides, and frequent rockfall. Add in altitude sickness at that elevation and it punishes fast moves and poor acclimatization equally. Take it slow, check your brakes before the descent, and don't run it in afternoon thunderstorms.
Is there any fuel available between Manali and Kaza, and how far apart are the stretches?
The only reliable fuel stop on this corridor is in Kaza at the end — there is no petrol pump between Manali and Kaza on this route. The full 222 km run means you need to leave Manali with a full tank plus a jerry can minimum; most rigs should carry 20–30 liters of reserve. Don't gamble on informal fuel sources in Losar; they're unreliable and expensive.
Trail track
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