Manali to Spiti
Manali to Kaza is about 185 km through the Atal Tunnel and over Kunzum Pass (most guides say about 200 km), a long day of 8 to 10 hours. The road is open only from about June to mid-October. It climbs to about 4,551 m in one day, and there is no fuel for about 200 km.
The road
Through the Atal Tunnel to the Chandra valley, past Gramphu and Chhatru to Batal, then up fifteen hairpins to Kunzum Pass at about 4,551 m, and down through Losar to Kaza.
| From Kaza | Stop |
|---|---|
| ~150 km | Gramphu, where the Kunzum road leaves the Leh highway |
| ~86 km | Batal: the turn for Chandratal |
| ~79 km | Kunzum Pass |
| ~57 km | Losar check post |
| 0 | Kaza |
When it’s open
Usually from June to mid-October. The Border Roads Organisation clears it each spring; in 2026 it reopened for 4×4s on 20 May. Snow closed it again on 13 November 2026. Check Is Spiti open? before you set out.
Before you go
- Fuel: fill up in Manali. There is no pump until Kaza.
- Car: high-clearance or 4×4; no sedans.
- Altitude: you climb from about 2,000 m to over 4,500 m in a day. Spend your first night in Spiti resting, or come in through Kinnaur and leave this way instead.
- Vehicle pass: register your vehicle on the e-Aagman portal before entering Lahaul and Spiti.
Quick answers
Is the Manali to Kaza road open now?
Only in summer. Snow closed Kunzum Pass on 13 November 2026, and it usually reopens in late May or June. See our Is Spiti open? page for the latest report.
How long does Manali to Kaza take?
A long day of 8 to 10 hours, over rough road with stream crossings near Chhatru and Batal. Start early.
Can a sedan do Manali to Kaza?
Take a high-clearance car or SUV instead. The stretch around Chhatru and Batal has stream crossings and big stones.
Sources
- Road distances from OpenStreetMap, routed with OSRM, checked 14 November 2026
- How to reach Spiti Valley, Himalayan Brothers
- Shinkula, Baralacha and Kunzum passes closed after snowfall, The News Himachal, 13 November 2026
From our door
Spiti Villa is on Kibber Village Road, just below Key Monastery and 12 km from Kaza: 32 rooms, a glass-walled restaurant, and oxygen on site if the altitude catches up with you. Open all year.