Finally the news that everyone had been waiting for is official; and it has been long overdue. Rohtang Pass was first declared open in early April and since then; the speculations were that the Manali Kaza route too would get open in April itself. But then the spell of late snowfalls throughout the month of April and May changed everything. Rohtang was opened and closed multiple times and no one knew by when it will finally be declared open completely for tourists. The word however now is official. Finally Manali Kaza road opens for tourists and HRTC too resumed its Manali to Kaza bus service.
Tourist season actually never really ends in Spiti valley. Of the two roads connecting it to the rest of the country; the road from Shimla remains open throughout the year. There could be times when the road many get blocked if the weather turned extreme and it snowed heavily but even then; the authorities clear it just as soon as they are able to. So you can actually be there in all 12 months. The road from Manali however remains open for only about 5 months a year after Rohtang and Kunzum Passes have been freed of snow.
Manali Kaza Road Opens
But in many ways, it is actually the Manali Kaza road that marks the beginning of tourist season in Spiti as well when it gets declared open. Much of it I think attributes to the fact that this is the only time when Spiti circuit can be completed; or else you would have to go back to Shimla from Kaza.
Also read: How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley – Complete Travel Guide
Please be advised however that the road condition right now is not at its best. There is about 2 to 3 feet of snow at Rohtang top; and the snow walls at several places are up to 10 to 15 feet high. Please practice caution if you are planning to drive on your own to Spiti valley via Manali.
I hope the information above was of help. If you have any further questions; please feel free to ask in the comment section below and I will be glad to answer. Alternatively, you can also post a query at our Community Forum and either I or any other member would assist in any way that we can.
17 comments
Hi vargis bhai…wgat kind of clothes we need inspiti valley. Is there any reqirement of wollen clothes. In day period t shirts r sufficient or no? Plz suggest..aaj paking karni h..
With regards
Hello Vargise ji
We are overwhelmed with your detailing of such amazing trips….
We are a couple wanting to cover LEH and spiti circuits simultaneosuly in 13 days
Kindly suggest if it is possible ( enough days to cover all)
Planning to cover leh/ladakh and spiti circuit between 1st june and 13 june.
1st june manali
2nd & 3rd – manali to leh with 1 night halt
4th local leh night stay
5th nubra valley night stay
6th leh night stay
7th pangong lake night stay
8th leh night stay
9th & 10th leh to chandratal lake with 1 night halt in between
11th kaza night stay
12th kalpa night stay
13th shimla drop
All transfers through private taxi…
I would also like to know if we can go like hitchhikers… suggest us if we can go like extempore without a planned travel and planned accomodation but our duration remains same . max upto 14th june.
I have been reading your blog ever since I started planning for a family trip to Leh, The trip is just round the corner. To say that the blog is good would be an understatement. Thanks for all the information that you pack in so nicely, throwing in a bit of your own experience at appropriate junctures.
We are six in all, with one child who is 8 years old. This is the cause of my worry.
We are taking the Manali-Leh route. Its a road trip and we move like Delhi-Chandigarh(only this by train)-Manali (1 day)-Keylong (1 day)-Sarchu (1 day)-Leh —-and then we keep going back and forth from Leh to visit Pangong and Nubra. Staying at Nubra for one day but not at Pangong.
I have been to Leh. I know what AMS is like but the rest dont. Should I have taken the Srinagar road? Your first choice for a road trip seems to be that… Is acclimatisation any better through that way? I hope I am not putting my family to any additional hardship by panning the way I have planned.
My anxiety levels are all time high.
Hello Dr. Bharti, Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it. How are you planning to travel from Manali to Leh? The only change I will recommend to your plan is to avoid staying at Sarchu. This place is at quite a high altitude and majority of the travelers suffer from AMS here and at Pang as well. From Manali, move to Keylong or Jispa, start really early the next day and go straight to Leh. Leh is at a lower altitude than Sarchu and then Nubra valley is even lower so you will be fine there.
All points noted. Sarchu stay would be avoided. We are travelling in a hired innova throughout. Driver knows the terrain well. Doctor has suggested diamox, a few experienced travellers like you, have suggested raw garlic clove…taking cloves for the time being.
Would you suggest oxy cyliners…just in case?
Hello, sir amazing content. Just wanted to know how can we book our bus tickets from Manali to Kaza? is there an online booking? and how much prior should we book if it is an offline booking?
Hello Mr. Trivedi, There is no booking system available. You will have to board the bus on the spot.
Thanx vargis bhai for information…is chandartal trek open now? If any difficulty too reach there .kindly tell.
Yes Karam Bhai. The trek and road to Chandratal are both open but it will take another week to 10 days before the camp sites are operational.
Thanx bhai. We will reach there on 7 th of june. I think then will be ok everything
Yes, by 7th June it will definitley be.
Thanx bro
You are welcome Bhai !!!
WOW
Kab ja rahe ho?
Excellent!!!!
When are you plannign to go Bhai?