Spiti Valley Road Condition in Pictures

by Vargis.Khan

One of the questions that I get asked the most about a road trip to Spiti valley is the condition of the roads there; and this question gets asked in several ways. Some people want to know how bad the roads are; what do I mean when I say bad; can they take a hatchback or sedan for Spiti trip; or which part of the section is worst. I have explained this in words multiple times but then thought to share some pictures rather. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so here are a few pictures of Spiti valley road conditions. Take a look and this should give an idea of the road you are about to travel on and whether or not you should take a hatchback or Sedan here.

Starting from Shimla, up until Jeori you can expect a flat smooth road but after Jeori, it just keeps getting worse. Between Reckong Peo and Puh, this is how the road mostly is.

After Puh and until Nako, the road is a mix of good and bad. Some stretches are super smooth and some are really bad.

Road starts to deteriorate again after Nako. This is a pic of Malling Nallah, just after Nako that you will have to cross.

After Nako and until Kaza, the road is a mix of good and bad. After Kaza, it is just bad, bad and bad; no matter which direction you go in. Below is a picture of how the road is between Losar and Kunzum Pass.

After Kunzum Pass, there is a diversion that takes you to Chandratal on a 14 kilometer long. Below are two pictures of how this road is, barely wide enough for one car.

The worst part however is between Batal and Gramphoo. By far, this is the worst road that I have ever been on. There are numerous water streams on the way; some of which are quite deep for a hatchback or Sedan to cross.

This would be me getting across a rivulet.

spiti valley road conditions

The Indica in one of the pictures I shared above was stuck trying to cross the rivulet.

Conclusion

I hope these pictures of Spiti Valley road conditions were helpful. In the end, it all depends on your riding and driving skills. Whether or not you should take a hatchback or Sedan depends on how good you are at wheel. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below or at our community forum and I would be glad to answer.

 

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38 comments

Ish January 12, 2019 - 5:53 am

Hi Vargis,

Thanks for sharing the pics and other relevant information.

I am planning to visit valley on a Innova with my daughters who are 14 years old in April is it safe to take them along on this journey.

Regards
Ish Bali

Reply
pankaj June 18, 2018 - 11:29 am

HI Vargis, although everything is answered above…still have some questions to be 100% sure…

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 18, 2018 - 1:48 pm

Hi Pankaj – Let me know what your questions are brother

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Vaijayant Paliwal May 22, 2018 - 6:41 pm

How are two cars supposed to cross together on the road to chandertal? Is it even possible?

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Vargis.Khan May 22, 2018 - 8:12 pm

You will have to find a spot to cross. Usually you can spot the car from a distance and if you find a spot wide enough, then you wait there till the other vehicles arrives and crosses you.

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Vaijayant Paliwal May 23, 2018 - 4:32 pm

Okay, am planning to go there on 2nd June if roads open by then. Thanks for the lovely info you have here.

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Vargis.Khan May 23, 2018 - 5:03 pm

It is already open.

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sanjay tyagi September 5, 2020 - 4:41 am

Hello dear, depending on the road conditions, should we take this trip to Chander tal by bus or try by my ford Figo

Vargis.Khan May 23, 2018 - 5:04 pm

You are welcome .. the road is open already

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Jana November 21, 2017 - 6:09 pm

Hi Vargis. May I know is this the shimla to kaza route? Also which month of the year was the photos taken? Thank you.

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Vikas G July 24, 2017 - 1:44 pm

Hi Vargis,

This is vikas from Mumbai, i am planning to travel Mumbai to Leh to Mumbai from 21st Sept to 6th Oct. below is the route i am thinking..
Mumbai -Delhi-Shimla-Spiti-Leh-Manali-Delhi-Mumbai.
Please let me if its doable.

thanks Vikas

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Vargis.Khan July 24, 2017 - 3:24 pm

Hi Vikas,

It is doable and you should be able to complete the journey. Just to be on a safer side though, I would recommend that you plan it the other way around. By Sep end and Oct begin, it can snow at Kunzum Pass anytime which will just cause unnecessary delay in your plan. Start from Manali so that you have this covered before there is a risk of snowfall.

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sanjay tyagi September 5, 2020 - 4:59 am

Hello again Vargis,
Further to my earlier question, will Creta petrol suitable for this journey, though I have covered Delhi-SHIMLA-Chitkul by my Figo already. Also please advise can I make this trip in 1st week of October or wait till next June?
Regards

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 7, 2020 - 4:12 pm

Hello Sanjay – Spiti is closed this year for tourism, you will have to plan for 2021. Creta Petrol will be great for the trip though.

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sanjay tyagi September 8, 2020 - 4:31 pm

Thanks a lot Vargis for the excellent advice, you have been a great help.
Regards

Vargis.Khan September 9, 2020 - 5:52 pm

You are welcome Sanjay Bhai

Shivam Agrawal July 21, 2017 - 7:35 am

Hi vargis. thanks for these valauable information and pictures. Actually i am planning a trip to spiti valley in september so please suggest me a suitable itinerary and please also suggest me the travel option by which i should go. 2 people(male) 4ept-11 sept.

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 23, 2017 - 11:17 pm

Hi Shivam – Where are you starting from?

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Karan Hemani June 11, 2017 - 5:12 pm

Now I feel good that I spent extra money and booked a 4×4 Endeavour from Zoomcar for this trip.

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Vargis.Khan June 12, 2017 - 8:58 pm

Good call Karan.

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PRATIK DHAR June 4, 2017 - 6:20 am

Hi Vargis
Any idea on how time will it be neaded from jispa to manali. I have a night stay planned in Jispa and on the very next day I have to board bus at 5 pm from Manali. I will be traveling by bike .so by what time should i start from jispa to reach manali on time

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Vargis.Khan June 5, 2017 - 5:23 pm

Hi Pratik – If you have to board a bus from Manali at 5 PM, then I would recommend that you start from Jispa by as early as 5 AM. That should see you at Manali comfortably by 2-3 PM at most.

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PRATIK DHAR June 5, 2017 - 7:24 pm

Thanks a lot for your inputs

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Vargis.Khan June 6, 2017 - 2:39 am

You are welcome Bhai

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Mohnish June 3, 2017 - 9:08 pm

Could you please advice which car would be proper for the trip

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Vargis.Khan June 3, 2017 - 9:31 pm

Any SUV will do, just avoid taking a hatchback or Sedan.

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saket kumar June 1, 2017 - 10:39 am

Thanks Vargis for the Pictures ! You are correct they speak much more than a thousand words. The pictures above are of which year ? recent or old ?
I drove to Spiti from Shimla route in 2016 January and sangla in Aug 2014 . I would say 20 % or the road after Rampur is pathetic ( could kill a hatchback or sedan in one wrong move ) , another 30 to 40 % is bad (this can be covered slowly to reduce the risk of damage to 0) and another 40 % road is good .

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Vargis.Khan June 1, 2017 - 1:16 pm

These pictures are from last year Saket. And you are absolutely right about the road conditions.

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Alam May 24, 2017 - 1:51 pm

Is it safe and possible to cover the Manali to kaza in one day over the bike??

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Vargis.Khan May 24, 2017 - 2:22 pm

It is definitely doable but will be a long journey so start early from Manali

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Alam May 24, 2017 - 3:12 pm

Dear Vargis, I also wish to rent a bike from Manali… can you help me with that??

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Vargis.Khan May 24, 2017 - 5:17 pm

Hello Alam – Take a look at this post.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/rent-a-motorcycle-in-manali/

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Alam May 25, 2017 - 3:14 am

Thanks a lot!!!

Vargis.Khan May 25, 2017 - 3:27 am

You are welcome

prakash m philip May 23, 2017 - 11:42 am

Thanks for the pictures.. bro

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Vargis.Khan May 23, 2017 - 3:01 pm

You are welcome brother

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CHETAN CHOWHAN May 23, 2017 - 4:19 am

Thanks vargis for post these picture and information about road condition of spiti vally. I also think it is not a good idea to go there with a hatch back or sedan car.

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Vargis.Khan May 23, 2017 - 4:26 am

You are welcome bhai

Reply

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