Kunzum La: Gateway to Spiti Valley

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Experience the breathtaking vistas and spiritual aura of Kunzum La, the high-altitude gateway connecting Lahaul and Spiti Valleys.

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Kunjum La ཀུན་འཛོམ་ལ།

Kunzum La, also known as Kunzum Pass, is a high mountain pass connecting Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh, India. Situated at an altitude of 4,551 meters (14,931 feet), it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas and serves as a spiritual landmark with the Kunzum Mata Temple.

A brief summary to Kunjum La ཀུན་འཛོམ་ལ།

Kunzum, La Pass, Dhar Thachakarpo, Himachal Pradesh, 175140, IN

Local tips

Acclimatize in Manali or Kaza for a day or two before ascending to Kunzum La to avoid altitude sickness.
Carry warm clothes, even in summer, as temperatures can be very low with strong winds.
Stock up on food and water, as there are no eateries at the pass.
Check the road status before traveling, as the pass is subject to closure due to snowfall or landslides.
Pay your respects at the Kunzum Mata Temple for a safe journey.

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Getting There

Driving

From Manali, take the NH3 (Leh-Manali Highway) through the Atal Tunnel towards Gramphu. Turn right onto NH505 towards Batal and ascend to Kunzum La. The road from Gramphu to Batal is unpaved and rough. There are no tolls, but be prepared for challenging conditions. No fuel stations are available between Manali and Kaza, so ensure you have sufficient fuel. From Kaza, travel towards Losar village, and then continue uphill for approximately 18-20 km to reach Kunzum La. The road from Losar is also generally unpaved and rough.
Public Transport

Take the local HRTC bus from Manali to Kaza. The bus typically leaves Manali early morning and reaches Kunzum La in the afternoon. From Kaza, a daily bus to Manali is available, which can drop you at Kunzum La. Reconfirm the bus schedule a day before your travel. Bus fare from Manali or Kaza to Kunzum Pass is approximately INR 300-500.

Discover more about Kunjum La ཀུན་འཛོམ་ལ།

Kunzum La, or Kunzum Pass, is a high-altitude mountain pass in the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas. It acts as a gateway between the Lahaul and Spiti valleys, offering travelers a dramatic transition into the stark beauty of Spiti Valley. The pass is approximately 122 km from Manali and 75 km from Kaza, situated on the Manali-Kaza road. Kunzum La's landscape is characterized by rugged, snow-capped peaks and vast open spaces. The air is thin, and the winds can be intense, creating a high-alpine environment. The pass is usually open from June to September, as heavy snowfall makes it inaccessible during winter. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) clears the snow, typically reopening the pass by mid-June, depending on weather conditions. At the summit, you'll find stupas adorned with fluttering prayer flags and the Kunzum Mata Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kunzum Devi. It is customary for travelers to stop and seek blessings for a safe journey. The pass offers a 360-degree view of the Chandra Bhaga mountain ranges and the Bara-Sigri Glacier. A 12-15 km trek from Kunzum La leads to Chandratal Lake, a high-altitude lake known for its serene beauty.