Every summer, the Manali to Kaza road status becomes the most searched Spiti update in India. And for good reason. This route depends entirely on Kunzum Pass, the rough Batal-Gramphu stretch, snow clearance by BRO, water crossings, and weather that can change in an hour. None of these things follow a fixed calendar.
If you are reading this, you are probably asking one question: can I actually drive from Manali to Kaza right now? This guide gives you the honest answer based on the latest verified information, explains what the current status really means for your vehicle and travel style, and tells you what to do if the route is not fully ready.
Last verified update: June 1, 2026.
As of June 1, 2026, the Gramphu-Kaza-Sumdo highway via Kunzum Pass is open for light 4x4 vehicles. BRO completed snow clearance from both sides in the second half of May 2026, restoring basic connectivity after more than six months of winter closure. This follows the pattern set by recent years: in 2025, Kunzum opened on May 24 for 4x4 vehicles; in 2024, the opening came in the first week of June.
However, the official Lahaul-Spiti district road status page at hplahaulspiti.nic.in still lists Keylong to Kaza as closed. That page has not been updated since March 2026. Ground-level reports from drivers and tour operators confirm the highway has reopened. This source conflict is normal for this region and means same-day verification is essential.
This is a restricted early-season opening, not a normal tourist-friendly opening. The Gramphu-Batal stretch remains rough with broken patches, water crossings, and loose gravel. Normal cars, first-time drivers, and family travellers should not treat this as a casual green signal.
The Chandratal diversion road is expected to clear by early to mid-June, but should be treated as closed unless a same-day local update confirms it is passable. Camps near Chandratal are not yet operational as of today.
Talk to our Himachal team on WhatsApp for a same-day ground check before you leave Manali.
The safest way to read the current Manali to Kaza road status is to break it into segments, because each section behaves differently.
Manali to Sissu via Atal Tunnel: Open and straightforward. The tunnel bypasses Rohtang Pass entirely, making this the smoothest part of the drive.
Sissu/Koksar to Gramphu: Open. Paved road through the Lahaul Valley. This section is usually comfortable.
Gramphu to Batal (~47 km): Open for 4x4 vehicles but rough. This is the toughest stretch on the entire Spiti circuit. Expect broken road surfaces, loose gravel, active stream crossings, and slush from snowmelt. Water crossings are lowest in the morning before 10 AM and become deeper and faster by afternoon as the sun melts snow higher up. This stretch alone can take 4 to 5 hours in early season.
Batal to Kunzum Pass: Open for 4x4 vehicles. High and exposed. Possible snow patches and black ice in early season. Weather can change rapidly at this altitude.
Kunzum Pass to Losar to Kaza: Open. The Kaza side is generally in better condition than the Manali side. The road improves as you descend toward Losar and Kaza.
Chandratal diversion (Batal): Not confirmed open. The 14 km diversion road from Batal toward the lake typically clears one to two weeks after Kunzum opens. As of June 1, this stretch is in the transition window. Camps are not yet operational. Confirm separately before attempting.
This is where most travellers get confused, and we deal with this every season.
The official Lahaul-Spiti district road status page at hplahaulspiti.nic.in still shows Keylong to Kaza as closed. The page was last updated in March 2026. Meanwhile, multiple news reports and ground-level confirmation from drivers confirm the highway has reopened for 4x4 vehicles in late May 2026.
The BRO also completed the Manali-Leh highway connection on May 12, 2026, with the annual Golden Handshake ceremony at Sarchu. This confirms that snow clearance operations across the region are on schedule this year.
When the official page and news reports differ, the only safe approach is to verify on the day of travel. Check district updates, Lahaul-Spiti Police at 01900-222226, local taxi drivers in Manali or Kaza, or our Himachal team at Travel Coffee. Do not rely on a single source, especially if that source is more than three days old.
When the update says 4x4 only, it means the route is not yet ready for normal tourist traffic. In our experience, this is the most misunderstood phrase in Spiti travel.
It is not recommended for sedans, low-ground-clearance hatchbacks, nervous drivers, late afternoon starts, or night driving. Even experienced travellers should carry warm layers, food, water, a proper spare tyre, and enough fuel to reach Kaza without depending on any refuelling stop between Manali and Kaza.
If you are confused by mixed road updates, message our Himachal team before finalising your route: Talk to our Himachal team
Kunzum Pass opened for the 2026 season in late May after BRO cleared snow from both the Gramphu and Kaza sides. The Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu highway via Kunzum is now functional for light 4x4 vehicles. This is the annual milestone that signals the beginning of the Manali-side Spiti season.
For reference, recent opening dates have been: 2025 — May 24 (4x4 only initially, wider access about two weeks later); 2024 — first week of June; 2023 — late May to early June; 2022 — May 3 (an unusually early opening). The Atal Tunnel, operational since October 2020, has shifted opening dates roughly two to three weeks earlier than the pre-2020 pattern because BRO no longer needs to clear Rohtang Pass first.
But this does not mean Kunzum is comfortable for every tourist vehicle. The pass sits at around 4,551 metres or 14,931 feet. At this altitude, weather can change in minutes. A clear morning can turn into a whiteout by afternoon. Snowmelt creates slush and water on the road surface that refreezes after sunset.
Kunzum receives heavy snow through winter and usually blocks the direct Manali-Spiti connection for five to seven months. The official district travel page says the Kaza route via Rohtang, Batal, and Kunzum can close from around October or November till June or July because of Kunzum Pass closure and heavy snowfall.
BRO works from both sides to clear the snow, but the timeline depends on snowfall volume, equipment availability, and weather windows. This is not a construction project with a deadline. It is manual work in extreme terrain.
The Kaza-Losar side of Kunzum can become motorable earlier than the full Manali to Kaza crossing. This confuses many travellers. Hearing "road open till Kunzum from the Kaza side" does not mean "Manali to Kaza is fully open." The bottleneck is usually the Gramphu-Batal stretch on the Manali side, not the Kaza side.
If you are already in Kaza and want to check whether you can exit via Kunzum toward Manali, ask local drivers in Kaza. They know the condition of both sides before any website updates.
Start early. If you are crossing from Manali, leave by 5 to 6 AM. If from Kaza, leave by 6 AM. Water crossings and slush become more difficult later in the day because snowmelt increases as the sun warms the mountainsides. The difference between a 9 AM crossing and a 3 PM crossing can be the difference between manageable and dangerous.
Avoid late afternoon and night driving at all costs. Our team has seen travellers stranded at Batal because they started too late and hit water crossings that were fine at 9 AM but impassable by 3 PM.
If you are planning a Spiti circuit that includes this crossing, our Spiti Valley tour packages are designed around safe routing and proper timing.
Most travellers focus on Kunzum Pass when they search for Manali to Kaza road status. But in our experience running this route for years, the roughly 47 km Gramphu-Batal stretch is what actually decides whether the drive feels safe or stressful.
This section passes through narrow valleys, glacial streams, and loose rock terrain. It can have loose stones, deep mud, slush, broken road surfaces, active stream crossings, and slow-moving traffic. When one vehicle gets stuck at a water crossing, the entire road can back up for hours. BRO has divided the road widening project into four sections and work is in progress, but at 4,000+ metres, improvements are slow.
After Gramphu, the road changes character completely. The relatively comfortable Lahaul-side drive transforms into a rough high-altitude mountain track. Potholes, gravel, and missing road sections are standard. The surface quality can change every few hundred metres.
Do not trust Google Maps timing for this section. The app might show 2 hours. The reality in early season can be 4 to 5 hours for the same stretch. Every traveller we have sent on this route comes back saying the same thing: the Gramphu-Batal stretch took twice as long as expected.
Low-ground-clearance vehicles can scrape on rocks, get stuck at water crossings, struggle on slush, and create delays for everyone behind them. If the update says 4x4 only, a sedan should not attempt the road. This is not about being cautious. It is about the road literally not being designed for low cars in this condition.
In our experience, ground clearance matters more than confidence on Spiti roads. A ₹8 lakh sedan with a brave driver will get stuck where a ₹6 lakh Bolero passes without slowing down.
This is the most sensible vehicle category during a restricted early-season opening. Mahindra Thar, Force Gurkha, Toyota Fortuner, Scorpio, and similar vehicles handle the terrain well.
Still, same-day verification is essential. Start early. Drive with an experienced driver if you are not confident on mountain tracks. No night driving, no exceptions. Carry enough fuel to reach Kaza from Manali without depending on any roadside pump.
Experienced riders may consider the Manali-Kaza route only after local confirmation that the road is dry and passable. Riding gear, waterproof layers, warm gloves, a puncture kit, spare clutch cable where applicable, and basic tools are non-negotiable.
Water crossings on a loaded motorcycle are a serious challenge. Loose gravel at altitude is different from city riding. And the altitude gain from Manali at 6,000 feet to Kunzum at nearly 15,000 feet in a single day can cause exhaustion and poor judgment.
First-time Himalayan riders should avoid this route during restricted opening. Wait until July or later when conditions are more settled.
Avoid until the road is clearly open for normal traffic and local drivers confirm that the Batal-Gramphu stretch is stable. This is not a suggestion. It is practical advice based on what we see every season.
We have received calls from travellers stranded in sedans at Chhatru with scraped undersides and no mobile network. That is not an adventure. That is a preventable problem.
The route from Manali goes through the Atal Tunnel (or via the old Rohtang road when open), then through Sissu or Koksar in the Lahaul Valley. From there you continue to Gramphu, where the road branches. One branch goes toward Keylong and Leh. The other climbs toward Chhatru, Chhota Dhara, Batal, Kunzum Pass, Losar, and finally Kaza.
The Atal Tunnel helps you reach Lahaul much faster than the old Rohtang crossing. But it does not make Kunzum Pass or the full Manali-to-Kaza route open all year. The tunnel bypasses Rohtang, not Kunzum.
If you are looking at a comfortable stopover before the rough sections, Sissu is a good option for an overnight halt. Many of our travellers use Manali as the base and break the drive into two days.
The practical Manali to Kaza distance is around 180 to 200 km via the Atal Tunnel route. The official district page mentions Keylong to Kaza as around 185 km and Kaza via Rohtang, Batal, and Kunzum as around 200 km.
In real road conditions, travellers should keep 8 to 12 hours for the drive depending on road quality, vehicle capability, traffic at water crossings, weather, and stops. Do not plan this as a 6-hour highway drive. It is not.
Manali and Kaza are the reliable fuel points. Fill your tank completely in Manali before leaving. The next guaranteed fuel is Kaza, and there is nothing reliable in between.
Batal and Chhatru are basic seasonal stop areas with chai stalls and sometimes dal-chawal. Do not depend on them without confirmation. They may or may not be operational in early season. Carry snacks, water, and warm clothing even if you are going in June.
HRTC bus service: During the open season (typically June to October), HRTC runs daily buses from Manali to Kaza. Buses depart around 5:00 to 6:00 AM from Manali and reach Kaza by 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The fare is approximately ₹400 to ₹600 per person. There is no advance booking system for this route; it is first-come, first-served at the bus stand. Verify with HRTC before travel, as the service depends on road conditions being stable enough for buses.
Chandratal should be treated as closed as of June 1, 2026, unless a same-day local update confirms it is open. The Batal to Chandratal diversion road is expected to clear by early to mid-June, following the pattern where the diversion opens one to two weeks after Kunzum. Camps near Chandratal are not yet operational and are expected from mid-June onward.
Even when Kunzum starts opening and the main highway begins restricted movement, Chandratal can still remain inaccessible. The diversion road from Batal toward the lake has separate snow, slush, and stability issues.
The Chandratal road is a roughly 14 km diversion from the main highway near Batal. It branches off into a narrow, unpaved track that can remain buried, waterlogged, or unstable well after the main highway opens for 4x4 movement. BRO clears the highway first because it connects towns. The diversion to a lake is lower priority.
For the full seasonal breakdown on Chandratal access, our Chandratal 2026 opening guide covers it in detail. And if you are curious about whether Chandratal technically sits in Lahaul or Spiti and why that matters for route planning, our Chandratal location guide explains it.
Treat Chandratal as a bonus, not a guarantee. For families, honeymooners, and first-time Spiti travellers, we suggest planning the trip without depending on Chandratal unless local teams confirm it is open and camps are running.
If conditions align and the diversion road is clear, you can add it. If not, you have not wasted your trip. Our Best Selling Summer Spiti Circuit with Chandratal is designed with Chandratal at the end specifically so it can be added or skipped based on real-time conditions.
When the Manali side is restricted, confusing, or open only for 4x4 vehicles, the Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route is the safer planning choice. It gains altitude gradually over three to four days. It does not depend on any high-altitude pass. And it has proper towns along the way for fuel, food, and stays.
The Shimla side can also face landslides, shooting stones, or weather-related closures, especially in the Kinnaur rockfall zones. But it is generally more predictable than the Manali side in early June.
The Manali route is now possible after same-day verification with a 4x4 vehicle. But flexibility is essential. Kunzum-side weather can change overnight, and a road that was passable yesterday might not be today. If you have locked dates, hotels, and return flights around the Manali exit, you are taking a gamble in early season.
The recommended direction is Shimla entry, Manali exit via Kaza and Kunzum. But only when Kunzum is clearly stable and the full Gramphu-Batal-Losar stretch is confirmed safe.
If the Manali side is restricted or uncertain, do a Shimla entry and Shimla exit instead. You still see the full Spiti Valley. You just skip the Kunzum crossing, which in restricted season is a trade-off most travellers should happily make.
Our Kinnaur tour packages cover the Shimla-side route with proper acclimatisation and safe stay options.
Manali to Kaza via Kunzum is not practical in March and April. Kunzum, Batal, and Gramphu remain under snow or active clearance work. BRO typically begins operations in March-April but the route is far from ready for any tourist movement.
May is a transition month. Early May is closed with snow patches on the road. BRO clearance is in progress from both sides. The Kaza side of Kunzum typically clears first. In 2026, the highway was reopened to 4x4 traffic in the second half of May, consistent with the 2025 opening on May 24. Even after opening, the surface stays rough and a fresh spell of snow can shut it for a few days.
Early June (first to tenth) is still a transition period. The road is open for 4x4 vehicles but conditions are rough. Slush, snow walls, water crossings, and broken patches are common on the Gramphu-Batal stretch. Late June is usually when conditions settle enough for a wider range of vehicles and traveller types. The HRTC Manali-Kaza bus service typically begins operating once the route is stable enough for buses, usually from mid-June onward.
This is usually the most practical window for the Manali-Kaza crossing. Roads are at their most settled, camps near Chandratal are operational, and the full Spiti circuit becomes viable for most vehicle types. That said, monsoon damage, water crossings, and landslides can still affect sections unpredictably. August can bring heavier rain risk on the Manali side.
September is often the best single month. Clear skies, stable roads, fewer crowds, and golden-brown landscapes.
Closure risk returns when snowfall, black ice, and freezing nights begin. Kunzum can close suddenly after fresh snow, sometimes within hours. Camps near Chandratal usually wind down around October 10. Do not plan an October trip with a tight schedule. If you attempt it, keep the Shimla exit as your backup.
Before leaving Manali, make sure your vehicle has properly inflated tyres, a functioning spare tyre, and enough fuel to reach Kaza without stopping. Carry warm clothes, water, dry snacks, basic medicines including paracetamol and ORS, and offline maps downloaded on your phone.
Route status should be confirmed through the official district page at hplahaulspiti.nic.in/road-status (check its update date), Lahaul-Spiti Police at 01900-222226, local taxi drivers in Manali, accommodation hosts, or Travel Coffee's local team. Do not rely on a single source. Cross-check at least two.
Start early, ideally by 5 to 6 AM from Manali. Avoid night driving completely. Do not stop too long at high altitude if you are not acclimatised. Never rush through water crossings. Enter slowly, check depth, and cross in low gear. If the water looks too deep or fast, wait for someone who knows the crossing. Water levels are lowest in the morning and rise through the afternoon.
In case of emergency, the district disaster management number is 1077.
For route planning, 4x4 cab help, or a safer Spiti itinerary, message us here: Talk to our Himachal team
Trusting Google Maps timing is the most common one. The app says 5 hours. The road says 10. Google does not account for slush, boulders, water crossings, or the fact that you will stop six times to let oncoming traffic pass on a single-lane stretch.
Assuming Atal Tunnel means Kaza is open is another frequent mistake. The tunnel bypasses Rohtang. It does not bypass Kunzum. These are two different obstacles on two different parts of the route.
Taking a sedan on a 4x4-only route is something we see every year. The outcome is always the same: scraped underside, stuck at a crossing, and hours of stress that could have been avoided by choosing the Shimla route.
Adding Chandratal without checking its separate road status wastes time and creates disappointment. Chandratal has its own diversion road with its own clearance timeline.
Starting late from Manali turns a manageable drive into a dangerous one. Water crossings that were fine at 8 AM become risky by 3 PM.
Ignoring weather after fresh rain or snowfall is risky. Even a cleared road can become unsafe after overnight precipitation at altitude.
Driving tired after an overnight bus from Delhi to Manali and then immediately heading for Kunzum is a recipe for poor judgment at high altitude.
Not keeping a backup route is the biggest planning mistake. If you plan only for Manali-Kaza and it fails, your entire trip falls apart. Always keep the Shimla-Kinnaur route as Plan B.
Spiti circuits designed with safe Manali-Kaza routing, proper acclimatisation, and flexible Chandratal options.
For families, normal cars, honeymooners, and first-time Spiti travellers, the safer choice right now is to wait for a stable full opening (expected mid-to-late June) or use the Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route. This keeps your trip safe, comfortable, and not dependent on a restricted 4x4 opening.
For experienced travellers with 4x4 vehicles and genuinely flexible plans (meaning you can change your exit route if Kunzum closes mid-trip), the Manali route is now possible after same-day verification. But do not lock your return plans around this exit until you have real-time confirmation from the ground.
Chandratal should not be forced into the itinerary until it is clearly open with running camps and a confirmed diversion road. We will be the first to tell our travellers when Chandratal is ready. Until then, plan without it and treat it as a bonus if conditions allow.
Our Rohtang Pass in May guide covers what to expect on the approach side from Manali if you are considering this route.
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