Last updated: 25 May 2026
Spiti status today: Spiti is reachable.
Safest route today: Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza for most regular travellers.
Manali-Kaza status: Reopened via Kunzum for light 4x4 vehicles, but same-day verification is required.
Full circuit status: Possible only if Kunzum, Gramphu-Batal-Losar, weather and vehicle suitability are confirmed.
Chandratal status: Separate from Spiti access. Check Chandratal road status separately.
Yes, Spiti Valley is reachable today, but route choice matters. The answer is not a simple open or closed. It depends on which route you take and what vehicle you are driving.
The Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route is the safest default for most travellers. It does not depend on any high-altitude pass and is usually the more reliable option, especially in early season.
The Manali-Kaza route via Kunzum Pass has reopened for light 4x4 vehicles as per the latest late-May 2026 update. But this does not mean every vehicle can cross safely. Travellers must verify the road on the same morning before crossing.
The full Spiti circuit should not be assumed open for every car. It requires both routes to be safely operational, the right vehicle, stable weather, and confirmed road conditions.
Talk to our Himachal team on WhatsApp for a same-day route check before you start driving.
Shimla to Kaza (via Kinnaur): This route is operational and is the safer choice for most travellers. The road passes through Narkanda, Rampur, Reckong Peo, Nako, and Tabo before reaching Kaza. Kinnaur sections can have rockfall risk, but the route does not depend on any high-altitude pass and is more predictable than the Manali side.
Manali to Kaza (via Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Koksar, Gramphu, Batal, Kunzum, Losar): Reopened for light 4x4 vehicles after around six months of winter closure. Some sections remain slippery from melting snow, restoration work continues at vulnerable points, and heavy vehicles or regular tourist cars should wait for clearer confirmation. Same-day verification is required before crossing.
Keylong to Kaza / Gramphu-Kaza-Sumdo highway: This is the same route as the Manali-Kaza connection. BRO has reopened it via Kunzum for 4x4 vehicles. The official Lahaul-Spiti district page still shows this as closed with a March 2026 update date, while newer news reports say it has reopened. This is a source conflict that requires travellers to check update dates carefully.
Chandratal diversion (Batal to Chandratal): This is a separate 14 km stretch that branches off near Batal. Chandratal access is not the same as Spiti access. Check our dedicated Chandratal road status guide for lake-specific updates.
Inner Spiti village roads around Kaza: Roads to Key Monastery, Kibber, Chicham, Langza, Hikkim, Komic, and Pin Valley are usually easier than the Manali-Kaza route during open season. Fresh snow or local repairs can close individual village roads temporarily, so check in Kaza before heading out.
Chitkul and Kinnaur detours: The road to Chitkul from Sangla is usually manageable when the Shimla-Kinnaur route is open. Road quality varies by season and recent weather.
One thing to understand clearly: open does not always mean safe for every tourist vehicle. A road that is passable for a Thar or a Bolero may not be safe for a sedan or a rented Innova. Road status and vehicle suitability are two separate questions.
This is the question we hear most often. "One website says Spiti is open, another says it is closed. Which one is right?"
Usually both are right, but they were updated at different times.
Newer late-May 2026 reports say the Gramphu-Kaza-Sumdo highway via Kunzum has reopened for light 4x4 vehicles. This is based on news coverage of BRO's clearance operations.
The official Lahaul-Spiti district road status page still lists Keylong to Kaza as closed, with its last update date showing March 20, 2026. That page has not been refreshed to reflect the May reopening.
This is not unusual. Government road status pages in remote districts can take weeks to update. Meanwhile, news outlets report ground changes faster. Neither source is lying. They just operate on different timelines.
Instagram reels, Google Maps, and old travel blogs add another layer of confusion. A reel from September 2025 showing smooth Spiti roads tells you nothing about May 2026 conditions. Google Maps does not account for road quality, water crossings, or the fact that a 4-hour section might actually take 8 hours in early season.
The rule is simple. Always check the date of the source. If it is more than a few days old, treat it as background information, not a live update.
Go with Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza. This route gains altitude gradually over three to four days. Your body adjusts naturally. The road does not depend on any high-altitude pass, and there are proper towns along the way for fuel, food, and stays. You pass through Narkanda, Rampur, Kalpa, Nako, and Tabo before reaching Kaza. Each stop is worth spending time at.
This route avoids the early-season surprises that the Manali side can throw at you: surprise slush, water crossings, closed passes, and rough broken patches that make the journey stressful with kids or elderly family members.
Stick to Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza, and only in good weather with careful driving. The road has paved sections and you can manage it in a sedan if you drive slowly through the rough patches near Reckong Peo and Nako.
Sedans should avoid early-season Manali-Kaza completely. The Gramphu-Batal stretch and the approach to Kunzum are not sedan-friendly at the best of times. In early season, they can be genuinely dangerous for low-clearance vehicles.
Bikers can consider Manali-Kaza, but only after same-day confirmation that the route is open and dry. Water crossings on a loaded motorcycle are a different challenge than in a car. Loose gravel, boulder patches, and the sudden altitude gain from the tunnel side to Kunzum at 14,931 feet demand serious preparation.
If this is your first high-altitude ride, the Shimla side is safer and still gives you a full Spiti experience. The Manali side is the adventure route, not the default route.
You have the most flexibility. Both routes are available to you once confirmed open. In the current late-May 2026 situation, the Manali-Kaza route is specifically reopened for light 4x4 vehicles. High-clearance SUVs like the Scorpio, Bolero, Thar, and Fortuner are well suited.
But flexibility does not mean recklessness. You still need weather confirmation, same-day road checks, and the good sense to turn back if conditions look bad. A 4x4 can handle rough terrain, but it cannot handle a closed road or a washed-out bridge.
Go with a slower Shimla-side itinerary with extra acclimatisation stops. Spend a night at Narkanda or Rampur before climbing higher. Spend two nights in Kalpa or Tabo before reaching Kaza. Avoid newly opened or half-cleared roads entirely.
In our experience, families with senior members who take the Shimla side with one extra buffer day enjoy the trip far more than those who rush through the Manali side. The altitude adjustment alone makes a huge difference to comfort.
Browse our Spiti Valley packages or Kinnaur tour packages for itineraries built around safe routing and proper acclimatisation.
BRO reopened the Gramphu-Kaza-Sumdo highway via Kunzum Pass after around six months of winter closure. The route has reopened for light 4x4 vehicles. This is the annual milestone that marks the beginning of the summer Spiti season from the Manali side.
This improves Spiti access significantly. Travellers and operators who need the Manali side for circuit trips and Chandratal access now have a path. But the reopening does not mean the route is easy or safe for all vehicles.
Some sections can remain slippery in the morning and evening because of melting snow. Restoration work continues at vulnerable points. The Gramphu to Batal stretch is particularly rough in early season, with broken road surfaces, loose boulders, and active water crossings. Heavy vehicles and regular tourist cars should wait for clearer confirmation before attempting this side.
Do not read "reopened for 4x4" as "fully open for everyone." Those are different things. In our experience, the first two weeks after Kunzum opens are the most confusing. Everyone is excited, but the road is still settling.
Spiti roads are not like plains highways. They sit between 10,000 and 15,000 feet. Snow, snowmelt, black ice, rockfall, landslides, water crossings, BRO repair work, and sudden administrative restrictions can all change the status within 24 hours.
A road that was clear at 8 AM can have a landslide blocking it by noon. A pass that BRO clears on Monday can get fresh snow on Tuesday. A stretch that Google Maps shows as a 3-hour drive can take 7 hours after overnight rain.
Late-May weather disruption around Rohtang and higher Himachal is a reminder of why same-day verification matters. The mountains do not follow calendars or travel plans.
This is not meant to scare you. It is meant to prepare you. Spiti trips that go wrong almost always involve a traveller who relied on a week-old road update and found a different reality on the ground. The ones that go well are the ones where the traveller verified the morning they left.
This is the safest default route for most travellers heading to Spiti. It is usually more reliable than the Manali side because it avoids Kunzum Pass entirely. You gain altitude gradually, pass through proper towns, and do not depend on a high-altitude pass being clear.
The route goes through Shimla, Narkanda, Rampur, Reckong Peo, Nako, Tabo, and Kaza. Each of these stops has basic accommodation, food, and fuel (in the case of the larger towns). The drive from Shimla to Kaza takes three to four days at a comfortable pace.
The Kinnaur rockfall zones between Reckong Peo and Pooh are the most notorious sections on this route. Loose rock, narrow passages, and active construction can slow you down or temporarily block the road.
The Mastrang-Reckong Peo belt has ongoing road widening work. Progress improves each year, but early-season construction dust and single-lane sections are common.
Between Nako and Sumdo, the road narrows significantly. This is the transition from Kinnaur into Spiti and the terrain gets more barren and exposed.
Rain and landslide risk in lower Himachal and Kinnaur is real, especially from July onward. The monsoon affects this side more than the Manali side. Build buffer days into your plan if you are travelling in peak monsoon.
This route is best for families, first-timers, sedan travellers, early-season trips, and anyone who wants gradual acclimatisation without the stress of Kunzum Pass. Browse our Shimla tour packages or Kinnaur packages if you want this route handled for you.
This route has reopened for light 4x4 vehicles as per the latest late-May 2026 update. BRO cleared Kunzum Pass and the Gramphu-Kaza-Sumdo highway after the winter closure. Same-day verification is still required because conditions can change quickly.
The route goes through Manali, Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Koksar, Gramphu, Chhatru, Batal, Kunzum Pass, Losar, and Kaza. The Atal Tunnel section is fast and smooth. Everything after Gramphu gets progressively rougher.
Gramphu to Batal is one of the roughest stretches in the entire Spiti circuit. Broken road surfaces, loose boulders, slush from snowmelt, and active water crossings are standard in early season. This section alone can take 3 to 4 hours for 14 km of some of the worst road you will drive on.
Batal to Kunzum climbs through high-altitude terrain with thin air and deteriorating road quality. Altitude sickness can hit here, especially if you came straight from Manali without acclimatisation.
Kunzum to Losar is the final descent into Spiti. The road is better than the Gramphu-Batal stretch, but still rough by normal standards. Loose gravel and narrow sections are common.
This route is best for experienced drivers, bikers, high-clearance SUVs, 4x4 vehicles, and travellers with flexible itineraries who can adjust if conditions change. Browse our Manali tour packages or Sissu packages for trips that include this route when conditions allow.
The full Spiti circuit is possible only when both the Shimla-Kaza and Manali-Kaza routes are safely open. As of late May 2026, the circuit is technically possible for 4x4 vehicles, but regular tourist cars should wait for clearer confirmation on the Manali side.
The recommended direction is Shimla, Kinnaur, Kaza, then exit via Batal or Chandratal side toward Manali. This direction is better because you gain altitude gradually through Kinnaur over several days. By the time you reach Kaza and then push toward Kunzum at 14,931 feet, your body has had time to adjust.
Going the other way, Manali to Kaza, throws you from 6,000 feet to 14,000 feet in a single day. That is how altitude sickness happens.
If you are planning the full circuit in early season, keep the Manali exit flexible. Do not lock hotels and return transport too tightly. If Kunzum closes unexpectedly, you can always return via Shimla-Kinnaur. For Chandratal-specific updates, our Chandratal 2026 opening guide covers the lake access separately.
You will see this road called many things: Keylong to Kaza, Gramphu to Kaza, Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu highway, Manali-Kaza route, or Lahaul-Spiti link road.
They all refer to the same connection between Lahaul and Spiti that runs through Gramphu, Batal, Kunzum Pass, and Losar.
This route depends on Atal Tunnel access from the Manali side, then the road through Sissu, Koksar, and Gramphu before climbing toward Batal and Kunzum. As of late May 2026, BRO has reopened this highway for light 4x4 vehicles.
However, official district data and newer news currently conflict. The district road status page shows an older update. News reports show a newer reopening. This is why the verification date matters more than any single source.
Check both Himachal weather forecasts and Kinnaur road conditions before starting. Delhi to Shimla is roughly 7 to 8 hours by road, and Shimla to Kaza is another three to four days. Do not rely only on Google Maps timing. The app does not account for mountain road quality, construction zones, or altitude.
The Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route is the safer choice from Chandigarh. You can reach Narkanda or Rampur on day one and continue from there. This routing avoids any dependency on Kunzum Pass.
This is the most sensible starting side for most travellers. You are already on the Shimla-Kinnaur route, which is the safest default. Head to Narkanda or Rampur on day one, then Kalpa or Reckong Peo on day two, and continue into Spiti.
Proceed only if Manali-Kaza via Kunzum, weather conditions, and your vehicle type are confirmed. Do not leave Manali for the Spiti side without a same-morning check. Conditions at Gramphu and beyond change overnight.
If you are already in Kaza, local drivers and homestay owners can confirm inner road conditions, Kunzum status, and Losar side conditions. Ask at your homestay before planning any day trips or exit routes.
Kunzum Pass is the main gate between Lahaul and Spiti from the Manali side. It sits at around 4,551 m / 14,931 feet. When Kunzum is closed, the Manali-Kaza route is cut off entirely. This is why the Keylong-Kaza road closes every winter.
The latest late-May 2026 update confirms improved access for light 4x4 vehicles. BRO has cleared the snow and traffic is moving through.
But this does not mean guaranteed comfort for all vehicles. The pass itself may be clear while the approach roads (especially Gramphu-Batal) are still rough.
If you are entering Spiti from the Manali side and need to cross Kunzum, check the status on the morning you plan to cross. For more on approach road conditions, our Rohtang Pass in May guide covers what to expect on the Manali side.
No, they are separate questions. Spiti can be fully reachable while Chandratal is still not ready. This confuses a lot of travellers.
Chandratal depends on the Batal to Chandratal diversion road, camp operations, and same-day local confirmation. The diversion is a separate 14 km stretch that often clears days or weeks after Kunzum Pass opens.
If your plan includes Chandratal, read our detailed Chandratal 2026 opening guide for lake-specific updates. Do not assume Chandratal is open just because Spiti is reachable.
Inner Spiti roads are usually easier than the Manali-Kaza highway during the open season. These are shorter drives on relatively better surfaces. But fresh snow, local repairs, or rain can still close individual village roads temporarily.
Kaza to Key Monastery is a short drive of about 12 km on a decent road. Key is one of the most visited monasteries in Spiti and the road is usually well maintained.
Kaza to Kibber and Chicham takes you higher into the valley. Kibber sits at around 14,200 feet and the road to Chicham crosses Asia's highest suspension bridge. The road is narrow but manageable in good weather.
Kaza to Langza, Hikkim, and Komic involves climbing to some of the highest inhabited villages in the world. The road is unpaved in stretches. Fresh snow can block access for a day or two in early season. Hikkim has the world's highest post office, and Langza has a famous Buddha statue with Spiti Valley spread behind it.
Kaza to Pin Valley and Mud is a longer drive into one of the most remote parts of Spiti. The road to Mud village can be challenging, especially after rain. Check conditions in Kaza before heading out.
Our team always tells travellers to confirm in Kaza before leaving for high villages. A five-minute conversation at your homestay can save you a wasted drive to a closed road.
Sedans can manage Shimla-Kaza in good weather with careful driving. The road is paved in most sections, though there are rough patches near Reckong Peo and between Nako and Sumdo. Go slow, avoid night driving, and you can make it.
Sedans are not recommended for early-season Manali-Kaza or the Gramphu-Batal-Losar stretch. The ground clearance is too low, the loose boulders can scrape the underside, and water crossings can be deep enough to stall a low car.
High-clearance SUVs are better for most Spiti travellers regardless of route. And 4x4 is best for newly opened or rough Manali-side conditions.
In our experience, ground clearance matters more than confidence on Spiti roads. We have seen brand new sedans get stuck on stretches that a beat-up Bolero crossed without slowing down. The road does not care about your car's price tag. It cares about its ground clearance.
Indian citizens usually do not need an Inner Line Permit or Protected Area Permit for normal Spiti Valley tourism. Carry a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar or voter ID. You may be asked to show it at checkpoints along the way.
Foreign nationals may need Protected Area Permits for notified protected areas in the region, including Khab, Samdo, Dhankar, Tabo, Gompa, Kaza, Morang, and Dubling. This permit is issued at government offices and cannot be done online. For the full process, check our Spiti Valley permit guide.
An e-Aagman vehicle e-permit is required for the Atal Tunnel to Rohtang to Koksar to Chandertal circuit. This is a vehicle entry registration system. Sort it before you start the drive from the Manali side.
Kaza is the key fuel point in Spiti. Do not enter Spiti on a near-empty tank. Fill up in Reckong Peo if coming from Shimla. Fill up in Manali if coming from the Manali side. The next reliable fuel after these points is Kaza, and there is nothing in between.
BSNL, Airtel, and Jio may work in parts of Lahaul and Spiti. BSNL has historically been the most reliable in remote areas. But travellers should still expect patchy service in remote stretches, especially between Gramphu and Kaza, near Kunzum, and around Chandratal. Download offline maps before you leave.
The Shimla side may be possible with winter risk. Snow and black ice on higher sections near Nako and Tabo make driving challenging. The Manali-Kaza route remains closed because Kunzum Pass is buried under snow. Services, homestays, and fuel availability are limited. Only experienced winter travellers should attempt this.
Spiti is usually reachable via the Shimla-Kinnaur route. Snow starts melting at lower elevations, and roads improve. The Manali-Kaza route usually remains closed. BRO begins clearance operations on Kunzum but is rarely through by April.
The Shimla side is usually the reliable route through May. The Manali side is uncertain until late May. For 2026, newer reports confirm the Manali-Kaza highway via Kunzum reopened for light 4x4 vehicles in late May. But same-day verification is still necessary because early openings can be partial or interrupted.
Early June is still a transition period. The Manali side may be open but rough. Late June is usually better for Kunzum stability and full circuit plans. Camps near Chandratal typically start operating from mid-June onward. This is when the Spiti season really begins for most travellers.
Most routes are usually open and at their most accessible. Both Shimla-Kaza and Manali-Kaza are generally operational. The main risk during these months is monsoon landslides in lower Himachal and Kinnaur. The Spiti side stays drier because it is in a rain shadow, but approach roads can be affected.
September usually gives the best balance of open roads, clear skies, and stable conditions. The monsoon has receded, roads are at their most settled, and the landscape shifts to golden-brown tones. This is our team's personal favourite month for Spiti.
October can be beautiful, but risky after mid to late October. Kunzum Pass can close suddenly after fresh snow. If you are planning an October trip, keep the Manali exit flexible and be prepared to return via Shimla if Kunzum shuts down.
The full circuit is usually not recommended. Kunzum is closed. The Shimla side may remain possible with winter risk, but services thin out, roads can ice over, and driving requires serious mountain experience.
Do not leave for Spiti based on a single source. Use this verification order.
First, check the official Lahaul-Spiti road status page. But always check its "last updated" date. If the page was last updated in March, it is not telling you about May conditions.
Second, check recent news. Search "Spiti road status 2026" or "Kunzum Pass open 2026" in Google News. Look at the date of each article.
Third, check BRO or administration updates. The Border Roads Organisation sometimes posts clearance updates on social media. The DC Lahaul-Spiti office shares road status when major changes happen.
Fourth, ask local taxi drivers. Drivers based in Kaza, Manali, Reckong Peo, Losar, or Keylong know the ground reality faster than any website. A WhatsApp message to a local driver is often the best check.
Fifth, ask homestay owners. Homestay operators in Kaza, Tabo, or Nako talk to each other and to drivers daily. They know which roads are clear and which are not.
Sixth, ask Travel Coffee. Our team tracks road status daily during the season. We can give you a ground confirmation based on what our drivers and partners are reporting. Reach us through our contact page or on WhatsApp.
Do not rely only on Google Maps, Instagram reels, or old YouTube videos. Road conditions in Spiti change overnight. What was open yesterday may not be open today.
Roads close in Spiti. It happens. The question is not whether it will happen, but how you handle it when it does.
If Manali-Kaza closes, return through Shimla-Kinnaur. This is why the full circuit direction of Shimla-Kaza-Manali is safer than the reverse. If your exit via Manali fails, you can retrace through Shimla without backtracking through a closed pass.
If Kinnaur has a landslide disruption, wait in a safer town like Reckong Peo, Kalpa, or Tabo instead of rushing into a blocked section. Landslide clearance in Kinnaur can take 6 to 24 hours. Patience is safer than impatience.
If Kunzum closes, do not force the Manali exit. Stay in Kaza, enjoy the extra time, and plan a Shimla exit instead. Kaza is not a bad place to be stuck for a day.
If Chandratal is not open, keep it optional and continue the rest of your Spiti plan. Kaza, Key, Kibber, Tabo, Langza, and Dhankar are all worth your time. Do not let one closed stretch ruin an otherwise great trip.
Talk to our Himachal team on WhatsApp if you need a rerouting plan based on today's conditions.
Spiti circuits designed around current road conditions, safe routing, and proper acclimatisation.
Go with Shimla, Narkanda, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Kaza and return the same way. This is a complete Spiti experience. You see Kinnaur, the Spiti Valley, the monasteries, the high villages, and the landscapes. You do not need the Manali side to have a great trip.
Keep the Manali exit optional. Enter from Shimla, explore Spiti, and check Kunzum conditions while you are in Kaza. If the Manali side is confirmed safe for your vehicle on the day you plan to cross, take it. If not, return via Shimla. Do not lock hotel and cab plans too tightly on the Manali side.
Go for the full circuit in this direction: Shimla, Kinnaur, Kaza, Chandratal or Batal side, Manali. This gives you the best acclimatisation, the best altitude progression, and the most rewarding experience. Chandratal sits near the end as the grand finale.
Take a slower Shimla-side itinerary with extra acclimatisation days. Spend two nights in Kalpa. Spend two nights in Kaza. Skip the Manali side entirely unless you have a 4x4 and confirmed conditions. The slower route is the better route for anyone who needs comfort and safety over adventure.
Browse our popular tours to see which circuits are running right now based on current road conditions.
For most travellers reading this in May or June 2026, the answer is straightforward.
Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza is the safest default. It works for every vehicle type, every traveller type, and every experience level. You do not need Kunzum to be open. You do not need a 4x4. You just need a working car, valid ID, and enough fuel.
Manali-Kaza is the adventure route. It is beautiful, dramatic, and currently accessible for light 4x4 vehicles. But it requires same-day verification, the right vehicle, and a willingness to turn back if conditions are not right.
The best Spiti trip is not the one that forces every route. It is the one that stays flexible and comes back safely. In all our years running this circuit, the travellers who enjoyed Spiti the most are the ones who planned for flexibility instead of perfection.
9D/8N
