Driving Through the High Passes of Spiti

21 Aug, 2026

Spiti Valley isn't the kind of place you rush through. The roads climb through barren mountains, cross high passes, and wind past tiny villages where the landscape just keeps stretching out in front of you. Every bend brings something new to look at, and honestly, some days the drive itself ends up being the best part of the trip. Driving through the high passes of Spiti comes with its fair share of challenges: rough patches, weather that can turn on you without warning, high altitude, and long hours behind the wheel.

But it also comes with some of the most spectacular landscapes you'll find anywhere in Himachal Pradesh. If you're planning a WanderOn Spiti Valley group trip, getting familiar with the major passes and the trickier sections ahead of time will save you a lot of stress later.

1. Kunzum Pass: The Gateway to Spiti

Kunzum Pass is the big one on the Manali-Spiti route, the most important high pass you'll cross. Sitting at around 4,551 meters, it links Lahaul with Spiti and rewards you with sweeping views across the mountains.

The scenery shifts fast as you climb toward it. Green valleys fade into bare slopes, rocky peaks and patches of leftover snow. By the time you're near the top, everything feels more open, more dramatic.

There's a small temple dedicated to Kunzum Devi right at the pass, and travellers have long made it a habit to stop there before continuing on toward Spiti.

Kunzum depends entirely on weather and snow clearance, and its opening date shifts from year to year, so don't plan your trip around a fixed date when working out Driving Through the High Passes of Spiti. Always check the latest road conditions before setting off from Manali or Kaza.

2. Rohtang Pass and the Atal Tunnel

Rohtang Pass sits at roughly 3,978 meters, between Manali and Lahaul. These days, though, travellers heading toward Spiti don't necessarily need to cross it, as the Atal Tunnel offers an alternative route into Lahaul.

The tunnel has cut travel time between Manali and Lahaul quite a bit, but Kunzum still holds its place as the main high-pass crossing on the Manali-Spiti route.

Planning a Spiti Valley tour from Manali? Double-check your route before you leave. Whether you end up going through Rohtang or the Atal Tunnel comes down to road conditions, permits, and traffic rules at the time.

3. Malling Nallah: A Difficult Section on the Shimla Route

There's no single dramatic pass on the Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti route the way there is with Kunzum. Instead, you gain altitude gradually as you move through Kinnaur toward Nako and Sumdo.

That said, the Malling Nallah section near Nako is one stretch where drivers should be especially careful. Landslides, loose rocks, and water crossing the road can make things tricky here.

Even so, this route often works out better for first-timers, since the gradual climb gives your body more time to adjust to the altitude.

The mountain passes in Spiti Valley tend to get all the attention, but stretches like Malling Nallah matter just as much when you're mapping out the journey.

4. Baralacha La: Not Part of the Standard Spiti Route

Baralacha La shows up on many lists of Spiti's high passes, but there's an important catch. It actually sits on the Manali-Leh highway and is not part of the standard Manali-Kaza route.

This pass connects Lahaul with Ladakh, so it only becomes relevant if you're combining your Spiti trip with a longer Ladakh journey.

Worth knowing, because plenty of online Spiti Valley travel guide articles lump together different Himalayan road routes without pointing this detail out. If you're simply driving from Manali to Kaza, Kunzum is the pass you actually need to plan around.

How to Prepare for the High Passes of Spiti

Altitude should honestly be your main concern here if you are planning a Spiti Valley road trip. Above 4,000 meters, even a short walk can leave you gasping for breath.

Give yourself time to acclimatise before pushing on to the highest parts of the valley. Drink plenty of water, skip the alcohol while your body is adjusting, and don't brush off symptoms like a severe headache, dizziness, nausea or unusual tiredness. These are your body's way of telling you to slow down.

Your vehicle matters too. A reliable SUV with decent ground clearance makes a real difference on rough mountain roads. If you're hiring a driver, look for someone who drives the Spiti route regularly, not just occasionally.

Pack warm clothes, water, snacks, basic medicines, a power bank, offline maps and enough cash. Fuel stations are few and far between out here, so top up whenever you get the chance rather than waiting until you're low.

Best Time to Drive Through Spiti

The right season depends on which route you're taking and how the year's weather has played out. The Manali side is especially seasonal because of snow around Rohtang and Kunzum, while the Shimla-Kinnaur route generally stays open for longer stretches of the year.

June to September is when most people travel across the High passes of Spiti, though road conditions can still shift without much notice.

Always check the latest local road updates before you set off. Heavy rain, fresh snowfall or a landslide can shut down mountain routes for hours or even days.

Places to Stop Along the Way

Some of the best places to visit in Spiti Valley sit right along the two main approach routes, so you don't have to go far out of your way to see them.

Coming from Shimla, you'll pass through Narkanda, Kalpa, Kinnaur, Nako, and Tabo before reaching Kaza. Coming from Manali, the route runs through Lahaul, Losar and Kunzum before dropping into Spiti.

Once you're in the valley, Kaza makes a good base for day trips to Ki Monastery, Langza, Hikkim, Komic, Dhankar and Pin Valley.

One tip: don't overpack your itinerary. Mountain roads are unpredictable, and what looks like a short hop on the map can easily eat up several hours.