Short answer: You can drive to Kaza from Shimla through Kinnaur (roughly 410–420 km, normally split over two or three days) or from Manali over Kunzum Pass (about 200 km, a long single day). The Kinnaur road is the one that generally stays open through the year; the Manali road depends on Kunzum Pass, which guides report opening between late May and mid-June and closing in late October or early November, depending on snow. Many travellers enter from Shimla and leave through Manali.
The two routes compared
| Shimla – Kinnaur – Kaza | Manali – Kunzum – Kaza | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | About 410–420 km | About 200 km (figures vary; shorter through the Atal Tunnel) |
| Usual pacing | Two or three days, with halts in Kinnaur | One long day, around 8 hours or more |
| Season | Generally open all year, subject to landslides and snow | Only while Kunzum Pass is open |
| Road | Mostly surfaced; cliff-edge stretches between Nako and Tabo | Rough: loose gravel and water crossings beyond Gramphu |
| Altitude gain | Gradual | Fast — you reach high altitude on the first day |
From Delhi the two routes are close in total distance (published figures are about 770 km via Manali and 790 km via Shimla), so the real difference is time, road quality and how quickly you climb.
Why most plans go in via Shimla and out via Manali
Climbing slowly through Kinnaur gives your body several days to adjust before you sleep at Kaza. Leaving over Kunzum Pass then gives you the shortest way home once you are acclimatised. Doing it the other way round means going from Manali to well above 3,500 m in a single day, which is when altitude sickness is most likely.
When each road is open
- Kunzum Pass (about 4,550–4,590 m; sources differ) is cleared by the Border Roads Organisation each year. The date moves with the snow, so never plan a fixed crossing for late May or late October without checking.
- The Kinnaur road is the winter lifeline to Spiti, but it does close for hours or days after landslides and heavy snowfall.
- Monsoon (July–August): Spiti itself gets little rain, but the approach through Kinnaur and the Manali side are both prone to landslides.
For month-by-month weather, see best time to visit Spiti Valley.
Permits
Indian citizens do not need a permit for the Shimla–Kaza–Manali circuit; carry a government photo ID for checkpost registers. Foreign nationals need a permit for the protected stretch near the border between Kinnaur and Spiti. Guides describe the exact stretch, the fee and the issuing offices differently, and the district administration states that foreigners may not enter the protected area without one, so foreign travellers should confirm the current process with the Kinnaur district office or a registered operator before setting out.
A sensible outline
- Days 1–3: Shimla to Kinnaur, with nights at places such as Narkanda or Rampur, then Kalpa or Sangla.
- Days 4–5: Nako, Tabo and on to Kaza.
- Days 6–7: Around Kaza — Key monastery, Kibber and the high villages.
- Days 8–9: Kunzum Pass (and Chandratal when its road is open), then Manali through the Atal Tunnel.
Day-wise versions are in our 7-day and 10-day Spiti itineraries, and budgets in the Spiti trip cost guide.
Practical points
- Fuel: pumps are far apart in Spiti. Fill up whenever you can and ask locally where the next working pump is.
- Vehicle: good ground clearance matters on the Manali side. Start early, because meltwater crossings rise through the afternoon.
- Altitude: drink water, avoid alcohol for the first nights, and descend if symptoms get worse.
- Cash and network: carry cash; mobile coverage is patchy and varies by operator.
- Buffer: keep at least one spare day for a blocked road.
Check before you go
- Kinnaur district administration — permits and tourist guidelines.
- Lahaul and Spiti district administration — local notices and road updates.
- India Meteorological Department — forecasts and warnings.
- HRTC online booking — state bus timetables and fares.
Plan a Spiti road trip
Funtoor can arrange a driver who knows the route, the stays and a day plan that matches the road status when you travel. Plan my Spiti trip or see the Spiti Valley road trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which route is better for Spiti, Shimla or Manali?
Shimla is gentler on the body and usually open all year. Manali is shorter but rough and seasonal. Entering via Shimla and leaving via Manali combines the two.
When does the Manali to Kaza road open?
When Kunzum Pass is cleared, which guides report as late May to mid-June in most years. It usually closes in late October or early November.
Do Indians need a permit for Spiti?
No. Carry a photo ID. Foreign nationals need a permit for the protected stretch between Kinnaur and Spiti.
How many days are needed for Spiti?
Seven days is the practical minimum for the circuit from Shimla to Manali; nine or ten is more comfortable.
Can I visit Spiti in winter?
Only by the Kinnaur road, and only with a flexible schedule, a suitable vehicle and an experienced driver. Many stays close.
Compiled by the Funtoor team from published sources and official pages, last reviewed in October 2026. It is a planning guide, not a first-hand trip report; distances, fees, rules and timetables change and sources differ, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you travel.
Written by
Funtoor Travel Team
Travel planners based in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. We plan and arrange trips — stays, transport and experiences — across the Himalayas.
