Short answer: The Manali–Kaza road over Kunzum La (4,551 m) is usually open from June to mid-October and closed by snow the rest of the year. The Shimla–Kinnaur–Kaza route stays open most of the year, with short closures after heavy snow. For a first trip, June to September via Manali is easiest; October is beautiful but cold.
“Is Spiti open?” is the question we get every April. The answer depends on which way you go in, because there are two very different roads.
The two ways into Spiti
1. Via Manali, the Atal Tunnel and Kunzum La Manali → Atal Tunnel → Gramphu → Chhatru → Batal → Kunzum La (4,551 m) → Losar → Kaza. About 200 km from Manali, with rough sections and stream crossings around Chhatru and Batal. It is the shortest route from Kangra, and the one our Spiti Valley Circuit uses. Open roughly June to mid-October.
2. Via Shimla and Kinnaur Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur → Reckong Peo → Nako → Tabo → Kaza. Longer (about 420 km from Shimla) but lower and kept open most of the year. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for part of it.
Month by month
| Month | Manali–Kaza road | Kinnaur road | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Closed | Open, with snow closures | Deep winter, −20°C nights, many stays closed |
| Apr–May | Closed (clearing starts) | Open | Cold, quiet, snow melting |
| June | Usually opens | Open | Fresh snow walls along Kunzum, crisp |
| July–Aug | Open | Open, with landslide risk in Kinnaur | Best weather in Spiti, green fields, busy |
| September | Open | Open | Clear skies, harvest, fewer people |
| October | Open until first heavy snow | Open | Golden, very cold nights, Chandratal closes |
| Nov–Dec | Closed | Open, with snow closures | Winter returns |
These are typical patterns, not promises. The road opens when BRO clears it and closes when snow comes, so we check before every trip.
Why the monsoon is a good time for Spiti
Spiti is in the rain-shadow of the Himalaya. While Dharamshala gets its heaviest rain in July and August, Spiti stays mostly dry. That is why our Spiti trips run through the monsoon months. The risk is on the way, with landslides near Mandi and Kullu, and we plan for that with an early start and a spare day.
Things that matter more than the month
- Altitude. Kaza is about 3,800 m. Climb gradually, drink a lot of water, and tell your group about any headache.
- The vehicle. An SUV with ground clearance, not a sedan.
- The driver. Someone who has crossed Kunzum and the Chhatru water crossings many times.
- Cash. ATMs in Kaza often run dry.
- Network. Only BSNL and Jio work reliably, and there are long stretches with no signal at all.
Our advice for a first Spiti trip
Go via Manali between mid-June and mid-September, take eight days, and do not try to squeeze it into five. See our Spiti itinerary, or send us your dates and we will check the road for you.
Quick questions
Can I go to Spiti in December?
Only via Shimla and Kinnaur, and only with a driver experienced in snow. Temperatures drop far below freezing, and many hotels and homestays close. Chandratal and the Manali road are shut.
When does Chandratal open?
The Chandratal camps usually open from mid-June to late September, depending on snow on the approach road from Batal.
Written by the team at Ankush Travels, a tour and taxi company in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. We run these routes every week. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.