Kunzum Pass, Lahaul & Spiti

The Kunzum Pass is the motorable passes of India at the peak. It has a breathtaking sight to behold. It works as a joining link between the Lahaul Valley and the Spiti valley and at a distance of 122 km from Manali. This pass further leads to Kaza town.

Kunzum Pass is a heaven for photographers as they can capture beautiful glaciers, snowcapped peaks and the valley beyond. All of them altogether offer stunning views for photography.

It is sited in the beautiful state Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 15,060 feet above sea level.

Best time to visit Kunzum pass

To visit Kunzum Pass, it is better to plan between the second weeks of June to September. But August is not the time as the pass remains closed during monsoons. During winters, from 15th of October to march, the Kunzum Pass remains temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall.

One should not plan their visit during August due to slippery routes and expected landslides.

Weather Report

• It remains shut during winters due to snowfall (end October to March).

• It remains closed during monsoons due to rains and chances of landslides (July-August).

• Tuesdays are noted as maintenance days, so no tourists are allowed to cross Rohtang Pass this day.

How to reach Kunzum pass?

By Road: Take HRTC buses or hire private taxis from Manali to travel to Kunzum Pass. The journey time from Manali to Kunzum Pass is around 6-7 hours.

By Air: Airport is in Bhuntar town situated 170 km from Kunzum Pass. It is almost 50 km from Manali. So you can take buses or cars from the airport to Manali as well as the pass.

By Train: The closest railway station to Kunzum Pass is the small scale Joginder Nagar railway station. It is located at a distance of 50 km. You can easily hire taxis to Kunzum Pass from there.

The fascinating stories about this palace:

One of the thrilling features of the kunzum pass is the fifteen hairpin turns throughout the way.

There is a Kunzum Devi Temple on the Kunzum Pass. The dominant goddess, Goddess Kunzum Devi is a reincarnation of Goddess Durga and is the guardian of the pass as well as the travellers.

Visitors travelling through the Kunzum Pass usually stop first by the temple to pray and look for blessings of the deity for a harmless journey.

People follow a tradition of visiting the temple and a complete rotation of it in the vehicle before riding Kunzum pass. There are various Buddhist monasteries and gompas around the temple. These cloisters with painted prayer flags give an enthralling view to the visitors.

You can also hear the sounds of bells and prayers of the temple and gompas that resound the entire valley.

Hotels & Stay

There is no accommodation facilities or hotels to stay in the Kunzum Pass. You can find a room at a distance of 12 km at Batal or at Losar towards Lahaul Spiti district which is 18 km away. Furthermore, the pass also does not have any shops or eateries.

General Information About Kunzum Pass

• Kunzum La or Kunzum Pass is doorway to Lahaul and Spiti valley.

• The pass gives a mesmerising view of Bara-Sigri, which is known as the second-longest glacier in the world, Spiti valley, and Chandrabhaga Range.

• The area is dedicatedly influenced by Buddhist, which is noticeable by the occurrence of chortens and prayer flags.

• The Kunzum pass is also known for its exciting 9 km Trek to Chandratal.

• It is not as congested as Rohtang Pass as a considerable number of the tourist visit Rohtang Pass only and gets back to Manali. This is how there usually a big traffic jam at Rohtang Pass.

• It is better to drive straight ahead to this pass, leaving all the traffic behind for a more serene quiet experience.

Nearby attraction

1. Kunzum Mata Mandir

• Kunzum Devi temple is a famous tourist attraction, and a massive number of tourists visit it on their way and seek sanctifications for safe travel through the rocky terrain.

• It is assumed that Goddess Kunjum resides in the temple and keeps a consistent eye over the pass and guards all the tourist and travellers in their journey through the rocky terrain.

2. Chandratal Lake

Chandratal, or Moon Lake, got its name from its crescent shape. It is located at a distance of 7-8 km from Kunzum Pass and is a significant fascination for photographers and adventure seekers.

3. Key Monastery

It is one of the largest and primogenital Monasteries in Spiti. Therefore it is the most famous tourist destination in this area. It also enshrines the idols of Buddha in Dhyana state and also has an assortment of old books and murals.

4. Pin Valley national park

This national park is set amidst semi-frozen rivers in the Pin Valley. Being home to the rare species of famous Himalayan snow leopards it is visited by a considerable population daily.

5. Suraj Tal

This is a lake, one should not miss while visiting Kunzum pass. Especially if you are into photography, Suraj Tal is one of the most dream-like and camera-friendly lakes.

6. Dhankar Lake

At a distance of 5 km from the Dhankar monastery that sits treacherously on a rock face, lies the Dhankar Lake. It is sited on the other side of the mountain. It usually takes very less to reach the lake after a well-marked track from the monastery.

Critical tips before booking package for Lahaul & Spiti Valley

• It is important to pack lots of woollens to get rid of cold and getting sick situations in the chilling environment.

• It is essential to carry all necessary medicines for altitude mountain illness.

• Travellers who decide to visit Kunzum Pass in a car, it would be better to hire an SUV.

• It is suggested to carry food numbers as there are no eateries in Kunzum Pass.

• Travellers looking for bus services must confirm the state bus running status a day earlier.