Avoid
Kaza in December
Himachal Pradesh, India
Deep winter. Only committed winter travellers — and only from Shimla.
Roads freeze solid; only winter mountaineers can reach it safely
Why December scores 1/5
Weather
Deep winter. Only committed winter travellers — and only from Shimla.
Roads & Access
self drive: 2WD possible in dry season on both routes. 4WD recommended Jun–Aug on Manali side. Carry spare tyre, jerry can, hardcopy permits.. road condition: Paved but narrow with landslide-prone sections between Rampur–Kinnaur and beyond Losar. Expect single-lane stretches and blind curves.. public transport: HRTC buses: Shimla–Rekong Peo–Kaza daily (summer); Manali–Kaza via Rohtang runs Jun–Oct only.. from nearest city: Manali 200km via Rohtang–Kunzum (12h, summer only) OR Shimla 410km via Hindustan–Tibet Highway (2 days, all-season except peak winter).. last km difficulty: hard
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. note: AMS risk is real at 3,800m — acclimatise en route. Diamox is widely available at Kaza pharmacies.. helpline: 1363 (India Tourist Helpline). ambulance: 108. nearest hospital: Community Health Centre, Kaza (basic). Serious cases evacuated to IGMC Shimla or LBS Mandi.
Network
VI: No, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. BSNL most reliable across the valley. Jio/Airtel 4G in Kaza town only; no signal beyond Komic/Langza.
Kids
Not ideal for kids —
Elevation
3,800m — High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- ✓Experienced trekkers / adventurers
Who should think twice
- ✗First-time travelers
- ✗Anyone with health conditions
- ✗Families with young children
- ✗Those prone to altitude sickness
- ✗Anyone needing constant connectivity
- ✗Those with flexible dates — better months exist
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 | Heavy snow. Most routes closed. Temperatures drop to -25°C at night. |
| February | 1/5 | Still deep winter. Only the Shimla route is sometimes passable. Thin tourist services. |
| March | 2/5 | Beginning to thaw but Rohtang/Kunzum still closed. Shimla access only. |
| April | 2/5 | Still shoulder. Manali route typically closed until Rohtang opens in May. |
| May | 3/5 | Kunzum La opens sporadically. Nights still cold. Acclimatisation matters. |
| June | 4/5 | Both Manali and Shimla routes reliably open. Clear skies, pleasant days, cold nights. |
| July | 4/5 | Warmest month but Manali highway landslide risk builds. Plan buffer days. |
| August | 3/5 | Monsoon approach reaches Lahaul. Landslides on Manali side. Shimla approach still safer. |
| September | 5/5 | Prime month. Clear skies, stable roads, pre-winter clarity. The photographer's window. |
| October | 4/5 | Crisp, clear, beautiful. Nights turn frigid. Manali route begins closing late in the month. |
| November | 2/5 | Manali route closed. Shimla route getting icy. Most guesthouses shutting down. |
| Decemberviewing | 1/5 | Deep winter. Only committed winter travellers — and only from Shimla. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Manali 200km via Rohtang–Kunzum (12h, summer only) OR Shimla 410km via Hindustan–Tibet Highway (2 days, all-season except peak winter).. Roads: Paved but narrow with landslide-prone sections between Rampur–Kinnaur and beyond Losar. Expect single-lane stretches and blind curves.. Self-drive: 2WD possible in dry season on both routes. 4WD recommended Jun–Aug on Manali side. Carry spare tyre, jerry can, hardcopy permits.. Public transport: HRTC buses: Shimla–Rekong Peo–Kaza daily (summer); Manali–Kaza via Rohtang runs Jun–Oct only.. Last stretch: hard
Elevation
3,800m
Difficulty
hard
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Himachal Pradesh scoring high in December
- Access
- Paved but narrow with landslide-prone sections between Rampur–Kinnaur and beyond Losar. Expect single-lane stretches and blind curves.
- Emergency
- 108 · Community Health Centre, Kaza (basic). Serious cases evacuated to IGMC Shimla or LBS Mandi.
- Stay
- ₹800–4,500/night · 40 options
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