Good Time
Spiti Valley in May
Himachal Pradesh, India
May is when Spiti's tourist season truly begins. The Manali-Kaza road via Rohtang (now bypassed by Atal Tunnel) and Kunzum Pass typically opens in the second half of May, though Kunzum can be delayed by heavy snow years. The Kinnaur route is now reliable and in good condition â BRO has been clearing since March. Temperatures hit 5-18°C, and the valley is bathed in strong spring light. Kaza town is fully operational: all guesthouses open, restaurants running, the lone ATM working, and permit offices processing. Key Monastery, Dhankar, Tabo, and Pin Valley are all accessible.
The May story
May delivers early-season Spiti at its most rewarding. The crowds that define July haven't arrived â you might be the only person at Dhankar Lake viewpoint or the only guest at a Langza homestay. Key Monastery against the still-snowy Spiti Range is at peak photogenic contrast: brown hill, white monastery, white peaks, blue sky. The Kunzum Pass road, if open, is a dramatic drive with snow walls on either side. Chandratal Lake may not be accessible yet (the final road section stays snowy into June), but everything else is open. The wildflowers in Pin Valley begin their show. Fossil hunting at Langza is excellent in dry spring conditions. Homestays are warm with genuine hospitality â Spitian families are generous hosts, and May is when they're freshly energized for the season. Key practical point: confirm Kunzum Pass status before driving from Manali. If it's closed, take the Kinnaur route from Shimla. Cash only everywhere except Kaza.
Why May scores 4/5
Weather
Manali-Kaza typically opens mid-May. Light crowds.
Roads & Access
self drive: 4WD recommended. road condition: Manali side unpaved. Kinnaur side paved but landslide-prone.. public transport: HRTC bus seasonal. from nearest city: Manali 200km 8-10hrs OR Shimla 400km 2 days. last km difficulty: hard
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: ITBP posts. helpline: HP Tourism. ambulance: 108 BSNL only. police station: Kaza. nearest hospital: CHC Kaza (basic). Real: Kullu 6-10hrs.
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. BSNL ONLY. Zero in most villages.
Kids
Not ideal for kids â Older teens who love adventure will find it life-changing, Monasteries and fossils are genuinely educational
Elevation
3,800m â High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- âExperienced trekkers / adventurers
- âSmart-season travellers wanting full access minus the summer crowds
- âPhotographers after snow-capped monastery shots in clear spring light
- âHomestay enthusiasts wanting genuine village hospitality at season start
- âCouples seeking remote Himalayan romance without July's tour-bus energy
Who should think twice
- âFirst-time travelers
- âAnyone with health conditions
- âChandratal Lake visitors â the access road likely isn't open yet
- âTravellers insisting on the Manali-Kunzum route â confirm pass status before committing
- âVisitors who need mobile signal â only Kaza has it, barely
- âAnyone expecting Ladakh-level infrastructure â Spiti has far less
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 | Manali side closed by snow. Kinnaur only. Brutal cold. |
| February | 1/5 | Same as January. Snow leopard expeditions possible. |
| March | 2/5 | Still winter -5 to 8°C. Only Kinnaur route viable but icy. Kaza accessible barely. Most services shut. Hardy travelers only. |
| April | 2/5 | Thaw begins 0-14°C. Manali-Kaza road still closed (Rohtang/Kunzum snow). Kinnaur approach only. Limited guesthouses. |
| Mayviewing | 4/5 | Manali-Kaza typically opens mid-May. Light crowds. |
| June | 5/5 | Peak. Both routes open. Clear skies, all villages accessible. |
| July | 4/5 | Spiti is dry but approach roads get monsoon landslides. |
| August | 4/5 | Good 10-22°C but getting in/out is the gamble â Manali side landslides, Kinnaur side washouts. Dry in valley itself. |
| September | 5/5 | Best month overall. Post-monsoon clarity, golden barley harvest. |
| October | 5/5 | Crisp, cold, photogenic. Circuit closes mid-late Oct. |
| November | 2/5 | Manali side shut (Kunzum snow). Kinnaur road only, cold -5 to 8°C. Key Monastery atmospheric. Very few tourists. |
| December | 1/5 | Deep winter -15 to 0°C. Not for casual travel. Kinnaur route unreliable. Kaza services minimal. Extreme cold nights. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Manali 200km 8-10hrs OR Shimla 400km 2 days. Roads: Manali side unpaved. Kinnaur side paved but landslide-prone.. Self-drive: 4WD recommended. Public transport: HRTC bus seasonal. Last stretch: hard
Elevation
3,800m
Difficulty
hard
Budget tier
budget
Permits required
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