Fair
Kaza in May
Himachal Pradesh, India
Kunzum La opens sporadically. Nights still cold. Acclimatisation matters.
Kunzum La pass remains unpredictably closed, stranding you without reliable road access
Why May scores 3/5
Weather
Kunzum La opens sporadically. Nights still cold. Acclimatisation matters.
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
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. |
| Mayviewing | 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. |
| December | 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 May
- 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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