Let me start this article to capture the road conditions from Delhi to Spiti valley via Shimla – Kinnaur Valley. A lot of people travel to Spiti Valley via Kinnaur route every year. Some who travel from Kinnaur Valley exit via Kaza to Manali route. But, for this article, I will focus on the road status and conditions from Delhi to Shimla to Kinnaur to Spiti Valley.
The article will help you get updated road conditions and status before planning a trip to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
Let's quickly dive into the details:
Delhi – Shimla – Kinnaur – Spiti Road Status
When you travel from Shimla to Kaza or Spiti via Kinnaur, you traverse the route along Hindustan – Tibet Highway or commonly known NH-05 (previously known as NH-22). The Hindustan Tibet Road is also known as the world’s most treacherous road and when you travel on it, you will get to understand the reason why.
This road to Spiti Valley runs through some of the beautiful places well known as Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Kinnaur, Tabo, etc. Well, the words are short to explain the entire experience. But in this article, I can share the road conditions for everyone who is planning a trip to Spiti Valley. For everyone else, this article may also act as a reference for the entire route between Delhi to Shimla to Kaza, Spiti Valley via Kinnaur.
Delhi – Kinnaur – Spiti Road Status | Updated February 2022
Here is the general breakdown of major sections of Hindustan – Tibet Road or road to Spiti Valley. Delhi to Shimla remains open all around the year. Then further as you move from Shimla towards Narkanda, the road might close at Kurfi and Narkanda in winters due to heavy snowfall.
However, after Narkanda to Reckong Peo in Kinnaur, the route remains open mostly as regions in between do not receive heavy snowfall. Although on some days, the road to Reckong Peo from the diversion point of Hindustan – Tibet road might close for a day or two.
Beyond Reckong Peo, the next bottleneck point of road closure can be multiple, starting from Akpa – Jangi – Spillow. The major one, of course, is Nako – Maling Nala – Chango road which may close due to furious Maling or landslide at Maling Nalla.
Finally, if you are able to reach Tabo, you are already in Spiti Valley. The main extreme winter zone starts after Tabo at Schichiling, just below Dhankar. From here onward, in winters, the rod to Kaza may remain closed for some days to weeks due to the presence of heavy snow.
Current road status as mentioned below:
- Delhi – Shimla: Open
- Shimla – Narkanda: Open
- Narkanda – Rampur – Jeori – Reckong Peo: Open
- Reckong Peo – Nako: Open
- Nako – Maling Nalla – Tabo: Open – Intermittent closures due to snowfall/landslides
- Tabo – Kaza: Open – Intermittent closures due to snowfall/landslides
- Kaza – Kunzum Pass: Open
- Kaza – Pin Valley: Open
- Kaza – Manali: Closed
Kinnaur Valley Road Status | Updated 12 Feb 2022
I think it makes sense to keep the road status within Kinnaur Valley updated as well. Most people traveling to Spiti Valley, also visit Kinnaur and explore places like Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa, and Sarahan.
Hence, knowing the road status of these routes will also help you plan the visit to these places in Kinnaur Valley as well.
- Reckong Peo – Kalpa: Open
- Reckong Peo – Sangla: Open
- Sangla Valley – Chitkul: Closed
- Rampur – Jeori – Sarahan: Open
- Shimla to Kalpa: Open
- Shimla to Sangla: Open
- Shimla to Chitkul: Open
I hope these road statuses for Kinnaur Valley and Spiti Valley will help you in your upcoming trip. In case, you have an update on it. please share with me in the comments section or DM me on Instagram.
You can also refer Manali to Kaza Road Status post in case you are traveling to Spiti Valley from Manali side.
Road Conditions between Delhi – Kinnaur Valley – Spiti Valley 2022
The road conditions on this route running along NH-05 or Hindustan – Tibet Road from Delhi to Spiti Valley remain a similar majority of the year. It does not change much in the year except in monsoon and winter.
Monsoon is not a good time to be in Kinnaur Valley due to fragile mountains. Landslides are pretty common, and mud makes it equally difficult to drive in such a terrain. And in winter months, you should be careful as some parts on this route around Narkanda, Kufri, Nako, Reckong Peo, Tabo receive a heavy amount of snowfall closing the roads for some days to weeks.
In March – April, the snow melts, and that’s when shooting stones and snow slides are also a common phenomenon. I will try my best to keep this thread with updated road conditions from Shimla to Kinnaur to Kaza, Spiti Valley. You should also read about the best time to visit Kinnaur and Spiti Valley.
Here is the jest of road conditions of Delhi – Kinnaur – Spiti route in 2022. In case, you have an update, please feel free to post it and I will be happy to update the status.
- Delhi – Kalka = Good + Excellent
- Kalka – Shogi = Good
- Shogi – Shimla = Good
- Shimla – Theog = Good
- Theog – Narkanda = Good
- Narkanda – Rampur = Good
- Rampur – Jeori – Bhawanagar = Good + Average
- Bhawanagar – Powari = Good + Average
- Powari – Jangi = Good + Average
- Jangi – Spillow = Good + Average
- Spillow – Dubling = Good + Average
- Dubling – Khab diversion = Good + Average
- Khab diversion – Nako – Geyu diversion = Good + Average
- Geyu Diversion – Tabo = Good + Average
- Tabo – Attargoo = Good + Average
- Attargoo – Kaza = Good
- Kaza = Good
- Kaza – Kioto – Losar = Good + Average
- Kaza – Langza – Komic – Hikkim – Kaza = Average
- Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Gete – Tashigang – Kaza = Average + Good
- Within Pin Valley = Average
Is road to Spiti Valley open in Winters?
Yes, the road to Spiti Valley from Shimla – Kinnaur side remains open all around the year, including the winter months because there is no high mountain pass that gets closed. However, a road closure is common for a few days to weeks in case of heavy snowfall days.
The snowfall gets so heavy in a few days of winter that it takes time to open the road between Reckong Peo and Kaza especially between Nako – Tabo – Kaza.
Hence, when you plan a trip to Spiti Valley in winter, please keep the buffer days in hand.
Spiti Trip from Kinnaur Side – Perfect Itinerary
Let me share a perfect day-by-day travel itinerary for traveling from Shimla – Kinnaur to Spiti Valley.
Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this day-by-day plan infographic guide for the Spiti Valley trip from Shimla – Kinnaur side in 10 days. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.
Conclusion
I hope this article will be useful for someone who is planning a trip to Spiti or Kinnaur soon. Please feel free to ask any questions/doubts you have, and I would be happy to revert. If you happen to know the more updated road conditions, do let me know and I will update the required section.
Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions about traveling to the Himalayas.
If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Spiti Valley from Shimla – Kinnaur route, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable trip.
51 Comments
Comments section gets closed in 90 days. To ask your travel questions, you can follow my YouTube Channel for a faster reply or for a much slower reply follow me on Instagram. :)
Hi Dheeraj
I am planning to Visit Spiti Via Shimla We have Audi q3 4×4 will this car be gud for travel, And I have Infant with us so do you suggest to travel with Infant in this route. Age of Infant is 15 months
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for the article.
We are planing to go to Kaza via Narkanda in the coming week of July from 17 to 23. please suggest if this is the right time to visit Spiti ??
Hi Dheeraj please advise me for car trip to Kinnaur and Spiti. Please mention and route days .we are traveling through hatchback petrol car.
Hello,
Can Any one please guide me For Spiti Valley Trip, Just want to ask about which mobile network will work and how about internet working speed there ?
Thanks In advance
Rajest please check: 11 Tips on Mobile Phone Connectivity in Spiti Valley
Sangla to chitkul road is open as of June 2019
Thanks, Anuj for reminding me of this thread. I have updated the post with Update Date June 2019 now.
Dear Dheeraj,
First of all thanks for the information you provided on Tirthan which helped us have one of our most memorable vacations in 2016. This website is my go to guide for Himachal:)
This year I want to do Delhi – Shimla (1N stopover)- Sangla (incl. Rakcham + Chitkul)- Kaza (Kunzum/ Chandertal if open)- Kalpa- stop over at a suitable location (pl recommend)- Delhi
Dates are between 30th May ( Delhi) to 8th June (back in Delhi). Pl recommend if this is a good circuit to do with a 9 year old ( due to high altitudes at Kaza) or should we stop at Kinnaur valley locations. Also are the no of days sufficient.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Dheeraj..!
Thanx a lot for this article and trip specific articles similar to this. It came as a huge relief to me as I am planning a delhi-shimla-kaza-manali-delhi this month end.
A few quick questions
1. Is shimla-Kaza-nako-tabo open now?
2. What tentative costing shall I put aside if I hire a taxi from shimla or chandigarh itself for the entire trip.will that be preferable to take bus or may be train.
Dear Dheerajj,
Thanks for the article on spiti Valley. Can you please advise if we can get the pure veg and jain food for the entire trip from Chandigarh to Spiti Valley and back to chandigarh. Your early reply will be appreciated. If you feel no can we plan our trip to only Kinnaur valley. Pl guide us.
Thanks
Hi Dheeraj,
We have planned to run the Sangla half marathon from Batseri this year and have to be in Sangla by 30th April 2019. Thinking of making a road trip out of this because we have not yet visited Sangla / Chitkul and beyond. (Have done Spiti road trips etc 6-7 times before from both Shimla/ Manali sides). Will obviously be doing the Shimla route now.
1. Would be grateful if we could get some idea about the road conditions till Chitkul as of now because we have about 2 weeks to go before we start from Pune. I have a Fortuner AT vehicle (It is not a 4×4).
2. Does one need a permit to drive beyond Chitkul to the ITBP post (subject to the roads being opened up till then) ?
Thanks very much.
Sanjay
Hi Dheeraj!
I am planning to visit Kaza via Shimla with my friends around 20th March 2019. We’ll be travelling in a Santro xing and a Ritz. Is it safe to go there? And do you think we should carry chains?
Hi Dheeraj
I am planning to travel Kinnaur valley between 21st March to 24th March 2019 on road (car) from delhi and will cover places such as Kalpa, Chitkul, Sangla valley and other nearby places. Few Questions :
1) first, whether March is a good season to travel by road ?
2) based on the latest updates and your network, whether we will reach Kinnaur valley ? What are the chances of road blockage ?
3) what are the chances of snow melt affecting road trip after 20th March based on previous year experiences ?
I look forward for your expert advise.
How are conditions now on the Hindustan-Tibet Highway? I am planning a solo motorcycle trip starting 7th Sep. Hopefully conditions should be better by then?
The highway is open as of now, by 7th September the road conditions will further stabilize
Thanks Dheeraj.
Have the rains eased out?
As of now it seems like, no reports yet of bad weather from any parts.
Thank you Mr Dheeraj. We will consider canceling.
Mrs Jain
Hello Mr Dheeraj,
My husband and I (both in late fifties) are planning a Spiti trip starting from Shimla on the 1st of September. We plan to travel in an Innova. Can you help me with any update about the road conditions? The erratic rains seem to have made it unsafe this year. Should we continue or postpone our trip.
thanking you
Mrs V Jain
Hello Mrs Jain,
As there is heavy rainfall predictions in coming days and alert has been issued in Himachal and Uttarakhand, I will recommend that you go postpone it by a week or so.
I am planning a visit to spiti valley from Shimla side and exit from Manali covering all major landmarks including chandrataal. Is it safe now to go and are the bus routes also open?
Rishu, as of now Himachal is not safe to travel with all the rains going on. I will suggest that you postpone the trip by a week or two.
Hi Dheeraj, Please advise from your experience if VW Vento is good for a Chandigarh-Shimla-Manali run? And are the roads on this route dangerous for self drive? Appreciate your response. Thanks,
Hello
4 of us want to rent Innova from Delhi airport to Shimla sarahan Kinnaur sangla Nino
Tobo kaza chandratal Keylong and end up at Manali .9 nights and 10 days
Please advice
Hello Dang,
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley.
You can get connected directly to some drivers in Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley. These drivers can come and pick you up from Manali / Shimla / Delhi / Chandigarh too, of course with a price of pickup as well.
The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3000-3500 per day depending upon the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price.
Otherwise, taxis in general are also available on the spot from Shimla or Manali from respective taxi stands
For stay options in Kinnaur and Spiti, check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley
I will request that you please refer the following articles for planning a trip to Spiti Valley: Spiti Valley via Manali | How to Plan Your Journey AND Spiti Valley via Kinnaur | How to Plan Your Journey
They have all the details. Feel free to let me know in case of any doubts
Many thanks .It is very nice to get th know DoW.My trip is 20 May -2 June .Will share this trip later
Thank you Dang, looking forward to it.
Hello,
Me and my husband are planning a road trip from
Delhi – shimla / kinnaur – spiti. The same route you mentioned in this post. We will strt on 17 th/ 18 th dec. is this time of year ok to travel this side. Also how many days would you suggest if we plan to stop at shogi. Then 2 -3 more places so tht we can enjoy the complete road trip. Apart from this is audi q3 ok for this route? Thnks!
Hello Niti,
No this is not the right time for a trip to Kinnaur Valley or Spiti Valley unless you are OK with extreme harsh conditions of winters and cold beyond Kinnaur, OK with washrooms with no water, OK with very basic food and OK with very basic stay. On top of it, in case it snows and you are in Spiti, the chances of getting stuck for a couple days to week is possibility.
Thnks!! If we go till kalpa? We are not planning to go beyond that. Spoke to one of the hotels there and as per them the roads will be clear and it shouldnt be much of a problem till there. Also we are ok with harsh winters. Hope the road conditions are ok to drive down. Thnks!
Best wishes for the trip, keep a tab on weather updates. It gets ugly at time up there, so be prepared, mentally.
Mr Dheeraj am planning to go HP in Kinnaur upto Kaza with my family members is there any type of breathing problem in that part also please suggest a car type
Hello Nirban,
Upto Kinnaur it is fine but then you start ascending yourself into high altitude zone where the trouble starts. Key is to travel slow and gradually increase the altitude.
Regards
Dheeraj
hi sir . is innova is safe for on route to shimla-kinnuar-leh. tell me pls
Raman, if you are getting some Xylo or Scropio, better prefer that in front of Innova. Though with experienced hands behind the wheel, innova will not face any issues too.
hi dheeraj
m planning tour to spiti valley via shimla, kinnaur on 22nd june in my VW VENTO… how r the road conditions for a sedan…
Nitin, there are few bad patches of slush and all after Bhawanagar but it is manageable by sedans as well if driven carefully.
Dear Dheeraj, Seems I had to find you some day and you are my light on this journey.
I am planing for Delhi Kunzum pass via Shimla. I want to do the treking to Chandrataal Lake. I may extend to Rohtang Pass.
I have Beat Petrol. Can i manage this journey with by car and what will be the best time to do this journey? Please guide.
Manish, best time for you to cover entire Spiti Valley journey in small car will be September brother. Still, you might not come clean with low GC Car and hence, I will, strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
Dheeraj bhaai……m plang to celebrate new year some where on shimla kaza highway..as close as possible to kaza ……I have innova so u plz suggest how far we cn go on this route…..plz reply soo ……….regards Aman Rao…gurgaon
You can go all the way upto Kaza Aman bhai 🙂 … Roads are open all round the year barring few days of heavy snowfall which might get you stuck until clearance for a day or two anywhere beyond Narkanda. so, if you do not have anything important to handle back at home and are OK with very cold conditions, then you may go all the way to Kaza. Do not go anywhere inside or diverted from main highway because those roads can get blocked for more time and are not often cleared until next season, like Pin Valley.
Regards
dheeraj Sharma
Hello. Please give your comment If I can visit in my wagon R to pin valley in October.
Hello Abhijit,
Yes, you can visit Pin Valley in Wagon R buddy. I have done it in my dZire without much of an issue. Sorry for the delayed reply, I was traveling Zanskar Valley for past 9-10 days and was away from network.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks dheeraj,taking ur advise will realy help.Are there any turns where one can miss d correct route ? Perticularly new malling rt.(asking this cos long bk l got puzzuled beyond rohtang,No one to ask ther
Hi Manoj,
No, there aren’t any turns that would confuse you. The road leads you all the way straight to Kaza. Just keep following th road signs for Kaurik and once you reach Sumdo, there will be a Y-Fork where straight road (main one) will lead you to Tabo – Kaza and left uphill will take you to Kaurik where any civilian is not allowed. So, keep following the main highway.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks dheeraj.l m planing d trip in mid september. I hope new malling route is better ?? Any more worst spots on this rt,other then malling??? FOR DZIRE.,????
Hi Manoj,
As you see the above road conditions, they tend to be very similar through out the year. Most troublesome spot is Malling only but now if you are considering Pin Valley, then again you might face few more due to recent mud slides in there. After Powari roads are real bad upto Akpa bridge. Rest as you see, my dzire rocked and so will yours but do drive carefully.
Regards
Dheeraj
I m planing delhi-kaza via shimla in september in swift dzire.is it ok for roads on this route ???
Hello Manoj,
Make it late September as and when the rains reside the region and with careful and cautious driving, it will be manageable in dzire. Read my whole journey of first week of October last year in my dzire only at the link here: Spiti Valley Sprint | A Crazy Drive from Kaza to Delhi
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks dheeraj.pls tell me more about malling nala,..new bypass to skip malling nala.i went to kalp in oct 2010.just beyond kalpa d road was being widened…so dropped going further. As u can guide me d best….i wud to talk 2 u. I m in NOIDA. EMAIL. manojsh15@gmail.com pls reply so that i can call u to know more.thanks
Hello Manoj,
You cannot by pass Malling Nala friend. There was a old Malling Nala and the route through it has been closed now. The new route is now at more altitude and even this one does poses a problem or two every now and then. When are you planning for the trip?
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma