Kunzum Pass ( Tibetan: Kunzum La, elev. ), is a high

mountain pass A mountain pass is a navigable route through a mountain range or over a ridge. Since mountain ranges can present formidable barriers to travel, passes have played a key role in trade, war, and both Human migration, human and animal migration t ...

in the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas. It connects Lahaul valley and Spiti valley. It is on the route from Gramphoo in Lahaul to

Kaza A kaza (, "judgment" or "jurisdiction") was an administrative divisions of the Ottoman Empire, administrative division of the Ottoman Empire. It is also discussed in English under the names district, subdistrict, and juridical district. Kazas co ...

the subdivisional headquarters of Spiti. Kunzum Pass on NH505 is from Manali, and from Kaza.

Transport

NH505 over the Kunzum Pass connects Kaza to Manali in southwest, and Kaurik, Sumdo, Pooh & Tabo in east. Kaza-Pooh-Tabo-

Shimla Shimla, also known as Simla ( the official name until 1972), is the capital and the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of British India. After independence, the city ...

route is open whole year, but the Manali-Kaza route is closed for 7 winter months every year during which Kunzum Pass (15,000 ft) is closed. NHAI is planning to construct a tunnel under the Kunzum Pass to provide all-weather connectivity between Manali and Spiti valley.Rs 200 cr for Sumdoh-Gramphu road
The Tribune, 14 June 2020. The Kunzum Pass is normally open from June/July to October/November. The dates of opening and closing are dependent on the weather and road repair by the

Border Roads Organisation The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India. BRO develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighboring countries. This include ...

. NH505 from the Manali-Gramphoo side in the west climbs steeply through fifteen (15) sharp hairpin turns from Batal (el. ) on the Chandra River, testing the driving skills of even experienced drivers. On the Kaza side in east, the road from the small town of Losar (el. ) runs on the right bank of a tributary of the Spiti. It climbs through a dry, semi-desert landscape up to the Kunzum Pass.

Tourism

Many drivers and travelers seek blessings of Kunzum Mata before continuing on the dangerous journey. There is also a 15 km trek to Chandratal, the Moon Lake, from the Kunzum La.

Gallery

File:Young Tibetan couple at Kunzum Pass.jpg, Young Tibetan couple at Kunzum Pass File:Kunzum Pass between Lahaul & Spiti.jpg, Kunzum Mata temple File:KunzumMilestone.JPG, Kunzum La, Lahaul & Spiti

Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh (; Sanskrit: ''himācāl prādes;'' "Snow-laden Mountain Province") is a States and union territories of India, state in the northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is one of the thirteen Indian Himalayan ...

File:Mountain peaks as seen from Kunzum Pass between Lahaul and Spiti.jpg, Mountain peaks as seen from Kunzum Pass between Lahaul and Spiti

References

{{Mountain passes of India Mountain passes of Himachal Pradesh Geography of Kullu district Geography of Lahaul and Spiti district