| Kunzum La | |
|---|---|
 Kunzum Pass between Lahaul & Spiti | |
| Elevation | 4,551 m (14,931 ft) |
| Traversed by | Kaza-Keylong |
| Location | Himachal,India |
| Range | Kunzum,Himalayas |
| Coordinates | 32°24′57″N77°38′55″E / 32.415798°N 77.648528°E /32.415798; 77.648528 |
Kunzum Pass (Tibetan:Kunzum La, elev. 4,551 m or 14,931 ft), is a highmountain pass in the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas. It connects Lahaul valley and Spiti valley. It is on the route from Gramphoo in Lahaul toKaza the subdivisional headquarters of Spiti. Kunzum Pass onNH505 is 122 km (76 mi) fromManali, and 79 km (49 mi) from Kaza.[1]
NH505 over the Kunzum Pass connects Kaza toManali in southwest, andKaurik, Sumdo,Pooh &Tabo in east. Kaza-Pooh-Tabo-Shimla 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 andSpiti valley.[1] The Kunzum Pass is normally open from June/July to October/November.[2] The dates of opening and closing are dependent on the weather and road repair by theBorder Roads Organisation.[3]
NH505 from the Manali-Gramphoo side in the west climbs steeply through fifteen (15) sharp hairpin turns from Batal (el. 4,000 m or 13,000 ft) on the Chandra River, testing the driving skills of even experienced drivers.[4] On the Kaza side in east, the road from the small town of Losar (el. 4,076 m or 13,373 ft) runs on the right bank of a tributary of the Spiti. It climbs through a dry, semi-desert landscape 22 km (14 mi) up to the Kunzum Pass.[5]
Many drivers and travelers seek blessings of Kunzum Mata before continuing on the dangerous journey. There is also a 15 km trek toChandratal, the Moon Lake, from the Kunzum La.
