Overview
Manali to Kaza is roughly 180–200 km, usually 7 to 9 hours by taxi: through the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul, along the Chandra river past Chhatru and Batal, over Kunzum La at about 4,550 m, and down through Losar to Kaza at about 3,650 m. It's one of the most dramatic drives in India, and a seasonal one: the road over Kunzum is usually open only from about late May or June to mid or late October, when the first heavy snow closes it. Parts of the route are rough, with stream crossings and loose gravel, so we send only SUVs and Innovas with drivers who run Spiti regularly. We pick you up from your Manali hotel and drop you in Kaza.
Usual route: Atal Tunnel to Lahaul, then Gramphu, Chhatru, Batal and Kunzum La (about 4,550 m) to Losar and Kaza
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Manali
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Manali to Kaza
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
2,050 m
Manali
Total climb
+1,600 m
over ~195 km
Finish
3,650 m
Kaza
- Manali
- Atal Tunnel
- Chhatru
- Batal
- Kunzum La
- Losar
- Kaza
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Manali to Kaza taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~195 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹12,500
starting · one way
₹13,800
starting · one way
₹22,450
starting · one way
Your quote
Manali → Kaza
SUV · one way · ~195 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in ManaliIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹12,500
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1Leave Manali by 6 am; stream crossings between Chhatru and Batal rise through the day as snow melts.
- 2The stretch from Gramphu to Losar is largely unpaved and slow; expect a bumpy, dusty day.
- 3There's no fuel between Manali (or Tandi) and Kaza; our drivers fill up before setting out.
- 4Kunzum La closes with the first heavy snow, usually in mid or late October; we check the road status the day before.
- 5This route climbs very fast to over 4,500 m. Spend a night or two in Manali first, and tell us about any heart or lung conditions.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Manali
Pickup
Atal Tunnel
9 km tunnel under the Pir Panjal into Lahaul.
Chhatru
Dhabas and the start of the rough stretch.
Batal
The famous Chacha-Chachi dhaba; turn-off for Chandratal lake.
Kunzum La
Pass at about 4,550 m with a small temple; stop briefly only.
Losar
First Spiti village after the pass; tea and police check.
Kaza
Drop at your hotel
The road over Kunzum La
After the Atal Tunnel, the road follows the Chandra river up a wide, barren valley. Beyond Chhatru the tarmac mostly ends, and the next stretch to Batal is the hardest: loose rock, potholes and several streams that cross the road, which are lowest in the early morning. From Batal, the road climbs in switchbacks to Kunzum La, at about 4,550 m, where there's a small temple and wide views of the Bara Shigri glacier area. On the far side, the road drops into the Spiti valley at Losar, and the last hour to Kaza is on a better road.
It's a slow day: 180–200 km can take eight or nine hours. That's normal, and part of the experience.
Chandratal on the way
Chandratal, a high lake at about 4,300 m, lies off the Batal–Kunzum road. Many travellers spend a night at the camps near the lake, which breaks the drive and adds one of the most beautiful places in Himachal. It also means sleeping at a high altitude on your first night out of Manali, so it's better for travellers who've acclimatised in Manali for two nights or more. Tell us if you'd like to include it; it adds a day.
- Batal to Chandratal: a short detour on a rough road
- Camps only, open in season
- Very cold nights, even in summer
Why SUVs only
Sedans struggle with the ground clearance on the Chhatru–Batal stretch and the stream crossings, and a stuck car in Spiti means a long wait. We send SUVs, Innovas and, for groups, Tempo Travellers on this route, with drivers who know the road and carry basic spares. Fares are higher than the distance suggests because the driver needs a day to return, often empty, and the road is hard on vehicles.
Altitude: go slowly
Kaza is at about 3,650 m and Kunzum La at about 4,550 m, so this route gains altitude far faster than the Kinnaur road from Shimla. Headaches, nausea and poor sleep are common on the first night in Kaza. Spend at least two nights in Manali first, drink plenty of water, take the first day in Kaza easy, and talk to a doctor before the trip if you have heart or lung conditions. Many travellers enter Spiti from Shimla and leave via Manali for exactly this reason.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Kaza
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Snow likely, roads can close | April: Snow likely, roads can close | May: Fine, check weather | June: Best time | July: Best time | August: Best time | September: Best time | October: Fine, check weather | November: Snow likely, roads can close | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Manali hotels (Mall Road, Model Town, Aleo)
- • Old Manali and Vashisht (nearest road point)
- • Manali bus stand
Other ways to travel
HRTC runs a seasonal bus from Manali to Kaza, and shared taxis leave from Manali in season. Outside the season, Kaza is reached only via Shimla and Kinnaur.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Manali to Kaza cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are SUV ₹12,500, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹13,800, Tempo Traveller ₹22,450, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Kaza from Manali?+
Roughly 180–200 km, usually 7 to 9 hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
When is the Manali–Kaza road open?+
Usually from about late May or June to mid or late October, depending on snow at Kunzum La. Outside that, go via Shimla and Kinnaur.
Can we go by sedan?+
No. We send SUVs and Innovas only on this route, because of rough stretches and stream crossings.
Do we need a permit?+
Indian citizens don't. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Spiti and upper Kinnaur; see our permits guide.
Can we stop at Chandratal?+
Yes, as an overnight at the camps near the lake. It adds a day and is best after acclimatising in Manali.
Why is the fare higher than for other 200 km trips?+
The driver needs a day to return, the road is rough, and there's no fuel on the way. The price reflects the real two-day cost.
Is altitude sickness a risk?+
Yes, this route climbs fast. Spend two nights in Manali first, rest on arrival in Kaza, and drink plenty of water.
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