Kunzum Pass
Transport
NH505 over the Kunzum Pass connects Kaza to Manali in southwest, and Kaurik, 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 and Spiti valley. 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.
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. 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.
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
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Young Tibetan couple at Kunzum Pass
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Kunzum Mata temple
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Kunzum La, Lahaul & Spiti Himachal Pradesh
References
- ^ Rs 200 cr for Sumdoh-Gramphu road, The Tribune, 14 June 2020.
- ^ "District Lahaul and Spiti > Tourism > How to Reach". District Lahaul and Spiti, Government of Himachal Pradesh. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ "Kunzum Pass Reopened After Months of Closure". Outlook Traveller. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ "Node: Kunzum La (287412459)". OpenStreetMap.org. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ Chaudhry, Minakshi (2007). Destination Himachal: Over 132 Offbeat and 12 Popular Getaways. New Delhi: Rupa. pp. 346–348. ISBN 978-81-291-0715-2.