Delhi to Lahaul Spiti

Route
Chandigarh - Shimla - Matiana - Narkanda - Wangtoo - Powari - Pooh - Khaab - Malling - Nako - Chaango - Sumdo check post - Tabo - Dhankar - Kaja - Kunjum Top - batal - Chhatru - Gramphoo - Rohtang - Manali - Chandigarh
Distance
1250 km approx.

Best Part
Road till Pooh. This route is breathtaking after Shimla. The road is not the smoothest but its character more than makes up for the lack of smoothness.
Return after Rohtang is good too..From Pooh to Rohtang the terrain is hostile

Description
From Delhi to Chandigarh is a good four-lane road, part of which is under construction but you will make good time. The road approaching Shimla starts into the mountains and the turns and curves and the scenic beauty of the forest is bound to win your heart. But the progress is a little slow as the speed drops. There is a sheer downfall road of 30 kms from Narkanda towards rampur, which puts high pressure on the front brakes of a vehicle.

After Powari the greenery starts to disappear. But thats the beauty of this route. It seems like vegetation has been shaved off the mountains. River Sutluz and Spiti meet at Khaab. Then we move on to Nak, another stopover. After Nako, the road becomes tremendously rough with sand and landslides. Within little less than 3 hrs, the road hits the Sumdo check post after crossing tough landsliding area of Chango. Sumdo is the gateway to Spiti. The NH22 ends at kaurik, 7 kms from Sumdo and 4 from China. Tabo has a famous monastery. Then we move on to Kaja. Road keeps getting worse.

7kms offtrack from the Tabo-Kaja road is Dhankar, another famous monastery town. it is the ex-capital of the area. Kaja is the administrative center of sub-district of Spiti. Kaja can be reached in10-11 hrs from Tabo. Kaja has the world's highest fuel retail outlet. 11 km from Kaja, is the offtrack Ki monastry. It is the largest monastery of Spiti region. Then there is the Kibbar village, which is the world's highest inhabited village at 4250 m.The road from Kaja to Kunjam Top is the cruelest. There is a temple of Kunjam devi, which should'nt be missed.Then you reach Rohtang via Gramphoo. Then to Manali and Chandigarh.

Stopovers
1. Matiana or Narkanda [near Shimla]. Former is cheaper.
2. After 280 kms and 14 hrs, there comes Nako. Some private guest houses available here. Its a village with a lake. No phone faciltiy here.
3. 11 hr drive from Nako takes you to Kaja. There are PWD rest house available.
4. 13 hrs from here is Manali
5. From Manali, Chandigarh is at a 8 hrs drive.


Fuel Stations
Fuel will be available normally till Shimla. After it your fuel cans will be used.
Fuel pumps are at- Powari and then Kaja.

Tips
You must carry fuel cans.
Breathing might be difficult at some higher ares, so avoid physical strain or excitement. This is just a caution. Normally people do not face that much problem. But ya it is a rule of Science that levels of oxygen decline as you go up.
Sun burn is common.
Refuel properly at Powari and Kaja.

Time to Visit
May-June
Sept-mid Oct

Route Map [click to enlarge]