Manali to Spiti

1. Rohtang Pass

   

   
   The first stop or the first landmark after you commence the journey from Manali is Rohtang Pass highway. On the side of the roads are majestic mountain peaks, all covered in snow. Add to that sharp mountainside turns, horses carrying tourists and an enchanting landscape. 

2. Gramphu

   

   
   Next stop is the Greater Himalayas on the way where you will find muddy narrow pathways instead of wide roads. The splitting point of the route is Gramphu. Also, the lush greenery on the side is replaced by rocky mountains

3. Chotadara

   

   
   After Gramphu, you will cross Chhatru and then come to Chotadara where there is river Chenab. The bus or the car has to run over gravel and rubble. A little ahead, people mostly tend to halt at a spot called Batal. Here you can have food and refreshments at the small dhaba.

4. Kunzum Pass

   

   
   After you cross the Chandratal diversion, you will come to the last and the final stopover cum landmark called the Kunzum Pass. It is narrow and winding and uneven. But it is incomparable when it comes to scenery and the views. At the top of the Kunzum Pass, there is the Kunzum Mata Mandir which is also the beginning of the Spiti Valley. 

5. Losar

   

   
   Losar is the last and final checkpoint on the Manali Kaza route. Here you will have to get the vehicles registered and the like. You will see several clusters of houses in the distance. The view is like a painted scenery. And a little farther on the way, is the Kaza valley.

1. The roads between Manali to Spiti makes for an adventurous trip with scenic views on the way. From Manali to Rohtang Pass, the road is muddy and rocky with views of the hills and mountains on the side. But the downside is that this route has a lot of puddles and wet mud, especially in the rainy season that is between May and July.
2.  From Rohtang to Batal and Losar, the road gets better with fewer puddles and lesser rocks. 
3. But just ahead, from Losar to Kunzum, the roads get very uneven and infested with cracks. You will need to take utter care while driving on this route. 
4. From Kunzum to Chandratal, it again gets better. Aside from a few patches, the road is mostly smooth. 
5. But again, from Chandratal to Kaza, the roads get pretty bad with huge boulders, rocky slides and water crossings on the way. The most ideal time to travel is between September and October which is devoid of fog or rain or snow.

For Indians

For Foreign Nationals

1. Remember to carry your ID cards.
2. Carry passports at all times, especially if you are a foreign national. 
3. Wear or carry comfortable shoes which are slip resistant.
4. Carry enough warm clothes and accessories like mufflers, hand gloves etc.
5. Carry enough cash as the ATMs are not functional most of the time.
6. First Aid Kit with medication for common cold, fever, nausea, respiratory illness, vomiting and infections etc.
7. Remember to carry a torch light and some batteries.
8. Carry enough water and energy food like energy bars and chocolates etc.