Nako Kaza Sangla Chitkul in December

Hey Guys I am planning to do Nako kaza sangla chitkul during New year Times...I know its pretty cold out there at that time but is it doable at that time as we are planning to do this trip by bike...If it is doable then can anyone tell what prepartion we have to do...what could be the blockage in the trip...and the place to visit....

Thanks in advance

Hi,

Snowfall has already started in these areas. So, stay updated about the climate of this area before planning your trip.
All the Best

Shimla - Kaza, being an all weather road, its definitely possible to drive through this stretch barring a few blockade in case of heavy snow. Otherwise the road's average height is much lower to make it an all weather road.

The problem would be all side valleys would be closed, you have to be on main circuit only. Also the accommodation options will be extreley limited I guess. You surely need preparation to face that cold desert in Jan along with warm clothes and medicines but you need to speak in proper forum about the preparations needed for your bike to ride in Dec/Jan condition there.

PS: Don't try to Sangla/Chitkul, it would be closed for sure during the time you are planning.

Cheers

I dont think you would be able to do this route in december....The route would be closed due snowfall....But you can checkout the weather & status of road here:

hplahaulspiti.gov.in

Regard
Vinod bhakuni

It's an all weather road, Spiti, unlike Lahaul is conneted to rest of the world through NH22 all through the year. Definitely it can be closed due to excessive snowfall for a while but the height of the road is not good enough to make it an all snow zone during winter, While reaching Kaza from RecongPeo, we need not cross any high passes.

Read below in IM only for an end december experience with snaps. If one can reach, it would be a magical experience.

Spiti In End December. Yes It is Possible.

Hi Kshil,

Greetings for the day....!!!!

Its just a prediction & it is based on the fact that this time the weather is reacting strangely & Kumaon hills have received first snowfall of the season on 23rd Oct & that too in the High Peaks of Kausani, which has not received snowfall for quite long.... & the fact that we received Snowfall in the month of April near Malling Nala, however it was scanty....!!!!
but it may or may not get closed due to snowfall....!!!! :-)

Regards
Vinod Bhakuni

Hi Vinod,

Greetings for the day!!

I understand that it's prediction and I agree with you considering the consistantly inconsistant weather pattern of 2010. Not only Malling, in case of a WD or sudden bad weather the route could be closed in any number of places but it's unlike high passes of Rohtang/Kunzum/Barlacha where administration would try their best to reopen the road as soon as possible. Considering the strategic Sino-Indian Border, Malling is the only life line for Indian Army too, specially for those who are stationed in Sumdo/Kourik region. Incidentally the major part of this road is mainatined by BRO and not HPPWD.

Cheers!!

Hi,

Just for curiosity, are Rohtang/Kunzum/Barlacha passes open through out the year????

No, all the passes you mentioned are kept open only for 4/5 months in a year at most. They usually start getting opened from May/June and closed down by October end to maximum November.

Hi,

We 2 friends also planing also in December 2010 by bikes, so if you finalize the dates, we are also join with you. Please advice.

Thanks, Satish
9866777369

Hi,

I am planning Manali-Simla via Kaza, Nako Recong peo, details as

possible date of journey-(day 1) 10-15 june 2011
Day 1 Manali (vashisht, hidimba, other places, relax in old town)
day 2 Manali (5am), rohtang (8am), Kaza (by evening). Enroute visit Ky monastery
day 3- Kaza- chandrataal-kaza
day 4 Kaza-nako-tabo-reckong peo
day 5- R.peo- kalpa-barang- rest at R.peo
day 6- R.peo-Simla (hindustan tibet road) reach by dinner
day 7- rest at simla

No. of people with this journey- 14-15 people

Mode of transport- mostly 2-3 SUVs (tavera, sumo, qualis)

QUESTIONS:
1. is this time right?
2. I am of proper indian nationality and so all the people of the group, where should i take the Inner line permit? Kaza? how long will it take?
3. Nearest guest house (proper rooms) from chandrataal lake?? can spend night 2 there.
4. Places of interest near r.peo other than kinnaur kailash?
5. R.peo- simla 1 day doable?

Days 2,3 and 4 are going to be very long and tiring drives.

June is high season - so the time is right.
You donot require inner line permits for Indian citizens for the places you have mentioned.
Why are you planning to stay in Recong peo instead of Kalpa. kalpa has far better views than recong peo.

I guess Sangla and Chitkul can be called "near recong peo" but I would hesitate to recommend them as you already have a very hectic schedule.

Recong peo/kalpa to shimla is easily doable in a day.

Anuj, it would be more like going for a car rally rather than doing justice to these nice places.

Every Year in this region is different and nothing can be said about dates/time based on last year. Still if you want to keep 2010 as benchmark, people crossed the Kunzum around 15/16th June and in that sense, 10th June might be marginal.

Again in 2010's standard, Chandratal route opened around 10th July, so chance of making it during your trip is extremely marginal.

If you want to cover the loop, try to come after 2 weeks, probablity of crossing Kunzum would be much higher, else from Spiti's perspective if you approach from Shimla, it's actually an all weather road where you can come anytime.

Better cover Chandrataal when coming from Manali to Kaza (if its open) in Day 1 and enjoy Kye/Tashigang/Langza/Komic on Day2 from Kaza.

Rest all are answered by Nayan, just one point as I 100% agree with Nayan, it's extremely hectic trip specially considering the bad roads you can expect during start of the season.

Cheers!!

@ above: Thank you for telling that trip seems hectic.

our group is mostly 20-25 age. But i think adding one day more will be Much Much benificial.

i can find that there must be a nearer village to Chandrataal than Kaza, (maybe the frist village after crosing Kunzumla) where we can rest the night. Which is nearest place to chandrataal lake? If we have to trek chandrataal, (if i add one more day to schedule) from the closest place where vehicles can go, then which place is this, and how long will it take to trek to chandrataal (and return)from this place, will this be doable in 1 day?

i.e. modifying it as
day 2- manali to (that place nearest to chandrataal)
day 3- chandrataal and reach to kaza
day 4 enjoy kye tashigang langza komic
then day 5 onwards as earlier.

Anuj, yes if all are young in a group, tiring schedule might not be an issue but getting stuck somewhere with limited time might proved to be a serious issue and search just in IM, you would find many such incidents. So while in these regions, better you go with sufficient time. If Japanese Philosophy of 'Just in Time' holds true for you, you would just be considered lucky but if it is not, you might be in deep trouble.

About, Approaching Chandrataal, there are 2 routes, One from Batal, needs almost 30 km of hike to Chandratal and back (15 km one way), not sure with all snow if you are ready to take that challenge.

The Shorter route and more scenic one is from Kunzum Pass itself, After slight uphill from Pass, it's all downhill but again this trail is more difficult in snow as you might not be able to locate the trail. This year on June 23rd, we found extemely hard to trace the route from Kunzum and found 3 Delhi guys to come back from half way. But Batal route was relatively better and heard people even trekked from that route during that time. But taking Batal route would demand a night halt in Batal for sure which has a very very basic accommodation in a local dhaba. But Batal is the first place to stay (only during seasonal time as that is not a village) crossing Kunzum towards Manali. Next one is Chotadhara where you may find PWD GH

First Village after Kunzum la is Losar towards Kaza side where you can get limited accommodation but when you are coming from Manali, I am sure car would charge you quite higher if you plan to come to losar by crossing Kunzum for night stay and then again go back for Chandratal. Also it would be simply waste of time. Staying at Losar makes sense if you approach it from Kaza end.

Chandratal Trek is doable in a day by walk from Batal (though extremely tiring) if the weather is fine and roads are clear of snow and all of you are quite habituated with high altitude treks as in your case you have almost zero acclimatization when coming from Manali. If otherwise, it might turn out to be extremely risky.

Cheers!!