Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
Cum Kms 33 Cum Miles 21 Cum Time 0:26

From Delhi (Rajghat)

To Delhi / Haryana Border

KMs Miles Time 33 21 0:26

Comments

Delhi / Haryana Border Barista Coffee

Barista Coffee Samalkha

23 23

14 14

0:17 0:12

56 79

35 49

Samalkha Panipat

Panipat Barista Coffee

17 31

11 19

0:10 0:26

96 127

60 79

Barista Coffee Savoy Greens Food Court (next to Karni Lake in Karnal)

Savoy Greens Food Court (next to Karni Lake in Karnal)

13

0:13

140

88

Located on left side of highway. If you prefer, there is a Caf Coffee Day just 2 kms down and a very nice multi cuisine restaurant Haveli soon after; I 0:43 think the latter is open 24 hours. 0:55 Stick to the central lanes as you approach Panipat so you can take the flyover over the city if you go through the city below the flyover, it could take you upto 30 minutes or 1:05 longer. Located on opposite side of highway. 1:31 Open 24 Hours. The Savoy Greens is one of the better places to eat on the highway. The food court offers a selection of McDonalds, Costa Coffee, Subway, Dominos Pizza, Kwality (North Indian dishes), a South 1:44 Indian counter besides others.

Karnal Toll Plaza

16

10

0:14

156

98

Karnal Toll Plaza

Kurukshetra

13

0:11

169

106

1:58 Paid Rs. 81 This is the same as Pipli it seems Kurukshetra is a little inside from the 2:09 highway

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
Just after the town there is a Saagar Ratna restaurant (serving south and north Indian cuisines, and usually do a good job except the last time I was there) a good option for a meal. It is also a good idea to tank up at or a before Ambala. Fuel is much more expensive in Punjab and Himachal 2:45 Pradesh. When you exit Ambala, dont take the road to Chandigarh but the one to Jalandhar along NH1. Shortly after you will come to a toll plaza dont cross it. There is a right turn just before 3:00 that, take that. You hit NH21 after this that goes all 3:41 the way to Manali 3:58 Paid Rs. 11 4:16 Be careful here it is easy to miss this turn. I did and overshot by 8kms. There is a flyover under construction next to a railway crossing and a fuel station. You have to turn right here over the tracks. Traffic sometimes 4:58 tends to get jammed here. 5:33

Kurukshetra

Ambala

43

27

0:36

212

133

Ambala Right Turn for Kharar / Roopnagar just before Toll Plaza Kharar Kharar Kurali Toll Plaza Roopnagar (formerly Kurali Toll Plaza Ropar)

Right Turn for Kharar / Roopnagar just before Toll Plaza

14

0:15

226

141

42 13 16

26 8 10

0:41 0:17 0:18

268 281 297

168 176 186

Roopnagar (formerly Ropar) Right Turn for Manali

Right Turn for Manali Swarghat

31 22

19 14

0:42 0:35

328 350

205 219

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
The road become mountainous from here. It was generally a good road but has deteriorated lately especially after the unexceptionally heavy rains of 6:58 2010. 8:07 8:36 9:27 10:06 After you cross Kullu town, you will see a bridge going across the river. Slow down, take a U-turn to the left and go onto the bridge to cross over. This will take you on the right bank I took this as my hotel is located on that side. The drive is along a narrower road that takes you through villages and Naggar all along, you will see fruit orchards, a delightful sight at all time especially when they bear fruits or flowers. You may choose not to cross the river and continue straight that gets you to the centre of Manali 11:01 town quicker. A good idea to tank up in Kullu or Manali the next fuel station will be in Kaza. And supplies there can be erratic and you will have to wait to get to 11:38 Powari to find the next station.

Swarghat Bilaspur Sundernagar Mandi Aut Tunnel

Bilaspur Sundernagar Mandi Aut Tunnel Kullu

42 44 24 39 31

26 28 15 24 19

1:25 1:09 0:29 0:51 0:39

392 436 460 499 530

245 273 288 312 331

Kullu

Naggar

26

16

0:55

556

348

Naggar

Manali

22

14

0:37

578

361

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
This is the better part of the road and you will generally have a smooth run. Of course, there will be rough patches and all it takes is one stuck vehicle to throw all traffic out of gear. At Marhi, you can take a break for tea / snacks / meal at one of the many roadside Dhabas (restaurants). Most restrooms belong to the Dhabas and they only allow paying customers to use it. Buy a tea or cola if need be to use it there are not too many opportunities to go behind rocks for a 13:08 long time after this. This is a bad stretch, getting worse with every monsoon rains and winter snow. You will make only slow progress when you go off season with limited traffic, and it will be a snarl during holiday season. Marked Altitide 14:38 for Rohtang Pass: 3,980 m (13,057 ft) Turn Right for Kaza /Spiti. Be careful not to miss the turn. If you go straight and drive for two days, you will reach Ladakh. Distance marked from here in 15:57 kms: Kaza 137, Tabo 177, Keylong 51

Manali

Marhi

36

23

1:30

614

384

Marhi

Rohtang Pass

16

10

1:30

630

394

Rohtang Pass

Gramphoo

16

10

1:19

646

404

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
They have a couple of roadside Dhabas too. I was told there is a satellite phone that one can use in an emergency but could not see one. Not that I enquired. There is a Government guest house but dont expect anything fancy. A sign indicated Chatru to be at an altitude of 11,100 feet with a population of 100.Distance marked from here in kms: Kaza 120, 16:57 Kunzum Pass 43 18:13 You start the climb to Kunzum La 19:13 (Pass) after this. Keep right from here. Dont turn left unless you intend going to Chandratal 19:28 Lake.

Gramphoo Chatru Chota Dhara

Chatru Chota Dhara Batal

18 17 17

11 11 11

1:00 1:16 1:00

664 681 698

415 426 436

Batal

Left Turn for Chandratal

0:15

701

438

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi

Left Turn for Chandratal

Kunzum Pass

0:30

710

444

Kunzum Pass

Losar

19

12

1:00

729

456

This is where the journey of Kunzum.com started in 2007 and we have been traveling and writing and clicking since then. You also have to be careful here: It is always very cold and windy here. In 2007, it was dry but I could not stand outside the car for too long. My last trip was in October and a snow storm was building up. I was not experienced enough to know whether it would stop at just the snowflakes falling or if I would get stuck. I chose to play it safe and continued driving after only a brief halt. Marked Altitude 4551 metres (14,931 feet); Distance marked from here in kms: Kaza 78, 19:58 Losar 19 Not a bad idea to stop for a tea here. You anyway need to get off and enter your personal and vehicle information with the police. A formality for Indians. Foreigners need an Inner Line Permit. Losars marked altitude is 4,079 metres (13,379 ft) with a population of 20:58 227.

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi

Losar Kaza Turn for Pin Valley Turn for Lalung

Kaza Turn for Pin Valley Turn for Lalung Turn for Dhankar

61 18 3 6

38 11 2 4

2:00 0:40 0:09 0:11

790 808 811 817

494 505 507 511

22:58 23:38 23:47 23:58

Turn for Dhankar Tabo

Tabo Hurling

23 20

14 13

0:50 0:35

840 860

525 538

24:48 25:23

As you get closer to Kaza, a sign on an ornamental Buddhist gate greets you with the message: MOST WELCOME TO SPITI VALLEY. Reached Kaza after a long drive it seemed to have taken longer than in 2007. Even if I discount the additional time spent on photography. The roads have actually gotten worse especially after Losar and before Rohtang. There were virtually no roads ever between Rohtang and Losar. Marked Altitude for Kaza: 3660 m (12,007 feet). Distance marked from Kaza in kms: Simla 412, Rekong Peo 199, Pooh 143, Nako 104 Go straight, don't turn unless you want to go to Pin Valley Go Straight. You can take a detour from here if you want to visit the Dhankar Monastery Marked Altitude for Tabo: 3050 m (10,006 feet). Distance marked from Tabo in kms: Simla 366, Rampur 239, Nako 58

Hurling

Sumdo

0:15

869

543

You cross from Lahaul Spiti into Kinnaur district from here. You need to enter your personal and vehicle information in the police register here a formality for Indians. Foreigners 25:38 need to show an Inner Line Permit.

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
Sumdo Chango Nako Chango Nako Pooh 13 24 40 8 15 25 0:25 0:45 1:15 882 906 946 551 566 591 26:03 The village and lake are about one km 26:48 inside from the main highway 28:03 You need to enter your personal and vehicle information in the police register here a formality for Indians. Foreigners need to show an Inner Line Permit. My car also got a car wash here: water was falling onto the highway from an overhanging rock above like a waterfall. The impact was 28:43 good to wash the dirt away J There is another turn a few miles before this for Rekong Peo / Kalpa and takes lesser time. But that road apparently got destroyed in landslides and rains in 2010. And may take some time repairing. I was stuck for nearly two hours between the two turns for 30:03 Rekong Peo. 30:06 You can tank up here 30:36 31:26 31:56 32:26 33:16

Pooh

Spillo

25

16

0:40

971

607

Spillo Turn for Rekong Peo / Kalpa Powari Turn at Karcham Sangla Town Banjara Camps (Sangla Valley) Sangla Town

Turn for Rekong Peo / Kalpa Powari Turn at Karcham Sangla Town Banjara Camps (Sangla Valley) Sangla Town Karcham Bridge

34 2 13 17 10 10 17

21 1 8 11 6 6 11

1:20 0:03 0:30 0:50 0:30 0:30 0:50

1005 1007 1020 1037 1047 1057 1074

628 629 638 648 654 661 671

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
There is a fuel station for diesel here but dont be sure it will always be 33:36 working. 33:51 There is a relatively clean public restroom here best bet to take a 34:36 pitstop for a long time. Turn left for Sarahan from here or straight to Thanedar / Simla. Distances marked from here in kms: 35:16 Sarahan 17, Simla 153, Rampur 23 35:41 36:11 Dont miss this turn: You will see a big factory on your left there is a U-turn to the left soon after. Thanedar is 36:46 marked 22 kms from here. 37:31 38:06 39:11 39:51 40:06 From Dhalli, you can take a bypass and avoid Simla town but it is a longer distance. I took the bypass which ends a few kms after Hotel Cecil (Oberoi 41:06 chain) in Simla. 41:21

Karcham Bridge Tapri

Tapri Wangtu

11 8

7 5

0:20 0:15

1085 1093

678 683

Wangtu

Jai Taranda Maa Temple

18

11

0:45

1111

694

Jai Taranda Maa Temple Jeori Jhakri

Jeori Jhakri Rampur Bushehr

20 11 13

13 7 8

0:40 0:25 0:30

1131 1142 1155

707 714 722

Rampur Bushehr Turn for Thanedar Thanedar Town Narkanda Theog Kufri

Turn for Thanedar Thanedar Town Narkanda Theog Kufri Dhalli

29 22 18 33 15 7

18 14 11 21 9 4

0:35 0:45 0:35 1:05 0:40 0:15

1184 1206 1224 1257 1272 1279

740 754 765 786 795 799

Dhalli End of bypass after Simla

End of bypass after Simla Shoghi

26 10

16 6

1:00 0:15

1305 1315

816 822

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
There is an alternate route when coming from Thanedar: turn for Chail at Kufri and exit at Kandaghat. I dont know the state of this road but might have been a quicker route. Not sure how far Kufri Chail is, but a sign at Kandaghat shows Chail Kandaghat 41:46 29 kms. 42:11 Nahan is marked 76 kms if one wants to take an alternate route not 42:41 recommended though. Turn right for Kasauli from here. There is a Caf Coffee Day here in case you 42:48 are caffeine starved. Pray you dont get stuck here Kalka is a bottleneck and it will be years 43:33 before anything will change. You are supposed to go via Zirakpur but due to road construction work, traffic is diverted. Follow the signs and 44:18 ask for directions. 44:48 45:28

Shoghi Kandaghat

Kandaghat Solan

18 16

11 10

0:25 0:25

1333 1349

833 843

Solan

Kumarhatti

15

0:30

1364

853

Kumarhatti

Dharampur

0:07

1369

856

Dharampur

Kalka

25

16

0:45

1394

871

Kalka Dera Bassi Ambala

Pipli / Kurukshetra Savoy Greens Food Court (next to Karni Lake in Karnal) Barista Coffee Panipat Toll

Dera Bassi Ambala Pipli / Kurukshetra Savoy Greens Food Court (next to Karni Lake in Karnal)

36 32 43

23 20 27

0:45 0:30 0:40

1430 1462 1505

894 914 941

28

18

0:25

1533

958

45:53

Barista Coffee Panipat Toll Haveli Restaurant

13 26 43

8 16 27

0:20 0:30 0:35

1546 1572 1615

966 983 1009

46:13 46:43 47:18 On opposite side of highway

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Kunzum Route K13

Delhi - Lahaul Spiti (Kaza and Tabo), Nako, Sangla, Thanedar, Delhi
Haveli Restaurant Delhi Border Delhi Border Rajghat 25 32 16 20 0:20 0:40 1640 1672 1025 1045 47:38 48:18

Please Note:
* This route last updated in October 2010. * The times / distances mentioned do not cover stops. In other words, you are only reading actual driving times above except where mentioned. * The actual distance readings can vary in different cars. Treat these as approximations only. * Time taken can vary with trafc and time of the day always a good idea to leave early morning to beat at least some of the rush. * One rule when driving in India: Keep asking for directions even when you know you are going correctly. With highways constantly being upgraded, you may be directed to some more efcient routes including bypassing towns, or being told about new roads. And locals always know when a road or a bridge has gone under, and may suggest alternate routes. * The best people to ask for directions are drivers of taxis, buses and trucks. They ply the roads all the time. * Milestones give distances to centres of town and the above may not necessarily be measured from / to point. They could be a few miles off the centre. * SH: State Highway; NH: National Highway * Distances given in Kms unless otherwise mentioned. * Divide all distances mentioned in kms by 1.6 to convert to miles. * Keep toll receipts safe. At some places you are asked to show the earlier one and not charged again. * Unless mentioned, you will get fuel within 50 - 70 miles. Always a good idea to always have enough fuel for at least 100 - 150 kms. * Spellings of locations mentioned can vary. And sometimes two places can be spelt the same or similar too. * Distances marked and mentioned above may not be correct - highway agencies make mistakes commonly. * We are only trying to help here - dont sue us if you end up at the wrong place! * Route charted may not be the most efcient - it may have been chosen to make for a better driving experience or any other reason. * For any clarication / additional information, contact us at ajay@ajayjain.com or +91.9910044476 / +91.9650702777. Happy driving!

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