Losar

Losar sits on the right bank of the Spiti river, at roughly 4,080 m. It is the first settlement of the valley if you drive in from Manali over the Kunzum Pass. The pass is about 4,550 m up, to the west. There is a small checkpost, a few homestays and dhabas, and fields of barley and peas. It is a handy halt before or after the crossing. The land around is bare, wide and very high, with the Spiti river braiding across a broad flat bed. Most itineraries use Losar for an overnight or a lunch stop on the Manali to Kaza run. It also lets your body adjust before higher stays such as Langza, Komic and Kibber. Altitude sickness is a real risk at this height, so go slowly and drink plenty of water. The Kunzum road is normally open only from around June to October. Kaza is the next place with a reliable fuel pump, bank and ATM.