Kunzum Pass

Kunzum Pass—the name always evoked a mystery to me. It was that hidden spot in the Himalayas that I always wondered about. It opens only for a couple of months in the end of June, so even if you want to go there, you have to wait till the time the glaciers are willing to make way for you. Located at a height of more than 15000 feet, Kunzum Pass is often called the gateway to Spiti Valley. I reached Kunzum Pass on a bright sunny July morning while driving from Kaza to Chandratal. During the drive, the snow-clad peaks kept getting closer and closer and the meadows started turning brighter—yellow and purple. I wondered if I have reached the valley of flowers. Suddenly a gompa like structure with Buddhist prayer flags appeared, and there stood the famous milestone declaring that you are at Kunzum Pass. The faded milestone tells the height of the Kunzum Pass and its distance from the nearest two towns on either side—Kaza and Manali. There is a temple dedicated to ‘Devi’ and most people do a parikrama (circumambulation) before moving on. It is a good spot to stand and admire the mountains all around.