A Guide To Rohtang Pass, Manali

1. Things to do/highlights

Rohtang literally means a pile of dead bodies and comes from the Persian words Ruh and Tang. Nature lovers and photography enthusiasts will have a wonderful time at Rohtang Pass as they can absorb the scenic atmosphere. The drive through the pass is long but the scenic vistas and verdant greens make it worthwhile. It is one of the highest motorable passes in the world and here are some things to do when at Rohtang.

Go trekking

Rohtang Pass is perfect for adventure enthusiasts and you can go trekking. The trails are quite challenging but made worthwhile thanks to the breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, and glaciers. The Manali-Lahaul Pass which is 117 km (72.7 miles) long is a popular trek. It is surrounded by Sulphur springs and you also get to experience the charm of Bhrigu Lake.

Enjoy a sled ride

Take a wooden toboggan as you slide through the snow and experience the thrill of a sled ride!

Go mountain biking

Take the less-traveled routes or the well-known ones as you go mountain biking soaking in the scenic landscape.

Try skiing and tire drop

Adventure enthusiasts will also enjoy skiing. You can also experience the tire drop when you are harnessed safely as you slide down the snow slope with the proper equipment. You can rent the gear for a reasonable price.

See the Rehala Falls

This waterfall is 16 km (9.9 miles) away from Manali and flows from a height of 2500 meters (8202 feet). It will fall on your way to Rohtang Pass.

2. Travelers tips

When to visit?

If you’re planning to visit Rohtang Pass the best time is end May or June as the weather is amazing and you can even see the glaciers. The pass is open only from mid-May to October so plan accordingly. It remains closed due to harsh climate and snowfall from November to March.

Off season benefits

If you visit Rohtang Pass from September to October, you can get nearly 50 percent discounts on your hotel, activities, and taxi as this is not the peak tourist season. This also means less traffic congestion and easier access to permits!

Get a permit

Tourists will require a vehicle permit to visit Rohtang Pass, which is issued by the Government of Himachal Pradesh online. The tourism purpose permit can also be obtained from the office of the sub-divisional magistrate in Manali. However, there is a limited number of permits so you need to have this organized timely.

Photography

Photography is allowed and is free.

Food

Carry snacks and essentials with you as no food will be available en route. Carry a thermos with a hot drink to keep you warm.

Leave early

Make sure you leave early in the morning for Rohtang Pass as many tourists visit and you may find the narrow lanes jammed with vehicles because of the rush. So to avoid heavy traffic leave early in the morning. Also, it is best enjoyed during the daylight primarily because of the low temperatures and high altitudes.

Keep the entire day for Rohtang

Make sure you keep an entire day just for Rohtang Pass as the journey takes nearly four hours from Manali.

Dress warmly

Make sure you dress warmly as it gets extremely cold.

Altitude sickness

If you have altitude sickness make sure you take the necessary medicines to ward off the uneasiness.

Tuesday maintenance

All Tuesdays are maintenance days so the Rohtang Pass is closed. So make sure you don’t plan a trip on a Tuesday.

Landslides in monsoon

Avoid planning a trip from July to August as the pass often remains closed because of landslides that occur due to the monsoon.

Any scams?

You can rent snow clothes at Rohtang, but make sure you check the prices that are fixed by the government so that you are not overcharged.

3. How to get there

The best way to get to Rohtang Pass is from the city of Manali. The Pass is 51 km (31.6 mi) from Manali. The ascent and descent can take anywhere between four hours to six hours, depending on the weather and traffic. If there is little traffic then the distance can be covered in two hours. However, if it’s afternoon and the weather inclement then the journey can take double the time.

The route from Manali to Rohtang Pass is as follows: Manali – Chadiyari – Vashisht – Bahang – Palchhan – Kothi – Gulaba – Marhi – Rani Nallah – Rohtang Pass

From the airport

The closest airport to Manali is Bhuntar, which is 50 km (miles) away. The Bhuntar airport is 10 km (6.2 miles) away from Kullu. From either of these cities, you can drive to the Rohtang Pass.

By car

If you are traveling by car in Himachal Pradesh take a halt at Bhuntar – you can stay overnight. The next day, drive to Rohtang Pass. If renting a car, make sure you check that the permits are in place to access the pass.

Ride a bike

If you are confident of riding through the roads and steep incline, navigating the treacherous terrain, then undertake a bike journey to the Rohtang Pass. Enjoy the scenic landscape as you watch the River Beas flowing on one side.

Take the bus

You can take a bus from Delhi to Manali or Chandigarh to Manali and then head forward to Rohtang Pass. You can take both AC and non-AC buses that ply from there to Manali. Both HRTC and HPTDC run buses.

Rohtang Road Tunnel

Come mid-2020, the Rohtang Road Tunnel is expected to be operational. This tunnel is intended only for the tourist traffic for the pass and will drastically reduce the travel time to just 30 minutes!

4. Rohtang Pass information

Rohtang Pass

Address: Eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh

Opening hours: mid-May to October (closed on Tue)

Department of tourism: Himachal Tourism

Editor’s Note: Please note the current information may differ from the stated information in this article due to Covid-19 restrictions

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