Rohtang Pass
The high pass at 3,978 metres on the Pir Panjal range, about 51 km from Manali. Snow, switchbacks, a mandatory permit, and the line where green Kullu ends and brown Lahaul begins. Open roughly late May to October.
What makes it special
Rohtang Pass sits at 3,978 metres (about 13,050 feet) on the Pir Panjal range, roughly 51 km north of Manali on the old highway to Keylong and Leh. It is the geographic divide between the green Kullu valley on the south side and the dry, rocky Lahaul valley on the north. For decades it was the only road link between Manali and Lahaul, and before the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020, crossing Rohtang was the only way to get through. Now the tunnel bypasses the pass entirely for through traffic, and Rohtang has become primarily a day trip destination from Manali for people who want to touch snow, see the high altitude landscape, or do a few snow activities at the top.
Here is the honest version. Rohtang is a high mountain road, not a resort. You drive up a narrow, winding highway with switchbacks, fog, and traffic for 2 to 3 hours. At the top, there is a road junction, a handful of dhabas, snow activity operators renting out boots and jackets, and a lot of tourists taking photographs. The snow is real, the altitude is real, and the cold is real. But the experience on a busy summer weekend can feel more like a crowded roadside halt at 13,000 feet than a mountain escape. The first two weeks after the season opening (usually late May or early June) and weekday mornings in September are the quietest, cleanest versions. Peak July and August weekends are genuinely chaotic.
The name Rohtang translates roughly to "pile of corpses," earned over centuries because of the number of people who died trying to cross the pass in harsh weather. That name gives you a sense of how seriously this altitude and terrain need to be treated. This is not Solang Valley. Do not rush up from Manali on your first day without acclimatising. The nearly 2,000 metre altitude jump from Manali town to the pass is significant. Spend at least one full night in Manali before attempting it.
What makes it worth the effort, when it works. On a clear morning, the view from the top stretches across snow covered peaks in every direction, with the green Kullu valley behind you and the brown Lahaul valley opening up ahead. The snow at the pass is present well into summer, and for many visitors from the plains, this is their first contact with real Himalayan snow. If you time it right (early morning, midweek, good weather), the drive up through the deodar and pine forests, past the treeline, and into the open white expanse is genuinely memorable.
If you would rather not organise the permit, the vehicle and the early start yourself, our Rohtang Pass tour packages cover the day trip from Manali, along with longer Manali holidays that keep one full day aside for the pass.
Is Rohtang Pass worth visiting?
Yes, if you want to see Himalayan snow, experience a high altitude pass, and enjoy the dramatic landscape shift from Kullu to Lahaul. But only with the right planning. You need a permit (applied online 2 to 3 days ahead), an early morning start (leave Manali by 7 AM), and proper warm clothing. On a clear midweek morning, the drive and the views from the top are genuinely worth the effort. On a crowded summer weekend with fog and traffic, the same trip can feel frustrating. Timing matters more than anything else here.
How much time do you need for a Rohtang Pass trip?
Half a day. Leave Manali by 6 to 7 AM, reach the pass by 9 to 10 AM, spend 30 to 60 minutes at the top for snow play and photographs, begin your descent by early afternoon. The round trip from Manali is roughly 100 km and takes 5 to 6 hours including time at the top. Vehicles must start their return by around 2 PM.
How do I get a Rohtang Pass permit?
A Rohtang tourism permit is mandatory. Apply online at rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in, 2 to 3 days before your planned visit. The fee is approximately Rs 500 per vehicle plus Rs 50 congestion charge. Only 1,200 vehicles are allowed daily. Peak season permits, especially for weekends, sell out fast. Apply exactly when the booking window opens. Midweek is significantly easier.
Quick facts
Everything you need to know at a glance
At a glance
On the ground
Seasonal weather
Suitable for
How to reach Rohtang Pass
1 approach route with seasonal access
From Manali
Generally late May or early June to October. Exact dates announced by the district administration each year.The only route for day trippers. From Manali, drive north on the old Manali to Keylong highway through Kothi village, past the Gulaba checkpoint (about 20 km from Manali, where your permit is checked), through the switchbacks above the treeline, past the Marhi dhaba cluster (about 40 km from Manali, good for a tea stop), and up the final steep stretch to the summit. The road is paved throughout but narrow in the upper sections, with sharp hairpin turns, potential fog, and traffic on busy days. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. Leave Manali by 6 to 7 AM for the best conditions. Return the same way before 2 PM.
Fuel stop: Fill up in Manali. No fuel on this entire route.
Best time to visit
Season-by-season breakdown to help you plan
Deepest snow, cleanest air, the best version of Rohtang if you catch the opening window
The first two weeks after the pass opens (usually late May or early June) offer the deepest snow, the cleanest air, and the thinnest crowds. Snow walls along the road near the summit can be several feet high and are genuinely dramatic. By mid June, traffic picks up as the peak tourist season starts. Permits become harder to get on weekends. The snow is still present but starts thinning on sun facing slopes. This is the best overall window if you can time it.
Peak crowds, slushy snow, permits sell fast, go midweek for a better experience
Peak tourist season. The snow is still present at the summit but gets slushy by mid afternoon. Traffic on the road is at its heaviest, especially on weekends. Permits sell out days in advance for Saturdays and Sundays. The road can see fog and rain, especially in the afternoon. Visibility drops. If you must go in this window, go on a weekday morning. The experience is still worthwhile but requires more patience and planning than early season.
Sharpest light, fewest crowds, the quietest version of the pass before it closes
Crowds thin sharply after the first week of September. The air clears, the light sharpens, and the views from the summit are the cleanest of the year. Snow is still present but thinner. Activity operators start winding down. Permits are easier to get. By mid October, the pass begins closing with the first heavy snowfall. This is the quietest, most atmospheric version of Rohtang, and it is underrated.
Pass closed under heavy snow. No access. Solang Valley is the winter alternative.
The pass is closed. Heavy snowfall buries the road under several metres of snow from November through April or May. No permits are issued. The BRO clears the road only when conditions allow, which is typically late May. Do not attempt to reach the pass in winter. For a winter snow experience near Manali, Solang Valley is the accessible option.
Things to see & do
6 experiences at Rohtang Pass
Snow play and sledging at the top
30 minutes to 1 hour at the topThe most common reason people drive to Rohtang. At the top and along the last few kilometres before the summit, snow is present well into June and sometimes July. Operators at the pass rent out boots, jackets, and gloves (roughly Rs 200 to 500 per set) and offer short sledge rides (Rs 50 to 100), snow scooter rides (Rs 300 to 500), and tubing. The snow quality varies. Early season (late May, early June) gives the deepest, cleanest snow. By mid July it gets slushy. Set expectations accordingly.
Drive the Rohtang road from Manali
2 to 3 hours from Manali to the topThe drive itself is half the experience. The road climbs from Manali through pine and deodar forest, past Kothi, through Gulaba (the first checkpoint), and then above the treeline into open alpine terrain. The switchbacks in the last 15 km are tight, the altitude is noticeable, and the landscape shifts dramatically. On a clear morning, the drive up is genuinely good. Leave Manali by 6 to 7 AM for the best light and thinnest traffic.
See the landscape shift from Kullu to Lahaul
Additional 1 to 2 hoursThe pass is the boundary between two entirely different landscapes. On the Manali side, green forests, rivers, and temperate vegetation. On the Lahaul side, brown rock, sparse growth, and the beginning of the high desert. If your permit allows, driving just past the summit to see the Lahaul side opening up adds a genuine dimension to the visit. Koksar village is about 19 km down the Lahaul side. Check whether your permit covers the descent towards Koksar or is limited to the pass summit only.
Paragliding (seasonal, weather dependent)
10 to 15 minutes if availableSome operators offer short paragliding flights near the pass, weather permitting. Availability depends on wind conditions, visibility, and the operator's assessment on the day. Do not count on this. If conditions are right and a licensed operator is running, it can be exhilarating at this altitude. If conditions are wrong, it will not happen. Confirm on the ground, not in advance.
Photograph the pass and the valley views
15 to 30 minutesThe view from the pass summit, on a clear day, covers snow peaks in multiple directions, with the Kullu valley stretching south and the Lahaul valley opening north. Mid morning light is the best. Carry a wide angle lens or your phone with a clean lens. The snow covered road markers and prayer flags at the top make good foreground elements. Do not photograph army vehicles or installations. The light can be harsh by noon, so shoot early.
Cross the pass on a Spiti or Leh circuit
Full day onwardIf you are doing a Manali to Spiti or Manali to Leh circuit, Rohtang is the old route. Drive over the pass and descend to Koksar and Gramphu, where the road forks to the Spiti circuit via Batal and Kunzum Pass. This is a full day drive, not a day trip. You need the appropriate permit (beyond Rohtang, not just the tourism permit) and a vehicle in good condition. Most travellers now use the Atal Tunnel for through traffic to Lahaul, but riding or driving over the pass is still the preferred choice for bikers and those who want the old road experience.
Nearby attractions
Other places worth visiting nearby
Manali's main adventure and snow play valley, about 14 km north of town. Ropeway, paragliding, ATVs in summer, snow activities in winter. The natural backup if Rohtang permits are unavailable or the pass is closed.
The 9 km highway tunnel that bypasses Rohtang Pass entirely, connecting Manali to Lahaul year round. If your goal is to reach Lahaul or Spiti, the tunnel is faster and does not require a Rohtang permit.
The first Lahauli village on the descent from Rohtang towards Lahaul, about 19 km north of the pass. A tea halt and police check post for vehicles continuing to Spiti via Gramphu. Reachable with a beyond Rohtang permit.
The 16th century wooden temple in the Dhungri cedar forest, about 2 km from Manali Mall Road. The most historically significant stop in Manali and a natural pairing on a day before or after a Rohtang trip.
A waterfall about 16 km from Manali on the Rohtang road, at around 2,500 metres. A natural photo stop on the way up. The water cascades down from the roadside and is visible from the highway.
The first checkpoint on the Rohtang road, about 20 km from Manali. Your permit is checked here. Beyond Gulaba, the road climbs above the treeline. Some travellers stop at the Gulaba meadow for a short walk.
A dhaba cluster at about 3,300 metres on the Rohtang road, roughly 40 km from Manali. The last comfortable food and tea stop before the summit. A good place to judge whether conditions are clear enough to continue.
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