Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass stands as one of the most storied and ecologically prominent mountain passes in the Indian Himalayas, situated at an altitude of 3,978 metres (13,051 feet) above sea level in the Pir Panjal Range. Located at coordinates 32.3716° N and 77.2466° E, just 51 kilometres north of Manali, Rohtang is the historic threshold separating the lush, humid, and heavily forested Kullu Valley from the arid, glaciated rain-shadow landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti.

The name 'Rohtang' translates from Ladakhi to 'Pile of Corpses', a haunting testament to the deadly sudden blizzards that historically claimed the lives of traders and pack caravans before modern engineering. The pass forms an extraordinary climatic divide: looking south, dense silver fir and deodar forests blanket the slopes, while looking north into Lahaul reveals barren scree, hanging glaciers, and the cascading waters of the Chandra River.

The drive from Manali to Rohtang is a visual masterpiece. Departing Manali at 2,050 metres, the highway winds past Palchan, Kothi, and the dramatic Rahalla Falls before ascending through alpine meadows to the transit halt of Marhi (3,300 m). From Marhi, the road navigates 28 well-engineered switchbacks to reach the wide, windswept crest of the pass.

The northern descent drops steeply toward the Chandra River at Koksar, where the road connects with the highway heading toward Keylong, Leh, and Spiti. In 2020, the opening of the 9.02-kilometre Atal Tunnel beneath the Rohtang ridge revolutionized regional transit, allowing travelers to bypass Rohtang Pass in just 15 minutes during winter months.

Rohtang Pass is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation under Project Deepak. For decades before the Atal Tunnel, keeping Rohtang open was a matter of national security, requiring BRO teams to battle 30-foot snowdrifts and deadly avalanches along the Rahalla and Marhi slide chutes every spring.

Today, BRO maintains the surface with high-grade asphalt, concrete retaining walls, and organized drainage channels that handle heavy tourist traffic and seasonal meltwater.

During peak tourist months (May to July), heavy traffic congestion between Marhi and the summit can leave vehicles stranded for hours in cold mountain air. Start early in the morning to beat the rush.

Seasonal snowmelt can create muddy slush and slippery surfaces on the northern switchbacks toward Koksar. Drivers must exercise caution and avoid sudden braking.

Because the entire route from Manali to Rohtang is paved with smooth two-lane asphalt, standard hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs can comfortably reach the pass during the summer season.

Motorcyclists will find the ascent from Manali to Rohtang an exhilarating ride with sweeping switchbacks and breathtaking valley panoramas. Ensure brakes and tires are in top condition.

Under orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to prevent ecological degradation, vehicular access to Rohtang Pass is strictly regulated. A limited daily quota of online permits (administered through the Kullu district portal) is issued for petrol and diesel vehicles visiting the pass for tourism.

Permits are rigorously checked at the Gulaba barrier. Vehicles traveling beyond Rohtang to Ladakh or Spiti do not need an NGT tourism permit but must present proof of travel (such as hotel bookings or onward itineraries) at the checkpoint.

Rohtang Pass is open for tourism from late May or early June through late October or early November, weather permitting. June and September offer the most pleasant weather with clear skies and manageable temperatures.

During winter (December to April), Rohtang is buried under heavy snowdrifts and closed to civilian vehicles. Travelers can instead utilize the Atal Tunnel to travel year-round between Manali and Lahaul.

The source of the sacred Beas River (Beas Kund / Beas Rishi temple) is located in the high amphitheater above Rohtang Pass, revered by locals as the meditation retreat of Sage Vyasa.

The summit area offers spectacular snow viewpoints where visitors can enjoy snow activities, hire traditional snowsuits, and admire the jagged peaks of the Pir Panjal Range.

Rohtang Pass is the classic starting point of the Manali-Leh Highway overland adventure and the circuit to Spiti Valley via Gramphu and Kunzum Pass.