Rohtang Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass that connects beautiful Kullu with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. The 51 kilometers adventurous drive from Manali will take you through awe-inspiring and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Rohtang La Pass is so beautiful that many Bollywood movies like Jab We Met and Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani were shot here. Your trip to Manali is incomplete if you have not passed through the Rohtang La Pass.
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Things To Know Before You Plan A Trip To Rohtang Pass
Located at an elevation of 4000 meters above sea level, the Rohtang La is one of the most scenic and at the same time dangerous motorable roads of the Himalayas. The Word Rohtang means ‘ground of corpses’. It was named so in memory of the many lives which were lost tragically while traversing this pass. Navigating these treacherous conditions needs prior planning and preparation. So here’s a list of important things you need to know before planning this adventurous trip.
- – Make sure to plan your visit in advance as only a set amount of vehicles are allowed in a day, this is to stop environmental damage to the pass.
- – It is mandatory to produce a printout of vehicle permits to go up. This permit can be booked online.
- – As the roads leading to Rohtang are at high altitude, be prepared for some steep, tricky and sharp turns.
- – Start early during the day as the mountains can get very cold and dangerous during the night.
- – As you go up the oxygen level drops, hence carry necessary medications for relief from altitude sickness. It is also advisable to acclimatize for a day in Manali to avoid altitude sickness.
- – Traffic is very heavy on Rohtang La Pass, so be prepared for long waits due to traffic jams.
- – Carry warm clothes and snacks as there can be sudden changes in temperature which may affect the time taken to travel up.
- – Rohtang La Pass is closed for maintenance on Tuesdays, hence plan accordingly.
Best Time To Visit
To help you make the most of your trip, here’s a breakdown of month by month weather in Rohtang pass.
May to June (Summer): Weather during this time of the year is very good in Rohtang. This is the time when the pass re-opens after the winter break. Temperature can be anywhere between 10°C to 20°C and great time for activities like skiing and snowboarding. Summer months are the peak tourist season and hence the place can get very crowded. Getting a permit to cross the pass during this time can be quite difficult too.
July to August (Monsoon): Rohtang experiences heavy rainfall during this time, making sightseeing and exploring difficult. It is best to avoid travel during this time as the risk of landslides and roadblocks are very high during this period. However, advantages of traveling during the off-season are fewer crowds and lower prices.
September to October (Autumn): Apart from the summer months, the autumn months between September and October are ideal for travel. It’s the beginning of winter and the amount of snow increases during this time. Clear views of the spectacular snow-clad peaks makes for perfect time for photography. The beauty of Rohtang La Pass is at its best during this time.
November to April (Winter): The pass is closed during these months due to heavy Rohtang Pass snowfall and drop in temperatures that are below freezing. The roads get very dangerous and inaccessible due to the bad weather conditions. Keeping the safety of people in mind the pass is closed during the winter months.
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How To Get A Permit For Rohtang Pass
Apart from the local vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh, all other vehicles need a permit to cross the stunning Rohtang La. Each pass is valid for 24 hours and these passes can be obtained from the Himachal Pradesh government website: https://rohtangpermits.nic.in/
Permit Fees – ₹500 for all vehicles and an additional congestion fee of ₹50 for petrol vehicles and ₹100 for diesel vehicles.
Documents Required – Vehicle Registration Certificate or RC Book, Valid ID Proof, Driving License and Emission Check certificate.
PS: Vehicles are allowed to cross the checkpoint only between 6:00am to 12:00pm. No vehicles are allowed to cross after 12:00pm.
Different Kinds Of Permits And Their Details
Rohtang Pass Permit – Permit for travel to Rohtang La and back for tourism purposes only.
Special Rohtang Pass Permit – Private vehicle only permits for travel to Rohtang La and back for tourism purposes only.
Rohtang Transit Permit – This permit is for people who want to visit places beyond the pass. People with this permit cannot stop for sightseeing at Rohtang La.
On-The-Spot Permits – If you are not successful in getting a permit online, you can get one on the spot by visiting the SDM Office in Manali. However during peak season there is no guarantee of getting the permit as daily caps of vehicles are 800 petrol vehicles and 400 diesel vehicles.
How To Get To Rohtang La
Rohtang Pass to Manali is only 51kms away, hence a visit to Rohtang La should never be missed during your Kullu-Manali trip. Manali is well connected from all major cities like Shimla, Delhi and Chandigarh by all modes of transportation. Once you reach Manali there are many options to go up to Rohtang La. The best and the most convenient of them all are listed below:
Private Vehicle or Cabs: This mode of transport is what most of the tourists prefer. There are several cab services in Manali that offer rides to Rohtang. If you are planning to drive on your own, make sure to follow local expert drivers as they will guide you the right way.
Shared Cabs: If you are not traveling in a group, its best to join fellow travelers by sharing a cab with them. By doing so you not only have company to share the experience but it is cost-effective too.
Local Bus: There are many buses run by HPTDC (The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation) or HRTC to Rohtang La from Manali. Volvo Buses, Electric buses are also great options. Make sure to book them in advance as the seats are very limited in these buses.
6 Interesting Things To Do In Rohtang La Pass
While on your way to the Rohtang La Pass one can soak in the unparalleled beauty of the mountains. What adds more fun to this experience is the many adventure activities that you can try out in Rohtang La Pass. Listed below are some of the enthralling activities that’s sure to give that much-needed adrenaline rush.
Snow Adventures: Winter activities like skiing, snow scooter riding, Heli Skiing, snowboarding, and snowball fights are activities that are a must to experience while at the Rohtang La Pass.
Paragliding: The exhilarating experience of soaring over majestic landscape with breathtaking views is something that one can enjoy only in Rohtang. So make sure you don’t give this experience a miss.
Photography: Anywhere you look around, there are only picture perfect spots for great photography. Take some amazing shots with the mesmerizing surroundings and flaunt it on your instagram page.
Trekking: Rohtang trekking routes like the Bhrigu Lake, Jalori Pas, Hampta Pass, and Chandratal Lake are picturesque trekking trails that are a paradise for trekkers. These challenging trails are surrounded by stunning glaciers, chilling waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.
Mountain Cycling: Mountain cycling is one of the best ways to explore the rugged terrains of the pass. Tackling these challenging terrain makes the entire experience exciting and adventurous. A must try activity if you are the adventurous kind.
Sledging: This fun activity gives an experience that will take you back to your childhood. Sledging with a wooden toboggan on snow brings back the child in you. This activity not just allows you to have fun but also allows you to enjoy the stunning views from close.
Suggested Reads: 12 Coldest Places In India That You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting
Final Thoughts
Rohtang Pass is one such location that definitely needs a place in your to do bucket list. Plan a visit soon to this piece of heaven on earth, for everything that you are going to experience here will be etched in your memory forever.
FAQs
The challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions makes Rohtang La Pass very dangerous. Monsoon months are considered the most dangerous time to visit because this is the time the area is prone to landslides and avalanches. The steep, narrow and winding roads makes the whole process of going up even tougher. However with proper preparation and following the safety guidelines, the drive up can be enjoyed safely.
Both the places can be covered in one day, but since Solang valley and Rohtang La Pass are best enjoyed during the day, it is advisable to visit these places on two different days.
Due to its high altitude, people do experience oxygen problems in Rohtang La Pass. Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, nausea and persistent cough are some of the most common problems people face.
Paragliding in Rohtang starts from 1k and can go up to 2k depending on the duration of the flight. Other factors like flying with an experienced pilot can also influence the cost of the flight.
