Manali to Rohtang Pass

Trip from Manali to Rohtang Pass is in the top bucket list of all tourists visiting Manali. Trip of Manali is incomplete unless you visit Rohtang Pass. Beauty of Rohtang Pass attracts thousands of tourists every year. Snow covered mountains; adventurous road and magnificent view from Rohtang Pass looks like dreams come true. Rohtang Pass connects the Kullu Valley and the Lahaul and Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. On the other hand geographically Rohtang Pass divides Kullu Valley with Hindu culture and Lahaul Spiti into Buddhist culture.

Distance between Manali to Rohtang Pass is around 51 kilometers. And in normal traffic it takes around 2 hours to reach Rohtang Pass from Manali. Road conditions from Manali to Marhi (around 35kms from Manali) is good but distance of around 15km is little dangerous as road is on loose rock and sometime there is chance of landslide. During peak season when there is heavy traffic this distance between Manali to Rohtang Pass even take 5 to 7 hours to reach.  

Road from Manali to Rohtang Pass is closed for all traffic vehicle from mid November to Mid May, depends on weather conditions. As Manali Leh Highway is Border Road the maintenance of this road is done by Boarder Road Organization (BRO). And hence clearance of snow is also done by Boarder Road Organization, which is very challenging task, as the climate of Rohtang Pass is always unpredictable. During winters sometimes Rohtang Pass is covered with more than 40ft. snow and BRO perform their task of cleaning snow at these extreme conditions. 

Height of Rohtang Pass from sea level is around 3978 m (13051 ft) and Manali is around 2050 m (6398 ft) from sea level. Rohtang Pass has polar climate and snow falls sometimes even in summer. Weather of Rohtang Pass is unpredictable. Even if it sunny day during your start from Manali to Rohtang Pass, you can even get snow showers at Rohtang Pass. Weather of Rohtang Pass changes rapidly. So it is always necessary to take woolen clothes during your visit to Rohtang Pass.  

All vehicles are not allowed from Manali to Rohtang Pass after the order of National GreenTribunal. Only 400 diesel vehicles and 800 petrol vehicles are allowed daily towards Rohtang Pass. And these vehicles have to obtain Rohtang Permit from the official website www.rohtangpermits.nic.in . But there is no limit for the vehicles going beyond Rohtang Pass like Leh, Lahaul and Spiti region. Clickhere for the complete procedure of How to get Rohtang Permit?

May and June months are the peak season of Manali. During this period Manali to Rohtang Pass taxi fare are very high. Rates are fixed but due to limited online permit for Rohtang Pass the person who gets the permit charged accordingly. So there is always a scope of negotiation in taxi rates for Rohtang Pass. Cab drivers are easily available on Mall Road Manali during evening time offering taxi rates.

Other alternate of taxi are buses by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and HimachalRoad Transport Corporation (HRTC). During season time HPTDC runs 2 buses and HRTC ply around 10 to 12 electric buses for Rohtang Pass. Manali to Rohtang Pass bus fare is around Rs.600/- person. One can even book these buses from official website of HPTDC and HRTC.

A drive from Manali to Rohtang Pass will take you to some most beautiful landscapes with lush green hills, picturesque waterfalls, adventurous roads and snow covered mountains. This drive from Manali to Rohtang Pass covers some most beautiful places of sightseeing. Below is the list of few of them:

Himvalley Amusement andCulture Park is on the way to Rohtang Pass. It is around 5 kms away from Manali. Himvalley amusement park is one of the surging tourist attractions in the pristine hill station of Manali. This park has been brilliantly designed to attract the various types of visitors to this place. With lots of attractions, including different types of rides, dances, magic activities and food restaurants are also available at Himvalley Amusement and Culture Park.

Nehru Kund comes next to Himvalley Amusement Park on the way to Rohtang Pass. It is around 6 kms away from Manali. Nehru Kund is a natural spring which is named after the first Prime Minister of India Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru loved visiting this place and drinking the crystal clear water from the spring. The source of this spring is Bhrigu Lake which is at 4300 m (14100 ft).

Solang Valley is around 15 kms away from Manali. Solang Valley is also known as “Adventure Hub” of Manali. When Rohtang Pass is closed in winters, that time Solang Valley is the main attractions of tourists. Solang Valley ha fine ski slopes. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports Manali (ABVIMAS) has also installed a ski lift for training purpose. During summer and winter various adventure courses are operated from this Institute. Paragliding and Ropeway are the most preferred adventure activities in Solang Valley.

Kothi Village is the last village of Kullu District on the way to Rohtang Pass. This village is at 2500 m from sea level. Kothi Village is emerging as the perfect place for camping and even short route by foot to Rohtang Pass starts from this village. This village offers a magnificent view of the Manali.

Gulaba is the next place which comes after Kothi Village on the Manali to Rohtang Pass trip. This place gets popularity after National Green Tribunal sets barrier at this place for vehicles going Rohtang Pass. Online permits are checked at this point. Landscapes of this area are amazing.

Rahla Waterfalls is around 16 kms from Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass. If someone goes to Marhi on foot to Kothi old road, the sight of the falls is fascinating. Rahla waterfalls are a good picnic spot as well.

Marhi comes at last during your Manali to Rohtang Pass trip. Marhi is famous for its road side restaurants and food stalls. Or you can say after Marhi there are no restaurants, not even at Rohtang Pass. Buses and taxis traveling the highway often stop at Marhi so that passengers can eat.

So the trip from Manali to Rohtang Pass is very adventurous and full of beauty. The only thing you need is a cab with online permit of Rohtang Pass. This trip from Manali to Rohtang Pass will make your trip memorable.