Snow peaked mountains, panoramic views, winding roads, magnificent glaciers and beautiful valleys – expect these and much more on your journey to Rohtang Pass & Solang Valley.
Rohtang Pass
Located in Himachal Pradesh, Rohtang La is a high mountain pass on the eastern end of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. Situated at a height of 13058 feet, Rohtang Pass connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti Valley.
In the ancient days, this scenic pass acted as a trade route and connected people living on either side of the Pir Panjal Range.
We drove through Atal Tunnel, which is the longest highway tunnel in the world and was recently inaugurated in October, 2020. The strategically important tunnel, built under the Rohtang Pass, is 9.02 km long and connects Manali to Lahaul and Spiti valley throughout the year. It also reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km and the travel time by 4-5 hours.
As the Rohtang pass gets blocked by snow, the road over the pass closes from November to May. This rendered Lahaul and Spiti districts north of the pass inaccessible, so a need was felt to build a tunnel under the pass.
The landscape changes drastically after crossing the Atal Tunnel. You could also feel a sudden drop in temperature.
Be prepared to be spellbound by some breathtaking pitstops along the way. We were so lucky to have these stops all to ourselves!
We were hit by sharp cold wind as soon as we stepped out of the car at Rohtang Pass. Though the gorgeous view made up for it!
Watch our video of the beautiful drive to Rohtang Pass here.
How To Reach Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass is around 2-3 hours drive from Manali and is perfect for a day trip. You can hire a car from Manali to visit Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley.
For details on how to reach Manali, read my Manali Travel Guide.
Where To Stay In Rohtang Pass
There are no hotels in Rohtang Pass, so it is best to stay in Manali and visit Rohtang Pass as a day trip.
We stayed at Hotel The Conifer in the Log Huts Area in Old Manali and would highly recommend it.
Check more hotels in Manali here.
Visiting other parts of Himachal Pradesh as well? Check out Booking.com for great hotel deals or rent an Airbnb for longer stays (and get an amazing discount on your first trip – for new sign-ups only).
Best Time To Visit Rohtang Pass
The best time to visit Rohtang Pass is from mid September to October (or early November) before it closes for winters. Tourists are less during this time and getting a permit is much easier.
However, the most popular time to visit Rohtang is April-May. There is a huge influx of tourists during this time and getting a permit can be difficult. There are long traffic jams in Himachal during the summer months. Also, the prices go up considerably.
The pass remains open from May to November, although monsoon months aren’t ideal to visit.
Permit For Rohtang Pass
Getting a permit is mandatory for visiting Rohtang Pass. You can find all the information in the website below:
https://rohtangpermits.nic.in/
Most car rental companies take care of the permit and include it in the total amount.
Note: Getting a permit can be a little difficult during the peak season. So make sure you plan accordingly.
Solang Valley
Solang Valley is a side valley at the top of Kullu Valley and lies on the way to Rohtang Pass from Manali. We stopped at Solang Valley on our way back from Rohtang. Solang Valley is popular for adventure sports like paragliding, quad biking and zorbing during summer and skiing in the winter. There is also a ropeway which will take you to the summit.
During winter, Solang Valley gets fully covered in snow & looks straight out of a fairytale!
How To Reach Solang Valley
Solang Valley is located around 14 kms from Manali and is less than an hour’s drive. You can hire a car from Manali to visit Solang Valley or both Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass.
A much cheaper alternative is to take the government bus from Manali.
Best Time To Visit Solang Valley
Solang Valley is worth visiting all around the year, but the best time to visit Solang Valley depends on your what you are looking for.
For snow lovers, the best time to visit Solang Valley is between December to February when you can taste the thrill of skiing and skating.
If you’re looking to indulge in activities like paragliding, gondola, and more, the lush green summers are the ideal time.
It is advisable to avoid visiting Solang Valley during the monsoon months, because you won’t be able to enjoy any of the activities at this time or go for sightseeing.
Camera Gear Used For Photography:
- Canon EOS 77D 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera
- Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Lens for Canon DSLR Camera
- Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Camera
Check out my ‘What’s In My Camera Bag‘ blog post for more details.
Also Read: 5 Days In Himachal Pradesh – Complete Travel Guide For First Time Visitors
I really hope you enjoyed reading this article and you’ll find the information useful whenever you plan to visit Manali.
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