Short answer: No permit is needed to drive through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul. Rohtang Pass needs an online vehicle permit issued in a daily quota, is usually closed to tourists on Tuesdays, and is shut through the winter. For most visitors, Solang plus the Atal Tunnel to Sissu gives snow and views without the permit hassle.
For years, a trip to Manali meant one thing: a day at Rohtang Pass in the snow. Then the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020 and changed everything. Here is how the two compare now, and how we plan the “snow day” for our guests.
The Atal Tunnel
The Atal Tunnel runs about 9 km under the Rohtang ridge, from near Solang on the Manali side to the Lahaul valley near Sissu. It is one of the longest highway tunnels in the world above 3,000 metres, and it cut hours off the journey to Lahaul and Spiti.
For visitors:
- No permit needed to drive through and visit Sissu
- Open year-round, closing only during heavy snow or for maintenance
- On the far side, Sissu has a waterfall, a lake and snow well into spring
- Allow a full day from Manali, as weekend traffic near the tunnel can be slow
Rohtang Pass
Rohtang (3,978 m) is the old high pass over the same ridge. It is still a spectacular place, with snow fields, views and that feeling of standing on top of something. But it is controlled:
- Online permit required for every vehicle, issued in a daily quota
- Usually closed on Tuesdays to tourist traffic
- Closed in winter, typically from November to May, depending on snow
- Local taxi unions often require you to switch to a Manali-registered taxi for Rohtang
Permits sell out fast in May and June. If Rohtang is important to you, tell us early and we will try for a permit, but we always plan the day so it works even if we do not get one.
Which should you choose?
| Atal Tunnel / Sissu | Rohtang Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Not needed | Required, quota |
| Days open | Daily | Usually closed Tuesdays |
| Winter | Mostly open | Closed |
| Snow | Late into spring | Yes, when open |
| Crowds | Busy on weekends | Very busy in season |
Our usual plan: Solang valley in the morning (ropeway, snow activities), then through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu for lunch and the waterfall, and back before the evening traffic. If a Rohtang permit comes through, we swap that in.
Snow by season
- December–February: snow in Manali town and Solang; tunnel open between snowfalls
- March–April: Solang and Sissu are still snowy; Rohtang shut
- May–June: snow at Rohtang (if open), on Sissu’s higher slopes and in patches near the tunnel
- July–September: little snow except at Rohtang and beyond; the road to Spiti is open
- October–November: fresh snow possible at Rohtang and on the passes
Tips for the day
- Leave Manali early, by 7:30 am, to beat traffic at Solang and the tunnel
- Rent snow gear (boots, jackets) in Manali or Solang rather than buying it
- Carry ID for police checks near the tunnel
- Bring cash, because card machines are unreliable up there
- Do not stop inside the tunnel, which is not allowed
Our Manali, Solang & Atal Tunnel tour builds the whole day in, with a driver who does it every week.
Quick questions
How long is the Atal Tunnel?
About 9 km. It runs under the Rohtang ridge from near Solang to the Lahaul side at Sissu, at roughly 3,000 metres.
Can we see snow in Manali in May?
Not in town, but usually at Solang's upper slopes and around Sissu and the Atal Tunnel's north portal, and at Rohtang if open.
Is Rohtang open on Tuesdays?
Rohtang is usually closed to tourist vehicles on Tuesdays for road maintenance, and permits are not issued for that day.
Written by the team at Ankush Travels, a tour and taxi company in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. We run these routes every week. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.