Rohtang Pass
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Rotang Pass and at what height is it?
This is a mountain pass in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, on the Pir Panjal range in the Himalayas, at an altitude of about 3978 meters. It connects the Kulu valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys.
How to get there?
The Lang-Manali highway runs through the pass, and the nearest town is Manali, about 51 km away. Since the Atal tunnel was opened under the pass in 2020, the road has become much faster: 30 minutes through the tunnel instead of 4-6 hours in a serpentine through the pass itself.
When is the best time to go?
The pass is open approximately from May to November. The rest of the year it is covered with snow and closed, so in winter the northern valleys are cut off from the world - check in advance whether the road is passable at all.
What is interesting to see there?
Panoramas of the Himalayan peaks in all directions, and also a peculiar border of two worlds: to the south live mainly Hindus, to the north - Buddhists. In the summer, crowds of tourists come here, so it's better not to count on being alone.
Where does such a creepy name come from?
Rotang in translation means something like a pile of corpses - the pass got its name because of travelers who died here in bad weather. Winters are really fierce: a recorded record of -44 degrees.
