Rohtang Pass & Atal Tunnel. Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass (about 3,978 m) on the eastern Pir Panjal range, roughly 51 km from Manali. It forms the dramatic gateway between the lush Kullu Valley and the barren high-altitude landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti, with sweeping views of glaciers, rocky slopes and distant peaks. In season, tourists stop to play in snow, take photos and feel the raw wind and fast-changing weather. Close by, the Atal Tunnel now carries traffic under the mountains, allowing year-round access to Lahaul even when the pass is snowed in.
About this place
History & highlights
Rohtang has long been an ancient trade and cultural route, linking Hindu-majority Kullu to Buddhist-majority Lahaul and beyond. The name “Rohtang” is often interpreted as “pile of corpses”, reflecting the dangers of blizzards and avalanches. Under the British, it carried military supplies to high Himalayan posts; later it became a strategic route for the Indian Army and a legendary road for travellers, featured even in TV shows like Ice Road Truckers. To overcome winter closures, the Atal Tunnel project was conceived during the Vajpayee era; construction by BRO began in the early 2000s, and the 9.02 km tunnel was inaugurated on 3 October 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This engineering marvel has reshaped tourism and connectivity, turning once-remote Lahaul into an easy extension of a Manali holiday.
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