The Rohtang Pass is a mountain pass on the Indian National Highway 1 in Himachal Pradesh. It connects the Kullu and Lahaul valleys with the Spiti valley and is closed during winters due to heavy snowfall. The name of the pass comes from two words, ‘roht’ meaning snow and ‘thang’ meaning to cross over it.
The Rohtang Pass is how Snow Leopard in India can migrate from their higher altitude territories in the Himalayas down into lower altitudes as it snows less at these elevations during winters. On a clear day, the Rohtang Pass provides a stunning view of the Himalayas.
It is located at an elevation of 3,978 m (13,054 ft), about 22 km from Manali. It is the highest pass on National Highway NH-1, connecting Rohtang Pass to Keylong on NH-20. The pass was closed in May 2013 and was opened on 10 July 2013 with restrictions for light vehicles. A series of small landslides during monsoon rains in mid-July caused further delays in reopening. The journey was further delayed by landslides along the road that killed one person and injured several others.
Interesting Adventurous Activities Accessible At Rohtang La
#1 Mountain Climbing
Rohtang La is the highest motorable pass in India. There is tremendous interest and enthusiasm about climbing Rohtang La. Dont miss out on this adventurous opportunity. One can explore beautiful mountains and enjoy wonderful views of the view ranges of Snow Leopards and clear mountain streams.
A small hut can be seen on the top of Rohtang La at an altitude of 13,353 m (4300 ft). One needs to climb nearly 6000 meters high to reach it. The pass comes under the Shimla district, famous for its winter sports activities like skiing and snowboarding.
#2 Trekking
Trekking is another attractive activity that draws many people here. Trekking can be done from either side of Rohtang La. The trek from the Keylong side at an altitude of 3,790 m (12,400 ft) takes about 7–8 hours to reach the top at 4,250 m (13,910 ft). Most tourists prefer this pass as it is shorter than the trek from the Manali side.
However, this route has the potential for avalanches in winters and landslides in the monsoon season. It also offers a scenic view of Panchachuli peaks visible from this side. It is recommended to take guides during this trek.
#3 Photography
Rohtang La is an amazing place to explore nature. It offers the best view. The location of Rohtang La enchants the traveler with its beauty and natural charm. Rohtang la is full of snow all the year-round. It is one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the world.
The pass is famous for its scenic beauty and snowy and cloud-covered tops. The pass is located on a hill with an elevation of 4,380 meters above sea level.
Best Ways To Reach Rohtang Pass For Better Experience
If you plan to visit Rohtang pass for some adventure activities, you must be thinking about the best way to reach Rohtang pass. If so, please keep in mind that you will have an amazing experience in Manali and Rohtang Pass for exciting activities like skiing, excursions, and much more.
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You can get a Jet Ski & Ride-on on this highway. This will add value to your trip and make a memorable moment of your life. So, if you are going to Rohtang pass in Manali, then it is highly recommended you go on a Jet Ski ride on the highway.
However, road volume was very low this year due to heavy snowfall. And we were told that they were having a serious problem with the slope of the Rohtang pass and would be closing it soon. So we checked at the Keylong side instead, which is closed during winters due to heavy snowfall but was opened after 3 months of closure this year.
Best Places in Rohtang La One Should Visit
#1 Nehru Kund
Nehru Kund is a small lake opened on the Rohtang Pass at 3,950 m (13,045 ft). This beautiful lake is located 8 km from Rohtang Pass in Manali.
It was originally known as Satpara Lake and was renamed its current name in honor of Jawaharlal Nehru. Jawaharlal Nehru visited this place on 21 April 1936 while traveling to Leh.
The people of this area are very familiar with him because he was the first Prime Minister of India, and he played a vital role in the development of hill states.
#2 Hadimba Temple
Hadimba Temple is the most famous Hindu temple located on a hilltop in Manali town. This temple is dedicated to the goddess of Shakti and Parvati.
The statue of Goddess Hadimba is made from a single stone. Its height is about 4 m (13 ft), and it weighs about 6 tons.
The main attraction of this temple is the famous songs sung by local people called ‘Dhamal,’ the dance performed by the men at late night, every night during full moon day and new moon day every month.
Things To Consider While Visiting Rohtang Pass
While planning a trip to Rohtang pass, it is important to consider certain things. Here are some points you should consider; a permit is required to visit Rohtang Pass road. This permit can be obtained from the office of Himachal Pradesh Roadways situated at Sarchu, Himachal Pradesh.
It is worth noting that the annual visitor limit for this site has been set at approx 1000 persons per day during the weekdays and 1500 a day during weekends and holidays.
Each needs to carry a bond of Rs 100 if they are below 15yrs or Rs 500 if they are above 15yrs and 70 years of age. The maximum height of the pass is 18,400 feet, and the minimum altitude is 8,600 feet. The Rohtang Pass road is closed on both sides throughout the year from June to May because heavy snowfall in this region makes the road near inaccessible.
The journey from Manali to Rohtang pass takes about 7–8 hours by car or 4–5 hours by car by walking through a trekking track covered with snow during winters.