Atal Tunnel

The Atal Tunnel carries the Leh–Manali highway beneath Rohtang Pass at about 3,000 m, its south portal roughly 25 km from Manali and its north portal near Sissu in Lahaul. It cut the Manali–Keylong distance from about 116 km to 71 km and, more importantly, keeps Lahaul connected in winter when the pass is snowed shut for months. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it was inaugurated in October 2020. Most visitors drive through and stop in Sissu, just beyond the north portal, for its waterfall and the Sissu lake.

1. Drive north from Manali on the Leh highway; the south portal is about 25 km up, past Solang.
2. Buses and shared taxis to Sissu, Keylong and Kaza all use the tunnel.
3. There is no stopping inside — park and photograph only at the designated points near the portals.

The tunnel itself is open all year. The Sissu side is greenest June to September; winter turns it into a snow destination but the road can be slow.

• Stopping, overtaking and photography are not allowed inside the tunnel; the speed limit is enforced.
• The south portal area gets heavy weekend traffic — go early.
• The north portal is already in Lahaul at altitude; dress warmer than in Manali.

Individual pages for these are added as they are reviewed.