Atal Tunnel and Sissu Guide: Length, Distance from Manali and Tips

The tunnel was built by the Border Roads Organisation and named after the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It's often described as the world's longest highway tunnel above 3,000 m.

The road out of Manali passes Palchan and the Solang turn before climbing to Dhundi and the south portal. Inside the tunnel the speed limit is low, stopping isn't allowed, and there are emergency bays and cameras along its length. You come out at the north portal near Teling and drop down into the Chandra valley.

Most day trips continue a few kilometres to Sissu, a village with a broad riverbed, a waterfall that freezes in winter and a lake that's frozen for much of the cold season. From there you can turn back to Manali, or carry on to Keylong, Jispa or the start of the road to Spiti and Leh.

A full day from Manali usually combines Solang, the tunnel and Sissu. Leave early: in snow season, traffic at the south portal can back up for hours by late morning.

You don't need a Rohtang permit to use the Atal Tunnel. Vehicles entering Lahaul pay a barrier tax or green tax at Sissu; a 2020 report put it at ₹200 for cars and ₹300 for SUVs, but local rates change, so treat that as indicative. Your taxi operator pays it and includes it in the fare.

Separate rules apply further on. Foreign nationals going towards Spiti or Ladakh may need additional permits for some areas, and vehicles from outside Himachal pay state entry tax at the border. We'll tell you what applies to your trip when we quote.

The north side of the tunnel is much colder and drier than Manali. Snow usually arrives in November or December and stays until March or April, so Sissu often has snow when Manali and Solang have little. The Chandra river, the frozen waterfall and the bare white mountains make it one of the most photographed winter spots in Himachal.

Heavy snowfall can shut the road on the Lahaul side, and the police sometimes close the tunnel to tourist traffic after fresh snow or in icy conditions. In those cases taxis are turned back, often at the south portal or at Solang. Check the forecast the evening before, and keep a backup plan for the day.

Roads on the Lahaul side can be icy from late afternoon onwards, and only vehicles fitted for snow, sometimes with chains, are allowed through in bad conditions. Local drivers know where the road freezes, when to turn back and which stretches the police are closing. Taxis registered outside the region may face restrictions on local sightseeing routes from Manali, which is another reason to book a Manali-based cab for the day.

Plan to be back through the tunnel by mid-afternoon in winter. After dark the temperature drops sharply and black ice is common.

Wear warm layers, waterproof boots and gloves; Sissu can be 10°C colder than Manali. Snow suits are available to rent in Manali and at Solang. There are a few dhabas and tea stalls at Sissu, but food options are limited in deep winter. Carry water, snacks and cash. Mobile coverage works at both portals and around Sissu on the main networks, but can drop in places.