You cannot possibly decide to skip the Rohtang Pass if you intend to travel to the well-known tourist destinations of Kullu and Manali. The majestic Himalayas, pure white snow, hot beverages in the cold, people throwing snowballs, and an elevation of more than 3900 meters above sea level all serve as picturesque representations of the Rohtang Pass. For those who want to experience snow and let themselves carry by nature, Rohtang Pass is the perfect vacation spot.

Tourists from all over the world are waiting to discover a location that is full of stunning attractions. not yet discovered? You must have this experience, I suppose. Would you like to learn more about Rohtang Pass? Find out more about this beauty by reading on.

Is the picture recognizable? A place you’ve seen it? Do you know where? If you enjoy Bollywood, you have undoubtedly seen this location on the screens. Additionally, Rohtang Pass appeared in films like Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Jab We Met, Highway, and a long list of others. Why should you miss this beauty if all these movie stars couldn’t? Learn more about this location and what else it has to offer that will excite you.

About Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass 5
Rohtang Pass, Manali

Rohtang Pass, located in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, is 13,054 feet above sea level. It connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti, which in turn provide access to Leh, about 53 km from Manali. The Rohtang Pass also serves as the entrance to Pangi and the Leh valley, in addition to Lahaul and Spiti. The Rohtang Pass serves as the entrance to Ladakh, similar to the Zojila Pass.

Because so many people died attempting to cross it, the name Rohtang means “ground of corpses.” On the Pir Panjal Mountain Range of the Himalayas is the Rohtang Pass. The Rohtang Pass serves as a natural boundary between the predominantly Hindu Kullu Valley and the primarily Buddhist Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, which are both dry, high-altitude valleys.

Rohtang Pass, which is renowned for its natural beauty, is significant strategically for India. The Lahaul Valley, peaks, Chandra River, and glaciers can be seen from the Pass. Rohtang offers a view of the twin peaks of Geypan. The pass is located on the watershed separating the Beas River and Chenab River water basins.

Why do we need a permit?

As of August 2020, an online Rohtang Pass Permit or Off-Line Permit is required for anyone travelling from Manali to Leh in a vehicle (private or commercial, whether a car or a bike).

However, there is no need for a pass at all for vehicles travelling from Leh (or another location in that direction) towards Manali. You don’t need it if you’re taking a bus or a taxi, either.

Only vehicles, not people, require a permit. Having said that, if 5 people are travelling in a car, only one permit—and that too for the car alone—needs to be issued. The entire group will be able to use that.

Again, both motorcycles and cars must have a Rohtang Pass permit. Any object with a motor attached needs one. No permit is required, for instance, if you’re riding a bicycle.

Rohtang permits are necessary for all vehicles, even those with Himachal registration. For instance, you would still need to obtain the permit if you were a resident of Manali and your vehicle had a license plate from Shimla or the Kullu District. This holds for both personal and business automobiles.

And as I already mentioned, there is no cap on the total number of passes that can be issued in a single day for vehicles travelling to Leh or other destinations. Only vehicles travelling to Rohtang La for a day trip and requiring a parking space there are subject to the 1200 vehicles per day limit (as of August 2020).

Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass Permit Types

There are essentially two types of Rohtang permits for travel and for tourism. Every day, the vehicles leaving Manali for Rohtang Top and returning that same day are given a Permit for Tourism purposes. The Rohtang Pass Permit and Special Rohtang Pass Permit are the two subtypes of this permit.

Permit for Rohtang Pass

This pass is valid for both commercial and taxi-registered vehicles, and 1200 passes of this type 800 for gasoline vehicles, and 400 for diesel vehicles are issued under this category.

Rohtang Pass Special Permit

Only 100 passes of this type 60 for gasoline and 40 for diesel—are available, and they are only valid for private 4-wheelers.

How to Apply

Rohtang Pass Permit applications are accepted both online and offline, just like those for the Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit. Only the web portal can be used to apply for it online ( https://rohtangpermits.nic.in/ ). Authorities also released a mobile app for the Rohtang Permit in 2018 (available to both Android and iOS users), but it is still only useful for checking the Permit’s availability and validity and for downloading the booked Permit.

Online Procedure for Beyond Rohtang Pass Permit & Rohtang Pass

Access the Rohtang Permit website. (https://rohtangpermits.nic.in/

There are four options at the top: Green Tax, Beyond Rohtang, and Special Rohtang Pass (Manali Tax)

For transportation to and from Rohtang Top from Manali, commercial and taxi-registered vehicles should select Rohtang Pass, while private four-wheelers should select Special Rohtang Pass.

Vehicles heading forward to Ladakh and Spiti

Valley should select the option “beyond Rohtang.”

The Green Tax/Manali Tax, which is levied at the entrance to Manali, does not permit access to Rohtang Pass. We advise against paying this online because you still need to present the receipt at the Manali entry, and it won’t take too long.

After choosing an option, complete the form with all necessary information (driver name, phone number, email address, purpose), vehicle information (such as type & category of vehicle, fuel type, vehicle no, vehicle registration no, seating capacity), the number of travellers, ID proof, and Pollution under check (PUC) number. Following submission, you will get an OTP. You will take it to the payment gateway after entering the OTP. After making the payment online, you will take it to the print permit window.

Print the issued permit, because doing so is required. Without further ado, Rohtang, we advise you to print multiple copies. Take a screenshot as well, and save a copy to your phone.

Offline Process for Rohtang Pass and Permit Beyond Rohtang Pass

The SDM office or Tourist Information Center, which is open every day of the week from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, including Sunday, is where you can pick up an offline permit. Although easy, the application process takes time. Between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, complete the form and deliver the aforementioned paperwork. The permit is not given out simultaneously during the season; instead, you must pick it up between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.

The alternative is to book it through travel agencies located in the Manali market, directly across from the SDM office. They also book through the website, but they only need 5–10 minutes to hand over the permit. For booking, they charge 550 + 150 Rs

Application materials for a Rohtang Pass Permit

Rohtang Pass Permit Online
Rohtang Pass Permit Online

The Documents Consist Of:

  • Valid ID documentation (Aadhar Card, Driving License, etc.)
  • Rate of Vehicle Registration (Vehicle should not be more than 10 years old)
  • Pollution Under Check (PUC) certificate that is valid

Entry Fees for Permits

Vehicles applying for permits under the Special Rohtang Pass and Rohtang will require to pay

Car, Jeep, bus, MUV, and HMV permits cost Rs. 500 per day.

Congestion charges range from Rs. 50 for cars, Jeeps, and MUVs to Rs. 100 for buses and HMVs per day.

Additionally, vehicles (bikes and four-wheelers) applying for a permit for travel will only need to pay congestion fees of Rs. 50 per day, whereas goods vehicles will need to pay Rs. 100 per day.

Rules for Rohtang Pass Permit

The above law will result in fines and the blacklisting of any vehicles found in violation.

  • You won’t be able to get the permit if your car is older than ten years.
  • Only three permits for each vehicle may be obtained in a week (Tuesday through Monday).
  • To serve the general public, a maximum of 2 permits per device/IP address are permitted.
  • For any questions regarding the issuance of Rohtang permits, you can send an email to rohtangrefunds@gmail.com.

Timing to get the permit

These permits are available for online application in specific time frames twice per day. The times are 10:00 a.m. (200 Diesel and 400 Petrol), followed by 16:00 a.m. (200 Diesel and 400 Petrol). Only three vehicle permits are given out in a week, from Tuesday to Monday.

Vehicle Rules

The Rohtang Permit is given out per vehicle, not per individual. The SDM office in Manali will issue permits daily (yes on Sundays too). You would only need one permit for your car if 4 people were travelling in it. The entire group will be able to use that.

Best time to visit Rohtang pass

Rohtang Pass 1
Rohtang Pass

The only and ideal time to visit Rohtang Pass is during the six to seven months from April, May to October when it is open for travel. Numerous adventure sports are available to tourists, including mountain biking, skiing, riding snow scooters, etc. The temperature is nearly between 20 and 32 degrees Celsius at this time. The best time to look for snow at the pass would be in late April or early May because there are enormous walls of snow on either side. After June, the snow begins to disappear and is only present near the top of the Pass.

The amount of snow decrease throughout the year, and by August there may be no snow left except for some at Rohtang Top. If one wants to visit Rohtang to view the snow, August is the worst month to do so. However, after September, the temperature starts to drop once more, and the snowfall increases. Midway through July and continuing through August, the monsoon can cause severe turbulence on the roads.

Conclusion

That essentially covers everything you need to know about the Rohtang Permit, its regulations, and how to obtain one. The information above, I hope, was useful. Please feel free to ask any questions or request additional information in the comments section below or on our Community Forum, and I will be happy to respond.

F&Q’s Rohtang Pass Permit

Do we need permission to go to Rohtang Pass?

Yes, everyone needs a permit to access Rohtang Pass, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind in this regard. The Rohtang Permit is given out per vehicle, not per individual. The SDM office in Manali will issue permits daily (yes on Sundays too).

What is the price of the Rohtang Pass?

Every visitor must purchase a Rohtang Pass permit, which costs Rs. 550, to travel to Rohtang and beyond.

Is Rohtang Pass closed now?

For now, tourists cannot access Rohtang Pass. The famous Rohtang Pass will remain closed to visitors and day-trippers until the end of April, according to an order from the Himachal Pradesh state government.

Is Rohtang Pass open for tourists today?

Yes, tourists can now enter the Rohtang Pass Top. To visit the top of the Rohtang Pass, you need a Rohtang permit.

Can we go Rohtang Pass by your own car?

There are no limitations on the volume of traffic going through Rohtang Pass. To travel before reaching Rohtang Pass, one must, however, obtain an undertaking certificate from the SDM Office in Manali.