Rohtang Pass
Open: June to October for motor vehicles.
The best time to visit the pass : between May/June to October/November.
May, Rohtang becomes a hotspot for adventure enthusiasts
Closes: Rohtang Pass is officially closed every year for traffic on November 15 for winter.
[Taxi are not allowed and only upto snow point]
Only limited vehicles are allowed per day. Traveller has to book it in advance .Please book your Rohtang tour in advance and start early
Your tour operator will take care of permits. You can also do it online here
Manali - Rohtang Pass Route (distance: 51 km) : Manali - Nehru Kund - Kothi- Gulaba- Marhi - Raninalla- Rohtang Pass
The vehicles are allowed only up to Gulaba [Snow Point].
Taxi fare : Rs.1,200 small vehicle and Rs.1,500 bigger vehicle
As a traveler you have to go with fewer expectations to Rohtang Pass, as well as Snow Point, are not well-equipped ski station. The amenities are minimal.
You can hire snow dress etc at Manali itself - near Mall road. You can rent it one night in advance. The full suit will cost Rs. 200 - Rs.325/-. Look for those that appear clean.
Approximate guide fees Rs. 600/-
Rohtang Pass is closed for tourists on Tuesdays
As the road is not good near Rahni nullah, So it is very slow. Urge you to start by 3 AM from Manali.
Vehicles with Non-Himachal Pradesh registration are not allowed after Marhi if you had taken special permission from SDM office at Manali they allow.
Rohtang Pass Trip - Tips from the expert
Even though Rohtang Pass attracts around 25 Lakh visitors a year, It doesn’t have any basic amenities - no toilets, clean eateries etc.
The snow dress will include full body suit, boots, gloves and snow boots.
Dos & Don't
Dos
Snow clothes from one of the many shops at Manali itself. Cost per snowsuit is around Rs. 200 - Rs.325/- per person.
It is better to go to Rohtang Pass by taxi hired from Him Anchal taxi union at Manali (cost Rs.1,200 fixed by small vehicle and 1,500 by bigger vehicle) than by Rohtang Pass HPTDC tourist bus. HPTDC Bus stops way away from the action zone (snow activity) and you need to hire a pony to reach the action zone. This makes the trip by HPTDC bus more expensive than traveling in a taxi.
Bargain for every activity - skiing, snowmobile, tire drop etc at Rohtang
For all the effort of reaching Rohtang Pass, you will stay for only three to four hours. The crowds make the experience less interesting that it ought to be.
There are literally hundreds of shops and shacks offering snow dress on hire. It is better to hire from a shop rather than from a shack.
Do Not
Please check boots and gloves thoroughly as many are torn. Wearing torn shoe or gloves is dangerous.
Please start early so that you are not stuck in traffic and your taxi can drop you near the action zone. Most drivers are unfortunately not tourist friendly and will try to fleece you. You need to be on guard and be firm on what you will pay for snow dress, snowmobile etc.
While at Rohtang Pass
Skiing at Rohtang is rudimentary and you do not need a guide. The guide will cost you Rs.1,500 and do nothing more than hold you while you pretend to ski.
Snowmobiles do not follow any particular track, so please do avoid crowded part of Rohtang pass unless you want to be mowed down by a speeding snowmobile
Beyond Rohtang Pass
If you have your own vehicle, ask the driver to take you to Koksar, an hours drive beyond Rohtang Pass. You can have your lunch at Dhabas in Koksar. If you are visiting Manali during July - October, the chances are that snow would have melted away. However, it is the best time for scenic drives beyond Rohtang Pass.
The best drive would be the iconic Manali - Leh ride on a motorbike. At the minimum, drive onwards from Rohtang Pass to Gondhla to visit an ancient castle that looks straight out of a fairy tale.
Once the tunnel under construction is open to tourists by end 2019, Rohtang Pass will be bypassed completely
Snow Point
Snow Point is not any particular location, rather, it is just a stretch of snow on the way to Rohtang La identified by local vendors to set up their stalls. In peak winters, Snow point is at a location very close to Manali.
Attractions en route Manali to Rohtang
Nehru Kund: A natural spring, 5 Kms from Manali town.
Kothi: River Beas runs through a narrow gorge setting up an attractive landscape with plenty of photo opportunities.
Gulaba: At around 20 Kms from Manali, Gulaba is Scenic spot covered in snow and usually termed "Snow Point"
Rahla Falls: Attractive waterfall
Marhi: Pit stop for breakfast (Maggi Noodles) and to hire snow equipment
Recommended Manali Tour Plan
Day One
Manali local attractions
Day Two
Rohtang Pass / Snow Point
Day Three
Solang Valley for adventure sports
Day Four
Naggar, Manikaran and proceed for onward journey.