Rohtang Pass or Rohtang La, District: Lahaul & Spiti, H.P.

Route: Chandigarh - Mandi - Manali - Koti - Rotang La - Keylong or towards Kaza - Nako - Kalpa - Rampur - Simla.

Location : The National Highway 21 from Chandigarh via Mandi, Manali passes through Rohtang La as the gateway of Lahaul valley, at a distance of 51 KM from Manali. After crossing 1 KM span of Rohtang La it descends to bank of river Chandra flowing east to west in Lahaul & Spiti Valley. Here the road is devided, on westen side ot goes to Leh via Keylong and on esater side it connectes Kaza , then Kinnaur, meets with NH 22.

General description : Rohtang La (Pass) is the gateway of Lahaul valley at an altitude of 3970 M. It remains cool throughout the year. The visitors are advised to wear sufficient warm clothes particularly in winter. The weather also changes suddenly and temperature drops abruptly even in summer. One should not do much physical exercise on arrival at such altitude. The avalanches are common in this area in winter months. The pass remains closed to all types of traffic in winter months due to heavy snow fall and avalanches. Solang Valley famous for skiing is situated 3 KM away from Palachan, a place on NH 21. Para-gliding, sky-roaming etc. can be enjoyed throughout the year by the tourists. The massive phallic image of snow created across the Solang canal under the open sky is a special attraction to the tourists. Some accommodation facilities are available at Solang village. Beas Kund (lake), the source of river Beas is not far off. The lake water is very clear and bluish in colour. The nearby Sonapani glacier can be seen from Rotang.

Safety : Safe.Roads : Motorable mountain road. Road traffic: Careful and slow driving in hill roads suggested. Medical support: No; Fuel Pumps: No; Car repairing: No; Market & Shopping Centre: No; Tourist Information Centre: Np; Railway & Air Ticket: No; Hotels & Restaurants: No; Sports & Game Centers: No. Cellular service: No; Car rental: No.

Transport : In the months of April to June and Sept- Nov. every year, HPTDC arranges sight seeing to Rohtang Pass from 9 AM to 4 PM by HPTDC Luxury coach and car. The tickets can be booked in advance from the HPTDC counter near the bus stand at Manali. This apart, a plenty of cars are available at the taxi stand on contract basis at Manali. The charges vary from Rs 1200 - Rs 1600/- per day. The tourists can hire a car for the entire day to visit various places in and around Manali including Rotang Pass. The buses from Manali to Keylong, Leh or Kaza passes through the Pass.

Special mention: There is no hotel at Rotang Pass. The tourists may visit the Pass from Manali or stay at Solang Valley where a few hotels / Resorts are situated.

Accommodation facilities:

The advance booking can be made directly or through www.arraytours.com. Please call +91 9433001192, (Phone) +91 33 24427635. The above data are indicative as provided by the respective hotel or collected from various sources. The author is not responsible for any difference with the actuals.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 January 2011 23:43