Short answer: the Atal Tunnel is a 9.02 km road tunnel under the Pir Panjal range, about 25 km north of Manali, that bypasses Rohtang Pass and puts Sissu and the Lahaul valley roughly an hour and a half from Manali. In normal conditions any vehicle can drive through. After snowfall, police regularly restrict or close the approach, sometimes allowing only 4x4 vehicles — so in winter it is a plan with a backup, never a certainty.
The tunnel at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 9.02 km, single tube, one lane each way |
| Altitude | About 3,000–3,100 m |
| Where | On National Highway 3, with the south portal about 25 km north of Manali |
| Connects | The Kullu valley (Manali) with Lahaul, towards Keylong, Jispa and the Leh road |
| Opened | October 2020 |
| Built by | Border Roads Organisation (BRO) |
| What it replaced | The drive over Rohtang Pass (about 3,978 m), closed by snow for roughly half the year |
What it changes for your trip
Before the tunnel, Manali to Keylong meant about 116 km over Rohtang Pass and five to six hours in good conditions. Through the tunnel the same journey is about 71 km and around two hours. For visitors that means three practical things:
- Lahaul becomes a day trip. Sissu, the first village most people stop at, is about 40 km and roughly 1.5 hours from Manali. See our Manali to Sissu road trip guide.
- Snow without Rohtang. The north side of the tunnel often holds snow when Manali town has none, which is why it became the default winter outing. Our guide to seeing snow without going to Rohtang explains the options.
- A shorter start to longer journeys. Travellers heading to Jispa, Spiti or Ladakh save hours on day one. Read the Jispa travel guide and Manali to Leh highway guide.
Do you need a permit?
At the time of writing, travel trackers report that private and commercial vehicles may use the tunnel without a permit in normal conditions. This is easy to confuse with Rohtang Pass, which is a separate road and does need an online permit, with a daily cap on vehicles and a weekly maintenance closure reported on Tuesdays. If your plan is "Rohtang", check the official Rohtang permit portal; if it is "Atal Tunnel and Sissu", you are on a different road.
Rules change, so treat this as background and confirm on the day with your hotel or driver.
Winter: why "open all year" does not mean "always open"
The tunnel itself is designed as an all-weather link. The roads leading to it are another matter. News reports from past winters describe the same pattern again and again:
- After fresh snowfall, police stop tourist vehicles well before the tunnel — at Nehru Kund or Solang Nala — and turn hundreds of cars back on a single day.
- When the road is slippery, only 4x4 vehicles are allowed towards Solang, and sometimes only residents or emergency traffic may cross the tunnel.
- Vehicles have slid and collided on fresh snow near the portals, blocking the road until BRO cleared it and local 4x4 operators helped people out.
None of this is unusual; it is how the road is managed. What it means for you:
- Do not build a winter itinerary that only works if the tunnel is open on one specific day.
- Go early, and turn back early. Afternoon snowfall is when people get stuck.
- If you are not used to driving on snow, hire a local driver with a suitable vehicle and snow chains.
- Keep warm clothes, water and snacks in the car even for a "quick" trip.
For the wider picture see Manali in winter.
Driving through: sensible conduct
- Follow the posted speed limits and lane discipline; the tunnel has a single lane each way.
- Do not stop for photos or step out of the vehicle inside. Use the areas outside the portals.
- Headlights on, no overtaking.
- Mobile coverage inside and beyond is not something to rely on. Download maps first.
What you can reach beyond the tunnel
| Place | Roughly how far | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Sissu | About 40 km from Manali; a few km past the north portal | Waterfall, lake, first views of Lahaul |
| Koksar | About 14 km from Sissu, back towards Rohtang | Snow and river views in season |
| Keylong | About 71 km from Manali | Lahaul’s main town; stays and supplies |
| Jispa | About 20–22 km beyond Keylong | Riverside stop on the Leh road |
Distances are from published references and are approximate. Beyond Keylong, snow restricts road access in winter.
More detail: best places to visit in Sissu.
Altitude: a quiet risk on an easy drive
Manali sits at around 2,000 m; the tunnel and Sissu are above 3,000 m. Most healthy visitors manage a day trip without trouble, but headaches, breathlessness and nausea are possible, particularly in small children and older travellers. Drink water, avoid alcohol, do not run around in the snow straight out of the car, and descend if anyone feels unwell.
Before you go: who to check with
- Lahaul and Spiti district administration — road and weather advisories.
- Kullu district administration — restrictions on the Manali side.
- Rohtang permit portal — only if you plan to drive over Rohtang Pass.
- India Meteorological Department — forecasts and snowfall warnings.
Want it arranged?
If you would rather not judge snow roads yourself, tell us your dates and group. Funtoor can plan the day with a local driver and a suitable vehicle, and give you an honest view of whether the road is likely to be open. Plan my Atal Tunnel and Sissu trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Atal Tunnel?
9.02 km. It runs under the Pir Panjal range at roughly 3,000–3,100 m.
Is the Atal Tunnel open in winter?
The tunnel is built for all-weather use, but police restrict or close the approach roads after snowfall, sometimes allowing only 4x4 vehicles. Check on the day.
Is a permit needed for the Atal Tunnel?
Travel trackers currently report that no permit is needed for the tunnel in normal conditions. Rohtang Pass, a different road, does require a permit. Confirm locally because rules change.
How far is the Atal Tunnel from Manali?
The south portal is about 25 km north of Manali. Allow more time than the distance suggests on busy days.
Can I visit Sissu and return to Manali the same day?
Yes, in clear conditions. Sissu is about 40 km and roughly 1.5 hours from Manali.
Compiled by the Funtoor team from published sources and official pages, last reviewed in October 2026. It is a planning guide, not a first-hand trip report; conditions in the mountains change quickly, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you travel.
Written by
Funtoor Travel Team
Travel planners based in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. We plan and arrange trips — stays, transport and experiences — across the Himalayas.
