Atal Tunnel: Ultimate Tourist Guide 2026

Previously known as the Rohtang Tunnel, Atal Tunnel Manali is the world's longest highway tunnel above 3,000 meters. It links Manali and Lahaul, cutting travel time significantly and keeping the route open even when Rohtang Pass shuts down for winter.

The tunnel is well-lit and well-ventilated throughout its 9.02 km stretch. For anyone building Himachal Pradesh tour packages around Manali, it is impossible to leave this off the list.

This guide covers everything about Atal Tunnel: from timings and entry fee to the best time to visit, things to do at Atal Tunnel, and how to reach.

Atal Tunnel Manali: Quick Facts

• Length of Atal Tunnel: 9.02 km
• Width: 10m
• Elevation/Altitude: Approximately 3,100 metres above sea level.
• Ticket Cost: Free
• Timings: Open 24 hours
• Atal Tunnel Location: Himachal Pradesh
• Connects: Manali to Sissu (Lahaul Valley)
• Solang Valley To Atal Tunnel Distance: 12.1 km
• Manali To Atal Tunnel Distance: 25 km

How is the Atal Tunnel Important?

Before October 2020, Lahaul was cut off from the rest of Himachal for nearly six months every year. Rohtang Pass, which translates to "Pile of Corpses," was the only way in, and winter made it inaccessible.

The Atal Tunnel changed that overnight. It cut travel time between Manali and Leh by 4 to 5 hours, kept the route open year-round, and gave the armed forces reliable access to the border. For the people of Lahaul, it was not just a tunnel, it was a lifeline.

Atal Tunnel: The Two Portals

The tunnel has two entry points, and they could not feel more different.

• South Portal sits at 3,060 meters on the Manali side, surrounded by the green hills of Kullu Valley. This is where most travelers begin.
• North Portal opens at 3,071 meters into Lahaul: dry, open, and dramatically bare. The shift happens within seconds of stepping out. One side is lush Himachal, the other looks like a different country entirely. That contrast is half the reason people make the crossing.

Things to do at Atal tunnel

• Explore Sissu: The first stop on the Lahaul side, about 11.5 km from the North Portal. It is a quiet village sitting in the Chandra Valley with a character completely different from Manali.The Sissu Waterfall, the main draw. It is heart-shaped and surprisingly dramatic. There is also a small lake nearby and Gondhla Fort worth a look if you have time.
• Discover Keylong: The administrative centre of Lahaul, Keylong feels lived-in and unhurried. It gives you a real sense of the region beyond the tourist trail. Visit Khardung Monastery, walk through the local market, and use it as a base if you are heading deeper into Lahaul or towards Leh.
• Wander Through Lahaul and Spiti: Opening up after the Atal Tunnel made access significantly easier. Two very different valleys, both worth a dedicated trip. Our Manali Lahaul Atal Tunnel Trip covers the Lahaul stretch well if you want it planned out. Key Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Dhankar, and Chandratal Lake are the highlights. None of them should be rushed.
• Stopover at Jispa: A small settlement on the Manali-Leh Highway that most people drive past without stopping. Worth a halt. Not much to do, and that is the point. Camp by the river, acclimatise, and take in the scale of the landscape around you.

• Marvel at Suraj Tal: One of the highest lakes in India, sitting near Baralacha Pass on the Manali-Leh Highway. The water is a shade of blue that does not look entirely real. Most people stop here briefly on the way to Leh. If you have time, walk around the lake.
• Adventure in Solang Valley: About 14 km from Manali on the way to the tunnel. Popular, busy, and for good reason. Enjoy paragliding, zorbing, skiing in winter, and a cable car ride for views over the valley. If you are a first-timer, Manali Solang Combo | Manali Trip Package won't disappoint.
• Unwind at Gulaba: A seasonal snow point between Manali and Rohtang. Quieter than Solang and less crowded. Skiing and snowboarding in winter is one of the best things to do at Atal Tunnel. In summer it is a clean viewpoint without the chaos of Rohtang.
• Soak in Manali: The base for everything on this route. Ancient temples, busy markets, and a town that somehow works for every kind of traveler. Explore Hadimba Temple, Mall Road, Old Manali, and the Beas riverside. If Kasol is on the list too, our Kasol Manali with Kheerganga Trek builds both into one trip.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Atal Tunnel?

The Atal Tunnel is accessible throughout the year, but weather conditions can vary significantly between the lush green South Portal (Manali side) and the colder, arid North Portal. Here is the season-wise breakdown:

• Summer (May – June)

Weather: Pleasant, sunny, clear roads

Temperature: 10°C to 25°C

Highlights: Ideal for scenic drives, visiting Sissu, and enjoying the contrast between green and barren landscapes

• Monsoon (July – August)

Weather: Heavy rainfall, landslide-prone

Temperature: 10°C to 20°C

Highlights: Lush greenery and waterfalls. Travel is generally discouraged due to landslides near the South Portal

• Autumn (September – October)

Weather: Clear skies, crisp air

Temperature: 5°C to 15°C

Highlights: Best time for photography and peaceful travel

• Winter (December – March)

Weather: Extremely cold with snowfall

Temperature: -5°C to 10°C (can drop lower)

Highlights: Snow-covered landscapes and winter views. Check road conditions due to snow or avalanches

How To Reach Atal Tunnel?

1. By Air

• The nearest airport is Bhuntar (KUU), about 50 km from Manali.
• Flights are limited, so check availability well in advance.
• From Bhuntar, taxis and HRTC buses run to Manali, the drive takes roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic.

2. By Road

• Use a Taxi or Private Vehicle: The most straightforward option.
• Atal Tunnel is about 28 km from Manali, a quick drive that lets you stop wherever the road demands it.
• Having your own vehicle makes the difference on a route like this.
• HRTC Bus
• Buses from Manali to Keylong pass through the tunnel regularly.
• Budget-friendly, and a good way to see the route without worrying about driving.
• Check schedules at the Manali bus stand; timings shift with the season.
• Motorbike
• Manali has no shortage of rental options: Royal Enfields being the most popular.
• It is a great way to do this route, but the Himalayas are unforgiving on two wheels.
• Gear up properly and know what you are getting into before you book.
• Bikers, planning to do more than just the tunnel? Take a look at the 9 Days Ultimate Himalayan Bike Trip.

Tips for Visiting the Atal Tunnel

Inside the Tunnel

1. Speed limit inside the tunnel is 80 km/h. Do not exceed it.
2. Stay in your lane. Overtaking inside is dangerous and not permitted.
3. Headlights on at all times, regardless of how well-lit it seems.
4. No stopping inside unless it is a genuine emergency.
5. Photography is not allowed. Keep the phone down and focus on the road.
6. If something goes wrong, tunnel authorities are stationed along the route. Follow their instructions and do not panic.

General Tips

1. Carry warm layers regardless of the season. The North Portal (Sissu side) is significantly colder than Manali.
2. Fuel up in Manali before heading out. Options are limited beyond the tunnel.
3. Carry cash. Most stops along the route do not accept cards.
4. Check road conditions before you leave, especially during monsoon and winter.
5. Start early to make the most of daylight on the other side.
6. If you are on a bike, inspect it thoroughly in Manali before the ride.

Atal Tunnel: 9 km That Changed an Entire Valley

Lahaul spent decades cut off every winter. One tunnel changed that. At 3,100 meters, the Atal Tunnel runs 9.02 km through the Himalayas and keeps the route open year-round; no permits, no seasonal closures, no detours over Rohtang.

The best time to visit Atal Tunnel is September to October when the skies are clear and the roads are at their most reliable. However, each season brings something different: snow in winter, waterfalls in monsoon, and open roads in summer.

Atal Tunnel timings are straightforward, it runs 24 hours, entry is free, and the drive takes under 15 minutes. What takes longer is everything on the other side. Sissu, Keylong, Lahaul, Spiti; the tunnel is just the start.

Plan the crossing. Stay for the valley!