Rohtang Pass thrown open; time for the Himalayan odyssey

Oh yes, the Himalayas are calling and you must go! As per a statement shared by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Rohtang Pass has now reopened for motorists. This gateway to the magical lands of Spiti, Lahaul and Ladakh, this high pass (3978 m) in the Himalayas saw heavy snowfall for the winter and was shut down for around four months. Intensive work has been done by the organisation for around 30 days to clear the 85 km stretch of the road between Manali and Sissu.

High on the ‘to-do’ list of motorcycle groups, bikers and anyone looking for a lifetime’s adventure, Rohtang Pass is more of a milestone. While it has become comparatively easier for travellers to reach the pass during recent years, it had an once infamous reputation. The word ‘Rohtang’ translates to a ‘pile of corpses’ in Hindi and you can very well imagine the reason for it!


To add a word of caution, it is suggested to avoid visiting the pass for a while as it received sporadic bursts of snow till the end of winter this year, and has an increased risk of landslides and avalanches.

While travellers, especially bikers, waiting for its opening this year have a reason to rejoice, it might be till late May to put the plans of a Manali to Ladakh road trip in action. Officials from the BRO aim to completely clear the 490 km Manali - Leh stretch by May 25, 2017. For those aiming to do a roadtrip on the stretch, our guide to planning a Manali - Leh road trip is imperative!