Rohtang Pass, Mountain pass in Himachal Pradesh, India
Rohtang Pass sits at 3,978 meters (13,051 feet) in the eastern Pir Panjal Range, linking Kullu Valley with Lahaul. The road winds through bare mountain slopes and crosses snowfields that often remain visible well into summer.
Traders used this route for centuries to move between valleys, with many losing their lives to sudden snowstorms. The opening of the Atal Tunnel in 2020 provided safe winter passage for the first time.
Local guides often explain that the pass separates two distinct ways of life, with prayer flags appearing on the northern descent. Travelers notice the shift from wooden temples to monasteries as they cross from one valley into the other.
The road over the pass is usually open from May to November, though snow and ice change conditions depending on the season. Warm clothing is necessary even in summer, as temperature drops quickly and strong wind is common.
At the top, the pass marks a watershed dividing two major river systems, with the Beas emerging underground to the south. The Chandra flows westward on the northern side and later forms the Chenab.
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