Rohtang Pass permit guide for taxi travellers
How do I get a Rohtang Pass permit?
Rohtang permits are issued online per vehicle and per day by the Manali administration, with a daily cap on vehicles. If you book a Manali taxi with us, we apply using the driver's vehicle number — you just send your date on WhatsApp. Rohtang is usually closed one day a week and from roughly November to May/June.
How the permit works
- The permit is for the vehicle, not the passenger — the taxi number is printed on it.
- Permits are issued day-wise; a fixed number of petrol and diesel vehicles is allowed each day.
- There is a permit fee plus a congestion/green fee. Amounts are set by the administration and change, so we quote the current figure on WhatsApp instead of printing it here.
- Checks happen at Gulaba barrier; vehicles without a valid permit are turned back.
Step by step with Himachal Tour and Taxi
- Send your Manali dates and group size to Kartik on WhatsApp.
- We check the permit quota for your preferred day and suggest a backup day.
- We apply with the driver's vehicle details once your small advance confirms the booking.
- On the day, leave Manali early (around 5–6 am) to avoid the queue at Gulaba.
- If Rohtang is shut by weather, the driver switches to Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel.
When Rohtang is open
Rohtang usually opens after snow clearance in May or June and closes with the first heavy snowfall, often in November. In July–September monsoon slides can close it for a day or more. In December–April, Rohtang is shut and snow trips go to Solang, Atal Tunnel north portal and Sissu instead (subject to that day's road status).
What to carry
- Warm jacket, gloves and cap even in June — the top is above 3,900 m.
- Photo ID for all passengers.
- Water, snacks and any altitude medicine your doctor advises.
- Cash for snow-gear rental at Kothi or Marhi.
Season by season on the Manali routes
Delhi to Manali
| Season | Roads | Driver tip |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Mar–Apr | Clear, dry roads; occasional late snow on upper stretches. | Carry a light jacket; mornings are cold. |
| Summer May–Jun | Peak traffic; expect slow movement near town entries on weekends. | Start before 6 am to beat the queues. |
| Monsoon Jul–Sep | Landslide-prone patches; short closures are possible after heavy rain. | Keep a buffer of a few hours and check with your driver the night before. |
| Autumn Oct–Nov | Best driving conditions — dry roads, clear views. | Ideal time for photography stops. |
| Winter Dec–Feb | Manali town is usually reachable; snow can close roads beyond Manali (Solang, Atal Tunnel). | Ask us for a 4x4 or chains if snow is forecast. |
Chandigarh to Manali
| Season | Roads | Driver tip |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Mar–Apr | Clear, dry roads; occasional late snow on upper stretches. | Carry a light jacket; mornings are cold. |
| Summer May–Jun | Peak traffic; expect slow movement near town entries on weekends. | Start before 6 am to beat the queues. |
| Monsoon Jul–Sep | Landslide-prone patches; short closures are possible after heavy rain. | Keep a buffer of a few hours and check with your driver the night before. |
| Autumn Oct–Nov | Best driving conditions — dry roads, clear views. | Ideal time for photography stops. |
| Winter Dec–Feb | Road to Manali normally open; carry warm wear and expect early darkness. | Ask us for a 4x4 or chains if snow is forecast. |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for Rohtang Pass?
Yes. Every private car and taxi going beyond Gulaba towards Rohtang needs a vehicle permit issued online by the Manali administration. Permits are issued per vehicle, per day, and the daily number is capped.
Who applies for the Rohtang permit when I book a taxi?
When you book with us, the driver's taxi is registered for the permit, so we apply on your behalf using the vehicle number. You only share your travel date on WhatsApp.
Is Rohtang open every day?
Rohtang is usually closed one day a week for road maintenance (traditionally Tuesday) and stays shut through winter, roughly from November until the road is cleared in May or June. Dates change every year, so we confirm before booking.
Do I need a Rohtang permit for Atal Tunnel or Sissu?
No Rohtang permit is needed to drive through Atal Tunnel to Sissu or Keylong. Snow or tunnel rules can still close that road, which we check on the day.
What if the permit quota is full?
Quotas fill fast in May–June. If no permit is available we plan Solang Valley, Atal Tunnel and Sissu instead, which also have snow for much of the season.
Tour packages
Tour packages for these towns
Compare the full itinerary with individual taxi journeys before choosing your trip.
Shimla Manali Tour Package
The classic Himachal circuit, driven the way locals sequence it — Shimla first while your body adjusts to altitude, then the Beas valley to Manali, with the Atal Tunnel run kept for the clearest morning.
6 days · 5 nightsfrom ₹34,500Manali Tour Package
A tight four-day Manali circuit that skips the tourist-trap sequencing: high valley in the morning light, old town and Naggar in the afternoon, and no wasted hours in Mall Road traffic.
4 days · 3 nightsfrom ₹24,500Himachal Honeymoon Package
A honeymoon route built around quiet: Naldehra instead of Kufri's crowd, Jana instead of the Solang queue, Naggar Castle at sunset, and an early Sissu run before the day-trippers arrive.
7 days · 6 nightsfrom ₹42,500
Who wrote this and how we checked it
Kartik & Paras — Himachal Tour and Taxi route desk, Himachal Pradesh. Written and fact-checked by Himachal Tour and Taxi's own route desk in Himachal Pradesh. Kartik and Paras have coordinated hill transfers across all twelve districts — Shimla, Kullu, Kangra, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur included — and every timing, fare and road note here is cross-checked with the drivers running that sector this season.
- Fares come from our own published per-km rates for each car type, plus tolls, state entry tax and driver stay. We confirm the final price on WhatsApp before you book.
- Travel times are what our drivers usually take on this road in normal weather. Snow, landslides and traffic jams can make trips longer.
- Before you travel, check road closures and permits with official sources: HP Police traffic updates, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) notices for high passes, and the HP Tourism permit portal for Rohtang and Atal Tunnel.
- Spotted something wrong? Email rides@himachaltourandtaxis.com or message us on WhatsApp and we will correct it.
Last reviewed · First published · Questions or corrections: Kartik +91 70182 76599 · Paras +91 85447 52319 · rides@himachaltourandtaxis.com