Atal tunnel Manali

About Atak Tunnel

Atal Tunnel Manali is a remarkable piece of architecture and the world's longest tunnel, at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level. Atal Tunnel is located on the Manali-Leh Highway and cuts the distance to Leh by 5 hours from its previous route via Rohtang Pass. Earlier, this valley was not accessible for 6 months from the rest of the world. Now, you can access Lahaul Valley year-round via the 9.02 km-long Atal Tunnel.

Why Is Atal Tunnel Famous?

Atal Tunnel is the world's longest tunnel at an elevation of 3,300 meters. South Pole in Kullu district connects the north pole to Lahaul and Spiti. It reduces Manali-to-Leh travel time by 5 hours. Famous for panoramic landscape and snow-capped mountains.It is the gateway to Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh

Quick facts about Atal Tunnel

Total Length - 9.02 Km
Total width - 10 M
Travel Time - 15 minutes from one pole to the other
Year of Inauguration - 2020
Builder - BRO ( Border Roads Organisation)
Elevation from sea level - 3100 meters
Entry Charges - Free
Time of operation - 24 hours
Connection - South Pole Kullu to North Pole Lahaul and Spiti

Atal Tunnel History

The former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, laid the foundation stone of the Atal Tunnel on May 26, 2002. Main construction started on June 28, 2010, when Sonia Gandhi, UPA chairperson, started the work, and the Border Roads Organisation took over. In 2019, Rohtang Tunnel was renamed Atal Tunnel.

The project was completed, ready for operation, and inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi on 3 October 2020. Atal Tunnel is a lifeline for people living in Lahaul and Spiti. It is also a strategic tunnel for India's defence and tourism sectors.

Atal Tunnel Location

South Portal of Atal Tunnel is located 25 km away from Manali town. It is a popular tourist destination for travellers worldwide. Atal Tunnel remains busy with tourists, especially in winter, as people visit from all around the world.

South Portal

The South Portal of Atal Tunnel lies in Kullu Valley; it is the starting point for journeys to Lahaul and Spiti. This portal is at an elevation of 3060 meters above sea level.
North Portal

The North Portal is the exit of the Atal Tunnel in the Lahaul Valley. This Portal changes the landscape drastically. You can see the Chandra River flowing in front of the South Portal. This portal is at an elevation of 3070 meters.

How to Reach Atal Tunnel

From Manali

Atal Tunnel is 25 km away from Manali town. You can reach the north portal of Atal Tunnel in 1 hour from Manali. The route goes via Nehru Kund, Palchan, Solang Valley, and Atal Tunnel. You can hire a taxi from Manali to reach Atal Tunnel. Pine Valley Holidays provides taxi services from Manali to Atal Tunnel for full-day sightseeing.

From Solang Valley

Atal Tunnel is 12 km ahead of Solang Valley. It takes just 30 minutes to reach the south portal of the tunnel on a normal day. Traffic jams can increase this duration during the season and in snow.

From Sissu

Atal Tunnel north portal is 3 km away from Sissu village. The Atal Tunnel is the main way for people of Sissu to travel to Manali. It takes 1.5 hours to reach Manali from

Sissu via Atal Tunnel.

From Chandigarh

Chandigarh → Bilaspur → Mandi → Kullu → Manali → Atal Tunnel

From Delhi

Delhi → Chandigarh → Mandi → Kullu → Manali → Atal Tunnel

Manali to Atal Tunnel Taxi

Pine Valley Holidays provides Manali to Atal Tunnel taxi services covering the tourist spots Solang Valley, Atal Tunnel, Sissu and Koksar. We provide a neat and clean vehicle and pick-up and drop-off from any location in Manali.
Possible itinerary:
Manali → Solang Valley → Atal Tunnel → Sissu → Koksar → Manali
Manali Local Sightseeing Taxi

Atal Tunnel Travel Tips

Start early in the morning, especially during the season
Check weather conditions in winters
Carry warm clothes in winters
Keep sufficient fuel before departing from Manali
Always take buffer time
Check traffic restrictions
Check the accessibility of the tunnel from the tourist information center on Mall Road, Manali
Respect local rules and regulations

Places to Visit Near Atal Tunnel

Solang Valley

Solang Valley is 12 km away from Atal Tunnel. Solang Valley is a great place for adventure activities. You can do zorbing, Skiing in winter, and paragliding in Solang Valley. You can also trek to Anjali Mahadev if you have time on the way to Atal Tunnel. Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel are combined sightseeing spots for a local taxi from Manali to Atal Tunnel and Sissu.

Sissu

Sissu is 3 km away from the North Portal of Atal Tunnel. Sissu village is located in Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh. Recently, this village has emerged as a popular tourist destination near Manali. You can visit sightseeing spots like Sissu Lake, Sissu Waterfall, Cafe Atal, Sissu Helipad, Chandra River Viewpoint, and Gondla Fort in Sissu.

Koksar

Koksar is a small village located 14 km away from Sissu. Koksar remains covered with snow in winters. It is a place to see snow in summer as it is located 3140 meters above sea level. The banks of the Chandra River, Koksar Gompa, and the snow point of Koksar are a few of the best places to enjoy in Koksar

Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass is a high-altitude pass located 9 km away from Atal Tunnel. Rohtang Pass is a place where tourists can enjoy snow year-round. It's a great place to enjoy the weather and panoramic mountain views. A permit is required to go to Rohtang Pass.