Travel Diaries of Irish Pereira: Manali Diaries

Manali Diaries - Atal Tunnel

Dates: 10th April 2026

Adventurers : Irish & Stuti Pereira

Driver : Mr. Kamlesh Verma (Mob : 98058 37732)

Prologue:
It was quick trip to Manali from 08th April to 10th April 2026. Being onset of summers in Manali, we never expected any snowfall activity. However when we reached Manali on 08th April, the weather forecast had changed by Grace of Almighty.

On day 1, we actually had plans to explore Sissu through ATAL TUNNEL. However due to rainfall, there was heavy snowfall expected on higher regions of Manali. Due to which we postponed Atal Tunnel route for last day in Manali.

After spending 2 wonderful days exploring Gulaba and Sethan and enjoying live snowfalls, we decided to visit Sissu and Koksar past Atal Tunnel.

On day 3 the weather was clear with bright sunlight and it was perfect time to visit Atal Tunnel. It is an 45 mins to hour journey from Manali Mall Road to Atal Tunnel. If there happens heavy snowfall, the Manali Traffic police will allow only 4x4 Vehicle past Solang Valley in between Manali and tunnel. Hence in that case Atal Tunnel cannot be visited.

We had planned to visit Koksar and Sissu past Atal Tunnel in North side and had decided to return early to mitigate with any weather change. The weather on both sides of Atal tunnle varies significatly and one cannot predict weather on either side.

The 9.02 km long, strategically significant, Atal Tunnel, that runs under the ‘Rohtang Pass’ was constructed on the Manali - Leh Highway under the challenging conditions of freezing temperatures in extremely difficult terrain. Prior to the construction of the tunnel, the highway remained closed during winter season for six months, isolating Lahaul & Spiti from the mainland. Construction of this tunnel has reduced the distance on Manali - Sarchu road by 46 km and travel time by four to five hours, providing all-weather connectivity on the Manali - Leh axis.

The construction of this tunnel, nestled in Pir Panjal Ranges of the Himalayas, has been as much a test of technical & engineering skills, as of human endurance and machine efficacy

Atal Tunnel has officially been certified by World Book of Records, as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’, during a landmark ceremony on 09 February 2022, in New Delhi. Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General of Border Roads Organisation (DGBR) received the award for the stupendous achievement of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in constructing this engineering marvel connecting Manali to the Lahaul - Spiti Valley.

On the North portal there is a iron bridge on the Chandra River. Just past the bridge, the road diverts on left to Sissu and extends upto Leh. While Right side road diverts upto Rohtang Pass via Koksar.

We first visited Koksar to enjoy snow activities and later we visited Sissu. We entered back from North Portal at 4:45 to reach Manali at 5:40 PM.

Summary : It was a dream come true to visit worlds highest tunnel - an engineering marvel. All Thanks to Almighty God who made it possible.