Manali Diaries - Atal Tunnel

 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. 

Atal Tunnel - South Portal Entry

Snow white valley besides Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel - North Portal Entry

Bridge on the Chandra River

Atal Tunnel - North Portal

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Manali Diaries - Sethan Jobra

 

Manali Diaries - Sethan Jobra

Dates: 09th 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 explored Gulaba and enjoyed live snowfall. It was mind-blowing experience. The day one was mostly rainy in Manali town and snowy in higher altitudes.

On day 2, It was slow morning with bright sunlight (unlike day 1) This is what we had prayed for the last night. After basking in the morning light on terrace, we had breakfast. The plan for today was either Sissu via Atal Tunnel or Sethan village. As it had snowed yesterday, the Atal tunnel was closed for 2x2 vehicles. Hence we decided to explore Sethan village.

We started around 11:45 AM and it is 14 km 1 hour journey from Manali with partial off-roading.

The weather was still dynamic and bright sunlight in the morning turned cloudy as we were on the way to Sethan. It is typical uphill journey with 36 curved turns. The road is full mud and rocks. On the route we have hobbit rooms with curved domes. 

Sethan is small village Sethan Village is a small, offbeat Buddhist hamlet perched at an altitude of about 2700 metres (9250 feet) in the Hamta Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Located just 12 to 15 kilometers from Manali, it is famous for its panoramic views of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges and is renowned as the "Igloo Village" of India during winter. 

The village transforms into a snowy paradise. It is a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding, and staying in authentic igloos. 

Few kilometers ahead lies Jobra Village, which is the starting point of Hampta pass trek. We had fun on the high slopes of Jobra. There we witnessed the second live snowfall. It was a dreamy place altogether. Words fall short to describe the vibes of that place.

After having fun on the snow covered slopes, we slided downhill to explore the dam with hydro electric power plant.

By the time we were hungry and had lunch at local shack. We had Egg toast and Maggie. Believe me when i say that maggie tastes awesome on mountains with snowy weather.

Then around 3:30 PM we bid adieu to Jobra. 

Enroute we explored the Pandu Ropa. The believed to be inhabited by Pandavas during their Vanvaas.

Stuti with Hamta pass trek route

Hot Bread Omlette 

Hydroeletric dam

Pandu Ropa

Hobbit rooms

Manali viewed from Sethan

Kullu Valley far off

For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Manali Diaries - Live snowfall at Gulaba

 

Winter tour to Manali -  Live snowfall at Gulaba 

At Gulaba Checkpost with our Car

Dates: 08th 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. And it was chilly rainy morning when we reached Manali. 

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 only 4x4 vehicles were allowed past Solang valley.

While strolling on mall road post breakfast, multiple drivers approached us to ferry us to Sissu by 4x4. However charges they quoted were very high. We decided to go back to hotel and then decide further plans. 

Then one driver approached us and offered us to explore Gulaba on Rohtang pass route. He expected high chances of snowfall there. The charges he quoted appeared reasonable. Then within half an hour, the driver picked us up from our hotel - Vista Resort.

Before starting the car we prayed to Almighty to guide us and to avail us beautiful snowfall. It was there we got know that the driver also happened to Christian believer. Then he was our driver and guide for next 3 days till departure and brother for lifetime.

It is an hour journey to Gulaba. Initially it was raining at Manali when we started. However as we gained height, the rain covered into snowy flakes. And by the time we reached Gulaba check post, it was fully fledged snowfall. 

What a wonderful moment it was !!!! It was a dream come true by Grace of Almighty. Or else who would have thought of full snowfall in summer. 

Our guide Kamlesh warned us to spend around 45 minutes as more snowfall will clog the roads affecting our return journey. As we had 2x2 Maruti Celerio, it would get tricky if too much snow covers the road. 

There having fun in snow for an hour, we had some maggie at local shack. Believe me when i say that the maggie tastes more tasty in mountains. 

Then we hurriedly started back to Manali before snowfall covered the roads. 

Summary : It was a dream come true to enjoy live snowfall in summers in Manali. We were out of words to describe the moment. All Thanks to Almighty God who made it possible. It is HE who controls the climate.

Fun in live snowfall

Stuti with Snowman

Maggi taste awesome in mountains

For more of my treks and travelogues you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!