No, you can’t drive up to Rohtang Pass in March. The road is closed to tourist vehicles from around mid-November until the Border Roads Organisation clears the snow, which usually happens in late May or early June. You can still find good March snow lower down at Solang Valley, Gulaba, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu.
The reason is altitude. The pass sits at 3,978 metres, and by March it’s buried under snow that the BRO only starts clearing that month. Tourist cars heading for Rohtang Pass in March are stopped well below it, at a police barrier at Kothi or Gulaba.
What most people get wrong is treating the Atal Tunnel as “Rohtang”. The tunnel runs under the pass at about 3,060 metres, so a drive through it gives you snow and big mountain views, but you never stand on the Rohtang summit.
So the plan is simple. Base yourself in Manali, pick one or two of the snow points below, and check where the barrier stands the evening before. You’ll find more ideas for the wider trip in our travel guides.
Can You Visit Rohtang Pass in March for Snow?
Not the pass itself. Every winter the Kullu district administration stops tourist traffic towards Rohtang once snow and ice make the road unsafe, and that order stays in place right through March. Reports from past seasons show the barrier beyond Gulaba going up anywhere from 15 to 29 November.
Reopening is slow, which is why Rohtang Pass in March stays out of reach even on sunny days. The BRO usually begins clearing snow in March, often from the Koksar side in Lahaul, but fresh snowfall keeps undoing the work. In recent seasons, tourists reached the pass only between mid-May and mid-June.
Rohtang March Closure: Why the Road Stays Shut
It isn’t only about snow depth. In past winters the administration has cited extreme cold on the Kothi to Marhi stretch, and it has closed the road beyond Gulaba because black ice made driving treacherous. A car that slides on that road has nowhere to go.
There’s also less pressure to open it early than there used to be. Since the Atal Tunnel opened in October 2020, Lahaul stays connected to Manali through most of the winter, so the old road over Rohtang Pass in March isn’t the lifeline it once was for locals.
Rohtang Pass March Road Status: How to Check It Yourself
Before you plan around Rohtang Pass in March, check the status yourself. On 14 November 2026 we went through several seasons of reopening reports, and the pattern was the same each time: the Kullu administration issues an order, the barrier moves, and permits start for the road beyond Gulaba.
That makes the official Rohtang Pass permit portal your quickest check. Once the season opens, every tourist car crossing the Gulaba barrier needs a permit, so if no tourism permits are on offer for your date, the road isn’t open to you.
For the lower snow points that replace Rohtang Pass in March, ask your hotel or driver the evening before where the police barrier stands. Locals will know whether it’s at Kothi or Gulaba, and whether the Atal Tunnel road is open to all cars or only to four-wheel drives after fresh snow.
How Far Can You Drive Towards Rohtang Pass in March?
For most of the month, tourist cars can go up to Kothi, and sometimes Gulaba, on the old Rohtang road. Marhi and the pass stay off-limits. Your other route is the Atal Tunnel road via Solang, which is separate and usually open, weather permitting.
Kothi, Gulaba and the Moving Barrier
Through winter the barrier sits at Kothi, and it moves up to Gulaba once the BRO has cleared the road and parking. In one season Gulaba opened on 16 March. In others it stayed shut until mid-April, so you can’t plan around it weeks ahead.
The honest downside is that Gulaba often disappoints in March. Tribune reports from more than one season noted that little snow was left there by the time it opened, and that Kothi had none. That’s why many visitors skip this road and head for Solang or the tunnel.
In at least one winter the administration allowed cars beyond Kothi only between 10 am and 4 pm, and only in clear weather. If that rule is in force during your stay, there’s no point leaving at dawn for Gulaba. Aim to reach Kothi just before 10.
Where Are the Best March Snow Points Near Manali?
If your goal is snow rather than a signboard, you have better options than Rohtang Pass in March anyway. These are the spots we’d look at, from easiest to hardest.
Solang Valley
Solang is about 13 km from Manali, needs no permit, and normally holds snow from December into March. It’s the easiest swap for Rohtang Pass in March if you’re travelling as a family, with snow play and activities close to the parking area.
The trade-off is crowds. The Manali to Solang road backs up badly on weekends, so go on a weekday and leave Manali by 8 am. Late in March, Solang’s snow can turn patchy and slushy, so check recent photos before you commit.
Is the Atal Tunnel the Same as Rohtang Pass in March?
No. The 9.02 km Atal Tunnel runs under the Pir Panjal range, with its south portal about 25 km from Manali, while Rohtang Pass sits roughly 900 metres higher on the old road. Because the tunnel road stays open most of the year, it’s your best chance of deep snow in March.
Snow lasts longest around the north portal and on the Lahaul side, where local reports keep showing snow at Koksar after the Manali side has melted. Sissu, a short drive beyond the north portal, often looks fully white in March, with far fewer people than Solang.
One warning. After fresh snowfall, the police sometimes let only four-wheel drives continue, and tourist cars have been stranded on the slippery slope near the south portal at Dhundi. If it snowed overnight, don’t force it.
Sethan Village
Sethan sits at about 2,700 metres on a separate road out of Manali, so it’s a useful backup on a day when the Solang side is jammed or blocked. It’s quieter, and it suits a slow snow walk more than activities.
When in March Gives You the Best Snow?
Timing changes everything here. Manali’s main snowfall season runs from December to the start of March, so the first two weeks of March give you the best odds of thick snow at Solang and near the tunnel. By the last week, lower spots can be bare.
March weather also swings fast. In past seasons, heavy March snowfall blocked the roads to both Rohtang and Lahaul, while Solang, Kothi and Hamta still had plenty of snow. Keep one spare day in your plan so a blocked road doesn’t wreck the whole trip.
Within each day, start early and be back below Solang before dark. Afternoon slush on the road can freeze hard after sunset.
How Much Does a March Snow Day From Manali Cost?
Your biggest saving is not paying for things you can’t use. You don’t need a permit for Rohtang Pass in March, since no tourist cars go up, and Solang, Kothi and the tunnel road don’t need one either. When the permit is in use, it costs ₹550 per vehicle, which is a ₹500 fee plus a ₹50 congestion charge.
Taxi fares change by season, so agree the full day’s fare, including waiting time and any stop beyond Solang, before you set off. If you’re on a tight budget, local buses run between Manali and Solang through the day when the road is clear.
Rent snow boots and a waterproof suit only if you plan to spend hours in deep snow. For an hour of snow play, waterproof shoes, thick socks and a dry change of clothes in the car do the job. Our fashion section has more ideas for dressing in warm layers.
Staying Safe at Altitude and on Icy Roads
Altitude is the risk people forget when they swap Rohtang Pass in March for the tunnel. Manali sits at about 2,050 metres and the tunnel is above 3,000, so a short drive to Sissu adds over 1,000 metres in a couple of hours. Some people get a headache, nausea or unusual breathlessness at that height.
Walk slowly, drink water and skip alcohol on a day you’re going high. Snow also reflects strong sunlight, so wear sunglasses and sunscreen even when it feels cold. Our personal care tips help with dry, windburnt skin once you’re back.
When to Get Medical Help
If a headache doesn’t ease with rest, or you start vomiting, feel breathless while sitting still, or get confused or unsteady, head back down towards Manali straight away and see a doctor. For any emergency in India, dial 112.
Children, older travellers and anyone with heart or lung problems should check with a doctor before going above 3,000 metres. You’ll find more on looking after yourself in our health section.
What We’d Skip, and What We Tell Our Readers
We’d skip any package that sells Rohtang Pass in March as a tour. The pass is closed to tourist cars, so that trip ends at Gulaba, Solang or the tunnel at best. Ask exactly where the car will stop, and don’t pay a Rohtang price for a Solang day.
What we tell readers is this: plan around snow, not around a place name. One day at Solang and one day through the tunnel to Sissu will give you more snow than chasing Rohtang Pass in March, and you’re back in Manali for dinner both nights.
If you’re doing a longer Himachal loop, a few days in Shimla on the drive up make a good start. Our list of famous tourist places in Shimla helps you choose what to see there.
Rohtang Pass in March is a no, but March in Manali can still be a great snow trip if you go early in the month, check the barrier each evening and keep a spare day. This guide is for general information, so always follow police instructions on the road and your doctor’s advice about your health.
