Rohtang Pass Electric Bus : Fare, Schedule & How to Book?

by Vargis.Khan

Rohtang Pass electric bus is the most recent addition to the local transport within Manali. The step was taken this year in order to reduce the level of pollution at Rohtang. In this article, I will provide details on how you can book a seat in this bus and where to board it from.

Rohtang Pass is definitely the biggest tourist attraction that Manali has to offer. But at the same time, it is also not the easiest to travel to. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people arrive at Manali and Rohtang Pass is on the itinerary of everyone. So many people travel on this 50 kilometers stretch from Manali to Rohtang that traffic jams here are not really an unusual thing.

Even the government had to take steps to control the number of vehicles going to the pass every day in order to keep the rising pollution levels in check. More steps are being taken each year to both protect the fragile ecology of the Rohtang Pass and to also make it easier for tourists to visit the mighty and beautiful pass. One such step was the introduction of Rohtang Pass Electric Bus this year.

Please note that in this article, I will only talk about the electric bus service to Rohtang. For more details on the pass, please read How to Plan a Trip to Rohtang La.

manali bus stand

Rohtang Pass Electric Bus

The electric bus from Manali to Rohtang is a daily bus service introduced by HRTC that starts from the main bus stand near Mall road in Manali. This move was taken by authorities to contain the vehicular pollution on the high altitude pass.

Electric Bus to Rohtang Schedule

This bus will run for 6 days a week from Wednesday to Monday. There will be no service available on Tuesday when the pass is closed for cleaning and maintenance work. Initially, only three buses were introduced but due to an increase in demand, this number has now been increased to 9 buses as per the HRTC booking page.

The first bus starts from Manali at 5:30 AM. After this, there are 4 more buses at an interval of 15 minutes until 6:30 AM. Then there are 4 more buses at 7 am, 8 am, 8.30 am and then the last bus at 9 am. All these buses start from Manali main bus stand near Mall road.

Each of these buses has a capacity of 25 passengers and they will take the tourists all the way till the top of Rohtang La. The bus will then halt at the pass for 2 hours and then return to Manali by afternoon.

Rohtang Pass Electric Bus Fare

The fare of Rohtang Pass electric bus is Rs. 600 per person for a return journey to Manali. You can buy your ticket from the counter at the bus stand or book it online. The entire amount will be payable upfront and will include your ticket for Manali to Rohtang and then the return journey to Manali.

manali bus stand

Rohtang Pass Electric Bus Booking

It is strongly recommended and wise to buy your ticket for this bus in advance. I was in Manali earlier this year and tickets for this bus service were all sold out completely for the next 9 days. You can book your tickets online from the HRTC official website.

How to book Rohtang Pass Bus ticket Online?

To book the electric bus ticket to Rohtang, please visit the HRTC Online Portal. This is a hyperlink so just click on the red portion and it will take you to the portal. Once you are there, search for the bus and availability of tickets. Select Manali in leaving from tab; then Rohtang Pass in going to tab; and then select dates of your travel.  You do not have to select the date of return; leave that blank. Something like in the picture below.

Once you have populated these fields, click on “Search for Bus” It will then take you to the next page showing all the available buses. A page that will look like below.

rohtang pass electric bus

Now click on the “Select Seats” tab of the bus that matches your timing. It will then show a new drop-down just below the bus where you will have to click on “Show Layout”. It will then show the fields below.

rohtang pass electric bus
Select your seat by clicking on any of the seats shown in green. Then fill out your details in Passenger Information and hit continue. After this, you will be taken to the next page where you will be asked to make payment.

And that is it, your ticket for that particular day is booked.

Manali Rohtang HPTDC Bus

Sometimes the bus may not show on the HRTC Portal and you may get an error message saying that we are not currently servicing the route. In the cast please take a look at the HPTDC Portal. In the dropdown, select Manali local tour and it will show you the Bus to book. Do not select Tuesday because Rohtang remains closed on this day and no Bus service will be available.

rohtang pass electric bus rohtang pass electric bus

Conclusion

I hope the information above on Rohtang Pass Electric Bus was of help. If you have any other questions or need any further details; please feel free to ask in the comments section below, or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to answer.

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95 comments

Ancy Thomas February 19, 2020 - 11:19 am

Hello Vargis,
How are you? The information which you have give is really awesome and helpful.. Thank you for that.
Could you please let me know when will the electric bus will start functioning from MANALI to ROHTANG PASS for the year 2020. Because right now booking is not allowed.

Reply
Vargis.Khan February 19, 2020 - 3:29 pm

Hi Ancy – It will start after the pass opens in April

Reply
Ancy Thomas February 20, 2020 - 4:49 am

Thank you for your information Vargis. Is it advisable to take a morning bus from Delhi to Manali to just enjoy the beauty of different places. But when searched online I am unable to find any good VOLVO buses for morning Journey. Can you throw some light on this

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Vargis.Khan February 20, 2020 - 2:26 pm

Take a look at the HRTC and HPTDC websites Ancy. There are several buses available between Delhi and Manali.

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Singh September 10, 2019 - 2:04 pm

Hi

Ill be in Manali on thursday. I tried booking a bus for Rohtang pass but its saying no routs available.

Is the online booking still available or can buy the ticket at the counter?

Thanks

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 10, 2019 - 11:03 pm

It is available on the HPTDC portal now. Select Manali Local tour in the dropdown.

http://www.booking.hptdc.in/

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ASHOK YADAV August 15, 2019 - 12:51 pm

Hello Sir,
I am Planning to visit manali in month of dec 23 to 28 2019. is there bus available for manikaran & solang valley. and what is fare rate

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Vargis.Khan August 15, 2019 - 10:57 pm Reply
Santosh Hegde July 23, 2019 - 4:59 am

Hello Vargis Khan

I am trying book a bus from manali to rohtang pass through HRTC portal
but when i search it says “We are not serving this route currently”
why it is so?? when i can book if i am travelling in september

thanks

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 23, 2019 - 11:37 am

Hi Santosh – It is available on the HPTDC portal now. Select Manali Local tour in the dropdown.

http://www.booking.hptdc.in/

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Santosh July 2, 2019 - 2:13 pm

I have to catch my delhi the same eve at 7 PM… I have booked the 8 am rohtang bus.. Will i get back on time by maximum 6pm??

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Vargis.Khan July 2, 2019 - 5:28 pm

Yes you will

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Sarat June 26, 2019 - 7:20 am

Hi.. Is private tourist bus allowed till rohtang.. If no till how long they permit

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Vargis.Khan June 27, 2019 - 12:04 am

It is allowed but a permit will have to be acquired still.

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vishnu Sihotia June 14, 2019 - 6:34 pm

Route of electric buses are same as that of cars and local cab or it is separate route ?

also time taken by electric bus is same as that of the cars ?

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Vargis.Khan June 14, 2019 - 9:04 pm

Same

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Vishnu June 14, 2019 - 9:13 pm

Then how it is possible to cover rohtang from electic bus in just 4 hours

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Vargis.Khan June 14, 2019 - 9:41 pm

It is not

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Vishnu June 15, 2019 - 4:58 am

How much time electic bus will take to go and come back from rohtang.

Vargis.Khan June 15, 2019 - 5:50 am

6 to 7 hours .. or even more

mahiraece June 12, 2019 - 11:06 am

Hai Vargis, Its great Article Thank you, Is it possible to visit Rohtang and Solang valley by july 1st week, return ticket also included with this 600 Right??
Any bus Service available for local sight seeing in manali, or can we hire scooter??
Any bus services for solang from Manali

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 12, 2019 - 12:30 pm

Hi Mahira,

1. Return ticket – Yes
2. Bus for local sightseeing – No
3. Scooter – Yes
4. Manali to Solang Bus – Yes

Reply
Smriti May 30, 2022 - 8:54 am

These buses fares are 600
Only from one side or both the side?

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Abhiman Swaroop June 11, 2019 - 6:20 am

I login at HRTC Online Portal for booking of electric bus service from manali to rohtang pass but it show no bus route available on this route.

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Akshit Ginodia June 12, 2019 - 2:32 pm

Now its available for booking

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Milan Goel June 10, 2019 - 11:24 am

Khan saab, the online booking for these new buses is still not open. Has this service started or not yet?
Also guide, if these buses go to the top (snow point) or drop at some distance from where we have to walk or take pony etc.?
Also tell me plz, if this service has started, can seats be booked a day before or it might not be possible due to rush?

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FAYAZKHAN June 12, 2019 - 3:44 pm

Mr. Vargis, please advise on the below query:

“Also guide, if these buses go to the top (snow point) or drop at some distance from where we have to walk or take pony etc.?”

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 12, 2019 - 4:39 pm

They will go till the top

Reply
Kapil saini June 10, 2019 - 8:30 am

Sir can uh tell me when the booking of bus will open from Manali to rohtang pass

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Vargis.Khan June 10, 2019 - 8:34 am

It is expected to happen sometime this week Kapil

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SONU KESHAV June 10, 2019 - 9:38 am

Sir please confirm when booking open for Manali To Rohtang pass.

sONU kESHAV
9779587506

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Dilip Thapa June 6, 2019 - 12:01 pm

Hello Sir,

Is the electric bus service open for rohtang pass? I’m not able to book online as the bus is not showing on HRTC online booking site. Is there any other way to book tickets through agents?
Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 6, 2019 - 4:30 pm

Bus service is not yet available Mr. Thapa

Reply
codemongers June 4, 2019 - 2:01 pm

Mr. Khan I see Buses & HMV option under Online Permit form….so can I book through that instead of HRTC buses; are these two different?

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Bhavesh Bhati June 2, 2019 - 4:42 am

hi sir, Is permit for rohtang pass needed if i’m travelling from electric bus?

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 2, 2019 - 4:43 am

No it is not Bhavesh Bhai

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bhavesh June 2, 2019 - 5:13 am

vargis bhai, electric buses will be available on 30 June ?

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bhavesh June 2, 2019 - 5:16 am

vargis bhai, are buses will be available on 30 June ? and when online booking for buses will be opened?

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 2, 2019 - 3:27 pm

Yes it will be available Bhavesh Bhai. Booking will open once the service starts.

Reply
Anil Kumar Das October 8, 2019 - 2:31 am

Dear sir, I want to travel. From manali to rohtang pass on 20.10.2019. From which date I may book the bus tickets through portal ?
Anil Das , west bengal

Akshit Ginodia May 31, 2019 - 3:55 pm

For 2019 Rohtang Pass has been declared open but I cant see any bus available for 3rd week of june 2019, can u please help me on when the bookings will start and will I be able to book it online this time also?
Thanks in Advance

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 31, 2019 - 7:29 pm

It is open but bus service hasn’t yet started.

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Fayazkhan June 1, 2019 - 8:03 am

Any guess when the bus service will start?

Also please clarify what amount the local taxi union charges for a Tempo Traveller 17 seater vehicle?
My tour operator says the taxi union will charge Rs. 15000+ whereas the payment is just Rs. 600 online.

Reply
Fayazkhan June 1, 2019 - 8:05 am

If we don’t pay to the local taxi union, they will lynch the vehicle

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Vargis.Khan June 1, 2019 - 8:25 pm

They are charging anywhere between Rs. 15000 to Rs. 14000 for a taxi right now so you can imagine. Bus service will take another week to 10 days.

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FAYAZKHAN June 12, 2019 - 3:40 pm

Thank you, sorry for not being more clear. I booked a tempo traveler (non HP or non Manali vehicle) to travel from Shimla – Manali – Chandigarh for around Rs. 35,000. And the travel agent asks for Rs. 16,000 in additional to take us to Rohtang pass whereas the govt permit charge is just Rs. 600.

Please advise if I can pay him the additional amount as he needs to give money to the local taxi union in Manali as well.

Vargis.Khan June 12, 2019 - 4:38 pm

Yes that is the usual charge. Even the local taxis from Manali to Rohtang ask 15k.

Mohan Pant May 31, 2019 - 12:46 am

Mr. Khan are there washrooms apt Rohtang pass?

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Akshit Ginodia May 31, 2019 - 4:50 pm

Yes

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Sandeep Yadav May 29, 2019 - 10:39 am

Ticket is complseri for 5 years old girl

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Ankit Narang May 28, 2019 - 11:47 am

hi sir fare of rs 600 is for one side from manali to rohtang or also included return from rohtang pass to manali??

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 28, 2019 - 12:05 pm

Return also

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Ritik Dhawan May 28, 2019 - 12:36 am

Hi Sir, My trip is planned for 2nd june. Will Rohtang pass open till then. And do I need permit if I want to travel by bus

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 28, 2019 - 12:19 pm

It will open on 3rd as of now and no, you do not need permit if traveling by Bus

Reply
Tushar May 15, 2019 - 11:51 am

Hi Sir
When will the bus tickets be available for june first week rohtang pass visit and how many days before the booking starts.
And is it difficult to book tickets because of rush?

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 15, 2019 - 12:50 pm

It all depends on when the pass opens. There is still no set date for that, may take another 10 days or so.

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Monika May 10, 2019 - 6:34 pm

Sir, I have planned a trip from 1st june 2019. will the rohtang pass be open by that time? I need to book the bus tickets, when the online tickets will be open on HRTDC site?

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Vargis.Khan May 10, 2019 - 11:33 pm

Yes it will be open by then and bus too will be available.

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Prakash Patil May 13, 2019 - 2:24 am

Can we hire any cab from solang valley to snowpoint…
Is cab available there ? As our cab is upto solang valley only

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Vargis.Khan May 13, 2019 - 2:34 am

I don’t think you will find a cab in Solang Valley. Will have to hire one from Manali only

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Ritika May 10, 2019 - 9:01 am

Hello Sir,

Any scope of availability of Bus to Rohtang Pass on 26th May??

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Vargis.Khan May 10, 2019 - 3:04 pm

It should be available by 26th May

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sukumar May 4, 2019 - 9:55 am

I want to go 26 th may to rohtang pass. But i could’t book the bus ticket. Plz solve this.

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Vargis.Khan May 4, 2019 - 4:00 pm

That is because the pass is not yet open

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Anand April 12, 2019 - 6:56 pm

Hi Vargis, Nice write up about the rohtang pass travel, we are planning to visit from 4th to 8th may, will the rohtang pass be open by that time? how early the but ticket booking will open?

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Vargis.Khan April 13, 2019 - 5:55 am

Hi Anand, The pass may be open by then but the bus will definitely not be available.

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Srinivas February 17, 2020 - 4:18 pm

Manali to rhotang travel by bus will covers solang valley

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Vargis.Khan February 19, 2020 - 3:45 pm

No it doesnt

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pravin April 10, 2019 - 6:37 am

hi sir is it compulsary to return back in same bus from rohtang pass to manali or we can take any electric bus for return journy so that we can spend more timeat rohtang

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Vargis.Khan April 10, 2019 - 12:09 pm

You get a return ticket from Manali so yes, you will have to either come back by same Bus or look for a shared cab cooming from Keylong side.

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K.D. February 2, 2020 - 11:22 am

What is the per head
cost of shared cab

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Suresh Kumar March 22, 2019 - 12:00 pm

Hi Sir, We are planning to visit Rohtang pass on mid june. When will be online bus booking open. Which bus we can prefer electric bus or normal?

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Vargis.Khan March 22, 2019 - 4:31 pm

Any Bus to Rohtang will only be available after the pass opens which should be sometimes in May this year.

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Suresh Kumar March 25, 2019 - 8:25 am

Thank you sir.

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Vargis.Khan March 25, 2019 - 6:28 pm

You are welcome !!!

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manish March 15, 2019 - 5:30 pm

which is the best bus service from delhi to manali

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Vargis.Khan March 15, 2019 - 8:35 pm

Volvo

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manish March 15, 2019 - 5:27 pm

we are planning to go from 29th march to 31st march. will the road open by that time

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Vargis.Khan March 15, 2019 - 8:35 pm

No it will not be open

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Sundar March 9, 2019 - 7:26 am

Hi Vargis,
Thank you very much, its a useful information for first timer travelers like me. I am planning for a trip to Manali by end of May 2019. If I need to book the bus tickets, when the online tickets will be opened. Kindly advise.
Thanks,
Sundar.

Reply
Vargis.Khan March 9, 2019 - 2:43 pm

Hi Sundar, It will be available by May end.

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Sanalkumar November 5, 2018 - 7:50 am

Dear Mr.Vargis, i am planned to go to manali on 10th december 2018, could you pls tell me is this possible to visit rohtang pass at that time? if it is closed, then which is the last point i can reach ?
2) how can i reach Bhrigu Lake? is it possible to visit Bhrigu Lake and come back to manali in single day ?

Reply
Vargis.Khan November 5, 2018 - 11:42 am

Hello Sanal, Rohtang pass is already closed so you cannot go there in December. Farthest you can go is till Gulaba check post. Bhrigu is possible in December but you will have to trek all the way from Gulaba. Yes it is possible to do the trek in a day.

Reply
Selva October 29, 2018 - 2:02 pm

The booking window does not works sir.
Also I’m planning to visit rohtROHpass on December 10. Is there any chance it will be open?

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Vargis.Khan October 30, 2018 - 12:35 pm

That is because the pass is open but the bus service is suspended already.

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Selva October 29, 2018 - 12:27 pm

Is the pass open now

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Vargis.Khan October 29, 2018 - 1:51 pm

As of now yes

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Vikrant October 28, 2018 - 5:34 am

Hello Khan Sahaab,
Thank you for providing the information which is very much valuable to folks like me who are new to travelling and Himachal. I tried to book electric bus (for Oct/Nov 2018) the way you have mentioned in the above post. However, HRTC portal is showing no buses. I am not sure whether this is due to Rohtang pass is currently closed or HRTC has temporarily suspended electric bus service due to some reason. Please help me to understand if you have any idea about the same.

Thanks in advance,
Vikrant

Reply
Vargis.Khan October 28, 2018 - 6:20 am

Vikrant Bhai that service is no longer available. It is closed for the season.

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Sunil Kumar Gupta September 26, 2018 - 3:15 pm

We have planned a trip from 17th December 2018, will this service available that time

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Vargis.Khan September 26, 2018 - 3:17 pm

No, the pass would be long closed by then

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Manisha September 19, 2018 - 5:51 pm

Sir a question.. We have planned a trip from 15th to 20th October, will dis service be available that time

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Vargis.Khan September 19, 2018 - 7:03 pm

It depends on the weather completely in October. If the road is open and weather clear then yes.

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Ankush August 5, 2019 - 2:52 am

Hello brother, I would be visiting manali in november2019 2nd week..will the bus service manali to rohtang pass be avaipable then? If not then what is the approx cost if I book a cab to and from manali to rohtang pass and solang valley? As we are only 1couple is there any shared cab available?

Reply
Vargis.Khan August 5, 2019 - 3:05 am

Rohtang Pass would be closed by then Ankush. You will not be able to visit there.

Reply

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