Ever since the whole concept of obtaining a permit to either visit or cross over Rohtang was started by NGT, it has more or less become a hassle for everyone traveling in that direction, either for the purpose of visiting Rohtang or to cross it over towards Ladakh or Spiti. Now we know that these permits are definitely required for a four wheeler but a big question is do you need Rohtang permits for motorcycles as well? It is probably one of the most frequent questions I have been asked so far in this year so here is a little information on the topic for anyone planning to go towards Ladakh via Manali.
Also read: How to Plan a Trip to Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Permits for Motorcycles
Do you need Rohtang Permits for Motorcycles?
First of all, the answer to the question is yes you do need to obtain a permit to cross over Rohtang even if you are on a motorcycle. It does not really matter if you are on a rented or self-owned motorcycle, you will need to obtain the permit nonetheless.
Also read: Rohtang Pass Permits : Details, Charges & How to Apply
How do you obtain Rohtang Permits?
Second question is how do you obtain the permit? Currently, there are two kinds of permits being issued. First one is a permit for travelling till Rohtang Pass and the second one is to travel beyond Rohtang pass towards Ladakh or Spiti. These permits are issued at SDM office at Manali which is open from 10 am to 5 pm except Sunday and second Saturday of the month. On these days, the office is open only until noon.
How long you will take to get the permits depends on how many people are there in the queue. If there is no one else except you, the entire process should not take more than 15 minutes however it is safe to assume that you will find a long queue in peak season so better to keep a day just for this purpose. Obtain the permits, stay in Manali for the day if it took you long enough and be on your way towards Rohtang the next day. If you were able to obtain the permits say by 11 AM, then yes, you can think about crossing Rohtang on the same day but be prepared for a possible traffic jam towards the top of the pass.
There is also an online portal for the permits but it is currently only available for four wheeler going only until Rohtang. There is no online facility for motorcycles or four wheeler going beyond Rohtang.
In order to obtain the permit, you will need to produce your driver’s license, your vehicle’s RC and pollution certificate. Keep in mind though that vehicle over 10 years old will not be allowed to travel towards Rohtang. For motorcycles, the bar is set at 15 years or older. The rule book says that you will also need to prove that you are planning to cross Rohtang and not just travelling until the top but this is not always the case. Several of my friends visited Ladakh this year and none of them had to submit this. I am not sure if this is actually an exception for motorcycles but just to be on the safer side, keep some kind of proof like a hotel booking confirmation handy.
Rule book also says that documents will have to be submitted between 10 am to 1 pm at least a day in advance and permits will be issued between 3 to 5 pm but this also may not be applied. I haven’t come across anyone so far who travelled to Leh on a motorcycle and had to wait a day to get the permits. Usually you will get the permit the same day and actually at the same time after you submitted your documents, depending on how long the queue is. There is no fee for motorcycle riders to obtain these permits.
Also read: How to Plan a Trip to Rohtang Pass
Do you need Rohtang Permits if you are coming to Manali from other side of Rohtang?
One last thing to add here is that you only need these permits if you are going from Manali towards Rohtang. If you are coming from the other side though and crossing Rohtang to reach Manali, then there is no permit applicable.
I hope this information was helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment and ask and I would be glad to answer. Also, please feel free to add more on the topic in the comments section in case I missed adding some information here or if any of the information above is no longer valid.
50 comments
Hello Vargis…
1.Is it possible to do spiti valley ride after Srinagar-leh-manali circuit?
2.If yes..Then can I go directly from Gramphu and exit through Shimla?
3.Do I need any permit if I take this route?
Hello Vargis…Do we need any permit for spiti valley..if I go via Leh-Pang-Sarchu-keylong-Gramphu-kaza -nako-shimla..
Hi Vargis,
this is Rana from Bangladesh. First of all, let me congratulate you and appreciate your effort which has made this blog so popular on the web (trust me it is everywhere). We are (3 persons) planning for a motorcycle trip to Spiti Valley (7 days) at the end of May 2020 (starting date from Shimla or Manali on 29th) but got confused about whether Rothang Pass will be open or not. Mos tour operators we have talked with so far has told us that we might not be able to go through Rothang pass and suggested us to take Shimla route. Let’s say Rothang Pass is closed during that time and we would like to avoid the hassle of getting the permit which is required if you travel through Manali. Now, if we start from Shimla on 29th May and we have 7 days to complete the circuit (trip ends in Manali), do you think on the 7th day (4th June) Rothang Pass will be open? If not, can you please suggest any circuit from Shimla – Spiti – Shimla where we don’t have to ride on the same route while coming back? I have researched a lot on this but best i found was taking the Batal – Chhatru – Raling – Kishori – Sach – Dalhouse – Manali from Kibber but it is too much for a 7 days bike ride. Could you help us with an Itinerary please?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to your reply!
Hi Rana – Thank you for your kind words. Spiti Circuit will be all open by May end, you will be able to complete it. Keep your plans as they are.
How get permits for rental bike
The rental agency will arrange that
Hi Vargis,
Is November is right time to visit Rohtang with bike?
Hi Mukundo – No it is not. When are you planning to go? The pass will close anytime now.
we are planing to go on 5-6nov, we have our own bike. it is necessary to take permit, only go for manali to rohtang
Yes it is
i am from punjab and planning to travel from manali to rohtang pass but we are two persons on one bike and bike is royal enfield so could we get permit for our bike
If the bike is not older than 10 years, then yes you will get the permit.
planning to visit Ladakh via Manali ..my bike is more than 10 years but below 15 years ..Can I get permission?
No you can’t
Hi,
m planning to go to spiti via rohtang pass, do I need permit? if yes which one?
n my bike in not father’s name so will I get permit if he is not with me?
Yes you will get the permit and you need to get the Beyond Rohtang Permit
thank you
One more question … like what would the permit charges, any idea?
I have no license what to do
Get a license
Hello ,
We are going to travel on a 2001 model RE , will it be a issue getting permits..?
You will not get the permit since your bike is over 10 years old.
Hi Vargis
Planning to visit Manali from Kaza on a ‘Tuesday’.
2 questions:
will i require permit from Kaza to Manali?
Can i travel from Kaza to Manali on a tuesday?
Hi Pankaj,
1. No
2. Yes
I am going for Leh from manai, which permit i need to apply.
Beyond Rohtang Permit
We are planning Manali to leh on our own bikes . Online portal is showing three types of permit rohtang pass , beyond rohtang pass and green tax .
Which one is to be obtained ??
Further there is no option for taking rohtang pass( first one ) for bike.
Pls help
If you just want to go to Rohtang and come back the same day then apply for Rohtang permit.
Hello Sir,
I rather have a weird question. We are travelling to leh from Manali on July 16th, on our own bikes. My question is, my bike is registered in my dad’s name, whereas the Driver’s license will be mine. Is that going to be a problem for obtaining the rohtang pass permit and also the ILP at leh?? Waiting for your response.
No that will not be a problem.
Hello
Actually I am planning to roam in manali for atleast three days by bike and also want to go rohtang too by bike only.
Plz tell me how to rent a bike, charges, security, and other necessary information
Please see the articles below .
https://vargiskhan.com/log/rent-a-motorcycle-in-manali/
https://vargiskhan.com/log/rent-a-bike-in-manali/
Bhut.masst article hai AAP. k really helpful… If any one want to join Manali Leh… On 4th morning…. Khan sir… Just let me know the difference between Leh and Ladakh… Why I need line off cross…. And from where????
Hii,
Great piece of information
I am travelling Rohtang pass on my bike
Will they issue me a beyond rohtang pass permit for just one day
SInce I will be returning the next day itself from koksar
Thank you,
Is there any clause for bike permit, Where we cannot return back to manali on same day? If we are starting from manali to rhotang & same day back to manali. this is not allowed?
We are planning to travel from Shimla – Kaza – Manali via Rohtang in Innova non-HP cab. Do we need any permits to cross Rohtang pass. Any info would be really helpful.
Thanks
Thanks for the info posted. I am travelling on a 2007 model RE and i cannot apply pass through online as its only allowing till 2008 and mine in Sep 2007. You said bikes have a limit of 15 years. How can we apply ?
Please reply asap.
hey this post is relay helpful for me
sir kya hum next day ke liye Permit le sakte h
Gopal Bhai aap online apply kar sakte ho 2 din advance mein
Hi,
Thanks for your post its really very informative.
I would like to travel to leh from coimbatore via srinagar.
Is it required to get any permits to travel via srinagar to leh.
Thanks
Thanks Emmanuvel. You do not need a permit to go via Srinagar. It is only applicable from Manali side.
Hello Vargis,
Brother you are doing a fabulous job. I love the way you draft this info precise and to the point. I am going for leh solo bike trip in july 2018 first week. This info is going to be really helpful.
Thanks for taking the time to drop a note Udit Bhai. I appreciate it.
hey, Vargis
brother thanku so much for this Post . As i was really confused about those permits as so many of the trip advisors were telling tht u would not get it by urself as therfore i wasss so confused .
thanku so much brother .
thank you ,
regards
Vipul Makhija
I am glad that the information was of help Vipul Bhai. Thank you for taking the time to drop a note. I appreciate it.
Hi, thank you for sharing the information.
I am planning a solo bike trip from Delhi-Manali-Sarchu from 21Jul-25Jul.
21-22 Manali, 23Sun ride to Sarchu. Then back to Manali on 24Mon
If not online, can you please share suggestions to book the hotel (where/ which on way/how should i book), to get the travel permit.
[Last I travelled in HP to mcleodganj (Naddi) in April, there were no problem with any bookings (solo ride)]
Any alternate suggestion to plan this trip will be a great help or places to stop between manali-sarchu
Thank you, you are doing a great work!
Regards,
Akhilesh
It’s not about the destination just enjoy the journey. 🙂
Hi! Vargis.ur post is very helpful for d fresher, will u plzzz suggest me that I m planning a trip from Delhi 2 Manali via leh and other spot what kind of permit will required in my whole journey…plzzzz suggest me……thanks.
Hello Abid – If you are going via Manali, then you will need to get Rohtang Pass Permit and then Inner line permit in Ladakh. If you are going via Srinagar and returning to Manali then you only need to get Inner line permit in Leh, won’t need Rohtang Pass permit.
Greetings !
Glad to have found this awesome post.
I read the post fully but was getting confused.
I would be thankful if I could get help on our bike trip for June 10th 2017
We are a couple. We will parcel our bike 14 year old Yamaha Enticer from Hubli to Chandigarh by train. Then start our bike trip from Chandigarh on 10th June 2017
We plan to reach Manali by evening if possible. So we will begin our Manali-Leh bike trip on 12th June.
We are carrying every possible thing with us and we want to do self camping in our tents.
Only in Manali we want to stay in a hotel. Rest all places we want to self camp.
Also we want to reach Leh from Manali in 2-3 days if possible or you can suggest.
Now we need a detailed itinerary for our trip from Manali to Leh with the following information:
1. When and by what time should we reach each place on our route?
2. What all permits and docs are required for us and where should we get them? Please name them so that it will be easy for us to get them.
3. What are all the self camping places along our route including Leh? We leave Manali on 12th June. We want to night camp on 12th and 13th night. And we want to reach Leh on 14th by noon. Can you suggest us the specific names of places where we can camp on 12th night and 13th night?
Awaiting an answer!
Thanks…
Hi Naveen – From Manali, you can reach Jispa by evening easily and camp there by the river. Do not camp just anywhere though. There are a couple of camp sites there. Pay them a little money and ask them to show you a secluded spot, away from their camps.
Next day you can camp at either Pang or Sarchu.
3rd day you will be in Leh.
Regarding camping, please read the article below for more information.
https://vargiskhan.com/log/camping-in-ladakh-preparations-precautions/
From Manali, you will need permits to cross Rohtang Pass. Read the below article for more information about how and where to get.
https://vargiskhan.com/log/rohtang-pass-permits-details-charges-apply/