A Rohtang Pass permit is issued online on one official portal, run by the Tourism Development Council Manali at rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in. For a car, jeep or MUV going up for tourism, you pay a Rs 500 permit fee plus a Rs 50 congestion charge. Only 1,200 vehicles a day are allowed under the NGT limit (800 petrol and 400 diesel), and permits open in two batches, at 10am and 4pm, for the next two days only.
Know before you go
- Official portal: rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in (Tourism Development Council Manali)
- Car, jeep or MUV: Rs 500 permit fee + Rs 50 congestion charge
- Bus or HMV: Rs 500 permit fee + Rs 100 congestion charge
- Daily quota: 800 petrol and 400 diesel vehicles
- Booking window: next 2 days only; batches open at 10am and 4pm
In this Article
Where to apply for a Rohtang Pass permit
Apply on the Tourism Development Council Manali portal. Its home page has separate links for:
- Rohtang Pass Permit, for vehicles going up for tourism
- Special Rohtang Pass Permit, for private vehicles only
- Hamta Pass Permit
- Validate Permit, to check a permit or congestion fee slip
- Reprint Permit, to check status and print again
Older guides point to a nic.in address. Use the hp.gov.in portal and avoid agents who charge extra for the same permit.
Rohtang Pass permit cost
The portal lists two charges. The permit fee applies to every vehicle going to Rohtang for tourism. The congestion charge applies to every vehicle crossing Gulaba Bridge. Both are daily charges and cover one return trip on the same day.
| Vehicle class | Permit fee | Congestion charge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car and jeep | Rs 500 | Rs 50 | Rs 550 |
| MUV | Rs 500 | Rs 50 | Rs 550 |
| Bus and HMV | Rs 500 | Rs 100 | Rs 600 |
These are government charges for the vehicle, not per person. Hiring a taxi in Manali costs extra, and local taxi fares are set separately.
Documents you need
The portal asks for:
- Valid ID proof
- A valid Pollution Under Check (PUC) certificate for the vehicle
- The vehicle registration date. Vehicles older than 10 years are not allowed.
The details on the permit must match your documents. The portal warns that vehicles with wrong information will not be allowed past the barrier. A printout of the permit is compulsory, so print it in Manali before you set off.
Daily quota and when permits open
The National Green Tribunal and the district administration cap the number of tourist vehicles each day:
| Release | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 10am | 400 | 200 |
| 4pm | 400 | 200 |
| Total per day | 800 | 400 |
Permits open only for the next two days from the current date, so you can’t book a week ahead. Each vehicle can get at most three permits in a week, counted from Tuesday to Monday. The portal also shows any weekly day marked for road maintenance when no vehicles go up. It currently reads “none”, but check before you plan.
In peak season, the 10am batch for a busy weekend can fill fast. Log in a few minutes before release with your documents ready.
How to apply online, step by step
- Open rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in and choose Rohtang Pass Permit.
- Pick the travel date from the next two days and choose petrol or diesel.
- Enter the vehicle registration number, registration date and PUC details.
- Enter the driver’s or applicant’s ID details exactly as on the card.
- Pay online and download the permit.
- Print it and keep the congestion fee slip as well.
If you lose the file, use Reprint Permit on the same portal. Use Validate Permit to check a permit before you pay a taxi operator for one.
Bike permits
The official rate table lists cars, jeeps, MUVs, buses and HMVs, but not two-wheelers. Rules for bikes have changed over the years, so check the portal for your date, or ask at the Manali tourism office, before riding up.
When Rohtang is open
Rohtang sits high on the Pir Panjal range on the old road from Manali to Lahaul. Snow closes the pass for the winter, and the district administration decides each year when the road opens and closes. The usual season runs from around May or June until the first heavy snow, often in November. Even in season, the road can shut for a day after fresh snow or landslides.
The drive and stops on the way
From Manali, the road climbs past Kothi and Gulaba to Marhi, where a row of dhabas serves tea and food. Above Marhi, the road rises through switchbacks to the pass. Start early, because traffic builds through the morning, and leave the top by early afternoon when the weather tends to turn.
Carry warm layers, sunglasses and water. At around 4,000 m, the air is thin. Walk slowly, drink water and come down if you get a headache or feel dizzy. Snow boots and jackets can be hired in Manali.
Atal Tunnel or Rohtang?
The Atal Tunnel runs under the Rohtang range and gives an all-weather route to Lahaul without crossing the top of the pass. If you only want to reach Sissu or Keylong, the tunnel road is faster. Rohtang permits are for visitors who want to go up to the pass itself for the snow and the views. Our guide to Manali, Solang and the Atal Tunnel covers that side of the trip.
Fitting Rohtang into a Himachal trip
Rohtang is a day out from Manali. In our Shimla Manali itinerary, it fits on a full Manali day, with a spare day in case the road closes. Before Manali you might spend time in Shimla. From the Kullu valley, the Kasol and Kheerganga trek is close. Further west, McLeodganj and Bir Billing make good stops.
FAQ
What is the Rohtang Pass permit cost?
For a car, jeep or MUV, Rs 500 permit fee plus Rs 50 congestion charge, Rs 550 in total. Buses and heavy vehicles pay Rs 500 plus Rs 100.
What is the official Rohtang Pass permit portal?
rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in, run by the Tourism Development Council Manali. It handles tourism permits, special permits for private vehicles, Hamta Pass permits, validation and reprints.
How do I check Rohtang Pass permit availability?
Log in on the portal for the next two days. Permits are released at 10am and 4pm, each batch with 400 petrol and 200 diesel slots.
Do I need a Rohtang Pass permit for a bike?
The official fee table does not list two-wheelers. Check the portal or the Manali tourism office for the current rule before riding up.
Can I book a Rohtang permit a week in advance?
No. The portal only issues permits for the next two days, and each vehicle can get a maximum of three permits in a Tuesday to Monday week.
Official resources: Tourism Development Council Manali: Rohtang permits; Rohtang permit fees and rules
Photo credits
Featured image: BIPROJYOTI / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Rohtang Pass permit cost: AthulBiju94 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Daily quota and when permits open: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0; When Rohtang is open: Miya.m / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; The drive and stops on the way: In Transit / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; The drive and stops on the way: Timothy Gonsalves / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Atal Tunnel or Rohtang?: 9161Ankur / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Atal Tunnel or Rohtang?: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email tagooty@yahoo.com or write on my talk page, for my information. Please contact me before commercial use. Please do not upload an edited image here without consulting me. I would like to make corrections only at my own source to ensure that the changes improve the image and are preserved.Otherwise you may upload an edited image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
