The Sissu Valley in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful valleys in India, best known for its scenic winter views, camping experiences, stargazing, and mountain adventures. While many travelers dream of visiting Sissu, many are unaware of how to reach this scenic place, especially from the nearest major town, Manali.
Worry not, team unstumbled has got you covered. In this detailed article, we’ll guide you on how to reach Sissu from Manali, what routes to take, fares, and other essential details!
Hop on, we’re about to make our way to Sissu and understand the Manali to Sissu distance.
How To Reach Sissu From Manali: Route, Fares, Best Season, And Other Details
Sissu To Manali Distance And Route
The Manali to Sissu distance is only about 40 km today, thanks to the Atal Tunnel that opened in 2020. This roughly 9-km tunnel stands as the longest highway single-tube tunnel above 10,000 feet in the world!
It connects Manali and Keylong, and acts as an efficient bypass to the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas.
The inauguration of the Atal Tunnel has helped cut travel time drastically between these two regions, and is also a faster, safer, and more convenient route for travelers than the Rohtang Pass.
How To Reach Sissu From Manali By Bus
Let’s first take a look at the most affordable way to cover the Manali to Sissu distance – the local HRTC buses.
If you want to visit Sissu without spending half of your fortune, the HRTC buses are your best bets. They are affordable but are also quite decent when it comes to comfort and speed.
This mode of transportation is ideal for budget travelers and solo travelers for whom hiring an entire cab is not the most budget-friendly way of getting to Sissu.
Take a bus to Sissu from the new HRTC Bus Stand near Manali Mall Road. Buses are limited, departing from Manali at around 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and usually by 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
These timings are suggestive and not official. Kindly confirm with the bus station officials or nearby locals to get accurate timings.
Things to keep in mind when traveling to Sissu from Manali by bus:
- There are no reserved seats. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis, so arrive early to get the desired seats on the bus.
- The bus may get crowded in peak season, i.e., May-June and September-November.
- Travel time is about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the weather and stops.
- Carry small change of INR 20 and INR 50 notes, as ticket conductors might not have change for larger denominations like INR 500 or INR 2,000 notes.
How To Reach Sissu From Manali By Car (Cabs)
Most travelers, usually family travelers or group travelers, make use of cabs to visit Sissu from Manali. After all, it’s a convenient and comfortable option, allowing travelers to decide the pace of their journey, halt at restaurants and viewpoints, and reach their destination in ultimate comfort. However, booking a cab isn’t the most budget-friendly option, so it is not ideal for solo or budget travelers.
There are two kinds of cabs available from Manali to Sissu:
- Private: The cab is available only for you and your family/group.
- Shared: Sharing the cab with fellow strangers/travelers.
Most cab drivers also offer either a drop-off service to Sissu or a wait-and-return service. In the former, they simply drop you off at Sissu and make their way back to Manali.
However, in the latter case, they wait for you to explore Sissu and then take you back to Manali. Depending on whether you intend to stay in Sissu or are planning only a day trip there, you can choose the option of either a drop-off or a wait-and-return service.
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Here are the estimated cab prices from Manali to Sissu:
- Drop-off to Sissu: INR 2,500 to INR 3,000
- Wait-and-return (Manali-Sissu-Manali): INR 3,500 to INR 4,000
- Shared cabs: INR 1,200 per person
Note that these prices are estimates, and not the official or confirmed prices. Check with the local cab drivers, taxi unions, and make sure you bargain for a reasonable price. During peak tourist seasons, prices for cabs can even go as high as INR 7,000 for a return trip!
Reaching Sissu From Manali By Bike
Riding your own bike on the roads passing through the Himalayan mountains is a one-of-a-kind experience! In fact, crossing the Atal Tunnel on a bike feels otherworldly! If you’re an adventurer or an expert biker, here’s how you too can enjoy this ride!
You can drive your own bike – it will only cost you fuel – or you can rent a bike on a per-day basis.
There are plenty of bike rental shops in the Old Manali and Mall Road area. Compare rental prices from 3 to 4 shops, check the quality of the bike, and negotiate for a reasonable price.
Also, make sure you carry essential documents like a valid driving license (hard copy) and a government ID proof (PAN Card, Aadhar Card, passport, etc). Here are the estimated bike rental prices in Manali:
- Basic Activa or any 150cc bike: INR 700 to INR 900 per day
- Royal Enfield, Himalayan, or a similar bike: INR 1,200 to INR 2,000 per day
Ensure that you wear a helmet, riding gloves, and appropriate winter gear, including windproof jackets and shades. Avoid overspeeding as roads might be slippery and avoid driving at night.
Also, make sure to fill fuel in Manali itself before you begin your journey. There are no petrol pumps in Sissu, so it is advisable to carry extra fuel with you before you head to Sissu.
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Best Time To Visit Sissu
The Atal Tunnel has not cut down the Manali to Sissu distance but also made this route accessible and open throughout the year.
The tunnel is open 95% of the time throughout the year and might only be temporarily shut down for snow clearance. Ask locals to confirm whether the tunnel is open or is under temporary maintenance.
Despite the tunnel being open throughout the year, the journey from the tunnel to Sissu might be hampered due to thick snow, especially in the months of January and February. Also, snowfall might cause temporary road blocks and landslides, so keep a tab on such updates.
Thus the best time to visit Sissu is from either May to June or September to January. May to June is ideal for those looking to experience spring-like weather and cool climate in Sissu. Expect clear skies, sunny days, and lush, rolling green hills.
September to January is ideal for those looking to experience Sissu in its winter delight! While snowfall only begins in December and reaches its peak in January/February, many tourists begin visiting this place from September itself.
The temperatures are cool, the weather is pleasant, and it is the perfect time to experience Manali’s famed winters!
Staying Connected In Manali To Sissu Journey: Key Tips
- Jio and BSNL have the best coverage in Sissu and nearby villages.
- Airtel is also decent but can have patchy coverage.
- Vi, on the other hand, has the least reliable coverage – avoid using Vi.
- Signals inside the Atal Tunnel drop completely, so do take note of that.
- Download Google Maps in an offline mode before leaving for Sissu from Manali.
- Send your live location to a trusted family member or friend.
- Start your journey early to make it back to Manali on the same day, ideally by sunset.
Key Information At A Glance
How to Reach Sissu from Manali:
- Ideal route: Manali – Palchan – Atal Tunnel – Sissu
- Atal Tunnel distance: About 9 km
- Manali to Sissu distance: About 40 km
- Estimated travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Cheapest travel option: HRTC buses
- Most comfortable and convenient travel option: Private/shared cabs
- Most thrilling travel option: Rented/self-owned bike
Read Also: How To Plan A Kullu-Manali Tour Under INR 10K?
Summing Up
Did you find this ‘How to reach Sissu from Manali’ guide helpful?
In this guide, we’ve covered all the essential details you need to know about visiting Sissu from Manali.
Whether you prefer cabs, love bike rides, or are going for convenient bus rides, we’ve listed key information for your reference.
Gorgeous views of the Himalayas, the free-flowing Chandra River, and the delicate snow – Manali to Sissu is a scenic journey you must undertake at least once in your life!
