Many tourists plan to visit Atal Tunnel, also popular as the Rohtang Tunnel, as this destination is famous for being an engineering marvel. This place is located at a picturesque place, above 10,000 ft from the ground, and known as the World’s longest highway tunnel.
Know These Things to Make Your Atal Tunnel Tour Memorable Experience
In case you have decided to have a tour of Atal Tunnel, you must read this blog till the end. In this blog, you will learn how to get the most out of your Atal Tunnel Sightseeing Tour in Himachal. For that, all you must do is follow the below-listed instructions.
Depart Early to Avoid Traffic
If you have opted for or are planning to opt for a transport other than public transport to visit the Atal Tunnel, you must leave early from Manal. It would be best if you depart before 7 a.m. This is because many travellers who do not follow this instruction and depart from Manali around 9 AM or 10 AM for Atal Tunnel and Lahaul usually end up in a traffic jam. As the tunnel gets closed for maintenance every day from 11 AM to 12 PM, this carelessness can get you stuck in traffic. Nobody would want to spend their precious time in traffic rather than enjoying the sightseeing. It might ruin the mood.
Travel by Public Transport
Most visitors in Manali usually book a private bike or cab to reach Atal Tunnel. For travellers on a low budget or travelling in small groups or solo, booking a vehicle might be expensive for them. Well, one can make this visit more economical by using HRTC buses, a public transport. In case you are worrying about the bus timings, you will be glad to know that you can find buses departing for Lahaul Valley via Atal Tunnel almost every hour. This way, the journey to Atal Tunnel can become cost-effective. Also, it reduces one’s carbon footprint.
Know the Weather Forecast
If you are visiting Atal Tunnel during winter, you must not forget to check the weather forecast. During winters at Atal Tunnel as well as Northen Portal, there can be heavy snowfall. In case of inclement weather, authorities may cut off Anal Tunnel from Manali. Therefore, it would be wise to check the weather forecast before leaving so that you do not put your or your loved one’s life at risk.
Confirm If the Tunnel is Open or Not
After heavy snowfall, which usually happens during winter, tourists are not allowed to visit Atal Tunnel. This is because the road covered in a lot of snow and black ice no longer remains safe to drive. Therefore, it would be better if you checked whether the tunnel is accessible to tourists or not. Well, this restriction is subject to tourists only. The locals of Lahaul can access the tunnel for driving immediately after the snow clears. The reason being the locals have experience of travelling in rough weather conditions.
Respect Lahaul Valley’s Culture
Atal Tunnel exists to offer all-weather connectivity to the tribal valley of Lahaul. You will be glad to know the valley and the people living there encourage an environment of peace. They have their own unique as well as beautiful culture. So, it would be best if you respect their culture and avoid any kind of unnecessary arguments with the locals. The local people will show their beautiful hospitality if you behave well. Before the opening of Atal Tunnel, people hardly took any interest in venturing into Lahaul Valley. But suddenly, it is seen that a group of travellers in Lahaul disguised as travellers are troubling the locals of Lahaul. These misbehaviours have resulted in anti-social elements.
Respect Lahaul Valley’s Women
Women residing in Lahaul are considered the backbone of this place and its culture. They are extremely hard-working people. There have been instances where some Lahauli women have become the victim of being eve-teased in 2020. So, it would be wise not to interfere with them unnecessarily or inappropriately.
Drive in the Speed Limit Inside the Tunnel
You will see certain speed limits when you will drive inside the tunnel. These speed limits vary in different parts of the tunnel. One must not break those speed limits while driving in order to keep the safety of themselves and others. Following all the driving rules should be your priority. Not doing so will cause authorities to act against you.
Ensure not to litter during the trip
During the trip, you will witness many people throw away wrappers, bottles, and other garbage anywhere. Doing so affects the sightseeing and overall experience of the others. It would be wise to carry a garbage bag. You must put this garbage in a dustbin or take it back. In 2020, some people reported that many travellers had littered Lahaul Valley with plastic stuff.
Keep Your Distance from The Rivers
It is not advisable that you venture too close to the rivers. Doing so is dangerous and can even be life-threatening. This risk increases during monsoons. Himalayan rivers and rivulets, the result of glaciers, are not safe to visit. Near such places, one can put their life in danger by getting flooded, especially in cloudburst-like weather. So, you should not get too close to the rivers of Lahaul, such as Chandrabhaga, Bhaga, and Chandra, when these rivers flow furiously.
Conclusion
Now, you are familiar with basic instructions, which most tourists ignore, for the tour of your Atal Tunnel. Following the above-mentioned points during the tour will surely help you have the best tour experience at Atal Tunnel.