Chanshal Pass
Shimla’s highest road pass, above the Pabbar valley.
From Rohru via Chirgaon and Larot to 3,750 m meadows — we plan the SUV, the stay and the snow-day backup.
- Height ~3,750 m
- From Shimla ~160 km
- Open May–Nov
- Stay Rohru / Larot
- Car SUV advised
- Price Get Quote
Chanshal Pass, at a glance
Chanshal Pass (about 3,750 m) is the high road from Rohru to the Dodra Kwar valley in Shimla district, about 160 km from Shimla via Hatkoti and Rohru. It is open to traffic roughly May to November and snowbound the rest of the year. The last stretch above Larot is rough, so a high-clearance SUV and an early start are best.
From Rohru to the top, and beyond
The places that shape a Chanshal trip. Photos show Himalayan roads and meadows in general.
The passChanshal top
Last stopLarot
BaseRohru & the Pabbar valley
En routeHatkoti temple
ExplorersDodra Kwar
TrekkersChanshal trek
Your Chanshal Pass trip, step by step
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Send your dates
WhatsApp your dates and group; we check the road status for that week.
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Day 1: to Rohru
Shimla or Chandigarh to Rohru by the Kharapathar–Hatkoti road (or via Narkanda). Night in Rohru.
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Day 2: up to the pass
An early start: Rohru → Chirgaon → Larot → Chanshal top, then back to Rohru by evening.
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Add-ons
Hatkoti temple, a day by the Pabbar river, or a night in Narkanda or Shimla on the way back.
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Trekkers
The Larot → Kwar trek over the pass, arranged with registered local operators on request.
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Snow or a slide?
If the top is shut on the day, we switch to a backup plan — Narkanda, Hatkoti or the Pabbar riverside.
Shimla to Chanshal in one picture
- Valley road → Shimla → Theog → Hatkoti → Rohru.
- The climb → Rohru → Chirgaon → Larot → the pass, about 48 km.
- Total → about 160 km, 7–9 hours from Shimla.
- Open → May to November; snow from December to April.
Best time to visit Chanshal Pass
| Months | Road | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May – June | Open | Snow walls and patches near the top; the busiest weeks |
| July – mid-September | Open, risky | Monsoon slides on the Larot stretch; check alerts |
| Mid-September – October | Open | Clear skies and the best photos |
| November | Closure risk | The first snow can shut the top |
| December – April | Closed at the top | Snowbound; Rohru and Larot side only |
Travelling in early May or November? Send your dates — we check whether the top is open that week before we book.
What we check before we book your trip
Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism registered travel agent (Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022). We plan the drive around these checks:
- The road above LarotRough, rocky and steep: a high-clearance SUV and an experienced hill driver. Fuel up in Rohru.
- No networkPhone signal ends around Larot. Tell your hotel your plan and when you expect to be back.
- AltitudeAbout 3,750 m on a day trip — go slow, carry warm layers and start down by early afternoon.
- Monsoon and snowWe follow HP SDMA and district alerts, and turn back on fresh snow or a slide.
- DaylightAn early start from Rohru so you are off the high stretch well before dark.
Get a quote in minutes
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Tell us your dates
WhatsApp or the quote form — dates, group size and where you start from.
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We check your date
Road status for that week, the right vehicle and your stay in Rohru or Larot.
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You get one quote
SUV, hotel nights and any trek add-on in one plan.
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Confirm and go
We send the start time, what to carry and the latest road update before you travel.
What your quote depends on
- Vehicle — SUV / 4×4 for the pass, or a sedan to Rohru only
- Start city (Shimla, Chandigarh or Delhi) and number of days
- Season and the road status that week
- Hotel nights in Rohru, Shimla or Narkanda
- Trek add-on (guide, camps) on request
Rohru to Chanshal Pass in one climbing drive
About 48 km of hairpins from Rohru via Chirgaon and Larot to roughly 3,750 m; we plan the SUV, the stay and a snow-day backup in one quote.
Get your Chanshal Pass quote
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply with one plan — SUV, stay and a snow-day backup — for your dates within minutes.
Chanshal + Shimla and Narkanda
The plan that works best: Shimla → Narkanda → Rohru → Chanshal, 4 nights / 5 days by SUV. Trekking Buran Ghati? It also starts via Rohru, so Chanshal fits your night there. See our Shimla tour packages, adventure in Shimla, snow and skiing in Narkanda and trout fishing in Himachal, or book a Shimla taxi or a Chandigarh to Shimla taxi. Going on to Kinnaur? Read our Sangla and Chitkul guide.
Chanshal Pass — questions
How high is Chanshal Pass?
About 3,750 m; the Shimla district site gives 3,755 m. Chanshal Peak above it (about 4,520 m) is the highest peak of Shimla district.
How far is Chanshal Pass from Shimla?
About 160 km via Kharapathar and Hatkoti, or about 175 km via Narkanda — both through Rohru. Plan 7–9 hours.
When is Chanshal Pass open?
Roughly May to November. Snow closes the top for the rest of the year; the Rohru and Larot side stays reachable.
Can a normal car go to Chanshal Pass?
Up to Rohru and Chirgaon, yes. The stretch above Larot is rough and steep, so a high-clearance SUV is the safer choice.
Where do I stay for Chanshal Pass?
Rohru has the most hotels and is the usual base. Larot has basic homestays. There is no stay at the top.
Can I go to Dodra Kwar by road?
Do not plan on it. The road beyond the pass is seasonal and often not motorable; we check the status before you go.
Is there a Chanshal trek?
Yes — a multi-day trek from Larot over the pass to Kwar, best in May–June and mid-September–October. We arrange it with registered local operators on request.
What does a Chanshal Pass trip cost?
It depends on the vehicle, your start city, the number of nights and the season. Send your dates on WhatsApp and we share today’s rate in minutes — Get Quote.
