Caution
Sissu in January
Himachal Pradesh, India
January Sissu is frozen Lahaul â -10 to -2°C. The Atal Tunnel keeps the village connected to Manali (year-round now, a revolution for Lahaul), but the landscape is stark white. The waterfall above the village freezes into blue ice. The Chandra River runs under ice. Sissu is one of the few Lahaul villages accessible in winter thanks to the tunnel, making it an entry point to frozen high-altitude Himachal.
The January story
January Sissu is the Atal Tunnel's greatest gift â a frozen Lahaul village accessible in winter for the first time in the valley's history. Before the tunnel (opened 2020), Sissu was cut off from October to May by the Rohtang Pass. Now you drive 9km through the mountain and emerge into a frozen valley that was previously accessible only to the 3,000 people who lived through its winters. The frozen waterfall â a 100-foot ice column â is the headline, but the real experience is a Himalayan village operating in -10°C: ice on everything, wood smoke from every chimney, Buddhist prayer flags frozen stiff. Accommodation is basic (âđ500-1,000) and heating is bukhari (wood stove) style. The drive from Manali through the tunnel takes 45 minutes. Carry thermal layers, hand warmers, and a real desire to experience genuine Himalayan winter. This is not a comfortable holiday â it's an adventure.
Why January scores 2/5
Roads & Access
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDRF HP (1070), BRO. helpline: DC Lahaul-Spiti: 01900-222201. ambulance: 108 (limited). police station: Sissu Police Post. nearest hospital: PHC Sissu, Civil Hospital Keylong (25km)
Network
JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, AIRTEL: No
Kids
Kid-friendly (3/5) â
Elevation
3,100m â Moderate altitude
Who should go
- âTravelers with basic fitness
- âWinter adventure seekers wanting frozen Himalayan valley experience
- âFrozen waterfall photographers â the ice column is January's highlight
- âAtal Tunnel enthusiasts exploring its year-round Lahaul access
- âStar-gazers wanting high-altitude winter night skies
Who should think twice
- âThose with mobility issues
- âCold-averse travellers â -10°C is standard
- âComfort seekers â accommodation is survival-grade
- âThose expecting tourist infrastructure â minimal services
- âFamilies with young children â conditions too harsh
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Januaryviewing | 2/5 | â |
| February | 2/5 | â |
| March | 2/5 | â |
| April | 3/5 | April begins the thaw â -2 to 10°C. Snow retreats from the village to higher slopes. |
| May | 5/5 | May opens Sissu fully â 5-18°C. The waterfall is in full flow, crashing 100 feet past the village. |
| June | 5/5 | June is Sissu at its most accessible and dramatic â 10-22°C. |
| July | 3/5 | July monsoon reaches Lahaul in diminished form â rain shadow means 50-80mm versus 500mm on the Manali side. |
| August | 3/5 | August continues Sissu's peak season â warm (12-24°C), green, and busy by Lahaul standards. |
| September | 5/5 | September is Sissu's golden turn. The monsoon retreats, skies clear, and the valley starts its autumn transition. |
| October | 5/5 | October brings autumn to Sissu â 2-14°C. |
| November | 3/5 | November freezes Sissu â -5 to 5°C. Snow arrives. |
| December | 2/5 | â |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
3,100m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Himachal Pradesh scoring high in January
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