Fair
Sissu in April
Himachal Pradesh, India
April begins the thaw — -2 to 10°C. Snow retreats from the village to higher slopes. The waterfall unfreezes, first as a trickle behind ice, then breaking through dramatically. The Lahaul Valley starts showing brown earth through white. The road toward Keylong opens. The Chandra River breaks its ice. Sissu's guesthouses prepare for the approaching season. The tunnel makes April Lahaul accessible for the first time in the region's history.
The April story
April's unfreeze is dramatic. The waterfall breaks free — watching it transition from ice column to roaring cascade over days is genuinely thrilling. The snow retreating up the mountainsides reveals terraced fields and walking paths. Sissu's wildflowers start early on sheltered south-facing slopes. The road to Keylong opens, and with it, the first glimpse of deeper Lahaul — Jispa, Darcha, and the Baralacha La approach. The village shakes off winter: guesthouses repaint, tea stalls reopen, the dhaba fires up. Hotel rates at ₹800-1,500 are pre-season affordable. The Atal Tunnel traffic increases — more cars with Manali plates exploring the accessible side of the tunnel. April Sissu is discovery travel: a village becoming accessible after six months of isolation (or in the modern era, accessible from Manali but isolated from the rest of Lahaul).
Why April scores 3/5
Weather
April begins the thaw — -2 to 10°C. Snow retreats from the village to higher slopes.
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) —
Elevation
3,100m — Moderate altitude
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓April adventurers wanting the dramatic waterfall unfreeze
- ✓Early-season Lahaul explorers as Keylong road opens
- ✓Wildflower seekers on sheltered south-facing slopes
- ✓Budget travellers at pre-season rates
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗Those wanting guaranteed snow-free conditions
- ✗Comfort seekers — pre-season facilities are basic
- ✗Travellers expecting full Lahaul access — upper routes still closed
- ✗Those without warm layers — cold persists
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 | — |
| February | 2/5 | — |
| March | 2/5 | — |
| Aprilviewing | 3/5 | April begins the thaw — -2 to 10°C. Snow retreats from the village to higher slopes. |
| May | 5/5 | May opens Sissu fully — 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 — 10-22°C. |
| July | 3/5 | July monsoon reaches Lahaul in diminished form — rain shadow means 50-80mm versus 500mm on the Manali side. |
| August | 3/5 | August continues Sissu's peak season — 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 — 2-14°C. |
| November | 3/5 | November freezes Sissu — -5 to 5°C. Snow arrives. |
| December | 2/5 | — |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
3,100m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Himachal Pradesh scoring high in April
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