“Autumn is the hardest season. The leaves are all falling, and they’re falling like they’re falling in love with the ground.”
In this busy technology driven life people never get a chance to experience Autumn season in full fledged mode. But, Himachal remotely gives you a chance to cherish it. With the opening of the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang, connectivity has increased dramatically, making it much easier to reach Lahaul and Spiti. If you start from Manali, it takes about 30-40 minutes to cross the tunnel and arrive in a completely different geographical environment in Lahaul & Spiti.
Spiti will be beautifully covered in Autumn vibes in the coming month of October. As Summer faded into Autumn, I was able to witness the beautiful colours that this season brings. Also, while driving in Lahaul and Spiti, you can truly get lost in the breathtaking scenery.
Drive to Sissu Village Via Atal Tunnel
The best way to explore this side is to rent a car or bike. We took a cab from Manali and began our journey. It is a 33-kilometer drive to the north end of the tunnel, which leads to Spiti Valley. When you emerge from the tunnel, you are greeted by a beautiful landscape and a completely different geographical condition.
You can pull over to the side of the road and take in the fresh air. It’s a fantastic experience. The route is well-kept and is ideal for a road trip. Sissu Settlement is the first village on the road from Tunnel’s North End, about 6 kilometres away.
Sissu to Keylong
After having fun in Sissu, travel 30 kilometres to Keylong for a fantastic road drive and Autumn Vibes if you’re here in October. You can visit nearby Monasteries or drive till Deepak Taal ahead of Keylong.
If you want to get the most out of your visit, it will be recommended to stay at Sissu for one night. There are many guest houses and homestays/hotels in the area that are reasonably priced. The majority of them also enjoy a magnificent balcony outlook. The village has a population of roughly 300-400 people, making it a tiny but wonderful spot to stay.
Spots to Visit in Sissu
You can go to Sissu Lake, which is close to the Helipad. You can also trek to Sissu Waterfall. Keylong is only 30 kilometres away, and the drive there is once again breathtaking. Along the route, you’ll get a taste of Autumn.
The fact that there is a helipad here is an interesting fact. When Sissu and adjacent villages are blanketed in snow and life comes to a halt, locals use government-provided helicopter services to travel to Bhuntar and nearby locations. These individuals usually spend 8 months here and 4 months in Bhuntar during the harsh winters.
Wrap-up
Previously, the standard route was Rohtang -> Jispa via Keylong, hence Sissu was not well-known among travellers. However, thanks to the Atal Tunnel, I now have a chance to explore this hitherto unknown village.
