Atal Tunnel is the world’s longest highway tunnel above 3,000m

Atal Tunnel is the world’s longest highway tunnel above 3,000m

India, asia

Length

46 km

Elevation

3,979 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Get ready to be amazed by the Atal Tunnel, nestled high in the Indian Himalayas! This incredible feat of engineering, also known as the Rohtang Tunnel, is the world's longest highway tunnel sitting at over 3,000m altitude.

Named in honor of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, this tunnel is a game-changer. It bypasses the notorious Rohtang La pass, slashing the distance between Manali and Keylong by about 46 km. Forget those grueling 4-6 hour journeys over the pass – now you can cruise through the tunnel in a breezy 30 minutes!

The tunnel itself sits at a lofty 3,100m above sea level and forms part of the epic 479 km Leh-Manali Highway. The paved tunnel stretches for 8.8 km and is quite wide, with footpaths on either side. Don't worry about safety either – CCTV cameras are everywhere, and there are emergency exits every 500 metres. Just stick to the 80 kmph speed limit and enjoy the ride.

Building this marvel was no walk in the park. Construction crews battled freezing temperatures, floods, and thin air during heavy winter snowfalls. Hauling supplies to this remote location was also a major challenge. But they pulled it off, and now you can experience this incredible shortcut through the mountains!

Where is it?

Atal Tunnel is the world’s longest highway tunnel above 3,000m is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 22.5284, 80.5254

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Road Details

Country
India
Continent
asia
Length
46 km
Max Elevation
3,979 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
22.5284, 80.5254

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