11 Unique things to do in Sissu: A day trip from Manali

After traversing the 9 km long stretch of the renowned Atal tunnel, instead of turning right to explore the popular destinations like Spiti Valley, turn left to explore this hidden gem. Nestled amidst the iconic Leh-Manali highway, just one and half hour away from Manali, Sissu is a picturesque Himalayan haven and is known for its serene surroundings and rugged landscapes.

Embark on a journey with us to explore the local charm, authentic experiences and other adventure activities in Sissu.

Sissu Weather

This picturesque village is situated in Lahaul Valley and is located at an elevation of 10,500 ft. Sissu weather undergoes changes with every season but the beauty of this place is captivating year-round. The spring (March to May) blooms with colourful wild flowers peaking with lush greenery in summer making it an ideal time to enjoy camping and hiking. Whereas the landscapes in autumn are covered with golden leaves turning the village into a breathtaking wonderland during winters. Sissu in winter also gives you a chance to dive into thrilling activities like skiing and snowboarding.

Things to do in Sissu during summer:

1. Commence with a short hike to Sissu waterfall

Just 22 mins away from the Atal Tunnel, Sissu waterfall is a sight to behold. As soon as you cross the Atal tunnel and turn left to enter the Lahaul district, the weather transforms into a scenic splendour with clear skies and breathtaking landscapes welcoming you to this Himalayan Odyssey. Your first destination, the Sissu waterfall is located right beside the Chandra Lake.

To experience the beauty of Sissu waterfall, you will have to hike up the rocky path for about 20-30 mins. Once you hike through this short trail, the curtain of crystalline water cascades down the heart shaped rock captivating your imagination. People often pause here to witness nature’s artistic prowess. The true beauty of this waterfall is experienced as you go closer to it. As soon as you approach the waterfall the cool mist kisses your face offering a refreshing sensation.

Safety tip: The rocks near the waterfall are very slippery so make sure that you take precautions and wear proper sturdy trekking shoes before you start hiking.

2. Camp at the Sissu lake

Just 5 mins away from the Sissu waterfall is the Sissu lake, a perfect destination to camp in Lahaul Valley. Surrounded by the majestic mountains, the lake offers calm and serenity. There are specific camping spots dedicated to setting up a tent beside the lake. Make sure to set up your camp right in these designated areas. The stillness of the Sissu lake offers a sense of tranquillity. You can go for leisurely walks or just sit around the lake to experience the soothing sounds of water ripples. To fully immerse in the beauty of camping, consider bringing a stove and cooking utensils to cook some amazing food. You can also explore the area by visiting nearby viewpoints.

At night the air becomes more crisp with temperature going down to 5 degree celsius. Make sure you carry enough layers to cover yourself as the mountain cold can be intense and 5 degrees can feel like freezing temperature.

3. Shop at the famous Keylong market

A 48-minute drive from Sissu lake takes you to your third destination, Keylong. The town is mainly influenced by Tibetan culture and boasts some amazing ancient monasteries like the Kardang monastery, Shashur monastery, Tayur and Gemur monastery.

The Keylong market is a weekly market and is set up every Monday. This quaint village becomes vibrant with tradesmen, local artisans and tourists coming to visit this market. The Keylong market displays a variety of handicrafts, woollen garments, shawls, and food delicacies like the Siddu, Dham etc. Negotiating with local vendors is enjoyable as you get a sneak peek into the village culture.

Pro tip: Cash is mostly preferred as there are hardly any ATMs in the Lahaul district ahead of the Atal Tunnel. So it's better to carry enough cash.

Colors of Himachal (Credit- wanderon.in)

4. Halt for lunch at a local dhaba in Jispa

An hour and half drive from Keylong takes you to the quaint village of Jispa. Located on the banks of Baga River, Jispa is a popular stopover destination for travellers. Alongside the majestic views of mountains, Jispa also hosts some local dhabas to satisfy your hunger after a long journey.

Eating at these local dhabas gives you a delightful insight to the village’s culture, cuisine and hospitality. You get a mix of Tibetan and North Indian food like Rajma chawal and Thenthuk (noodle-soup). The people here are so warm and welcoming that you can also interact with them and listen to their stories of lifestyle and culinary traditions while dining. This is definitely a must do things to do in Sissu if you truly want to experience the region's authentic charm.

Roadside dhaba (Credits- tripadvisor.com)

5. Explore Darcha village

Darcha is the prettiest and the most aesthetic village in Lahaul district. Located at an hour and half’s distance from Sissu Himachal Pradesh this village has some artistically designed houses. The structure of these houses display the traditional Himalayan architecture that blends perfectly with the aesthetic charm of this place. The muted earth tones of houses create a scenic contrast against the backdrop of snow capped peaks.

The beauty of the winding roads here elevates when lined with charming houses of Darcha. And during summers, the vibrant flowers like Himalayan poppies and Rhododendrons bloom in abundance, uplifting the visual charm of the village.

This is by far the best and must-do things in Sissu. Darcha is also famous as a start point for few popular treks in Lahaul Valley like the Darcha Padum Trek, Darcha Lamayuru Trek etc.

6. Plan a stargazing night at Deepak tal and Suraj tal lake

A two hour drive further from Sissu takes you to the two hidden gems in Lahaul district, the Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal lake.Unlike the other lakes in Himachal and Spiti Valley, despite being located alongside the iconic ‘Leh-Manali’ route Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal are offbeat destination in Himachal and remain uncharted by backpackers.

Deepak Tal is situated at an elevation of 12,000ft whereas Suraj Tal is the third largest lake in India and is located at an altitude of 16,000 ft. Both these lakes are 40 mins apart and captivate travellers with their calmness, stunning beauty and eternal charm. As the sun sets here, the sky transforms into a canvas of colours like orange, pink and purple. The chances of witnessing the Milky Way are quite high at both these lakes compared to ChandraTal. July to November are ideal months for stargazing and. you can witness planets like Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury. For better clarity don’t forget to bring your telescope. Camping at Deepak Tal is prohibited.

A sky full of stars (Credits- curlytales.com)

 
7. Excursion to Baralacha pass

If you want to culminate your journey to Sissu with a cherry on cake then the visit to Baralacha Pass is one of the must-do things to do in Sissu. Situated in the high-mountain pass of Zanskar Valley, Baralacha Pass is 8-kilometre long and plays a crucial role in connecting the Lauhaul district of Himachal Pradesh to Leh district of Ladakh.

This pass is covered with snow almost throughout the year offering you panoramic views of snow capped peaks , glaciers and vast stretches of rugged mountains and rocky terrains. You can spot a lot of bikers here traversing to and from Ladakh. It is a stunning spot for photographers to capture the dramatic scene of mountains. However, the pass remains closed during the winters because of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.

Safety Tip: Be cautious of the sharp turns here and avoid riding or halting at nearby places after 5:30 as it gets extremely dark and there are no eateries around this place.

Things to do in Sissu during Winters:

1. Try your hands on ATV scooter ride at Sissu snow point 

Sissu in winters is completely blanketed by snow and is the best time to experience the ATV ride. Just 26 min drive from the Atal Tunnel, the Sissu snow point is the must-visit place. The ATV scooter glides through the snowy trails offering a thrilling experience amidst the awe inspiring natural scenery. Zooming along the snowy trails and trees with sharp twists and turns further adds joy to your adventure activities in Sissu.. Experiencing an ATV ride here in winters is definitely an adventurous things to do in Sissu.  

2. Learn skiing and snowboarding at Sissu lake 

Just a 4 min drive from the Sissu snow point takes you to the other side of Sissu Lake. Skiing and snowboarding are the two popular activities amongst tourists. The area around the lake is completely covered by snow and you can rent professional gear to practise this sport. You get a chance to rent these professional gears. For skiing, A pair of boots, poles, a pair of sticks and a ski board can be rented and for snowboarding you can get a snowboard that is attached to your boots.These sports are performed in a specific manner under supervision but is truly a unique things to do in Sissu Himachal Pradesh.  

Chasing the thrill on snow-capped peaks (Credits- universaladventures.in)

3. Enjoy tube ride at Sissu snow point 

Tube ride is a fun adventure activity to do in snow and the landscapes of Sissu provide a perfect setting for this activity amidst the surroundings of snow capped peaks. The actual fun comes when you do it along with your friends. As you hop into the different inflatable tubes and race down the slopes with vague twists and turns you truly enjoy this exhilarating activity. Tube ride has to be a highlight of your snow adventure in Spiti.  

Chasing the chill with bestie (Credits- brozaadventures.com)

4. Try zipline at Chandra river

Embark on a thrilling adventure with a zipline at Chandra River in Sissu Himachal Pradesh. The zipline stretches above the river and concludes at the opposite end near the Sissu waterfall. As you gear up from the zipline, you get to witness a serene landscape blanketed with snow and a stunning scene of Chandra river passing between this amazing landscape. 

As you zip along the thrilling ride in the air you get to witness the sight of the majestic frozen Sissu Waterfall making this experience even more unforgettable. Amidst the tranquil beauty of this winter wonderland, Zipline is certainly an adventurous things to do in Sissu. 

Ziplining: Adrenaline rush unlocked (Credits- tagwhistler.com)

Where to Stay?

The Hosteller old Manali is just an hour away from Sissu and acts as a gateway to escape to this Himalayan beauty. Located close to all the major attractions like the Manali Mall Road and Hadimba Temple The Hosteller old Manali offers spacious accommodations with open porches and balconies for an upbeat travel experience. The hostel immerses you in the Himalayan charm by offering panoramic views of snow capped peaks.

The Hosteller Manali  

Frequently asked questions:

1. What is the Sissu to Atal Tunnel distance? 

Sissu is a quaint village in Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh and Sissu to Atal Tunnel distance is approximately 12 km.  

2. How is the Sissu weather during Winters? 

Sissu weather is blanketed with snow during winters with temperatures dropping below 0 degree celsius. The beauty of this place is worth visiting but is not recommended for someone who cannot bear the cold.  

3. How to reach Sissu from Manali? 

You can take an early morning HRTC bus from Manali to Keylong and get down at Sissu. However, the more convenient option here is to go by cab which can be expensive but is more feasible to visit nearby attractions. For the HRTC bus timings you visit their website.

4. What is the bus timing from Sissu to Manali? 

The bus starts early in the morning at 5:30am. Frequency of the buses is quite low. You can check at the official website of HRTC. 

5. What is the bus fare from Manali to Sissu? 

The bus fare from Manali to Sissu is approximately 600 INR. 

6. How long does it take to travel from Sissu to Atal Tunnel? Sissu to Atal Tunnel distance is approximately 12 km and it takes around half an hour to Sissu.  

7. Can all the attractions be done in a day from Manali? 

Yes, if you leave early in the morning around 5-5:30, all the attractions in Sissu can be done within a day. Lahaul Valley is a good option for a day trip from Manali. 

8. Which mobile network works in Sissu? 

Only Jio, BSNL and Airtel sims function in this area. Also you will hardly be getting any internet on these sims as well. Vodafone does not function for this reason. For your personal safety you can buy a spare BSNL sim from Manali Mall Road before travelling to Sissu and Lahaul.