Places to Visit

Top 7 Reasons Why You Must Visit Sissu
in October

Top Reasons Why You Must Visit Sissu | Video

There was a time when visiting Lahaul Spiti was no less than a Herculean task. The roads were bad and you needed to cross the mighty and dangerous Rohtang Pass, which used to remain closed all winters making Lahaul Spiti completely inaccessible.

But these days Lahaul Spiti is at a stone’s throw away from Manali, thanks to the Atal tunnel. You can visit the nearby places in Lahaul and Spiti most time of the year except for the dreadful winters.

One such place in Lahaul Spiti which you can visit till November and even after that, depending upon the snow, is Sissu.

Here are the top reasons why you must visit Sissu, especially in October, if you are in Manali:

Sissu is close to Manali and Atal tunnel

If you are in Manali then you must try visiting Sissu. Located just 40 kms from Manali and at just hour’s drive, Sissu is one of the most beautiful places near Manali. It’s located on the bank of Chandra river at an altitude of 3120 meters.  To visit Sissu, first you need to reach Atal tunnel from where it’s just 10 kms on the Keylong road. Till few years back, there were not many shops here. But after the opening of the Atal tunnel, new hotels and restaurants have started coming up here.  shop here but today Where else would you find such a beautiful place right there in the Himalayas and so easily accessible also?

Sissu is breathtakingly beautiful

Surrounded by high vertical mountains, which remain snowy-covered most time of the year, Sissu is cold but beautiful. As you enter the Atal tunnel and exit on the Lahaul side, the entire landscape changes from lush green to cold and arid but strikingly beautiful. From Atal tunnel till Sissu, driving along the scenic Chandra river under the shadows of great mountains is an exhilarating experience

Sissu’s waterfall can be spotted from miles away

Sissu has this giant waterfall which can be spotted from miles away. Some people visit Sissu just to watch this amazing waterfall of Sissu. This waterfall had first brought Sissu to the tourism map. Fixed on the left bank of the Chandra river and facing Sissu, the gushing white waterfall of the glaciers seems to appear after having pierced the mountain rocks. You can go on the other side of the bank and sit in its company for as long as you wish to.

Sissu’s trees look stunningly beautiful in autumn

In autumn, Sissu looks heavenly as it covers itself in the pale golden hues of falling leaves. The Himalayan Poplar trees in the cold desert of Lahaul and Spiti are a treat to the eyes and the mind in October. There are rows and rows of Poplar trees with their falling golden yellowish leaves. Then there are the beautiful willow trees on the mountains. The willows, which symbolise rebirth and survival, are a lifeline in cold desert regions. You must not miss Sissu in October, more so if you love trees

You can also visit nearby Gondhla fort

Gondhla is a beautiful small village near Sissu and known for its ancient fort. If you have time you can visit Gondhla and spend some time in the village here.  This seven-storey fort was built in 1700 AD using stones and wooden beams, placed together with clay.

And then go to Tandi, the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers

If you want to stand at the confluence of two rivers then you can always drive down to Tandi from Sissu. Tandi, a small village where Chandra and Bhaga rivers merge into each other, is at just half-an-hour’s drive from Sissu. The site where the sangam of these two rivers takes place is amazing.  After sangam, it’s called Chandra-Bhaga or Chenab river and enters Chamba from here. Tandi is also known for its strategically important Tandi bridge over Bhaga river. 

Watch the glaciers that never melt

Along the way from Sissu to Gondhla to Tandi, you come face to face with mighty mountains and some awesome glaciers. It’s a beautiful drive and on the way, you encounter most stunningly beautiful sights of the mountains above and the river below. It doesn’t take much time also. You can cover Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Gondhla and Tandi in a day and will still have ample time on hand.  

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