Situated on the banks of the Chandra River in Lahaul Valley, Sissu is a tiny and beautiful hamlet in Himachal Pradesh, located just 40 KM away from Manali on the Leh-Manali Highway (6 KM from Atal Tunnel). Sissu serves as an amazing place for a day trip to Manali. This beautiful village acts as the base for the three famous regions of the Himalayas – Lahaul, Spiti, and Ladakh. The pleasant weather conditions, surrounded by magnificent glaciers and traditional Himachali culture, attract tourists from all around. The beautiful dense plantation of willows and poplar trees on both sides of the road makes it a perfect place for a road trip in Himachal.
Every year, thousands of tourists visit Sissu due to its proximity to the Atal Tunnel. Hiking, trekking, camping, day trips, and stargazing are among the most common activities to do in Sissu. Before planning your trip, let’s explore our guide to Sissu, Himachal Pradesh, which includes the best time to visit, how to reach, places to visit, things to do, and general information about Sissu:
Let’s Quickly Dive Into the Details
| Why to visit Sissu? |
| Best time to visit Sissu |
| Places to visit and things to do in Sissu |
| How to reach Sissu |
| Places to eat in Sissu |
| Where to stay in Sissu |
| Things You Should Know Before Traveling Sissu |
Reason To Visit Sissu
Sissu, a beautiful place to visit, is one of those magical destinations that can provide the inner peace craved by many in the modern world. The tranquil surroundings, picturesque landscapes, and pleasant weather leave visitors awestruck, fostering a deep love for the area. Particularly during winter, when the snow blankets the landscape, one might feel as though they are on the moon. In autumn, the yellow leaves of trees paint the surroundings in a golden hue, evoking a European ambiance. So, if you happen to be in Manali or are en route to the Atal Tunnel, be sure not to overlook this enchanting spot.
Best Time To Visit Sissu
September to December and February to June is the best time to visit Sissu. During these months you can experience the various shades of Sissu –
Sissu In Autumn – During September and October, you can enjoy the autumn season in Sissu as the leaves start falling off the trees, transforming the entire landscape into a magical wonderland.
Sissu In Winter – Winter in Sissu is the ideal time for snow lovers, as the temperature can drop below freezing in January, accompanied by lively snowfall.
Sissu In Summer – In the summer, this village boasts a green landscape against the backdrop of the Himalayan mountains.
- Summer Season – March to July
- Winter Season – November to February
- Autumn Season – September to October
- Highest temperature – 38 deg Celsius in June
- Lowest temperature – -7 Deg Celsius in January
Places To Visit And Things To Do In Sissu
1. Sissu Waterfall
Situated only 1 kilometer from the highway, the Sissu waterfall is a captivating destination in Sissu, cascading from a height of approximately 50 meters. While visible from the highway, it is the trek to the base of the waterfall that offers an experience not to be missed. The enchanting allure of this location, adorned with lush greenery, solidifies its position as one of the most stunning waterfalls in the Himalayan region.
The water in the falls comes from the glaciers of the Himalayan range.
How to reach – Situated at the height of 3051 meters, the Sissu waterfalls can only be reached by trekking. To get there, you’ll need to cover a moderate 1 KM trek that winds between the Pir Panjal and Himalayan mountain ranges, running alongside the Chandra River. Along the route, you’ll encounter a small iron bridge that you’ll need to cross.
Best time to visit – March to June is the best time to visit Sissu waterfall.
2. Sissu Lake
Nestled one kilometer from the village, close to the helipad, Sissu Lake is a man-made reservoir renowned for its picturesque beauty. The serene mountain ranges enveloping the area contribute to the profound tranquility one experiences here, fostering a sense of inner peace. In the winter months, the lake freezes over due to the heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures. It’s an ideal spot to while away hours in blissful idleness
3. Gyephang Temple
Gyephang temple, situated at the top of Gyephang peak, is dedicated to Lord Gyephang, the protector of the people in the Lahaul Valley, according to locals. However, it is important to note that the temple does not permit entry for individuals from outside the valley.
4. Trekking & Hiking
In Sissu, trekking and hiking are the most sought-after activities, with numerous short and long treks available. The most popular trek in this village is to Ghepan Lake, where tourists can indulge in night camping, bird watching, and backpacking. Additionally, treks to Neelkanth Mahadev and Kugti Pass are also accessible for adventure enthusiasts.
5. Day trip to Keylong
Located just 30 km from Sissu, Keylong, situated on the banks of the Bhaga river, is the administrative headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal. It is the only place in Lahaul valley where you can find the regular market, making it the most populated place in the valley.
The rustic charm and the surrounding sun-kissed mountains of this village help you find the inner peace that you crave. Being a Buddhist town, you’ll find numerous ancient monasteries, with Kardang Monastery, Deepak Tal, and Baralacha Pass being among the best places to visit in Keylong.
With a range from luxurious cottages to budgeted homestays, Keylong offers plenty of accommodation options. Moreover, it is an excellent place for shopping, offering a variety of items such as footwear, natural oil, shawls, carpets, woolen jackets, metal crafts, caps, and bamboo products.
- Best time to visit – May to October is the best time to visit Keylong.
6. Camping
With its surrounding snow-capped mountains, lakes, Chandra River, and waterfalls, the area makes for an exceptional campsite. You can set up your own camp with the assistance of locals, who can help you find the perfect spot. Alternatively, there are numerous private campsites available, offering a luxurious camping experience.
7. Stargazing
With its high altitude, the Lahaul region stands as one of the finest destinations for stargazing and spotting the Milky Way in the Himalayas. Therefore, remember to bring your telescope along to marvel at the natural beauty of this spectacular sight.
How To Reach Sissu
By Bus – Sissu, situated on the Leh-Manali highway, can be reached by bus. To get there, first, you need to reach Manali. You can take a bus from Delhi or Chandigarh to reach Manali. From the Manali bus stand, take a bus to Keylong. Upon crossing the Atal Tunnel, you can alight at Sissu Village, which is approximately 6 KM from the Atal tunnel.
Sissu can be conveniently and affordably reached via bus, serving as the most accessible mode of transportation. Regardless of your location in India, you can simply take a train or flight to Delhi or Chandigarh. From either of these cities, you can readily find a bus to Manali, and subsequently, to Sissu.
By Flight – Bhuntar, located approximately 90 KM away, houses the nearest airport to Sissu. From Bhuntar, one can opt for a bus journey to Keylong or Leh, with a drop-off point in Sissu village. Alternatively, one can choose to hire a direct taxi from Bhuntar airport to Sissu, albeit at an approximate cost of 5000 INR.
By Train – Chandigarh, located around 350 KM away, serves as the nearest railway station to Sissu. This well-connected railway station links to various nearby cities such as Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Jaipur, and Ludhiana. To reach Sissu from Chandigarh, you can take a bus to Manali and then transfer to another bus from Manali to Keylong, finally arriving at Sissu.
To avoid any inconvenience do check the weather conditions and route before leaving.
Manali To Sissu
Sissu is located 40 KM away from Manali on the Leh – Manali Highway. You can easily reach Sissu from Manali by taking a bus from the Manali bus stand which takes around 1 hour.
Distance from Nearby Major Cities
- From Manali – 40 KM
- From Delhi – 576 KM
- From Chandigarh – 344 KM
- From Shimla – 276 KM
- From Atal Tunnel – 6 KM
Places To Eat In Sissu
There are some good restaurants and cafes near the campsite of Sissu (Goldrop camp) where you can fill your yummy tummy
- Atal Cafe Sissu – Located just 700 meters away from Sissu Lake, Atal Cafe is a good family restaurant in Sissu. It is a great place to eat and hangout.
- Plm Dhara Hotel and Restaurant – Just 1 KM walking distance from Sissu Lake, Plm Dhara is another good place to eat in Sissu. The food quality is good.
Also there any many homestays and hotels where you can have amazing food.
Where To Stay In Sissu
There are some hotels and homestays in Sissu for stay so don’t worry about accommodation. There you can easily get homestays under INR 600 and if you can do bargaining then you can get in under INR 500 as well.
There is a hostel named Zostel where you can get a wide range of rooms – From dormitory to super deluxe rooms.
You can also do a day trip to Sissu from Manali but we recommend you to stay at least one night to enjoy the most of this place.
Networks Connectivity
You will find reliable networks of BSNL and JIO in Sissu. For Airtel users, its hard to find the networks.
Things You Should Know Before Traveling Sissu
- Sissu doesn’t have many ATMs so it’s good to carry enough cash. There are many ATMs in Manali.
- Tandi has the nearest petrol pump to Sissu is located approximately 25 KM. So it’s good to carry extra fuel.
- Try to include breakfast in your hotel price to avoid any inconvenience. It also helps you to save money as well.
FAQ’s About Sissu
Is Sissu worth visiting?
Yes, Located just 40 KM away from Manali, Sissu is one of the most beautiful off-beat places in Himachal. Situated on the way to Leh-Manali Highway, Sissu is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Himachal. Also, there you can enjoy various activities like trekking, hiking, camping, stargazing and cycling.
What is Sissu famous for?
Sissu is known for its rustic charm and all-around sun-kissed Himalayan mountain range. Due to its proximity to Manali, it is a famous day trip destination in Himachal. Snow lovers can experience snowfall in winter while in summer you can enjoy the green landscape dotted with trees of willows and poplars.