4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
2hrs by road from Manali
When to go
From May to November
Minimum stay
One day
keylong (India)
©
Nina Montagné
Practical information on keylong
Reviews of keylong
A Himalayan market town, on the road to Leh in the north of Manali.
My suggestion:
Take note - it's that last place where you can fill up on water or petrol before reaching Leh!
My review
The Keylong Valley in the north of Manali, on the Ladakh road, is a stunning place, with big waterfalls, rapids and snow covered summits. If you're a nature lover, this region's for you!
During a trip to India, Keylong is often used as a refuelling point, where you can stock up on food, water and petrol before heading off to Leh, the capital of Ladakh.
It's also the starting/ending point for treks and hikes in the area. There are a few guest houses, in view of the number of hikers who stop here. If you want to go on a long Himalayan hike or trek, then I suggest you use a local guide, who can organize a tour that's suited to your needs.
©
Nina Montagné
At 3350 m above sea level, Keylong is a major stop between Manali and Leh, and allows for a stopover on the tiring journey between the two cities.
My suggestion:
Feel free to stay here for a day. Certainly the pagodas are not as magnificent as those of the other Ladakhian valleys, but it's a nice introduction, and this day will allow you to rest from your trip from Manali.
My review
It took a good 10 hours to get to Keylong, navigating the muddy turns leaving from Manali, blocked by heavy trucks on this road that is constantly subject to landslides. In our overloaded bus, we must have looked nonsensical getting to the Rohtang La pass, at 3978 m above sea level. And as we were getting ready to experience at least a 15 hour day getting to Leh from Keylong (a trip that I stood the whole way...), we decided to stop there for a little while.
Without any regret. On a nice morning, we crossed through a local market with fruits and spices, full of color, for a nice walk to the other side of the river toward Khardong Gompa. The view from up there is awesome, the panorama is wide, and the temple is worthy of entering.
As we hadn't had the chance to stretch our legs enough yet, we turned around, passed Keylong and went up a few kilometers to get to Shashur Gompa. Unfortunately it was closed, but the walk through the trees to find it had been rather epic, and as a consolation for finding the door closed, I bought two rings and a necklace, the kind you can only find on a stay in India …
©
Alan jones Keylong
344 travelers' photos
