Overview
Manali to Keylong is about 71 km, usually 2 to 2½ hours by taxi: up past Palchan and the Solang turn to the south portal of the Atal Tunnel, 9 km under the Pir Panjal range, then down into Lahaul along the Chandra river through Sissu and across the confluence at Tandi to Keylong, the district headquarters, at about 3,080 m. Before the tunnel opened in 2020, this trip meant crossing Rohtang Pass; now it's a short, paved drive that turns Lahaul's monasteries, villages and high valleys into an easy escape from Manali. Keylong is also the usual first stop on the road to Leh. We pick you up from your Manali hotel and drop you in Keylong.
Usual route: Manali–Leh highway via Palchan and Solang, through the 9 km Atal Tunnel, then along the Chandra and Bhaga rivers via Sissu and Tandi
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Manali
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Manali to Keylong
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
2,050 m
Manali
Total climb
+1,030 m
over ~71 km
Finish
3,080 m
Keylong
- Manali
- Atal Tunnel
- Sissu
- Gondhla
- Tandi
- Keylong
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Manali to Keylong taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~71 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹3,250
starting · one way
₹4,100
starting · one way
₹4,550
starting · one way
₹7,400
starting · one way
Your quote
Manali → Keylong
Sedan · one way · ~71 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in ManaliIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹3,250
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1The road is paved all the way; it's a scenic, easy drive in summer.
- 2Snow can close the tunnel approach or the Lahaul side for a day or more in winter; we check before leaving.
- 3Tandi, just before Keylong, has the last fuel pump for the long stretch towards Leh.
- 4Keylong is at about 3,080 m; take the first evening easy if you've come straight from the plains.
- 5Want Sissu's waterfall or Gondhla fort on the way? Tell us and we'll add a stop.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Manali
Pickup
Atal Tunnel
9 km tunnel under the Pir Panjal, opened in 2020.
Sissu
Waterfall and the Chandra valley's first village after the tunnel.
Gondhla
Village with an old seven-storey stone and wood fort.
Tandi
Confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga, and the last fuel pump before Leh.
Keylong
Drop at your hotel
Things to do in and around Keylong
Keylong sits on a slope above the Bhaga river, with monasteries on the hillsides around it. Kardang monastery, across the river, is one of the best known in Lahaul, and Shashur and Tayul monasteries are a short drive or a steep walk above town. In summer, the fields around Keylong turn green with potatoes, peas and hops, and the snow peaks above stay white. It's a quiet base for a few days in Lahaul, away from Manali's crowds.
- Kardang monastery
- Shashur and Tayul monasteries
- Gondhla fort on the way
- Jispa and Darcha further up the valley
Keylong on the way to Leh
Most travellers driving from Manali to Leh spend their first night in Keylong or Jispa, about 20 km further. Keylong has more hotels and services; Jispa is quieter and prettier. Either way, the night at around 3,000–3,200 m helps your body adjust before the long day over the high passes. We can book Manali to Keylong as a short first leg, and Keylong to Leh, or keep the same car for the whole trip.
What the Atal Tunnel changed
Before 2020, the only road from Manali to Lahaul crossed Rohtang Pass, at about 3,980 m, which was snowbound for half the year and needs a permit for tourist vehicles. The Atal Tunnel, at about 3,000 m, cut out the pass and shortened the distance by about 45 km. Lahaul is now reachable for much more of the year, though heavy snow can still close the approach roads after storms.
Keylong in winter
Winter in Lahaul is long and hard: heavy snow, temperatures well below freezing and limited services. The road through the tunnel is kept open on most days, and some travellers go up for the snow, but trips can be cut short by closures. Between December and March, book an SUV, travel early in the day, and keep your plans flexible. We'll check the road status with you the evening before.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Keylong
Keylong: Best: May–Oct; Snow: Jan–Mar, Dec
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Manali hotels (Mall Road, Model Town, Aleo)
- • Old Manali and Vashisht (nearest road point)
- • Manali bus stand
Other ways to travel
HRTC buses run from Manali to Keylong through the Atal Tunnel several times a day. Shared taxis also run in season.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Manali to Keylong cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are Sedan ₹3,250, SUV ₹4,100, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹4,550, Tempo Traveller ₹7,400, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Keylong from Manali?+
About 71 km through the Atal Tunnel, usually 2 to 2½ hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
Do we need a permit to go through the Atal Tunnel?+
No permit is needed for the Atal Tunnel route to Lahaul. The Rohtang Pass road needs one.
Can we visit Sissu on the way?+
Yes, it's right on the route, about 40 km from Manali.
Is Keylong open in winter?+
Usually, but heavy snow can close the roads for a day or more. Check before travelling between December and March.
Can we continue to Leh from Keylong?+
Yes, in season (about late May to mid-November). Keylong is a common first-night stop on the Manali–Leh highway.
Where is the last fuel stop?+
Tandi, just before Keylong. Our drivers fill up there for trips further north.
Which car is best?+
A sedan in summer; an SUV in winter or if you're going on towards Leh.
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