Major city · India
Keylongकीलांग
Use Keylong as a 1-night stop on the Manali–Leh highway: acclimatise, see a monastery, then move on.
Keylong is the administrative centre of Lahaul, a high-altitude stopover at 3,350 m on the Manali–Leh road. The town itself is small — a market street and a few gompas within walking distance — and most travellers pass through in one night to break the journey. The scenery around it is the real draw.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–May (road closed, heavy snow)
- Airport
- KUU
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Keylong112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Keylong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyKeylong is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKUU Kullu–Manali Airport (Bhuntar) (About 115 km (71 mi); then a taxi or bus to Keylong, 4–5 h (check road conditions)).KUU Kullu–Manali Airport (Bhuntar) (About 71 mi (115 km); then a taxi or bus to Keylong, 4–5 h (check road conditions)).
- Getting aroundKeylong is walkable on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from bus stand to Upper Keylong₹100–150 (≈ US$2)
- Metro or bus rideBus Keylong–Kardang (local)check₹20–40 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedDorm bed in a guesthouse, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedDouble room with ensuite, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- High-end bedDouble room with ensuite, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KUU Kullu–Manali Airport (Bhuntar) (About 115 km (71 mi); then a taxi or bus to Keylong, 4–5 h (check road conditions))KUU Kullu–Manali Airport (Bhuntar) (About 71 mi (115 km); then a taxi or bus to Keylong, 4–5 h (check road conditions))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Jul (9 rain days), driest Nov (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Keylong: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
2 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
3 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
4 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
3 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
1 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Keylong is walkable on foot. For monasteries outside town, hire a taxi or take a local bus from the stand.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kardang Monastery
goDoor to door: About 1 h round trip on foot
Walk 30 min uphill from Keylong market, or taxi 5 min
One of the oldest gompas in Lahaul; fine views of the valley.
Shashur Monastery
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h round trip on foot
Walk 45 min from Keylong, or taxi 10 min
Smaller, quieter gompa with a large prayer hall.
Tandi (confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi 15 min from Keylong
Scenic spot; the rivers form the Chenab. No facilities.
Manali
cautionDoor to door: About 5 h
HRTC bus or shared taxi, about 4–5 h (check road open)
Road subject to landslides and snow; only possible Jun–Sep.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Upper Keylong (near the bus stand)
Closest to bus arrivals and basic guesthouses; Hotel Nordaling is here.
Keylong Market area
More eating options, a short walk from the bus stand.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room with ensuite1 × 1 night × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Taxi to Kardang Monastery (return)1 × ₹600 · check | ₹600 |
| HRTC bus Manali–Keylong (one way)2 × ₹400 · check | ₹800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹990 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,450 per person per day, bed included | ₹10,890≈ US$130 |
2026 estimate in rupees; road transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Thali meal at a dhaba | ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tibetan momos (10 pieces) | ₹100–150 (≈ US$2) |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ₹20–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi from bus stand to Upper Keylong | ₹100–150 (≈ US$2) |
| Bus Keylong–Kardang (local)check | ₹20–40 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 3,350 m. Spend the first hour resting, drink water, avoid alcohol.
- Road from Manali closes in winter (Nov–May); check HRTC bus schedules before planning.
- ATMs may run out of cash; carry enough rupees from Manali or Leh.
- Last bus from Manali departs early morning; confirm the time the day before.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Keylongकीलांग
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इस पते पर चलिएTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Manali → Keylong (HRTC): about ₹400 (≈ US$5), 4–5 h (check)
- Taxi Keylong → Kardang Monastery: ₹600 (≈ US$7) return (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना है? — How much? (kitna hai)
- बस स्टैंड कहाँ है? — Where is the bus stand? (bus stand kahan hai)
- मुझे कमरा चाहिए — I need a room (mujhe kamra chahiye)
- बिल दीजिए — The bill, please (bill dijiye)
Hindi is widely understood; English works in hotels and bus offices.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Keylong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–May (road closed, heavy snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Kardang and Shashur monasteries with verified opening hours.
- Eat page for Hotel Tashi Delek with last-order times.
- Sleep page for Hotel Nordaling with room photos and contact.
- Bus schedule page for HRTC Manali–Keylong–Leh route.
Sources
Ask about Keylong
Loading…
Was this useful?