Manali-Leh Highway 2024-18 Unique Places For Breathtaking Views

Top Spots On Manali Leh Highway Map

Manali

Manali is one of  the favourite destinations among all the hill stations, Manali weather is one of the reasons why travellers prefer it over the other destinations. It is also referred to as a gateway to Leh Ladakh and Lahaul Spiti. On the banks of Beas River, Manali is situated at an altitude of 6760 Ft above sea level. 

Manali is 547 KM from New Delhi, 306 Km from Chandigarh and is accessible by road and by air. Best season to visit Manali is From April To July in Summers and October to December in winters.in this article I will share some of the less explored places near Manali and are the must visit places on your checklist, if you love to explore, may be it can help you plan your perfect itinerary for this year Manali trip.

Sissu

 A beautiful  small Village located on the banks of river Chandra in Lahaul, 40 km  from Manali. It is the first village on the way to Leh city from Manali situated at an altitude of 10,235 Ft . You travel through Solang valley and Atal tunnel to reach Sissu or you can take the old route from Rohtang pass.but in case you choose to come via Rohtang you may need the permit from local authorities. If you love snow, the Perfect season to visit Sissu is winter.

Here You can witness the fresh thick layer of snow all along the road and mountains. In summer  it’s a peaceful place and you can see the lush green mountains and take a walk along the river Chandra and enjoy the Nature.

Keylong

Keylong is a small and Beautiful town situated in Lahaul Spiti District. Around 70 Km from Manali via Atal Tunnel it’s a perfect place to enjoy nature at its best. Kyelang or Keylong is located on the banks of river bhaga.if you decide to spend some time in keylong you might like to visit  Kardang ( The largest most important monastery in Lahaul), Shasur, and Tayul monasteries, all within a radius of few kilometres of Kyelang.

Jispa

On the Banks of River Bhaga, this small yet beautiful village is located. Around 21 Km from Keylong and 94 km from Manali, it is a perfect place to take your first stay on your trip to Leh. take a break in small budget hotels and enjoy your evening by taking a walk alongside Bhaga river or visiting Jispa Monastery. Jispa is at altitude of 10,500 Ft, perfect for getting yourself acclimatised on a trip to Leh.

Darcha

Most of us hear this name when we start planning a trip to Leh. Darcha is famous for its newly built bridge which is one of a kind. And also the first check post while travelling to Leh is after Darcha bridge , all travellers have to stop at Darcha’s police checkpoint for identification and entry. It is also known as the gateway to Zanskar trek.

Zing Zing Bar

Perfect place to take a break, Zing zing bar situated 125 km from Manali is a place built by BRO for temporary seasonal shelters and dhabas that can be used by trekkers and tourists. You can Have some snacks and tea. also it is the proposed south portal of the Bara-lacha-la tunnel.

Deepak Taal

A small lake formed by melting snow named as Deepak Taal just few Kilometre before Suraj Taal, many stories surround this name but we can not confirm any. It is a beautiful small lake around 50 km from keylong on the way to Bara-lacha la pass. perfect place to create some memories and take a break to admire beautiful Mountains.

Suraj Taal

At a just below altitude of 16,000 ft Surya Taal, Suraj Taal or Tso Kamtsi whatever you may call this third highest lake in India. It is Sourced from the origin of Bhaga river, which originates in Bara-Lacha la, gives a picturesque view perfect for capturing some breathtaking photographs.

Bara-lacha-La

BaraLacha Pass or Bara-lacha-La is the second pass you cross when you travel to leh after Rohtang Pass. at altitude of 15,910 Ft Baralacha La is known as the origin of Bhaga river and chandra river also originate from glaciers in this region. And a trek originates from Baralacha pass to Chandra taal.

Sarchu

Sir Bhum Chun or Sarchu is known as the gateway of Ladakh UT. a small beautiful village located around 177 Km  from Manali. You can find some stay options, mainly camps and Tents, a favourite place for overnight stay by the travellers and Tourists. But due to a high altitude of 13,783 Ft many tourists find it hard Due to Lack of oxygen which can cause acute Mountain Sickness or altitude sickness.

Gata Loops

You must have heard many ghost stories about Gata Loops. It is a mysterious yet beautiful series of 21 hairpin bends. This stretch of 11 km at altitude of about 16,000 ft is quite testing for riders and drivers. You can also see a small temple where people offer mineral water and other stuff.

Nakee La

One of the highest motor-able passes which connects Himachal pradesh to Ladhak UT, at an altitude of 15,547 Ft. It’s a perfect place to take a look at snow covered peaks and clear blue sky on Manali-Leh Highway. But it is advised not to stop for more than 30 minutes as you may feel dizzy due to Low oxygen level. Roads are not that good so be careful if you are riding or driving for the first time in these mountains.

Whisky Nala

Don’t Go by name. It’s was a dangerous water crossing which will test your driving skills and patience on Manali-Leh Highway. If you are a bike rider then it’s a nightmare, but the beautiful picturesque view compensates for the trouble.

Lachung La

One more pass among the highest motorable passes in leh ladakh on Manali-Leh Highway, lachung la at an altitude of 16,600 Ft will also test you. Again it’s advisable to take only a short break. But after crossing this pass you can sit back and relax, as the roads after lachung la are not that bad and you have crossed the toughest part of Leh Trip.

Pang

Pang is located at an altitude of 15280 feet above the sea level on Manali-Leh Highway., perfect place to take a break and have some food and Tea and enjoy the beauty of this small village. As after pang road conditions are very good, but you are still 170 km away from leh Ladakh.

Moray Plains

It is a plateau on Manali-Leh Highway. Dream destination for bike riders. A 36 Km of plain straight highway between beautiful mountains on both sides. until the road starts to rise to TangLang la. These Plains are also called Kiang chu Thang in local language.

Tang Lang La

Tanglang La is the perfect Place to Take out your camera’s and capture some memorable pictures to cherish your memories in future and make your colleagues ,and neighbors jealous. At an altitude of 17,480 Ft views are mesmerizing, weather at Tanglang La is highly unpredictable.

Sasoma, Rumtse, Upshi – Small and beautiful villages

After TangLang La, it’s time to enjoy some beautiful and scenic views of small villages on the easiest part of Leh- Kaylong highway. On banks of a small stream surrounded by multi coloured mountains these villages are perfect places to click some memories. You have to stop to make entries at the Upshi check post before you enter Leh Town.

That’s all Information you need to plan your trip to Leh Ladakh on Manali-Leh Highway.. if you have any queries or question ? feel free to ask, and if you like this article do comment and share.