Keylong

One of the very important pit stops on Manali-Leh Highway, who does not know about Keylong. Situated at an altitude of 10000 feet, this is a perfect place to stay the night after Manali while you are on your way yo Leh. After Manali this is one of the bigger settlement area on this route where you find lots of stay and food options ranging from homestays to hotels. There is also a Himachal Pradesh Tourism Guest House – Hotel Chandrabhaga. A very beautiful property but on a slight higher range.

Keylong is again very beautiful village which thrives especially during the tourist season – between May to September, due to Manali-Leh route. Other than that, this place remains quiet.

Darcha

This is another small village on this route but holds importance because of the Police Check Post. When you are enroute Leh, this is the first place where you will need to make a tourist entry. This place is going to hold all the more importance going forward because Nimmu-Darcha route that has recently opened connecting Manali to Leh.

During our visit, we reached here in a hope that we will be allowed to go all the way to Bara-la-chala. But we were not allowed beyond Darcha as there still was snow and the route was still not fully opened. With big disappointment written all over our faces, we took a U-turn.

Yoche

But our disappointment did not last long. In such a beautiful place, we found some very amazing and helpful people who understood our pain of travelling from so far only to be re-turned. They suggested to go this another small village – Yoche.

An offbeat location, we had never heard of before. A village slightly off road and a little detour from Darcha – this place was Haven. We spent couple of hours here in the wilderness with no soul to be seen for a very long time.

Completely covered in snow, there was no road leading all the way upto the village. After a while we saw a few locals, who were travelling on foot carrying their children and luggage.

This place was simple magic and we were all excited to have explored a yet another off beat location – away from the crowds of Manali and Sissu.

Udaipur

Tucked away 53 km from Keylong, Udaipur is a small, lesser-known village that often flies under the radar. But don’t be fooled – this charming spot is just as captivating as the more popular destinations we’ve explored. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and home to some remarkable sites, Udaipur is bound to steal your heart.

The village is particularly famous for two ancient temples, revered in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions: the Trilokinath and Mrikula Devi temples. These sacred spots draw most visitors to the village, but there’s more to discover beyond the spiritual landmarks. Udaipur is also the starting point for the legendary Killar-Kishtwar road, known as one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Just a couple of kilometers away, you’ll also find the entrance to the Miyar Valley – a hidden gem in its own right.

Though Udaipur may not yet be on every traveler’s radar, it’s a place that deserves much more attention. During our stay, we found that accommodation options can be a bit basic. Most visitors are pilgrims, and many prefer to head back to Keylong for the night. While homestays are available, they may not offer luxury, and dining choices are limited – but the warmth and hospitality of the locals more than make up for it.

A true highlight is the Mrikula Devi temple, an ancient 6000-year-old Hindu temple that sits at the heart of the village. It’s an exquisite example of traditional Himachali architecture and is deeply cherished by locals. Whether you’re drawn by the temples, the stunning views, or the adventurous road trips, Udaipur is a destination worth experiencing.

Our trip to Lahaul was an incredible success, made even more unforgettable by an unexpected Snow Leopard sighting. While it wasn’t planned, we did venture into Miyar Valley with hopes of catching a glimpse of this elusive creature – and the valley delivered beyond our wildest dreams. The sighting truly elevated our experience, leaving us in awe of the beauty and magic of the place. From the breathtaking landscapes to the rare and majestic beast, this journey to Lahaul had every element of surprise and grandeur we could have hoped for.