Normally this area of Himachal Pradesh offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas but with the current reconstruction of the highway, it offers a frightful ride. I was shocked that the road was even open given it’s current condition. To call it a road is generous. The path in front of you at times is a mix of scraped gravel, odd asphalt, boulders, mud, and water run offs from the peaks.

We drove through here beginning on the North end near dusk. Fortunately the traffic was thinning out, many trucks were pulled off for the night already. Our average speed was 10 kms as you can’t go more than a few feet before encountering huge pot holes or dodging a wayward animal or other impediment in the road. At one point we were stuck in a huge mud-field that come on us rapidly before we could realize how dangerous a situation we were putting ourselves in. Next to us was a full size Tata truck also stuck in the mud. Somehow we managed to break free from the muck but not before a scare of hugging the cliff edge thinking we were for sure going to be a casualty read about in the morning paper.

As of this writing there is a short stretch, about 2 kms, where the new road has been completed. Once finished, it will be a vast improvement from the previous entity.Widened, straightened and smooth, there will be plenty of room for passing slower traffic without jeopardizing yourself. This highway is the main pass from Manali to the North with a fork just after the pass. The the left one can go on to Keylong and further on to Jammu/Kashmir. To the right one can go on to the Kunzum Pass, Losar and the Inner Line.

For now, avoid this area if possible. Reroute yourself to Keylong or plan a different destination. This area is extremely dangerous at night and with the heightened traffic during the day you’re looking at traffic jams, long delays risky driving.