Manali Leh Highway is one of the roads that lead to heaven on earth called Leh – Ladakh (Srinagar – Leh Highway is the other one). It is one of those Highways in the world which offers almost everything nature has to offer to an adventure lover.
Serious travelers in India and abroad do have a dream of traveling on this dangerous and beautiful Highway at least once in their lifetime. I am one of those honored souls to have experienced this journey of my life multiple times.
Having said that, the journey on Manali Leh Highway could be a bit tricky to plan if you haven’t researched well enough. Almost more than 350 km out of 474 km long Manali Leh Highway (430 km now after Atal Tunnel) does not have any civilization, and hence you would be the only soul wandering on most of your journey here. Even one cannot find fuel (petrol/diesel) for 365 KMs on Manali – Leh Highway.
2021 Update: With the opening of the Rohtang Pass Tunnel or Atal Tunnel in 2020, the distance of Manali – Leh Highway has been reduced by 45 km and brought it down to a total of 430 km from Manali to Leh. It is not just the distance but the overall time to reach Keylong from Manali is reduced by 3.5-4 hrs and that means Manali to Leh journey can be done in about 13-14 hrs. This 9.02 km Atal Tunnel connects Manali to Keylong in Lahaul Valley. You are no longer required to travel over Rohtang Pass which means there is no longer a dependency on its opening date to travel to Keylong from Manali. Along with it, you no longer have to worry about avalanches, bad roads, traffic jams, landslides which were pretty common when traveling to Leh from Manali via Rohtang Pass.
Therefore, adequate planning is very well required to travel on Manali – Leh Highway so as to make it a memorable experience.
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Let's quickly dive into the details:
Manali Leh Highway Travel Guide – Detailed & Complete
I hope the below information in this detailed travel guide of Manali Leh Highway will be helpful for someone planning a journey on Manali – Leh Highway.
Should I travel to Leh Ladakh via Manali or Leh to Manali?
Before anything, if you want to enjoy Manali – Leh Highway then does it from Leh side. That is travel from Leh to Manali NOT Manali to Leh. This direction will help you enjoy the Manali – Leh highway without bothering to rush through the place or worry about AMS or driving with nausea, headaches, etc.
1. Better Acclimatization
Traveling from Manali to Leh will hold you back from the enjoyment. Mostly due to AMS and its symptoms because of the majority of the time, you are above 4000 Mtrs of altitude, which your body cannot adapt easily so quickly. But, while coming from Leh towards Manali, your body will be acclimatized for the high altitudes much more than when you travel to Ladakh from Manali.
If you still prefer to travel to Leh Ladakh via Manali, then you can follow the most common itinerary to travel to Ladakh from Manali.
2. Avoid sleeping at Sarchu
Secondly, travel from Leh to Manali will also help you halt your journey at Sarchu which is at an even distance between Manali and Leh and offers a varied amount of accommodation options. Otherwise, you will end up doing Manali – Keylong on one day and push from Keylong to Leh on the second.
Sleeping at Sarchu is not recommended if you are coming from Manali unless your body has completely acclimatized to Sarchu altitude by staying in Spiti and Lahaul Valley for about 4-5 days.
Hence, always try to plan a journey to Ladakh in such a manner that you enter Leh via Srinagar side and then after exploring Leh – Ladakh for few days come back via Manali – Leh Highway. You should also read: 5 Reasons to choose Srinagar – Leh Road to enter Leh over Manali – Leh Road.
Season to travel on Manali – Leh Highway
Usually, the opening of Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La majorly governs the travel time on Manali – Leh Highway. The average time for the opening of Rohtang Pass every year is around May, and Baralacha La usually opens up close to May end.
Best time to travel on Manali Leh Highway
Hence, June to September is the time window when the Manali – Leh Highway is open and is considered as the only time for traveling on Manali – Leh Highway.
Road Conditions June – July
In the early stages, i.e., June, one can find huge stocks of snow en-route, but the road conditions may be a challenge to drive. While in the later stages, i.e., August to September, the conditions of the roads are almost perfect in shape with all the mud dried out, maintenance work almost completed on these roads by BRO but your eyes will be devoid of the snow mostly.
The weather in June is always unpredictable and the chances of rain are also bright. This leads to the closure of certain sections on Manali – Leh Highway due to landslides triggered by rains.
However, you may be lucky in June as well to cruise this Highway in bright sunshine. June is not exactly the ideal time when one wants to be in Manali due to mad tourist influx.
Should I plan Manali Leh Highway in August?
As the July – August comes, the Monsoon comes as well in the Northern parts of India. However, the regions on the Northern side of Rohtang Pass that is Keylong and beyond mostly remain untouched by these monsoon rains (except the year 2010, which was an exception).
So in July-August, though you may need to cross the Southern side of Rohtang Pass in Monsoon rains that is Manali and lower hills, after especially Keylong, you are almost good to go without much trouble with these rains.
Dodging the Water Crossings & Slush in June – August
June – July is also the time window when the snow melts on high passes creating almost tiny rivers or water crossings (nallas) on roads in the early stages. This high gush of water is quite a challenge to dodge, especially with the vehicles having a low ground clearance.
Post afternoon, when the sun is burning at its best, some of these water crossings or nallas becomes so violent that they are almost impossible to cross. This gushing water may force you to halt the journey of the day in the middle of nowhere or return to some civilized place for a night halt. The best way to overcome these water crossings or nallas is to know the specific nallas on Manali – Leh Highway and plan to cross them as early in the morning as possible.
In recent years, one of the major hurdles was water crossing or nalla just near Zingzing Bar even though bridges have been built on many of the water crossings up to 2018.
Another major one was between Rohtang Pass and Sissu. In the early stages (June), even crossing Baralacha La is a big challenge due to melting snow, which creates some deep water streams on the road itself.
Slush is also bound to be present on Baralcha La in the early stages of the season and is also quite a challenge to negotiate without proper skills even on SUV/MUV. This mud is generally created by the constantly moving traffic, which beats the snow present on the road or aside.
Hence, try to cover these sections of Manali – Leh Highway in the early part of the day, when the snow melts very slowly and traffic is less.
Are you planning your trip on Manali – Leh Highway in late September and October? If yes, then you must read my article about 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in Late September or October
Road Conditions
Below is the general idea of road conditions on Manali Leh Highway. Of course, they are subject to change with the season, time of travel, and weather conditions. However, in general, you will get an idea of road conditions from Manali to Leh road.
- Manali To Rohtang Pass – Average
- Rohtang To Kokhsar – Bad, Slushy
- Kokhsar To Sissu – Average
- Sissu To Keylong – Very Good
- Keylong To Jispa – Good
- Jispa To Zingzing Bar – Good
- Zing zing Bar To Baralacha Pass – Good
- Baralacha To Sarchu – Bad, Dirt Track
- Sarchu To Pang – Bad, Bumpy, Dirt Track
- Pang To Moore Plains – Good, Bad, Bumpy
- Moore Plains To Tanglang La Pass – Very Good
- Tanglang La Pass To Rumste – Very Good
- Rumste To Leh – Very Good
2021 Update: You no longer need to travel from Manali to Rohtang Pass to Keylong. You can take the route from Manali to Keylong via Atal Tunnel to reach Keylong in just 2 hrs from Manali and avoid all the bad roads of Rohtang Pass.
Modes of travel on Manali – Leh Highway
IMPORTANT NOTE: Himachal Pradesh Govt. has banned the movement of vehicles without any permit on Manali – Rohtang Pass road and visiting Rohtang Pass for tourism purposes. If you are going towards Leh – Ladakh or Keylong or Spiti Valley from Manali side then you need to get permits for Rohtang Pass available online. Please note that Bikes also need a permit to cross Rohtang Pass
Private Vehicles i.e. Cars and Bikes | Self Drive or Ride to Ladakh
Most people prefer to travel from Manali to Leh on a bike or self-drive to Ladakh in their own car. Some people also prefer to self-drive or self-ride to Ladakh by hiring a rental bike or car on rental from the cities. In any case, a hired car/bike or personal car/bike, the idea is to live the passion of driving or riding through one of the toughest and adventurous terrains accessible in India.
You can take your own or rented, car or bike to Ladakh on Manali Leh Highway, but one must be careful while driving or riding through slushy roads, snow and water crossing or nallas. Also, it is always handy to learn little maintenance tasks of your vehicle before the start of this arduous and desolate journey.
For cars, although an SUV/MUV is good to have and a 4WD SUV will definitely help but I have seen hatchbacks (including Altos and Nano) and sedans doing good enough job on Manali – Leh Highway.
Please note that when you are planning from Manali to Leh on bike, the bike registered in Manali will not be allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh. You will need to rent a bike again in Leh again for sightseeing in Ladakh.
Can I do Manali Leh trip in a small car?
With sedans/hatchbacks or small cars on Manali Leh Highway, one must drive with extra care and caution. Also, be ready for few scratches or sacrifice some parts on your sedans/hatchbacks under-belly due to the lack of enough ground clearance required in some water crossings or landslides on Manali – Leh Highway.
If you are trying to travel on Manali Leh Highway in a small car or a hatchback or sedan, I will suggest planning the journey late in the season ( September) when the roads are in good shape than the early season.
Are you planning to hire or rent a bike from Manali? If yes, then you must go through the article on How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali?
Tips for a Self-drive to Manali – Leh
If you are traveling on Manali to Leh by car, whenever in doubt, always step out of your car, walk down the path, inspect with your foot and plan the path of exit before crossing a dangerous landslide or water crossing on your vehicle. You can also park aside and see how others are crossing the risky section to plan your route of escape.
In deep water-crossings try to maintain the momentum without any half clutch measures and complete the entire stretch in one go only.
Similarly, in slush stretches, do not force the issue rather keep the smooth momentum with the required speed to pass you through, without half clutch measures. Do keep an eye on the direction of the vehicle too.
If you get stuck in the mud, then try to back and forth your vehicles to get out of the stuck position. It is always handy to ask your fellow co-travelers to get out of the car and push the vehicle from behind in case the car is struggling to pass through the mud or water crossing stretch.
These tips will certainly help you on your trip from Manali to Leh by car.
Things to carry
Basic toolkit, screwdriver set, small hammer, puncture repair kit, iron rod, two or three “2 ltr” empty bottles of Pepsi / Coke / Limca, etc. to carry extra petrol or diesel (jerry cans will leak, cold drink bottles do not leak), funnel, towing rope, spare tube (must for bikes), Elfy or Fevi quick (2-3 sachets), jump-start cables/wires, M-seal to prevent leakage, etc. were among the few things which I carried along on my trip to Ladakh.
Also, do not forget to get your vehicle (car/bike) serviced about 2-3 weeks before the start of the Ladakh journey. Having it serviced will ensure that you have proper time in advance to test your serviced vehicle and get fixed any hitches that may have been introduced in that service.
You can prepare the checklist from my list of 40 must have things to carry on Ladakh self drive trip
Hiring a Private Taxi | Taxi Number or Private Number
All taxis (except Ladakh registration number) having taxi number or tourist permits number plates are only allowed for a drop in Leh – Ladakh. You cannot drive them in Leh – Ladakh ou cand as per the taxi union rules, only taxis with Ladakh number are allowed to roam in the Ladakh region for sightseeing.
If you want to travel within Leh – Ladakh in your private taxi hired from a place other than Ladakh, then, in that case, you need to hire a taxi with a private number plate only. However, in the latter case, be ready for some queries by the local taxi drivers in Ladakh or police constables on your route. You need to ensure everyone interrogating with you that the vehicle is not a rental.
Should I hire a taxi from Manali for Ladakh?
Whenever you need to hire a taxi, always try to hire it from Manali, as the drivers of Manali will always be more skilled and more accustomed to the route or current conditions of Manali – Leh Highway. Secondly, the locals always have a majority with an advantage of local support in any hurdle you might face on the way towards Leh.
To hire a taxi, go directly to the Manali taxi stand and bargain hard with the local drivers only, for a drop to Leh. Do not involve any tour operator or hotel staff at any stage to save costs.
Manali to Leh Taxi Fare
The local taxi drivers will charge about Rs 1500 extra for a planned night halt on the way to Leh. The private taxi fare from Manali to Leh is close to Rs 16000 to Rs 18000 for a drop to Leh from Manali, depending on your bargaining power, tourist rush, and time when you are visiting the place. June is the highest-paid and September – August being the less paid.
On the Manali bus stand, the taxis that drop people coming from Ladakh are also available sometimes. Since the same local sightseeing rules are applied to Ladakh taxis as well in Manali, they are bound to return without any tourists from Manali side, officially. If you can catch any of those Ladakhi drivers, you might save yourself Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 for a drop to Leh from Manali.
The same rule is applicable from Leh to Manali side as well and hence, if you can get hold of some Himachali driver at Leh taxi stand, you will again save about Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 on your return drop to Manali.
However, you need to be a bit careful from local drivers while fixing a deal with non-local drivers. So, it is always nice if you have some references for either place upfront and call them directly to fix the deal. Secondly, it might be hard that these taxis will agree for any night halt on the way, but it depends on how you gel up in the negotiations and bargaining.
You can check the Leh – Ladakh taxi union rate list 2020 – 21 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh. You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Manali to Leh Bus Service, HPTDC | Good for a solo traveler or a couple
Perhaps if you are traveling alone or with one or two friends, you can buy or book tickets for the Manali – Leh bus service of HPTDC. This semi-deluxe bus covers the 474 Km long Manali – Leh stretch with a night halt at HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga, Keylong on coming from either side.
Bus Fare
The ticket costs Rs about 2900 per person (as of 2020), which includes a stay at HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga, Keylong, and two meals, i.e., dinner and breakfast at the same hotel. Earlier was also an option to buy the ticket only without hotel stay and meals for Rs 1500, but HPTDC no longer offers it.
The prices mentioned here may change anytime though, so please check the HPTDC website for updated info. The overall comfort level of the bus is much better than other HRTC buses that ply on Manali – Leh Highway.
Schedule
You can check the updated schedule of Manali Leh bus at the HPTDC website. The tickets can be bought or booked at the HPTDC office on mall road, Manali or you may like to contact at HPTDC Office in your local town (HPTDC Contact Details).
Do not book the seats at the back and confirm before booking regarding the location of the seats. In the back seats, you may have trouble when the road gets bad, especially on the second day, i.e., Keylong to Leh. The bus departs at 11 AM from Manali on the first day and 5 AM from Keylong on the second day to reach Leh about 7 PM. These timings will change with the introduction of the Atal Tunnel that will reduce the time to travel to Keylong from Manali to just 2 hrs in total.
Read my detailed article on Manali to Leh Bus Service.
Delhi – Keylong – Leh Bus Service, HRTC | Cheapest mode of travel
HRTC also runs a regular bus service to Leh from Manali (started in 2018) and also from Delhi and Keylong. You can book tickets for connecting buses (Manali – Keylong, and Keylong – Leh) from Manali bus depot itself or even ISBT, Delhi. You can also reach Keylong by getting a seat in numerous shared taxis that ply between Manali – Keylong every day. The HRTC buses may not be as comfortable though, but comfort comes with the price.
The ticket between Manali – Keylong costs about Rs 174 and then Keylong – Leh it costs about Rs 550 and Delhi to Leh costs about Rs 1380, in HRTC buses. The direct bus from Manali to Leh costs Rs 833, which started in 2018. The bus departs at 5 AM from Keylong and reaches Leh about 7 PM.
You can also read the details of HRTC Delhi Leh Bus Service
Shared Taxi | A Cannonball run
You can also buy yourself a seat in a shared taxi which runs every mid-night from Manali and reaches Leh on the next evening without any night halt. In the same way, shared taxis are run from Leh to Manali as well.
You need to pay about Rs 1800 to Rs 2000 per person for a drop to Leh from Manali or a drop to Manali from Leh. Of course, since it is shared with 7-8 other people plus the driver and completes the back-breaking cannonball run of Manali – Leh in 15-17 hours, you can imagine the level of comfort yourself.
This one is the second cheapest mode of travel on Manali – Leh Highway but mind you, it could be the toughest on the body too 🙂
Other travel modes
You can also get in touch with some travel agent or taxi union in Manali who also runs their private buses or Tempo Travelers on Manali – Leh Highway. They also run according to dates and hence you may not find the immediate bookings for them.
Some travel agencies also offer Manali to Leh road trip packages including stay and travel. Let me know in case you are interested to know about them.
Planning Night Stay or Accommodation on Manali – Leh Highway
Based on my experience, you can opt to plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway in one of the following ways –
Two Day Journey on Manali – Leh Highway
The options of stay or accommodation are very limited on Manali – Leh Highway due to the limited civilization. Hence, a two-day journey on Manali – Leh Highway is the most common among all travelers. Private Taxis and buses run by HPTDC or HRTC also cover the Manali – Leh Highway in two days. Mostly, people break up the journey on Manali – Leh Highway in the following two ways over two days –
Manali – Keylong / Jispa (Day 1) and Keylong / Jispa – Leh (Day 2)
This option is mostly preferred by people who do not want to run the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) by staying at higher altitudes than Keylong or Jispa. However, on the second day, you need to leave early in the morning like by 6 AM from Keylong or Jispa to reach Leh in time. Public buses including HPTDC / HRTC halt for a night at Keylong and leave at 6 AM the next morning, too.
Personally, out of Keylong or Jispa, I will always prefer to stay at Jispa if traveling on your own or privately hired vehicle. Jispa has situated right on the banks of river Bhaga and is further 20 KMs away from Keylong town. Spending the evening at this place is extremely refreshing and is a far better experience than the boring Keylong town.
While Keylong town offers varied accommodation options, Jispa has only a few options available for a stay, and hence, you must pre-book them. Secondly, if you are traveling by public transport, i.e., HRTC or HPTDC buses, then you need to stay at Keylong only else you need to manage the travel up to Jispa yourself and then fix the pickup too with the driver or conductor. Mobile phones may or may not work in Jispa.
Manali – Sarchu / Pang (Day 1) and Sarchu / Pang – Leh (Day 2)
After Keylong and Jispa, you will find accommodation majorly at Sarchu and Pang only. Many travelers also take this option. However, Sarchu and Pang being at much higher altitudes, many people suffer from headaches, vomiting, or sleepless nights.
Hence, if you have plans to stay either at Sarchu or Pang, then it is critical that you stay at Solang Valley not in Manali to acclimatize your body a little bit. Solang Valley also may not help altogether though, but Manali will certainly not help the cause.
Both Pang and Sarchu are close to midway between Manali and Leh. So, a stay at any of these places evenly distributes the time and fatigue over two days. This way, it helps you better enjoy the journey on each of the two days.
Again in between Sarchu and Pang, I will suggest a stay at Sarchu due to its lower altitude than Pang. Pang has lesser and cheaper options available, but Sarchu has varied options, including the Swiss tents with attached toilets. In the end, if you are coming from Leh, then you can stay at either Pang or Sarchu without any trouble because by then your body will be acclimatized to handle such altitudes.
One Day Journey on Manali – Leh Highway
Manali – Leh (Day 1)
This option of completing the journey of Manali – Leh in a single day is most common among local people or people who are in a high rush and is least recommended if you want to enjoy your travel. Shared taxis are the preferred way to avail of this option.
Although it could be the cheapest or time saving for you, this back-breaking, cannonball run of 15-16 Hrs with least stoppages does put a heavy toll on the body as well as the mind of an average traveler. This long journey is extremely tiring, and by traversing through the varied amount of altitudes ranging from 1900 Mtrs to over 5000 Mtrs in a single day, you are running a risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) or some severe headaches or disorientation en-route. This option will certainly kill the joy of the journey.
Keep in mind that you are most likely to hit with mountain sickness in this option. If you get away with it, consider yourself extremely lucky. Otherwise, keep in mind that any breakdown of the vehicle like puncture, engine heat down, etc. at some high altitude (Tanglang La, Nakee La, Lachulung La, etc.) with you suffering from mountain sickness may lead to very very ugly outcomes. Hence, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take the acclimatization factor lightly.
Three Day Journey on Manali – Leh Highway
Manali – Keylong / Jispa (Day 1) and Keylong / Jispa – Sarchu / Pang (Day 2) and Sarchu / Pang – Leh (Day 3)
Well, this option is nothing but the combination of the other two to cover Manali – Leh Highway in three days. This option will require more time, as well as more money. This option is the best way to thoroughly enjoy the beauty of nature that is offered by Manali – Leh Highway, with some worries of mountain sickness. There are plenty of places/vistas and picture taking points on Manali – Leh Highway that is worth spending this extra time and money.
I suggest this option of travel or, in particular, overnight stay at Sarchu/Pang only when you are coming from Leh towards Manali. I DO NOT recommend it while going towards Leh from Manali side unless you are coming from Manali side after spending some nights in Spiti and Lahaul Valley. Sarchu and Pang are both above 4K altitude, which requires your body to have few nights at 3K and 2K Mtrs of altitudes to acclimatize your body. If you traveled to Leh via Srinagar side and coming from Leh after spending a few days, your body will be acclimatized better to minimize the chances of AMS at Sarchu or Pang.
Very few people follow this option due to lack of time and to save money for the ultimate heaven. If these two things have no place for consideration at your grounds, then I will say go with it, and you will make your journey on Manali – Leh Highway much more than a memorable experience :).
The comparison of night halts is already made in the first option, so opt as per your taste. Again if possible, do stay at Solang Valley not in Manali to minimize the chances or effects of mountain sickness.
This option will mostly be available if you are traveling by your private vehicle. You will even have tough time bargaining with drivers at Manali taxi stand for 2-night halts unless you are ready to pay them handsomely.
List of Accommodation or Stay Options on Manali – Leh Highway
Its always better to know or have the list of all accommodation places on Manali – Leh Highway before you travel on it because in such unpredictable terrain you can never predict what can come to your rescue. So, having as many details as possible about the place is always favorable.
I have compiled the list of accommodation or stay options on Manali – Leh Highway at the below link which includes the information about their contacts, location, price range, experiences, etc. Refer the link below for details – List of Accommodation Options on Manali – Leh Highway
Acclimatization and its importance on Manali – Leh Highway
The journey on Manali – Leh Highway goes through a series of high altitudes passes which are good enough to cause headaches, vomiting, disorientation and mountain sickness to the best in the business.
After crossing Patseo or Deepak Tal you are bound to run this high road to Ladakh above 4000 Mtrs until you descend from Taglang La towards Rumste / Upshi. However, with little prevention and care, you can combat or minimize the effects of altitude sickness.
Here are some tips which will help to fight the AMS on Manali – Leh Highway –
- Avoid overnight stay at Manali rather stay at Solang Valley which helps in the acclimatization whereas Manali does not. You always have an option to roam around in Manali and come back for a night’s sleep at some hotel in Solang Valley. This will help your body acclimatize to a certain extent at the start of your journey.
- On Manali – Leh Highway, do stay at either Keylong or Jispa which are lower in altitude than Sarchu and Pang to minimize the effects of mountain sickness.
- Keep your body properly hydrated.
- Avoid sleeping at high altitudes.
- Avoid overexertion.
- Avoid tobacco and smoking and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
- Keep your body warm and eat lots of carbohydrates.
- Avoid sleep during the day.
- Sleep in an upright position, if possible.
- Carry preventive medicines for AMS.
- Immediately descend, if symptoms increase
For more information on Acute Mountain Sickness and all above acclimatization tips, please refer my article on Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization
The FAQ on Leh Manali Highway
What will be the cost of Manali Leh Highway road trip?
Usually, Manali to Leh road trip cost should come around Rs 3500 if you plan to travel on HPTDC Manali to Leh bus service. Traveling HRTC Manali to Leh bus in a single day should not cost you more than Rs 1000 if you are on a budget.
What is the status of Manali Leh Highway 2020?
You can track Manali Leh Highway’s status on my blog. Every year I start a dedicated thread to track the Manali Leh Road status and post regular updates. As of today (December 2019), Manali Leh Highway is closed due to heavy snowfall.
What is the Manali Leh Highway opening date 2020?
Usually, Manali Leh Highway is opened in the last week of May or the first week of June, officially. In 2019, Manali Leh Highway opened on 10th June 2019, and in 2018, Manali Leh Highway was opened on 13th May 2018. After many years, in 2018, Manali Leh Highway was opened by mid of May.
What are the road conditions on Manali Leh Highway?
As of 2019, the road conditions on Manali Leh Highway has been improved considerably over the last few years. Most of the water crossings now have been covered with bridges. The conditions on Rohtang Pass have improved a lot, many metalled road sections including Pang to Taglang La via More Plains. People are doing Leh to Keylong in a single day at a comfortable pace nowadays.
Fuel or Petrol Pump on Manali – Leh Highway
After Manali town, there is only one Petrol Pump at Tandi on the entire Manali – Leh Highway before Upshi / Karu. DO NOT forget to get the full tank fuel at this petrol pump, even if you had it filled at Manali. The more you have, the better it will be for you.
ATM on Manali – Leh Highway
Do carry enough cash with you as the ATM is available only in Keylong and Manali town. If you have no plans to stay at Keylong, then do not forget to withdraw cash from Manali town. After Keylong, you will get hold of an ATM only at Leh town.
Video – Places to Visit on Manali – Leh Highway
For a detailed description of the major places to visit on Manali Leh Highway including the distance between them and their respective altitudes, please refer to the article Places on Manali – Leh Highway | A Detailed Description
Summarized View of Facilities or Amenities on Manali – Leh Highway
| Facility | Places |
| Hotel / Guest Houses | Khoksar, Sissu, Gondola, Patseo, Tandi, Keylong (Many options), Jispa, Upshi |
| Tents / Camps(Dhaba / Swiss / Normal) | Jispa, Darcha, Zingzing Bar, Bharatpur, Sarchu (Many options), Pang |
| Food / Beverages | Marhi, Khoksar, Sissu, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Deepak Tal, Zingzing Bar, Bharatpur, Sarchu, Pang, Rumste, Upshi |
| Diesel / Petrol Pumps | Tandi (107 KMs from Manali), Karu (36 KMs from Leh) |
| Mobile Connectivity | In our case, the mobile signal of Airtel worked till Keylong only and then faded rapidly. The signals were restored after crossing Upshi for Airtel. Of course, BSNL has more coverage and better connectivity within this range than any other operator. SMS does work fine for both BSNL and Airtel. Reliance Jio is making inroads and covering a lot of parts of Manali to Leh. Vodafone did not work for us at all after crossing Marhi and not even in Leh -Ladakh. Packet data also works up to Keylong and Leh packet data is available only with BSNL edge. Prepaid connections do not work in Leh – Ladakh. |
| Fixed Phones | Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Upshi |
| Electricity | Sissu, Gondola, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Upshi |
| Medical Facilities | Sissu, Keylong but Sarchu, Pang has army camps |
| ATMs | Keylong |
| Police Checkpoints | Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi, Khoksar (For foreigners only) |
| Mechanic / Puncture Shops | Khoksar, Tandi (not sure), Keylong, Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi |
| Liquor Shops | Keylong, Darcha, Upshi |
| Natural Highlights | Rohtang Pass, Tandi Confluence, Sissu Waterfall, Deepak Tal, Suraj Tal, Baralacha La, Strange Soil formations, Moore Plains (Wildlife too), Taglang La or Tanglang La, Gata Loops, Lachung La, Naki La, Atal Tunnel |
Article Last Updated February 2022 with up-to-date information for planning a road trip on Manali Leh Highway.
Conclusion
In the end, if you have been to Manali – Leh Highway, then please share your valuable thoughts or suggestions which can make the above information more concrete and useful for someone planning to cover Manali – Leh Highway. Your comments and inputs are most welcome.
I hope this travel guide will help you make a wonderful trip to these dangerous yet beautiful roads in the world.
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hi dheeraj ji
we are 2friends toplaning to visit leh ladhak on rent bikes.
we ave plane to go on 14 june 2015 from manali to leh
my question is this date malini leh highway open?
2…2 person in one bike or laggage is that ok?
any tips for the trip plz sussage me
Dheeraj, Manali – Leh Highway is supposed to open on 15th June as per reports now. The conditions will be really tough and with pillion more tough. Read the article: 5 Tips to Rent Bike in Leh – Ladakh and Ride with Pillion
Is it advisable to take Honda Activa on leh manali Highway?? If yes, which is the bst tym to do that?
Should be OK if you are determined and adventurous. Of course at places it will struggle but I know people who have done it the past. Best time to do it with it will be September second to last week when water is less in water crossings and roads are in best shape of entire season.
But i have read many blogs in which it said that during September and October, traveling to leh should be avoided because of the low temperatures.
Ankit, please read the following two article and it should answer all your queries: Best Time to Travel Ladakh & Zanskar Valley and 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in October
I am planning to Leh _ Manali Cycling (12 Days) during August . Kindly let me know the details about camping .
Nambi
Nambi, you looking out for detailed itinerary fo 12 days for a cycle trip on Manali – Leh Highway? How much can you ride in a day?
Hi Dheeraj
I along with my friends are planning an 8 day Manali-Leh on bikes;
Total No of People: 4
No of Bikes: 2
My Itinerary is:
1.) 24th June – Bengaluru – Chandigarh by flight, reaching Chandigarh by afternoon, leave to Manali that same night.
2.) 25th June – We plan to Rent Bikes at Manali and start our journey towards Keylong/Jispa, stay 25th night at Jispa/Keylong.
3.) 26th June – Leave Jispa/Keylong and plan to reach Leh, stay 26th night stay at Leh
4.) 27th June – Leave to Pangong Lake, stay 27th night over at Pangong Lake
5.) 28th June – Leave to Leh, stay 28th night at Leh
6.) 29th June – See Magnetic Hill, back to Leh. Planning for Rafting and other activities/sightseeing in and around of Leh.
7.) 30th June – Leave for Kardungla Pass and back to Leh, stay 30th night at Leh
8.) 1st July – Leave to Manali from Leh, Plan to reach Sarchu and camp for the night.
9.) 2nd July – Reach Manali by end of the day, stay overnight at Manali
10.) 3rd July – at Manali
11.) 4th July – at Manali, leave to Chandigarh that night.
12.) 5th July – Morning reach Chandigarh and leave to Bengaluru that afternoon.
The one thing that bothers me is that on the 26th June, we have to cover close to 350~375Kms to Leh from Keylong/Jispa, depending on where we start our journey. Are there any alternative routes to achieve this keeping the AMS and high altitudes in mind? After reading your blog and other articles it looks like a risk to stay an overnight at Sarchu / Pang, but on the contrary travelling 350~375Kms is also looks like a risk.
Gagan, please read the tips for pillion riding in the article: 5 Tips to Rent Bike in Leh – Ladakh and Ride with Pillion
Now regarding your plan please make the changes as below:
27th June – See Magnetic Hill, back to Leh. Planning for Rafting and other activities/sightseeing in and around of Leh.
28th June – Leave for Kardungla Pass and go over to Nubra Valley stay there
29th June – Come back to Leh after covering Nubra Valley
30th June – Leave to Pangong Lake, stay night over at Pangong Lake
1st July– Leave to Leh, stay night at Leh
2nd July – Leave to Manali from Leh, Plan to reach Sarchu and camp for the night.
3rd July – Reach Manali by end of the day, stay overnight at Manali
4th July – at Manali, leave to Chandigarh that night.
Srinagar to Leh is the alternative route to reduce risk of AMS.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your reply and also for evaluating our itinerary,
I’ve had a chance to speak to my friends about the changes mentioned by you in the itinerary.
I would like to ask you a couple of questions om these changes;
1.) Why do you recommend us to ride to Nubra valley via Khadrungla pass and stay over at Nubra Valley, considering that we might have to ride another 115kms?
[Our sole reason to drop Nubra valley was to avoid excessive riding the day before we plan the descent from Leh – Manali]
2.) Could you provide any information regarding on how to pack our luggage for this journey, the problem we face is that we would be riding pillion and we are not sure on how we can balance our luggages, what types of bags to carry, saddle bags, duffel bags,rucksacks etc.
Thanks again,
Gagan
Hi Gagan,
1. I could not get the first question. Nubra Valley is included by most people going to Ladakh and also plays key role in acclimatization before going over to Pangong Tso and tso Moriri.
2. May be your queries might be answered under this or you can ask on any of the relevant threads under the article: All About Bike Ride to Ladakh & Himalayas. This will help you cover almost all your queries related to bike trip to Ladakh or Himalayas.
Regards
Dheeraj
hello,
i am kandaswamy from chennai. i plan to travel kullu, manali and leh with my wife by end of june or 1st week of july kindly tell me what are the places to visit in himachal pradesh and leh.plan t travel by flight chennai to chandigarh and travel by taxi to manali. kindly give suggestions and advice how to travel all these places by government or private vehicles.
Thanks,
Kandaswamy
Kandaswamy, Firstly, I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here
Hi mr kandaswamy this is jeeva from coimbatore , myself n my wife are going for ladak trip in firdt week of july. Have u planned ur trip? We are planning for bike trip from srinagar to manali/vice versa. We would like some partners, kindly call us. Jeeva-8754671818.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning a travel from Leh to Delhi via Manali, starting on 24th July. We want to reach Delhi by 26th July, during the day.
We are a group of 9 People.
Our plan is to start from Leh on 24th morning and reach either Sarchu or Keylong by day end before we halt for the night and start from Sarchu/Keylong on 25th Morning and reach Manali by evening and take the bus to Delhi and reach Delhi by 26th Morning. Where should we halt ? Sarchu or Keylong ? How is the weather during that time of the year ?
What is the feasibility of this plan ? Is it hectic or manageable ?
Rohan in such a case I will advice you to start in the morning from Leh by 5 AM and try to reach at least Jispa if not Keylong though buses makes it to Keylong in a day from Leh. Then as per the plan above. Sarchu to Manali and then catching overnight bus may result in missing the bus. Weather is fine during those days more or less.
Hi Dheeraj, we are planning for bike ride(own bikes) Manali – leh as below after going through all of your blogs, please tell me if you see any changes/modification needed.
Day 1 – Bengaluru to Chandigarh (Saturday 4th July)
By flight. Collect bikes from railway station and stay in Chandigarh itself.
Day 2 – Ride from Chandigarh to Mananli (Sunday 5th July)
Travelling Distance: 299 km
Start early. Over night stay will be in Solang valley/Manali.
Day 3 – Manali to Keylong (Monday 6th July)
Travelling Distance: 117 km
Reach the Rohtang Pass, Gramphu, and then Keylong.
Day 4 – Keylong to Sarchu (Tuesday 7th July)
Travelling Distance: 114 km
Reach Baralacha La pass before we descend to the Sarchu plateau. Overnight stay on Sarchu.
Day 5 – Sarchu to Tsokar (Wednesday 8th July)
Travelling Distance: 140 km
Leave Sarchu plateau to reach Namik LaLachu Lang La and Tsokar.
Day 6 – Tsokar to Leh (Thursday 9th July)
Travelling Distance: 153 km
Ride to Leh by passing through Tanglang La Pass. Overnight in hotel.
Day 7 – Leh (Friday 10th July)
Rest day, shopping and local sight seeing in Leh.
Day 8 – Leh – Pangong Lake (Saturday 11th July)
Travelling Distance: 150 km
Leave for Pangong Lake through Changla Pass. Arrive Pangong Lake and stay in our own tented accomadation.
Day 9 – Pangong Lake – Leh (Sunday 12th July)
Plan is do a river rafting and to go Khardung La if possible
Day 10 – Leh to Sarchu (Monday 13th July)
Travelling Distance: 230 km
Start early and reaching Sarchu.
Day 11 – Sarchu to Sissu (Tuesday 14th July)
Travelling Distance: 130 km
After breakfast we ride from Sarchu to Sissu over Baralacha La and crossing Darcha, Jispa, Gemur & Keylong.
Day 12 – Sissu to Manali (Wednesday 15th July)
Travelling Distance: 90 km
Cross the Rohtang Passand finally reaching Manali.
Day 13 – Manali (Thursday 16th July)
After breakfast explore Manali and its surroundings.
Day 14 – Manali to Chandigarh (Friday 17th July)
Start early morning and take on NH3 to reach Chandigarh.
Day 15 – Catch flight to Bangalore (Saturday 18th July)
Thanks in advance Mr Himalaya.. 🙂
Arun, I really do not suggest to have night stays at Sarchu and Tso Kar while going to Leh from Manali as the bodies are not acclimatized by that time to sleep at such high altitude and there is nothing around to help in medical emergency. Hence, it will be better that you make Manali to Jispa and then do Jispa to Leh next day. The saved two days can be used while coming back to stay at Tso Moriri and then at Sarchu via Tso Kar. Other days can be used to make a trip to Nubra Valley.
Hi Dheeraj,
First thanks for such a detailed blog, its very useful.
We are planning bike + car ride, Manali – Leh – Manali:
17-Sep-15 Chandigarh – Manali
18-Sep-15 Manali – Sightseeing day
19-Sep-15 Manali – Jispa or Sarchu (Plan to camp at Jispa or Sarchu)
20-Sep-15 Jispa or Sarchu – Leh
21-Sep-15 Leh-sightseeing Day
22-Sep-15 Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder (Plan to camp at Hunder)
23-Sep-15 Hunder – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung la – Leh
24-Sep-15 Leh – Pangong Lake – Leh
25-Sep-15 Leh – Sarchu
26-Sep-15 Sarchu – Manali
26-Sep-15 Manali – Delhi (Over-Night Bus)
I have a few questions with above itinerary:
1. How is the overall itinerary and if any suggestion or modification required?
2. Since we are doing a bike ride, which is a preferable stay after Manli, Jispa or Sarchu? Sarchu is mid-way so first thought to stay here but then read your blog with issue related to AMS. So confused if we can cover Jispa to Leh in second day.
3. How feasible is to cover Leh – Pangong Lake – Leh in a day?
4. If we hire a bike from Manali, can we ride it at Ladakh? Id there any permit issue that needs to be considered?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Piyush.
Hi Piyush,
My replies below:
1. Given the days in hand, it looks fine to me.
2. Many people do it and I always prefer Jispa to Leh as compared to Sarchu – Leh while going to Leh from Manali.
3. Again Many people do it. It is about 12-13 hrs with sightseeing around lake.
4. Outside rented bike is not allowed in Ladakh for sightseeing to Nubra and Pangong Tso. So, for the days in ladakh you will need to hire a local leh bike.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thanks Dheeraj! Appreciate your quick reply.
Regards,
Piyush.
Hi Dheeraj,
I would like to know best rent options for royal enfield in Delhi/NCR region for Leh road trip. Can you help me with the information?
Thanks
Pankaj Sharma
Hi Pankaj,
Outside rented bikes are not allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh for Pangong tso & Nubra Valley. Are you aware of it?
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Ya i saw some posts on your website related to this.
I also saw somewhere it was written that “The bike should be either on your name or on your Father’s name” So If i want to take my friend’s bullet (Which is a private number), they wont allow it ??
Thanks.
Pankaj, carry a No Objection certificate in such a case from your friend. It gets questioned only in case they get hold of you and see the papers else it should be more or less fine. As per the rule you have read it correctly.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for the quick reply. You are doing amazing job.
Cheers 🙂
Hi Dheeraj,
You are doing an amazing job, keep going. We are planing LEH trip on bikes in the mid of july , we have 17-18 day for this, Starting from chandigarh – manali (as we need to rent the bikes) – LEH – Srinagar – Manali, can you please help us in detailing our itinerary along with the places we can explore in this journey.
Cheers,
Harsha
Bikes rented outside Leh are not allowed for sightseeing inside Ladakh except Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes which can be done while going to Manali from Leh. Private bikes are completely allowed. You can use the outside rented bike to reach Leh but then for going to Pangong Tso, nubra Valley, etc.. you need to hire rented bikes from Leh only.
To know more about this rule and present situation, please refer the link: Bikes Rented Outside Leh Banned in Ladakh
For renting bikes in Leh – Ladakh along with current Bike Union Prices, you can check the DwD Community thread: Leh – Ladakh Bike Rental Rates 2015 – 16 & Reliable Shops
the one way bike rental is quite costly and leave a big dent in pocket for you, sometimes like 12K for just the pickup from Manali. Be sure if you are ready to make that investment or not or if at all it is worth the money spent. My suggestion is unless you are hard core biker and cannot live up the passion of biking, it is not wise to spend that much money just for the pickup of bike.
Hi Dheeraj,
We will rent bike in LEH on we reach there, its is not an one way trip, our starting and ending points would be Manali ,
Manali –> LEH —> Srinagar —> Manali
Can you please advice on the itinerary for 17-18 days including the places we can visit or spend time in this journey.
Cheers,
Harsha
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
In the initial days, youshould reach Manali from Delhi, hire a bike there as per your plan, then move to Dharamshala and from Dharamshala move to Jammu. This will take 2-3 days initially in the above plan to make it 17-18 days plan overall.
Hi Dheeraj,
Just wanted to thank you for having shared this brilliant level of detailing. Thanks a tonne!
By the way, i am planning a solo bike trip from Mumbai to Leh in mid-May lasting appx 23 days.
Cheers,
Harsimran Singh
Thank you Harsimran, I will suggest that you postpone the trip by couple of weeks so that you have fair chance of completing it because this year due to late snowfall in March April, both roads to Ladakh are expected to Open late in season with Manali – Leh may open only in first week of June. Anything before at present looks quite very optimistic.
Hi Dheeraj, Thanks for the reply. Ok, have taken a note and will plan accordingly.
Out of curiosity, are you a traveller by profession?
Harsimran, nopes brother, I am a software project manager by profession 😉
Ok. And you are based out of?
I am based out in Delhi bro 🙂
I used to stay in Rajouri Garden earlier.
Do let me know if you ever come to Bombay!
Cheers 🙂
Sure, bro. Thanks a ton 🙂
Mr. Dheeraj
Thanks for lot of informations regarding Leh trip. as per your suggestion we are 8 people travelling from Srinagar to Leh (night halt at Kargil) on 16th June and will be back through Manali by 28th June (12 days). Pls help us to give a day to day itinerary and also any other informations may be.
Regards
Prabir Datta
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
You have enough time to accommodate the above itinerary, so take rest days whereever required and once in Nubra Valley, spare a day trip to Turtuk from Deskit or Hunder.
Thanks a lot
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning Bangalore to Leh trip for 12 days, Can you kindly let us know travel plan to start from Manali and also end to Manali. We are starting and ending at same end point since 1-way bike is costlier
June 21st – Bangalore to Chandigarh to Manali
June 22nd – Hiring bike and local sight seeing in Manali
June 23rd, 24th,25th – Travel to Leh with spots you have mentioned like Keylong and pang and so on
June 26th – Khardungla Pass and Nubra Valley and stay at night
June 27th Pangong lake and stay at night
Hanle, TsoMoriri and back to leh
And come back to Manali by 2nd July
Your help is greatly appreciated as we are first timers. We are 5 of us and planning to take 3 bikes
Thanks & Regards,
Bharath
Thanks & Regards,
Bharath
Hello Bharath,
I will suggest you following plan for 12 days:
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
— Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
— If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali
— Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
— It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS.
— Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there.
— I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa.
— Overnight at Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh
— Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 9 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 10 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu
— Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
— Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 11 | Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
Day 12 | Manali – Chandigarh
— Return
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks for recommending the itinerary for Manali – Leh Trip
What would be the budget for this trip ? Approx .
We got the trip cost upto 60,000 Rs . i.e. Manali-leh-Manali
For doubts related to budget for Leh – Ladakh trip, I am sure the link below will help you alot for getting an idea of overall budget:
How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip
Are you planning to book a package tour from here?
Hi dheeraj,
complete plan has been made only by reading this blogs of yours.Please Let me know if plan can be better.
Day 1 will be either jun 19th or jun 27th 2015 depends on manali leh highway progressing status.
rest days are flexible depending on our body condition :).
Question :
1. Do we get to hire bike in karu ? i need to avoid leh and back before going to pangong lake, i am planning to stay in karu if bikes are available ( as chandigarh hired bikes are not available to pangong and nubra).
Day 1: Bangalore to Chandigarh
Travelling to Chandigarh by flight, Hire a bike and rest.
Day 2: Chandigarh to Kullu (~270km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Mandi: ~200km 3,425 ft
• Kullu: ~270km 4,196 ft
Day 3: Kullu/Manali to Keylong (~160km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Manali : ~40km 6398 ft
• Rohtang Pass : ~92km 13,050 ft
• Khoksar : ~113km 10,300 ft
• Tandi : ~153km 10,100 ft
• Keylong : ~160km 10,100 ft
Day 4: Keylong to Pang (~185km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Jispa : ~23km 10,500 ft
• Barlacha La : ~76km 16,043 ft
• Sarchu : ~107km 14,070 ft
• Gataloop : ~139km
• Pang : ~185km 15,100 ft
Day 4: Pang to Tso Moriri (~151km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Tso Kar (lake) : ~65km 14,836 ft
• Tso Moriri (lake) or Karzok : ~151km 15,080 ft
Day 5: Tso Moriri to Leh (~240km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Debring : ~118km 15634 ft
• Tanglang La: ~132km 17,480 ft
• Karu : ~200km 11483 ft
• Leh: ~240km 11500 ft
Day 6: Leh to Spangmik (Pangong Lake) (~160km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Karu : ~40km 11483 ft
• ChangLa : ~77km 17,585 ft
• Tangste : ~10km 12880 ft
• Pangong : ~160km 13,940 ft
Day 7: Spangmik (Pangong Lake) to Leh (~160km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Tangste : ~10km 12880 ft
• ChangLa : ~81km 17,585 ft
• Karu : ~125km 11483 ft
• Leh : ~160km 11500 ft
Day 8: Leh to Hunder (~128km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Khardung La : ~40km 18,379 ft
• Diskit : ~116km 10,315 ft
• Hunder : ~128km 10000 ft
Day 9: Hunder to Leh (~147km)
Route and major destinations in between
• Diskit : ~12km 10,315 ft
• Surmur ~30km
• Khardung La : ~107km 18,379 ft
• Leh : ~ 147km 11500 ft
Day 10 & Day 11: Rest and local Leh sightseeing.
Day 12: Leh to Kargil (~211km)
Distance : ~211 km
Route and major destinations in between
• Nimmoo : ~28km
• Lamayaru : ~109km 11100 ft
• Kargil : ~211km 8,780 ft
Day 12: Kargil to Srinagar (~202km)
Distance : ~202 km
Route and major destinations in between
• Dras : ~ 60km
• Zozi La pass : ~99km 11500 ft
• Sonmarg : ~123km 9000 ft
• Srinagar : ~202km 5200 ft
Day 13: Srinagar to Jammu (~290km)
Distance : ~290 km
Route and major destinations in between
• Jammu : ~290km 1072 ft
Day 14: Jammu to Chandigarh (~350km)
Distance : ~350 km
Route and major destinations in between
• Pathankot : ~108km
• Chandigarh : ~350km 1050 ft
Day 15 and Day 16: Buffer Days or we can cover Vaishno Devi
alternate if we get prior permission for chusul area
Alternate :
Day 5: Tso Moriri to Hanle (~158km)
Distance : ~158 km
Route and major destinations in between
• Nyoma : ~85km
• Hanle : ~158km
Day 6: Hanle to Spangmik (Pangong Lake) (~160 or 250km)
Distance : ~160 or 250 km
Route and major destinations in between
• Loma
• Tsaka La (Chagga La) : ~94km
• Chushul : ~115km
• Merak – : ~140km ( can’t reach if we go by normal road )
• Spangmik : ~160km ( or if we go by normal road its 250)
Day 7: Spangmik (Pangong Lake) to Leh (~160km)
Distance : ~160 km
Route and major destinations in between
• Tangste : ~10km
• ChangLa : ~81km
• Karu : ~125km
• Leh : ~160km
You will not be able to get rented bikes in Karu. They are available only in Leh. Rest on your itinerary, I will not advice you to travel to Tso Moriri from Manali as it is a recipe of AMS and you may fall sick up there which may spoil rest of the tour. The ideal way is to take rest after reaching Leh for a day, then do Nubra Valley, then Pangong tso and then Tso Moriri. Finally go back towards Srinagar side. In case you can start from Srinagar and end in Manali, nothing beats that combination.
Thanks dheeraj will definitely keep that in mind..
Hi Dheeraj,
I want to travel on Manali-Leh highway(beyond Rohtang pass)
Do not want to go up to Leh.Coudl you please let us know what can be visited in laual and spiti in 4-5 days from Manali.
We want to visit in Mid June.
Thanks
Kapil, if you planning to visit in June post when Rohtang Pass is open, in that case you can do something like below to explore Lahaul valley:
Day 1 | Rest in Manali
Day 2 | Manali to Jispa
Day 3 | Explore Udaipur and around Keylong
Day 4 | Make a trip to Sarchu over Baralacha La and return to Jispa
Day 5 | Jispa to Manali
Hi dheeraj,
We (me and my friend) have plan for ladakh from Mumbai.
Plan : A
• Mumbai to chandigarh ( 1 day , by train, Swaraj express)
• chandigarh to Manali ( 1 day, by Bus)
• Manali to Leh (2 days, by bus)
• Leh local sightseeing – Sham Valley Tour around Leh including Magnetic Hills, Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Alchi, Likir, Basgo, Confluence at Nimmu
• Leh – Khardung La – Diskit (Nubra Valley) – Hunder – Diskit
• Hunder/Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
• Hemis – Pangong Tso
• Pangong Tso – Thicksey – Shey Palace – Leh
• Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
• Lamayuru-Uleytoko
• Departure from Leh
Plan B :
• Mumbai to Jammu ( 1 ½ day)
• Jammu to Srinagar (1 day )
• Srinagar to leh ( 2 days)
.
• Day 1-Arrival at leh:
• Day 2 : Leh local sightseeing
• Day 3:Uleytoko-Leh.
• Day 4 : Leh – Lamayuru-Uleytoko.
• Day 5 : Leh to Pangong Lake
• Day 6 : Pangong Lake to Leh
• Day 7 : Leh to Nubra Valley
• Day 8 : Nubra Valley to Turtuk
• Day 9 : Turtuk to Nubra Valley
• Day 10 : Nubra Valley (and back to Leh)
• Day 11 : Leh to Tsomoriri
• Day 12 : Tsomoriri to Leh with permit
• Day 13: Departure from Leh
we have limited days (15 days ) as well as money (Approx 25000/-)
My question is which plan is better for us.
And let me know the transport (Bus facilities) available and how to book?
Transport from Manali to Leh bus as well as day 1 to day 12 leh transport facilities.
And please refer the spot as well which is we have mention above.
I will suggest that you go ahead with Plan A to see the soul of Manali – Leh Highway. This plan must be followed post mid of June when buses start running on Manali – Leh Highway. In that plan, Tso Moriri to Leh will be done but doing Lamayuru on that day will not be possible.
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning a trip to Leh Ladakh in mid June with my wife and couple of friends. We are planning a bike trip. However, a bit confused regarding few of the things mentioned below and hence would need your expert advice:
1) Is Mid June right time for planning the trip from Manali considering the late winters and heavy snows in Manali even in March?
2) Totally confused in choosing the route. Since you been there couple of times, help me know which route is the best scenic beauty and landscape view wise out of the two routes? Also, if one has the option of only selecting one route out of the two, which one to go for considering the fact that scenic beauty is priority and dont want to miss out on the essence of Ladakh. Is Srinagar route’s Beauty and landscape worth taking the extra pain or Manali Leh route will capture the most of it.
Would be waiting for your response.
Hi Ankur,
1. Mid June will be quite cold over Manali – Leh Highway but if you prefer snow then it is good time to ride and travel.
2. Firstly, I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
Do not miss on any of the routes 🙂
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
We are 3 couples, travelling from pune/Delhi to leh (via manali) by Taxi (innova with driver). We have around 9 days from 12th June 2015 to 21th June 2015 and have planned the journey as below.
12th June – Pune to delhi by night flight and Delhi to Chandighar by taxi.
13th June – Chandigarh to Manali. Stay at Manali/Solang Valley.
14th June – Rest in Manali (Local site seeing) stay in Solang Valley
15th June – solag valley to Jispa. Stay at jispa.
16th June – Jispa to Pang/Upshi/Leh. Stay at pang/Upshi/Leh (confused where to stay)
17th June – Upshi/leh to Pangong . Stay at Pangong .
18th June – Pangong to Leh.Stay at Leh.
19th June – Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardunga La. Stay in Nubra valley
20th June – Nubra valley to Leh. stay in leh
21nd June – Rest in leh (local site seeing)
22rd June – Return to Pune By flight (driver will take the taxi back on its own)
I have few questions.
1. Is it ok to stay one night in Manali and next day in Solang valley. or is it better to stay both days in Solang valley to get better acclimatization ?
2. I am not sure if we will be acclimatized enough to stay in Pang (even after staying in solang valley and jispa) ? that why I was thinking to stay in Upshi/Leh. But I am worried
about distance between Jispa and Upshi/leh whether we will be able to cover the distance comfortably or not, whether it will get too dark to reach upshi/leh. Moreover I dont want to hurry and miss out the beautiful ride. So it tough choice between AMC and beautiful ride. We have 3 females in the group, so we definatly dont want AMC and Spoil the trip.
Please suggest
3. If you suggest us not to stay in Pang, in that case at what time we should leave Jispa to reach Upshi/Leh and should we stay in Upshi or directly go to leh. Not sure about road
condition.
5. If you suggest us to stay in pang then we will try to cover pangong/nubra valley in one day. which one is feaseable to cover in 1 day ?
6. I have kept the last day in leh as rest day or local site seeing day. is this ok? or you suggest me to rest in leh the first day we reach in leh ?
Any other thing you want to highlight.
Thanks and Regards
Vishal
In continuation to 1st question i.e. “is it ok to stay one night in Manali and next day in Solang valley. or is it better to stay both days in Solang valley to get better acclimatization ?”
I have another thought. From chandigarh to manali. stay in solang valley.
next day: Solang valley to keylong (stay in keylong)
next day: site seeing in kelong/jispa stay in jispa
I guess by staying one night each in solang valley, keylong and jispa, I may be better acclimatized for onward journey. But I am not sure if we will hit by AMC, if we directly go to solang valley and then to keylong. so what sounds better, here are the options
1. One night manali + one night solang valley + one night keylog/jispa
2. Two night solang valley + one night keylong/jispa
3. One night solang valley + one night keylong + one night jispa
I looked into your suggestion on others comment. You generally do not recommend to stay in Pang while going from manali to leh and advice one day rest in leh.
Thanks for the very informative blog, it helps alot. Looking forward to your suggestions.
Thanks in advance
Vishal
Vishal, your itinerary is corrected in the previous post. You can do this way as well but nothing provides you the shield of not hitting with AMS at such an high altitude. You still will have to do Jispa to Leh
From chandigarh to manali. stay in solang valley.
next day: Solang valley to keylong (stay in keylong)
next day: site seeing in kelong/jispa stay in jispa
Yes, I do not recommend staying at Pang or Sarchu especially when traveling from Manali to Leh. Rest I see a strange thing that you are taking a taxi with driver from Delhi. Is it s private number? If not then why pay so much more for a vehicle that you need to park in Leh as outside commercial vehicles are not allowed for sightseeing.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks alot for your suggestion. You are right we have heard that outside commercial vehicles are not allowed. We will try to get one privet number otherwise we will have to find some other way. May be reach manali somehow and book a leh vehicle from manali itself for 1 week for onward journey. Will search some travel agent which can provide vehicle for a week. Not sure how expensive that would be. what do you suggest ?
Regards
Vishal
Vishal, same will be true for Manali car as well. You have to get a car in Ladakh only. For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2015 – 16 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Hi Vishal,
Following is the itinerary that you should follow:
12th June – Pune to delhi by night flight and Delhi to Chandighar by taxi.
13th June – Chandigarh to Manali. Stay at Manali/Solang Valley.
14th June – Rest in Manali (Local site seeing) stay in Solang Valley
15th June – solag valley to Jispa. Stay at jispa.
16th June – Jispa to Leh. Stay at Leh
17th June – Rest in Leh and acclimatize
18th June – Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardunga La. Stay in Nubra valley
19th June – Nubra valley to Leh. stay in leh
20th June – Leh – Pangong Tso cover Hemis on the way
21nd June – Pangong Tso – Leh cover Shey, thicksey on the way back
22rd June – Return to Pune By flight
Answers below:
1. Manali does not help in acclimtization, Solang Valley does.
2. As corrected in the itinerary, you will need to start at 5 AM from Jispa and reach Leh by evening. This is the only solution.
3. You must leave at 5 AM.
For rest itinerary corrected above.
Any other thing you want to highlight.
Regards
Dheeraj
Its OK my friend reply whenever you are free try to make my trip the best of my life thank you waiting for your reply
Henil, I have already replied it brother. Check it here: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/how-to-plan-a-journey-on-manali-leh-highway/comment-page-4/#comment-294345
Hello dheeraj waiting for your suggestions please do reply
Henil just replied. Usually I reply in 18-48 Hrs of the comment submitted but now a days loads of things going in office and personally, so time has increased with 48-84 Hrs 🙁 🙁 … Trying to be back soon to my usual schedule of 1-2 days.
Hi dheeraj how r u your comments has helped me a lot I am from Mumbai and planning for leh on bike I will carrie my bike in train from Mumbai we r couple can u help me to make my trip plan from where to start & where to end I was thinking to start from chandigarh in the. Months is June 1st or 2week what will u suggest pls guide me
Hello Henil,
Firstly, I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh. Instead of Delhi, you can do it either from Chandigarh or Jammu where you can take your bike in train and then resume the journey and end at Chandigarh or Ambala from where you can return back. Better plan it in second week of June.
You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here
Regards
Dheeraj
Hello Dheeraj,
You have some amazing posts on Leh-Ladakh, which are of great help to fellow travellers. Congratulations and thanks for the same.
I am from Kolkata and planning a trip to Leh this year along with few friends in July-August timeframe. We have 8-9 days total.
We plan to
– Fly from Kolkata–> Delhi –> Srinagar (Day 1)
– Spend a day in Srinagar (Day 2)
– Hire a car from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil (Start on Day 3 from Srinagar, night halt at Kargil and reach Leh on day 4)
– Spend 3-4 days in and around Leh
– Fly back from Leh-Delhi-Kolkata on Day 9
Please suggest on following
1) The best time in July or August for this itinerary
2) Any suggestions or advice you may have on the itinerary
3) Can unexpected disturbances in Kashmir impact Srinagar and Leh trip?
4) Should we take help of any travel agency for all the bookings and sightseeing or should we do on our own? Whether we should book hotels and cars in advance or should we make arrangements once we reach there?
5) Your suggestions on best usage of 3-4 days in and around Leh
Thanks in advance, amit
Hello Amit,
Thanks for the appreciations !! My replied below:
1) July will be much better than August when monsoons hits the norther india.
2) For 4 days in hand in Ladakh. One day you need for acclimatization within Leh, next two days make a 2 day trip to Nubra Valley over Khardung La, last day make a day trip to Pangong Tso lake.
3) Can never be predicted but tourist places are always least affected.
4) You are at the right place at DoW 🙂 … You can plan anything here and get your doubts/queries sorted too if you are ready to put in that extra effort to save some money for yourself. All answers are here in one or the other article. And in case you happen to be happy to help the local community with that saved money from the info. present at DoW, please try and support the DoW Causes up there. You can check more details about them at: DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel and can execute them on your own.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Thank you very much for your valuable suggestions. Few more questions.
1) Although I had kept one day in Srinagar for sightseeing, what is your suggestion? Do I really need to spend a day in Srinagar for acclimatization Or Can i start the drive from Srinagar->Leh on first day itself? This will give me one more day in Leh.
2) Last year’s floods in Kashmir, did they impact the road/journey from Srinagar to Leh?
As per your advice, I will try to make the trip in July (3rd or 4th week). Once my plan and travel dates are finalized, i will surely ask you for guidance on accomodation/transport arrangements. And I would surely like to do my bit of support for the local community. Will follow your advice on that.
Regards, Amit
Hi Amit,
You can start the journey towards Kargil if you reach up there in Srinagar by 10 AM types as it takes about 8 Hrs from Srinagar to reach Kargil. If you have time, you can for sure spend day in Srinagar to help yourself gradually increase the altitude. The flood did not have impact on Srinagar to Leh and it was just the areas near Srinagar which were mainly affected.
Thanks for coming forward and taking part in DoW Causes.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj Ji,
we have plan to trek Parangla, from Karzok village to Kaza (H.P.) can we get any bus or share jeep for Pang or Tso kar from Manali and from there what type of vehicle will get for reach to karzok?? if u have any information about fare of bus or share vehicle, please share.
No, Sumit you may not be able to get shared buses on that route and in that direction. Buses run over Manali – Leh Highway, one option is to reach Leh in HRTC bus and then look for shared taxi to Korzok – Tso Moriri.
thanks for your advice, we are finalized our plan that is, at 1st we will go keylong from manali by bus, and then keylong to Leh by bus, is it possible?? get info some website that some buses are run from manali to keylong and 1no. bus are also run keylong to Leh at 5 A.M every day and reached Leh at evening, we want to take this bus. if our plan is wrong then please guide us.
Sumit, yes it is completely possible. All HRTC buses run everyday at 5 AM from Keylong to Leh.
We are a group of 8 and planning on a Leh road trip July this year.
I am planning Manali Leh motor bike ride. As per your suggestion i would stay at Solang Valley NOT Manali before the bike ride starting day. What would be my itinerary to travel form Manali -Leh without AMS and still not missing every spot. Also I want to see all the important lakes in Leh/Ladhak also. Please let me know a day by day plan. I would really appreciate that. I can accommodate 10 days in this trip. If further days are needed, then i can add 1/2 days also. But i do not want to miss any important spots here as its a once in a lifer time trip.
Adding to the previous comment, this is the Itinerary that i have planned. Please let me know if this looks good.
Day1: Reach Chandigarh at morning and then travel to Manali via Cab/Bus and reach Manali at evening. Stay at Solang Valley instead of Manali. Hire the Bike the same day.
Day2: Start the trip from Manali and first night at Jispa.
Day3: Early morning start to Leh and reach by evening or night. Stay that night at Leh.
Day 4: Travel to – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder. Stay at Hunder/Diskit.
Day 5: Travel back to Leh. Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
Day 6: Travel to Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake. Stay at Pangong Tso
Day 7: Travel back to Leh. Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh. Night stay at Leh.
Day 8: Travel to Tso Morir. Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang. Overnight stay at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 9: Return journey starts. Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu. Overnight stay at Sarchu or Pang.
Day 10: Reach manali. Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali. Night stay at Manali or Solang Valley.
Day 11: Travel to Chandigarh from Manali early morning. Reach the Chandigarh airport.
Prem, your itinerary is mostly good but I will suggest that you add one day as rest in Leh after reaching there in order to acclimatize.
thanks Dheeraj for your valuable reply. One of my major concern is AMS. Does my Itinerary suit lowest possible AMS issues? What more can i adjust in the Itinerary to reduce AMS.
Second question is about a mechanic. All of the people in the group know very less about bike troubleshooting. Is it possible to hire a mechanic from the place where we hire a bike? We are ready to pay him and also take care of his accomodation and food along the trip. Is there any possibilities of getting such a mechanic?
Again.. thanks a lot for helping me out. I really appreciate your time here.
Prem, that is why I am suggesting that you add a day of complete rest in Leh once you reach in Leh from Jispa. That will help you a lot in acclimatization. Also, please read the article of AMS carefully and follow the tips mentioned.
Yes, you can hire a mechanice which is usually charged at around 2000-2200 per day. You can talk the the rental guys and they will help you out in it.
Hi Dheeraj.. Thanks again for the last reply for my comments.. Because of the AMS and since srinagar-leh route is also so close, i am also considering that route. What i have put forward is an itinerary that starts at Srinagar–to Leh –then to manali. In this way i would be covering all the places hopefully. I researched a lot for a good bike rental in Srinagar that we can drop at manali and couldnt get one. One that i got was Lion bike rentals and there are mixed reviews about the condition of their bikes.. I am now confused on which route to select… If you can provide some good contacts of bike rental at Srinagar (one in which i can drop the bike at Manali), then i would proceed with Srinagar-leh-manali… else i would use the manali-leh-manali. Pls help me here Sheeraj.. Do you have some good bike rentals available in srinagar.. It will be greatly appreciated… as always, your blog is the center point for everyone to plan the leh trip.. Kudoosss.. Super Blog Dheeraj..
Prem, the one way bike rental is quite costly and leave a big dent in pocket for you, sometimes like 12K for just the pickup from Manali. Be sure if you are ready to make that investment or not or if at all it is worth the money spent. My suggestion is unless you are hard core biker and cannot live up the passion of biking, it is not wise to spend that much money just for the pickup of bike. If still interested, for Srinagar bike rental you can refer the link: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/ladakh-zanskar-travel-guides/outside-rented-bikes-banned-ladakh-t1009-50.html#p12858
Dheeraj Bhai.. after your suggestion, i am sure to take Manali-Leh Manali.. :)… also, i am taking ur advice to add another day in Leh where i will go and see Shey and Thicksey monasteries.. If i cover them there, can i go directly from pangong so to Tso Moriri instead of heading back to leh and the next day again travelling to tso moriri.. If i travel from pangong so to tso morir directly, it will 220km which is 40km extra of pangong so back to leh. Is this a good option. This will reduce a day for me as i will be still staying oen day more in leh and still utilising it. My only concern is if the travel from pangong so to tso moriri feasible and good.
My Itinerary..
Day1 Reach Chandigarh at morning and then travel to Manali via Cab/Bus at night
Day2 reach Manali next morning and rent the bike. Stay at Solang Valley instead of Manali.
Day3 Start the trip from Manali and first night at Jispa.
Day 4 Early morning start to Leh and reach by evening or night. Stay that night at Leh.
Day 5 Extra Day at Leh — Visit Shey and Thicksey[Optional]
Day 6 Travel to – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder. Stay at Hunder/Diskit.
Day 7 Travel back to Leh. Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
Day 8 Travel to Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake. Stay at Pangong Tso
Day 9 Travel to Tso Morir and overnight there.
Day 10 Return journey starts. Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu. Overnight stay at Sarchu or Pang.
Day 11 Reach manali. Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali. Night stay at Manali or Solang Valley.
Day 12 Travel to Chandigarh from Manali early morning. Reach the Chandigarh airport.
Traveling from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri via both routes is a bit long and tiring. It will make things hectic for you. Instead of Visiting Shey thicksey, it is better that you relax in Leh. Visit Shanit Stupa in the evening to get good views of Leh Main city. Also, Better option will be to take Wari La route from Nubra Valley, hunder to Pangong Tso on Day 7 by skipping Sumur and Panamik which does not offer much. This way you will save the one required day. Next Day 8 return to Leh from Pangong Tso. On Day 9 do Leh to Pangong Tso. This will still be good and a bit relaxing with only issue that Wari La Pass is quite isolated route and in case of any breakdown there wont be much help around.
Prem, I suggested on the itinerary you posted. Please let me know in case that is fine or you need more inputs on your Ladakh trip?
Thanks again Dheeraj. As per your suggestion we will decide to stay one more day once we reach Leh (sightseeing) just to get acclamatised.
Do we have any reception in mobile on the way from Manali-Leh. In case we are not taking any mechanic and our bike break downs, can we call a mechanic rather than going front or back trying to find one. What i thought was to get the numbers of all the mechanics on the way so that i can contact them in case of any issues.
As we are planning to go on a peak time(aug 1st week), i hope there would be a lot of mechanics on the way. Wouldn’t there be? Does Airtel have tower/range there?
One more thing Dheeraj, if we start from Jispa early morning at 6AM, when would we reach Leh? Will that be a risky ride? Does AMS usually happen while driving or only during evening time when we have reached Leh.
Hi Prem,
Jispa to Leh will be around 12-14 Hrs of drive. AMS biggest challenge is sleeping overnight at high altitude. Start early from Jispa, say 5 AM so that you have enough time to take it easy. Also, stay at high altitude passes for 8-10 minutes only. Do not prolong the stay. Drink loads of ors or glucose soluted water or juices and keep body hydrated with salts.
Hello Prem,
No, as soon as you cross Darcha all signals will be dead on Manali – Leh Highway. Even in Darcha only BSNL works to an extent. There is no option to call than to take a lift to either Leh or Manali whichever is nearer and get the mechanic or tow the bike or car. To remain best connected, get a BSNL / MTNL postpaid.
Regards
Dheeraj
Dheeraj, you have helped me a lot in planning the whole trip, again I am really
grateful to you. I once read that once you stay at Hunder/Diskti, you will never have AMS again in the whole trip. Is it true? After Which place AMS completely
disappears?
Prem, my pleasure that DoW was helpful in planning your trip. Regarding AMS, there is no thumb rule. It can hit anytime in any siituation. You can just prevent it. It is always better to stay at Hunder / Deskit in Nubra Valley first as it or rather the journey to it helps in acclimatization for climbing or visiting other high places of Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri as the altitude increases gradually. But, it does not ensure that you will not feel AMS in rest of the trip.
Hi Prem, We are from chennai and we 3 of us are planning a trip this July in Manali – Leh highway – with same itinerary. Would you be interested if we join along with your team?
Need to know specific details for booking from Srinagar-leh-few days in leh- manali.
PLease suggest detailed plan incase you have any.. Also what should be the approx cost.. Group of 10 people..
Hardik there are many plans suggested above. Even cost has been broken down up in the article: How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip
can we travel between feb or march to leh..
You can take a flight to Leh and travel within Ladakh but not by road to Leh.
Dear Dheeraj bro…
I’m Ripan from BAngladesh.
I must say, It’s a great site with full of info covering all aspects.
I can just add 1 suggestion:
Pls put the “last update date” of the articles as I cant find whether the “Summarized View of Facilities or Amenities on Manali – Leh Highway” is of may 2011 or of 2014.
All the best wishes to U & for the site too
Ripan, yeah, I am moving it to new platform and then I will be adding it to all the relevant articles as last updated on. You will find that one some of the articles as of now… Thank you for the suggestion 🙂
We are planning to visit north india for 7 days. Please help me the places can cover
Surendra, when are you planning, what is your starting point and mode of travel, which places are you interested into?
hi dheeraj bro,
can i visit to manali-leh in october month ? reply fast bro,,,
Asif, I do not suggest people to travel on Manali – Leh Highway in the month of October.
Can you update me with the petrol pumps, ATMs, eateries, restrooms for ladies etc from the stretch of Srinagar-Kargil-LEH-Hanle-Tso Kar- Jispa-Manali? Thanks.
Please refer: Leh – Ladakh | Travel Guide
Hi Dheeraj .. we are a group of 8 .. starting from delhi on 29 aug .. reaching Manali on 30th aug morning and after an hour’s rest and breakfast starting the leh journey ..
1. Please suggest whether we should stay at jispa or sarchu on 30th aug night .. considering distances to be covered on day 1 and day 2 and also mountain sickness possibilities as we have no stay at manali and 29th night we wud be at delhi and the next at sarchu or jispa ..
2. Are there traffic jams at rohtang pass in aug end also .. (off season) ..
Thanks in advance .. 🙂
Hello Smiti,
It is not recommended to start immediately as it may cause AMS issues. Even if you are doing do Jispa. Traffic jams wont be there in this off season.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
We our group of 6 (3 bikes), we are travelling from Delhi. We have around 11 days from 14th Aug to 24th Aug and have planned the journey as below.
14th Aug – Delhi to Chandigarh. Stay at Chandigarh.
15th Aug – Chandigarh to Manali. Stay at Manali.
16th Aug – Manali to Jispa. Stay at jispa.
17th Aug – Jispa to Upshi. Stay at Upshi.
18th Aug – Upshi to Pangong Lake. Stay at Pangong Lake.
19th Aug – Pangong Lake to Leh.Stay at Leh.
20th Aug – Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardunga La.
21th Aug – Leh to Kargil. Stay at Kargil.
22nd Aug – Kargil to Srinagar. Stay at Srinagar.
23rd Aug – Srinagar to Pathankot. Stay at Pathankot.
24th Aug – Pathankot to Delhi.
Please advise on the above plan.
You must be on a trip, I hope you altered tha plans and will not be executing the above plan. Sorry, was too much into many things so could not reply fast enough.
Dheeraj,
You were a little late to reply.
we hardly worked according to our plan.
The trip has given us far more than just memories.
Awesomeness of Laddakh !!!
Amish, good to know that you had memories, I hope all good 😉 from the trip 🙂
Dear Dheeraj,
Read your article and after surfing for 5 continuous days, you seems to be the right person to ask my queries.
I am in Delhi and will be in Ambala on 14th August night. Is there any possibility that I can plan for Leh by road (RE Standard 500) and come back to Ambala by 19th of August. Stopping and sight-seeing on the way can be compromised.
You suggestion would be considered at top, :).
Thanks
Praveen, it will not be possible as it takes 3 days to reach leh from Delhi/Ambala via Manali and 3 days to come back. Plus 1 day you will need some rest too.
dear dheeraj sharma,
I have planned to go to Manali-Leh side by the 2nd week of december 2014. Please do let me know will it be fine if i travel by that date or is it very dangerous or will the roads be closed at that point of time.
Nabhan, Manali – Leh Highway gets closed by end of October officially and naturally too mostly by mid of November. It is not even advised to travel on Manali – Leh Highway in October as well.
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning to visit Leh and Laddakh in between “15 Aug-19 Aug (5 Days). I have been Manali, so want to head towards directly to leh.
My Plan is —
14 Aug night-Bus for Manali
15 Aug Morning-Reached Manali will catch Taxi/Bus for Leh, (Suggest if any stay is needed in between, for health or for any site visit)
15th Aug Night-will reach Leh and stay over night.
16th Aug Morning- want to start site visite across Leh and laddkh till 19th Morning.
19th Aug Morning- Back towards Manali.
19th evening-Bus to Delhi.
Please guide me if 5 day time is somewhere fine to visit major places in Leh and Laddakh.?
Please suggest if I need to take any gap rest while moving from Manali to Leh in between.
There will be health issue in case you planning to start climb from Manali directly. Take it easy and visit Ladakh when you have more time on hand. Running over the road and covering distance will not do any justice to a Ladakh trip.
Hi Dheerai,
I am a solo traveller with flexible dates and plan to visit Srinagar and leh in August. I read your advice and thinking is it better for me to fly from Delhi to Srinagar by flight, then from Srinagar to leh by road, and to manali by road. Is it the best way for my acclimatization? I am planning to stay for 3 weeks in Srinagar and leh. Do u have some suggestion for the itinerary since I am really concern about the acclimatization.
Thank You!!!
Kat, yes this is the best way to avoid AMS issues. Fly to Srinagar and then take journey by road to Leh from Srinagar – Kargil so as to gradually improve the altitude. 3 weeks is good amount of time. I will suggest you to study DoW Travel Calendar to match people looking out for Travel Partners and share Travel cost of taxi being alone. In three weeks all you should consider is slow progress to sightseeing in following order
Srinagar to Leh, couple of days of rest in Leh, a 3 day trip to Nubra covering Turtuk, Hunder, Deskit primarily, 2 day trip to Pangong Tso, 2 day trip to Tso Moriri, then HPTDC bus to Manali over Manali – Leh Highway. In between you can add rest days as you like and fit your travel plans to share travel cost. But, you should keep the order as above.
Here is the link to DoW Travel Calendar: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/calendar.php
hey i am planning to travel to leh on the first week of september my via road and planning to rent a self drive car from delhi or chandigar recommend which is better have 10 days so planned my itenary as follows
Day 1 – delhi/chandigar – jispa stay at jispa
Day 2 – jispa – leh – night stay at leh
Day 3 – local sightseeing at leh
Day 4 – travel to nubra valley and back to leh
Day 5 – travel to pangyong lake and stay at pangyong
Day 6 – travel back to leh and relax
Day 7- travel to kargil and stay at kargil
Day 8 – kargil to srinagar and stay at srinagar
day 9 – srinagar to delhi
I had a few doubts wheter you should stay overnight at nubra valley please give your recomendation
and do i need to extend my stay at leh by a day and have a few more other places to visit please guide me on this
and is it advisable to stay at kargil or should i drive back all the way to delhi please give me your recomenedation and if any other changes required and we can extend the trip by another day or two so please guide your recomendation
Dear Prashanth,
Sorry, I am not aware of any company that provides cars for self drive to Ladakh. Even if you get hold of some, IMHO, not only they will cost a big deep hole in your pocket but also you will be carrying lot of liabilities of ifs and buts on these adventurous roads to Ladakh. It is much better to hire a taxi and then tip the drive to let you drive. It is more economic, less painful and have less liability + no security deposits. Not to forget a helping expert hand too in case you are tired or get the vehicle stuck on a trick patch.
First Delhi to Jispa is very very very long and risky in terms of AMS. Srinagar – Delhi again is very very long. Reconsider to add more days before planning it.
Regards
Dheeraj
okay thank you dheeraj noted on that do you think delhi to manali and then manali to leh would be a good option? please guide me on this . And same on the return leh to sonmarg and sonmarg to srinagar and srinagar to amritsar and amritsar to delhi would be a better option? thanks for your help
Regards
Prashanth
Can you reverser the itinerary and may be follow something like: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh
You can remove the days and places which you cannot fit. However, the order should be kept like this only.
Sorry one more query should we stay at hunder or the same day when we visit hunder we can drive to pangyong and stay at pangyong please guide me on this
You cannot drive to Pangong Tso on the same day from Hunder. You will have to stay in Nubra valley and then next day either have to come back to Leh OR drive directly over Wari La Pass which is quite desolated and long route to Pangong Tso. Refer the itinerary I suggested in previous reply.
okay thanks dheeraj i have seen the other itenary and planing accordingly thanks for your help
prashanth
Hi,
I am planning a trip to Leh Ladakh, after my visit to vaishno devi – so I’ll be starting from Katra and the following is going to be my path:
Day 1- Katra – Patnitop
Day 2- Patnitop – Drass
Day 3- Drass – Leh
Day4/Day5 – Leh/Ladakh Local Sigh Seeing
Day 6 – Leh – Sarchu
Day 7 – Sarchu – Manali
Can you please give me some advise on the local sight-seeing and the trip plan in general if it seems feasible.
Also if you could guide me about the permits required as I would be taking my Innova which is registerd in Udaipur Rajasthan.
Thanks a lot! 🙂
Zubin, 1 day you need to rest and acclimatize in Leh. 1 day remaining that you have, you can either make day trip to Nubra Valley OR Pangong Tso Lake. You do not need any permits for you or your can for above itinerary.
Very nice info. I was not aware of HPTDC option. I am going to book online bus ticket on 8th Aug and will rent a enfield in Leh for local sight seeing as planning to go alone.
Thank you, glad you found the info. useful. Best wishes for your Ladakh trip 🙂
hi dheerajj…m alreadddy veryy thankfulll to ur suggestionn…azz i cmpletdd ma kaja trip via kinnaurr…so now m lukin 4d for ley ladakhh tripp….few things i wanna knw…1)how many days it required 4m shimla..2)is it possible in the month of sep…3)possible wid ma swift car azz d road of kinnaur was okeyy 4 me..4)how many days reqd to cover dis trip…
Ajay, you need about 12-14 days to enjoy the circuit from Manali to Srinagar and come back to Shimla or other way round. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Yes it is possible in September bhai. And very much possible in your swift. Just drive with caution and care. For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway Or Spiti Valley via Manali Or Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh / Spiti / Manali – Leh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.
thanxx brotherrrr….
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for providing us with so much information for the trip to Leh.
We are planning to go there from 11th July – 23rd July.
We have already made the flight booking from Srinagar to Delhi for 23rd July.
Please check if the itenary that we have prepared will work:
11-07-2014 Delhi to Manali (8.00 pm)
12-07-2014 Overnight stay at Manali/ Solang.
13-07-2014 Leave from Manali ear morning. Overnight stay at sarchu.
14-07-2014 Sarchu – TsoMoriri, Tso Kar. Overnight stay at TsoMoriri.
15-07-2014 Tso Moriri to Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
16-07-2014 Leh to Nubra. Overnight stay at Nubra
17-07-2014 Nubra to Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
18-07-2014 Leh local sightseeing. Overnight stay at Leh.
19-07-2014 Leh to Pangong. Overnight stay at Pangong.
20-07-2014 Pangong to Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
21-07-2014 Leh to Kargil. Overnight stay at Kargil.
22-07-2014 Kargil to Srinagar. Overnight stay at srinagar.
23-07-2014 Flight from Srinagar to Delhi (10.30am)
Please provide your valuable comments on the feasibility of this plan.
Please suggest if you have some tips that we should keep in mind for this trip.
Sharad, please follow the itinerary as per below plan:
11-07-2014 Delhi to Manali (8.00 pm)
12-07-2014 Overnight stay at Manali/ Solang.
13-07-2014 Leave from Manali ear morning. Overnight stay at Jispa/Keylong for better acclimatization
14-07-2014 Jispa/Keylong – Leh. Leave early morning. You should not do Tso Moriri while going from Manali to Leh because first the taxi from Manali will not be allowed to visit Tso Moriri. Even if you manage Leh taxi or going on your own, then you will not be acclimatized to sleep at such high altitude so early in the trip and may cause some ugly AMS issues for you. Highly not recommended, because any help if required will be very hard to find in case you get hit with AMS.
15-07-2014 Leh Rest and acclimatization
16-07-2014 Leh to Nubra. Overnight stay at Nubra
17-07-2014 Nubra to Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
18-07-2014 Leh local sightseeing. Overnight stay at Leh.
19-07-2014 Leh to Pangong. Overnight stay at Pangong.
20-07-2014 Pangong to Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
21-07-2014 Leh to Kargil. Overnight stay at Kargil.
22-07-2014 Kargil to Srinagar. Overnight stay at srinagar.
23-07-2014 Flight from Srinagar to Delhi (10.30am)
If you want to do Tso Moriri, then after coming from Nubra, do a day trip to Pangong Tso. Then do 2 day trip to Tso Moriri from Leh.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for such a quick reply.
Hello Dheeraj thanx a lot for the information and adding to Sharad’s post please suggest us some monasteries which we should visit as well which are interesting and worth taking a look at and can be included in our itinerary . Plus Iam a photographer and have keen interest in doing some night photography especially the stars and star trails at Nubra valley and Pangong at the camp site or around that . Is there any safety issues or permission problem? As I would be carrying expensive photography gear and what things shall we keep in mind to venture out at night at nubra and Pangong. Plus any advice on some off beat places there which I might find interesting as a photographer.
While going to Pangong Tso, you can cover Shey Palace and Thicksey monasteries and while coming back from Pangong Tso, you can cover Hemis. If you interested in night photography, I will recommend that you go ahead of Spangmik Village at Pangong Tso and stay in the villages of Man or Merak, preferably. There won’t be much light around and you will have different view than usual of Pangong Tso from those villages. The only drawback is that they have home stays only.
There is no safety issues at all.
my trip has following route
24 srinagar
25 kargil
26 leh
27pangong
28 leh
29 nubra
30 leh
1 leh
2 srachu or jispa
3 manali
4 chandighard
will u plzz suggest me places to visit in this area
we hv car
plzz sugesst plc to visit while we r driving by road or we are staying tht plc
Swati, few minor corrections as below:
24 srinagar
25 Srinagar – Kargil
26 Kargil – Leh
27 Leh Rest Day and acclimatization
28 Leh – Nubra Valley
29 Nubra Valley – Leh
30 Leh – Pangong Tso
1 Pangong Tso – Leh
2 Leh – Sarchu/Jispa
3 Sarchu/Jispa – Manali
4 chandighard
Hi we 4-5 group of friends are thinking to travel to leh-ladakh can u pls tell what is the bike rent from manali and we have 6-7 days in hand so can u also guide us how to plan our tour.
6-7 days are too less for road trip to Ladakh. Also, outside rented bikes are not allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh to Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso lake.
Hi Dheeraj,
kindly Check if this is oke route? is the stay are in right places
Delhi to chandigarh
Chandigarh-Manali
Rest at Manali
Manali-jispa
jispa – Pang
Pang- Leh
Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
Leh – Sham Valley Sightseeing – Alchi / Uleytokpo-Leh
Leh – Upshi – Chumathang – Tso Moriri
Tso moriri-Tsokar- Sarchu
Sarchu – Baralacha La – Darcha – Jispa – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
Manali – Chandigarh
Chandigarh – Delhi
Vishnu, all is fine except the fact that while going from Jispa, go straight to Leh and next day do rest for the day in Leh. You will not be acclimatized enough to sleep at Pang and AMS might hit you. Better reach Leh same day and relax next day in Leh.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for the quick response. Sure, i will try to do that. only prob is i have 4 new riders, who are doing long rides. But will try to push.
Best wishes for the trip and if by chance you happen to be happy to spread smiles, please support the initiatives of DoW Causes in order to help the local community up there in remote Himalayas. You can check more details about them at: DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel and can execute them on your own.
Had a gr8 ride. We went from Delhi-Chandigrah-Manali-Jispa-Pang-Leh-Hunder-Leh-Pangong Tso- Leh-Kargil-Srinigar-Jummu-Ambala-Delhi– 3 bullets..15 days was gr8
Awesome, great to know that Vishnu. If possible, try and share your Himalayan experience with us at DoW – Himalayan Travel Community as Photo Tale or Travel Tale Or your reviews of the hotels/guest houses where you stayed or dhabhas/restaurants you ate food on your trip… All this might help others planning the similar trip too 🙂 🙂
Hi dheeraj…we are a group of 4 people planning to make a trip to ladakh …..as per our plan :
Plan1:-
Day1:-reached Srinagar.
Start for leh.night stay at drass/sommarg.(by Car)
Day2:-start early morning …reached leh at night(By car)
Day3:-rest ,local sight seen.
Day4:-leh to nurba valley(Bike..4 people ..2 bullet 350cc ).night stay at hunder/diksit.
Day5:-Nurba to leh back(Bike)
.Night stay at Leh
Day 6:-Leh to Pangong tso (via bike)..Night stay at Pangong tso..
Day 7 :-Pangong tso to leh back(bike)
Day8:-Leh to Sarchu(car)
Day 9:-Sarchu to manali…..Start for delhi,,Planning to book a cab from Manali to Delhi
Day 10:-Flight from Delhi at afternoon
plan2:-
Day1:-reached Srinagar.
Start for leh.night stay at drass/sommarg.(by Car)
Day2:-start early morning …reached leh at night(By car)
Day3:-rest ,local sight seen.
Day4:-leh to nurba valley(Bike..4 people ..2 bullet 350cc ).night stay at hunder/diksit.
Day5:-nurba to pangong tso(via shayok village route /Warila pass route…need help regarding which route to decide keeping in mind we are 4 people in 2 bike and our travel time is june end)..night stay at pangong tso.
Day6:-pangong tso to leh
Day 7:-leh to sarchu(night stay)
Day 8:-sarchu to manali.(night stay)
Day9:-manali to Delhi.
Day 10:-Flight from Delhi at afternoon
please suggest us …which plan to take..(which one will be the most feasible)and do we need to change anything about that plan
And i guess among all places whatever we are visiting..Pangong tso will be the coolest one at night time..so what will the expected min temperature ??
Avishek, keep both plans with you. Depending on the situation of Wari La, take the call then and there. Wari La is an isolated route and very few people travel there. So, take a calculative risk.
Are bikes available on rent in keylong. So I can rent one trvl to jispa from keylong stay there overnight and go back to keylong to board 5am bus to leh.
Sudeep, no bikes are available on rent in Keylong. You have to hire in Manali.
Hello Deeraj,
I have posted a query yesterday, but i couldn’t see it posted today, I was looking forward for your reply.
Thanks,
Ankit
Are you looking at the right place?
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for this great website. all the information here were helpful in deciding our itinerary.
I have few doubts:
We are a group of 8-10 adults planned to visit Leh in the month of July. Following is our planned itinerary. we are planning to hire a tempo traveller for entire itinerary mentioned below (Till Manali)
Please let us know if this itinerary is doable or not. We also want to add Tso Moriri. how and where can Tso Morriri fit in the below itinerary:
Our Itinerary:
Day 01 – 05 Jul 2014
Morning after breakfast at 07:00, leave from Jammu Tawi Railway Station towards Sonamarg (known as Meadow of Gold). Overnight Stay at Sonamarg (9-10 hrs journey)
Day 02 – 06 Jul 2014
Early morning, around 4 AM leave for a whopping 14 hr journey towards Leh. Cross the famous Zoji La pass, Drass Village (2nd coldest inhabitated place in the world), enroute have a magnificent view of Kargil war Famous Peaks (Tiger, Tololing) from Vijay war memorial hall site, After Kargil towards Leh, visit Mulbekh, Giant Living Buddha Sculture on Rock Mountain, Lamayuru, one of the oldest Monastery of Ladak and enjoy the view of Moon Land. Visit Alchi, Likir Monastery , Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara and Hall of Fame museum. Reach Lehby afternoon. Overnight stay at Leh.
Day 03 – 07 Jul 2014
After Breakfast drive to Nubra Valley via Khardungla (Highest Motorable road in the World, 18,380 ft) Arrive at Hunder by afternoon. Lunch at Camp, rest of the day one is free to explore Deskit, Hunder Villages and camel Safari in Sand Dunes between Deskit and Hunder Village. Overnight stay at Nubra Valley.
Day 04 – 08 Jul 2014
After Breakfast visit Deskit Monastery, where you can have a magnificient view of Nubra Valley and drive back to Leh by same Route, crossing Khardungla Pass. Overnight stay at Leh.
Day 05 – 09 Jul 2014
After Breakfast leave for Pangong Lake 14,500 ft, through Changla Pass 17,350 ft. (third Highest Motorable road in the world) Arrival at Camp, Hot Lunch will be served aat Camp, Later free time at Leisure and enjoy the color changing lake and the sun set on the banks of lake. Overnight stay on the banks of Pangong Lake.
Day 06 – 10 Jul 2014
Early morning enjoy the pictuereque view of Sun rise on lake. After Breakfast drive back to Leh, enroute visit Hemis, Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. Overnight stay at Leh.
Day 07- 11 Jul 2014
Early morning start for Sarchu from Leh. Leh – Taglang La – Debring – More Plains –Sarchu. Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang. Overnight Stay at Sarchu.
Day 08 – 12 Jul 2014
Early morning start for Manali. Plan to reach early before 2 PM at Manali.
On the way, if possible, cover Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
From Manali take Bus towards Delhi which starts around 04:00 PM from Manali to reach Delhi next day early Morning
(we have our flights to Mumbai from Delhi on 13th Jul Late evening around 11 PM)
Bookings for Tempo Traveller and hotels at all the locations are yet to be done.
Should we pre book Hotels and tempo traveller or should we reach the location and book (for getting the best bargains)
we intend to hire taxi right from Jammu – this is considering that we do not want to miss the picturesque view on the way (Jammu – Sonamarg). Do you think its worth hiring a taxi right from Jammu? or should we take public transport between Jammu and Srinagar / Sonamarg??
Are there any public transports available between Jammu and Sonamarg directly? if yes, are these on specific timings?
I ve tried reaching JKSRTC for bus timings plying between Jammu and Srinagar, but i am not able to reach anyone. (no one is picking the phone)
Can someone help with Jammu – Srinagar bus timings? (this is incase we do not hire taxi from Jammu)
as of now we are only 8 members (2 more members are considering to join) which vehicle will be ideal choice of transport for entire itinerary mentioned above in case we are only 8
Please consider that this trip we are planning will have to be a budget trip
Request to please mail me
Regards,
Kiran Jain
Hi Kiran,
Thank you.
Please let us know if this itinerary is doable or not. We also want to add Tso Moriri. how and where can Tso Morriri fit in the below itinerary:
1. Day 2 is very hectic and risky too in terms of acclimatization
2. You are already not allowing yourself to acclimatize and then even not resting and directly going to Khardung La will not help you. Introduce a day’s rest here.
3. From Sarchu to Manali and then taking bus in the evening will be tough. Better reach Jispa on previous day.
A big group will need bookings for sure especially you are traveling at the time of Kaalchakra, means lacs of people around you.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thx for the reply. We want to go to leh from srinagar and return via Manali Route.
We are reaching Jammu Tawi on 5th Morning (5.40 AM)
And have our flights back to Mumbai on 13th Jul late night
Based on above, pls suggest workable itinerary to cover most of Leh and around it
Regards,
Kiran Jain
awaiting your reply
Just replied 🙂
It will be very very tight I must say. You can do something like below:
Day 1 | Jammu – Srinagar
— Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
— If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden.
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 3 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Day trip to Khardung La or Nubra Valley
Day 6 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
– Day trip to Pangong Tso
– Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Sarchu
— Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
— Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 8 | Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
Day 9 | Manali – Chandigarh
Hi,
We 8 guys(RE-Bullet) are planning to travel Delhi-Manali-leh-Manali-Delhi. starting 20th Jun ending 5th July.
I’m not satisfied with the below route my friends are suggesting.
The route as below. Still i have 2 day time. Kindly help me to cover more places.
20th Day 1- Delhi to chandigarh
21th Day 2- Chandigarh-Manali
22nd Day 3- Rest at Manali
23rd Day 4- Manali-Keylong
24th Day 5- Keylong – Sarchu
25th Day 6- Sarchu- Tsokar
26th Day 7- Tsokar- Leh
27th Day 8- Leh- Hunder-Leh
28th Day 9- Leh- Pangong
29th Day 10- Pangong -Tso moriri
30th Day 11- Tso moriri -Sarchu
31th Day 12- Sarchu – Keylong
01st Day 13- Keylong – Manali
02nd Day 14- Manali – Chandigar
03rd Day 15- Chandigarh – Delhi
Change in last 4 days
01st Day 12- Sarchu – Keylong
02nd Day 13- Keylong – Manali
03rd Day 14- Manali – Chandigar
04th Day 15- Chandigarh – Delhi
Vishnu any reason you guys not traveling from Srinagar to Leh and then exit from Manali side? I will suggest the itinerary accordingly.
Hello Dheeraj,
thank you for this wonderful homepage-lots of great informations.
We plan to do the Manali-Leh-Highway in july.
As I am a photographer, i would plan to make some stops.
The problem is:
AMS prevention vs. time for taking pictures.
Would it help preventing AMS, if we stay an extra day in Jispa/Darcha before heading further to Sarchu?
Where are the most picturesque places on the highway? Would we have enough time to take some pictures if we do the direct way from Jispa/Darcha to Leh, without sleeping in Sarchu?
Thank you very much for your help, sir.
With kind regards
Stefan
Hello Stefan,
Thank you, glad that info. present on DoW Blog was useful for you.
We plan to do the Manali-Leh-Highway in july.
This is very tricky because as per the acclimatization schedule you can never be acclimatized to height of Sarchu while moving from Manali to Leh even if you spend 2-3 nights at Jispa. The journey from Sarchu to Pang or all the way to Rumtse is photographers’s delight. So, you will need time. Can’t you move back in this direction after visiting Leh first? If yes, then I feel there is no option than to sleep 1 night at Solang Valley, then one night at Jispa or Darcha and then move to Sarchu. If possible use medicines and drink plenty of fluids in the form of juices, water, lemonades, etc.. This wil really help you fight with AMS at Sarchu and do take things light. If you feel the symptoms at Sarchu, don’t worry much as army will be able to help you out either at Pang or camps before that.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hello sir,
thank you very much for your reply.
What do you think about the following iterinary:
Solang Valley – Darcha – Upshi – Leh
Do you think, there will be enough time to enjoy nature and to take pictures on the day from Darca to Upshi?
With kind regards
Stefan
Stefan, please this is just Dheeraj, no sir 🙂
Regarding stays at Upshi, well again I will say that, Upshi to Leh is just 59 KMs of simple, straight drive and very good roads. Hardly take about 1.5 Hrs to reach Leh. So, even if you reach late at Upshi, you should always go and stay at Leh as it provided better and more accommodation options. 1.5 Hrs will hardly make any difference. But, yes Darcha instead of Jispa will gain you about 1.5 Hrs for the next day for reaching Leh.
Thank you very much Dheeraj 🙂 ,
one last question(hopefully):
I know you can’t say it in general, but how much time do you approx. need from Darcha to Upshi/Leh?
Darcha to Upshi will take about 9-10 Hrs and then further 1-1.5 Hrs to reach Leh.
Thank you Dheeraj, you helped me a lot!
Best wishes for your trip Stefan.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for a detailed post. We are 2 friends planning to undertake this journey in 1st week of July, i.e. 6th July from Manali to Leh. We are thinking of a 8-9 day trip of Manali-Leh-Manali. Please provide any suggestions. We are planning to rent bike, preferably Thunderbird 350cc from Manali and so we have to return to Manali. Do you also have any contacts of people providing bikes on rent in good condition. Also is it safe for 2 person to undertake this journey for the 1st time.
Regards,
Niraw
Niraw, Bikes rented outside Leh are not allowed for sightseeing inside Ladakh except Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes which can be done while going to Manali from Leh. Private bikes are completely allowed. You can use the outside rented bike to reach Leh but then for going to Pangong Tso, nubra Valley, etc.. you need to hire rented bikes from Leh only.
For renting bikes in Leh – Ladakh, you can check the DwD Community thrad: Leh – Ladakh Bike Rental Rates 2014 – 15 & Reliable Shops
Yeah it is safe to undertake the journey but you will be able to find other groups on daily basis whom you can join in for the ride as most of them will welcome you. Also, there is Kaalchakra festival in Leh during first 2 weeks of July this year and hence, you must pre-book your stay as there will be lakhs of people around to attend the festival.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi brother following is our plan, we r two riders and coming all the way riding from mumbai. I hope we get to complete our life time achievement. Can u plz guide if we need to make some changes to our schedule as we will leave mumbai on 20-may-2014. 29-5-14:- manali to tandi 120 km.
30-5-14:- tandi to sarchu 120 km.
31-5-14:- sarchu to biskynala 110 km.
01-6-14:- biskynala to upshi 110 km.
02-6-14:- upshi to marsmik la 160 km.
03-6-14:- marsmik la to leh 190 km.
04-6-14:- leh to nubra valley 120 km.
05-6-14:- nubra valley to leh 120 km.
06-6-14:- leh to kargil 220 km.
07-6-14:- kargil to srinagar 210 km.
Pratik, you need to go to leh to get permits for Marsimik La. Also, you are doing too much on Manali – Leh Highway, not suggested due to higher risk of AMS with un-acclimatized bodies. Nubra Valley must be done before Pangong Tso or Marsimik La too. Aslo, any chance you reverse the itinerary. It will give more chances of Manali – Leh highway being open when you hit it AND it will help you alot in terms of acclimatization.
Thank bro for ur instant reply, we will re- schedule our plan and will do srinagar – leh- manali.
Best wishes for your Ladakh trip, enjoy the adventure of Manali – Leh highway
Hello there, thanks very much for this blog – this is all such useful information! I was just wanting to ask this question for assurance more than anything; We are around 10 people and will be arriving in Manali around 2nd June. We will spending a few days there and then travelling up by bus (unless otherwise recommended) to Leh. On our return, we must be in Dharamsala by 16th June. I was wondering:
1) How likely you think it is that the Manali-Leh highway will be open in the first week of June this year and where I can check this up.
2) If not open, what the best alternate way is to get to Leh during those dates
3) What is the best route you recommend (via using public transport; none of us drive) in getting to Dharamsala from Leh? Is it back via Manali, or are there any other nice places and routes you recommend? Some of us were thinking of doing Leh-Srinagar-Dharamsala; what do you think of this route?
Thanks so much again for this blog and hope to hear from you soon!
Hello TJ,
1. Most likely the Manali – Leh Highway will open by that time but roads wont be tha stable that buses will start running on it. Better to get shared taxi.
2. If it is not open then only way to travel by road to Ladakh is Srinagar – Leh Highway.
3. Yeah, cover the route by shared taxis or buses wherever possible. You can come back from Srinagar Leh in case you want, BTW, going from Srinagar side is much muhc better in terms of acclimatization.
Regards
Dheeraj
is it possible to go to leh in first week of may by bike?
Wali, by first week of May there are high chances that Srinagar – Leh Highway will be open. You can take that route to reach Leh by bike. I will suggest that you allow sometime to stabilize the roads.
Hey me and my wife plan to come ladhak …and also plan to go manali is it open now
Manali – Leh Highway is currently closed and only expected to open by mid of May.
Hello Dheeraj,
V r group of 8-9 ppl.
our itinerary is as per follow.
Day 1- Manali-Jispa
Day 2- Jispa-Pang
Day 3- Pang-Leh
Day 4- Leh Local
Day5&6- Leh-Nubra-Leh
Day7&8- :eh-Pangong tso-Leh
Day-9-Leh-Alchi-Lamayuru-Leh
Day 10,11&12- Leh- MAnali
Plz provide some your insights for same.
V r group of 8-9 frnds all can bike ride.
So v r planing to rent 4-5 bikes nd 1 suv from Manali for entire trip..all well??
nythng need to b changed..wht will b lowest budget possible per head for manali-manali trip..
TIA.
Hello Viral,
Apart from your stay at Pang on Day 2 everything looks fine to me. I will suggest that you drop that day and directly dash out to Leh from Jispa as your body will not be acclimatized by that time. This way you will get one more day and while returning from Leh you can visit Tso Moriri lake and do Manali – Leh Highway in 3 days.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hey,
Thanks for your timely response.
We will change our plan as per your advice.
Can you please give rough budget(Just amount not calculation)for same?
Viral, make it 600-800 per day for food and stay per person. Rest taxi cost or fuel cost extra.
Hi deeraj!
thank you so much for the big amount of information! best post ever!
I’m planning to hit the road on mid april, do you think it will be open for then? is it dangerous?
thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Edo,
Manali – Leh Highway generally opens in Late May only. In April it will be closed to travel.
Regards
Dheeraj
hi dheeraj,
i am plannig to hit sarchu by 29th may 2014. will the tents be setup by then. Apart from tents what other accomadations are there.. Thanks in advance
Ashish, if the Manali – Leh Highway opens, most likely it will, you will surely find one or the other camps setup there.
Thanks Dheeraj, for valuable information. Soon I will consult you with my tour plan from Shrinagar – Leh(3 days), Leh-Ladhak(8 days), Leh-Manali(2 days) in month of July 2014.
Rajendra, sure. Feel free to post your queries.
Hi Dheeraj Ji, we’ll arrive Leh by Air
19th May Delhi to Srinagar By air
21st May Srinagar to Leh By Air
22nd May Leh-Pangong-Leh by Innova
23rd May Leh to Jispa by Innova
24th May Jispa to Manali by Innova
We’re 6 person in a family and we would like to travel Leh to Manali by Toyota Innova. As our time is very limited so we want to visit Rohtang Pass on the way of Jispa to Rohtang Pass to Manali.
25th May afternoon we’ll depart from Manali to Delhi by Bus.
so this is our itinerary and I strongly recommend your suggestions about this trip.
Thanks.
Laurel, this is killer of an itinerary PLEASE DO NOT follow it as you may end up very sick due to AMS. Please keep in mind that AMS is fatal. You need time to acclimatize to high altitude, with family.. BIG NO NO
You do not have sufficient time to carry on this trip, please add more days or visit something practical in 5 days.
Dear Dheeraj Ji, thanks for your reply. Dheeraj I’ve already bought all of our air tickets and on 27th may Afternoon we’ll fly Delhi to Jaipur. So I’ve only one day spare in hand so We can stay one more day in Leh or Manali. So what’s your suggestions. We can leave Manali 26th at least. Leh or Manali?
Thanks
Best regards,
Laurel
If you are insisting, though not recommended but still best I can suggest you is:
21st May Srinagar to Leh By Air and complete rest for the day. Don’t exert at all for anything. Take plenty of water and keep body hydrated.
22nd May Leh Rest and enjoy local sightseeing with little exertions. Arrange permits for Khardung La
23rd: Make a day trip to Khardung La and rest in Leh
24th May Leh to Jispa by Innova
25th May Jispa to Manali by Innova
26th Reach back home.
This is the best you should plan, otherwise you will risk too much
Hi Dheeraj Ji
We are 2 families and are planning trip to Leh in second week of May.
Will it be fine to go via srinagar leh manali route on this time of year.
I have made an itinery based on my search on internet. Please let us know whether it would work.
Day No. Day Date Plan
0 Friday 09.05.2014 Board train to Jammu after office
1 Saturday 10.05.2014 On Train
2 Sunday 11.05.2014 Reach Jammu,Proceed to Srinagar and stay at Srinagar.
3 Monday 12.05.2014 Srinagar
4 Tuesday 13.05.2014 Leave to Kargil.Night Stay at Kargil
5 Wednesday 14.05.2014 Leave to Leh. Night stay at Leh
6 Thursday 15.05.2014 Leh
7 Friday 16.05.2014 Leh
8 Saturday 17.05.2014 Leh
9 Sunday 18.05.2014 Leh (Buffer for trip)
10 Monday 19.05.2014 Leave for Jispa. Night stay at Jispa
11 Tuesday 20.05.2014 Leave for Manali. Night Stay at Manali
12 Wednesday 21.05.2014 Manali Local(Buffer 2) Leave for Delhi
13 Thursday 22.05.2014 Leave for Pune
14 Friday 23.05.2014 Reach Pune and join office.
Gaurav, all this depends upon if the Manali – Leh Highway will open or not by that time of the year. It might open as BRO expects to open it by end of April, however all depends upon weather conditions in coming months. Yesterday only the snow clearance operation has begun over Manali – Leh Highway. Regarding itinerary I will suggest this:
6 Thursday 15.05.2014 Leh, Acclimatize and Permits.
7 Friday 16.05.2014 Leh – Khardung La – Diskit / Hunder (Nubra Valley)
8 Saturday 17.05.2014 Diskit / Hunder – Sumur – Panamik – Khardung La – Leh
9 Sunday 18.05.2014 Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
10 Monday 19.05.2014 Leave for Sarch. Night stay at Sarchu
11 Tuesday 20.05.2014 Leave for Manali from Sarchu. Night Stay at Manali
Thanks Boss.
You have made the best plan to utilize 4 days at Leh.
Will we be able to visit Rohtang if we stay at Sarchu previous night?
I have 2nd and 3rd Saturday off so if I have to postpone it has to be by 1 month not 1 week.
Gaurav the road to Manali from Sarchu goes through Rohtang Pass only. So no worries on that front.
Boss considering the election and results on 16th May, should we postpone our trip by 1 month. Please confirm as I have to make my train booking tomorrow if we have to plan the visit in May.
I will suggest that you postpone depending upon Road Conditions and opening of them. However, not really sure about the impact of election and results. If you can postpone, better do because it will help you drive on much favourable conditions especially on Manali – Leh Highway.
Yes, Gaurav, it should be OK to Travel Srinagar – Leh Highway by that time of the year. However, if you can delay by a week or so, it could be even better.
Dheeraj
Thanks for your valuable inputs.
One small query
Can we plan from Nubra to Pangong on Saturday 17.05.
I was checking on map it shows a road w/o passing through Leh.
What do you advice?
Hi Gaurav,
To get an idea of the routes in Ladakh along with distances, you can refer: DoW – Maps of Ladakh | Nubra Valley & Changthang. Keep in mind that, the remote routes are isolated and completely off track with almost no roads. Better stick to traditional routes in case it is the first trip to Ladakh.
Regarding Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route, in order to take Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso via Shyok village, you need not need any permits. However, with such a small distance it appears tempting to be done BUT just to analyze the difficulty I will strongly suggest that you read:Trip Report | Nubra – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso Route. The report is from last year. So better confirm first, analyze the high risk involved and then only attempt it or better avoid it unless very much sure. Next possible way is to attempt Wari La route, which is also a bit desolated but in May it will not be open due to presence of snow.
Regards
Dheeraj
hi dheeraj your info is very helpful v r 6 frnds and planning to go manali to leh in mid june with motorbikes. can u let us knoe that what are the charges of renting a bike from manali would cost and what should be the budget of leh trip in present times?
would like to have ur reply as your exp. and info can be very useful tu us for planning our trip.
Ankit, I have replied to your queries at the comments you posted on the other article linked here … You must have gone through the other article related to renting bike, hence most queries would have resolved there 🙂
Hi Dheeraj Ji, we’re 5 person in a family wanna travel to Leh to Manaly by Jeep on 23rd May 2014. So what would be your suggestions?
How are you reaching Leh? Well, May end is the time when Manali – Leh Highway generally opens. So, be ready for some cold conditions and last minute adjustments just in case 🙂
hi deeraj your blog is highly use ful…..and informative
myself Nabeel from the kerala,me planning for a trip to leh, khurdungla…..i am driving by bike and alone in the journey….is it safe to drive alone….will there be fellow travellers in the rotute from manali to leh or from srinagar leh…..wat should i keep in mind during the travel….me will be at delhi around 20 sep…plz replay ..if u can provide your contact mail and number
Nabeel, yes, it is quite safe with little risks. However, thousands of riders do it every year. You will find fellow travellers on the route but less as the season has almost ended. Are you taking your own bike? I will say it will get quite cold especially at Manali – Leh Highway for a bike ride.
thanks deeraj for your replay and concers…
ya am taking my bike with me….i only afraid of the safety over there….the temp is not the issue…and i will be prepared for that….i had checked the weather conditions already its low upto -5 c in this season upto oct 10
i wish to travel from kurdungla to kanyaumari back to home….
Hello, Thanks for the wonderful work you have been doing.
Can you tell me about the Kishatwar-Keylang road? When does it open? Is it tougher than the Len-Manali route?
Yes Kunal, Kishtwar to Keylong is much bad than Manali – Leh Highway and specially when you are interested in Sach Pass. Also, this is not the right time to be in Kishtwar with so much mess around.
I need to leave from Leh on August 17 and there are no HPTDC buses. Are there cabs that do the 2 day trip to manali? Stop over at Jispa or sarchu? Can you provide any contacts?
Kishan, I do not have any contacts but once you will reach Manali, search over Mall road and you will find many operators running such shared tourist cabs.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
News : Cloudburst in Kargil.
Srinagar – Leh road blocked 🙁
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/srinagar-leh-nh-blocked-due-to-cloudburst-113080101365_1.html
Mahesh, roads are open and the news is posted in DoW Travel Community at the link: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/post1468.html#p1468
Hi!
As already mentioned by many, this is an excellent resource, kudos to you. Anyway I’m planning to rent a Self-Drive car from delhi and drive to Manali-Leh-Nubra-Pangong and back. Would I have an issue using the self-drive rental with delhi registration in Ladakh?
San, no issue with self drive rental to Ladakh as long as you can get one self drive vehicle for yourself 🙂
hi san
there is alot of promblem i cant drive alone & there is AMS
Is there any armoured jacket on sale or rent?
Regards,
Lakshay
You can find it online or stores. On rent will be difficult.
Hi Dheeraj,
Amazing article and guide!!!
I and my friend have booked for Leh-Ladakh in the last week of June. We are a bit stuck because we wanted to take HPDTC bus from Manali to Leh but on inquiring, they only start from July onwards. Do you know of private luxury buses that operate from Manali to Leh that we can book?
Thanks,
Vishal
Vishal the only bus service that has started in Manali – Leh highway is HRTC, since yesterday. Read more about it at the DoW – Himalayan Travel Community article linked: Delhi to Manali to Leh Bus Service Resumes for 2013
Thanks a lot Dheeraj! Thats definitely good news and we will call them and see what options are available.
Best wishes for the trip Vishal.
Hello Dheeraj,
I need permit for my car not registered in Himachal Pradesh for the trip to Leh. Can you recommend a travel agency arranging the permit for us before we arrive?
Franz, you can also contact your hotel as well to arrange those permits. More information about this permit and where to get it in Manali, what documents are required etc. can be found on the link: Non – HP Vehicles Need Permit on Manali – Rohtang Pass Road
Hi,
Thanks for all the information provided by you.
We are a group of friends who are planning to go from Manali to Leh on 20th of July.
Can you suggest us some good and relaiable Taxi Service(Tempo Traveller) which can drop us to Leh and also an expected fare for the same.
PS: we have a booked our flights from leh for the return.So we arent looking for a return journey.
Thanks a Lot.
Sorry Rohit on this front.
Hi Dhiraj
Many thanx for the useful info. I have planned an entire Manali-Leh-Srinagar-Delhi trip based on your tips :).
Following is my itinerary. I am travelling with my husband, child (7.5 years) and parents in a rented (private number) taxi with a driver (Chevrolet Enjoy).
Please suggest if it can be shortened. It’s proving to be a couple of extra days for us.
14/06/2013 Overnite journey to Manali.
15/06/2013 Reach Solang Valley by afternoon. Local Sight Seeing
16/06/2013 Leave for Jispa early morning
17/06/2013 Leave Jispa early morning to reach Leh by evening
18/06/2013 In Leh. Local Sight Seeing
19/06/2013 Leave for Nubra Valley (around 5 hours from Leh)
20/06/2013 Leave for Panamik-sumur-khardung-la
21/06/2013 leave for Pangong Tso – Thicksey Monastery
22/06/2013 Pangong to Leh required
23/06/2013 Leh to Kargil-drass
24/06/2013 Drass to Srinagar
25/06/2013 Srinagar to Jammu (bypass) via Pathankot
26/06/2013 Jammu to Delhi
Surbhi, you are already packed considering you are traveling with a family. This will also struggle a bit!! The onyl day you can rip of from the above itinerary is instead of 2 day trip to Pangong Tso, do single day trip to it.
heyyy dheeraj,
first of all big thanx for u .. to give a neccesary info about trip to leh …. i m finalize a trip to leh with my frndz of our own motorbike in mid of june …
there is some question in my mind .. i need ur help ..
1. its a right time to travel for a leh at our own bikes ..??
2. what the necessary things would u prefer to be along with us while travel on bikes..
3.is there any restriction to travel with our own bikes or is there to get a specail permit to travel with bikes ????
4. give me advice what to do or not to do while travel speccialy on bikes becoz it might be risky travel on bikes or not ????
Hi Gagan,
1. Yes, it is good time to Travel to Ladakh
2. Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip including basic medical kit, clothing, must haves etc. at the link here: List of Things to Carry for Leh – Ladakh trip.
3. Bikes are exempted from the permits of Manali – Leh road. But, once you reach Ladakh then you will have to take Inner Line Permits.
4. Also, I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below which are equally applicable for Bikes as well:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I’m amazed at the time and effort you have put into this- really hats off!! Thanks from all of us who have picked up so much.
We are 3 people flying to Chandigarh from Calcutta in July 1st week. We want to take a taxi to Leh and back- have exactly 2 weeks. Where can I find a taxi at chandigarh? Can you give me a manali/shimla contact who will take us there to leh? What cost should I budget for? Secondly, will it be cheaper to ask him to wait there and get us back to chandigarh while we do our local traveling in the leh local taxi, or should we send him back and return to chandigarh in the leh taxi?
Would really appreciate your guidance. Thanks so much.
Narayani, it is better to take overnight Volvo to Manali and then start the journey from Manali either by HPTDC bus or private taxi. Private taxi will be costly. I am suggesting because taxis outside Ladakh are not allowed in Ladakh for sightseeing purposes. Once, you reacch Leh then hire a taxi to keep it with you till the end of the trip.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2013-14 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Planning a follow-up trip of sorts to Ladakh, once was not enough obviously 🙂 The last time we had covered Srinagar-Leh, on wheels. This time we intend to cover the Leh-Manali route by road. While reading your post on that route, i landed here..Hanle-Tso Moriri-Leh-Manali Hwy.
My primary concern is the travel time. Is the Leh-Pangong Tso-Loma-Tso Moriri route open in the 1st/2nd week of September?
I have a rough itinerary of:
Aug 31: Mumbai-Leh (by flight). Spend a day to acclimatize.
Sept 1: Day in Leh, mainly to attend the inaugural day parade of the Leh Festival.
Sept 2: Leh-Pangong Tso. Overnight stay at Pangong Tso.
Sept 3: Pangong Tso-Hanle. Stay at Hanle (Need accomodation options)
Sept 4: Hanle-Tso Moriri. Stay at Tso Moriri (Again accomodation at?)
Sept 5: Tso-Moriri to Manali-Leh-Hwy
What should be the stopover on the Leh-Manali route after Tso Moriri (Tso Kar?) or can i drive directly upto Sarchu? Also, you had mentioned about fuel in your writeup. In this case, where all can we top-up?
Sept 6: Tso Kar (if at all a stopover here is needed) – Sarchu. Overnight at Sarchu.
Sept 7: Sarchu-Manali (Or do i have to make a stopover at Tandi?)
Sept 8: Manali-Delhi (If possible overnight) Delhi-Mumbai.
Sept 9: Buffer-day, if required
Also, are ILP enough, or we need any other special permits. (Sorry did not pay attention to that part of ur writeup :P). Lastly, this will probably be a ladies-only tour. Any precautions or suggestion for that?
Looking forward for your expert opinion 🙂
Cheers,
Pragati
Hello Pragati,
Yeah, very true. Ladakh is not a place which you visit just once :). I will suggest following itinerary for you:
Aug 31: Mumbai-Leh (by flight). Spend a day to acclimatize.
Sept 1: Day in Leh, mainly to attend the inaugural day parade of the Leh Festival.
Sept 2: Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Staying at Pangong Tso on third day feel a bit dicey to me due to AMS issues
Sept 3: Leh – Hanle
Check the article Hanle Village | The Hidden Gems of Ladakh
Sept 4: Hanle | Enjoy the village and relax around.
Sept 5: Hanle – Tso Moriri
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
Sept 6: Tso Moriri – Sarchu
— Driver will take care of the fuel, don’t worry. You have to carry in spare from Leh only.
Sept 7: Sarchu – Manali
Sept 8: Manali – Delhi (If possible overnight) Delhi-Mumbai.
Sept 9: Buffer-day, if required
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
PS: Sorry for the delayed response, I was traveling to Spiti Valley for past 10 days.
Hi,
We are planning for a trip to Leh from Mumbai in Aug-13. We are thinking to start our journey from Srinagar by road via Kargil to reach Leh on the next day.
And comeback from Leh to Manali by road.
Please help to check whether the below plan looks ok. Also, suggest us places to visit during our stay in Leh.
Day 1 8-Aug: Mum @6:00 AM by flight to reach Srinagar by 16:00. Night Stay in Sonmarg.
Day 2 9-Aug: Sonmarg to Kargil by road- Share Taxi
Day 3 10-Aug: Kargil to Leh by road- Share Taxi
Day 4 11-Aug: Leh
Day 5 12-Aug: Leh
Day 6 13-Aug: Leh
Day 7 14-Aug: Leh to Jaspa by road
Day 8 15-Aug: Jaspa to Manali by road
Day 9 16-Aug: Manali to Chandigarh by road- Bus
Day 10 17-Aug: Chandigarh to Mumbai by Flight
18-Aug Sunday take rest in Mumbai
Sapan, given the number of days in hand, your itinerary looks good to me. However, it is unlikely that you can get some shared taxi from Sonamarg. So, better stay at Srinagar only to opt for shared taxi. On one of the days in Leh visit Khardung La and on other day visit Pangong Tso lake.
hi dheeraj
First devil on wheels in an awesome guide for a fun loving traveler. thnx for this.
dheeraj we are planing a trip srinagar – leh – manali by our ford endevour in later JULY. So i want to know that either any permit req to cross rohtang pass for non HP register vehicle by leh to manali. If yes then from where to get it, as we are stating from Leh not from Manali.
Harmohit, thanks a lot. Well, you will not need any permits if you traveling from Leh side to Manali. Permits for non-HP vehicles are only required if you climb from Manali to Rohtang Pass. Also, do make sure that there are restrictions now on timings to travel on Manali – Rohtang Pass road. From 6 AM to 12.00 PM traffic from Manali to Rohtang Pass is only allowed and from rohtang Pass to Manali, traffic is allowed only from 12.00 PM to 10.00 PM. Finally, 10.00 PM to 6.00 AM traffic is not allowed on Manali – Leh Highway now.
thnx dheeraj
now please tell me is there any accommodation source in hemis national park, we are planning to stay there and what is the route to national park from leh.
Harmohit, you will only find homestays there and sorry to stay I do not have any source for them.
Hi Deeraj,
We are from Mumbai. I and my wife both planning for a trip from Mumbai via Manali to Leh roughly for 9-10 days. We want hire a share taxi as I think personal would be costly I guess. Overnight stay in between.
Could you please suggest some operators. Or any tour operators who are good and cheap.
Sapan in that case better opt for HPTDC buses which will make it economic for you.
Not to forget, you will feel much more comfort as well in them instead of shared taxis.
Hi Dheeraj
you do a great job.
Actually I am planning to go Leh via Shrinagar-Leh highway then want to return via manali.
is the June 15th the right time to go from Delhi? Apart from I want all route information from Leh-manali like Shrinagar-Leh.
Thanks
Rakesh Verma 9891685208
Rakesh, Avoid sleeping at Sarchu or Pang at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there. It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you minimize the chances for falling sick or hit by AMS while going to Leh from Manali. And, then next day carry on the rest of the journey to Leh without sleeping in between anywhere by leaving early in the morning say, by 4-5 AM types. I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa. If you are coming back via Manali – Leh, then it should be OK to stay at Sarchu as your body will be acclimatized by that time.
This plan which you are going to undertake is disaster, please avoid an follow the traditional way to visit Leh – Ladakh. Check the most common itinerary from Ladakh Menu in the blog and get an idea on how to go about planning for Ladakh trip.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Me & my 2 frnds r planning to do a road trip from Manali – Leh in end or June or July 1st week. I hope that’s the best time. Please advise me how to rent a Bike or Jeep(Gypsy)in Manali or Delhi. & how much they cost.
Regards,
Anoop
Anoop, how much days you have in hand? Jeep would be difficult to find in Manali and plus would draw a heavy security deposit upfront? Any budget constraints you have?
Dear Deeraj,
I am planning Leh trip via Sonmarg and return via Manaliwith my family in my own “Volkswagon Vento Car” during end July’13.
Hope driving is not an issue on this rough terrain in this car……? anyone having experience of travelling in such cars( Vento,Honda City, Verna etc please share experiences
Kuldeep, I drive a dzire, almost similar except may be power 🙂 … Based on my experience and others, for hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway and Ladakh, I will say:
You will indeed face few tough challenges on the route. The hatchback/sedan will increase the level of every challenge even further, sedan is the worst candidate. My suggestion will be to go via Srinagar route as it will help you feel comfortable with the driving, provide more acclimatization and then once you have done the local Leh-Ladakh, then come back via Manali side. Secondly, since you are in hatch/sedan, then you need to drive with extra care as well. There will be some sections on the Manali – Leh highway in which you might need to sacrifice some scratches on the underbelly. Just make sure you do not bump the engine sump (know it before where it is placed in your car). You need to protect it all around the trip. Thirdly, whenever in doubt do not rush into the section rather park aside and feel the section with your foot, see how other vehicles are crossing it and make a planned route in your mind to cross that section. At the very least do carry Mseal, quick fix, funnel, jerry cans and towing rope with you all the time.
Also, I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Also, don’t you have your own bikes?
No dheeraj, we don’t have bikes need to rent it from manali. We are planning to catch bus from Delhi to manali at night, hopefully will reach by morning. We have around 10 – 14 days for the trip and budget can be upto 25000/ head. How many days is leh manali drive?
Brother can you also list some must see places in the manali leh trip. Which we can make in this 10-14 days
Anoop, first and foremost I will request you to read the article: How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali. Leh Manali drive should be done in 2 days only on the way up and while coming back you can stay for more than 2 days.
You can go through the article: Places on Manali – Leh Highway | A Detailed Description to know more about what to see and all.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi,
I am planning to go Leh to manali on 15th Aug’13. Is that a right time to travel that place and am planning to travel in HPTDC bus. Kindly suggest is that a right time and i can get HPTDC bus or not….? Kindly help…
Harish, it is monsoon time and at some parts of Manali – Leh Highway (like before Baralacha La) and Srinagar – Leh Highway (like before Kargil) you might need to face monsoon hassles but once you get closer to Ladakh, then Ladakh being rain shadow region is least affected by monsoon rains, though rains does reach Ladakh now but to minimum and mostly it might remains overcast conditions. There is no thumb rule of certainity about weather conditions but above is generally common pictures seen over last few years except ugly 2010 …
Hello Dheeraj,
First of all,many thanks for valuable informations you posted for all future traveller in Leh Ladakh.
We are 6 friends planning to travel from New Delhi to Leh via Tata Safari with below route n teantaive dates are :21st May 13 (midnight) – 1st June 13.
New Delhi-Srinagar-Leh-Manali-New Delhi.
We all have done driving in low hills area (like Manali,Shimla,etc.).There are no priror experience in any of us of such long drive. Pls suggest how we planned our journey.
Hello Pawan,
Pawan, very unlikely that Manali – Leh will open by that time of the year. You may got lucky but seeing the snow this year it will be difficult. Can you shift by a week or two?
Regards
dheeraj sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Thanks for the advised. Now we have finalised the new dates with high level planning:
Start Date : 28th May 2013 night.
1) 28th May 13 5pm from New Delhi
2) 29th May 13 5 AM Pathankot
3) 29th May 13 6pm Srinagar (Night stay)
4) 30th May 13 6am Srinagar – Sonmarg (10am , will roam around in Sonmarg for few hours)
5) 30th May 13 1pm Sonmarg
6) 30th May 13 7 pm Drass (Night stay)
7) 31st May 13 6am Drass – Leh
8) 31st May 13 1pm Leh
Pls suggest how much time we stay to acclimatize in Leh before we start exploring this entire place. We plan to stay in Leh until 7th May 13 before starting return journey vis Leh-Manali route to New Delhi.
Pls suggest if this looks like a manageble tour or we need to make more changes.
Rgds,
Pawan Tomar
Hello Pawan,
It seems a good plan, instead of Drass better stay at Kargil and instead of Sonamarg better stay at Alchi to combat the AMS and better acclimatize. So, your night halts will be like Srinagar, Kargil, Alchi, Leh and then spend one more day in Leh for Local sightseeing plus permits, then do Nubra Valley then Pangong Tso and then Tso Moriri and finally Manali – Leh Highway. This way you will be best acclimatized. I am sure you know the painful journey of Delhi to Srinagar.
Regards,
Dheeraj
We start from delhi from volvo buses we book the ticket from travel yaari at 1700 rupees for 2 person ac volvo buses.Bus was gud………it start from delhi at 6:30 and we reach at 8:00.We drop to the bus stand you can find many hotel.But we took a car that charge 100 rupees and show us many hotel.We stayed in Ocean Park they charge from 1200 for honeymoon suite.Contact number Ocean Park:01902-250008,08988372649,09418542600,08988372650.
The hotel was chaep and gud nice view.
We book a car for Solan valley they charge Rs.900.The driver was very clever he stop on one shop was dress that cost 1800 they gave 2 couple dress and skinning skates with a guide.It is very essential to were that dress but my suggestion that you will find the dress at 50 rupees and even u can find guide and the skating material at up. Our driver was very clever he stop us at down telling that they is lots of traffic but ask him to go up as much he can or ask him to come up when the traffic is clear. We went up there we did Paragliding,Ice car ride it take total 2000 rupees you need to bargain alot.Then we had tea and maggai there we did skinning it total take around of 4 hours for up and down and for all these activity. There are lot of adventure sports. Then we went for local site scene on the same day that also take around of 3 hours thats it.The driver took only 900 for all you need to bargain alot.In the month for Febuary the Rotang pass was close so we didnt went there.Manali is only for 2 days 1 night that max period you can enjoy we even enjoy the snow fall. You can easily find North Indian food.It is very cold there the tem was 0 deg.Please take woolen cloths.You can even go to Kullu for Water rafting and for shawls but they are to costly.The car will take aruond of 900 for these two place.Good place for vacation for 2 days with your better half.Then we came back from Himachal tourism volvo bus,its was worst bus i ever saw better to take private volvo buses.
Thanks Tanya
Thanks alot for sharing your experience with us. I am sure will help many other fellow travelers.
Hi everyone. I am planning a Srinagar – Leh – Manali tour somewhere in June 2013. I am all alone and would like to join in with someone also interested in the tour. Please let me know by email if anyone is interested to take the journey together. My email is ishuahmed@gmail.com
Hi,
Dheeraj
we six friends from kerela
planned to visit SRINAGER-LEH-MANALI in the second week of june
our plan is hire a taxi from srinager to leh.Then another taxi from leh for sight seeing . finally another HP permit taxi from leh to manali.Here we have doubt,that is shall i get HP permit taxi at leh.If not;what is the alternate.kindly advise.
thank you. with regards
C.S.KISHOR
Hi CS Kishore,
You do not need to hire a HP Permit taxi while coming from Leh to HP. It is required other direction. The Leh taxi should be able to drop you to Manali.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning for trip from manali to leh in the second week of aug’13. am planning to book a ticket in HPTDC. Kindly let me know when the bookings will open and where we can book the ticket? pl advice.
Harish, you can use the HPTDC official website to book the tickets online for Manali to Leh journey. Also, by that time HPTDC buses will be running.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi deeraj,
thanks for my earlier reply, as per your blog and advice we are planning leh ladakh for next june’13, we will start 8th june’13 with a group of 6-7 person(male with the age group from 26 to 40) , our plan is as follows :-
08th june(sat)- by flight from kolkata to srinagar, night stay at srinagar
09th june(sun)- srinagar to kargil
10th june(mon)- kargil to leh via alchi & other sightseen
11th june(tue) to 14th june(fri) – we will be in leh.
we will take flight from chandigarh on 17th at 11.15 am
so we need to cross long distance from leh-kylong-manali-chandigarh. Please suggest how do we can cover this area within 2 days.our plan is as follows, please suggest if any changes required so that we can reach chandigarh by 16th night(if possible) , so there will be no headache on 17th morning.
15th june'(sat) – leh to keylong (352 km) – around 6.5 hrs drive(as per internet info)- night stay at keylong
“IS THERE ANY OTHER OPTION SO THAT WE CAN REDUCE THE DISTANCE BY COVERING MORE DISTANCE THAN STAYING AT KEYLONG – AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WE ARE ALL YOUNG GROUP , BUT IS THAT REALLY POSSIBLE TO COVER MORE DISTANCE AND NIGHT STAY AT SOME DIFFERENCE PLACE ??
OUR PLAN
16th june(sun)- either keylong to chandigarh(421km- 8 hrs) /madni(219 km-3.5 hrs) /bilaspur(284km- 4.5 hrs)
‘IF WE CAN’T REACH ON16TH NIGHT TO CHANDIGARH THEN
17th June(Mon) – bilaspur to chandigarh airport(130 km – 2hr 10 min)
please note that we already booked our ticket from kolkata to srinagar and from chandigarh to kolkata.
so please help us in this regard
Secondly, as per your blog we had a discussion with the various drivers for the tour from Srinagar to leh(with leh registration car), and their range is vary from rs.30000(without road pass) and 35000(with road pass), so please suggest if the rate is okay or further burgaining option is there ? Secondly, should we borrow another car from Leh to Manali(with HP registration) or should we ask the same driver to cross that long distance.
Many thanks
Subhankar
Subhankar, you CANNOT do Leh to Keylong in 6.5 Hrs?? Where did you read it?? It takes about 12+ hrs easily to do Leh – Keylong considering there are no blockages. It is very hectic to do that thing in 2 days. BEST you can do is make a cannon ball run to Manali from Leh that is where shared taxis start around 2-3 AM at night and reach Manali in the evening by 7 PM types. Overnight in Manali and then go ahead for Chandigarh from Manali.
What exactly do you mean by road pass here? I have not heard of that term and 5K gap seems something special. If you are on budget then better do it with Himachal registered taxi and plus he will be more willing to do it with good discount. When you reach Leh then try to fix the deal with them else on the spot you may not be able to find one. Did you cross check with the rate card of this year as per itinerary regarding the prices?
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Sir,
Now we are planing visit manali & leh in First week of March 2013 with our 7 members group.
Our plan.
day 1 st – Delhi to Leh by air,
Stay at leh
day 2nd – around leh & stay at leh.
3 rd day -Leh to manali by privet car, stay ????
4 th day evening reach at manali stay at manali
5 th day manali to delhi return
Is it possible.
Please suggest
1. March 1 st week is it ok? We want to see mountains with snow.
2. stay between Leh to manali.
3. Manali to delhi travel time by bus or airbus available ?
Regards
Kasture R.D
Maharashtra
Hello Kasture,
Roads will not be open by March, so if you want to make a road trip to Leh – Ladakh then make it in somewhere between mid-June to September.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
We r planning for venture into the land of Gompha and Monasteries- Leh Ladakh.According to an itinerary suggested from ur end we are heading for Pangong lake from Leh after completing Hunder Diskit Nubra Valley Sumur and so on and halt for the night at Pang-ong. Next day will head for Sarchu enroute Tso Kar and Tso Meriri.We will halt for a night at Sarchu and proceed for Manali . Sir My queries are : 1) Where to stay at Pang-ong? The temperature at Pang.. during mid-July? time to reach Sarchu via Tso Kar and Tso Meriri from Pang.. if we start as early as 6.00 a.m at Pang-ong?
Hi Abhijit,
1. You can stay at Tangste now as many of the camps would have gone or else stay at Martsemik Camps at Pangong Tso. For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
2. In mid-July it shall not be that cold at all to worry about at Pangong Tso. (I feel you must have used full name because it created lot of confusion with other place just before Sarchu that is called Pang)
3. It needs 2 days with overnight halt at Tso Moriri to reach Sarchu from Pangong Tso via Tso Moriri and Tso Kar and both days will be quite long.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
dear mr dhiraj sharma
i want to appreciate ur efforts and work for leh manali route its marvelous
now i need ur help to decide
i need to travel leh to manali in the month of april or at the most may end as i need to come back to mumbai by 5 th of june
want to see leh local
panggong lake
tsomoriri lake
numbara valley
lahul
spiti
keylong
manali
btw we have been to manali few times and leh once but couldnt see tsomoriri and numbra valley
so local sightseen of leh and manali r not important for me
as both my children r studying
i cant go in june month
so will i be able to travel from leh to manali ?? let me know
Hi Amit,
Thanks alot. In the month of May and April, you will not be able to do the journey to Ladakh by road and hence you have to fly in and fly out of Leh. If you go in May then there are better chances of seeing the colors of both Lakes which usually melts by May. I am not sure how many days you have in hand but still I will suggest you do the journey like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
— Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
— Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
— Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
— After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
— If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
— Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
— Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 7 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
— Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour
— Overnight at Leh
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi sir mr dheeraj,
This is Dr Thiagarajan from delhi
ur article is incredible.
Pl advise about my itinery
I am badly short of time
28 th aug mor – delhi leh flight booked
28th stay in leh local sight seeing
29th aug pangong day trip
30th aug nubra day trip
31 st aug early start from leh by taxi
overnight stay at sarchu or jispa
1st sep day travel from sarchu or jispa to manali
1st sep booked a volvo from manali to delhi
2nd sep is a buffer day
as i have to start hectic work on 3rd sep morning monday
My questions?
1. To stay in sarchu if i start early at 5 am can i reach manali by 5 pm the same day
or is it safer to stay at jispa
or the HPTDC bus reaches manali before 5 pm
2. pl advise good and economical camps at sarchu or jispa
3. i plan to book all taxis after reaching leh for, nubra day , pangong day and 2 day travel with 1 night stay drop to manali. can i bargain at the taxi stand at leh for a combined plan for all these 3 trips will i get a reasonable rate what to expect?
or pl suggest otherwise
or can i contact some agent at manali for leh manali drop alone
4. pl suggest some good hotels at leh
5. at what time these manali delhi volvo buses reach delhi if i take a bus at 4 .30 pm
Hi Dr Thiagarajan,
Thanks alot for appreciating the article. Well, you are really short on time. Traveling to Pangong Tso or Nubra Valley on second day itself, I am not very convinced because your body will not be acclimatized for such high altitude by that time. So, better take rest in Leh on 29th as well. On 30th make a day tripto Pangong Tso and since your are really short on time, make a day trip to Khardung La pass on the buffer day you have. If it is some really important work on 3rd then you do not have this option and will have to take buffer day for Manali – Leh Highway.
1. Better stay at Jispa, if you want to catch overnight Volvo.
2. Jispa Journeys are good one at Jispa.
3. Yes, you can get good deal, close to 12-15% discount once you are in Leh. And first couple of days you have time as well to arrange taxi for local sightseeing and Pangong Tso + Manali – Leh Highway.
4. For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
5. Manali – Delhi Volvo reaches by 6.30-7.00 AM types at Delhi.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Sorry for the delayed reply.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi i m planning my trip along with my wife to leh via manali by taxi
so pls guide me for my trip
is it fine for me to book a private cab for leh
Hi Laxman,
Please let me know what kind of information do you need about Manali – Leh Highway. Did you go through the information present in the article above? Also, it is surely fine to book the taxi/cab for Leh.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Can you pls help with a few contacts of Bike rental places in Leh, from where we can rent the bike and drive down till Manali, and preferably drop/ return the bike there. Thanks,
Hi Shikha,
You can rent bikes in Leh and Fort Road in Leh is full of such shops that rent bikes. Depending upon the condition, model, make and tourist rush you can get bikes starting from Rs 600 to Rs 1200. Rather than booking over phone, it is much better to visit the Fort road, check 4-5 shops over there and get a good deal after checking the bike conditions.
I have few contacts and if you still want them, I will share them.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
we are planning our tripp from 16 aug on manali leh route on our suv is this time ok to travel
Hello Inder,
Since it will be monsoon mania at that time, at some parts of Manali – Leh Highway (like before Baralacha La) and Srinagar – Leh Highway (like before Kargil) you might need to face monsoon hassles but once you get closer to Ladakh, then Ladakh being rain shadow region is least affected by monsoon rains, though rains does reach Ladakh now but to minimum and mostly it might remains overcast conditions. There is no thumb rule of certainity about weather conditions but above is generally common pictures seen over last few years except ugly 2010 …
Also, I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello sir, your article has been a great help to plan our trip. We are planning the trip from Aug 9 to Aug 20. We are very keen to self drive on the Manali-Leh highway. I think we have two options. One is to rent a taxi and tip the driver to let us drive. The second one is to rent a self drive. I’m inclined towards the second. We are around 6-7 people and adding one more for the driver may require us to take two taxis which i don’t want. I wanted to ask if its possible to get a self driven car from Manali which we can return in Leh. If yes can you provide me with some contacts. And will it be difficult to convince drivers to let us drive. I would be very thankful if you can help me out.
Hi Dheeraj – excellent blog! it’s THEE SOURCE on all things Ladakh – thanks for your great advice and all the folks who post questions I also have 😀
Need some advise for the following please:
– Have booked my trip to Leh via Manali July end. I’m travelling Manali – Keylong (overnight halt) then onwards to Leh.
1) Is it better to stay 2 nights in Keylong for acclimatizing for the onward journey to Leh or is a 13 hour sleep overnight in K’long, sufficient?
I’m now quite concerned that we (2pax) are taking the least preferred route but I’ve also read many travel advisories on UK’s FCO page warning against non-essential travel to Srinagar, hence why i’m not keen on taking the Srinagar – Leh route.
2) At this stage we can still change our route plan, but is it safe and advisable to go via Srinagar over the likely AMS issues via Manali – Leh.
Many thanks,
TravelBug
Hello TravelBug,
1. Well, you will be able to manage the Manali – Leh route by few tips like: Staying first night not in Manali, rather Solang but then problem of catching a taxi or bus from Manali should be handled. Secondly, staying at Keylong or Jispa overnight and then doing the Keylong/Jispa – Leh part in one go on next day (as you already doing), DO NOT exert your bodies anywhere and keeping your body hydrated to optimum levels apart from other tips mentioned in the article linked here: Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization.
2. It is generally safe but since your heart is not saying so, better avoid dilema and go over Manali – Leh Highway following above tips. You guys migh have some headache, in some cases, but that shall be fine once you reach Leh and sleep overnight there. Of course, this is something you need to pay to avoid Srinagar – Leh route.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for your advice. Upon reading many reviews including posts you’ve made in the past, we do prefer the Srinagar – Leh – Manali route as we’d like to properly acclimatize. We are only spending 5 days 6 nights in Leh/Ladakh so we’d rather enjoy the journey as well as the destination – hence minimising AMS.
This is our newly proposed itinerary:
– Delhi flight to S’nagar (overnight halt)
– S’nagar to Kargil (overnight halt)
– Kargil to Leh (7 nights to visit various locations and build in overnight stays if required)
– Leh to Keylong
– Keylong – Manali
Any advice or suggestions would be more than welcome if the above should be altered.
Warm regards,
TravelBug
Yes, little modification. On return, you will be acclimatized well enough to sleep at Sarchu (almost more than 95% people does) so make that journey evenly to get most out of Manali – Leh Highway and after such a long journey 😉 … Leh – Sarchu and then Sarchu – Manali, should be the last two days.
All the best for your trip!!
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Ankur,
Well, nopes, you cannot get a self-drive car in Manali for a drive to Ladakh. Best options is to tip the driver to let you drive and even in that case, it will be like 50/50 chance. Most likely, if the taxi belongs to some owner the driver might agree but if it belongs to the driver himself then it would be difficult.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We had a conversation earlier on your comments section regarding my itinerary. We were 2 people doing a 15 day trip to Leh and back. Now, unfortunately, I am forced to do this trip alone. I have quite a few questions I want to ask, which would be easier via e-mail/call. Can you please mail me on my e-mail ID? I am travelling from 2nd August to 20th August now, I hope I am not too late in planning stuff.
Thanks,
Sudarshan
Hi Sudarshan,
I have emailed you my contact number 🙂 … Please check your bulk mail as well.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Very informative article. One thing I wanted to know:
1- regarding Taxi, is it better to book a taxi from Manali to Jispa and then Jispa to Leh, or directly from Manali to Leh? I want to know from ease of travel perspective, and from economic perspective..
Thanks!!
Hi Partha,
You will not find any taxi at Jispa, so it is always better to get the taxi arranged from Manali itself.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks. One more query – in "Three Day Journey on Manali–Leh Highway" section, you have warned against staying at Sarchu/Pang (pink box). Then, where to stay at the second night?
Hi Dheeraj,
Please ignore my previous question (about ur pink box comment), I got your point.
We were planning night-stays at Pangong as well as at Nubra Valley. In your view, are they worth it, or its ok to be back (to Leh) the same day?
Hello Partha,
That;s great, though I do have replied. They are worth if you have time with you. At least, do spend overnight in Nubra Valley to actually ensure that you guys explore it to good extent. Sunrise and Sunset along Pangong Tso again are really nice.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Partha,
The three day journey is actually meant for people coming from Leh towards Manali not for those who are going from Manali to Leh. It will not help much staying in between anywhere where you can stay, because at Max. you can stay at Darcha which may not help you acclimatize to sleep at Sarchu. So, better do it in 2 days while going from Manali to Leh.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Your work is truly the best I have come across yet in my research for a trip ladakh so far…thanks & heartiest congratulations!
Coming to businesss :), we are 3 people planning to do Delhi-Manali-Jispa-Ladakh-Nubra-Pangong-Kargil-Srinagar in July end- early august. We would be flying back from Srinagar so the direction of the trip is more or less fixed..whereas ur blog has cleared almost every doubt I ve had so far there is just one thing i need to understand.. We would be taking a volvo to Manali and then hiring a taxi from there onwards… Given that we can only do ladakh & ex-ladakh in local cars, how do we handle the driver/car piece…not to mention we also want to take the same car to srinagar( i m assuming that is a better option) so can we do Pathar Sahib etc in that car on our way to kargil??
Hi Rahul,
Well, in such a case you have to hire a taxi from Manali for Leh which will drop you there. After that you can hire a Ladakh taxi for rest of the journey including the drop at Srinagar. You can also opt for HPTDC Manali – Leh bus service that also include the accommodation and dinner in the ticket fare and since you are three in number it wil be much more economic option for you guys. Once, you reach Leh, hire a local taxi as said above.
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
If tickets are not booked from Srinagar, then I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I am traveling to Leh from Manali via HPTDC Bus starting at 11AM in manali to reach LEh the next day at 8pm. I am starting on July 17. I wanted to check whether this bus stops at view points – High passes atleast.
Yes, Viplav, to some extent HPTDC buses stop at major tourist destination on the way to Leh.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Greetings Dheeraj Sir!
As always, kudos to your website and the pain you have taken.
I have a few questions on the Manali – Leh journey:
1. Cannon Ball run Taxis – What vehicles are used in these Cannon Ball runs ? Are they minibus/minivans or SUV/MUVs
2. Shared Taxi – will it be possible to find a shared taxi who does the trip in 2 days ?
Hello Loki,
Thanks buddy.
1. These are mostly MUVs like Sumo, Xylo etc.
2. Through travel agent by paying a bit more, yes. Otherwise, you need to ask around on your own because unlike Ladakh there are no flyers posted by interested people. If at all you can get flyers, you would find them in Old Manali where lots of foreigners reside.
Best bet will be HPTDC bus service, if started by the time you are planning the trip.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Sir!
Took the 20 hr canonball run from Manali and reached Leh yesterday night. It was a 11 seater Tempo traveller. Cost Rs 1900 per head. The driver stopped at 2 hour intervals for toilet breaks and also at various tents along the way for food. I didnt feel any issue of AMS at all along the way. Roads were ok in a few places but almost non existent in most places – especially 100 km before Leh. But I kinda enjoyed it. Was a different experience. Youngsters shouldnt have any problem at all. Older people/ women should find it difficult though…
Thanks alot Loki for your updates. I am sure it would be helpful for many searching for apt and live information over Internet.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Loki,
Do you have any contact number on which i can contact the tempo traveller person.
hello sir , we are going to leh ladakh on 24th via manali leh highway from amritsar and will return from leh on 2nd of july via leh-kargil-srinagar highway , can u please give me itinerary . we want to cover pangong tso, tso mriri, magnetic hill, gurudwara pather sahib,also monastries,local sightseeing,nubra valley,zanskar(optional) and rafting too..
question no. 2–can we travel at night during return journeys from visiting places ??
Hello Gurbaj,
1. I guess you have 8 days only. If yes, it is not possible to cover the places you have mentioned above and would be difficult to even manage basic places too. You should plan for one day extra at the very least. Can you increase the number of days?
2. Please avoid is otherwise what is the point of going so far when you are missing half the journey while traveling at night and risking everything.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
thanks sir,,,
k,,we will add one day.
Hello Gurbaj,
In such a case, you can follow the plan like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
— Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
— If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali
— Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
— It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS.
— Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there.
— I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa.
— Overnight at Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh
— Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
— Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Leh
— Head for Nubra Valley very early in the day and come back by late evening after visiting Deskit. If you have time go little further and see Hunder sand dunes too
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Taglang La – Pang – Sarchu
— Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
— Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 8 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
Day 9 | Manali – Delhi
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj. Kudos to the work that you do here. A LOT of my questions for my trip to Ladakh got answered by simply going through your write-ups and comments above. I still few more questions though…
Three of my friends and I are planning the following itinerary for Leh. Could you help me out here.?
Day 1 – Saturday – Reach Leh by flight from Delhi. Relax in hotel, explore market, find guides, permits.
Day 2 – Sunday – Some additional sightseeing.
Day 3 – Monday – Khardungla pass – overnight in Nubra valley. Accomodate any sightseeing enroute.
Day 4 – Tuesday – Return to Leh. Sightseeing enroute.
Day 5 – Wednesday – Pangong Lake and back.
Day 6 – Thursday – Rafting in Indus.
Day 7 – Friday – Take HPTDC bus to Manali via Keylong
Day 8 – Saturday -Keylong to Manali. Take overnight cab from Manali to Delhi
Day 9 – Sunday – Delhi to Chennai flight.
Qn 1 – I am very very concerned about the fact that i could not fit in a buffer day before going to Delhi from Manali. Considering that we travelling via Rohatang in peak monsoons, you think it's a bad idea? I would not want to miss my flight back.
2. Are the buses safe ? I am sure the drivers are the best, still will the monsoons make it difficult / unsafe ?
3. I couldnt fit Tso Moriri in the itinerary, do you think i can include it someplace ?
4. What do you think about the itinerary ?
5. I would love to do like a short day trek around Leh, any recommendations ?
Regards,
Dipika 🙂
Sorry, forgot to add. We are travelling from Aug 11th to Aug 20th
Hello Dipika,
Thanks alot, glad the information was useful for your Ladakh trip. The plan is perfect given the time you guys have in hand and I do not have much to say apart "Good Job"!! 🙂 … Instead of overnight cab from Manali, you can get the overnight Volvo as well in case you reach in time. Also, handle your permits either via driver or do it on Day 2 itself, better relax on Day 1.
1. Yes, it is a bad idea and what you can do to mitigate is to do the whole itinerary in reverse direction. Start from Delhi and go by road to Leh and then fly back from Leh. This is the best you can do without buffer days.
2. Mostly they are safe but thinking about the harsh terrain, no one can make the guarantee. You guys are 4 in number, better take a taxi because at times taxis may get through the landslide while buses can't being big in sizes.
3. Better leave for next trip or may be if you reverse the direction we might fit it 🙂
4. Already answered 🙂
5. Better enjoy the sightseeing since you are short on time.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, Thanks much for your response :-)Considering that the Leh-Delhi flight charges are really high, we decided to do the road route on our way back. Guess we'll take an extra day off for the buffer. You know of cases where ppl have been stranded near the Rohtang pass for more than a day ? Also, just wanted to check. The flight charges from Delhi to Leh are a whopping 5 figure number. Is it usually so ? would you know ? Or should i wait for sometime and see if the rates reduce ? Also, will take your advice to take a taxi instead of the bus. Thanks again, for answering all my qns. Cheers
Hello Dipika,
Yes, several times it happens that is why it is important to have that buffer day with you. Well, I got the return for 4.8K in April 😉 but yes in the season time it goes way high and it generally remains similar for the whole season and it might start come down by September types.
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 12-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks much Dheeraj ! Taking your advice and keeping a buffer day. We are changing our dates to the end of the month to take advantage of cheaper air fares and hoping for a lesser crowd. Will definitely have loads of more qns for ya as we get closer to the trip dates. Thanks much again for all the information you have put up here on this website.
Regards,
Dipika
Sure Dipika and have a great journey and good luck for your trip!!
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hello sir i want some info about can i go leh in my car
its a bmw 8 series the roads for leh will it easy to move
please tell me
Hi Rajesh,
Well, BMW 8 series to Ladakh would be quite a challenge as there are no roads at so many places and in water crossings it would be very hard to negotiate hitting the underbelly. I do not think it has enough ground clearance to handle the roads to Ladahk as well within Ladakh. At one place or other, you have to sacrifice some scratches at least at the under belly even if you drive with extra care. I even say not to take a Honday City and that can probably tell you the answer 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma