There have been few articles on Manali – Leh Highway published earlier on my blog. Now to make complete sense of all of them, I would like to put them all at one location to transform it into a Manali – Leh Highway Travel Guide along with the list of places to visit on Manali Leh Highway.
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Manali Leh Travel Guide
There is no doubt that Manali – Leh Highway is easily the most adventurous as well as the most beautiful among all the Highways in India. Every adventure lover has a dream to travel on this 474 KM long, Manali – Leh road trip at least once in his or her lifetime.
I strongly feel that everyone who loves to travel, be it adventure lover or a nature lover or any other form, must and must travel Manali – Leh Highway at least once in his/her lifetime. Personally, I am lucky enough to have traveled through the experience of this lifetime’s journey on Manali Leh road trip numerous times in the last ten years, as of 2018. And, I wish I will do it many more times in the future too.
The highway is desolate at many places, so it is better to plan the trip and have as much information as possible before making a trip to Ladakh.
I hope this detailed guide on Manali Leh road trip helps all my fellow travelers to find complete information or all they want to know about Manali – Leh Highway at a single place only. In this article, I have also merged the important places to visit on Manali Leh Highway road trip.
Who maintains the Manali to Leh road?
The Manali – Leh Highway makes you experience the raw mother nature present on earth in almost its every form. Technically, BRO takes care of this Highway, and they have further divided its responsibility between Project Deepak and Project Himank.
Project Deepak is responsible for maintaining the section from Manali to Sarchu (222 KM) in the Himachal Pradesh region while Project Himank is responsible for Sarchu to Leh (252.4 KMs) section which falls in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir region.
Planning the Trip
To help you plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway, you can refer the below link which will explain you complete details about how you can plan your journey on Manali – Leh Highway.
The below link includes the information regarding best season to travel on Manali – Leh Highway, modes of travel on Manali – Leh Highway, bus services from Manali to Leh, public amenities like ATMs, Petrol Pumps, Liquor shops, etc. on Manali – Leh Highway. You can read all the details in the article How to plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway
Every year, I also publish an article to post updates on road conditions and Manali Leh Highway Status. You should be able to hook to that thread to get the latest updates on road closure, road opening, water crossings, etc..
Where to Stay
There are many options to stay 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 when making a Manali Leh road trip.
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. You can read the details in the article List of Accommodation Options on Manali – Leh Highway
Importance of Acclimatization
Since you would be traveling above 14000 feet for about 300+ KMs on Manali – Leh Highway, it’s really IMPORTANT for you to understand about acclimatization, its importance, and AMS or mountain sickness. Many instances people have been found in doubt whether to take the babies or kids with them to Leh – Ladakh or on Manali – Leh Highway.
To answer your queries and doubts in such cases, I have compiled a brief text on the link below. The article includes information about AMS and acclimatization, which will help you keep your body better acclimatized. It will help minimize the chances of AMS or mountain sickness when its safe to take babies or kids to Leh – Ladakh and what precautions to take, etc. You can read all the details in the article Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization
Things to carry on Manali – Leh Highway
I have tried to compile a practical list of things to carry while you travel or go on a trip to Manali Leh Highway. I am sure it will be helpful for you when you take this adventurous journey. You can refer to this complete list of things to carry when you go on Manali Leh road trip
Clothes to Carry on Manali Leh Road
As for clothing to carry on Manali Leh road trip, it is always best to dress up in layers with Inner Thermals both lower and upper always ON. It might irritate in bright sunshine in lower hills, but as the altitude increase, then it will certainly help in the shades or evenings or mornings or if the weather turns up dark. You need to carry heavy woolens when you travel to Manali – Leh Highway.
It is really IMPORTANT that you carry eateries like dry fruits (must have as a backup in case you get stuck), chocolates, some non-perishable food and ample water to keep each one of you hydrated.
You should always carry your water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂
Are you making a self-drive trip?
If you are traveling from Manali to Leh by car then you must carry a few things on this adventure trip to Ladakh.
Along with the list of things I mentioned in the above link, if you are self-driving on Manali Leh Highway, then you must take the Basic toolkit, screwdriver set, small hammer, puncture repair kit, iron rod, two or three “2 liters” 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. These are among the things which I carried along on my trip to Ladakh.
You can also refer the top 40 list of things to carry on Manali Leh self drive trip.
Even if you are making a trip from Manali to Leh on bike, this list of things to carry will help you on your bike trip as well.
Also, do not forget to get your vehicle (car/bike) serviced about 2-3 weeks before the start of the Ladakh journey. This service 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.
Places to Visit on Manali – Leh Highway
Throughout 474 KM, on the Manali – Leh Highway, one goes through varied forms of nature ranging from beautiful lush green valley(s) to rocky, barren multi-colored mountains to high walls of snow to violent river/water crossings (nallas) to wide flat lands to abrupt landslides to head swaying hairpin bends to butter-smooth roads to many non-existent and washed away roads to strong cold winds blowing you away and to what not, all this raising the fun of this ultimate journey to greater heights.
Video – Tourists Attractions on Manali to Leh Road Trip
In this travel guide of Manali Leh Highway, I am going to share an informatory dissection of all major places that come on the route from Manali to Leh along with the details of food, fuel, accommodation or stay options, amenities, etc..
I hope this information helps you get an idea of what you can expect on a journey of Manali – Leh Highway bearing in mind the stoppages of your interest including overnight stays, food, beverages, amenities, photos, etc.
If you are not interested in much of the text then you may also check the summary of the places in tabular format at the end of the article directly.
Altitude over Distance Graph
I have created this graph of Manali to Leh distance by the road along with the changes in altitude as you travel on Manali Leh Highway.
To save a bigger resolution picture of the altitude over distance graph of places on Manali Leh Highway, Right Click & then select the option: “Save Image As…”
Manali | Altitude: 1950 Mtrs and Solang Valley | Altitude: 2590 Mtrs
Manali, about 570 KM from Delhi, is the place from where this lifetime journey begins on Manali Leh Highway. Manali, the valley of gods is lush green at the time when you will be doing your Ladakh journey and you will definitely enjoy the weather up in Manali.
Although, in May – June due to the holiday rush, Manali is not a penny less than the chaotic trade fair, and I am sure you will not want to be at this place in such a tourist rush. You can do a lot in Manali town, and for comprehensive details including how to reach Manali from Delhi, I request you to read my Manali Travel Guide.
Should I sleep at Manali or Solang Valley?
One point worth highlighting is that if you are traveling Leh – Ladakh from Manali side then you should avoid staying overnight in Manali town rather stay overnight at Solang Valley, 14 KM away.
Why?
Manali is at a lower altitude than Solang Valley, and it does not help in acclimatization. Solang Valley does help acclimatize your body to some extent, which may help in minimizing the troubles of mountain sickness as you move ahead towards Leh Ladakh in the next few days of your Ladakh road trip.
Solang Valley is further 14 KM ahead of Manali and is a much calmer place as compared to Manali. Solang Valley also offers some majestic views along with adventure activities like parachuting, paragliding, skating, and zorbing, etc
Is there any drawback to stay at Solang Valley?
The only drawback sleeping at Solang Valley on your Ladakh road trip is that you won’t find as many options for a stay as you can find in Manali. The prices of the hotels in Solang Valley are likely to be on the higher side as compared to the varied economic hotel options available in Manali town. Also, the variety of cuisines will be much less as compared to what you get in Manali, and mostly, you will need to have your food in the hotel only.
But, the advantages of getting acclimatized and peace around will outweigh these minor hitches, unless you want a very cheap hotel. If you miss different cuisines and lively crowded place, you can surely spend your day in Manali enjoying the other flavors of the valley and come back to the hotel at Solang Valley for night stay.
Is Solang Valley on Manali Leh Highway?
Technically, Solang Valley is not on Manali – Leh Highway rather one needs to take a left diversion from Palchan and travel further 6 KM to reach Solang Valley.
If you have hired a taxi from Manali to Leh, you need to ask the driver upfront to pick you from Solang Valley hotel. If you have opted for a shared taxi / public bus, then you need to reach Palchan, the diversion point on Manali – Leh Highway to get into one of them en-route, but that also must have been booked in advance from Manali. Else, you will have to travel to Manali town in the morning to get the shared taxi.
Similarly, if you are traveling by Manali to Leh bus service, then as well, either make prior arrangements with the conductor the previous night or travel to Manali in the morning to catch the bus.
That was all about the first place that we covered of this Manali Leh Travel Guide 😉 …
Gulaba
Running through few small villages (Palchan, Kothi) of this beautiful lush green valley you reach Gulaba, 20 KM from Manali. Gulaba is famous as one of the lower winter snow point when the road to Rohtang Pass gets closed. There are only a few Dhabhas on Gulaba and no options to stay.
Marhi | Altitude: 3300 Mtrs
After Gulaba, you reach Marhi which is the highest snow point in winters when the road to Rohtang Pass is closed. There are few Dhabhas on Marhi by HPTDC but there are no stay options.
Marhi is a common stoppage point for people doing cycling on Manali Leh Highway. Cyclists put up their own camps to spend the night at Marhi and get acclimatized for the ride ahead.
Rani Nala
Few KMs ahead of Marhi you reach Rani Nalla, which is a glacier point. This place is famous for its huge snow walls, more than 20 feet high. You can find snow here almost nine out of 12 months. The feeling of going between these huge walls of snow is impeccable, especially in the early season.
Of course, if you do not leave early in the day, then surely the traffic jam may frustrate you in the early season due to the narrow passage and kill your time. You need to leave as early as possible like 5 AM from Manali to avoid the traffic jam on Manali – Rohtang Pass road in June.
It is perhaps the last major point on the southern portal of Rohtang Pass. No stay or food options are available at Rani Nalla.
Rohtang Pass | Altitude: 3980 Mtrs
51 KMs away from Manali town, Rohtang Pass connects the tribal valleys of Lahaul and Spiti to Kullu Valley. This is the hottest Himalayan tourist spot in Northern India and people flood this place in the month of May and June. Though there has been some respite since the introduction of Rohtang Pass permit.
Do expect heavy tourist rush and traffic jam, if you are late in leaving from Manali in the early season.
Rohtang Pass remains closed for more than six months in the winter months due to heavy snowfall and thus closing the Manali Leh Highway.
Many people feel the altitude factor after reaching Rohtang Pass with headaches and feeling to puke. So, it better to keep yourself hydrated on the way. There is no place to stay or eat at Rohtang Pass.
Rohtang Pass is the first of the five major mountain passes in this travel guide of Manali Leh Highway.
Fun Fact: By the way, the meaning of Rohtang is “pile of corpses or dead bodies” 😉 …
Gramphu | Altitude: 3200 Mtrs
After you descend towards the northern portal of Rohtang Pass, you reach a place called Gramphu.
At Gramphu, there is a diversion towards the right which will lead you to Spiti Valley via Kunzum Pass. If you want to visit Chandratal then you need to take the diversion towards Spiti and once you reach Batal, go straight towards Chandratal. There are no stay options at Gramphu, but you will find a couple of tea shacks / dhabhas serving tea.
If you are traveling from Kaza to Manali, it will be the first point where you will get mobile signals.
Khokhsar | Altitude: 3140 Mtrs
Just a few KM after Gramphu, you will reach Khoksar which is the first settlement in the Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
This place has several Dhabhas where you can enjoy the food, a clean washroom or toilet to freshen up and a PWD rest house for night stay. To stay at the PWD rest house, generally, you will need bookings. There are few houses as well in this small village. The Chandra river flows through this place, and the surrounding views are just amazing from the village.
It is a major eating point on Manali Leh Highway especially when you are traveling from Manali to Jispa for the first night stop.
Sissu | Altitude: 3170 Mtrs
Sissu or Khagling is a small town situated at the right bank of Chandra River in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh. There is a waterfall on the opposite side of town which looks spectacular especially near monsoon months.
Sissu has a PWD Rest House, but in case you want to stay, then you should book that in advance else you may not find the accommodation. My personal experience had not been good with getting any accommodation at any of the HP PWD Rest Houses.
Apart from PWD rest houses, there are a couple of more places to stay at Sissu including Hotel Triveni.
There are a few dhabhas or food stalls where you can find food, tea/coffee, and drinking water as well. You may also get some basic healthcare facilities at the local Primary Health Care center at Sissu town.
There is also a helipad that is used for the chopper services and mainly utilized by locales in the winter months when the roads are closed due to heavy snow at Rohtang Pass connecting Kullu – Manali valley and Kunzum Pass connecting Spiti Valley.
The northern portal of Rohtang Pass tunnel will be opening near Sissu, very soon (as of 2018).
Tandi | Altitude: 2573 Mtrs
Next on the list of places to visit on Manali Leh Highway is the most important place called Tandi.
At Tandi, you will find the only petrol pump on Manali – Leh Highway after Manali and up to Karu or Leh. The next petrol pump is about 365 KMs away towards Leh from Tandi.
Hence, you mustn’t miss this petrol pump to top up the fuel. Apart from being famous for this only petrol pump on Manali – Leh Highway, Tandi offers a view of the confluence of Chandra River and Bhaga River. The merged river is called Chandrabhaga River, and when it enters Jammu and Kashmir, it is further called the Chenab river.
The Chandra River originates from Chandratal / Samudri Tapu, Spiti Valley, and Bhaga River originates from Suraj Tal or Surya Tal, Lahaul Valley. So, if you have time on hand then do click some pictures of the confluence too.
There is Manali Leh Highway travel guide that is complete without the mention of Tandi petrol pump 🙂
Keylong | Altitude: 3080 Mtrs
Next comes Keylong, which is the biggest town located on Manali – Leh Highway and is the district/administrative headquarter of Lahaul Valley and Spiti Valley districts of Himachal Pradesh.
All the major GOVT. Offices of the district are present in Keylong town only. The Keylong town is completely cut off from the outside world in the winter months of November to April, due to heavy snow present at Rohtang Pass.
The opening of the Rohtang Pass tunnel will provide year-round connectivity to Keylong and the rest of the Lahaul Valley. Although the road from Manali to Leh will remain closed at other mountain passes in winter months even after the Rohtang Pass tunnel is operational.
Keylong Sightseeing & Stay Options
There is a famous Kardang Monastery in Keylong, which is the largest and most important monastery of the Lahaul district of the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The views from the Keylong town are pretty nice with the Bhaga river flowing in between, but I felt it (Keylong) a bit boring 🙁 …
Also, people coming to explore Lahaul Valley including Udaipur, Triloknath Temple, etc make Keylong as the base town.
Most people while traveling on Manali – Leh Highway, including the HRTC and HPTDC bus services, halts for a night stop at Keylong town. There are many options for accommodation (small hotels and guest houses) available at Keylong, including the famous HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga, Circuit House, PWD Rest House, Tourist Bungalow, etc. There are few small hotels or guest houses in Keylong town which are right on the Manali – Leh Highway and can be opted for a stay too without going down to Keylong village.
Utilities / Services at Keylong
There are phone services at Keylong, and mobile phone data services work great too at Keylong. You can make calls at home from Keylong as then mostly there will not be any phone signals once you cross Darcha and reach Upshi near Leh on Manali Leh Highway.
The electricity power connections are also available at Keylong, which can be utilized to charge mobile or camera batteries.
Medical facilities are also available at the local hospital, and there is also one SBI ATM in Keylong town. So, if you have, by chance, missed the ATM at Manali to fetch the cash, then do not miss the ATM at Keylong. However, in the first place, I will say that DO NOT miss to carry cash from Manali ATM. Still, if you have missed it then try your luck at the Keylong ATM which is the only ATM available on Manali Leh Highway.
Jispa | Altitude: 3320 Mtrs
Jispa is a small village that is located on the banks of the Bhaga River. While coming from Manali side, Jispa is my most preferred place for a night stay and to break the journey on Manali Leh Highway in two days.
The accommodation options present in Jispa are limited as compared to Keylong, but if you book them in advance, I bet the vistas are worth spending time and money. Jispa feels much closer to nature than Keylong.
There is a Hotel Ibex with a perfect restaurant serving delicious food. There are a couple of other guesthouses and some camping tents, including the Swiss tents, which are available as stay options at Jispa. You can get the food as well as beverages here in Jispa.
The village also has a small monastery, a small museum along with numerous trails into the woods which you can explore or how about spending some time on the banks of Bhaga river, for me it’s just amazing.
There is a helipad as well in Jispa. and it does have a telephone connection which you may use to call at home or inform someone close because beyond Jispa mobile signals (might have gone already) as well as fixed phones will be hard to find till you cross Upshi or reach Leh on this adventurous Manali to Leh road trip.
Darcha | Altitude: 3360 Mtrs
Darcha is a small village that is considered as the last northernmost civilized place in Himachal Pradesh. Primarily, everyone traveling on Manali Leh Highway needs to stop at Darcha police checkpoint and has to register their names with vehicle number in the passerby records.
This acts as a record that a person has passed Darcha on his journey on Manali Leh Highway, which is useful in case of rescue like operations (or other purposes as well). Foreigners need to get their passports verified at Darcha police checkpoint.
Darcha is also the endpoint of a famous trek which starts from Padum, Zanskar Valley in Ladakh region and of course, you can start the same trek from here as well. BRO completed the new road from Darcha to Padum via Shingo La pass in 2018. So, if you are planning a trip to Zanskar, then you can travel to Padum from Darcha over Shingo La pass through this route.
Utilities, Food & Stay options at Darcha
Food / Drinking Water / Beverages (tea/coffee) in dhabhas or roadside stalls is available at Darcha on Manali Leh Highway. This place also has some tented accommodations and a few people stay overnight at Darcha as well.
Darcha does have telephone and power connections, in case you need to call home or charge your phone or camera for one last time before reaching Leh, then you may try your luck here as well. I didn’t see any phone here, but people do say that the village has a phone connection.
Beyond Darcha
Beyond Darcha village, the vegetation will start to reduce, and the mountains will start to change their colors into dark brown watercolor paintings that we all used to paint in childhood. The decrease in vegetation also means difficulty in pumping the oxygen, and increasing altitude will make it even tougher.
This is another reason why you need your body to be better acclimatized and always hydrated on this tough journey on Manali Leh road. Do not forget to intake a good amount of water to keep your minerals and oxygen levels correct in the body.
Pro Tip: It will be best if you can carry ORS diluted water or Glucon-D water with you all the time and keep sipping it after every half an hour or so to keep yourself adequately hydrated on Manali Leh Highway.
Deepak Tal | Altitude: 3810 Mtrs
Next on the list of sightseeing places on Manali Leh Highway is Deepak Tal. It is a small man-made lake near Patseo having its own charm and is one of the two lakes that you can visit when traveling to Ladakh via Manali.
The still water of the lake offers some very nice reflecting views, almost picturesque from many different angles to all those photography lovers. So, if you are one of those, then get ready to shoot some unique angle of yours.
You can enjoy a cup of tea or your breakfast at the Dhaba just aside Deepak Tal.
Fun Fact: Beyond Deepak Tal, you will be at an altitude of more than 14000 feet till you reach about Upshi. So, get ready for some real fun in various ways… 🙂
Patseo | Altitude: 3811 Mtrs
After passing through Deepak Tal, you will reach Patseo just a couple of KMs ahead. Patseo is a small place where only a few army camps are present, and sometimes they divert the road in some weird zigzag manner. Once you reach Patseo, the feeling of getting to the high altitude starts taking in effect.
Zingzing Bar | Altitude: 4270 Mtrs
Zing zing Bar is a tiny place with 2-3 tented dhabhas that offers stay options in them as dormitory beds. Of course, these dhabhas do offer food and beverages too.
If you leave early from Keylong/Jispa and you prefer to have your breakfast a bit late, then you can mark Zing zing Bar dhabhas for breakfast as well. This point is where the climb to the mighty Baralacha La pass starts.
Just after Zingzing bar, there was used to be a nalla (water crossing) created by the melting snow of the Baralacha range. People mostly used to get stuck in it when traveling later in the day. However, BRO has built a permanent bridge on top of it, and the adventure of the most ferocious water crossings on Manali Leh Highway is gone.
Still, there are a couple of water crossings on Manali Leh Highway that becomes violent late in the noon. Hence, the advice of starting the day early on Manali Leh Highway still holds true 🙂 …
Suraj Tal | Altitude: 4883 Mtrs
Suraj Tal or Surya Tal is the second-highest lake in India and 21st highest lake in the world. Amidst in the high hills of Baralacha La range and just below the Baralacha La pass (8 KMs before Baralacha La pass), you will find this beautiful crystal clear aqua colored sacred body of water. Suraj Tal is the source of the Bhaga river and remains frozen and cut off in the months of winter.
Early in the season, i.e., June, you will find this lake to be frozen as well. As we get more into the summers, having snow-covered peaks around and emitting its aqua green color at the foothills, the Suraj Tal lake looks simply breathtaking. Do not miss to click a few pictures of this amazing high altitude lake in India on Manali Leh Highway.
Later in the season time when the snow has melted, the Surajtal may not have much water in it and will not look as enchanting as it looks in the early season.
Baralacha La | Altitude: 4890 Mtrs
Baralacha La or Baralacha Pass (La meaning Pass) is second of the five high mountain passes that come on the Manali to Leh Highway. Baralacha La connects the Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh to the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir.
At the North-West base of the Baralacha La range, the Bhaga river originates from Suraj or Surya Tal, and at South East base, the Chandra river originates from Chandratal. Yunam river flows on the Sarchu (Ladakh) side of Baralacha La.
There is another famous trekking route which goes to Chandratal lake, either starting from or ending at Baralacha La. You will not find any food or water or accommodation at this pass.
After Rohtang Pass, Baralacha Pass is the second major hurdle to cross or open. At least in the early season of this journey on Manali Leh Highway, you will certainly witness one or two vehicles either stuck aside or stuck in the middle which results in the traffic jams on this road.
The ice or snow melting from the slopes, battered by moving traffic either creates deep mud or deep water crossings by washing away the roads. This gushing water makes the journey more adventurous and full of challenges on this mighty mountain pass. Once you get into the late-season like September – October, the Baralacha La pass becomes mostly devoid of snow.
The feeling of passing through this particular pass is a feeling of its own kind and I purely loved it 🙂
Bharatpur – Killing Sarai or Sarchu Sarai | Altitude: 4600 Mtrs
After passing through a small deserted place named Killing Sarai or Sarchu Sarai, you will reach Bharatpur, which has a few dhabhas to have some food as well as a series of tented accommodation running alongside the Manali – Leh Highway.
Some people do stay overnight at these camps as well, but being in much higher altitude than Sarchu, I do not recommend to sleep at Bharatpur as well. The accommodation or camps at Bharatpur are cheaper as compared to the stay options at Sarchu. You can have food/tea/coffee here.
Once you cross Bharatpur, after a few km, you will come across a road straight as an arrow leading towards Sarchu. Your instincts will compel you to rip apart, and just zip pass through it, especially after you have been held up by the road conditions since morning.
I will STRONGLY suggest to hold on to those instincts of pushing the paddle of your as the road is straight, somewhat metalled. Still, it does have lots of bumps in between may be due to the loose soil beneath or due to holes dug by Himalayan marmots. You do not want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere when the broken car at Sarchu.
All I want to say is that while speeding through that road to Sarchu on Manali Leh Highway, do not be too complacent else be ready for some super bumps on the way. When self-driving to Ladakh, always make sure you are not carried away by the emotions and drive with caution & care.
Sarchu | Altitude: 4290 Mtrs
222 KM away from Manali, Sarchu is famous for the night halt because it offers some good tented accommodations on Manali – Leh Highway. At Sarchu, the state changes from Himachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir. Also, the Deepak Project of BRO ends and Himank Project starts from Sarchu.
At Sarchu, there is a second police checkpoint where you need to register your name again on this epic journey on Manali Leh Highway. The entry acts as a record of your arrival up to Sarchu.
Sarchu is almost a middle point of the journey on Manali – Leh Highway offering some good accommodation options including the Swiss tents with attached toilets. Hence, many people do consider Sarchu for a night halt. People already having the night halt at Keylong or Jispa, usually stops for lunch at Sarchu. It does have a few dhabhas which offer food and beverages as well.
At Sarchu, you may get some fuel or petrol in black in dhabhas in case of any emergency.
Avoid Stay at Sarchu when coming from Manali to Leh
Sarchu is at very high altitude and many people staying overnight at this rough place suffer from mountain sickness including sleepless nights, severe headaches or vomiting. No wonder many veterans call Sarchu a Vomit Hilton.
If you are not properly acclimatized, you will surely be one of them, suffering the pinch or punches, especially at night. While traveling from the Manali side, the body does not acclimatize properly, and in case you have not had a night stay at Keylong or Jispa, the body will surely suffer to adapt at such a high altitude of Sarchu at night.
Hence, even though Sarchu offers some good amount of stay options (tented) but it’s always better to avoid a stay at Sarchu over Jispa or Keylong in the same order of preference. However, if you are coming from Leh or Tso Moriri lake after spending a few nights at higher altitudes in Ladakh, then your body is acclimatized already. So, in that case, you can opt to stay at Sarchu to break the journey on Manali Leh Highway evenly.
Gata Loops | Altitude: 4190 Mtrs
After 24 KMs from Sarchu, a series of 21 hairpin bends or loops about 7 KMs long, just before Nakee La Pass, will elevate you from an altitude of 4190 Mtrs to 4630 Mtrs. These loops are famously called Gata Loops. No food, no fuel, and no accommodation options are available here.
Please note that there goes a story of a ghost of the Gata loops, please don’t pollute the environment in the name of the ghosts or superstitions and do not throw plastic bottles in the offering to them. Even if you are superstitious, offer the water and keep the bottle with yourself.
Nakee La | Altitude: 4740 Mtrs
Next place on the list in this Manali Leh travel guide is the third of the five passes that come on the Manali – Leh Highway, Nakee La Pass. You will not find any soul, food, accommodation or fuel, or even trees here. The place is deserted.
There are few short cuts around Nakee La of dirt roads, I will strongly advise not to take any of the short cuts because I have seen many cars losing control especially when getting down and losing tractions or burning brakes.
Lachalung La or Lachulung La | Altitude: 5079 Mtrs
Lachulung La or Lachalung La or Lungalacha La is the second highest pass on the Manali – Leh Highway and fourth on the way from Manali to Leh road trip.
Get ready to start feeling some more breathlessness from here on. You will reach above an altitude of 5000 Mtrs or 16000 feet for the first time on your journey from Manali to Leh. Again there is no vegetation (also counts for breathlessness too), people, fuel, food, or accommodation at Lachulung La pass 🙂
Pang | Altitude: 4600 Mtrs
Pang, is where you start to see those unique looking soil formations on the mountains. The special and deserted colors of Ladakh will become more prominent just around Pang and onwards. Pang also has the world’s highest transit camps.
At Pang, there are few tented accommodations in Dhabhas for a night stay, and one can also enjoy food or beverages on their short stopover at Pang, evening tea maybe. One of the Dhabhas also had an attached bathroom.
Few KMs before Pang, the road runs alongside a river which offers an exciting feeling and some very nice views. Pang, along with its surrounding areas, does offers some fantastic views to be captured in your camera. Hence, do not miss the opportunity to record a few of them and spend more time between Sarchu and Pang.
Pang is at a higher altitude than Sarchu, which will account for headaches + mountain sickness and offers much lesser accommodation options too. Hence, it is always better to stay at Sarchu, which offers Swiss tents too unless you have some emergency.
You may get some fuel or petrol in black in dhabhas at Pang in case of an emergency.
Pang is an important place where you can find food and accommodation at least before Rumtse – Upshi, which does have very basic and limited guesthouses.
If you are running late, then at Rumtse – Upshi as well you are likely to be unlucky on the accommodation front. Hence, if you think you have gone late and don’t want to carry on till Leh in the dark, I will suggest you stay at Pang only and thoroughly enjoy the rest of the colorful journey in the next day’s daylight. It will be worth.
Some of the dhabha have electricity arranged from transit camps or battery backups, so, you may charge your phone or camera here. Also, the army transit camp may have a phone to call back home in case of an emergency.
In case of any medical emergency on Manali Leh Highway, you can get help at the Pang army transit camp.
Moore Plains or More Plains or Morey Plains | Altitude: 4730 Mtrs
Next place in this Manali Leh guide is one of the most interesting popular by the names More Plains or Moore plains, or Morey plains.
More plains are surprising, flat bedded plains amidst the highest of hills in the country. They run over a length of about 30-35 KMs. As soon as one reaches Moore Plains, the instincts force people to make their roads 😥 but I request you not to do so because it damages the ecology of the place and disturbs the wildlife. So, please stay on that beautiful blacktop road.
Fortunately, BRO has built a well-laid tarmac road on which you may hit 60 KMPH for the first time after long hrs of this drive on Manali Leh Highway. Hence, please avoid off-roading and preserve the ecosystem. Use this well-built road and enjoy the views at Moore Plains. You can make good progress on some lost time as well by staying on the road.
Many of the wild animals live on the water sources present in Moore plains and running the car off the roads may damage those scarce sources. Many people try to do off-roading for show off, and all sought of things with their vehicles, including the race with other fellow drivers.
However, these jerks are unaware of the fact that along with risking the damage to the vehicle in loose soil or potholes in the middle of nowhere, they are also disturbing the ecology of the place.
So, I request at least you not to do so and respect mother nature in every term so that it prosper more and more for our generations to come.
If you are lucky, you may spot a Kiyangs (Ladakh wild asses) and Blue Sheeps too at Moore Plains on Manali Leh Highway. Hence, keep your cameras ready for the game 🙂
Debring | Altitude: 4835 Mtrs
At Debring, there are few wrecked shelters of road workers maybe and some army camps too. Sometimes there you can find a makeshift dhabha too where you can stop for tea.
Debring is the point where the diversion road to Tso Kar and Tso Moriri lakes connect at Leh Manali Highway. The road is a mix of good and bad to Tso Moriri from Debring.
However, you should not visit the Tso Moriri lake from Manali side as you will not do not have the inner line permits to visit the lakes. If you are traveling from Manali to Leh by car, even if you arrange the permits through a travel agent, it is not recommended that you attempt a stay at such high altitudes (Tso Moriri: 4595 Mtrs and Tso Kar: 4530 Mtrs) with improper acclimatization.
Well, on your return journey from Leh to Manali, if you have plans to visit Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes then you can exit on Manali Leh Highway at Debring via this route.
Taglang La or Tanglang La | Altitude: 5328 Mtrs
Taglang La is the last and the highest mountain pass on Manali – Leh Highway at a whopping altitude of 5328 Mtrs or 17582 feet.
This pass is also the falsely claimed to be the second-highest motorable pass or road in the world, after Khardung La (5602 Mtrs or 18380 feet) which is also falsely claimed as the highest motorable pass or road in the world.
The winds at the Tanglang La pass are cold, and the force is such that it will blow you off the cliffs. Sometimes, it’s even hard to stand on your ground even. Secondly, the oxygen level per breath decreases considerably, and with almost nil vegetation, most people suffer breathlessness at this pass.
The raging pollution from trucks or oil tankers also accounts for the stoppage being brief, by most people. Don’t be surprised if your head may also spin many rounds at this place, especially when you travel to Ladakh via Manali side.
I do not recommend spending more than 15 minutes on Taglang La pass. While our short stay of 10 minutes, I had almost lost my footing quite a number of times due to that spinning effect at Tangang La 😀 (Disorientation or ataxia)…
The picture on the side of the signboard of one of the 15 highest motorable roads in the world, is a must for everyone visiting this Taglang La pass on Manali Leh Highway. You may not find food (sometimes a makeshift dhabha), and there is no place for accommodation at this place.
Rumste | Altitude: 4260 Mtrs
As you descend from Taglang La, Rumste is the first settlement you will come across as you enter the Leh valley. It is situated alongside the Indus river and has some tea houses and homestays.
The road conditions are in good shape at Rumtse. From Pang to Leh, the road conditions are excellent, mostly on Manali Leh Highway. There will be a point when you are driving just beside the Indus river, and I tell you that you will feel ecstatic, forgetting all about the swaying headaches in the past 3-4 hours.
Reaching Rumtse, you will start to breathe a bit better, and so as your head will also feel slightly lighter due to the decrease in altitude. I started to feel that I have reached my dream destination, i.e., Leh :).
I am not aware or heard of any accommodation or food options that may be available at Rumste apart from some homestays if the villagers allow you to stay. Secondly, the drive to Leh from Rumste is almost like driving in plains, and you can cover the remaining distance fast enough.
Hence, after clicking the pictures of this small village or spending time beside the Indus river, you better move ahead towards Leh and stay overnight.
Upshi | Altitude: 3480 Mtrs
Upshi has the last police check-point where you need to register your name along with vehicle number in the records. This destination marks either your arrival in Leh town or marks the departure from Leh town in the opposite direction.
Upshi is a small village from where the right will take you to Hanle and Tso Moriri lake via Chumathang. It does have few homestays/guest houses with food but they are very basic.
A few KMs ahead of Upshi, at Karu, you will finally find the second petrol pump of Manali Leh Highway. You should top up at Karu petrol pump when traveling from Leh to Tso Moriri to Manali without going back to Leh.
But, you can ignore it if you are heading to Leh, where you can find the fuel as well. So, overall you can ignore Upshi and Karu and head straight to Leh even if gets late.
Leh | Altitude: 3500 Mtrs
Leh, the dream of reaching Ladakh is finally true, and if you love this place then the excitement to reach Leh will refresh each of your body parts even after these 12 hours of an arduous journey on the Manali Leh Highway in a single day.
It’s always better to spend a couple of nights at Leh for local Leh sightseeing and get a feel of the culture, people, traditions, monasteries and magical aura of Leh – Ladakh. It will also help you acclimatize to further sightseeing places in Ladakh.
Main market and Changspa road are two happening places in Leh. So, if you like a lively environment, then try to get a hotel in Leh as close to them as possible. The next day, along with local sightseeing, you can also arrange the Inner Line Permits for other Ladakh destinations you are planning to visit in Leh – Ladakh.
This completes the last place in this Manali Leh travel guide.
Conclusion
I hope the above information in this Manali Leh road trip guide along with dedicated links will help you plan your travel to Manali – Leh Highway in the entirety and hasslefree.
In case you wish to share your experience or have any suggestions or have any questions then please feel free to leave a comment below, and I would be more than happy to respond to it within quick time.
Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions on traveling to the Himalayas.
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Dear Dheeraj,
We read thro ur website and it was very wonderful!!. We are 2 of us planning around a 13 day trip to ladakh in the last week of june -1st week of july and have got this iternary from a tour operator. Pl advise us whether its wise to travel according to this as soon as posible
Day 01: Arrival Delhi to Manali by bus
Day 02: Arrival Manalisight seeing – Naggar Castle, Hadimba Temple & Vashisht Hot spring
Day 03: Manali-Rohatang Pass-Sarchu: via Rohatang Pass, Koksar, Tandi, Keylong, Jispa, Suraj Tal and Baralacha La, stay at Sarchu
Day 04: Sarchu-Tsokar: drive to Tsokar, , Overnight at Tsokar.
Day 05: Tsokar-Tsomoriri: drive to Tsomoriri- crystal water lake & Karzok Village overnight stay at tsomoriri
Day 06: Tsomoriri-Leh Via Mahe Bridge: Morning drive to Leh via Mahe Bridge and Chumathang, stay at Leh
Day 07: Leh-Nubra: drive to Nubra Valley (Diskit) via “Khardung la 17380ft” stay at Diskit – visit Monastery
Day 08: Nubra-Leh: Morning drive back to Leh visit Shanti Stupa, Tsemo Castle and Leh Palace
Day 09: Leh-Pangong Tso-Leh: Full day excursion of the lake, drive back by evening.
Day 10: Leh-Kargil: drive to Kargil, en route visit Nimmu, Pathar Saheb Gurudwara, Magnatic Hill, Alchi and Lamayuru, overnight stay at kargil.
Day 11: Kargil-Drass-Sonmarag-Sringar: Morning drive to Srinagar, via Dras, & Sonmarag, overnight stay at Srinagar
Day 12: Srinagar sightseeing
Hi Aishwarya,
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 should not do Tso Moriri while going from Manali to Leh because one need permits to visit Tso Moriri and these permits are issued at DC office in Leh. Even if you arrange these permits in advance somehow from Travel Agent in Leh then 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.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
First of all would like to appreciate your efforts for the information you are providing to all those who are asking your help/suggestion.
I also want your help in the same regards, I am planning to visit Leh Ladakh in the month of Aug-13, we are planning to start our trip from Chandrigrah-Manali-Leh-Ladakh-Pangong-Khardungla Pass-Huder-Diskit.
We are planing to start on 23 Aug 13 from Chandigrah and should reach back to same by 31 Aug 13, Can we will be able to visit all the places mentioned above within 7 days? What you suggest? Will this be the right time to visit? Weather will be OK? Or you think that we should visit early? Who can help us providing the taxi from Manali to see all these places, We are thinking of taking bus to and fro from Chandigrah to Manali, Please advice/suggest.
Waiting for your reply,
Sandeep
Sandeep, it will take 3 days to reach Leh and 3 day to come back from Manali. You are left with one day only in Ladakh. So, even if you some how arrange permits in advance through some agent, then you can at max visit Pangong Tso (still not recommeded as your body will not be acclimatized) or Khardung La day trip and return. August, rains will be lashing out upto Manali.
I meant 3 days from Chandigarh via Manali side 🙂
Hi Dheeraj, Thanks for the reply. So, after going through your comments it feels that its better not to visit in Aug and we should have at least 15 days of time in our hand.
Can you suggest us about which are the areas we must visit and what is the best time to visit? Minimum how many days we should have if we are starting from Chandigarh.
Waiting for your reply,
Sandeep, 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.
If you want to see snow, then plan between 15th June to 20th July types. Otherwise, plan after first week of September upto last week of September.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you very much for your valuable information and suggestion, we decided to plan the trip next year, will be in touch for updates, Regards,
Sure, best wishes.
Hi Dheeraj,
Firstly, you have an amazing blog. All that one requires to know, systematic in one place. I need your help in preparing the best possible itenary..
I understand that you’ve been stressing on a srinagar-leh-manali trip, but we want to finish off the traveling part first and then enjoy in kashmir for a couple of days.. So basically we wish to do a manali-leh-srinagar trip.. Can you please help me with an itenary for about 14 days (planning to make a trip on 2nd august ’13 to 15th august ’13). Thanks!
Charu, if you wanna do it from Manali side, then you can follow the below itinerary:
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 6 | 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 7 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 9 | 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 10 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna 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.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib
— Overnight at Leh
Day 11 | Leh – Lamayuru – Kargil
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 12 | Kargil – Drass – Zozi La – Sonamarg – Srinagar
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Sonamarg
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 13 | Srinagar – Jammu
— Overnight at Jammu
Day 14 | Jammu – Delhi
— Back Home
Day 15 + 16 | Buffer days to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Can you please tell me the best monthh to Visit Leh (out of July and August)?
Reena, July upto thrid week before rains will be much better as compared to August
Hi, we have planned a trip from Manali to Leh in June..Is it possible to cover the distance from Keylong to Leh in a single day on bike?Do suggest a place for renting bikes from Manali.
Uchit, yes brother it is very much possible to cover Keylong to Leh in a single day but be ready for a long long ride and leaving early morning may be by 5 AM in any case whatsoever. A lot of people do it this way only and are much successful in combating the AMS which mostly people suffer in case they sleep at Sarchu or Pang instead of Jispa or Keylong.
Thanks a lot…anything about bike rentals? What are the difficulties one can face while bike riding?
Uchit, you can check: How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali
Hi Dheeraj,
Glad to see new form of your blog.
I wanted to know details about buses from Manali to Leh like timings and all. When should one start from Delhi to reach Manali and how to get buses from Manali to Leh. Is advance booking done for the buses on internet? What is the price of the ticket.
Thanks again for your help!
Padma
Hello Padma,
Glad to see you back after long time 🙂 … Check the HPTDC and HRTC website for the same. You can book them from there and their time table shall be there too. The buses run on Odd and Even dates and take overnight halt at Kargil Price is about 2000 per person which includes stay at HPTDC Keylong hotel. HRTC buses are standard and cheaper.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
PS: Sorry for the delayed response, I was traveling to Spiti Valley for past 10 days.
Hi
We are planning to go for a trip to leh by road from delhi via srinagar & returning via manali.
Please suggest me the itenarary and also the required documents & process for getting permit & other legal documents….
Vikas, not sure about how many days you have in hand but to get an idea 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. It has a link to information on inner line permits to Ladakh as well 🙂
Hello, we will end our trek in Manali or Shimla around 20 October. Afterwards, we would like to travel to Srinagar and be back in Delhi around 27 October. What options do I have to get from Manali or Shimla to Srinagar? Ideally I would also like to visit Leh. I have a week between the end of my planned trek and having to be back in Delhi, so trip suggestions welcome! Thank you.
From Shimla or Manali, it will take two days for you to reach Srinagar at the very least if not 3. Then very little time is left to visit Leh in that case. As two days if we count for Srinagar then for another 2 days will be required to reach Leh with overnight halt at Kargil. So, over all it is like 8 days to reach Leh and get back to Delhi.
Hello Sir,
Its always been a dream to ride to ladakh since last 3-4 years. Its a unfulfilled dream yet. But this July, am going to make it true. I have planned a SOLO bike ride from Delhi to Delhi via Dehradun(1)-shimla(2)-manali(3)-keylong/sarchu(4)-leh(5)-pangong tso(6)-leh(7)-khardung la-leh(8)-kargil/drass(9)-srinagar(10)-chandigarh(11). Figures in bracket is the Day wise night halt. Two-three days are kept as reserve or for any unforeseen circumstances. Inner line permit will not be an issue. (xyz reason)
I have been on this route in a convoy so know the route a little bit. Can’t really predict on the health issues but acclimatisation and AMS issues can be taken care of.
My few hiccups are :-
1. Is it possible to ride in a day from Keylong to leh (Sarchu to Leh can overcome).
2. Any threat (militancy) on leh-kargil/drass-srinagar highways being a solo rider.
3. Know that there is very less or no network coverage beyond Rohtang pass. Have to activate my BSNL J&K sim. Is it possible to activate by J&K Sim with GPRS / EDGE while in Delhi itself.
4. Is it possible to cover Srinagar/Jammu to Delhi in one day (Approx 850 Km). Dont mind sleeping for next two days after reaching home.
5. Accomodation at Pangong Tso. Been there and felt that there was nothing or less. Dont want to carry stove, sleeping bags, mattress. Might have to get into one of those tent shacks at pangong tso or the sovenir shop.
Hello jithin,
1. Better do Keylong to Leh, I have seen/known fittest of fit kneel down in Sarchu second night halt, may be if you can pass away it is fine. There will always be iffs and buts though. I will suggest to go with Keylong to Leh even if it means a longish drive. Frankly, 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
2. In terms of Solo Travelers, I do not see any.
3. If you can get the Post Paid (BSNL/MTNL preferable due to vast coverage) connection from anywhere, it will work the same way as the local sims.
4. Will take 16+ Hrs brother, may be very very hectic.
5. Check the link: Good Hotels or Accommodation options near Pangong Tso – Ladakh
I hope this helps. Please let me know for any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheerja Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Greetings!
Hope to find you in best of Health and Spirit.
I am planning a vacation with my family to Kashmir.
First, we will be going to Katra, Vaishnodevi.
Then one or two days in Srinagar.
Then from Srinagar to Leh – Ladakh by a private vehicle and bus.
We will be travelling in the first week of May, 2013.
I would like to know if the Srinagar Leh road would be open around first week of May 2013 and the best possible route to take for Leh Ladakh.
I will be staying 3 days in Leh Ladakh.
Thanks and best regards,
Nash
Hi
We are planning for a road trip from Delhi to Leh. Our only concern is about the date what we have finalized. We are planning t start on 7th of May from Delhi. Will the roads be open????????? This is the only question whch is haunting us 😉 😉
Cheers !!!!!!
Hi Shamnath,
Well, Srinagar – Leh Highway might open by that time of the year tough nothing certain and chances are 50:50 and Manali – Leh Highway will all likely be closed. If you plan to do the whole circuit of Srinagar – Leh – Manali then plan it by second week of June.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
manali- leh road normally opens in last week of MAY but may take longer due to weather condition . RohtangLa remains closed on tuesday for maintenance. You can target second week of june.
hi shamanth,
i m from mumbai. me n wife are also planning to go to leh via delhi. v ll reach delhi on 7th may. looking for some company together to go via road. tell me if ur group has some space so that v can go together. thx. my contact is 09769972717
Hi Dheeraj,
My self along with few of my friends are planning to have a trip to leh-chandratal-manali on Jun-Jul of this year. We are planning to have a schedule as below.
Can you please review the below plan and please pass your comments on the same from your previous exp.-s in ladakh, assuming that we have an avg. health cond. and fitness.
We are planning to have this tour on taxi booked from Srinagar.
D1:Kolkata-Srinagar (Flight)
D2:Srinagar-Kargil
D3:Kargil-Leh
D4:Leh-Leh
D5:Leh-Diskit
D6:Diskit-Leh
D7:Leh-Pangong Tso
D8:Pangong Tso-Leh
D9:Leh-Tso Moriri
D10:Tso Moriri-Sarchu
D11:Sarchu-Chandratal
D12:Chandratal-Manali
D13:Manali-Delhi
D13/14: Delhi-Kolkata
Beside, we are still in doubt (google is not helping much) on the below points, so it will be of enormous help if you can please advise on the same,
1. Is there any way to reach Chandratal on taxi (i.e. avoiding trekking absolutely).
2. Is there any way so that we can camp near the tal. (we are getting a bit confused out here, as some of the people are saying we may have to camp at a distance of 2.5 km from the tal)
3. In case we want to include Hemis National Park within our plan – will it be possible to reach there via taxi (again w/o trekking). And is there really a chance to get any wildlife there.
4. Is there any option to stay for a few days in Hemis (type of accommodation possible as well if any special permit is required).
Hello Somnath,
1. You will have to change taxi at Leh because Srinagar taxi will not be allowed to do sightseeing in Ladakh
2. Sarchu to Chandratal is a long long run, better do it at ease with Sarchu to Keylong/khoksar and Keylong/Khoksar – Chandratal
3. Nopes, you have to trek about 2.5 Kms from the parking spot to Chandratal. I do not think they allow them to reach all the way to Chandratal now. They must have dug up the road there.
4. Yes, that is true. Camping along the Chandratal is banned and you have to do it before 2.5 KMs
5. Nopes, you need to trek in Hemis National Park. Taxis can get you to Hemis village.
6. You will need permit for trekking in Hemis National Park I believe though I am not 100% sure about it.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you need any inputs or queries.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj
are you planning any trips in december ?
Most probably yes, Jitendra. But, it will be a family trip only. I do not see any open trips before the next season commences, generally tend to keep the open trip count to two per year and just a day ago completed the second open tour of the year to Zanskar Valley.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj
remember me I was planning for leh, but due cloud burst, I have decided to change the plan. We three (my wife & son) decided to go to Dalhousie. Thank you very much for your advice all the things matter a lot during driving. as you know I have Maruti 800 5 speed. We visited Amritsar, Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Chamba, Chamera Reservoir and Saach Pass about 4300 mtrs. Saach Pass is about 170 Kms from Dalhousie and it took about 7 hours to climb. Weather was very bad. Overall We Enjoyed it.
I want to confirm that is this road connects to Kelyong (some people told me)
Thanks.
Hello Jitendra,
That is great to know Jitendra. I am sure you will be able to get over with Ladakh Love in next season. Sach Pass itself is an achievement in its own sense and yes, that Dalhousie/Chamba/Chamera circuit is the one I am looking forward too with my family as my son is just a year old. May be this winter, I will travel this region. It feels really nice to know that you had a wonderful time on the trip and thanks for sharing your feedback too.
Yes, the Sach Pass connects the Lahaul Valley via Udaipur – Tandi – Keylong route.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hello dheeraj ji
thanks for everything, it was you who inspired me to do so. Saach pass trip assured me that i will be able to complete my Leh trip. Hope to hear from you soon.
My pleasure brother. I am glad that you had a great time on your trip.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello,
We are planning to leave for Leh from Manali on Monday morning i.e 24 Sep 2012. We are 10 people and we will be staying at Sarchu on Monday and will leave for Leh on Tuesday morning.
Kindly let me know all the details regarding tariff and all.
Also kindly take this into consideration that the Tempo which you will be providing should be good in condition so that we don’t have to suffer while travelling and also it should not be on sharing basis. Only our group of 10 people should be on the Tempo. It will be great of you if you could provide me with the image of the tempo which you will be providing us and I am expecting your reply ASAP so that we can go further on planning this trip with you.
Hi Abhishek,
Sorry brother, I do not organize any tour the whole site is for informational purposes.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hey Dheeraj,
Reading your experiences had ignited the flame inside a female friend of mine to make an adventurous trip to Ladakh. Now she intends to get there on a bike and do all kinds of things yous see the people doing in an adventurous movie like staying awake till late at night beside the camp fire in a tent. And I out of enthusiasm had consented in affirmative that time to her proposal, thinking that her desire was not serious and might fade away but it had grown beyond bounds. That I am finally considering that how safe would it be to make a girl ride to such a far flung place like the Ladakh is. The kind of things like where might we stay,what to eat, the safety measures concerned with having a girl with you in a remote zone where the help might be scarse etc. Kindly guide me Dheeraj as it would be best to consult an expert over this as you are, and putting the load off my shoulders by having you to ask for.
Hello Gaurav,
Thanks alot buddy, glad I am helping a tiny bit few people reaching this heaven on earth 🙂 … Ladakh is one of the safest places on earth buddy especially man made crimes are concerned. Though the late you get in the season the accommodation as well as food option start to get lesser. So, do not worry about safety atleast from humans, people in Ladakh will come and let a helping hand even in the middle of night at any place they are 🙂 …
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 travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
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
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.
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.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Me and my Husband are planning our first trip to Ladhakh Sept 3rd – Sept 7th.
Can you please help with the following questions:
1. How do I travel from Chandigarh to Leh? Please suggest some options.
2. How is the weather during this time? (right now, so we get some idea)
3. How are the roads right now?
4. Please advise us couple of places near Leh we can visit in 3 – 4 days or so?
I really appreciate all your help in advance.
Thank you so much
Regards,
Monika
Hi DHEERAJ,
We are planning a road trip to leh from manali. got all the important info from ur website. its very helpfull thanks a lot. we were planning to take a backup jeep to carry spares and mechanic as it is our first ride, but came to know that tourist jeeps are allowed only till leh and then will have to arrange for local jeeps from leh to visit nubra and pangong…. is it true ….. if not can u provide me with some details please
thanx
Hi Abhishek,
Taxis outside Ladakh are not allowed to do any sightseeing within Leh – Ladakh. You can use them from drop-in and take-away modes only. So, the taxi you are hiring locally must have private number plate otherwise you will have to again hire a taxi within Ladakh and pay for your local taxi without using it.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dhiraj, I’m reaching chandigarh on 20th aug. with my bhaiya and bhabhi. We are planning to book a cab from chandigarh to leh via manali. Just need some help on the same. And also most of the people who recently visted leh are saying that manali to leh route is not safe now. They are suggesting us to take the rote from srinagar to leh. But We already booked tickets and I really wanna go by road from manali to leh. Just want your opinion and some inputs on the same. We have a flight back to srinagar to leh on 30th aug. Need to plan a itinerary for the same. Rohit
And by the way nice website. 🙂 🙂
Hi Rohit,
Well yes the roads are pretty bad in shape especially at Manali – Rohtang Pass stretch. But, it is usually like this only in monsoons for the last 2-3 years I have been seeing. So, traveling in monsoons does have this factor which you need to consider whether to take up the challenge or not. Generally, those who ae not into adventure I try to advice them not to venture but yes, if you are into it then doing with caution and care, you will be able to pass through. Once you reach around Keylong then roads are much like you find everywhere you o after that in whole Leh – Ladakh and even Srinagar – Leh Highway.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
As i told you, I’m planning to go Leh-Ladakh on swift-dezire on 13 august, Now only thing comes in my mind condition of road (manali to rohtang pass)slush and all, By any change you can inquire this road condition for the car from any of your local contacts, it will be very helpful for me and my journey because i dont want to leave my car in manali and go by taxi as you did in you trip 2010.
And also mail me your contact no and email for emergency as I’m travelling alone that why I’m bothering you so much….
Many thanks
Regards
Deepak Gupta
Hi Deepak,
I have emailed you my contact. Well, yes the slush situation is still bad from MArhi to Rohtang Pass though the road is open. It all depends if it rains or not in coming days. If yes, then again it will be slush else it will dry up and be able to manage.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi dheeraj,
Just came back from my trip, it was awesome somehow my dzire manage everywhere……it was a 17 days trip,i went from Manali and came back via Srinagar, road condition is very poor in some section espacially from marhi to rohtang.
Thanks for the information’s, it helps me a lot.
Awesome. Great to know you had such wonderful trip buddy. Do try and share few pictures or info. with us through FB Wall and comments, if possible.
Cheers!!
Regards
Dheeraj
hey dheeraj,
can u plz share your phn number on satija.ankit@gmail.com I need to eatablish communication for some very important detail.
Ankit, I have emailed you my contact info.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
We 6 people returned from Ladak trip last week. The trip was awesome.
In Moore plains the road construction is going one. They are making good wide roads. As construction is going on there are many diversions on Moore plains. Many are not properly indicated. So many times need to return back after riding few meters ahead. And off roading is too adventurous here 🙂
Thanks for your blog! and it helped us very much…!!!
Hi Sudheesh,
Great to hear about your experience!! And thanks for providing the updated road conditions on the blog here… Looking forward to read your blog!!
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Im not in a position to write a blog! I’ve shared some photos in my fb. You may see those at this link.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3471476871865.2133218.1419423204&type=3&l=9df7d52c71
Hey Sudheesh,
Those are some really amazing pictures!! Thanks for sharing with us.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hey Dheeraj,
We are 4 friends planning a trip to Leh – Ladhak for 9 Days.
We want to visit Rohtang pass and like to travel on Manali – Leh highway or Vice Versa.
It would be great if you could suggest us some itinerary and help us out.
Thanks,
Shyam vador
Also Note we will be travelling from Mumbai
Hello Shyam,
If you can increase a day, it would be much better. I will suggest a below itinerary for 10 days. But, if you have only 9 then try to cut the 2 day trip of Nubra Valley below to one day trip of Deskit or Khardung La.
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 – 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 – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
— Stay overnight at Sarchu
Day 9 | 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 10 | Manali – Delhi
— Return home
Day 11 | Buffer day to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
i am a single travellr from hyderabad..need a company from manali to leh (august end to sept 1st week)..a bike tour is preffrd.please mail me if any1 intersted..
Hi,
Please Visit Royal Enfield website. Pl read to “RIDER WANTS RIDER” page. Try your luck, this is one possibility..
all the best..
g.ss
Hi we r also planning bt from jammu-srinagar -kargil-leh-then back via leh manali road .we r 2 guys on two bikes we r from pune and dates r 28 th aug reach in jammu via train and then bike ride from jammu to srinagar and …..
Hey, is there possibility to join certain groups for LEH from delhi ? (Heard of it somewhere)
Initially,we were 8 friends going but few did not get leave approvals so its down to 3 guys.
So we were thinking to join some group as we can then hire a private vehicle from all the way to delhi-leh and back to delhi as changing buses and taxis and traveling seems to be tedious and time consuming.
Hi Chaitanya,
You might need to find such groups over net may be in Travel Partners sections of BCMT or IndiaMike or TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet sites. But, it is quite easy to manage the taxis and buses as well. Delhi – Manali, connected with Volvo service. Manali – Ladakh again connected with HPTDC Sei Deluxe Bus Service. within Ladakh you will find ample of tourists ready to share taxi costs or get in touch with some travel agent and they would cater to all your itinerary needs in shared tourist taxis.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi deeraj ji
please arrange phone numbers of car mechanics / workshops in case of any breakdown on srinagar – leh – manali highway. it would be a great help.
thanks.
yours
jitendra singh gill
Sorry Jitendra, I do not have anyone of them but surely will add to my TODO list and will collect over on my next trip to Ladakh.
Regards
Dheeraj
thanks dheeraj ji
is there anyone planning same stuff ? please let me know, if there are two vehicles it would be great.
hi dheeraj ji
i am planning to visit leh, khardung la, pangong tso in second week of august. i will start my journey from bikaner (rajasthan) in first week of aug 2012 on my maruti 800 mpfi 5 speed car and visit golden temple and stay there for 2 days. now please guide me what route i should take and what are the road conditions, weather etc. and i don’t want to return from the same route. is it safe through srinagar in august month. please guide me.
thanks
yours,
JITENDRA SINGH GILL
08947925577
Hello Jitendra,
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh. You can use this itinerary from Jammu onward and from Amritsar, you can reach Jammu on the previous day.
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…
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
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, i am planning to go to leh from delhi on my Honda City ZX with one more friend of mine. So need your help to understand which route should we take for going to Leh, I know you have been suggesting Delhi-Srinagar-Leh but lets say AMS is not a major concern. Then
1. Can we do Delhi-Manali-Leh…the bigger concern for us is Can our Car which is very low GC.. pass through the slush near Rohtang and Rani Nalla ?
2. Are there any other similar problematic areas which we should be be aware of as our car might be a problem.
3.Also since we are still open for going via srinagar. Can you please help which option is better considering our vehicle and road conditions.
OPTION1 :
Delhi – Manali – Leh – Srinagar – Delhi.
Wednesday 25-Jul Day 1 Delhi – Mandi (Manali) (Leave Around 1:00 PM)
Thursday 26-Jul Day 2 Mandi (Manali) – Jispa (Need to Get Permit for Rohtang)
Friday 27-Jul Day 3 Jispa – Leh
Saturday 28-Jul Day 4 Leh sightseeing (Get Permits)
Sunday 29-Jul Day 5 Leh – Nubra Valley(Hunder/Diskit)
Monday 30-Jul Day 6 Nubra – Leh
Tuesday 31-Jul Day 7 Leh – Pangong so
Wednesday 1-Aug Day 8 Pangong so – Leh
Thursday 2-Aug Day 9 Leh – Kargil
Friday 3-Aug Day 10 Kargil – Srinagar
Saturday 4-Aug Day 11 Srinagar – Udhampur
Sunday 5-Aug Day 12 Udhamnpur – Delhi
OPTION 2 :
Delhi – Srinagar – Leh – Manali – Delhi
Wednesday 25-Jul Day 1 Delhi – Udhampur (Leave Around 1:00 PM)
Thursday 26-Jul Day 2 Udhampur – Srinagar
Friday 27-Jul Day 3 Srinagar – Kargil
Saturday 28-Jul Day 4 Kargil – Leh (Get ILP if we reach early)
Sunday 29-Jul Day 5 Leh sightseeing
Monday 30-Jul Day 6 Leh – Nubra Valley(Hunder/Diskit) (Get ILP. If we get ILP on Monday, can go to Pangong So First.(Shorter Distance))
Tuesday 31-Jul Day 7 Nubra – Leh
Wednesday 1-Aug Day 8 Leh – Pangong so
Thursday 2-Aug Day 9 Pangong so – Leh
Friday 3-Aug Day 10 Leh – Jispa
Saturday 4-Aug Day 11 Jispa-Manali
Sunday 5-Aug Day 12 Manali- Delhi
Thanks in Advance
Gaurav
Hi Gaurav,
You are anyways doing the circuit in both the plans, so why not do it the right way from Srinagar only and not take any chance with AMS. It will also help you with the idea how challenging the Manali – Leh Highway could be for Honda City. My concern is also the low GC of Honda City as you might be having trouble negotiating the speed breakers in the city as well 🙂 … So, it is a bit concerning and I will say if you love adventure more than your car, then only take it as there could be sections where an underbelly hit could not be avoided at all. In such cases, you need to decide upon which parts to sacrifice.
Also, itinerary looks fine and if you are coming from Leh towards Manali (second plan), then stay at Sarchu as you will be acclimatized enough to decently sleep at Sarchu on return which is not possible while going towards Leh from Manali.
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
Thanks Dheeraj, so as per you suggestion we have planned for Delhi-Srinager-Leh.
So if we are not going via Batalik we wont need any Inner Line permits till leh right?
Also any tips for passing Zozi la 🙂 ?
Thanks for your articles…they have helped me a lot in preparation.. and i appreciate your efforts and the pains you take to answer queries of travellers like me.
Hello Gaurav,
Yes, if you are not going via Batalik then you do not need any permit on that highway. Once, you reach Leh then get the permits for sighseeing places like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. For zozi la, it is one hell of a road with crater sized potholes 🙁 … Be careful while driving through water clogged sections and drive slow. Also, try to follow some vehicle, preferably local one to know what path to follow immersed under water.
Thanks for the appreciating word buddy 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
last october i saw a couple of ford figos up there in rohtang.
Hi,
I’m planing to go leh from manali-leh highway in the mid of august2012 with maruti dzire…………is it suitable car for this trip at that time or should i go from SUV only???? and need to know is it suitable for further journey to Pangong lake and other places in ladakh or should hire taxi after reaching Leh????
Hello Deepak,
It is possible to do with dZire but with little caution. First advice will be, if you have an SUV then better go with it. Second, if you can make it to Ladakh over Manali – Leh Highway and Srinagar – Leh Highway then you can do the in-roads in Ladakh to other sightseeing places from Leh 🙂 …
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
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks dheeraj…
Hi Deepak,
we have covered delhi manali leh sirnangar delhi by alto in 2010. if you are a good driver and have some experience on mountains than you can do it with your dzire as well. Cheers..
http://www.ghumakkar.com/2011/05/06/3-idiots-1-alto-and-leh-ladakh/
thanks………
Hey Gaurav,
It was very nice reading your log and the adventure you guys went through. Having said that, calling it that it can be done is different thing. Of course, it can be done as thousands of people do it in their sedans and hatches but there are several hundred of horror-ful stories attached with them when people tend to take it too easily. The pictures in your log clearly states that how Nano is being pulled out by other vehicles, guess from Zingzing bar nalla. That is where your skills as well as luck matters and how you need to be cautious to drive through the tough stretches and nallas. Often the call is required what parts to sacrifice, the luck quotient!! 🙂
Dzire when compare to alto is a sedan with hanging body at the back, and many a times it is the boot that hits from the back as it is loaded by luggage causing some damage. Hatchbacks are much easier to manage when compared to sedans. BTW, I have a Dzire as well and being through some really treacherous roads. Key is not rushing through and judging the situation by all means before jumping in to it, to minimize the damage if at all 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj
hi deepak
I’m planning to go to leh from srinagar side on 7 aug on maruti 800. Are you planning the same if so let me know. It will be better to have company. awaiting to hear soon from you.
Hi
indeed a good informatic website and good work by you Dheeraj. after going through the posts , it was easier for me to plan my trip to leh . i will be leaving on 25th of july and will be dedicating atleast 12 days for the trip. anyone intersted in joining is welcome , i am travelling alone with a driver and would love to be accompained by like minds. you can contact me at my email manmauji.india@rediff.com.
Regards
All the very best for a wonderful trip to Ladakh, Manav.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi! your informations are really helpfull.Could you please mail me your contact no and email ID so that we have some doubts.
We are planning to start to leh on sep 07 2012
I have emailed you the contact 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj
Could you please say us how much it will cost for taxi from Chandigarh to Leh ?
or
It is advisable to take seperate taxis? like from chandigarh to manali and the manali to Leh?
Hi Hemanth,
It would be economic in case you get the white number plate taxi from Chandigarh than any other option. Otherwise, take a taxi that will take you to Leh and then back from there. For Leh – Ladakh sightseeing, hire a separate taxi in Leh.
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.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj,
I have heard that to while travelling from sringar to Leh and from Leh to Manali by personal car, there are lot of traffic police / Army police stopping private cars and taking money from the travellers as bribe. can you brief me if any thing like this does exist or there is no problem not at all. one of my freind travelled by said route in private car and as per him he paid almost 11000 Rs to traffice police / army polce in different locations on the road.
Please confirm me of the same.
Hi Nilesh,
Not sure, about this because I mostly travel by my own car and haven't paid anytime though I have not covered most parts of Srinagar – Leh Highway, but still I never heard any of my friend giving money unnecessarily to anyone. In fact on Manali – Leh Highway and ahead of Kargil on Srinagar – Leh Highway, you will rarely find a police men stopping you.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for all this info.. I am planning to travel to Leh in 2nd wk of Aug, I hve few questions so could you share your contact number and email id
Hi Nitin,
I have emailed you my contact.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Finally my trip is confirmed . I am taking the manali to leh bus at manali on 17 July 11:00AM to reach Leh at 18 July evening . hope the bus driver stops at major view point enroute. and later I am also planning to go to Alchi and Lamayuru . I only have 3 days ( full days )
Tentative Itenary
18-July : Khardungla , Leh palace
19-July : Alchi
20- July : Lamayuru and back to leh by evening .
What could be the costings involved any travel agencies.
Viplav, aren't you covering Khardung La or Pangong Tso? Anyways, 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.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dheeraj : I am covering Khardungla on 18 July.
One more doubt , I heard that manali to leh via rohtang is closed every tuesday , then how our HPTDC bus starts on Tuesday 17-July to reach Leh on 18July evening . Also please provide your phone number just in case of any emergency
Hello Viplav,
I am not very sure about if they allow HPTDC bus, I think they would be allowing it and it remains closed for tourist taxis not even local ones. I will email you my contact.
Regards
Dheeraj
Finally completed the Manali to Leh trip , the whole trip was excellent , we had our best times at Tanglangla and Barlacha la and Keylong. Roads are in bad shape on Moore plains but somehow we managed . We had little AMS symptoms in the route from Manali to Leh after we have crossed Sarchu and Pang.
That is so great to read buddy and glad that you have a rocking trip to Ladakh. Thanks for sharing the reports here as well and would be great to see your pictures too 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Deeraj sharma.,, in this blog evrything is very useful and informative ,i have some queries please help us …..my frnds already booked flight tickets from bangalore to chandighad den chandigad to bangalore .. our trip starts on 13 th july and ends on 25th july..
1)we r thinking to rent bike from manali to leh ..is it good idea,??
2) we ll take cab to leh …den to roam arond ,we ll rent bike ,since we booked return tickets from chandighad ..we have come back to chandigad,,,how can we cover all places around leh..
3) what would be cab charges from manali to leh and leh to manali,???
Hello Veeresh,
1. If you guys are not that experienced bikers in hills and havn't done long distances on bike, better not o hire them from Manali and do Manali – Leh in a shared taxi.
2. Yes, 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.
3. Taxi would cost you about 18K approximately for a drop to Leh from Manali. Regarding a plan from 13 days, you might like to follow below:
Day 1 | Chandigarh – 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 – 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 – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR or you can do tour to Sham Valley
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna 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.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
— Overnight at Leh
Day 9 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
— Do not forget to carry spare fuel for about 550 KMs, or ask you taxi driver as he will manage it accordingly.
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
Day 13 – Buffer day to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
PS: Sorry, for the delayed response, was offline for last few days.
Hi Dheeraj,
First of all, kudos for setting up such an exhaustive and interesting blog. I am planning to travel to Leh with a friend on 21st July from Delhi via the Manali-Leh highway on a bike.
Hence wanted your advice on whether it is a good idea to ride pillion for close to 11-12 days. Also, is it safe for my friend as he will have a pillion rider along with two luggages to carry all the way to Leh.
Also tell me if it is a good idea to rent a bike from Manali? How safe and reliable are they? Or do you rather suggest we take our own bike from Delhi?
We are planning to travel alone. Since I have no working knowledge of bikes and will have to rely solely on him, is it a better idea to go in a group or is it fairly common to get groups on the way who you can team up with?
Will await your advice. Do write back. Thanks in advance.
Hello Maitreyee,
Thanks alot. Well, it is possible but a bit tough with a pillion. You can do it though, drive with caution. It is always best to take your own bike but still you want to hire a bike then read: How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali before you do so.
You will be able to get groups on the go or in Manali itslef. So, not much issues with that I guess.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any doubts/queries.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dheeraj,
This is an amazing website man… Great help… I am traveling to leh with few frnds this month..below is the schedule… Do let me know if any changes are required in this, also any place which we can include… For stay options in leh- i had zeroed down on Asia guest house or oriental guest house… For stay at disket we had thought of hotel Stan del and for pangsao it was hotel padma… Is that ok? Or suggest some other good options…
15 July. Reaching Chandigarh by train at 4 pm… Leave from Chandigarh at 7 pm for manali by bus
16 July. Manali to jispa – hire taxi. Night stay at jispa
17 July. Jispa to leh.
18 July. Explore leh
19 July. Leave for nubra valley. Halt at Khardungla for soup. Stay at hunder / diskit.
20 July. Diskit to sumur to panamik to sumur to khardungla to leh.
21 July. Leh to hemis monastery to pangong Tao. Overnight at spangmik or lukung
22 July. Return to leh from lukung
23 July. Leh to srinagar
24 July. Stay at srinagar
25 July. Srinagar to jammu
26 July. Board for onward destination.
Hello Jay,
Thanks alot.
Firstly, at Hunder go with Snow Leopard or Olthang as Sten Del has gone costly, if there are some budget constraints. Your plan overall is OK if you really like to go via Manali and come back via Srinagar. However, I always advice the other way around if someone is doing the complete circuit 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.
Other thing will be Leh to Srinagar will be tiring in one day, so better do Leh – Kargil and then Kargil – Srinagar.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you need more info or have any doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj,
thanks man for your help… we cant take the srinagar – leh route due to a few reasons… can you mail your contact number… would like to ask you a couple of things on phone…
thanks a ton…
Hello Jay,
Emailed you my contact number.
Regards
Dheeraj
Is it advisable for girls to travel Leh to Manali via road. We would be completing this over two days.
Hi Shrenikk,
As long as human triggered disturbances are concerned, it is perfectly safe. Stay at either Jispa or Keylong overnight before starting the journey to Leh 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Shrenikk,
As long as human triggered disturbances are concerned, it is perfectly safe. Stay at either Jispa or Keylong overnight and avoid staying at Sarchu while going to Leh from Manali 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Really appreciate what you are doing here by providing extremely useful info. I had been to Ladakh 2 years ago, and am planning a trip this year in august. But I want to include Chandratal in it. And only have 11-12 days. I plan to leave from Mumbai on 3rd August night.
Could you please give me your contact no.? Would like to talk to you and iron out all the questions I had.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Kartik,
I have emailed you my contact.
Regards
Dheeraj
I need your help !!
We are also planning for leh by bike and we are 3 boys and 2 girls. So i wanted to know how safe is the trip with girls if we are going by bike to leh. In all ways like
accommodation, safety point of view, crowd on roads, etc. Would appreciate if you spare some time and share your comments in details.
And want to add one more point that we all will go for the first time. Please share your expert comments, so that we make our plan accordingly. Will appreciate your prompt response.
Thanks in advance.
Hello Abhin,
Well, safety in terms of human triggered crimes, it will be safe as people are nice, friendly and most lovable over in Ladakh. If you plan the trip carefully, accommodation shall not be a problem. The only problem I see, if you guys are not too much experienced with driving in hills then it will be hello lot of challenging and with pillions (I hope girls are not riding :)), it will increase more especially at Manali – Leh Highway which is one of the most adventurous roads in India.
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 travelers including me at the link here: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip at the link here.
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. Please let me know in case you need more info or have any doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hey Dheeraj,
I need to speak to you. Please provide me your contact number or email id.
Hi Gaurav,
I have emailed you my contact.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
wow dheeraj I admire your fan following and I know why.Your blog is great.My son Rahul just left to manali to drive to leh by bike.I suddenly saw that I have to go to leh on the 10th
for a tender.So I am flying to leh on the 9th and am planning to drive down along with my wife from leh to manali on 13th july.I need a vehicle in Leh and also to drive down to manali.Any suggestions?I have been a rally driver and do not have a driver for the last 32 yaers of driving.Did 13 days driving in the himalayas about 2 years back.I sincerely look forward to hearing from you.
hello Vijay,
You will not be able to get a self-drive car in Leh but yes, you can get a taxi and ask the guy to let you drive for a while, if he agrees (I doubt though). I understand that you would have loved to drive on this beautiful and adventurous terrain but I do not think you will be able to get a self-drive. But, 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.
Do plan to properly rest for the first two days you are in Leh and keep the body hydrated and least exerted to avoid any AMS issued.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi, I am planning to go on a road trip from Delhi to leh in Hyundai accent in July 2nd week.
Day 1 – Delhi – manali
Day 2 – manali – leh
I have few queries –
1. How safe is it? I am travelling with my wife
2. Where all can I see snow?
3. Do I need to carry extra petrol?
Will really appreciate your help with this.
Hello Vikram,
1. In two days from Delhi to Leh not possible. You will at least need three days where third day will be very tiring. Delhi – Manali, Manali – Jispa/Keylong and then Jispa/Keylong – Leh. Safety wise I would say, no human triggered disturbances you will find on the entire route. Taking Accent, read tips below.
2. On the passes enroute, you will find snow especially Baralacha La.
3. You need to cover about 365 KMs without fuel pump once you refuel at Tandi near Keylong. If you think the tank full would enough for it, then you do not otherwise carry spare about 10 Ltrs or so.
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 back 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
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj, First of thanks a lot for your good work. I am 50 years young and this is the first time I am trying to do Manali-Leh-KhardungLa-Leh-Kargil-Srinagar-Jammu by bicycle. About Srinagar-Jammu I have to decide late as it depends on my stamina. I don't have mountain biking experience. Timing is not a problem as I planned it for three weeks for entire trip. At present I am alone and starting from Manali on July 1st2012. Any chance to get someone who can join me or I can join someone? Would like to have your suggestion.
Hello Anil,
Hats off to your courage and spirit for taking on toughest road on the bikes at such an age. For travel partners, better try IndiaMike or BCMT or TripAdvisor travel partner sections to team along. On my blog, there is no dedicated section for it 🙁
Also, considering AMS and acclimatization, I will seriously suggest you do it from Srinagar side and come back via Manali side.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj, Earlier also I asked you if HRTC bus allow me to bring my bicycle by ordinary bus from Delhi to Manali but now I couldn't find your answer. Could you pl answer on my email as well. Thanks a lot.
Guess, it is answered and I think you can carry it along by keeping it at the top of the bus. Just make required arrangements with the conductor of the bu 😉
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for this wonderful website. I am planning a trip with my friend from Aug 5th to Aug 19th, in which time we are planning to do Delhi – Manali – Leh – Srinagar – Delhi (I have done this before, too). We are also open to changing the route and go via Srinagar and return via Manali (as suggested by you and many others).
I don't want you to tell me the itinerary, there are many versions of it in the comments itself and I don't want you to go through the trouble again. What, however, would be great is if you could provide me with the Rates of private cabs on both routes.
Thanks,
Sudarshan
Hello Sudarshan,
Thanks a lot. 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
Hi, Thanks, I had already seen that page before. But there were some talks of hiking the fares up this season, which made me wonder if they have already done so.
On a related note, can you tell me if Zoji La is closed every evening? If yes, when is it closed? And how much time does it take to go from Srinagar Airport to Zoji La?
Thanks!
Hello Sudarshan,
Yes, there are traffic regulations at Zozila Pass but I am not 100% sure about the timings. It will take about 5-5.5 Hrs to reach Zozi La pass from Srinagar. Regarding taxis, yes they have already hiked by 22% and I do not think they will be hiking anymore this season. The rates you see are after that hike only.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks, I think the prices into Leh will be a bit lesser than from Leh.
In any case, this is what I have planned, so far, please let me know if it sounds good to you:
Aug 5: Land at Srinagar Airport by 1st flight and proceed to Dras/Kargil. Night stop.
Aug 6: Leave Kargil/Dras early morning and reach Leh by evening. Rest.
Aug 7 – Aug 14: Go on a trek (undecided so far, any recommendations will be good. So far, looking at the Markha valley trek).
Aug 15: Go to Khardungla and somewhere close, to return to Leh by night
Aug 16: Leave for Tso Moriri, stay overnight at Tso Moriri.
Aug 17: Leave Tso Moriri for Sarchu
Aug 18: Leave Sarchu for Manali
Aug 18: Continue on to Delhi to reach Delhi by 19th Evening.
Delhi to Manali will be by the Volvo.
We can adjust the days according to the trek. If it's possible to go to Tso Moriri via Khardungla, we might skip Khardungla and instead go for the Indus-Zanskar whitewater rafting.
Please let me know your thoughts, we are a tentative group of 3.
Thanks,
Sudarshan
Hi Sudarshan,
Prices would be same, it is just that away from Leh you get about 8-10% discount while talking to driver and within Leh you might get 12-15%. Markha Valley is awesome and so as Stok Kangri. Last day is what I feel dicey and you might miss the overnight volvo. So, you need to either keep a buffer day or plan to add a day in between. Nopes, it is not possible to go to Tso Moriri via Khardung La in a single day, even two days for that route is tiring.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
You are doing really great man.
I am looking for your help.
We are planning for Leh tour from Manali through Rentals bikes.
We are totally 10 guys and we have planned the tour for 9days (Manali to Leh and return).
Could you please suggest us a perfect itenary which is suitable for BIKE riding.
Thanks in Advance.
Hello Ravi,
For 9 days Delhi – Manali – Leh – Manali – Delhi, you can follow a plan similar to 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
Thanks a lot dheeraj.
thanks dheeraj yes i have discuss with friends and have taken decission for 10 days trip going via srinagar and coming back via manali how it sounds to u now also please make my itenary it will be helpfull as it will be my first visit to leh and wanna enjoy each and every moment
regrds
amit
Hello Amit,
For 10 days for Ladakh trip via Srinagar – Leh and coming back via Manali – Leh, you can follow a plan like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop
— Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – 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 3 | 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 4 | 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 5 | 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 : https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/inner-line-per…
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | 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 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | 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 9 | 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 10 | Manali – Delhi
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
also let me know during trip which place to stay in night time how much fare for taxi from manali to leh updown may be approx
over all budget if u could suugest that can help a lot including accomdation and fares +others breakdown if possible approx
regards
amit
Hi Amit,
For queries 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
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
haloo dheeraj how u doing mate.
kindly guide me for manali leh route as we are two friends going with my own car which is hyundai verna from delhi-manali-leh ladakh
please plan me a trip for seven days with some sight seeng destinations and precautions to be taken
is it safe to go by private car or we should hire taxi from manali
you guidence ill be appriciated
regards
amit
Hello Amit,
7 days are two less to make a road trip to Ladakh. With lots of effort and continuous journeys, you can make it in 9 days at minimum because it will take 3 days to reach Leh via Manali from Delhi and 3 days to come bac. I hope you will stay for 3 days in Ladakh to explore a bit. So, do you have those 2 more days extra and do not forget the terrain is un-predictable and it is always advised to have buffer days as well.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj
if we stay in Swarghat & then drive to manali for fresh mind..is it ok….and what about the road is it good condition ???
Hi Vipin,
That is also fine, and road conditions are mostly fine with some bad patches around.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
OK Dheeraj,
So after all discussions and research, we are leaving for this adventure trail today eve. We are taking the road less taken MAnali-Jipsa-pang-Tso Moriri-Pangong-Leh-kargil-Srinagar = 13 days.
Wish us luck and adventure. Also, I want to keep adding the experience and snaps to a travelogue. Where do I do it ?
Siddharth
Hey Siddharth,
All the very very best for the trip, have a great journey. Once, you are back I can create a user for you and you can post your travelogue as a Guest Post on my blog. It will be a great pleasure to have your experience here. Feel free to get in touch with me once you are back, I will provide all the details.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
The places mentioned by siddharth requires the inner line permits, which are issued in Leh. Please tell how this trip can be taken without permits.
Hi Sanjay,
I guess he is not following this order and if he is following this order only then either he might be returned from Tso Moriri as permits are required or if he has arranged the permits in advance then very likely will suffer some AMS issues.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanx for prompt reply. Kindly guide us to get the ILPs beforehand, because we are reaching Leh on the Saturday evening.
Hi Sanjay,
Guess, it might be too late. But, still you can try to contact the hotels or travel agents in Leh who would ask for scanned copies of your photo ids and then after you pay them money they will send you the permits via email or fax.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
dheeraj u r a grt guy.helping so many people.i m posted at leh.
Thanks alot Rajeev, where in Leh? Next time I come to Ladakh, we are gonna meet surely 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Firstly, this website is like a bible to us. Awesome work by you buddy.
We are moving from solang on this 10th june to leh. Can you update where can we find bike repairers during the tour on our path. Our trips would include of course Manali – Leh, Leh town, Leh – Nubra, Leh – Pangong, Pangong – Tsomoriri and Tsomoriri to Pang and back to manali.
Also, which is the best river rafting course suggested by you. as we aint amateurs in rafting.
Thanks…!!!
Hi Saransh,
Thanks alot buddy. AFAIK, Mechanic / Puncture Shops on Manali Leh Highway: Khoksar, Tandi, Keylong, Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi, Karu, Leh
Sorry I have least idea of rafting in Ladakh 🙂 …
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hey dheeraj. Suggest 10 day plan for leh from manali.On bike…
Group is of 6.
We are taking three days for Manali to Leh.
Ist day : manali to Darcha.
2nd day : Darcha to …. u suggest!!..
Is it possible to cross Darcha to Leh on one day?
We are leaving on 7 june so please reply soon!!..
Hi Varun,
Though it is better to go via Srinagar and come back via Manali to enjoy more without bothering of help. But, if you have made up your mind then I will suggest the folllowing itinerary:
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 – Lamayuru – Kargil
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 8 | Kargil – Drass – Zozi La – Sonamarg – Srinagar
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Sonamarg
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 9 | Srinagar – Jammu / Pathankot
— Overnight at Jammu / Pathankot
Day 10 | Jammu / Pathankot – Delhi
— Back Home
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dheeraj….
This is Ashwin from Bangalore. This blog is very informative and helpful.
I am planning for Leh Ladakh trip with my wife. Will be very thankful, if you give some suggestions on my plan.
We will be reaching Jammu from Bangalore by flight on July 8th (2012) and want to reach Delhi by July 15th.
(i)From Jammu plan is to catch bus to Leh. Is it a good option/ Suggest me from where I can catch bus? Around 3 PM we will be reaching Jammu so what is the distance between Airport to bus stop from where buses are available to Leh? And also is it expensive?
(ii) Whether Shared taxi from Jammu is advisable to travel with my wife or better to catch bus?
(iii)How many days required for covering places in Ladakh? Suggest me best places to cover in 3 to 4 days because can’t stretch more days there.
(iv)How is” Padma Guest house & hotel” in Fort Road (Leh)? (Suggested by one of my Friend)
(v)Or any other good option to reach Leh from Delhi?
(vi)Which route is better to travel back from Leh , Leh to Manali by Bus or going back to Jammu ?
Hi Ashwin,
1. You have just 7 days and in these 7 days journey to Ladakh by road is not possible at least to see places in Ladakh. You can only reach Leh from Srinagar – Leh Highway and then start journey back to Delhi via Manali. It takes 3 days from Jammu to reach Leh first and then again three days to come back via Manali. Either you can rest for one day in Leh or you need to keep it as buffer day because Manali – Leh Highway is very prone to blockages and all 🙁 …
2. From Jammu, I guess you need to reach Srinagar first where you will get the shared taxis or buses to Leh.
3. Guess already answered
4. Padma is nice AFAIK as well. For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
5. Can you fly in or out of Leh directly?
6. I will say Manali – Leh but as said above you do not have much time for covering it.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Me nd my frnds planning to go leh via manali from delhi through own vehicle (mahindra logan), will there be any problem? on the way we want to stay in camp, so which place will be suitable for us after manali.
Thanks
Jagmohan Raghav
Hi Jagmohan,
For Logan taking on Manali – Leh Highway, I will suggest you read about section "Private Vehicles i.e. Cars and Bikes | Self Drive or Ride to Ladakh" in the article linked here: How to plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway to give you an idea what to expect in self drive in hatch back. For a quick read:
The roads may be stabilized by that time but you will need to face few tough challenges on the route. The hatchback/sedan will increase the level of every challenge even further. My suggestion will be to go via Srinagar route which is opened for light vehicles earlier (most likely) and will be stabilized by then. It will help you feel comfortable with the driving, provide more acclimatization and then once you have done the local Leh Ladakh come back via Manali side. Secondly, since you are in hatch/sedan back then you need to drive with extra care as well. There will be some sections on the Manali – Leh highway in which yo 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, funnely, 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
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you so much for your reply. We are planning to go on 10 june. So, leh manali highway will be officialy open till date?
Hi Jagmohan,
Manali – Leh Highway will most likely open up officially by start of next week (almost 95% sure). One of the readers here called up the tourism office in Leh where he got this update.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning to go to Leh from Delhi for 10 days (with 2 days of buffer)
We plan to go Delhi-manali-Rohtan-Leh and come back via Srinagar highway.
Cold you please suggest the itenary for the 10 days.
Also, can you suggest of a contact person in Delhi who gives cars on rent (SUV); preferably self driven; else a cab with driver.
Thanks for the support.
Hi Deepali,
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 into 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
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
As for the plans for 10 days, you can do something like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Srinagar
— Fly to Srinagar if you are not self driving because it will almost cost the same and help you save one day plus fatigue of traveling unnecessary in plains or boring hills for 2 days
— 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 Zanskar
— 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 – 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 – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | 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 9 | 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 10 | Manali – Delhi
Note: No buffer days for Ladakh trip mostly many a times means trouble, so do plan a day or two as buffer apart from these 10 days.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dhiraj,
First of all thanks lot for valuable advice for Leh tour. I am planning for Leh-Ladakh tour in end of July by bus. I will start from Srinagar-Kargil to Leh. I want to know about accommodation at the Leh. I want to stay for 3-4 days in Leh. Please give me details about cheap accommodations in Leh.
Hi Ashish,
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here. Greenland Guest House at Changspa had some extremely good recent reports on the FB pages by one of the readers as well. I will say go for it.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Deepali
We are 3 couples and we too have planned for the same route and have found 1 guy who owns car and have got a good deal frm him do let me know if u would like to get more details
Hi Deepali ,
we are 2 couples from mumbai and planing to visit the same route which u have mentioned. You can leave ur email Id on prajakta.pednekar61@gmail.com and i would give you the travel agent details and other revelant info
Hi Dheeraj,
We plan to go to Leh and want to book a SUV (self driven preferrably)or else with driver. Can you suggest any contact or person who books cars for Leh trip.
Hi Deepali,
Outside taxis are not allowed in Ladakh. Only Leh taxis are allowed within Leh – Ladakh. So, better reach Leh first by other means and then hire taxi within Leh – Ladakh. 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
What is your starting point?
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We are a group of Ten Freinds and we want to cover Leh-Ladakh.
We will be starting from Chandigarh and reaching Manali on 10th June. We want to cover only Ladakh and not Srinagar.
Can you please suggest the best possible
1.Trip Plan
2.Mode of Transport
if possible kindly provide pointers and pros and cons of both CAB and bikes.
3.Pointers of Accomadation.
We intend to complete the trip in 5-7 days.
Will be grateful for your help.
Thanks in Advance. 🙂
Hi Abizer,
Minimum you need is 9 days at the very least to cover a trip to Leh – Ladakh even via Manali – Leh Highway. Are you ready to extend your days in hand? Are these 7 days Manali to Manali?
Regards,
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Yeah these 7 days are from Manali to Manali.
As of now we were of the view to have
2+3+1 (2 Days Manali to Leh ; 3 Days in Leh ; 1 Day from Leh to Manali.)
Is this plan feasible?
If yes what should be the route etc.
If No knidly suggest where can we do the alterations?
Thanks In Advance 🙂
Hi Abizer,
I will suggest you should try and do something like below:
Day 1 | 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 2 | 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 3 | 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 4 | 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 5 | 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 6 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
— Stay overnight at Sarchu
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 | Buffer day to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
While going to Leh from Manali, you will be able to judge if you need two days to return or can do the cannon ball run in one day. Cut the last ay accordingly. Otherwise, you can do Nubra Valley trip in one day and save that day for yourself.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Yes i am planning to go directly from pnagong tso to tso moriri after doing diskit to pangong.so advise about ILP accordingly.
Hi Prasad,
In such a case, mention all these places for SURE : Pangong Tso – Man – Merak – Chusul – Tsaga – Loma – Hanle – Nyoma – Tso Moriri. If going via Chumur, mention Chumur as well.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Regarding mentioning the places in ILP.Considering that i am visiting nubra valley,then directly going to pangong tso via shyok village or wari la,how do i mention this places in application form?Do places like wari la,shyok village or agham require ILP?also kindly advise about the places on pangong tso-tso moriri route as well which needs to be mentioned in ILP.
Guess, I have replied to this one.
Regards
Dheeraj
thanks for your valuable advise. well we are put up at chandigarh so shimla is just 4 hours drive for us. but we are not sure about road conditions of kaza road. if its the same as manali so what would u prefer between the two of them?
Hi Abhishek,
Lucky you brother 🙂 … Well, the road conditions are not that same as you go to Manali. After Manali, it is similar to what you get on Kaza route. From Chandigarh to Kinnaur i.e. Kalpa, you will get almost good roads except when Kinnaur starts. After Kinnaur again it is mixture of super bad to good roads upto Kaza. Once you reach Kaza, after that upto Losar you will find road and then ahead, it will be just dirt track with loads of sharp stones around stretch of Kunzum Pass.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj..i wrote u earlier also..now we are 3 families ready to rock d adventure..bt pls reccommend and suggest me the following:
firstly is it safe to go via srinagar as elders saying that crossing srinagar-drass-kargil is not a gud option due to safety reasons?
secondly we will be driving innova? is it safe for such route? or what else is the option?
thirdly how many days we should plan to have a comfortable journey?
fourthly some people who have already been to leh suggesting to avoid manali road due to bad conditions of roads and weather? are they correct?
i have heard that one more route via narkanda, kaza leads to leh? is that road fine?
what would you suggest the best route to follow? We are very much ok with srinagar but security issues are making us think again and again.. moreover one of the family will be accompnaying with 3 years old baby? is it safe for them to take the baby along?
pls revert me early as have to finalize certain bookings…
thanx
Hi Abhishek,
1. It is safe and thousands of tourist do it. Just don't deviate from highways and you shall be fine. In case, you still have some doubts then you can do Delhi – Patnitop and then Patnitop – Sonamarg by starting early from Patnitop thus avoiding stay at Srinagar.
2. Innova can do it but just make sure you are little cautious and careful in driving through water crossings.
3. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
4. Yes, they are correct but it does not mean you should avoid it. With some decent skills, you can get it through and it depends upon your spirit of adventure. Yes, the roads are extremely bad as well as challenging on Manali – Leh Highway not just Manali – Rohtang PAss stretch. Yes, there is a route that goes from Kunzum Pass – Kaza – Reckong Peo – Rampur – Narkanda – Shimla – Delhi. This will take about 2-3 days extra however.
3 year old baby is something I would have avoided especially on Manali – Leh Highway which is too remote and harsh. But, the final call is upto you. If I were you, I would have avoided at least on Manali – Leh Highway.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj, you are doing great work by providing such valuable information. I am also planning a 10 – 15 days trip and want to cover Srinagar, Leh and Manali. we are three families ( 6 adults and 6 kids). Kindly plan a trip for us. Can we do the trip in Innova
Hi Ranjit,
Innova will suffer at few sections of the road, better get Scorpio/Xylo.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
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
Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip at the link here.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
I will be starting from leh to diskit /hunder on 9th june.
1.10th june – planning to go directly to pangong tso via shyok village(dont want to come back to leh & start next day to pangong).will taxi driver agree with this?we are all for this adventerous trip.other route is via wari la.as i read in your blog route via shyok village is more beautiful.
2.on 11th june planning to do pangong tso to tso moriri via man-merek-tsaga la-nyoma-kerzok.
3.on 12th june – kerzok to keylong as advised by u.Next day keylong to manali.by this planning we will have one spare day.
4.I need ur advise on deisel availability.It seems this one is big hurdle.since there is one pump available at diskit,how much spare fuel shall we carry in can for whole journey?
Hi Prasad,
Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri with night halt at Hanle is a not a road at all rather a dirt track but with magnificent beauty. If there is not fight of time, little discomfort traveling on that road for so long and you can carry fuel for about 700-800 Kms if returning back to Leh from Tso Moriri or about 950+ KMs if you want to further move to Manali from Tso Moriri then you can take that route. The beauty on this route is unmatched 🙂 …
Diskit petrol pump is usually out of service always. So, you need to carry so much fuel with you to do about 950+ KMs as suggested above.
Now, lots of taxi drivers will not agree to Shyok route as being myself on that route a while back, it was though super adventure but quite dangerous at many places and risky too. Plus help will be long way to find since very few people follow this route. So, take decision if the driver agrees and route is open at that time.
One feedback is that you are traveling every other day which will make it hectic, if possible try to add a day or two to relax as well in between.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks for immediate response.how do we generally carry this much fuel in vehicle?by a can or container or something?
Hi Prasad,
You will need to carry spare fuel in Jerry Cans which do not leak or carry many Coke Bottles which do not leak as well.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Also, Tso Moriri to Keylong will be very long and tough day. So, in case you have not used that buffer day until that point, halt at Sarchu instead moving to Keylong and do Sarchu – Manali the next day.
Regards
Dheeraj
Dear dheeraj,
Regarding mentioning the places in ILP.Considering that i am visiting nubra valley,then directly going to pangong tso via shyok village or wari la,how do i mention this places in application form?do i have to mention places like wari la,agham in app.?also kindly advise about the places on pangong tso-tso moriri route as well.
In order to follow the Shyok route, we did not mention it on permit but if you are going via Wari La, you need to mention Wari La on the permit. To be on safe side also mention Shyok village on the permit form and even if the clerk says something, politely ask him to shut his mouth 😉 …
Do you plan to take Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri direct? If not, then mention just these two lakes.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning to go to Leh Via Manali and Come Back by Srinagar, we shall be starting on 27th May morning from Manali , Kindly suggest how to go about it i.e. Day wise planning so that we reach back to Chandigarh by 3rd June?
Hi Birinder,
8 days are way to less for Leh – Ladakh trip. Also, to ensure that you acclimatize properly and enjoy the journey more, I will suggest that go via Srinagar side and come back via Manali side, if you intend to do the whole circuit. Best I can suggest is:
Day 1 | Delhi/Chandigarh – Patnitop
— Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – 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 3 | 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 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Zanskar
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | 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 6 | 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 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | 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 9 | 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 10 | Manali – Chandigarh
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning to go to Leh Via Manali, we would be starting our journey by 26th May 2012, wanted to know has the road been opened yet? I Called up a local taxi driver in Leh today he confirmed me that the Route Shall be opened in a day or Two, Kindly give your valuable Suggestions by confirming from your reliable sources. Secondly we are planning to go by Jeep (M&M 540)4 x 2 is it a good idea?
Hi Birinder,
By 26th, it should be open officially or in fact by weekend I expect it to open because trial run of Bus Service from Keylong to Manali has been done. So, if weather do not show any surprises then you are good to go 🙂 … Leave as early as possible in the day, by 4 AM types from Manali, and you might avoid the permit thing as well in worst case.
Going by Jeep is fine, just ensure you drive with caution and do not rush through any tricky water crossings/tricky section but first try to analyze the situation and go for it.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I want to visit leh between 26 May to 3 June. I need some companion. I m planing to go on bike
Hi Rajendra,
Better search travel partners section of IndiaMike and BCMT websites to find travel partners.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi, This is a very informative blog that you write and very helpful at that. Thank you so much. I intend taking up a drive via Manali to Leh and I do understand now from your blog that I would need to procure a permit in advance. I was seeking a couple of clarifications though. One, is the permit based on the number of people who would be traveling in the vehicle or would it be per vehicle. Also, I was under the impression that the Manali – Leh road has been opened a couple of weeks ago but your website says it hasn't yet opened. I am a little confused in this regard. Though I take up my travel on June 15th from Bombay, I was wondering and hoping that the road would definitely open-up till then, if not already open. Thank you in advance for your response and keep up the great work, its greatly appreciated. By the way, just a suggestion. maybe you should have a section for your readers to post pictures of there travels and how about a section for your readers to write a travelogue of their own! In any case, thank you so much for all the effort and time you continue to devote to this cause. All the best!
Hi Anay,
1. Manali – Rohtang Pass road permit is based per vehicle not on number of persons
2. No it has not opened, it was Rohtang Pass only that was opened not whole Manali – Leh Highway.
3. By mid of June, it will most probably be open and may also have stabilized in such a case.
Thanks for the valuable suggestion and they are much more welcome. For pictures, I am not sure but yes, one can definitely send the Travelogue to me and I can post it as Guest Post in his/her name. I am working on a model to open readers to post Travel and I hope you will surely join it 🙂
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Is this true? Has it impacted tourist travel upto Keylong?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Non-Hima…
Hi Ranjit,
Yes, it was introduced last year. For more details on the news and how to go over with the permits, check the detailed article on my blog at the link here
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj Sharma,
We are planning to travel to manali leh highway in first week of July.
return via Kargil srinagar. We are planning to visit by private tavela self drive.
Please confirm the time and travel with self drive shall be ok.
Also request you to confirm whether any permission are required to travel from above places.
I will start my journey from Ahmedabad Gujarat.
Hi Nilesh,
If you want to do the circuit then better start from Srinagar side and come back via Manali side. It will seriously help you a lot. Do read more reasons here for sure why I am suggesting to do it from Srinagar side.
If you go via Manali side then you will need to get permits from SDM office Manali to travel on MAnali – Rohtang Pass road but if you are coming back from Rohtang Pass or Leh to Manali then you do not need any permits. You will not need permits for any other route but to visit places within Ladakh that is Nubra Valley, Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri you will need permits.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj,
when is the leh manali highway expected to be opened. Also please let me know how to obtain permits for Nubra Valley, Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri
Hi Nilesh,
It might open by third week of May or late May. To know all about Inner Line Permits including downladable form check the link here
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
sanjay
April 30, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Hi Dheeraj…subsequent to our last corresspondence on March 7th..this is the latest development. We are attempting to summit Chamsher Kangri this time (same group as was for Kangyatse last year) in 2nd or 3rd week of July.I have spoke to the others re the alternative route you suggested via Spiti instead of Rohtang and they are game for it.
1.Please could we have some more details re exact route from Manali, places to halt ,time to Leh etc.
2.Have also been told that a visit to Chandratal is a MUST if we are in Spiti.Does this come enroute or do we have to go out of the way ?..
3.Chances of snow etc still there at Kunzum pass ?? i mean any chances of getting stuck at that time of the year??
Thanks a lot buddy.
Regards,
Sanjay
Hello Sanjay,
Nice to hear about your plans, interesting 🙂 …
So you will be starting from Delhi and wanna take Spiti route to Leh?
1. First, Manali will not come on the way as you will be directly reaching the Northern portal of Rohtang Pass that is Gramphu via Kunzam Pass. The route will be like:
Delhi – Narkanda
Narkanda – Kalpa
Kalpa – Nako – Tabo
Tabo – Kaza (Explore Pin Valley and Kaza and around Kaza like Ki Kibber Gette Tashigang Hikkim Kaumik Langza villages)
Kaza – Losar – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal/Losar
Chandratal/Losar – Kunzum Pass – Gramphu – Keylong – Jispa
Jispa – Sarchu
Sarchu – Leh
2. Chandratal is awesome and is a short detour from Kunzum Pass/Battal. Visit it and then either stay there or come back to Losar for night saty
3. Chances of snow will be less I will say and getting caught is something no one can predict 😉
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
All the info found here's very helpful!
Can you please approx me, out of experience, the opening time of the Manali-Leh highway?
Hi Russ,
Thanks for liking the info present on the blog. It is expected to be open by third week of May if weather remains clear in the coming weeks. If you have flexible plan then try to plan the journey around second week of June as by then roads might be stabilized as well. I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi,
This is Shiva from Bangalore. I’m Avid Biker and regular reader of your articles on Manali-Leh and Srinagar Routes. Elsewhere read, even my Brain says Srinagar, but heart continues to push me towards Manali route.
Now, Kindly request your help/info in specific route.
Is there any route/road which connects Nubra Valley to Kargil, this will help us in saving a day or increase one more buffer day practically if all goes well.
• Someone said it is exist, but the road is normally worst (most of the stretch road does not exist) and If something goes wrong (to bike or person), getting help might be long, please advice
• Is it Safe and what will be tentative road conditions.
• Should we need to carry petrol or will it be available in en-route Villages (some time in Bottles)
• Food and accommodation (incase circumstance force us)
As we friends of 3, are travelling from B’lore with limited leave 15 days. Only me have the experience of traveling in Manali-leh route twice (once with bad luck till Tandi 2011), Others are First timers in Bullet.
Kindly advice.
Let me not miss to mention, all your articles and guidelines are fantastic, even First timer goes well prepared and have fullest fun as he is mentally and resourcefully prepared himself to meet most circumstances.
If at all I have option to place a request to my fellow travelers, Please do not litter and enjoy Mother nature to fullest as she is and it will be certainly life time travel.
Hello Shiva,
Thanks alot buddy and I am glad that you like my articles on the blog. Yes, brain will always push you to Srinagar and heart towards Manali. If you are planning to do the circuit then do it from Srinagar – Leh side and come back from Manali – Leh side. Regarding your queries,
1. No there is no route that connects Nubra Valley to Kargil. There is a separate route for which you require permits that connects Kargil to Leh from Dha Hanu villages. You have to reach Leh to go towards Nubra Valley.
2. I would really like to hear from that someone who has suggested such route from Kargil to Nubra Valley exist and would surely like to know more about it. AFAIK, it do not exist.There exist route between Pangong Tso and Nubra, direct and Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso direct.
3. It is safe as long as you drive carefully and do not take unnecessary risks. No harm being little conservative in running nallas and landslides and cautiously pass them. Which month are you planning? I will try to suggest tentative road conditions.
4. Carry spare fuel, the fuel you get from villages is black petrol and is mixed with kerosene. Only if you have no other option then only you should try to get it from villages.
5. Carry dry fruits and chocolates with you. On Manali – Leh highway, you need to plan for food and accommodation but otherwise if you plan the trip carefully you can get both of them easily every overnight.
Thanks alot again for such kind words of appreciation, in fact that is the whole motto of this blog :). I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your Valuable Input immediately. As read several times, we are trying to Orient ourself towards Brain!!! Working on Two options "A" srinagar Leh manali and Option B otherway around. We friends planned for 15days trip from July 13 to 29.
Shortly will send you our detailed itenary for your kind advice.
Jainhind
G.Shiva, BLR
Hi Shiva,
I would be more than happy to provide any inputs I can for your itinerary 🙂
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for the Valuable details. Can you please advise me below route possibilities.
day 1- Leh to Hunder – Via Kardung
day 2- Hunder-Nubra-Natural Springs-Pangong Tso (kindly advice the Route). It is possible to Avoid the Leh
day 3- Tso Morir – Kindly advice on
a. Tso Morir – Any accommodation available in here or near by village
b. how I can reach Manali leh highway from Tso Morir in Shortest and safest road (or should I have to go back to Upshi).
Kindly request your advice on above.
Hello Shiva,
Day 2: Try to avoid hot springs route to save some time and go to Pangong Tso directly from Hunder by starting early morning. You have the options of two routes:
1. Diskit – Khalsar (19 KMs) – Agham (31 KMs) – Tangyar (11 KMs) – Wari La (28 KMs) – Tathok (25 KMs) – Sakti (4 KMs) – Chang La (34 KMs) – Durbuk (32 KMs) – Tangste (9 KMs) – Lukung (34 KMs) – Spangmik (16 KMs) = 243 KMs
2. Diskit – Khalsar (19 KMs) – Agham (31 KMs) – Shyok Village (48 KMs) – Durbuk (18 KMs) – Tangste (9 KMs) – Lukung (34 KMs) – Spangmik (16 KMs) = 175 KMs
The route via Shyok is quite dangerous and isolated even more than Wari La route. Taxis are always reluctant to do Shyok route but it is quite a heavenly one, as I experienced in last week trip to Ladakh 🙂 … Anyways, taxis will be able to take Wari La route if it is open.
Day 3: I will suggest rather drop Tso Moriri if you are short of time. Otherwise be ready for another long long day and that too tiring too due to almost non-existent roads from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri at almost 65-70% of the stretch. Still, below is the route you can take to reach Tso Moriri from Pangong Tso:
Spangmik (Pangong Tso) – Man (9 KMs) – Merak (12 KMs)– Chusul (28 KMs) – Tsaga La (33 KMs) – Tsaga Village (20 KMs) – Loma (23 KMs) – Nyoma (22 KMs) – Mahe (25 KMs) – Sumdo (10 KMs) – Tso Moriri / Korzok (53 KMs) = 235 KMs
From Tsaga Village to Mahe you will find good roads. Also, be sure to get permits of all the places mentioned on the route above otherwise you will be sent back.
To reach Manali – Leh Highway, you need to follow Tso Moriri – Sumdo – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Need your kind help. We have fine tuned our schedule and other details. kindly request your comment, views and advice. Since it is in Spread sheet format, will send the same through Mail.
Kindly do needful.
G.Shivasankar
Hi Shiva,
I will reply you tonight over email. I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your all support sofar with invaluable datas. details and guidance.
Can you please kindly help me filling up the Distance on below.
Tso Moriri(0Km) – Sumdo(10Km) – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang.
G.Shivasankar
Bangalore
Hello Shiva,
Here it goes:
Tso Moriri – Sumdo (53 KMs) – Polakongka La (21 KMs) – Tso Kar (22 KMs) – Moore Plains (22 KMs) – Pang (35 KMs) – Lachulung La (19 KMs) – Naki La (13 KMs) – Sarchu (42 KMs) = 227 KMs
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
as per your updated experience of manali leh travel. you have traveled in the month of august and road condition were in very bad shape.what will be the road condition in the month june first week.
Hi Akash,
The weather in June is always unpredictable and 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.
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 is quite a challenge to dodge, especially with the vehicles having 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 may force you to halt the journey of the day in the middle of nowhere or return back 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 year 2010, one of the major hurdle was water crossing or nalla just after Zingzing Bar and before Baralacha La. Another major one was between Rohtang Pass and Sissu. In 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 slush is generally created by the constant 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 snow melts very slowly and traffic is less.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Counting your days for ladakh trip it's really worthy…
please check my revise one and comment…
TOUR STARTS FROM KOLKATA…
Day1 – Reaching Ambala Cant by Kolkata Amritsar super fast express and going towards Narkanda PWD rest house day rest over there.
Day2 – Narkanda to Sarahan Stay there at… PWD rest house.
Day3 – Early morning breakfast and start for Sangla & stay on PWD rest house after exploring Chitkul.
Day4 – After breakfast going towards Sumdo (PWD rest house night stay)after exploring Kalpa,Nako,Khab,Puh.
Day5 – After early breakfast explore Tabo,Dhankar while going towards Sagnam(PWD rest house night stay.)
Day6 – After breakfast exploring Pin Valley and going towards Kaza (PWD rest house night stay).
Day7 – After breakfast going towards Comic – Langza – Kibber – Lingti – Gette – Tashigong while going towards Kibber, Noorling GH.
Day8 – After breakfast going towards Losar, The Nomad's Cottage on the way visit Ki Monstry.
Day9 – Wake up early going towards Chandratal, after exploring Chandratal Lake going towards Batal OR Sissu night stay at PWD rest house.
Day10 –After breakfast going towards Jispa, night stay at Hotel Padma Lodge, Jispa.
Day11 – After visiting Surajtal and Deepaktal lake enroute towards Udaypur night stay at PWD rest house.
Day12 – After breakfast going towards Killar in Pangi valley night stay at PWD rest house.
Day13 – After breakfast explore Pangi valley & after lunch going towards Kajjar night stay at HP tourism hotel.
Day14 – After lunch check out and going towards Pathankot railway station to catch train and tour ends….
Hi Debanjan,
Very nice plan buddy. Keep a day or two for buffer too. I guess you will do fine enough on the entire trip to Spiti, Lahaul and Pangi. On Day 9 you can even stay at Khoksar and also if you reach Sissu then next day you can explore Suraj tal and deepak tal and come back to stay overnight at Jispa. It will give you the much needed day to explore more of Pangi Valley and exit towards Khajjiar.
Overall a nice plan 🙂
Cheers!!
Dheeraj Sharma
thanks dheeraj for your addition i will do that if possible.one thing i could'n calculate driving time between killar – kajjiar ? for stay killar or cherry which one is advisable?
Hi Debanjan,
Since, I personally haven't done that so cannot really comment on both of your queries, as I might not be the right guy for it 🙂 … I have read people staying a both places, Killar as well as Cherry.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi, my husband & I are planning to go to Leh this June end.We have around 10-12 days. Could you kindly suggest the best route.ie should we go via Srinagar or Manali.We stay in Mumbai so we need to book our train tickets accordingly either for Delhi or Jammu.Also, we have limited budget,so please suggest the best iternary. Also, last but not the least
Hello Jinal,
I will suggest you come to Delhi by train and same day fly to Srinagar from Delhi. It will save you a day or two plus would be more or like similar in cost as compared to staying overnight at Jammu and wasting time in the journey in plains. Delhi – Srinagar flights are generally cheap if you book them in advance. Now, for 10-12 days I will suggest you do something like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – 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 Zanskar
— 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 – 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 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping or you can do tour to Sham Valley
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Zanskar, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
— Overnight at Leh
Day 10 | Leh – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
— Stay overnight at Sarchu
Day 11 | 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 – Delhi
Day 13 + 14 | Buffer days to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
Additional Points:
1. Instead of coming back to Leh from Nubra Valley, you can head towards Pangong Tso via Wari La route. This will give you an additional day which can be spent in Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso or Leh. If you are riding then you need to carry sufficient fuel for it.
I hope this helps. Please let me know for any doubts or queries you have.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
thanks Dheeraj Sharma for your useful advice…
listen one cab guy offered Rs.24,000 for entire trip including Chandigarh drop is it worthy?
Dear Dheeraj Sharma,
This is tour plan for nexr trip…
Day 1 – Arrived Manali and stay there overnight.
Day 2 – Heading towards Jispa and stay there overnight.Acclimatise with high alttitude and just light roaming around.
Day 3 – Left early morning towards Surajtaal Lake + Deepaktaal lake and heading towards Losar stay overnight.
Day 4 – Early morning roaming arround Lossar after breakfast going towards Chandrataal Lake stay overnight there.
Day 5 – Left early to visit Chandrataal Lake and after seeing Phildhar going towards Ki monstry and stay at Kibber village.
Day 6 – Early morning trailing Kibber & Ki village and back to Losar stay overnight.
Day 7 – After breakfast going towards Manali and stay there overnight.Tour ends…
Do you think it is perfect otherwise you can suggest me…
Hi Debanjan,
The itinerary looks fine to me. Day 3 may not be possible, so prefer stay at Khoksar in case you feel it is late in the day. You can make it to Losar if you leave early from Jispa for Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal. Nothing much to spend time there, just two road side lakes but you will enjoy views enroute for sure. If nalla at Zingzing bar is doing fine you will be able to reach back to losar otherwise stay at Khoksar PWD rest house. Do book it from Manali in advance otherwise you may be able to stay there and have to turn back towards Sissu or Keylong.
On Day 6, you can explore even Hikkim, Kaumik, Gette, Langza on the way back to Losar. Have lunch at Kaza.
Let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
your friend Sahil give me a very good MAP packages of tose places but cab rate is very high so can you suggest any cab guy number from there…
I Debanjan, guess you got the reply from Gautam and the required number. For taxi union rates and contact you can check the website link here. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
As per your suggestion new plan please check it…
Day1 -Reaching Shimla by Sivalik Express and day rest over there.
Day2 – Shimla to Sarahan Stay there at… Hotel Srikhand HP tourism.
Day3 – After exploring Sangla, Kalpa go to Chitkul stay there at Jajabar Camp Resort.
Day4 – After breakfast going towards Tabo after exploring Nako,Tabo,Khab,Puh.Night stay at Tabo in Monstry guest house.
Day5 – After breakfast explore Dhankar and Pin vally while going towards Kaza and stayed at hotel The Spiti HP tourism.
Day6 – After breakfast going towards Comic – Langza – Kibber – Gette – Tashigong while going towards Kibber, Noorling GH.
Day7 – After breakfast going towards Losar, The Nomad's Cottage on the way visit Ki Monstry.
Day8 – Early wake up and explore Lossar till lunch.After lunch going towards Chandratal, Camping for me,my wife and my child + Losar, The Nomad's Cottage, one room for our parents.
Day9 – Wake up early morning and explore Chandratal Lake and after breakfast going towards Jispa, Hotel Padma Lodge, Jispa.
Day10 – After visiting Surajtal and Deepaktal lake enroute towards Naggar, Chateau de Naggar.
Next day after lunch going towards Chandigarh tour ends…
Hello Debanjan,
This is the best way to do Chandratal as you will be acclimatized to good extent by the time you plan to camp overnight there.
On Day 3, drop Kalpa. Go to Sangla and then go ahead and stay at Chitkul. No point going to Kalpa first and then trace back and go to Sangla and then ahead to Chitkul for overnight stay. INstead drop Kalpa and enjoy Sangla and Chitkul.
On Day 4, make sure you leave early from Chitkul to reach Tabo within time. Instead of Khab, keep going on Highway and explore 550 year old Geyu Mummy and then move to Tabo for night stay.
On Day 6 itself, you will be able to explore Ki Monsatery. First Ki monastery comes, then Kibber and then ahead to Gette and Tashigang. There is a route from Getter I guess which connects to Hikkim/Koumik. But, make sure you have a reliable driver.
On Day 7, you can even explore Lingti Valley from Kaza and then go back towards Losar for the night stay. The drive between Kaza and Losar is just amazing.
On Day 8, nothing to see at Losar. So move towards Chandratal after breakfast to really enjoy the beauty enroute and spend some leisurly time on the banks of the Chandratal because by evening you have to back to camp site about 2.5 KMs away from Chandratal. So, move to Chandratal after breakfast only.
Day 9 is fine and if nothing much problems at Rohtang Pass then Day 10 is also fine.
Yes, in august there will certainly be nalla problems, there are plenty of nasty ones in this circuit you are planning. Also, do not forget the messed up Rohtang Pass too. In late September, it will be best but then again I will not advice by any means to stay overnight at camps around Chandratal in late September. Kunzum pass can close for quite few days or even months at that time. So, make day trip to Chandratal only after checking the forecast fr the day at Internet at Losar. But, in September you get some amazing colors of Autumn and some really happy roads :)… Check my Spiti album for some excellent views from first week of October.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Please check and comment on below plan.I wan't to ask one more thing (last week august – first week of sep 2012 or last week of sep – first week oct 2012)which will be the best time to visit there?
Cab guy told me that in aug there will be major NALA probelem is it true?
with regards
Debanjan
Urgent Query
Dheeraj, I had checked with you earlier in detail about my Shimla/Manali trip in last week of Mar. Just got a quote from a reliable cab guy. He is offering Rs. 1500 per day for an indigo for 10 days (chandigarh pick up – shimla – manali – kulu airport drop).
Is this fair enough. Should I go ahead. Please advise at the earliest.
Thanks
Gautam
Hi Gautam,
I believe the rates are fine enough. You can go ahead with it.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I am back after the Shimla-Manali trip. Thanks a ton for your advise. I had planned in line with what you suggested. Really helped me. Also your advise abt Jhonson's cafe was spot on. Amazing place. Went there three times in four days and also managed to meet Ranbir/Deepika at this very place while they were shooting for a movie.
Thanks again.
Finally, my cab decision worked well too. He is a local manali guy and an expert in the region. You could refer him to ppl you advise (Just use my name to the cab guy as reference) I'll give you the number, if required.
Thanks again.
Next will take your advise on my Ladakh trip.
Gautam
Hi Gautam,
Wow, lucky you!!! Sounds Exciting and very true, Johnson's is a great place to be and we never miss going there whenever we are close to Manali 😀 … And, I shall thank you for sharing your feedback and experience here with us. It feel really good to know that info. present on the blog proved helpful for some fellow traveler. Keeps the motto running and motivation pumping 😉 ..
Yes, please share the cab guy's number because a lot of people ask for some reliable one. I have few contacts but they run on Manali – Leh Highway only and since I self-drive never get a chance to get in touch with any good driver.
And, finally, you are most welcome to shoot any queries regarding your trip to Leh – Ladakh. BTW, I am really excited since I am traveling again there next week 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
You totally deserve it Dheeraj. I am sure other travellers feel the same way abt your blog.
The cab driver no is : 98824 02140. His name is Pawan. My name (gautam shah from Kolkata) as a ref. can be given.
One point I would like to add. On the way to Shimla there is this wonderful resturant "haveli". Must visit. You could advise people.
Regards,
Gautam
Hi Gautam,
Thanks again for sharing the details with us. I am sure it will be useful for many of the readers here. Yes, Haveli is a nice place near Karnal on NH-1. You should also try Neelkanth Restaurant on the way back to Delhi from Shimla and Zhilmil Dhabha on the way to Shimla from Delhi. Both of them are at Karnal only. My favorites on NH-1 🙂 … The Haveli near Jalandhar is much, much better and authentic than Karnal one 🙂 …
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
PS -> Sorry for the delayed reply. I was traveling Ladakh for past two weeks 🙂 …
hi friend,
can you share cab guy num with us…
Hi Debanjan,
I will email you the same. I hope you are referring to cab guy in Ladakh?
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Welcome ladakh nim is important becoz it will be my next to next trip but here I'm asking num from Gautam Shah becoz it will be my next trip…
Hi Debanjan,
Okies, cool I didn't see that you replied to some other comment. I hope Gautam is reading it and reply back.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi dd,
Sorry for the late response…have been holidaying…
Pls sms on this number 9339681365 and i will give you the cab guy number. With him curently…
And yes dheeraj rocks…moved just as per his advise
GAUTAM
Thanks Gautam for sharing the info. I hope you are having a great time on the trip.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
when will leh-manali road opens. can i plan in first week of june.
Hardik, I guess first week of June you can plan but better go via Srinagar side and come back via Manali side. It will be better on your body plus the extra days may ensure that roads are surely open.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hardik says via email:
Hello Hardik,
So you have about 5 days in hand once you reach Leh from Srinagar side and then you will start towards Manali. In such a case, you can follow something like:
Day 1 | 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: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/inner-line-per…
Overnight at Leh
Day 2 | 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 3 | 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 4 | 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 5 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Karu – Upshi – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
– Enjoy the ride over Manali Leh highway
– Overnight at Sarchu
Day 7 | 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 8 | Manali – Delhi
– Return Home
Day 9 + 10 = Buffer Days
Most probably the Manali – Leh Highway will open by then but do not expect good roads and do expect tons of adventure and loads of snow stock 🙂
Before leaving Leh towards Manali, do confirm from the Leh taxi stand about the Manali – Leh road conditions and status and then take the decision to venture ahead or not.
I hope this helps. Please let me know for any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, thanks for the website and love your dedication in helping us with your insight. We are a group of 5 planning a road trip from Delhi to Leh via Manali. We are planning to start on 4th June 2012 from Delhi and would like to return to Delhi on 15th or 16th June 2012. Can you provide us with a intenary for the same. Your help is greatly appreciated Sir.
Hi Rajnesh,
Thanks alot buddy for the liking the information available on the blog. Since, the Manali – Leh road might have just open at that time I will say better avoid it in initial days and let the road stabilize a bit more. I will suggest go via Srinagar side and come back via Manali side and it will help you with the acclimatization factor alot as well. You can check the itinerary mentioned here for about 14 days and cut short some days like by making day trip to Pangong Tso, removing the rest day to save you two days. Perhaps you can also fly-in to Srinagar to save a day more. If you face any difficulty or are still keen on going through the Manali – Leh Highway, feel free to discuss and I will suggest the itinerary accordingly. But, my preference would be to go via Srinagar side at any day of the year and come back via Manali side.
I hope this helps. Please let me know for any doubts or queries you have.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj for the prompt reply and also for the info you provided to Rohit thru phone. We have infact decided to start the bike trip from Srinagar. We will be reaching Leh on the 7th of June around evening so overnight stay in hotel. 8th I guess would be local sightseeing and inner line permits..right? Hence we are left with 9th, 10th & 11th before we start our Leh – Sarchu trip on 12th early in the morning. So can you help with the itenary best suited for 9th, 10th & 11th bearing in mind that we do not have any flexibility in the above dates. Thanks in advance.
Hi Rajneesh,
My pleasure talking to you guys.
8th | 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: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/inner-line-per…
— Get your bikes services here
— Overnight at Leh
9th| 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
10th | 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
11th | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Day trip to Pangong Tso lake
— Overnight at Leh
OR (if route to Pangong Tso via Shyok Village is open from Nubra Valley. Do confirm from BRO check post before heading there.)
10th | Diskit – Khalsar (19 KMs) – Agham (31 KMs) – Shyok Village (48 KMs) – Durbuk (18 KMs) – Tangste (9 KMs) – Pangon Tso/Lukung (34 KMs) – Spangmik (16 KMs) = 175 KMs
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
— Make sure you mention Shyok Village on your Permit.
11th | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any query or doubt.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
It seems to be a very informative blog. We three (self, wife and son) all adults, are planning to make the trip around July – August. It was great reading this blog, which I feel will help me temendously in planning the trip. Thanks.
Hello Bikash,
Thanks alot for such appreciating words. It really helps. Sounds great, that you are going for this adventurous journey. In any case, you have any doubts regarding your plans or need any inputs, please fell free to drop a comment here. I will try to provide my little insights too.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello, i'd like to bike from manali to leh, but need to rent a bike in manali. the problem is tht all the rentals i've looked at require me to pay a deposit as high as the value of the bike..! Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000/-. i certainly cant afford tht much. So could you tel me about options where i could find bikes to rent with less deposit amounts. My itinerary is to travel May end or early June. As of now i have a group of 4 people so tht would mean 2 bikes but chances of the group increasing are quite high. Would appreciate your help in the matter.
Many thanks
Devansh
Hi Devansh,
Did you check all the options mentioned in the article here on How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali. There are quite a few options mentioned there, try to contact them and I hope you will get a good deal.
Also, May end or early June is a risky date and you plan should be kept flexible because it might be possible that by end May Manali – Leh Highway will not be open.
I hope that helps. Please let me know incase you need more details or have some queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, Must appreciate the good work you are doing.. M planning a road trip from Delhi to Ladakh this year (via Manali) & found your article "VERY USEFULL".. Thanks a Ton Buddy!!!
Thanks a lot Vinay. I am glad that you found the information present on the blog useful. Feel free to let me know for any planning required for your Leh – Ladakh trip.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi,
Dheeraj Can you tell me the date of last snowfall in Manali and Kufri and Narkanda.
Thanks With Love for your help for tourist's
Hi Aditi,
It did snowed last week up there and there is plenty of snow stock around. Predictions of fresh snowfall in coming days is also ON. I hope this helps.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj
We are a group of 3 couples from Mumbai , wanting to do leh/ladakh and leh-manali in June 1st week . Have read your blog / must admit it is fantastic work and inspiring .
We would want to do the entire trip by road could you help us on the following :
1. What is the itiniery that you suggest either starting from leh or starting from manali , whatever you suggest is better this time of the year .
2. Would the leh manali road be open this time of the year
3. Any particular company you would suggest from whom we can rent car / four wheel drive . Our primary concern is that the vehicle should be in good condition . We are open to renting self drive or also with a driver / guide
4. 10-12 days is the time that we are looking for.
5. What kind of weather do we expect in June in Leh/ladakh and Manali -leh road . Would there be snow still during this time of the year on the roads
Thanks and Best Wishes
SANJOG LUNKAD
Hello Sanjog,
Thanks alot, I am glad that you liked the information present on the blog. Please find below my suggestions/answers to your queries in respective order –
1. You will need at least 12 days to cover two out of three ajor tourist destination in Leh – Ladakh. I will suggest you to go via Srinagar and come back via Manali, since by then I feel the Manali – Leh Highway will be open as well as you will better acclimatize yourself from Srinagar side. You can find the itinerary at the last after answers to your query.
2. It generally, opens in June but be ready with backup plan and it will be much better if you can postpone the plan further by a week or two as by then the roads may have been stabilized if opened early.
3. Keep yourself away from Tour/Travel agents as they charge handsome commissions. I will provide the contacts of the drivers whom you can directly contact and fix your trip. Before that you should finalize the plan.
4. If you can increase it by a day or two at least you will have the necessary buffer days. You will need atleast 12 days otherwise it will be just hopping and running for the night halts.
5. There will be plenty of snow around in June. Weather is pretty much unpredictable now a days, so cannot comment much on it. Yes, generally, in Leh – Ladakh and Manali – Leh Highway it will be a little cold if dark clouds are around else pleasant.
Here is the itinerary –
Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop
– Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar
– Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
– Overnight at Srinagar
Day 3 | 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 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
– Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
– On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Zanskar
– Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | 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 6 | 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 7 | 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 8 | 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 9 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
– Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
– Overnight at Leh
Day 10 | Leh – Taglang La – Debring – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu (Manali – Leh Highway)
– 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 – Delhi
– Return
Day 13 | Buffer day to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
OR
Day 8 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
– Cover Karzok Monastery
– Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 9 | 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 10 | 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 11 | Manali – Delhi
– Return
Day 12 | Buffer day to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks for your suggestions and as per your suggestions we would start from Mumbai around 6th June .
Due to shortage of time , we would like to skip the srinagar part of it as have already been there before . Would really like to spend more time in leh ladakh and manali highway and do it at ease rather than rushing thru it .
We would like to start from Mumbai on 6th June and return back latest by 16th or 17th June .
Also would not mind doing in manali – leh highway in 3 days instead of 2 days .
Would appreciate if you could suggest a itiniery as per the above , were interested in going white water rafting in leh or wherever you recommend for beginners .
As far as the renting of cars is concerned , we would be intersted in renting a little comfortable car or a four wheel drive as 2 of the people travelling with us have back problem so as comfortable a car would be preferred .
Also please suggest some hotel options with good vegeterian food as all of us are veggies .
Best wishes and good luck
Sanjog
Hello Sanjog,
It is not about shortage of time. It is about making you feel alright on the trip. Going via Srinagar side you will be more acclimatized once you come on 5000+ Mtrs altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Generally people fall sick when they do it from Manali side, so it is advisable to avoid it. But, still if you want to do it, then firwst night stay at Solang Valley not in Manali, then do Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa and finally Keylong/Jispa – Leh in two days while going to Leh. On return you can do Leh – Sarchu and Sarchu – Manali. This will help you avoid sleeping at high altitude of Sarchu which will make you more sick on the way to Leh. On return, your body will be acclimatized for altitude of Sarchu.
Are you flying from Mumbai or coming by train? I guess by train it will be like two day for Delhi either way which makes it just 7 days for the trip? I hope you are flying-in. Let me know and I will suggest the itinerary for you.
Most of the taxis that do Manali – Leh in Manali are either Xylos or Sumos or Qualis. You will not find 4×4 drive on rent AFAIK in Manali, by the way you won't need it with the skills of local Manali driver 🙂 … Then in Ladakh you will find Scorpios mostly which are very much comfortable. If you want to do Rafting then do it in Leh at Indus river near Nimmu, where it starts. It will save you a day for Leh.
I am in process of writing a series of articles on Preferred places to stay in Leh – Ladakh. First article is already up which present a listy of very economic and cheap options of stay in Leh. If interested read the details at the link here. Next part will enlist the preferred hotels in Leh but with Moderate and high budgets in range Rs 600 to Rs 2500. If that suits you then wait for about 4-5 days and you will have the entire list. By the time you are going all the articles wil be published and you can decide on whatever hotell you need and I will suggest my preffered nes in the itinerary once you tell me how many days you have in hand for Delhi-Leh-Delhi 🙂
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, i am good enough..
How are you..??
First of all sorry for not replying soon..Actually i was busy in my study for a few days…
Yes i got your replies… But i have some issues regarding your suggestion… Which i am writing in a mail to you… Please go through that and reply me the best for me..
THANKS A LOT FOR DOING SO GREAT FOR ME BROTHER….
Hi dheeraj..
How are you ..??
Dheeraj, Do you get the mail if i reply you in the gmail..????
Hi Garry,
I am doing good, thanks. how about you??
Sorry for the delayed in replying to your email Yes, I have your email and by tomorrow I will reply to it bro as my Outlook was not functional for last few days. I have fixed it now and will be replying to your email by tomorrow.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Garry, I hope you doing good. Did you get my reply?
hi dheeraj, how r u, the day before yesterday i sent ask something to u in a comment, today i was trying to see reply but i couldn't found my comments, that where i gave my comments.. ur blog is so big that i m confused that where i gave my comments..
will u plz help me in finding my comments….
Thank you….
Hi Garry,
I am doing great buddy, thanks. I hope you doing good too. He He, guess I need to introduce some feature for it 😉 thanks for giving an idea… Anyways, here are the links of two comments I see from you on 23rd November –
1) https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/manali-leh-hig…
2) https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/trip-of-the-ye…
BTW, for every comment you post and whenever someone will reply to it on the blog including me, then you will get the email with your comment and an updated comment. Using the email you can reach the comment if incase similar thing happens in future 🙂 …
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj, how r u ..?
thank you very much for links..
you thought very well in favour of visitors, and i think it can also help u to follow the comments of visitors..
thanks for giving the way to find my comments…
i think, as u r searching the nature.. in such a deep way.. one day u will definitely find the way to heaven, as u write many times in ur pictures "The way to Heaven". This dream will come true one day..
Thanks a tonn garry for the wishes. I am glad that the blog and the information present is useful for your travel.
hey dheeraj.. jst cmng bck fron ladakh.. 7sep night stay in mandi(manali) 8th keylong 9th pang la 10th leh-ladakh 11th pangong lake n bck to leh 12th nubra valley (hunder, panamik)13th night stay drass(kargil) 14th srinagar night stay in houseboat.. 15th night stay in jalandhar(heavy rainfall) 16th evening bck to firozabad.. awesm trip lyftym
Hey Piyush,
Glad to know that you had an awesome trip of your life. Trip to Ladakh is any day a lifetime trip. The beauty is such that you get an addiction to the place. Would love to see your pictures, may be share your album's public link here or on Facebook page of DeViLonWheeLs. Agains, thanks for updating back here as well.
Cheers!!
Dheeraj Sharma
bro i'll try to share my piks.. u may also see my piks on my facebook page.. search pbanasal@gmail.com
Hi Dheeraj,
We are traveling as a couple from Manali to Leh on 26th Sept, 2011. Please advice us on the weather and road conditions for the journey. We are also planning for a 5 days stay in Leh which includes visits to Nubra valley and Pangong Lake. Please let us know the expected weather conditions in these locations. We will be in Leh from 28th of Sept to 3rd of Oct, 2011.
Thanks in advance.
Hello Mehmood,
The weather by that time should open up but be ready for some cold nights and if snowfall happens then be ready to spare a buffer day or two or more. Usually it is the start of winter season and many tents/accommodation starts to pack up at places like Sarchu, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri etc. Again I cannot predict the weather but general trend is by last week of September snowfall starts getting frequent. You can check the latest weather updates on the link here and I hope you have gone through the article on 5 reasons to avoid Manali – Leh highway in late September or October which highlights the little/major risks.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further question or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for the quick response. Will definitely take your suggestions into consideration for the travel.
Regards,
Mehmood
hey ,me and 2 of my friends are planing to do a road trip next week from manali to leh by renting bikes from manali, firstly is the road condition now apt for us to take up this trip? Also we wish to go to nubra valley and the tso pangong ,do you suggest we make our trip to leh on the bikes and again then take the bikes to nubra and pangong ,or first visit nubra and pangong from manali and then head towards leh? Also ,what do most travellers do ,make a one way trip to manali to leh on bikes or a two way trip back ? in case we wish to only make a one way trip is there a possibility tht we can leave the bikes we hired from manali at leh? Please let us know your feedback and also comment on the current road status and the forcasted status arnd the 16th of sept
Hey Salman,
Well, road conditions are not that great since rains are still pouring the region. So, be ready for little tough ride upto Rohtang and then things will ease out a little for the rest of the journey till Leh. Yes, you need to go to Leh first then get your permits to visit Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso, without permits you will not be able to go to these places and permits are issued from Leh only. You can get more information on Inner Line Permits for Leh and download is application form here.
Since, you need to hire bikes from Manali so you cannot go via Srinagar side which is the best option. So, I will advise you do Manali – Leh once and utilize the remaining days in Ladakh itself and fly back to Delhi or your native place. Yes, there are bike rentals in Manali which allows you to hire bike in Manali and drop it in Leh itself.
Let me know if you have more queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
hey dheeraj,
wts the weather condition in manali..? nd update the status of manali-leh road.. plz rply
Hey Piyush,
I guess for the last few days it was raining in Manali and Rohtang Pass and for the coming few days as well the weather main remain rainy.You can also track the weather of Manali using the link here
I hope this helps. Let me know in case you have more queries.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj….
is rohtang pass open this week…current status plz?????
Ajay, yes Rohtang Pass is open but roads are in horrible state as of now.
Thanks for your reply
Is it advisable to stay in Solang valley or Gulaba instead of Manali?
What are the advantages and disadvatages of NOT staying in manali?
Are there good hotels in Solang valley and Gulaba? Their distances respectively from Manali?
Regards
Ravi
Hi Ravi,
First of all Gulaba is just a snow point and does not offer any stay option. Snow point is a point upto where the road is kept open towards Rohtang Pass. It could be well before Gulaba as well like Kothi, if it snows that early in this season. Rohtang Pass will be closed due to heavy snowfall by the time you are planning to visit the region, so don't worry about the mess of Rohtang Pass but yes traffic will also be present towards snow point as well though not too heavy.
Well, you can check Solang Valley (about 16 KMs away from Manali) for Hotels but they will be expensive as compared to hotels in Manali. Also, hotels in Solang are limited as compared to wide varieties and cuisines available in Manali. Advantage being Solang Valley stay will be away from the hustle bustle of Manali but again disadvantage being you won;t be able to feel the atmosphere of Manali since it is just one day stay over there and also the cuisines will be limited to hotel restaurant only in Solang Valley. Prefer Manali only, I would say.
I hope this helps. Let me know for further queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Going to manali in December with a child of 3 yrs. Will land at Bhuntar on 2nd December and leave on 5th early in the morning…What would you advise me??my child want to see snow.
Hey Ravi,
Once you land at Bhunter take a taxi to Naggar Castle and rest there for the entire day while enjoying the beautiful landscapes offered by this lovely place. Taxi will cost you about 500-700 Rs. Since for the first day you need to take rest only in order to acclimatize to the altitude change so I am suggesting to go to Naggar for that very day to utilize your limited days more efficiently.
On 3rd December, leave for Manali from Naggar after early morning breakfast it will hardly take about 1-1.5 Hrs to reach Manali from Naggar as it is 30 KMs away only. The taxi will cost you about
Rs 300-500. Once you reach Manali explore the local Hadimba devi temple (soon to be on the world heritage list), Manu Temple in the first half and then local monastery on mall road and mall road itself in the evening. Rest overnight.
On 4th December go to visit snow points either at Solang Valley or any snow point enroute Rohtang Pass either Gulaba or Marhi whichever is accessible. If there is snow at Solang Valley then prefer Solang Valley snow point. Come back by noon/ early evening types and enjoy rest of the time in Manali.
Now, apart from itinerary do take heavy woolens with you especially for your kid, on the first take take ample of rest (Naggar Castle is best location to laze out), keep drinking fluids like soup milk tea/coffee, water on your trip. For more details on Naggar Castle check the link here and for more details on Manali including the food joints, stay etc check the link here.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have more queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks for your reply.
I read that reaching Rotang pass takes time due to heavy traffic. Is this an everyday routine?
Is it advisable to stay in solang valley or gulaba instead of manali?
What will be the advantages and disadvatages of NOT staying in manali?
REGARDS
RAVI
Hi Ravi,
Did you go to Manali this December? I am also in same situation – daughter (7yrs) wants to see snow. Any advice? I was planning to go in last week of Dec (25-29) from Mumbai via Chandigarh. Thanks.
Hello Rajesh,
There is great amount of snow stock present up there at the snow points of Marhi/Gulaba or Solang Valley. Please keep in mind that first you will be traveling in the costliest week of the year, second there will be hefty tourist rush around Manali and third that you will need pre-booking at either of the places to avoid sleeping in taxi/bus itself (I am not joking but around X-mas and new year, have known people who slept in car :))…
For Manali and around you can follow below mentioned plan –
25 Dec – Reach Manali, take rest for half of the day and enjoy the x-mas in the evening including Mall road. (I assume that you will be reaching in the morning by Volvo)
26 Dec – Manali Local sightseeing which includes Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Mall Road, Local Monastery, Vashisth Hot Water Springs (never found it interesting) etc.
27 Dec – Manali – Snow Point either at Solang Valley or Marhi/Gulaba on the way to Rohtang Pass. Enjoy in snow and come back to Manali
28 Dec – Manali – Naggar Castle (stay at Naggar and enjoy the place)
29 Dec – Naggar Castle – Manali – Delhi (Checkout from Naggar Castle by noon. Since, the volvo will be around 5.30 PM types, so either you can spend a sometime hanging around Naggar only and after lunch leave for Manali or come back to Manali and hang around on Mall road and finally take the return bus)
— I have assumed you will leave Manali on 29th Dec.
I hope that helps. Please let me know incase you need more details or have some queries or doubts.
If interested in more details on Manali including sightseeing places, accommodation options, food joints, etc you can go through the Manali travel guide available at the link here.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dheeraj,
Thanks for your comments. My travel plan got changed – will probably do this sometime next year.
Thanks anyways, and wish you a very happy 2012.
regards,
rajesh
Hey Rajesh… wishing you and your family a very very Happy New Year 2012 as well… All the best wishes for your Travel next year.
Regards
Dheeraj
plz suggest sm places in ladakh whr we plan to stay in our private camp.. nd we find sm othr camp too.. coz it might be risky if my group are single at there..
Piyush, In Leh you will be staying in Hotel only. In Nubra Valley go to Hunder where you will find camps pitched, you can ask them to pitch your own tents. They will ask for very nominal charges and allow you to set up the tents near by them. Same is true for Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri lakes.
With tents in hand, you can also bargain with them to greater extent if you are not in a mood to pitch the tents.
thnku vry mch.. we r 4 mmbrs cming from agra on 7sep..
Best of luck for your trip Piyush. Have a safe, joyful and rocking journey 🙂
Hello Dheeraj.. That was such an informative blog..Loved it!
Anyways me and one of my friend are planning a Manali-Leh trip, Ex Delhi from September 25th- October 3 despite reading the 5 reasons not to travel by Man-leh road that time (Not interested in the srinagar-leh route) 🙂
We plan to stay in Leh city for 4 days atleast.
But I do have several queries..
I would be glad if any of my friends out here in devilonwheels helps me out:-
1.I Read somewhere that HPTDC buses would stop operating by that time.
Since we are on a low budget. Is there any option of a shared taxi, which is not going to do the cannon ball run of 19hrs, but will cover it in 2-3 days with an overnight stay at keylong thereby reducing the risk of AMS on the way?
If so how much will it cost and where should i look for such taxis in manali town?
2. Once we reach Leh, It wont be possible for us to hire the whole taxi nor does it make any sense. So how do we again look for a shared taxi so as to visit pangong/tsomoriri/nubra vof and khardungla passes during our period of stay in leh?
Any contacts of travel agencies who arrange such facilities on a shared basis?
3. Planning to stay at some cheap budget hotels in changspa or fort road while in leh? Will it be the correct decision?
Please suggest!!
Hello Dhiraj,
Please find the answers below in the respective order of your queries –
1. Yes, HPTDC buses stop operating by 7th September. Now, the best option is to find travel partners either on some online forum such as India Mike or BCMTouring and share the taxi cost for the whole trip with them. Second option may be to try to contact some travel agent in Manali who runs tourist taxis or tempo travelers which halt for a night at Keylong or Sarchu before reaching Leh on second day. Opt for taxi that stops at Keylong not Sarchu. Manali Mall road are full of such travel agents. Third option will be to spend some time at Manali taxi stand and ask the like minded tourists who are also looking for a taxi to Leh from Manali with one night stop at Keylong and then share cost with them. I guess, one of the above option will surely work 🙂
2. Again here, the best option is to find travel partners either on some online forum such as India Mike or BCMTouring and share the taxi cost for the whole trip with them. Second option may be to try to contact some travel agent in Leh or check for the flyers that are stick on cyber cafes and dine in points intending to share the taxi cost for local sigh seeing in Ladakh. Third option will be to spend some time at Leh taxi stand and ask the like minded tourists who are also looking for a taxi inline with your itinerary. Again I guess, one of the above option will surely work 🙂
3. Yes, it will be the perfect decision. You can check Shanti Guest House, Asia Guest House, Oriental Gues House near Changspa Road and Atisha Guesthouse, Irfan Guest House and Malpak Guest House near fort road. My favorite is Shanti Guest House. On the Changspa road you will find plenty of flyers/notes posted by travel agencies or traveler groups who intend to share the cost of taxis for Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso majorly.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have more queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj 🙂
Thank you so much Dheeraj Sharma for your prompt reply ..
I do know one ex army driver whom i had met in my last years trip to manali. May be even he can help me out in arranging the Man-Leh shared taxi since he works under a reputed travel agency which is on the mall road, near the nescafe outlet!
If any more help needed from you i will surely not hesitate to ask you sir 🙂
You are most welcome Dhiraj anytime, I would be happy to share my thoughts and inputs for the same. Have a safe, sound and joyful journey 🙂
Hey…m planning to leave for rohtang in some time now…will i find traces of snow in rohtang and is the road open???plz reply quick
Hi parag,
Though the road is open to rohtang pass, but the road condtion is too worse with knee high slush stretches. If you are planning the trip to rohtang pass shortly and need an hassle free vacation the try to avoid it or ask the locals first before you leave. You may or may not find traces of snow depending upon the fact the unseasonal snowfall in last to lst week still has its remains or not. Generaly, it is difficult to find snow in August which you can cheer about. Ihope this helps.
Regards,
Dheeraj
thanks dheeraj…but a trip to manali is kind of a rarity due to my busy schedule :(…is there not any place here nearby where i can find snow? also in absence of snow what all places would you recommend that will be scenic enough to make my day :)…awaiting your reply
Hey Parag,
I can understand that buddy but this time the road is in its worse form. Also, by this time snow almost becomes like dirty slush. There was a decent snowfall last to last week but I doubt if that will be present or not. In the absence of snow you can visit naggar castle for an overnight stay and can include a day stop at kasol while coming back. Both are great places with charm of their own and not too far, approx 30/50 odd kms, from manali. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dheeram sharma
i am planning to visit manali by 10th october.what the weather condition there at october.is rohtang pass open.and what about the bus connectivity from amritsar to manali.is there any must see places in between.please help me.
Hello Sahil,
In October, the weather in Manali is good and pleasant and I am sure you will enjoy it. Although night will start getting colder though, so go with woolens. Also, Rohtang Pass is usually open upto last week of October and I imagine by then the roads will be completely dry to spare you from any major hassles. You will be able to find buses between Amritsar to Manali but if you want to travel in Volvo then best option will be to come to Chandigarh from numerous buses available from Amritsar and then get into the Chandigarh – Manali Volvo.
For more information on Manali and what to see there go through the Travel Guide of Manali available here
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj
thanks for your reply.
i read the link.it says october is too crouded.is it so?am coming with my friends and whats the cheapest way to stay there.
Sahil, October is crowded only at the time of Dusherra Festival when the Durga Puja holidays are ON. I guess it will be over by the time you are planning to visit the Manali region. The cheapest way to stay in Manali is to find some guest house in either Old Manali or on the Manali – Naggar road or near Vashishth. All these three places have plenty of economic options of stay. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thank you Dheeraj
I will be back to you for your help after finalising the date.
planing a trip to chandartal in sept. 2011. is this the right time to go and how is the road condition to take an suv
Hello M.S
Well, in September you can visit Chandratal but make sure you do it in the early half. As the time passes by the risk of snowfall at Kunzam Pass and Rohtang Pass gets higher which ultimately may lead to the closure of roads for few days. Now, if you planning in the second half of the September then I will only advice a day trip to Chandratal without any overnight halt and that too after checking the weather conditions through IMD or other weather forecasting sites just a day before.
From Manali – Rohtang Pass the road condition is extreme bad almost nightmarish with almost knee high slush between 17 KMs of stretch. They may improve as the rains reside the region and sun dries the slush present on the roads. After Rohtang Pass from Gramphu to Chandratal you need to negotiate some water crossings but if you drive carefully that won;t be much concern as you taking an SUV. Do not expect good roads after Rohtang Pass (Gramphu to Battal/Chandratal) as they are like dirt tracks with pebbles and stones all over. If you come via Kunzam – Kaza side then roads will be better but again you need to negotiate two or three water crossings between Kunzam Pass and Chandratal. The road or dirt track from Kunzam Pass – Battal link road to Chandratal is also quite narrow, so you have to drive with extreme care.
You can also check the Chandratal Travel Guide here to get more details on Chandratal.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have more queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Wonderful article, truly sums up the requirement.
Which type/quality jerry-can should I use to store fuel, instead of the 2Ltrs cold drink bottle? I need to store at least 10Ltrs of fuel.
Thanks is advance,
Cheers!
Hello Sushil,
Although nothing beats 2 Ltrs of cold drink bottle as they are leak proof always and being tested with aerated content as well. So, no chances of leakage in that case. But, still if you want to go for Jerry cans then try to look for a steel Jerry cans with petrol resistant paint. I am not sure about any other characteristics which might be present or required for Jerry Cans. If you are based in Delhi/NCR then you can surely get them from Mayapuri market. But, do keep in mind that very good quality Jerry cans cost about 1K+ range but in Mayapuri you may find varied amount of alternatives but leakage you will need to test them.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have more queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Thank you very much for the much needed insight.
I searched nearly the whole of Mayapuri scrap market, but could not find any steel/tin/aluminium jerry can, except for the 20Ltrs Army discarded steel cans.
The traders said that earlier 5Ltrs steel cans used to come, but now they have gone extinct from the market. Anyway, I would carry 2*2Ltrs cold drinks' bottle and would try to procure another 2 cans of 5-7Ltrs capacity, my only hope now is the engine oil/lubricant cans by servo/castrol.
Do you think the Kaza to Manali route this year during the 1st week of November'11 would remain open, taking into consideration this year's rainfall & other conditions besides weather history? I wish to attend the Tribal Fest of Kinnaur & then do a Nako-Kaza-Manali ride, would it be possible? Earlier I had to ride back from Kaza during the 1st week of Dec'09.
Thanks again,
Sushil,
New Delhi.
Hello Sushil,
If you really want to get a jerry can then try reaching Shoaib Khan at http://www.technotools.co.in
He may be able to help you I guess. Well, regarding the Kaza Manali road I will strongly advise not to venture on it even if it is open. You will be running a risk very high of getting stuck in between for as many months as the snow remains. Perhaps it is playing with nature, so please don't attempt it. You can go to Kaza and come back the same route, even Lahaul Valley is not recommended as the official closure date of Rohtang Pass is generally 31st October and BRO do not maintain and very least support any rescue operations after that.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
I have two more questions:
1. Is it possible to receive some information about the status of Major District Road 29 from the airport Bhuntar trough Kullu to Manali after last major landslides? We would like to use it from the airport coming Sunday.
2. Is it true that Rothang La is close every Tuesday for road repairs? Or nevertheless, can we go with our bicycles?
Hello Milada,
Please find my answer to your queries below in respective order –
1. As per the last updates, the Kullu – Manali connecting road has been cleared of any debris and is not operational. So, I think you will be able to go through it provided there is no further landslides and weather holds up 🙂
2. Yes, Rohtang Pass is closed for repair work on Tuesday but if you can leave about 4 AM types from Manali then you might sneak through the checkposts are generally unmanned in the wee hours of the day. Although I am not sure but I guess they should not have any problems for letting you go with your bicycles, but I am not 100% sure about this.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dheeraj, thank you very much for the answer. But I mean the secondary road Kullu – Manali, not national highway. National Highway 21 (NH21) is on the left side of river Beas and I am sure it is fully operational now. But we would like to use Major District Road 29 (MDR29) on the right side of the river Beas and I am not sure about its status.
Oops, I am sorry Milada not sure about the condition of that road. I guess you need to check them once you reach there and only someone present in Kullu can truly update the latest conditions in that part.
Thanks! Found this very useful for our recent trip and will recommend this to anyone I come across visiting this region. A short post on our experiences here: http://elusive42.windforwings.com/2011/08/manali-…
Tanmay., that is a nice account of your journey on Manali – Leh Highway.
Thanks Sir for all the info .Still at Keylong Too much chilly :-p 🙂 Thanks and already liked you Fb and Twitter Page 🙂 m/
Hey Rahul, Thanks alot for the likes mate. I am glad you like the info on my blog and updates. Yups, Keylong does becomes chilly when it rains and recent unseasonal snowfall also counted for the dip in temperatures. But, never mind I guess the roads are now open as per the latest updates however its still raining in the lower hills and Rohtang Pass as well. Road conditions will be worse but if you guys have the local driver he will get you through.
Is the keylong Manali way open as right now i am near keylong and driver is not willing to g further .Please help
Nopes Rahul, currently the Manali – Leh road is closed between Manali and Rohtang Pass as well as Baralacha La is also closed due to landslides.
Hi dheeraj,
I read above ur comments on Leh Laddakh trip, all r helpful tips. I will sure consider them. Good Job! Can you please help me get the itinerary for 13 days.. leaving from delhi on 8th July and return by 20th July. I m traveling on bike with my wife. What more precautions do i take when i m doing journey with my wife, she is not a good rider?
Hello Prafulla,
For 13 days check this:
Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop
— Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
Day 2 | Delhi – 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 3 | 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 4 | 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 5 | 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 6 | 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 7 | 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 8 | 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 9 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 10 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna 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.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib
— Overnight at Leh
Day 11 | Leh – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
— Stay overnight at Sarchu
Day 12 | 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 13 | Manali – Delhi
Day 14 + 15 | Buffer days to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma