How to plan a journey on Manali Leh Highway
Manali Leh Highway is one of the roads that leads to the heaven on earth called Leh – Ladakh (Srinagar – Leh Highway being the other one). It is one of those Highways which offers almost everything to an adventure lover that is available with nature. Serious travelers in India and even abroad does have a dream of traversing this most beautiful Highway at least once in their lifetime and I am honored to have experienced this journey of my lifetime. Having said that, the journey on Manali Leh Highway could be a bit tricky to plan if you haven’t researched well enough. Almost more than 350 KMs out of 474 KMs long Manali Leh Highway, does not have any civilization and hence you would be the only soul wandering on most part of your journey here. Even one cannot find fuel (petrol / diesel) for 365 KMs on Manali – Leh Highway. Therefore, adequate planning is very well required to travel on Manali – Leh Highway so as to make it a memorable experience. I hope the below information would be helpful for someone planning a journey on Manali – Leh Highway –
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Before anything, if you really want to enjoy Manali – Leh Highway then do it from Leh side. That is Leh to Manali NOT Manali to Leh. This will help you enjoy the Manali – Leh highway without bothering to rush through the place or worry about AMS or driving with nausea etc. Manali to Leh will hold you back from the enjoyment, believe me mostly due to AMs as majority of time you are above 4K Mtrs of altitude which body cannot adapt easily. But, while coming from Leh towards Manali your body will be acclimatized for the altitudes much more than when you travel in the opposite direction.
Secondly, it will also help you halt you journey at Sarchu which is at an even distance between Manali and Leh and offers varied amount of accommodation option. Otherwise you will end up doing Manali – Keylong on one day and real push from Keylong to Leh on the second because sleeping at Sarchu is not recommended if you are coming from Manali unless your body has completely acclimatized to Sarchu altitude by staying in Spiti and Lahaul Valley for about 4-5 days.
Hence, always try to plan a journey to Ladakh in such a manner that you enter Leh via Srinagar side and then after exploring Leh – Ladakh for few days come back via Manali – Leh Highway
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Season to travel on Manali – Leh Highway
Usually, the opening of Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La majorly governs the travel time on Manali – Leh Highway. The average time for opening of Rohtang Pass every year is around May and Baralacha La usually opens up close to May end. Hence, June to September is the time window when the Manali – Leh Highway is open and is considered as the only time for travelling on Manali – Leh Highway. In the early stages i.e. June, one can find huge stocks of snow en-route but the road conditions may be a challenge to drive. While in the later stages i.e. August to September, the conditions of the roads are almost perfect in shape with all the slush dried out, maintenance work almost completed on these roads by BRO but your eyes will be devoid from the snow mostly.
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. As the July – August comes, the Monsoon comes as well in the Northern parts of India. However, the regions on the Northern side of Rohtang Pass that is Keylong and beyond mostly remains untouched by these monsoon rains (except year 2010 which was an exception). So in July-August, though you may need to cross the Southern side of Rohtang Pass in Monsoon rains that is Manali and lower hills but after that, especially Keylong, you are almost good to go without much trouble with these rains.
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.
Are you planning your trip on Manali – Leh Highway in late September and October? If yes, then you must read the link: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in Late September or October
Modes of travel on Manali – Leh Highway
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Himachal Pradesh Govt. has banned the movement of non-HP registered vehicles on Manali – Rohtang Pass road with effect from 27th June 2011 onwards. If you are going towards Leh – Ladakh or Keylong in non-HP registered vehicles then you need to get permits from SDM Office in Manali. Bikes do not need any permit and are free to move on Manali – Rohtang Pass road, be it HP registered or not. So, basically the ban is for LMVs having number plate outside Himachal Pradesh. If interested, read more at the following link: Non – HP Vehicles Need Permit on Manali – Rohtang Pass Road
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Private Vehicles i.e. Cars and Bikes | Self Drive or Ride to Ladakh
Most people prefer to self drive or self ride to Ladakh by their own car or own bike and some also prefer to self drive or self ride to Ladakh by hiring a bike or car. In any case, hired car/bike or personal car/bike, idea is to live the passion of driving or riding through one of the toughest and adventurous terrains accessible in India. You can take your own or rented, car or bike to Ladakh but one must be careful while driving or riding through slushy roads, snow and water crossing or nallas. Also, it is always handy to learn little maintenance tasks of your vehicle prior to the start of this arduous journey in which you will be desolated majority of the time.
For cars, although an SUV/MUV is good to have and a 4WD SUV will definitely help but I have seen hatchbacks (including Altos and Nano) and sedans doing good enough job on Manali – Leh Highway. However, with sedans / hatchbacks one must drive with extra care and caution. Also, be ready for few scratches or sacrifice some parts on your sedans / hatchbacks under-belly due to the lack of enough ground clearance which may be required in some water crossings or landslides on Manali – Leh Highway. If you are trying to attempt in a hatchback or sedan, I will suggest to plan the journey late in the season (August – September) when the roads are in good shape than early season.
Whenever in doubt, always step out of your car, walk down the path, inspect with your foot and plan the path of exit before crossing a dangerous landslide or water crossing on your vehicle. You can also park aside and see how others are crossing the risky section to plan your route of escape. In deep water crossings try to maintain the momentum without any half clutch measures and complete the entire stretch in one go only. Similarly, in slush stretches do not force the issue rather keep the smooth momentum with required speed to pass you through, without half clutch measures. Do keep an eye on the direction of the vehicle too. If you get stuck in slush then try to back and forth your vehicles to get out of the stuck position. It is always handy to ask your fellow co-travelers to get out of the car and push the vehicle from behind incase the car is struggling to pass through the slush or water crossing stretch.
Basic toolkit, screw driver set, small hammer, puncture repair kit, iron rod, two or three "2 ltr" empty bottles of pepsi / coke / limca etc to carry extra petrol or diesel (jerry cans will leak, cold drink bottles do not leak), funnel, towing rope, spare tube (must for bikes), elfy or fevi quick (2-3 sachets), jump start cables/wires, M-seal to prevent leakage etc. were among the few things which I carried along on my trip to Ladakh. Also, do not forget to get your vehicle (car/bike) serviced about 2-3 weeks before the start of the Ladakh journey. This 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.
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Are you planning to hire or rent a bike from Manali. If yes, the you must go through the article here:How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali
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Hiring a Private Taxi | Taxi Number or Private Number
All taxis (except Ladakh registration number) having taxi number or tourist permits number plates are only allowed for a drop in Leh – Ladakh. They are not allowed to be driven in Leh – Ladakh and as per the taxi union rules only taxis with Ladakh number are allowed to roam in the Ladakh region for sightseeing. If you want to travel within Leh – Ladakh in your private taxi hired from a place other than Ladakh then in that case you need to hire a taxi with private number plate only. However, in the latter case be ready for some queries by the local taxi drivers in Ladakh or police constables on your route. You need to ensure everyone interrogating with you that the vehicles is not hired.
Whenever, you need to hire a taxi always try to hire it from Manali, as the drivers of Manali will always be more skilled and more accustomed to the route or current conditions of Manali – Leh Highway. Secondly, the locals always have a majority with an advantage of local support in any hurdle you might face on the way towards Leh.
To hire a taxi, go directly to Manali taxi stand and bargain hard with the local drivers only, for a drop to Leh. Do not involve any tour operator or hotel staff at any stage. The local taxi drivers will charge about Rs 1000 extra for a planned night halt on the way to Leh. The charges are close to Rs 12000 to Rs 17000 for a drop to Leh from Manali, depending on your bargaining power, tourist rush and time when you are visiting the place. June being the highest paid and September – August being the least paid.
On Manali bus stand, the taxis that drop people coming from Ladakh are also available sometimes. Since, the same local sightseeing rules are applied to Ladakh taxis as well in Manali, they are bound to return without any tourists from Manali side, officially. If you can catch any of those Ladakhi drivers, you might save yourself Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 for a drop to Leh from Manali. Same rule is applicable from Leh to Manali side as well and hence, if you can get hold of some Himachali driver at Leh taxi stand, you will again save about Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 on your return drop to Manali. However, you need to be a bit careful from local drivers while fixing a deal with non-local drivers. So, it is always nice if you have some references on either place upfront and call them directly to fix the deal. Secondly, it might be hard that these taxis will agree for any night halt on the way but it depends on how you gel up in the negotiations and bargaining.
Manali – Leh Bus Service, HPTDC | Good for a solo traveler or a couple
Perhaps if you are traveling alone or with one or two friends, you can buy or book tickets of Manali – Leh bus service of HPTDC. This semi-deluxe bus covers the 474 Km long Manali – Leh stretch with a night halt at HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga, Keylong on coming from either side. The ticket costs Rs 2000 per person (as per year 2010 price) which includes a stay at HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga, Keylong and two meals i.e. dinner and breakfast at the same hotel. There was also an option to buy the ticket only without hotel stay and meals for Rs 1500 (not sure if it is still there). The prices mentioned here may change anytime though. The overall comfort level of the bus is much better than other buses that ply on Manali – Leh Highway.
The bus starts every odd day of the month i.e. 1,3,5 etc from Manali side and every even day of the month i.e. 2,4,6 etc from Leh side. (Schedule: At the time of writing this article) Hence, you need to plan your travel dates accordingly, if you go by this option. The tickets can be bought or booked at HPTDC office on mall road, Manali or you may like to contact at HPTDC Office in your local town (HPTDC Contact Details). Do not book the seats at the back and confirm before booking regarding the location of the seats. At the back seats, you may have trouble when the road gets bad especially on the second day i.e. Keylong to Leh. The bus departs at 11 AM from Manali on the first day and 5 AM from Keylong on the second day to reach Leh about 7 PM.
You can also book the tickets for HPTDC Bus Service Online using the following link and get the schedule of the bus services from the following link: HPTDC Online Bus Booking and Check HPTDC Bus Availability and Schedule Online
Keylong – Leh Bus Service, HRTC | Cheapest mode of travel
HRTC also run a regular bus service to Leh although not from Manali but from Keylong. However, you can book tickets for connecting buses (Manali – Keylong and Keylong – Leh) from Manali bus depot itself or even ISBT, Delhi. You can also reach Keylong by getting a seat in numerous shared taxis that ply between Manali – Keylong every day. The HRTC buses may not be as comfortable though but comfort comes with the price.
The ticket between Manali – Keylong costs about Rs 100 – 125 and then Keylong – Leh it costs about Rs 450 – 550, in HRTC buses. I do not know the exact price though. The bus departs at 5 AM from Keylong and reaches Leh about 7 PM.
Shared Taxi | A Cannon ball run
You can also buy yourself a seat in a shared taxi which runs every mid-night from Manali and reaches Leh on next evening without any night halt. In the same way, shared taxis are run from Leh to Manali as well.
You need to pay about Rs 1200 to Rs 1800 per person for a drop to Leh from Manali or a drop to Manali from Leh. Of course, since it is shared with 9-10 other people plus the driver and completes the back braking cannon ball run of Manali – Leh in 16-18 hours, you can imagine the level of comfort yourself. This one is the second cheapest mode of travel on Manali – Leh Highway but mind you, it could be the toughest on the body too 
Other travel modes
You can also get in touch with some travel agent or taxi union in Manali who also runs their private buses or Tempo Travelers on Manali – Leh Highway. They are also run according to dates and hence you may not find the immediate bookings for them.
Planning Night Stay or Accommodation on Manali – Leh Highway
Based on my experience, you can opt to plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway in one of the following ways –
Two Day Journey on Manali – Leh Highway
The options of stay or accommodation are very limited on Manali – Leh Highway due to the limited civilization. Hence, a two day journey on Manali – Leh Highway is the most common among all travelers. Private Taxis and buses run by HPTDC or HRTC also cover the Manali – Leh Highway in two days. Mostly, people break up the journey on Manali – Leh Highway in the following two ways over a span of two days -
Manali – Keylong / Jispa (Day 1) and Keylong / Jispa – Leh (Day 2)
This option is mostly preferred by people who do not want to run the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) by staying at higher altitudes than Keylong or Jispa. However, on the second day, you need to leave early in the morning like by 5 AM from Keylong or Jispa to reach Leh in time. Public buses including HPTDC / HRTC halts for night at Keylong and leave at 5 AM in the next morning, too.
Personally, out of Keylong or Jispa I will always prefer to stay at Jispa, if traveling by your own or privately hired vehicle. Jispa is situated right on the banks of river Bhaga and is further 20 KMs away from Keylong town. Spending the evening at this place is extremely refreshing and is far better experience than the boring Keylong town. While Keylong town offers varied accommodation options, Jispa has only few options available for a stay and hence, it is important that you pre-book them. Secondly, if you are traveling by public transport i.e. HRTC or HPTDC buses then you need to stay at Keylong only else you need to manage the travel to Jispa yourself and then fix the pickup too with the driver or conductor. Mobile phones may or may not work in Jispa.
Manali – Sarchu / Pang (Day 1) and Sarchu / Pang – Leh (Day 2)
After Keylong and Jispa, you will find accommodation majorly at Sarchu and Pang only. This option is also taken by many travelers. However, Sarchu and Pang being at much higher altitudes, many people suffer with headaches, vomiting or sleepless nights. Hence, if you have plans to stay either at Sarchu or Pang then it is extremely important that you stay at Solang Valley not in Manali to acclimatize your body a little bit. Solang Valley also may not help altogether though but Manali will certainly not help the cause.
Both Pang and Sarchu are close to mid way between Manali and Leh. So, a stay at any of these places evenly distributes the time and fatigue over a span of two days. This way it helps you better enjoy the journey on each of the two days. Again in between Sarchu and Pang, I will suggest a stay at Sarchu due to its lower altitude than Pang. Pang has lesser and cheaper options available but Sarchu has varied options including the Swiss tents with attached toilets. In the end, if you are coming from Leh, then you can stay at either Pang or Sarchu without any trouble because by then your body will be acclimatized to handle such altitudes.
One Day Journey on Manali – Leh Highway
Manali – Leh (Day 1)
This option of completing the journey of Manali – Leh in single day is mostly common among local people or people who are in high rush and is least recommended if you want to enjoy your travel. Shared taxis are the preferred way to avail this option. Although, it could be the cheapest or time saving for you but this back braking, cannon ball run of 16-18 Hrs with least stoppages does put a heavy toll on the body as well as the mind of an average traveler. This long journey is extremely tiring and by traversing through the varied amount of altitudes ranging from 1900 Mtrs to over 5000 Mtrs in a single day, you are definitely running a risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) or some severe headaches or disorientation en-route. This will certainly kill the joy of the journey.
Keep in mind that you are most likely to hit with mountain sickness in this option. If you get away with it consider yourself extremely lucky otherwise keep in mind that any breakdown of the vehicle like puncture, engine heat down etc at some high altitude (Tanglang La, Nakee La, Lachulung La etc) with you suffering from mountain sickness may lead to very very ugly outcomes. Hence, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take the acclimatization factor lightly.
Three Day Journey on Manali – Leh Highway
Manali – Keylong / Jispa (Day 1) and Keylong / Jispa – Sarchu / Pang (Day 2) and Sarchu / Pang – Leh (Day 3)
Well, this option is nothing but the combination of other two to cover Manali – Leh Highway in three days. Definitely, this option will require more time as well as more money but the results will be worth every penny. This options is the best way to thoroughly enjoy the beauty of nature that is offered by Manali – Leh Highway with worries of mountain sickness but minimum and in relaxed manner. There are plenty of places / vistas and picture taking points on Manali – Leh Highway that are worth spending this extra time and money.
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I suggest this option of travel or in particular overnight stay at Sarch/Pang only when you are coming from Leh towards Manali NOT while going towards Leh from Manali side unless you are coming from Manali side after spending some nights in Spiti and Lahaul Valley. Sarch and Pang are both above 4K altitude which require your body to have few nights at 3K and 2K Mtrs of altitudes to acclimatize your body. If you went to Leh via Srinagar side and coming from Leh after spending few days, your body will be acclimatized better to minimize the chances of AMS at Sarchu or Pang.
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Very few people follow this option due to lack of time and to save money for the ultimate heaven. If these two things have no place for consideration at your grounds then I will say just go with it and you will make your journey on Manali – Leh Highway much more than a memorable experience . I guess the comparison of night halts are already done in first option, so opt as per your taste. Again if possible, do stay at Solang Valley not in Manali to minimize the chances or effects of mountain sickness.
This option will mostly be available, if you are traveling by your own vehicle. You will even have tough time bargaining with drivers at Manali taxi stand for 2 night halts unless you are ready to pay them handsomely.
List of Accommodation or Stay Options on Manali – Leh Highway
Its always better to know or have the list of all accommodation places on Manali – Leh Highway before you travel on it because in such unpredictable terrain you can never predict what can come to your rescue. So, having as much details as possible about the place is always favorable. I have complied the list of accommodation or stay options on Manali – Leh Highway at the below link which includes the information about their contacts, location, price range, experiences etc. Refer the link below for details – List of Accommodation Options on Manali – Leh Highway
Acclimatization and its importance on Manali – Leh Highway
The journey on Manali – Leh Highway goes through series of high altitudes passes which are good enough to cause headaches, vomiting, disorientation and mountain sickness to the best in the business. After crossing Patseo or Deepak Tal you are bound to run this high road to Ladakh above 4000 Mtrs until you descend from Taglang La towards Rumste / Upshi. However, with little prevention and care you can combat or minimize the effects of altitude sickness. Here are some tips which will help fighting the AMS on Manali – Leh Highway -
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- Do not stay overnight at Manali rather stay at Solang Valley which helps in the acclimatization whereas Manali does not. You always have an option to roam around in Manali and come back for a night sleep at some hotel in Solang Valley. This will help your body acclimatize to certain extent on the start of your journey.
- On Manali – Leh Highway, do stay at either Keylong or Jispa which are lower in altitude than Sarchu and Pang to minimize the effects of mountain sickness.
- Keep your body properly hydrated.
- Avoid sleeping at high altitudes.
- Avoid over exertion.
- Avoid tobacco and smoking and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
- Keep your body warm and eat lots of carbohydrates.
- Avoid sleep during the day.
- Sleep in upright position, if possible.
- Carry preventive medicines for AMS.
- Immediately descend, if symptoms increase
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For more information on Acute Mountain Sickness and all above acclimatization tips, please refer the following link at least once: Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization
Fuel or Petrol Pump on Manali – Leh Highway
After Manali town, there is only one Petrol Pump at Tandi on entire Manali – Leh Highway before Upshi / Karu. DO NOT forget to get the tank full fuel at this petrol pump, even if you had it completely filled at Manali. The more you have, the better it will be for you.
ATM on Manali – Leh Highway
Do carry enough cash money with you as the ATM is available only in Keylong and Manali town. If you have no plans to stay at Keylong then do not forget to withdraw cash from Manali town. After Keylong, you will get hold of an ATM only at Leh town.
Places on Manali – Leh Highway with their Distances and Altitudes
For a detailed description on the major places on Manali – Leh Highway including the distance between them and their respective altitudes, please refer the article on following link: Places on Manali – Leh Highway | A Detailed Description
Summarized View of Facilities or Amenities on Manali – Leh Highway
|
Facility |
Places |
| Hotel / Guest Houses | Khoksar, Sissu, Gondla, Patseo, Tandi, Keylong (Many options), Jispa, Upshi |
| Tents / Camps
(Dhaba / Swiss / Normal) |
Marhi, Jispa, Darcha, Zingzing Bar, Bharatpur, Sarchu (Many options), Pang |
| Food / Beverages | Marhi, Rohtang Pass, Khoksar, Sissu, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Deepak Tal, Zingzing Bar, Bharatpur, Sarchu, Pang, Rumste, Upshi |
| Diesel / Petrol Pumps | Tandi (107 KMs from Manali), Karu (36 KMs from Leh) |
| Mobile Connectivity |
|
| Fixed Phones | Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Upshi |
| Electricity | Sissu, Gondla, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Upshi |
| Medical Facilities | Sissu, Keylong |
| ATMs | Keylong |
| Police Checkpoints | Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi, Khoksar (For foreigners only) |
| Mechanic / Puncture Shops | Marhi, Khoksar, Tandi (not sure), Keylong, Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi |
| Liquor Shops | Marhi, Keylong, Darcha, Upshi |
| Natural Highlights | Rohtang Pass, Tandi Confluence, Sissu Waterfall, Deepak Tal, Suraj Tal, Baralacha La, Strange Soil formations, Moore Plains (Wildlife too), Taglang La or Tanglang La, Gata Loops |
Conclusion
In the end, if you have been to Manali – Leh Highway then please share your valuable thoughts or suggestions which can make the above information more concrete and useful for someone planning to cover Manali – Leh Highway. Your comments and inputs are most welcome.
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302 Comments
Hi Dheeraj,
I’m amazed at the time and effort you have put into this- really hats off!! Thanks from all of us who have picked up so much.
We are 3 people flying to Chandigarh from Calcutta in July 1st week. We want to take a taxi to Leh and back- have exactly 2 weeks. Where can I find a taxi at chandigarh? Can you give me a manali/shimla contact who will take us there to leh? What cost should I budget for? Secondly, will it be cheaper to ask him to wait there and get us back to chandigarh while we do our local traveling in the leh local taxi, or should we send him back and return to chandigarh in the leh taxi?
Would really appreciate your guidance. Thanks so much.
Narayani, it is better to take overnight Volvo to Manali and then start the journey from Manali either by HPTDC bus or private taxi. Private taxi will be costly. I am suggesting because taxis outside Ladakh are not allowed in Ladakh for sightseeing purposes. Once, you reacch Leh then hire a taxi to keep it with you till the end of the trip.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2013-14 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Planning a follow-up trip of sorts to Ladakh, once was not enough obviously
The last time we had covered Srinagar-Leh, on wheels. This time we intend to cover the Leh-Manali route by road. While reading your post on that route, i landed here..Hanle-Tso Moriri-Leh-Manali Hwy.
My primary concern is the travel time. Is the Leh-Pangong Tso-Loma-Tso Moriri route open in the 1st/2nd week of September?
I have a rough itinerary of:
Aug 31: Mumbai-Leh (by flight). Spend a day to acclimatize.
Sept 1: Day in Leh, mainly to attend the inaugural day parade of the Leh Festival.
Sept 2: Leh-Pangong Tso. Overnight stay at Pangong Tso.
Sept 3: Pangong Tso-Hanle. Stay at Hanle (Need accomodation options)
Sept 4: Hanle-Tso Moriri. Stay at Tso Moriri (Again accomodation at?)
Sept 5: Tso-Moriri to Manali-Leh-Hwy
What should be the stopover on the Leh-Manali route after Tso Moriri (Tso Kar?) or can i drive directly upto Sarchu? Also, you had mentioned about fuel in your writeup. In this case, where all can we top-up?
Sept 6: Tso Kar (if at all a stopover here is needed) – Sarchu. Overnight at Sarchu.
Sept 7: Sarchu-Manali (Or do i have to make a stopover at Tandi?)
Sept 8: Manali-Delhi (If possible overnight) Delhi-Mumbai.
Sept 9: Buffer-day, if required
Also, are ILP enough, or we need any other special permits. (Sorry did not pay attention to that part of ur writeup
). Lastly, this will probably be a ladies-only tour. Any precautions or suggestion for that?
Looking forward for your expert opinion
Cheers,
Pragati
Hello Pragati,
Yeah, very true. Ladakh is not a place which you visit just once
. I will suggest following itinerary for you:
Aug 31: Mumbai-Leh (by flight). Spend a day to acclimatize.
Sept 1: Day in Leh, mainly to attend the inaugural day parade of the Leh Festival.
Sept 2: Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
– Staying at Pangong Tso on third day feel a bit dicey to me due to AMS issues
Sept 3: Leh – Hanle
Check the article Hanle Village | The Hidden Gems of Ladakh
Sept 4: Hanle | Enjoy the village and relax around.
Sept 5: Hanle – Tso Moriri
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
Sept 6: Tso Moriri – Sarchu
– Driver will take care of the fuel, don’t worry. You have to carry in spare from Leh only.
Sept 7: Sarchu – Manali
Sept 8: Manali – Delhi (If possible overnight) Delhi-Mumbai.
Sept 9: Buffer-day, if required
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
PS: Sorry for the delayed response, I was traveling to Spiti Valley for past 10 days.
Hi,
We are planning for a trip to Leh from Mumbai in Aug-13. We are thinking to start our journey from Srinagar by road via Kargil to reach Leh on the next day.
And comeback from Leh to Manali by road.
Please help to check whether the below plan looks ok. Also, suggest us places to visit during our stay in Leh.
Day 1 8-Aug: Mum @6:00 AM by flight to reach Srinagar by 16:00. Night Stay in Sonmarg.
Day 2 9-Aug: Sonmarg to Kargil by road- Share Taxi
Day 3 10-Aug: Kargil to Leh by road- Share Taxi
Day 4 11-Aug: Leh
Day 5 12-Aug: Leh
Day 6 13-Aug: Leh
Day 7 14-Aug: Leh to Jaspa by road
Day 8 15-Aug: Jaspa to Manali by road
Day 9 16-Aug: Manali to Chandigarh by road- Bus
Day 10 17-Aug: Chandigarh to Mumbai by Flight
18-Aug Sunday take rest in Mumbai
Sapan, given the number of days in hand, your itinerary looks good to me. However, it is unlikely that you can get some shared taxi from Sonamarg. So, better stay at Srinagar only to opt for shared taxi. On one of the days in Leh visit Khardung La and on other day visit Pangong Tso lake.
hi dheeraj
First devil on wheels in an awesome guide for a fun loving traveler. thnx for this.
dheeraj we are planing a trip srinagar – leh – manali by our ford endevour in later JULY. So i want to know that either any permit req to cross rohtang pass for non HP register vehicle by leh to manali. If yes then from where to get it, as we are stating from Leh not from Manali.
Harmohit, thanks a lot. Well, you will not need any permits if you traveling from Leh side to Manali. Permits for non-HP vehicles are only required if you climb from Manali to Rohtang Pass. Also, do make sure that there are restrictions now on timings to travel on Manali – Rohtang Pass road. From 6 AM to 12.00 PM traffic from Manali to Rohtang Pass is only allowed and from rohtang Pass to Manali, traffic is allowed only from 12.00 PM to 10.00 PM. Finally, 10.00 PM to 6.00 AM traffic is not allowed on Manali – Leh Highway now.
thnx dheeraj
now please tell me is there any accommodation source in hemis national park, we are planning to stay there and what is the route to national park from leh.
Harmohit, you will only find homestays there and sorry to stay I do not have any source for them.
Hi Deeraj,
We are from Mumbai. I and my wife both planning for a trip from Mumbai via Manali to Leh roughly for 9-10 days. We want hire a share taxi as I think personal would be costly I guess. Overnight stay in between.
Could you please suggest some operators. Or any tour operators who are good and cheap.
Sapan in that case better opt for HPTDC buses which will make it economic for you.
Not to forget, you will feel much more comfort as well in them instead of shared taxis.
Hi Dheeraj
you do a great job.
Actually I am planning to go Leh via Shrinagar-Leh highway then want to return via manali.
is the June 15th the right time to go from Delhi? Apart from I want all route information from Leh-manali like Shrinagar-Leh.
Thanks
Rakesh Verma 9891685208
Rakesh, Avoid sleeping at Sarchu or Pang at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there. It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you minimize the chances for falling sick or hit by AMS while going to Leh from Manali. And, then next day carry on the rest of the journey to Leh without sleeping in between anywhere by leaving early in the morning say, by 4-5 AM types. I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa. If you are coming back via Manali – Leh, then it should be OK to stay at Sarchu as your body will be acclimatized by that time.
This plan which you are going to undertake is disaster, please avoid an follow the traditional way to visit Leh – Ladakh. Check the most common itinerary from Ladakh Menu in the blog and get an idea on how to go about planning for Ladakh trip.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
[...] In order to regulate or control the traffic at Rohtang Pass which has become quite ugly and famous for its day long traffic jams, every year some new rule is introduced to tackle the same. Every time a new rule comes in, it brings lots of confusion and mess for the tourists and those who mostly suffer are actually interested more in Manali – Leh journey as compared to messy Rohtang Pass. This year again officials have come up with strict norms and penalties for violations of the newly created and confusing rules which do not talk about traffic coming from Keylong or Leh side. You can read below the detailed article on these rules but following is the summary of new rules for traffic at Manali to Rohtang Pass or Manali – Leh Highway [...]
Hello Dheeraj,
Me & my 2 frnds r planning to do a road trip from Manali – Leh in end or June or July 1st week. I hope that’s the best time. Please advise me how to rent a Bike or Jeep(Gypsy)in Manali or Delhi. & how much they cost.
Regards,
Anoop
Anoop, how much days you have in hand? Jeep would be difficult to find in Manali and plus would draw a heavy security deposit upfront? Any budget constraints you have?
Dear Deeraj,
I am planning Leh trip via Sonmarg and return via Manaliwith my family in my own “Volkswagon Vento Car” during end July’13.
Hope driving is not an issue on this rough terrain in this car……? anyone having experience of travelling in such cars( Vento,Honda City, Verna etc please share experiences
Kuldeep, I drive a dzire, almost similar except may be power
… Based on my experience and others, for hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway and Ladakh, I will say:
You will indeed face few tough challenges on the route. The hatchback/sedan will increase the level of every challenge even further, sedan is the worst candidate. My suggestion will be to go via Srinagar route as it will help you feel comfortable with the driving, provide more acclimatization and then once you have done the local Leh-Ladakh, then come back via Manali side. Secondly, since you are in hatch/sedan, then you need to drive with extra care as well. There will be some sections on the Manali – Leh highway in which you might need to sacrifice some scratches on the underbelly. Just make sure you do not bump the engine sump (know it before where it is placed in your car). You need to protect it all around the trip. Thirdly, whenever in doubt do not rush into the section rather park aside and feel the section with your foot, see how other vehicles are crossing it and make a planned route in your mind to cross that section. At the very least do carry Mseal, quick fix, funnel, jerry cans and towing rope with you all the time.
Also, I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Also, don’t you have your own bikes?
No dheeraj, we don’t have bikes need to rent it from manali. We are planning to catch bus from Delhi to manali at night, hopefully will reach by morning. We have around 10 – 14 days for the trip and budget can be upto 25000/ head. How many days is leh manali drive?
Brother can you also list some must see places in the manali leh trip. Which we can make in this 10-14 days
Anoop, first and foremost I will request you to read the article: How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali. Leh Manali drive should be done in 2 days only on the way up and while coming back you can stay for more than 2 days.
You can go through the article: Places on Manali – Leh Highway | A Detailed Description to know more about what to see and all.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi,
I am planning to go Leh to manali on 15th Aug’13. Is that a right time to travel that place and am planning to travel in HPTDC bus. Kindly suggest is that a right time and i can get HPTDC bus or not….? Kindly help…
Harish, it is monsoon time and at some parts of Manali – Leh Highway (like before Baralacha La) and Srinagar – Leh Highway (like before Kargil) you might need to face monsoon hassles but once you get closer to Ladakh, then Ladakh being rain shadow region is least affected by monsoon rains, though rains does reach Ladakh now but to minimum and mostly it might remains overcast conditions. There is no thumb rule of certainity about weather conditions but above is generally common pictures seen over last few years except ugly 2010 …
[...] How to plan a journey on Manali Leh Highway [...]
Hello Dheeraj,
First of all,many thanks for valuable informations you posted for all future traveller in Leh Ladakh.
We are 6 friends planning to travel from New Delhi to Leh via Tata Safari with below route n teantaive dates are :21st May 13 (midnight) – 1st June 13.
New Delhi-Srinagar-Leh-Manali-New Delhi.
We all have done driving in low hills area (like Manali,Shimla,etc.).There are no priror experience in any of us of such long drive. Pls suggest how we planned our journey.
Hello Pawan,
Pawan, very unlikely that Manali – Leh will open by that time of the year. You may got lucky but seeing the snow this year it will be difficult. Can you shift by a week or two?
Regards
dheeraj sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Thanks for the advised. Now we have finalised the new dates with high level planning:
Start Date : 28th May 2013 night.
1) 28th May 13 5pm from New Delhi
2) 29th May 13 5 AM Pathankot
3) 29th May 13 6pm Srinagar (Night stay)
4) 30th May 13 6am Srinagar – Sonmarg (10am , will roam around in Sonmarg for few hours)
5) 30th May 13 1pm Sonmarg
6) 30th May 13 7 pm Drass (Night stay)
7) 31st May 13 6am Drass – Leh
8) 31st May 13 1pm Leh
Pls suggest how much time we stay to acclimatize in Leh before we start exploring this entire place. We plan to stay in Leh until 7th May 13 before starting return journey vis Leh-Manali route to New Delhi.
Pls suggest if this looks like a manageble tour or we need to make more changes.
Rgds,
Pawan Tomar
Hello Pawan,
It seems a good plan, instead of Drass better stay at Kargil and instead of Sonamarg better stay at Alchi to combat the AMS and better acclimatize. So, your night halts will be like Srinagar, Kargil, Alchi, Leh and then spend one more day in Leh for Local sightseeing plus permits, then do Nubra Valley then Pangong Tso and then Tso Moriri and finally Manali – Leh Highway. This way you will be best acclimatized. I am sure you know the painful journey of Delhi to Srinagar.
Regards,
Dheeraj
We start from delhi from volvo buses we book the ticket from travel yaari at 1700 rupees for 2 person ac volvo buses.Bus was gud………it start from delhi at 6:30 and we reach at 8:00.We drop to the bus stand you can find many hotel.But we took a car that charge 100 rupees and show us many hotel.We stayed in Ocean Park they charge from 1200 for honeymoon suite.Contact number Ocean Park:01902-250008,08988372649,09418542600,08988372650.
The hotel was chaep and gud nice view.
We book a car for Solan valley they charge Rs.900.The driver was very clever he stop on one shop was dress that cost 1800 they gave 2 couple dress and skinning skates with a guide.It is very essential to were that dress but my suggestion that you will find the dress at 50 rupees and even u can find guide and the skating material at up. Our driver was very clever he stop us at down telling that they is lots of traffic but ask him to go up as much he can or ask him to come up when the traffic is clear. We went up there we did Paragliding,Ice car ride it take total 2000 rupees you need to bargain alot.Then we had tea and maggai there we did skinning it total take around of 4 hours for up and down and for all these activity. There are lot of adventure sports. Then we went for local site scene on the same day that also take around of 3 hours thats it.The driver took only 900 for all you need to bargain alot.In the month for Febuary the Rotang pass was close so we didnt went there.Manali is only for 2 days 1 night that max period you can enjoy we even enjoy the snow fall. You can easily find North Indian food.It is very cold there the tem was 0 deg.Please take woolen cloths.You can even go to Kullu for Water rafting and for shawls but they are to costly.The car will take aruond of 900 for these two place.Good place for vacation for 2 days with your better half.Then we came back from Himachal tourism volvo bus,its was worst bus i ever saw better to take private volvo buses.
Thanks Tanya
Thanks alot for sharing your experience with us. I am sure will help many other fellow travelers.
Hi everyone. I am planning a Srinagar – Leh – Manali tour somewhere in June 2013. I am all alone and would like to join in with someone also interested in the tour. Please let me know by email if anyone is interested to take the journey together. My email is ishuahmed@gmail.com
Hi,
Dheeraj
we six friends from kerela
planned to visit SRINAGER-LEH-MANALI in the second week of june
our plan is hire a taxi from srinager to leh.Then another taxi from leh for sight seeing . finally another HP permit taxi from leh to manali.Here we have doubt,that is shall i get HP permit taxi at leh.If not;what is the alternate.kindly advise.
thank you. with regards
C.S.KISHOR
Hi CS Kishore,
You do not need to hire a HP Permit taxi while coming from Leh to HP. It is required other direction. The Leh taxi should be able to drop you to Manali.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning for trip from manali to leh in the second week of aug’13. am planning to book a ticket in HPTDC. Kindly let me know when the bookings will open and where we can book the ticket? pl advice.
Harish, you can use the HPTDC official website to book the tickets online for Manali to Leh journey. Also, by that time HPTDC buses will be running.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi deeraj,
thanks for my earlier reply, as per your blog and advice we are planning leh ladakh for next june’13, we will start 8th june’13 with a group of 6-7 person(male with the age group from 26 to 40) , our plan is as follows :-
08th june(sat)- by flight from kolkata to srinagar, night stay at srinagar
09th june(sun)- srinagar to kargil
10th june(mon)- kargil to leh via alchi & other sightseen
11th june(tue) to 14th june(fri) – we will be in leh.
we will take flight from chandigarh on 17th at 11.15 am
so we need to cross long distance from leh-kylong-manali-chandigarh. Please suggest how do we can cover this area within 2 days.our plan is as follows, please suggest if any changes required so that we can reach chandigarh by 16th night(if possible) , so there will be no headache on 17th morning.
15th june’(sat) – leh to keylong (352 km) – around 6.5 hrs drive(as per internet info)- night stay at keylong
“IS THERE ANY OTHER OPTION SO THAT WE CAN REDUCE THE DISTANCE BY COVERING MORE DISTANCE THAN STAYING AT KEYLONG – AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WE ARE ALL YOUNG GROUP , BUT IS THAT REALLY POSSIBLE TO COVER MORE DISTANCE AND NIGHT STAY AT SOME DIFFERENCE PLACE ??
OUR PLAN
16th june(sun)- either keylong to chandigarh(421km- 8 hrs) /madni(219 km-3.5 hrs) /bilaspur(284km- 4.5 hrs)
‘IF WE CAN’T REACH ON16TH NIGHT TO CHANDIGARH THEN
17th June(Mon) – bilaspur to chandigarh airport(130 km – 2hr 10 min)
please note that we already booked our ticket from kolkata to srinagar and from chandigarh to kolkata.
so please help us in this regard
Secondly, as per your blog we had a discussion with the various drivers for the tour from Srinagar to leh(with leh registration car), and their range is vary from rs.30000(without road pass) and 35000(with road pass), so please suggest if the rate is okay or further burgaining option is there ? Secondly, should we borrow another car from Leh to Manali(with HP registration) or should we ask the same driver to cross that long distance.
Many thanks
Subhankar
Subhankar, you CANNOT do Leh to Keylong in 6.5 Hrs?? Where did you read it?? It takes about 12+ hrs easily to do Leh – Keylong considering there are no blockages. It is very hectic to do that thing in 2 days. BEST you can do is make a cannon ball run to Manali from Leh that is where shared taxis start around 2-3 AM at night and reach Manali in the evening by 7 PM types. Overnight in Manali and then go ahead for Chandigarh from Manali.
What exactly do you mean by road pass here? I have not heard of that term and 5K gap seems something special. If you are on budget then better do it with Himachal registered taxi and plus he will be more willing to do it with good discount. When you reach Leh then try to fix the deal with them else on the spot you may not be able to find one. Did you cross check with the rate card of this year as per itinerary regarding the prices?
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Sir,
Now we are planing visit manali & leh in First week of March 2013 with our 7 members group.
Our plan.
day 1 st – Delhi to Leh by air,
Stay at leh
day 2nd – around leh & stay at leh.
3 rd day -Leh to manali by privet car, stay ????
4 th day evening reach at manali stay at manali
5 th day manali to delhi return
Is it possible.
Please suggest
1. March 1 st week is it ok? We want to see mountains with snow.
2. stay between Leh to manali.
3. Manali to delhi travel time by bus or airbus available ?
Regards
Kasture R.D
Maharashtra
Hello Kasture,
Roads will not be open by March, so if you want to make a road trip to Leh – Ladakh then make it in somewhere between mid-June to September.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
We r planning for venture into the land of Gompha and Monasteries- Leh Ladakh.According to an itinerary suggested from ur end we are heading for Pangong lake from Leh after completing Hunder Diskit Nubra Valley Sumur and so on and halt for the night at Pang-ong. Next day will head for Sarchu enroute Tso Kar and Tso Meriri.We will halt for a night at Sarchu and proceed for Manali . Sir My queries are : 1) Where to stay at Pang-ong? The temperature at Pang.. during mid-July? time to reach Sarchu via Tso Kar and Tso Meriri from Pang.. if we start as early as 6.00 a.m at Pang-ong?
Hi Abhijit,
1. You can stay at Tangste now as many of the camps would have gone or else stay at Martsemik Camps at Pangong Tso. For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
2. In mid-July it shall not be that cold at all to worry about at Pangong Tso. (I feel you must have used full name because it created lot of confusion with other place just before Sarchu that is called Pang)
3. It needs 2 days with overnight halt at Tso Moriri to reach Sarchu from Pangong Tso via Tso Moriri and Tso Kar and both days will be quite long.
I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
dear mr dhiraj sharma
i want to appreciate ur efforts and work for leh manali route its marvelous
now i need ur help to decide
i need to travel leh to manali in the month of april or at the most may end as i need to come back to mumbai by 5 th of june
want to see leh local
panggong lake
tsomoriri lake
numbara valley
lahul
spiti
keylong
manali
btw we have been to manali few times and leh once but couldnt see tsomoriri and numbra valley
so local sightseen of leh and manali r not important for me
as both my children r studying
i cant go in june month
so will i be able to travel from leh to manali ?? let me know
Hi Amit,
Thanks alot. In the month of May and April, you will not be able to do the journey to Ladakh by road and hence you have to fly in and fly out of Leh. If you go in May then there are better chances of seeing the colors of both Lakes which usually melts by May. I am not sure how many days you have in hand but still I will suggest you do the journey like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
– Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
– Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
– Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
– After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
– If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
– Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
– Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
– For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
– Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
– Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
– Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
– Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
– Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
– If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
– Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
– Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
– Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
– On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
– Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
– Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
– Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
– Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso
– Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
– Cover Karzok Monastery
– Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 7 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
– Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh
– Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour
– Overnight at Leh
– Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi sir mr dheeraj,
This is Dr Thiagarajan from delhi
ur article is incredible.
Pl advise about my itinery
I am badly short of time
28 th aug mor – delhi leh flight booked
28th stay in leh local sight seeing
29th aug pangong day trip
30th aug nubra day trip
31 st aug early start from leh by taxi
overnight stay at sarchu or jispa
1st sep day travel from sarchu or jispa to manali
1st sep booked a volvo from manali to delhi
2nd sep is a buffer day
as i have to start hectic work on 3rd sep morning monday
My questions?
1. To stay in sarchu if i start early at 5 am can i reach manali by 5 pm the same day
or is it safer to stay at jispa
or the HPTDC bus reaches manali before 5 pm
2. pl advise good and economical camps at sarchu or jispa
3. i plan to book all taxis after reaching leh for, nubra day , pangong day and 2 day travel with 1 night stay drop to manali. can i bargain at the taxi stand at leh for a combined plan for all these 3 trips will i get a reasonable rate what to expect?
or pl suggest otherwise
or can i contact some agent at manali for leh manali drop alone
4. pl suggest some good hotels at leh
5. at what time these manali delhi volvo buses reach delhi if i take a bus at 4 .30 pm
Hi Dr Thiagarajan,
Thanks alot for appreciating the article. Well, you are really short on time. Traveling to Pangong Tso or Nubra Valley on second day itself, I am not very convinced because your body will not be acclimatized for such high altitude by that time. So, better take rest in Leh on 29th as well. On 30th make a day tripto Pangong Tso and since your are really short on time, make a day trip to Khardung La pass on the buffer day you have. If it is some really important work on 3rd then you do not have this option and will have to take buffer day for Manali – Leh Highway.
1. Better stay at Jispa, if you want to catch overnight Volvo.
2. Jispa Journeys are good one at Jispa.
3. Yes, you can get good deal, close to 12-15% discount once you are in Leh. And first couple of days you have time as well to arrange taxi for local sightseeing and Pangong Tso + Manali – Leh Highway.
4. For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
5. Manali – Delhi Volvo reaches by 6.30-7.00 AM types at Delhi.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Sorry for the delayed reply.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi i m planning my trip along with my wife to leh via manali by taxi
so pls guide me for my trip
is it fine for me to book a private cab for leh
Hi Laxman,
Please let me know what kind of information do you need about Manali – Leh Highway. Did you go through the information present in the article above? Also, it is surely fine to book the taxi/cab for Leh.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Can you pls help with a few contacts of Bike rental places in Leh, from where we can rent the bike and drive down till Manali, and preferably drop/ return the bike there. Thanks,
Hi Shikha,
You can rent bikes in Leh and Fort Road in Leh is full of such shops that rent bikes. Depending upon the condition, model, make and tourist rush you can get bikes starting from Rs 600 to Rs 1200. Rather than booking over phone, it is much better to visit the Fort road, check 4-5 shops over there and get a good deal after checking the bike conditions.
I have few contacts and if you still want them, I will share them.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
we are planning our tripp from 16 aug on manali leh route on our suv is this time ok to travel
Hello Inder,
Since it will be monsoon mania at that time, at some parts of Manali – Leh Highway (like before Baralacha La) and Srinagar – Leh Highway (like before Kargil) you might need to face monsoon hassles but once you get closer to Ladakh, then Ladakh being rain shadow region is least affected by monsoon rains, though rains does reach Ladakh now but to minimum and mostly it might remains overcast conditions. There is no thumb rule of certainity about weather conditions but above is generally common pictures seen over last few years except ugly 2010 …
Also, I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:
7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello sir, your article has been a great help to plan our trip. We are planning the trip from Aug 9 to Aug 20. We are very keen to self drive on the Manali-Leh highway. I think we have two options. One is to rent a taxi and tip the driver to let us drive. The second one is to rent a self drive. I’m inclined towards the second. We are around 6-7 people and adding one more for the driver may require us to take two taxis which i don’t want. I wanted to ask if its possible to get a self driven car from Manali which we can return in Leh. If yes can you provide me with some contacts. And will it be difficult to convince drivers to let us drive. I would be very thankful if you can help me out.
Hi Dheeraj – excellent blog! it’s THEE SOURCE on all things Ladakh – thanks for your great advice and all the folks who post questions I also have
Need some advise for the following please:
- Have booked my trip to Leh via Manali July end. I’m travelling Manali – Keylong (overnight halt) then onwards to Leh.
1) Is it better to stay 2 nights in Keylong for acclimatizing for the onward journey to Leh or is a 13 hour sleep overnight in K’long, sufficient?
I’m now quite concerned that we (2pax) are taking the least preferred route but I’ve also read many travel advisories on UK’s FCO page warning against non-essential travel to Srinagar, hence why i’m not keen on taking the Srinagar – Leh route.
2) At this stage we can still change our route plan, but is it safe and advisable to go via Srinagar over the likely AMS issues via Manali – Leh.
Many thanks,
TravelBug
Hello TravelBug,
1. Well, you will be able to manage the Manali – Leh route by few tips like: Staying first night not in Manali, rather Solang but then problem of catching a taxi or bus from Manali should be handled. Secondly, staying at Keylong or Jispa overnight and then doing the Keylong/Jispa – Leh part in one go on next day (as you already doing), DO NOT exert your bodies anywhere and keeping your body hydrated to optimum levels apart from other tips mentioned in the article linked here: Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization.
2. It is generally safe but since your heart is not saying so, better avoid dilema and go over Manali – Leh Highway following above tips. You guys migh have some headache, in some cases, but that shall be fine once you reach Leh and sleep overnight there. Of course, this is something you need to pay to avoid Srinagar – Leh route.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for your advice. Upon reading many reviews including posts you’ve made in the past, we do prefer the Srinagar – Leh – Manali route as we’d like to properly acclimatize. We are only spending 5 days 6 nights in Leh/Ladakh so we’d rather enjoy the journey as well as the destination – hence minimising AMS.
This is our newly proposed itinerary:
- Delhi flight to S’nagar (overnight halt)
- S’nagar to Kargil (overnight halt)
- Kargil to Leh (7 nights to visit various locations and build in overnight stays if required)
- Leh to Keylong
- Keylong – Manali
Any advice or suggestions would be more than welcome if the above should be altered.
Warm regards,
TravelBug
Yes, little modification. On return, you will be acclimatized well enough to sleep at Sarchu (almost more than 95% people does) so make that journey evenly to get most out of Manali – Leh Highway and after such a long journey
… Leh – Sarchu and then Sarchu – Manali, should be the last two days.
All the best for your trip!!
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Ankur,
Well, nopes, you cannot get a self-drive car in Manali for a drive to Ladakh. Best options is to tip the driver to let you drive and even in that case, it will be like 50/50 chance. Most likely, if the taxi belongs to some owner the driver might agree but if it belongs to the driver himself then it would be difficult.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We had a conversation earlier on your comments section regarding my itinerary. We were 2 people doing a 15 day trip to Leh and back. Now, unfortunately, I am forced to do this trip alone. I have quite a few questions I want to ask, which would be easier via e-mail/call. Can you please mail me on my e-mail ID? I am travelling from 2nd August to 20th August now, I hope I am not too late in planning stuff.
Thanks,
Sudarshan
Hi Sudarshan,
I have emailed you my contact number
… Please check your bulk mail as well.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Very informative article. One thing I wanted to know:
1- regarding Taxi, is it better to book a taxi from Manali to Jispa and then Jispa to Leh, or directly from Manali to Leh? I want to know from ease of travel perspective, and from economic perspective..
Thanks!!
Hi Partha,
You will not find any taxi at Jispa, so it is always better to get the taxi arranged from Manali itself.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks. One more query – in "Three Day Journey on Manali–Leh Highway" section, you have warned against staying at Sarchu/Pang (pink box). Then, where to stay at the second night?
Hi Dheeraj,
Please ignore my previous question (about ur pink box comment), I got your point.
We were planning night-stays at Pangong as well as at Nubra Valley. In your view, are they worth it, or its ok to be back (to Leh) the same day?
Hello Partha,
That;s great, though I do have replied. They are worth if you have time with you. At least, do spend overnight in Nubra Valley to actually ensure that you guys explore it to good extent. Sunrise and Sunset along Pangong Tso again are really nice.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Partha,
The three day journey is actually meant for people coming from Leh towards Manali not for those who are going from Manali to Leh. It will not help much staying in between anywhere where you can stay, because at Max. you can stay at Darcha which may not help you acclimatize to sleep at Sarchu. So, better do it in 2 days while going from Manali to Leh.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Your work is truly the best I have come across yet in my research for a trip ladakh so far…thanks & heartiest congratulations!
Coming to businesss
, we are 3 people planning to do Delhi-Manali-Jispa-Ladakh-Nubra-Pangong-Kargil-Srinagar in July end- early august. We would be flying back from Srinagar so the direction of the trip is more or less fixed..whereas ur blog has cleared almost every doubt I ve had so far there is just one thing i need to understand.. We would be taking a volvo to Manali and then hiring a taxi from there onwards… Given that we can only do ladakh & ex-ladakh in local cars, how do we handle the driver/car piece…not to mention we also want to take the same car to srinagar( i m assuming that is a better option) so can we do Pathar Sahib etc in that car on our way to kargil??
Hi Rahul,
Well, in such a case you have to hire a taxi from Manali for Leh which will drop you there. After that you can hire a Ladakh taxi for rest of the journey including the drop at Srinagar. You can also opt for HPTDC Manali – Leh bus service that also include the accommodation and dinner in the ticket fare and since you are three in number it wil be much more economic option for you guys. Once, you reach Leh, hire a local taxi as said above.
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
If tickets are not booked from Srinagar, then I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I am traveling to Leh from Manali via HPTDC Bus starting at 11AM in manali to reach LEh the next day at 8pm. I am starting on July 17. I wanted to check whether this bus stops at view points – High passes atleast.
Yes, Viplav, to some extent HPTDC buses stop at major tourist destination on the way to Leh.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Greetings Dheeraj Sir!
As always, kudos to your website and the pain you have taken.
I have a few questions on the Manali – Leh journey:
1. Cannon Ball run Taxis – What vehicles are used in these Cannon Ball runs ? Are they minibus/minivans or SUV/MUVs
2. Shared Taxi – will it be possible to find a shared taxi who does the trip in 2 days ?
Hello Loki,
Thanks buddy.
1. These are mostly MUVs like Sumo, Xylo etc.
2. Through travel agent by paying a bit more, yes. Otherwise, you need to ask around on your own because unlike Ladakh there are no flyers posted by interested people. If at all you can get flyers, you would find them in Old Manali where lots of foreigners reside.
Best bet will be HPTDC bus service, if started by the time you are planning the trip.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Sir!
Took the 20 hr canonball run from Manali and reached Leh yesterday night. It was a 11 seater Tempo traveller. Cost Rs 1900 per head. The driver stopped at 2 hour intervals for toilet breaks and also at various tents along the way for food. I didnt feel any issue of AMS at all along the way. Roads were ok in a few places but almost non existent in most places – especially 100 km before Leh. But I kinda enjoyed it. Was a different experience. Youngsters shouldnt have any problem at all. Older people/ women should find it difficult though…
Thanks alot Loki for your updates. I am sure it would be helpful for many searching for apt and live information over Internet.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hello sir , we are going to leh ladakh on 24th via manali leh highway from amritsar and will return from leh on 2nd of july via leh-kargil-srinagar highway , can u please give me itinerary . we want to cover pangong tso, tso mriri, magnetic hill, gurudwara pather sahib,also monastries,local sightseeing,nubra valley,zanskar(optional) and rafting too..
question no. 2–can we travel at night during return journeys from visiting places ??
Hello Gurbaj,
1. I guess you have 8 days only. If yes, it is not possible to cover the places you have mentioned above and would be difficult to even manage basic places too. You should plan for one day extra at the very least. Can you increase the number of days?
2. Please avoid is otherwise what is the point of going so far when you are missing half the journey while traveling at night and risking everything.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
thanks sir,,,
k,,we will add one day.
Hello Gurbaj,
In such a case, you can follow the plan like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
– Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
– If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali
– Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
– It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS.
– Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there.
– I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa.
– Overnight at Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh
– Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening.
– Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
– Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
– For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
– Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Leh
– Head for Nubra Valley very early in the day and come back by late evening after visiting Deskit. If you have time go little further and see Hunder sand dunes too
– On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
– Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
– Day trip to Pangong Tso
– Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Taglang La – Pang – Sarchu
– Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
– Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 8 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
– On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
– Overnight at Manali
Day 9 | Manali – Delhi
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj. Kudos to the work that you do here. A LOT of my questions for my trip to Ladakh got answered by simply going through your write-ups and comments above. I still few more questions though…
Three of my friends and I are planning the following itinerary for Leh. Could you help me out here.?
Day 1 – Saturday – Reach Leh by flight from Delhi. Relax in hotel, explore market, find guides, permits.
Day 2 – Sunday – Some additional sightseeing.
Day 3 – Monday – Khardungla pass – overnight in Nubra valley. Accomodate any sightseeing enroute.
Day 4 – Tuesday – Return to Leh. Sightseeing enroute.
Day 5 – Wednesday – Pangong Lake and back.
Day 6 – Thursday – Rafting in Indus.
Day 7 – Friday – Take HPTDC bus to Manali via Keylong
Day 8 – Saturday -Keylong to Manali. Take overnight cab from Manali to Delhi
Day 9 – Sunday – Delhi to Chennai flight.
Qn 1 – I am very very concerned about the fact that i could not fit in a buffer day before going to Delhi from Manali. Considering that we travelling via Rohatang in peak monsoons, you think it's a bad idea? I would not want to miss my flight back.
2. Are the buses safe ? I am sure the drivers are the best, still will the monsoons make it difficult / unsafe ?
3. I couldnt fit Tso Moriri in the itinerary, do you think i can include it someplace ?
4. What do you think about the itinerary ?
5. I would love to do like a short day trek around Leh, any recommendations ?
Regards,
Dipika
Sorry, forgot to add. We are travelling from Aug 11th to Aug 20th
Hello Dipika,
Thanks alot, glad the information was useful for your Ladakh trip. The plan is perfect given the time you guys have in hand and I do not have much to say apart "Good Job"!!
… Instead of overnight cab from Manali, you can get the overnight Volvo as well in case you reach in time. Also, handle your permits either via driver or do it on Day 2 itself, better relax on Day 1.
1. Yes, it is a bad idea and what you can do to mitigate is to do the whole itinerary in reverse direction. Start from Delhi and go by road to Leh and then fly back from Leh. This is the best you can do without buffer days.
2. Mostly they are safe but thinking about the harsh terrain, no one can make the guarantee. You guys are 4 in number, better take a taxi because at times taxis may get through the landslide while buses can't being big in sizes.
3. Better leave for next trip or may be if you reverse the direction we might fit it
4. Already answered
5. Better enjoy the sightseeing since you are short on time.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, Thanks much for your response
Considering that the Leh-Delhi flight charges are really high, we decided to do the road route on our way back. Guess we'll take an extra day off for the buffer. You know of cases where ppl have been stranded near the Rohtang pass for more than a day ? Also, just wanted to check. The flight charges from Delhi to Leh are a whopping 5 figure number. Is it usually so ? would you know ? Or should i wait for sometime and see if the rates reduce ? Also, will take your advice to take a taxi instead of the bus. Thanks again, for answering all my qns. Cheers
Hello Dipika,
Yes, several times it happens that is why it is important to have that buffer day with you. Well, I got the return for 4.8K in April
but yes in the season time it goes way high and it generally remains similar for the whole season and it might start come down by September types.
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 12-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks much Dheeraj ! Taking your advice and keeping a buffer day. We are changing our dates to the end of the month to take advantage of cheaper air fares and hoping for a lesser crowd. Will definitely have loads of more qns for ya as we get closer to the trip dates. Thanks much again for all the information you have put up here on this website.
Regards,
Dipika
Sure Dipika and have a great journey and good luck for your trip!!
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hello sir i want some info about can i go leh in my car
its a bmw 8 series the roads for leh will it easy to move
please tell me
Hi Rajesh,
Well, BMW 8 series to Ladakh would be quite a challenge as there are no roads at so many places and in water crossings it would be very hard to negotiate hitting the underbelly. I do not think it has enough ground clearance to handle the roads to Ladahk as well within Ladakh. At one place or other, you have to sacrifice some scratches at least at the under belly even if you drive with extra care. I even say not to take a Honday City and that can probably tell you the answer
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hello Dheeraj,
i m from distt. hamirpur H.P.
and i m planing to go leh (manali to leh road) on my own bike discover 125 cc. please tell me that 125 cc bike is suitable for this trip.
Hi Surjeet,
Yes, I have known/read so many accounts over the forums where people have done it on 125cc bikes. So, I do not think you will face any specific issues related to power of the bike.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj ur plan is good but we have only 10 days.so plz make it us for 10 days plz and tell me is fiat punto is best for us or not and the road conditions on both the ways are fine or not .
Hello Rupinder,
May be below information can help:
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 : http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/inner-line-per…
– 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 – 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
For Punto taking on Manali – Leh Highway and Ladakh, 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 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 how r u .
thanks for ur help.we are 4 guys wants an good trip to leh. so u plz help us .tell us either we go via sirnagar or manali. we r gng from chandigarh we have 10 days and we wants to cover all sights .so u plz make a perfect trip for us and we wants to go on jeep or car punto self drive
Hello Rupinder,
I am doing good now, feeling better from fever
… Well, if you really want to enjoy then extend number of days by 2 days, so as to cover at least minimum tourist places. If you can't then we can tailor the below itinerary for 10 days, which I personally feel will make it hectic. Try this plan 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 : http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/inner-line-per…
– 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 – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
– Day trip to Pangong Tso
– Overnight at Leh
Day 9 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
– Cover Karzok Monastery
– DO NOT FORGET to Carry spare fuel for about 550 KMs including your tankful
– Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 10 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – 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 | 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 home
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. If you are riding then you need to carry sufficient fuel for it. The additional day could be rest day at Leh where you can do Sham Valley tour or some shopping in Leh. Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Great to see your knowledge on this section. just wanted know ballpark figure of expenses, if we go through proposed itinerary.
we are 4 in Innova from Delhi.
regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
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
Still, in case you have any doubt, kindly let me know.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj.
Your detailed account on everything Ladakh is such a huge help. So glad I came across your blog even as I was planning the trip.
I could not not write to you about our travel plans- hoping to see what you think of it.
The itinerary that we are looking at is
Aug 13. MANALI
Aug 14. JISPA
Aug 15. UPSHI
Aug 16. PANGONG TSO
Aug 17. LEH
Aug 18. NUBRA
Aug 19. LEH
Aug 20. KARGIL
Aug 21. PADUM
Aug 22. PANIKHAR
Aug 23. KARGIL
Aug 24. SRINAGAR
Aug 25. DELHI – CHENNAI.
We have not included Tso Moriri for want of more days. However, would you rather we see Tso Moriri instead of Pangong Tso / Nubra?
Does this itinerary look feasible?
Thanks,
Manasi
Hi Manasi,
There is alot of traveling in this plan and of course you cannot do Pangong Tso without reach Leh because you need permits to visit Pangong Tso which are issued from Leh. Even if you get the permits it is not advisable to visit Pangong Tso without any acclimatization. Secondly, I will suggest it will be good if you drop Zanskara as you are just measuring the distance on the road rather than enjoying the journey or add more days to your travel plan.
Third and most importantly, if possible go via Srinagar side and come bac via Manali side. It helps alot, alot!! 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.
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 this information.
i wanted to travel with my girlfriend on a bike. I wanted to know how can i join with other bikers as taking a lone bike would not be suggested i believe. Please suggest
Hello Harmander,
Yes, there is all possibility to join other biker groups/individuals once you reach Leh or on Highway. You will find plenty of people out there with whom you guys can tag along. So, don’t worry on that front, just have a stroll in the main market and changspa road and I am sure you will get in touch with such riders.
Otherwise, you can tag along online in travel partners sections of BCMT or IndiaMike forums.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi,
thanks for the all the info about the trips to Leh by road.
Me and my friends are planning for a trip with wives
, to leh by road
But it seems we wont be able to make it by July, so how will it be to make a road trip to Leh by road during later july or early august?
Hi Shailendra,
I do not think you will have much issues apart from monsoons
… Well, 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.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi
Firstly , I would appreciate the efforts put in by you for the write up for people going Leh for the first time. I really enjoyed reading all the details.
We, group pf 5 guys have planned our trip for Leh. We have planned to go by road and fly back to Delhi as we are short on time.
We plan to do Chandigarh – Manali on the first day.Book cab for Manali – Leh for the next day. Planned a stop at Jispa and then Continue to Leh on the 3rd day. We have kept buffer day also in case something goes bad we don't end up missing our flites.
Any special instructions you wanna share ?
Hi Ankit,
Your plan seems best that one can suggest while going from Manali – Leh Highway to Leh. Just leave early morning from Jispa to reach Leh within daylight. Since, I do not know more about your further plans or days in hand cannot comment on rest of the trip. Let me know if you need any other details.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
We have a problem here, as per my sources Rohtang Bypass is closed for tourists on Tuesday. As per my schedule we were crossing Rohtang on Tuesday which is not possible now.
Let me Share my Plan with –
17th Night Bus to Manali From Chandigarh
18th We Search n book Taxi , Rest day at Manali.
19th We leave for LEH | Halt at Jispa/Keylong
20th We reach LEH by evening
21st ( Suggest )
22nd ( Suggest )
23rd ( Suggest )
24th ( Suggest )
25th ( Suggest )
26th ( Suggest )
27th Back To Delhi by flite from LEH
Please Suggest us the Must visit places in these 6 days according to you as its getting too confusing for us.
Hi Ankit,
If you are taking locak taxi in Manali then I am sure he will have the ways to take you from Manali even on Tuesday, may be will ask you guys to get up early at night
… You can plan these six days like this:
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 : http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/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 | 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 Nimmu, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib
– Overnight at Leh
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi
Sorry for asking too many questions.
There is a change in plan now
17th Early morning taxi to Manali From Chandigarh
18th We leave for LEH n stay at jispa
19th Jispa to LEH
20th 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
21st 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
22nd 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
23rd 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)
24th Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
– Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
– Overnight at Leh
25th ( Suggest )
26th ( Suggest )
27th Back To Delhi by flite from LEH
Do we need to pre book tents at jispa, Nubra and Pangong Tso ?
Suggest best budget hotel for stay at Manali ?
Any adventure sports that can be done at LEH ?
Thanks for all the help . I owe you a party for all the help
Ankit
Hi Ankit,
1. There is no need to pre-book unless you wanna stay at some specific property. At Jispa, guess you should call Jispa Journey guys and tell them in advance that you guys would be coming so that they keep the tents booked.
2. You can find lots of budget hotels around Manali in Vashishth, Old Manali and hotels on the Manali – Naggar road near Beas Bridge. The one at Manali – Naggar road named The River View and one just before that hotel are real good and economic options of stay in Manali. Read the complete review of The River View hotel at the below link: The River View, Manali | Hotel Review
3. Guess, rafting, zipping, mountaineering, safaris, river crossings etc. are there. You need to check with some travel agents within Leh for the same.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
We will definitely see, how we can share a cup of tea/cold drink or may be something stronger
once you are back from the trip.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hey , Yes something Stronger for sure
I did call River View Hotel after reading your review , hes saying 2000 per room as its the season time.
Secondly I wanted to clear can we guy do Manali – jispa – Tso moriri- Leh instead of Manali – Jispa _ LEH as the taxi is charging 14000 for LEH – Tso Moriri – LEH
Main issue will be the permit. We need to get it done from LEH and then only we can visit Tso Moriri ??
We are already over shooting our budget so we are finding ways to cut in down a little.
Hi Ankit,
Bhai, Rs 2000 is too much. Better reach Manali and find some good economic place in Old Manali or near Vashishth. That hotel is not worth 2000 and we stayed there for about Rs 800 for a four bedded room. Now coming, you cannot do Tso Moriri while going from Manali to Leh because on needs permits to visit Tso Moriri and these permits are issued at DC office in Leh. Even if you get somehow these permits in advance then taxi from Manali will not be allowed. 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.
Leh – Tso Moriri – Leh is not 14000. Did you check my recent Ladakh 2012 taxi union rate list article?
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info. or have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks for the information bhai
I am blindly trusting your words , so we will stick to old schedule.
I was not able to find the Taxi price list , did search it on the site. A link will be very helpful.
We have booked Sia lia guest house for first two days, then we may shift / continue if we like the place.
Where are you from Dheeraj ? Will make up a plan to meet for sure provided u live close to Chandigarh
Thanks for all the help !
Ankit
Hi Ankit,
You can refer the link here: Leh Ladakh Taxi Rates 2012 – 13. It is in Ladakh section of the blog.
Sia La is a good choice and may be you can also check Hotel Shaynam, pretty decent and might be more economic. And, buddy I am from Delhi only, so whenever you get a chance to come up here, buzz me and we can surely meet up
…
Feel free to let me know any queries you might have.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi again , i did call Shaynam , he quoted 1200 for the room where as Sia Lia quoted 1000 for Deluxe double bed.
Next time , I come Delhi , will surely meet u
Sure, Ankit!! We will meet up whenever you come to Delhi. Rs 1200 is a bit high I feel, guess over phone he is charging such better stay with Sia La then. Nice VFM!!
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Bhai last one most important thing , what clothing to carry according to weather there ?
We are going from 17 to 27th june
Leh we will reach on 19th , going By road
Nubra valley + Pangong + Tso Moriri we plan to cover.
List as per my knowledge –
3-4 warm inners
+ 1 Wind sheater
+ 1 Thick Warm jacket
+ 6-7 tees
+ 4 jeans
+ 2 lowers / shorts
+ 2 Towels
+ Socks+undies accordingly
any need for sweaters or sweat shirts ?
Ankit
Ankit, you are already carrying enough. I guess it shall be fine and in cold conditions the first three items with different combination always work for me. I always carry a heavy, a light jacket and thermal inners. May be you can have one jeans less and keep a sweat shirt if possible to balance it all, though not necessary as Jacket can work at all times but just to get pictures clicked in different outfit
…
Also, check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip at the link here.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hey, I am back from my trip. Had an awesome time there. Weather was perfect. Will share all the details once i get free from office work on the weekend.
Thanks once again for all the information. It was very useful.
I can give you my taxi driver details, please post them on your blogs. He is a perfect driver one could get at Leh.
will fwd details on Sunday
Hi Ankit,
That is awesome buddy!! Yes, please do share your experience and details with us as it would be very beneficial for others planning the trip and above all do share the lovely pictures from heaven as well
…
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
We have done our bus booking from Delhi to Manali on 30 June 2012. Now after that we tried booking bus from Manali to Leh for 2.07.12. But we were told that the bus is available only on 1 July or 5th July. Is there any other option than Taxi?
Hi Vishram,
HRTC Buses could be one option. Did you check for HRTC or HPTDC? Otherwise only shared taxi or private taxi is the option. Some travel agents also provide tourist shared taxis at a bit high price with one night halt either at Keylong or Sarchu.
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 in august.We have 9 days.(Noida-Manali-Leh-Srinagar-Noida).It is possible for us to cover this.
Hi Rahul,
Is there any possibility of flying to Srinagar? If yes, then I will suggest 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 Nimmu
– 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. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
No planning for flight to srinagar and we want to go manali to leh and then srinagar.
Hi Rahul,
In such a case follow the itinerary as suggested but in opposite direction.
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,
Thanks a lot for your valuable articles , it has helped me a lot in planning my journey.
We are group of 4 guys and we are planning a trip to Leh on bikes and we have only 9 days with us.
I know there is a time constrain but all we can manage is only 9 days of holiday.
I have prepared a rough trip itinerary and need ur valuable suggestions and guidance .
Trip to Leh Via Srinagar and back through Manali
Day 1 :- Chandigarh to Patni Top 408Kms Although it is tough but we can cover it as majority would be plains .
Day:-2 Patni top to Srinagar: – 185 Kms (Stay in Srinagar)
Day: 3 Srinagar to Kargil: – 200Kms
Day 4 Kargil to Leh :-220 Kms
Day 5 Leh (Local Sight Seeing)
Day 6 Leh -(Pangong tso lake), – Leh –185 kms one side
Day 7 Leh to sarchu: – 254Kms
Day 8 Sarchu to Manali:- 220 Kms
Day 9 Manali 2 Chandigarh:-300Kms
OR
Trip to Leh Via Manali (NO Srinagar Route)
Day 1 Chandigarh to Manali: – 300 Kms
Day 2 Manali to Sarchu :- 222Kms
Day 3 Sarchu to Leh :-254.4 kms
Day 4 Leh (Local Sight Seeing)
Day 5 Leh – (Pangong tso lake,) — Leh —–185 kms one side
Day 6 Leh (Local Sight Seeing)
Day 7 Leh to Sarchu (local stations of the way included)
Day 8 Sarchu to Manali
Day 9 Manali to Chandigarh
Dheeraj ,
This is our rough itinerary,
Please suggest which route to follow ,Also we have no problem with bike driving so if it will be a bit hectic we can manage,So suggest as we can visit maximum places and make it as our trip of a life time.
Regards
Amit chauhan
Hi Amit,
As per the itineraries above you are just seeing only a pace in Ladakh. I will suggest you do it like:
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.
If you cannot add one day more than, probably you should take the permits in advance and then head to nubra Valley on Day 4 itself via Khardung La. This will give you one day.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi, Amit. If you got some more time. SunSet and Sunrise is Fantastic there, We did this while ago it is seriously awesome. Yes, we did stayed there in Pongang tso (Kinda hut Accomodation). May be Dheeraj can guide you further, if you are intrested.
THis year we are planning too…
G.SS Bangalore
I am planing to go to spiti valley from noida ,via shimla, is it okay I can drive down in my i10 or honda city ZX.If i am not taking my car and hiring the taxi at Shimla, what shud be per day charge of taxi and we are 4 person
Hi Sanjay,
You can do it i10 but only with careful driving. Do not expect much comfort in it because shockers of i10 might not be able to provide you that due to some really bad road conditions in between. But, if you drive carefully then you should be able to do it in i10. Please do not take Honda City as it will not be able to go through some of the very rouch roads.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Firstly let me congragulate you for your amazing work.
I have one query
we are planning a trip to leh this august
We have decided to follow your advise and go via the srinagar kargil way to leh. But the problem is we have planned our trip during independence day.
Would it be ok if we leave Hyderabad on 10th august via flight.
Reach Jammu on 10th and leave for srinagar on 10th night.
sight seeing and all during the 11th of august and leave for leh in the early morning of 12th..
Would it be safe and recommended?
Or shall we take a safe bet of leaving on 11th via hyd and reach delhi and go via manali?
Please advise
thanks
Hi Kapil,
Although I or anyone else cannot be sure of how things will be behaving in valley at that time but I guess, by 10th August it shall be fine and generally tourists do not get caught into the heat much. Please do not take any isolated diversions and stick to highways only. Also, will suggest to keep your stay at Srinagar as minimum as possible during that time. You can take the decision of going via Manali or Srinagar, depending upon the conditions in the valley at that time. Better keep both plans in hand.
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 for such a prompt reply.
I guess keeping both the plans open would be the best way to proceed from here.
Even though i have tried to read most of your replies also in this post I couldnt find the question which asks you about the mode of travel available from srinagar via Kargik to Leh. Preferably we would like to hire bikes for our journey.
As you have already mentioned that the roads are pretty good in this route, driving shouldnt be much of a head ache.
The perfect way would be to hire a bike in srinagar and drop it off at manali where our journey would end.
Anything like that would be possible?
Thanks a lot again for your time and effort ..
Cheers
Hi kapil,
Well, to answer that query I have a dedicated article for Srinagar – Leh Highway guide, read here: How to plan a journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway
…
First you cannot hire any bike in Srinagar, AFAIK. Second, even if some of them give then they might not have tied up with Manali guys, so you can't drop them there. I guess not, if you hire a bike in Manali then you either have to drop that in Manali only or some operators have contacts in Leh, so you drop it there but they charge more. You can hire bikes within Leh – Ladakh as well, so that you can keep you plan flexible.
For everything to want to know about hiring bikes in Manali, read: How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
first of all thanks a lot for yor valuable blog..it really helps for people lik us who r doing this trip for the 1st time..
we are planning for a manali-leh manali trip from june 14th to 26th, based on your comments we have come up wit a itenary as below.can you please check and let us know if this can be achieved..(we are going there for the 1st time ).
14-Jun BlR ->Delhi-> chandigarh
15-Jun Day 1 |CHD- manali-get bikes – move to solang valey
16-Jun Day 2 | solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
17-Jun Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh
18-Jun Day 4 | Leh Local Sighseeing
19-Jun Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
20-Jun Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
21-Jun Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh
22-Jun Day 8 | Leh – Sarchu
23-Jun Day 9 | Sarchu – Manali
24-Jun BUFFER
25-Jun Day 10 | Manali – Delhi
26-Jun Delhi-blr
please advise..
thanks,
Purushothama
Hi Purushothama,
You have come up with an excellent plan I must say being a first timer
… Go ahead buddy, plan looks awesome!! Day 4 – You might need to get the permits as well.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi I'm from Mumbai and I plan to drive to manali on the 1st of June after that the plan is to drive till leh from manali I have two cars a Honda city as well as an innova will it be safe for both the cars to drive ? How much fuel will be needed for the vehicles ?
I plan to cover spend 8 to 10 days in leh
And visit the pan gong lake could you help me with what I require and how I should go about it ?
Hi Zain,
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
Do not take Honda City as it will not be able to make it. You can take Innova which might suffer at few sections but with little cautios driving will be able to manage those sections as well.
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.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
This is brilliant information. I'll taking the Manali – Leh route in July. Since I'm on a time constraint, I'm contemplating taking the Cannon Ball run. Two queries here:
1. Cannon Ball shared taxis leave every day right? How difficult is it to find a seat in a taxi ?
2. The Canon-ball run is more about the back-breaking than the AMS issue right?
Hi Loki,
This is something you should avoid but if you feel like doing it, then:
1. Yes, they leave everyday. Not much difficult. Just go to Manali taxi stand and you will find plenty of taxis. Book a seat in any one of them.
2. It is both. AMS is of course an issue as well considering any kind of mechanical failure that may happen at high altitude the situation can go ugly sometimes.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dheeraj,
You are very responsive. Thanks.
I am planning to take my family – wife and 2 daughters to Srinagar – Kargil – Leh – Pongogn lake (stay overnight) – leh – Nubra Valley- Leh – Manali.
I want to hire a vehicle (preferably Tata Safari/Ford Explorer) and keep it for the entire journey. Would you be able to suggest a reliable travel agent?
2nd My younger daughter has motion sickness. She is eight – but she is very enthusiatic for the trip. Do you think there will be any issues? – She is done road trips abroad (with medicine) and has been okay.
3 question – we are looking at 23 July for 14 days – do you think the time is enough?
Any suggestions for the journey?
BTW – We plan to do Delhi- Sringar – Manali -Delhi by flight to save time.
Your suggestions please
Hi Suraj,
1. You will be able to get Tata Safari from Leh taxi stand and for the current taxi union rate list and contacts of some reliable drivers, check the link here
2. I cannot comment much on it but my wife too have motion sickness and remains OK with medication on most trip. Yes, there may be few issues because there is too much road traveling involved in the Leh – Ladakh trip. So, do not forget whatever medication you prefer to give her only after consultation with a doctor.
3. Time is good enough, you can check the 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. The itinerary is ex. Delhi for 14-15 days, so perhaps remaining day can be spent in coming to Delhi and going back from Delhi.
Do not do Pangong Tso before Nubra Valley. First do Nubra Valley and then go over to stay at Pangong Tso. Delhi – Srinagar is great choice but you can easily do Manali – Delhi with overnight volvo. The journey is OK and most of the time you will be sleeping.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Excellent stuff Dheeraj. This is indeed the best piece of write-up that anyone can get on how to plan their journey to Leh and back. Truly appreciate your work and dedication for the same.
We are 7 people planning to traverse the highway to heaven from Delhi in an Innova and 3 bikes somewhere in mid-june. We have a total of 9 days to complete this journey including the visit to Pangong lake and Nubra valley in Leh.
Please suggest if 9 days would be enough to complete this journey considering any unwanted stoppages on the highway due to melting of snow/landslides etc as there is a high possibility for that to happen in mid-June.
Regards,
Varun
Hi Varun,
Thanks alot, I m glad you like the information present on the blog. 9 days appear to be short considering the unstabilized condition of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, you have to take the risk of traversing Manali – Leh Highway only since you are short of time rather than going via Srinagar side and coming back via Manali side. If possible, for relaxing journey kindly increase the number of days in hand. For 9 days you can follow the below plan at best:
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley (stay at solang for little acclimatization)
Day 2 | Manali/solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa (Jispa is more scenic and close to nature)
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – 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 Lake
Day 8 | Leh – Sarchu
Day 9 | Sarchu – Manali
Day 10 | Manali – Delhi
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj for your reply.
Just wanted to know whether the Manali-Leh highway has opened or not.
As can be seen on yiur blog here, it shows the road marked as 'Open' but it's still shown in 'red'. Also, the official website of Leh shows the Manali-Leh highway still closed.
So, request you to please confirm on this.
Thanks,
Varun
Hi Varun,
Road is still opened as unofficially, few bikers have done it, taxis are doing it from both sides. Road conditions at many places are horrible, especially near the passes. If you are going by own car then SDM office will not issue you the permits until the road is opened officially. So, in private cars outside HP you can come from Leh side to Manali.
That is the reason it is OPEN but in RED
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj:)
So I hope by 23rd June(our planned date of journey)it should be opened officially as well.
Also wanted to know that if we hired a taxi from Delhi, then also would it be necessary to obtain permits from manali SDM?? As i guess these taxi drivers already have permits to travel all across India.
If not, then is there any way to get it done online or something like that so as to avoid long queues and waste time after reaching Manali?
Thanks,
Varun
Hi Varun,
Yes, by then it shall open up. In fact, 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.
You need to get permit for that taxi to travel on Manali – Rohtang Pass road. There will not be long queues but yes you have to be there on a day other than holiday. It will hardly take half an hour or so but you can get it in advance through any travel agent or hotel staff based in Manali.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj i am planning my trip to leh on 22nd june and i wanna go to leh from delhi via srinagar and then return through manali..we r six guyz in a jeep and 3 bikes..so i need ur suggestion where to stay and which route is best.
Dear Dheeraj,
After reading so many blogs,i feel there are many better ways in which my ladakh trip can be planned.Obviously i need ur help.
1.Will reach leh on 8th june evening.9th June will be dedicated to local sight seeing & fo obtaining ILP at DC office.
2.10th june will go to nubra valley side with night halt at diskit.On 11th june will return to leh.Night stay at leh on 11th june .
3.On 12th planning for pangong tso with night halt at pangong.
4.On 13th morning panning to leave for tso moriri via man-merek-chusul-tsaga la-nyoma-mahe-sumdo-korzok for which i guess i will have to get ILP at DC office,leh.I heard like this is very scenic route as wel as the one least used.but want to try this route.Also read about other route which goes via LUKUNG-TANGTSE-DURBUK-CHANG LA-SAKTI-KARU-UPSHI-KUMDO-KERE-CHUMATHANG-MAHE-SUMDO-KORZOK which is almost 340 kms.100 km MORE THAN EARLIER ONE.Is it possible to cover either of this distances in one day.Also one more option is there which is to come back to leh same day from pangong & next day go to tso moriri.We have less days in hand & want cover tso moriri and proceed to manali.
5.So 13th night at korzok.14th june morning planning to go directly to manali from tso moriri.This way can reach manali on 14th evening with one more day to spare.Or else can stay at sarchu for one night then next day morning leave for manali.but somehow have to reach manali before 5 p.m..So that we can catch bus to delhi which i found out departs at 6:30 p.m.16th june morning have got train to goa from delhi at 10 a.m.
6.Now everything as planned above depends on petrol/diesel.Since we will prefer tavera so diesel is wat matters to us.For pangon-tso moriri route nearest petrol pump is at karu & tandi(if want to exit tso moriri via tandi to manali)is it possible to carry required diesel?
7.Man i am trying to plan in best way possible considering that we will reach leh on 8th june evening and have to reach manali on 15 th june before 4:30.
8.Is it difficult to get ILP for places mentioned above at DC office in one day?I guess it is difficult.
Pls advice.
Hi DHiraj,
Thanks for your response earlier.
We are plannning to start the trip from 16 th June(Manali) and planning to return on 27th June(Manali-Leh-Ladakh-Manali).What do you think it will be good planning or we should increase decrease number of days(we do not wnat very rigirous travelling).
Dear dheeraj,
We have changed plan according to ur recommendation.Now we r starting from srinagar -leh highway & returning by manali-leh highway.Plan is like this:-
1.On 8th june morning leaving srinagar for leh with night halt at kargil.9th evening will reach leh.Tell at what time shall we reach leh in the evening so that we can search for hotels.u can recommend if there any budget hotels in range of 500 Rs.
2.10th.11th,12th & 13th dedicated to ladakh & its surroundings as per ur advice which u have given me earlier.
3.14th june morning leaving for manali with night halt at sarchu.
4.now is the most important part.We want to reach manali on 15th evening at such a time that we should be able to catch bus to delhi,Since our train to goa from delhi departs at 10:30 morning on 16th june.If u think its difficult for us to catch a bus,then we can take taxi from manali to kalka which is i believe 5 hrs drive.and from there train to delhi which leaves kalka at 12 oclock in night & reaches delhi at 6:30 in morning.Need ur guidance.
Prasad,goa
Will leave srinagar on 7th morning as we are cancelling srinagar tour.so will leave srinagar on 7th june morning & will reach leh on 8th june evening.
Hi Prasad,
1. For budget hotels within Leh Ladakh check my hotel/accommodation series starting from the article linked here
2. It is very dicey situation for you and either a Jam at Rohtang Pass or landslide can play spoil sport in catching the train back to Goa from Delhi. You do not need to go to Kalka from Manali in any case even if you opt for the taxi. If you miss the bus in the evening then, better ake direct taxi to Delhi.
My advice will be you skip the night stay at Sarchu, rather you try to reach Keylong on 14th evening by leaving Leh by 4 AM. This way there will be fare chance for you catching the evening bus from Manali to Delhi.
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 reply. I was traveling Ladakh for past two weeks
…
This is brilliant stuff…I am amazed at the indepth details this blog provides…Fabulous Work….Thanks for all your hard work,many alike me will have a much safer and pleasant trip on this Mecca!!! Amen!God Bless!
Hi Abhishek,
Thanks a lot for such warm words of appreciation. I am glad the article was useful for you to plan your trip. Let me know incase you need any further information regarding planning your trip to Leh – Ladakh.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hi dheeraj all your information has been really helpful for all of us..thanks a lot..we are 3 friends planning to visit on 3 different bikes..with enough food supply and cooking material(kerosene stove) which will last for 3 of us for 2 weeks..incase we got stuck somewhere..ha ha we all dint take an off since past 6 months to make this trip possible and a total raw experience..we dint want to cram it up in few days..i wanted to know when does the manali-Leh section open..i read it will open somewhere around 15th april..we 3 have previous riding experience(off road)..what is the earliest time we can push our bikes into spiti valley or some place ahead of rohtang pass..? could you suggest..we wont be visiting any hotel we are carrying a tent which can sleep all of us..
Hello Kshitij,
Thanks, glad to know that information was helpful for you. Yes, you read it correctly but as per the ground reality and inclement weather conditions for past few weeks, BRO could not make much progress on Manali – Leh Highway. As expected, the Manali – Leh Highway may not get open before last of May or first week of June. Please tune in to my article linked here, to keep getting the updates on clearance of Manali – Leh Highway. I will be putting all the updates I get from various sources on this thread for the status of Manali – Leh Highway.
Let me know any queries or doubts you have regarding planning your trip to Leh Ladakh
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hello dheeraj,
thanks for such a nice blog,we r 6 frnds planning 2 go in august,we will have time period of aug10(departure from delhi) to aug 16th(arrival to delhi),we will head from delhi,plzz telll which way we should take srinagar-leh-manali-delhi or manali-leh-manali-delhi,or some other option,which vehicle would be best bike or rent taxi,what will they cost,waht would be the total expenditure including taxi fare and all rents and every thing,please tell me the best way to explore this trip with all expenses also.i will really appriciate if i get some useful info from ur side.we have not booked anything uptil now and i find u the right man to get a good help from…..
Hello Rishi,
Do you have 6 days?? If yes, you cannot do it by road? Make a trip to Himachal in such a case. Leh – Ladakh is far off to be done in 6 days by road. You will need atleast 10 days for covering it by road considering only one single day as buffer in monsoons. If I am mistaken about number of days you have, kindly let me know and I will reply about other queries as well.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
dear dheeraj,
actually we really have just 7-8days of time in total,i think i will have we drop this plan in such case,:(..,do u have some other suggestion of a place where 5-6 friends(all bachelors) can hang out and have a good time.
Hi Rishi,
For 7-8 days, you can visit Kinnaur and Spiti Valley where you can go via Shimla side and return via Manali side. If this sounds good to you, let me know I will suggest a suitable plan.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Hope you are doing great
Can you tell me details reg Kinnaur and Spiti Valley via Shimla side and return via Manali side.
Regards
Kalyan
Hi Kalyan,
I am not sure how many days you have in hand, but I can suggest a below sample itinerary for you ex Delhi:
Day 1 | Delhi – Shimla/Narkanda
Day 2 | Shimla/Narkanda – Sangla (a bit long day but if you want to break it in two days then take a break at Sarahan)
Day 3 | Sangla – Chitkul – Sangla – Kalpa
Day 4 | Kalpa – Nako – Nako Lake – Geyu Mummy – Tabo
Day 5 | Tabo – Tabo Monastery – Dhankar – Pin Valley
Day 6 | Pin Valley (drive upto Mud village) – Lingti Valley – Kaza
Day 7 | Kaza (Explore Ki – Kibber – Gette – Tashigang + rest at Kaza)
Day 8 | Kaza – Losar (Explore Koumik – Langza – Hikkim and move to Losar)
Day 9 | Losar – Chandratal – Manali
Day 10 | Manali Rest Day
Day 11 | Manali – Delhi.
You can club Day 7 and Day 8, if you are short on time.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase of any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
PS -> I am traveling to Ladakh on Saturday for 10 days, so might not be able to reply instant.
hello dheeraj,
we hav already been 2 shimla last yr can u suggest some plan in which we dont have 2 visit shimla again,we will be thankful if u come ouT WITH SOME SUITABLE SUGGESTIONS
Hi Rishi,
I suggested a plan to Kalyan on your reply above, check that if that suits you. There is too much to see ahead of Shimla. You will be halting for a night only at Shimla, or perhaps you can skip it to Narkanda as well. If you do not liek it, the you can also do Lahaul and Spiti Valley, where you go via Manali and come back via Manali itself. 7-8 days will be sufficient for you. Let me know if you interested in the second plan.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase of any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
PS -> I am traveling to Ladakh on Saturday for 10 days, so might not be able to reply instant.
hello dheeraj,
can u suggest me a plan for,kinnaur and spiti valley with some details like places to visit ,day by day plan,and little idea of taxis and other conveyance and expenses also..(plan should not exceed 5 days).
Hi Rishi,
In 5 days, it is in fact difficult to even cover Kinnaur forget about Spiti. If you really like to do it in 5 days for Kinnaur then you may try:
Day 1 – Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 – Narkanda – Sangla
Day 3 – Sangla – Chitkul – Sangla – Kalpa
Day 4 – Kalpa – Sarahan/Shimla
Day 5 – Sarahan/Shimla – Delhi
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 reply. I was traveling Ladakh for past two weeks
…
dheeraj,
sorry its not kinnaur its lahaul and spiti valley
Hi Dheeraj we are 5 people going leh on July 1st week by air and planning to coming back via Leh Manali highway and then back to delhi. We want to hire car like Innova, Xylo, Tavera, Sumo etc.. Please tell me chances of availability of these car there and approx fare and the minimum temperature in Leh in July. And where to stay while coming back via Leh Manali highway.
Many Thanks
Naresh
Hi Naresh,
The rates for the taxi depends upon the itinerary you have. Ladakh sightseeing including Local leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri with overnight stays will cost you about 24-25K and then Leh to Manali taxi fare might be around 16-18K. You can check the Leh – Ladakh Taxi Union Rates Chart for last year (2011 – 12) from the link here.
While coming back from Leh to Manali, halt your journey at Sarchu.
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj thanks a lot for the details specially for the link you shared. Will sure let you know if required any other details.
Many Thanks
Naresh
Hi Kshitij,
I did had a word with a taxi guy at Manali and he told me that road upto Marhi has been cleared and if weather holds good for next few weeks, the whole road might open within 3-4 weeks that is early May. So, now it all depends upon the weather conditions in coming month. BRO might open Rohtang Pass for tourists by 20th April
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Deeraj,
I am planning to travel to Manali on June 25th 2012 . From there I am looking for a HPTDC Bus or Taxi to Leh Via Keylong with a night stay . I only want to reach until Barlacha la and come back to manali . Because I already visited LEH by Air last year .Let me know the detailed itenary from Manali to Barlacha la and then back to Manali
Hello Viplav,
I assume you have not been to Manali – Leh Highway in such a case. I will advice if possible for you do take the journey to Manali – Leh Highway completely because there is lot more beauty that lies beyond Baralacha la. In case you want to visit Baralacha La then I will suggest something like below:
Day 1 | Manali – Keylong/Jispa (Do not take HPTDC volvo as they will charge for whole Manali-Leh journey. Take a shared taxi from MAnali and either get a drop to Keylong but I will suggest stay at Jispa which is more close to nature and better in location being just aside Bhaga river)
Day 2 | Keylong/Jispa – Deepak Tal – Suraj Tal – Baralacha La – Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Manali
I hope this helps. Please let me know for any doubts or queries you have.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I will go for this 3 day journey to cover the places as per your itenary . Can you give me any good contacts , Drivers , Tour operators for this 3 day tours.
Hi Viplav,
For the current leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2012-13 and the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here
I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
hey buddy… ur stuff is just amazing super liked it… tanx for all the info. I am planning in july (touchwud) hopefully i will eb able to…
Hi Kartik,
Thanks alot bro for such warm words of appreciation. It acts like fuel sometimes on some hard days
… Let me know incase you have any sought of queries regarding planning your trip to Leh Ladakh
Cheers!!
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
This is best thread i found about the details of ladakh trip.got to appreciate ur passion for the knowing things in detail.thought u will b the right person to judge my plan as mentioned below.
We r a group of 7 friends planning manali-leh trip from june 5th.our plan is mentioned below..pls help us if it needs any changes.
1.will reach delhi on june 4th morning from goa.(reservations already done).4th evening will catch bus to manali.
2.june 5th morning will reach manali.planning to hit manali-leh highway at 11 am on hired taxi.(pls advise me the fare of hired taxi with halt at keylong)night halt at keylong.start again on june 6th morning at around 7 am from keylong.expect to reach leh at 8 pm.
3.I have read your plan of 4 days tour of leh and its surrounding places.so 7th,8th,9th & 10th will b dedicated to this.pls advise me about cost of this 4 day tour of leh & its surrondings as u have advised to somebody on this thread.
4.11th june morning planning to hit leh srinagar highway with halt at kargil.again pls advise about fare of hired vehicle(e.g. tavera).12th evening will reach srinagar..
5.13th & 14th planning to explore srinagar.
6.15th morning will leave for jammu.will catch train to delhi from jammu tavi on 15th evening.
7.16th morning will catch train to goa.(dis reservations also done).
Sorry bro,We r going against ur advise of visiting leh via srinagar-leh highway.tHIS IS TRIP OF LIFETIME 4 ME.there wont b any changes in traveling dates since that is the time everyone of us r getting leave.
Hello Prasad,
You needn't be sorry as it is a personal choice and we are here to advice what is right to do in case one plan to travel the whole circuit. In June roads are not very much stabilized so I will never recommend you staright away jump to Manali Leh Highway after getting down from overnight Manali – volvo. You will ascent a from sea level to 4000 Mtrs in a day, man that is deadly in case there is a huge traffic jam at Rohtang Pass. Last year one of the jams went more than 36 Hrs and you will be fighting for survival before the trip starts. Best thing will be stay overnight at Solang Valley and get acclimatized a bit after you reach Manali, if for whatever reason you are not traveling via Srinagar. Then in the night, say by 3 AM types leave for Keylong in a Taxi so that you do not find messed up jam at Rohtang or pass or less jam I shall say. Stay overnight at Keylong or Jispa (my preferred) and then head for Leh.
With on night halt -> Manali – Leh taxi will cost you about 16-18K in June, Srinagar – Leh will cost about 10-11K. Nubra Valley one night tour will cost about 7K (Diskit, Sumur, Panamik, Hunder) and for local sight seeing about 1.5k for whole day. Then day trip to Pangong Tso will cost about 5.5 to 6K. Better leave sightseeing in Srinagar and spend those two days as well in Ladakh, visit Tso Moriri or night stay at Pangong Tso.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks for info.This is gonna help me a lot.Let me read more about this and might come back here with more queries.
My pleasure Prasad, Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks for the helpful blog …. and it seems you might got stuck in your journey as at the same time the cloud burst incident happened in Leh if i am not wrong….i just checked the dates in the sample filled permit form
Hi Rocky,
O yes, we did get caught in the Leh – Ladakh flash floods. It was scary, very scary I shall say and so many prayers brought us alive back to share such helpful content with others too.
I am glad that you liked the information present on the blog. Please let me know incase you need any inputs for your Leh – Ladakh trip.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Having been to Ladakh once in 2010 (missed out on the Leh-Manali trek due to horrendous weather) and again going back there with friends in June '12 I can safely say your blog is the best resource in the web about a Kashmir-Ladakh trip, and boy I have went through a lot of resources. Lonely Planet/Discovery Channel/National Geographic should give you a job.
Keep up the good work.
Hello Mr. Banerjee,
Thanks alot for such kind words of appreciation. I wish your blessing come true one day so that I fully live what I love most
… As of now I am just trying my best to provide whatever little information I have about the place I love most, Ladakh the heaven on earth 
… I am heading there this April too. Let me know incase you need any information related to Leh – Ladakh planning. I will be more than happy to provide all sought of inputs I know about.
Thanks Again!!
Regards
Dheeraj
means is manali-leh road open at may2012 end fully.?????
hey im planning to go to ladakh in june 2012…. is manali-leh road open at that time???
if not then at what month is it open…..???? plzzzz reply..pllzzzzz
Hello Omkar,
Yes, usually the Manali-Leh Highway gets open by June first or second week. To be on safer side you should plan any joruney on Manali-Leh Highway only after second week of June because by then initial loose glacier have already slid down the slopes. But, since it is early season do not expect great road conditions which hardly improves before September till the monsoon resides
…
I hope this helps. Feel free to discuss more doubts or queries or if required we can discuss the entire plan for your Ladakh trip.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
What would be the condition of manali leh road at may 2012 end?
Hello Omkar,
May end will not be feasible to drive on Manali – Leh Highway and if by chance the road gets open then you will be having some great views but pathetic road conditions. It is not advisable to travel or make any plans before atleast second week of June. In second week of June as well you should always be ready to make last minute changes. Road conditions stabilizes only after second week of June.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
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
We plan to stay in Leh city for 4 days excluding the time consumed in travelling .
But I do have several queries..
Would be glad if any of my friends out here in devilonwheels helps me out:-
1.Read somewhere 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, rather will cover it in 2-3 days with an overnight stay at keylong so as to avoid 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 both reach leh, It wont be possible or wont make sense to hire the whole taxi. 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?
3. Planning to stay at some cheap budget hotels in changspa or fort road? will it be the correct decision?
Devils on wheels,Please help!!
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
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you very much for the valuable information you are provided in the blog. We are 4 members planing a trip to Leh from Sep 17 to Sep 25, We are planning to travel from manali to leh by some taxi. Can you please provide some advice on travelling in this. Do you think its ok to travel at this time
Thank You
Gins.
Hi gins,
Well mid september will be good choice as the rains will be subsided from the region by then and roads will be much better by then. Just make sure you have one or two buffer days in hand I.case the pass close due to snowfall. Rest carry woolens for the nights which might be 8older. I hope this helps. Also read http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/5-reasons-to-a…
if you plan to come from the same route. Regards,
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you for you advice , really appreciate you fast response. as per you advice we changed our plan and decided to go by 2nd of Sep and return back by 9th. Do you have any idea how to rent a bike from manali. How much will be the rent and advance and if you have any contacts can you please share
Thanks
Gins.
Hi Gins,
I am sorry Gins but Since I am not a biker so I have not hired any bike from Manali but here are few contacts I have with me where you can try your luck to hire a bike in Manali –
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have more doubts or queries. Driver safe and with care and caution. Have a great journey or ride
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you for the replay . As this is the first time we are travelling to Leh, and have red in some forums that the bike conditions might poor , so we are planning to hire a taxi from manali. We will reach manali by 3rd Morning , after getting fresh we are planning to start our journey . We are planning to stay in Jispa and we will be reaching Leh in 4th night. Next four day we will be in Leh and we have booked our flight back to delhi on 9th morning . We are not sure what are the important places that we must see in Leh in four day . Can please tell us what are the important places that we should be seeing , And do we need to book an accommodation in Jispa to stay? can you share some numbers if you have some .
Thanks
Gins.
Hey Gins,
That's perfect thing to do that you have opted to hire a taxi. Now, for four days in Leh I will advise something like below
Day 1 – Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
– Local sightseeing include Nagyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Palace, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa
– For inner line permits and to download application form read the link here
Day 2 – Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight in Hunder/Diskit (Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder)
– 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 again has monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
Day 4 – Leh – Pangong Tso – Hemis – Leh
– Make day trip to Pangong Tso and on the return check out Hemis Gompa as well.
Now, for booking at Jispa or at any place on Manali – Leh Highway, check the link here which has all the available contact numbers of stay at Manali – Leh Highway including all options at Jispa as well.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have any queries or doubts. Wishing you a safe and joyful journey
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
sir,
i am along with my daughters and my husband planning to travel to delhi,manali,leh,srinagar.we are leaving from pune,maharashtra on 22nd aug.and reaching delhi on 23rd.and we have booked air tikets from srinagar to pune for 7th sep. sir can you please help me to plan my tour & guid me regarding means of transportation.my husband had gone through angioplasty 2 years back ,is it risky for him to travel.
regards,
mrs.kedari.
Hello Mrs. Kedari,
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.
You can add the rest days in between as and when you like.
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
Hi Dheeraj ,
Your blog is really nice and helpful for travellers like us
. I have a quick question for you – my family (including womens) is planning to have a trip to Leh Ladakh during first week of September , I would like to know how safe it is to travel during this time of the year with complete family . I would like to know ,if we plan to travel through Srinagar – Leh do we find enough accommodation facilities during our route journey ? How the weather will respond ? Your response will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Hello Shishir,
Thanks for such warm words of appreciation I am glad. Well, to be very frank no one can predict the safe date thing seeing the different trend of weather. Generally, September is the best time to go when rains have subsided the region. This year again it seems a delayed monsoon which may last till first week of September so road conditions may not be best. But, I see you are going via Srinagar – Leh route first which is best thing to do in terms and acclimatization as well as its stability factor. Yes, you can easily find accommodation in Srinagar Leh route almost about 70-80 odd KMs. Ideal overnight halts will be Kargil, Lamayuru before Leh.I hope this helps.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Mr Dheeraj,
I think the informations provided by you are the best on web. I have just a little personal query..
I have been travelling distant places in India in a group. For the first time I am travelling alone on the Manali – Leh highway on bike. Is this advisable to travel alone? And if so, what are the extra precautions a solo traveller should take?
hello Ravi,
First and foremost thanks for linking the information present on my blog. A lot of people travel as Solo on Manali – Leh highway every year. May be you can surely tag along some riders who will be doing Manali – Leh on the day you are venturing it to stay around each other.
Firstly, I would like to suggest if you want to travel alone on Manali – Leh Highway it is better that you start from Srinagar side and comeback via Manali side. This will help you keep acclimatized to help you travel Manali – Leh Highway with least amount of altitude sickness. If you will travel via Manali – Leh Highway the chances of getting altitude sickness are much more and being a SOLO traveler you will not want to ride feeling nausea, headaches etc. Secondly, this will also help you halt your journey at Sarchu which is at an even distance between Manali and Leh hence you will travel less which in the other direction would be like Keylong/Jispa to Leh ride about 14-15 Hrs to avoid just AMS because while going from Manali side it is not recommended to stay overnight at Sarchu.
You may need help of people around for crossing water crossings/nallas especially the one around Zingzing Bar. Secondly, the Rohtang Pass is in complete mess and a lot of slush is present over there. again to cross that stretch you may need help from people around to push your through but if you will be coming from Leh side then descend will help you alot in that terms at Rohtang Pass. You should carry enough food especially dry fruits, enough spares for the bike and learn some basic maintenance of your bike and try to tag along the fellow riders on the Manali – Leh Highway as you cover it. This way although you will be riding solo but also with the company of people.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have doubts/queries.
Regards
Dheeraj sharma
Thank you Mr Dheeraj,
Your message was helpful and informative. Can you suggest me what are the basic things I need to carry and where to buy those (in Delhi) at a reasonable price.Im in Nashik and reaching delhi on 06 Sep.
Thanks
Ravi
Hello Ravi,
Not sure about what you mean by basic thing but I generally carry things listed at the link below
List of things to carry when you go on trip
You can opt to carry things from the list and I guess mostly you can buy from Nashik only. No need to buy anything from Delhi I guess. Even the spares of the bikes can be purchased from Nashik itself. This will reduce any last minute fuss here in Delhi.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Dheeraj,
Do u know where we can get self driven cars for rent in Manali ? We are really having a tough time since most of them are taxis and they dont let us drive the car ourselves.
Thanks,
Neeraj
Hi Neeraj,
Nopes, I guess AFAIK you cannot rent a self hire car in Manali. Try Chandigarh or Delhi for the same at Hertz Motors i.e. Carzonrent India.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks. Hertz/Carzonrent dont want to rent to Leh. Do u know of any Manali travel folks who will let us drive the car even if the driver comes along with us
Regards,
Neeraj
Hi Neeraj,
I am sorry buddy. I do not know anyone in Manali who can rent the car for self-drive basis. I guess the best bet will be to convince any of the driver at Manali taxi stand for such a deal. May be he can let you guys drive to ease his efforts as well as to make some extra money.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks a lot. The guy at Asia Guest House said office would open for 1-2 hours on 15th and so I should get it done then only..
Hi Jatin,
Well that guys at Asia Guest House works in Leh DC Office only. May be he gave you the first hand info. But, I will still suggest you better get it in advance. May be you can talk to Shanti Guest House for the same or you can search some travel agent over net and have a word with them.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
1. Sorry to bother you again, but could you give me some contact in Leh who could arrange our permits in advance. We are reaching on 14th (a Sunday) and the next day would be a national holiday. So we wanted to get it done beforehand so that we could start early on 16th morning.
2. We are planning to also take permits for places on the Pangong Tso-Chushul-Tso Moriri route, just in case it is possible to take that route. Any idea which which places should be mentioned on the permit for that?
3. Also, you mentioned that you had some contacts of Ladakhi drivers, I would really appreciate if you could send that across.
Thanks
Jatin
Hello Jatin,
Please find answers to the queries below –
1. You can contact Shanit Guest House or Asia Guest House owner. They can arrange permits for you by charging about Rs 150-25 per person + the fees of the permits. For Shanti Guest House check: +91-9419178760, +91-9419888833, +91-9906982118 and for Asia Guest House check Mr. Sonam +91-9622958260 or +91-1982-253403
2. In that case you need to mention Spangmik – Man – Merak – Khaltse – Chusul – Tsaga La – Loma – Nyoma – Mahe – Sumdo – Tso Moriri if you plan to visit Tso Moriri from Pangong Tso via Chusul route. If you plan to cover Hanle then mention Hanle as well.
3. Contact Naseer at – 09906229203 and 09469293183. He will give you required discount too, yo can refer my name in case he doesn't offer any discount. If he is booked then ask him if he can book Tsewang his friend or any of his friend for the same. You can even check with Dorjey 09419372742 in case Naseer do not provide anything.
I hope this helps.Let me know incase you have more queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj.
That is what I thought about rainfall beyond and in the high mountains and plains. Then again I also read about the cloudburt in Leh last year, so was wondering.
Will stay in touch, just in case.
Cheers
Rajesh
Okie dokie dost.
Guess now its all a matter of luck as well. I will see what will work best and see how to handle stuff when I am hitting the road.
Its another 6 days and believe me I started couting the hours
After reading all the blogs and I ready to risk a few things to enjoy the weather and the drive as much as I can,
Moreover, can you also let us know if we can expect the same bad weather all along until Leh or the weather gets better on the upper roads?
Cheers
Rajesh
Hi Rajesh,
If at all, you can expect heavy rains upto Rohtang Pass only and once you cross Lahaul Valley may be beyond Darcha, you will find very least rainfall as the region beyond Lahaul Valley including Leh – Ladakh falls under rain shadow region. So, it rains very rarely in that rain shadow region. Having said that, of course, its weather and can be uncertain at times.
I wish you all the best for the journey buddy, have a rocking time. I am sure you will do wonders and magical colors of Leh – Ladakh are waiting for you
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Definitely helpful information for now. I also have been reading quite a bit to see how the weather is treating on the Manali – Leh highway. Incidentally we are reaching Manali on Jul 16 (Tuesday) and leaving for Leh on Jul 17 (which happens to be Wednesday). Going by what you said, things may be better to traverse the road on Wednesday.
Any latest news you have heard about that highway recently?
Cheers
Rajesh
Hey Rajesh,
That's great luck for you. Better leave by 4 AM in the morning to enjoy the drive before others spill the slush all over the roads again. As per the latest news, there has been a cloudburst near Mandi which disrupted the traffic on Delhi – Manali Highway for more than 8 hours. But, now its under control and highway is functional.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
'Am back!
Hey I was reading your respose and advise on going the Srinagar-Leh highway onwards to Leh
As much as I resent it, you do not believe this can be fixed by mid-August.
I am actually traveling right around that corner over Manali – Rohtang. God I have been planning this for 4 months now already.
Do you believe I can put a try going over the Manali route? By now you may have realized I am all about going this route than any other one.
As usual … advise please
Thanks
Rajesh
Hello Rajesh,
Well, as per the latest reports the situation has improved but actually it changes on daily basis as I believe. If it rains for one or two days, the places becomes hell at Rani Nalla. If it remains dry for few days with sun shining and then you are crossing the Rani Nalla on Manali – Leh Highway, its far better and easy to do so. Some of the latest reports I believe are positive because of the sun shining in the last week. Since, last few days weather is again bad here in Delhi as well and I can expect that Rohtang Pass would also be battering from rains. So, now it the reports will come they will certainly not going to be positive that much.
Also, while descending from Manali – Leh Highway you give your self better chance to cross it without or with least damage or getting stuck. Moreover, you enjoy the whole highway a lot more by ruling out the altitude sickness as well. Do check Rohan’s reply on this post what he and his friends went at the below link – http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/ladakh-journey…
It is pretty common on Manali – Leh. I am sorry if I am demotivating you but showing the correct picture is my duty and perhaps final call is always the fellow traveler’s one
.. Best you can do is to call some local up there two three days before you will hit Manali Delhi and ask about the weather conditions. If he says its sunshine from the past few days and then in the coming days it do not rain then just go via Manali – Leh Highway else if it rains avoid it and come back via Manali – Leh route.
One more tip would be that, if you somehow reach Manali on tuesday and then start very early morning on Wednesday then again you give better chance to cross it clean because Rohtang Pass is closed on Tuesday for maintenance work and most of the slush gets cleared on Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday early morning by 4 AM types, the road will be in best condition in the respective week.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Dear Mr.Deeraj,
Greetings for New Year 2012! I have querry, I am very tempted to go Leh from Delhi via Manali this summer on my scooter Honda(Eterno).Can you pl guide how much fuel I need to take along with me.Any guidance you wud like to give. Awaiting for ur response. Thanks & regards,Vivek
Hi Vivek,
A very happy new year to you and your family as well. Can you please tell me how many days you have in hand, which month are you planning and any specific places you have in mind to visit in Leh – Ladakh. It will help me better suggest a plan for you including your fuel query
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for such a detailed and early reply.
Is the condition around ROhtang expected to improve. What I mean is, can it improve in 12-13 days from now. Or should we make up our mind to do srinagar-leh while going.
Convincing parents adn in-laws for this trip has been tough; can't imagine their resistance when i tell them that we would be doing srinagar around 15th August. But as you have pointed out, it will be 17-18 August by the time we cross Srinagar, we can expect it to be relaxed and safer.
Thanks again for the blog. It is really an incredible job to update such a blog and then answer individual queries with such zeal.
Cheers,
Ninad
Hello Ninad,
Yups, I can imagine the convincing part as I went through all this last year after marriage and to worsen the cause ultimately got stuck in Leh Cloudbursts and Flashflood at this very time last year
… I feel you should make your mind going through Srinagar – Leh Highway only and seriously it will be blessing for you. You can then plan to return back from Manali – Leh Highway after about 6-7 days. And as I said descending will be easier comparatively and of course you will better enjoy every landscape of Manali – Leh Highway free from any altitude sickness 
. Yes, you might reach Srinagar on 17-18 as I see you starting from Mumbai. When you reach Delhi try attempting something like Delhi – Patnitop and then Patnitop – Sonamarg. This way you will avoid the stay at Srinagar but if you want Shikara rides then no option other than doing Delhi – Jammu and Jammu – Srinagar.
And, yes many thanks for such warm words of appreciation, buddy. Let me know incase you need any inputs regarding your Ladakh trip.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
First of all, thanks are due for putting up so much of info.
Two firends, my wife and i are travelling Mumbai-Delhi-Manali-Leh-Srinagar-Delhi-Mumbai from 14 to 28 August 2011.
Need your help with following:
1. We will be travelling in my car which is Skoda Fabia 1.6 litre. Problem with Fabis is that it has a GC of 158 mm. WIll it be sufficient?
2. I have heard Rohtang is in terribe shape right now. How terrible is it? Shall we replan our plan to go via Srinagar to Leh and then decide to come back via Rohtang/ Manali, depending on the conditions?
3. I am not too keen on doing J&K around 15 August? Are my apprehensions well placed?
Eagerly waiting for your reply.
Hi Ninad,
You are most welcome anytime. Please find my answers in the respective order of your queries —
1. Although not sufficient and you will face problems on Manali – Leh Highway for sure, especially on Manali – Rohtang Pass stretch. Rest, apart from few water crossings and bad roads it will be manageable.
2. Yes, the Rohtang Pass is in big mess and in VERY VERY terrible shape. Expect about 2-2.5 feets of slush on about 300 Mtrs of a stretch around Rani Nalla. Its the 17 KMs stretch between Marhi – Rohtang Pass that is a big trouble. In any case, I will recommend going via Srinagar side because it will help you acclimatize as well where as on manali – Leh highway you are bound to get stuck atleast some symptoms of AMS, if not AMS. So, prefer going via Srinagar – Leh Highway and depending on the road conditions status then can come back from Manali – Leh Highway. Also, descend is much easier than ascend in the Slush part. If that particular day when you do Keylong – Manali the conditions are much worse then be prepared to get some damage to your Fabia including front bumpers , under belly scratches etc. Do carry towing rope with you.
3. I guess by the time you reach Srinagar it will be 17-18 August, but nothing can be predicted normal even in that case. You can even plan to stay at Sonamarg if you are ready to drive a bit more on one day just to avoid Srinagar. BTW, around 15th Aug, I will also not be the one who will like to be around Srinagar because that is usually the time when there are more bandhs, strikes and security will be as if like a fortress.
I hope this helps. Feel free discuss more queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Nishi,
Its my pleasure mate. Please find answers to your queries below –
1. The above cost approximately will come out to be a = 2000, b + c = 7000 – 7500, d = 5700, e + f = 20000-21000. It will cost about 35K – 36K. You can bargain a bit on them too.
2. Cost for guest house or budget hotel will be around Rs 700 – 900 per day. Try Oriental Guest house or Shanti Guest House (Review present in Hotel Reviews section of my blog)
3. Contact Shanti Guest House (Mr. Tsering is the name I guess), he will be able to arrange the permits for you guys and will charge about Rs200-250 per person. You need to fax or email them the photo Id cards for all guys in the group. Contact details in the below link: Hotel Review of Shanti Guest House, Leh
4. Well not much but do carry woolens with you. One heavy jacket is a must as if weather is not good then it will be chilly and nights at Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri will surely be. You will enjoy the weather in mid-August.
5. I will mail you my contact number buddy.
Let me know incase you have doubts or queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot…. I have again bunch of questions as given below
1) How much does it cost for the taxi for following full route approximately as we are four members or for full package?
a) Leh Sightseeing
b) Leh – Khardung La – Diskit (Nubra Valley) – Hunder/Diskit
c) Hunder/Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
d) Leh – Karu- Pangong Tso – Karu – Leh
e) Leh – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
f) Keylong – Manali
2) How much does cost for guest house or low budget hotels in Leh approximately?
3) As we will reach 15th Aug in LEh(Public holiday), but we wanted to finish Inner line permission in advance. Do you have any contact or friends they can do in advance or any other way to do?
4) At mid august how much cold or what type of weather will be in LEh?
5) Could you please provide your number in my mail id so we can contact directly?
Thanks in advance…
Nishi
Hello Nishi,
Its my pleasure mate. Please find answers to your queries below –
1. The above cost approximately will come out to be a = 2000, b + c = 7000 – 7500, d = 5700, e + f = 20000-21000. It will cost about 35K – 36K. You can bargain a bit on them too.
2. Cost for guest house or budget hotel will be around Rs 700 – 900 per day. Try Oriental Guest house or Shanti Guest House (Review present in Hotel Reviews section of my blog)
3. Contact Shanti Guest House (Mr. Tsering is the name I guess), he will be able to arrange the permits for you guys and will charge about Rs200-250 per person. You need to fax or email them the photo Id cards for all guys in the group. Contact details in the below link: Hotel Review of Shanti Guest House, Leh
4. Well not much but do carry woolens with you. One heavy jacket is a must as if weather is not good then it will be chilly and nights at Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri will surely be. You will enjoy the weather in mid-August.
5. I will mail you my contact number buddy.
Let me know incase you have doubts or queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Thank you for your time & detailed response. I really appreciate your patience n answering to this blog
I shall discuss with my friend & would come back to you for any further assistance.
Regards,
Srikanth
Hello Srikanth,
Thanks a lot buddy for such warm words, I am glad that you like it and I am just doing what I can to help my fellow travelers see the heaven called Ladakh in its best form and without any hassle
… Feel free to contact me anytime for any queries or doubts you have.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot….:). your Blog and helping nature really appreciating and helping us to expand traveling. Really you expanded your knowledge in LEh-Ladakh traveling is amazing.
Without your knowledge really I could not plane properly.
I have one more day to roam under LEh … So I have some questions.
1) which path is best to go Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri?
2) If we don't want to go back to Leh, then which path is best and which one is the best place to stay between Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri?
3) In Upashi, any hotel, guest houses or for night stay are available to stay there?
4) Returning From Tso Moriri, which one is the best place to stay?
Hello Nishi,
Thanks a lot buddy for such warm words, I am glad that you like it and I am just doing what I can to help my fellow travelers see the heaven called Ladakh in its best form and without any hassle
… Please find answers to your queries in the respective order.
1. The best way to go to Pangong Tso – Tso Moriri is via Chumathang. You need to go back to Karu and from there take the usual route to Tso Moriri. This is best in terms of road conditions and may save you couple of hours as compared to the other routes which is Man – Merak – Chusul – Tso Moriri. The Chusul route will also require you to get permits for all the villages enroute and is a bit tough route with bad road conditions. Leh – Tso Moriri = 220 kms / 8 – 9 hrs, Pangong Tso – Karu = 130 kms / 4 – 5 hrs, Karu – Upshi = 15-20 KMs, and Karu – Tso Moriri = 170 kms / 6 – 7 hrs. (Pangong – Tso Moriri via Chumathang = 12 – 13 hrs)
2 and 3. Well there is nothing much to stay in between Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri and you at max have some basic home stays in Upshi. If you are planning to stay at Upshi then better return to Leh and enjoy the night/evening there only because Upshi will have only basic accommodation options available and its only about 1.5 away from Leh. So, it will hardly make any difference.
4. From Tso Moriri you need not return to Leh rather you can go ahead and reach Sarchu on Manali – Leh Highway by the evening via Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu route and then next day you can do Sarchu – Manali to complete the trip.
Please make sure that you need to carry fuel for about 550+ KMs to do Tso Moriri – Sarchu – Manali route as there will not be any fuel pump on that route upto Tandi (107 KMs before Manali). Last petrol pump you will get is at Upshi so either you need to come back to Upshi for tank full or carry extra spare fuel so that along with tank full you can do 550+ KMs.
I hope this helps. Let me know for more queries and doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
hello Jatin,
Please give me a day or two I will try to provide you the contacts of Ladakhi drivers as I am just a bit stuck with some work outside home.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a Ton! for all the information you have posted. It really helped us to plan (may not be in full) at least, about 70% on track.
Myself (Srikanth) & my friend Anil, we both are from Bangalore are planning to make a Bike Trip from Manali to Leh & then back to Manali. This is our first trip to the North & are pretty excited
our itenary starts from 27th August to 4th September.
Arrive at Manali on 27th August by about 8AM.
Look for bike rentals at Manali. Need you help in this regard to suggest us contact for good & reliable bikes. Our intrests are with latest bikes (Either Pulsar,Apache,Karizma, etc).. Please help us with a good contact. There are tons of info on WWW, but still need a reliable one.
28th August – Start to Leh. Most would recommend 3 days. As of now we will keep 3 days, it all depends probably on us.
30th August – Arrive at LEh. Spend time in Leh.
31st August – Khardung La- Diksit. Stay at Hunder as suggested by you
1st September – Drive back to Leh.
2nd September – Start to Pangong Lake
3rd September – Start our Journey to Tso Moriri & Tsokar lakes
4th September – Reach Manali.
Are bikes allowed from Pangong to Tso Moriri route? Is it possible to cover Pangong lake to Manali by seeing Tso Moriri lakes in 2 days? Else we plan to go till Khardung LA & return back to Leh & start to Pangong on 1st September instead of 2nd September.
Please let us know your feedbacks and also please feel free to suggest changes for itenary.
Hello Srikanth,
I am glad that you like the information here. I am sorry but I do not have much reliable contacts to hire bikes in Manali. However, I will suggest not to hire it from Manali as the road conditions are too bad upto Rohtang Pass and the hired bikes are not in a position to make it through them. You will definitely have burned clutch plates by the time you cross Rohtang Pass and rest of the plan will be a mess. If you can ship your bikes that will be the best option otherwise do Manali – Leh highway in taxi from in HPTDC bus and once you reach Leh hire bikes to travel in Leh, where roads are pretty good in conditions and even bikes will be better than what you find in Manali. (I guess and that too comparatively only). There are few bike rentals in Leh around Main market and Changspa road as well who can provide you bikes and some of them have the option of dropping their bikes in Manali. So, after seeing the conditions while going to Leh you will be in better position to judge if you can ride that terrain. If the answer is yes, then hire bikes from such travel agents who will let you drop the bike in Manali so that you can cover the return leg of the trip on bike. This will give you the taste of everything but I would again say do not attempt them while going to Leh as ascend will be much much more difficult then descend and you may jeopardize the whole tour plan if the bikes break down at the start of the trip.
Now, coming back to the plan I guess I have suggested Diskit as preferred place of stay not Hunder. Hunder is good but there are not many accommodations available, Diskit has plenty of them as compared to Hunder. But, you can stay at any of the place. If you plan to go via taxi (which will be costly affair so I suggest book tickets in HPTDC) or HPTDC you will then get two days to cover Manali – Leh Highway. I will suggest that you cover it in two days as in three days some people suffer with AMS on third night at Sarchu or Pang, so do it in two day while going towards Leh with one night halt at either Keylong or Jispa. HPTDC bus stops at Keylong, so not much option in that case. They charge about 2K person including night stay in Chandrabhaga Hotel and two meals, I guess.
Secondly, you should do Nubra Valley in two days and then one of the lakes may be. Nubra Valley is a must place to visit. You can do something like below
28th Aug | Manali – Keylong
29th Aug | Keylong – Leh
30th Aug | Leh Local Sightseeing + Hire Bikes + Inner Line Permits for Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri
31st Aug | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder – Diskit (Nubra Valley)
1st Sep | Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
2nd Sep | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh (As day trip)
3rd Sep | Leh – Sarchu
4th Sep | Sarchu – Manali
OR
2nd Sep | Leh – Tso Moriri (You need to carry petrol for about 550+ KMs as there will be no petrol pump until Tandi)
3rd Sep | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu
4th Sep | Sarchu – Manali
If you plan to come in HPTDC Bus only then, last two days will be again Leh – Keylong and Keylong – Manali. Of course, in second option you need to carry spare petrol/fuel for about 550+ KMs including the full tank as there is no petrol pump on the route.For all the insights on the whole itinerary and inner line permits, you can check the below links –
All about Inner Line Permits for Leh – Ladakh including the download link of application form – http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/inner-line-per…
Day wise details about the places in Itinerary 1- http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/leh-ladakh-sam…
Day wise details about the places in Itinerary 2- http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/leh-ladakh-sam…
I hope this helps. Let me know in case you need more details or have some doubts or queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj, that would be great.
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks for that update. Actually our return is by flight. 14k is still a lot. Any contacts of Ladakhi drivers who can take us for cheap, since its their return leg?
Jatin
Hi Jatin,
Though I have the contact of Ladakhi driver but I am not sure if they would be coming to Manali, I will mail you their number and may be you can contact them. Also, you can get tickets for 2K in HPTDC semi deluxe bus that run from Manali which includes the charges for one night stay at Hotel Chandrabhaga, HPTDC at Keylong and two meals.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
This was very useful information. We are a group of 5, planning to do Manali-leh by taxi on 13th Aug. I believe Rohtang Pass is crossable even though it may take more time than anticipated. You mention that taxis can be bargained to 10-12k for a drop. I called up the taxi-stand at Manali and they started with 18k ! Has the price risen or will I find a suitable bargain on arrival? I didn't want to cost to go beyond 2k per person.
Apart from this, I have another query. I heard that there is a direct road from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri so we don't have to come back to Leh. Is it doable? in terms of road-quality and permissions.
Thanks
Jatin
Hello Jatin,
Thanks Jatin, I am glad you like the information here. Well, firstly yes the Rohtang Pass is in real mess and will take too much time than usual to cross it. Now, the taxis prices have gone up but you will be able to fix the deal easily around 14K. I will talk to the driver I know in Manali and confirm you the latest rates. You can tie up with him on the return as well where you need to pay him just 4-5 K for the whole taxi as they are not allowed to take passengers back from Leh. But, if some one can fix the deal on phone and fix the pick up spot other than taxi stand then that can be managed to save good amount of money.
There is a route from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri which goes via Pangong Tso – Man – Merak- Khaltse – Chusul – Tsaga La – Loma – Nyoma – Mahe – Karzok/Tso Moriri but the route is tough on road conditions and takes more time (13-15 Hrs) as the roads are bad. Also, you need to mention all these places on you Inner Line Permits form else you will be sent back.
Alternatively if you go back to Karu – Upshi from Pangong Tso and then go to To Moriri via Chumthang then it may take less time (about 12 Hrs) as the road conditions are good and you will not need any permits. But, if you have time I will suggest that you go back to Leh to rest and start afresh the next day.,
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Kalyan,
Thanks for such warm words of appreciation. It is my pleasure. Well the traffic jam or heavy traffic jam is between Manali and Rohtang Pass only. Rest of the highway is good to go without much traffic at all. There are constant landslides and slush on about 300 Mtrs of stretch near Rani Nalla where only about one vehicle cross at a time. Breaking of queues by the locales and blocking the traffic coming from other side is another reason of this havoc.
You can get trekking kits from Manali but I am not sure about the hydration packs though. You need to talk to some travel agent or carry from Delhi or your home town. But, yes you can surely get the camping tents.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have some doubts or queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Hope you are doing great
Thanks for the info you are giving to travellers. As said earlier we are starting from hyd on 4th . Planned to visit manali -leh, jalori pass, valley of flowers and some trekking . Heard in papers that there is heavy traffic jams on manli to leh highway. Is it true? Can we get trekking kits( Camping Tent for 6 people, Hydration Pack etc)
Thanks and Regards
Kalyan
Thank you Dheeraj, I got your point.
We will be having 3-4 days to roam in Leh-Ladakh except journey, then which place is most beautiful and which place we can find snow?
Thanks ….:)
Hello Nishi,
I will suggest is that, you take help of some hotel or travel agent in Leh to get the inner line permits in advance fr you guys. He may charge 150-200 Rs per person extra but it will save a day for you. Once you reach Leh I suppose you have 4 days before you start the return. You can plan something like below in these 4 days.
Day 1 | Leh Sightseeing which can be either of Sham Valley or Leh Local or Monastery Tour
– Leh Local includes Leh Palace, Hall of Fame, Shankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, Leh Main Bazaar, Spituk Gompa
– Sham Valley includes Confluence at Nimmu, Alchi and Likir Monasteries, Magnetic Hills, Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Basgo Palace
– Monastery tour includes Hemis monastery, Thicksey monastery and Shey Palace
Day 2 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit (Nubra Valley) – Hunder/Diskit
– Visit Diskit monasteries in the afternoon and go 7 KM ahead to Hunder which is famous for double hump camels and sand dunes.
– Do not forget to click pictures on world's highest motorable road, Khardung La
– Overnigth stay at either Diskit or Hunder
Day 3 | Hunder/Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
– Sumur has a monastery and Panamik is known for its hot water springs
Day 4 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh as a day trip and start your journey back from Leh next day towards Manali
or
Day 4 | Leh – Tso Moriri stay overnight at the lake and start your journey back from Tso Moriri next day towards Manali following Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali
I do not think you will be able to find snow to play at this time of the year at any tourist place. Only, Khardung La or Chang La may have little remains here and there. Chang La comes on the way to Pangong Tso Lake and Khardung La comes on the way to Nubra Valley.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hello Nishi,
Leh – Ladakh Inner Line Permits are different from permits that HP Govt. issues to ply on Rohtang Pass road for non-HP vehicles. HP GOVT. issues permits (not inner line permits) for VEHICLES that are not HP registered to ply or move on Manali – Rohtang Pass road. On the other hand, Inner Line Permits for Leh Ladakh are issued for INDIVIDUALS not VEHICLES, so that they (individuals) are allowed to travel in the restricted areas of Leh – Ladakh region. Most of the tourist places in Leh – Ladakh except local Leh require you to get Inner Line Permits from DC office in Leh to travel there. You can find complete information about Inner Line Permits for Leh – Ladakh, how to get them, how to make the process faster, download the inner line permit form etc at the below link, please go through it once: http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/inner-line-per…
Leh – Ladakh taxi union does not all taxis from outside Leh – Ladakh region to travel in Leh – Ladakh. Hence, even if you get the inner line permits which just permit that you can travel in restricted areas of Leh – Ladakh not your taxi, you are not allowed to travel in Leh – Ladakh in a taxi registered in Delhi. Hence, ultimately you need to make the taxi from Delhi wait and pay for it as well and hire another taxi for sightseeing in Leh – Ladakh.
Of course, there is an option that you take a taxi that has white number plate not yellow one but you need to be vigilant and wise enough to tackle the situation when policemen or local taxi drivers inquire about the belonging. If interrogated, all of you need to make them sure that the guy driving is your friend and owns the vehicle. The driver himself must be able to satisfy them for queries regarding the ownership of the vehicle. You can be inquired separately so all of you must stick to one story, if that is the case.
I hope this helps in clearing the doubts. Let me know if you are still in doubt or have more queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj for you quick response.
But can we again get inner line permision for Leh-Ladakh with delhi passing taxi?
Is it like only HP passing taxi will allow to roaming under LEh-Ladakh?
If we wanted to raom with delhi passing taxi under Le-Ladakh then what we need to do?
THanks in Advance……:)
Hello Nishi,
Thanks buddy for warm appreciation. Nishi, well the best thing to do in such a case is to go from Manali to Delhi in HPTDC overnight Volvo. The biggest advantage is that you can hire the HP taxi and they are the ones who drive best at such a place. If you get stuck they are the ones who can arrange help easily not the ones from plains. They have local support and no matter what they rule that terrain no matter how tough the conditions are. IMHO, drivers from plains shall never be trusted to drive in such a terrain as you never know what the experience is. When I went last year, we met a guy driving Innova taxi Delhi number with a family had stars all over his face. When we asked why, he replied that it is the first time he is driving in hills and owner has sent him straight to Ladakh as all other experienced ones were busy
… Adding to it, the taxi which you will take from Delhi will not be allowed to roam in Ladakh so you need to again hire a taxi there plus you need to give taxi from Delhi waiting charges unnecessarily. So, think before you hire taxi from Delhi.
Still, regarding getting the permits in advance kindly check the number below and try contacting them, they may help you out for the same to get the permits in advance.
Ashok Thakur – 09816086135 (Rana Tours and Travels. I do not know him personally)
Kamlesh Thakur – 09418428957 (Hotel River View. I stayed in his hotel but he may/may not remember me. He may help you too, I feel)
They may charge about 100-200 Rs for the permits and required document details are given in the article http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/non-hp-vehicle…
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have any queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
I appreciate all your help for the tourists, thanks buddy.We are planning to go Manali from Delhi on 12th August and from Manali to Leh-Ladakh planning either 14th August or 13th August morning. Problem is we are planning to hire taxi from delhi and we need to register this cab to drive in Manali- Leh highway. Date 14th,15th August will be holiday….and I think we can not register it.
Do you have any contact or online form to get per mission for Non HP vehicle permission in advance from Delhi or online. If you have any friends they know the contact people they can do in behalf of us.
Thanks in advance …..:)
Hello Rajesh,
1. Well I suppose the first one is incorrect as you do not need to be in present person to get the permits. Even here as you can read at least two three people who have arranged the permits by sending they copy of driving license and the number of the vehicle to the travel agent and then got the permits. So, you can do that and hence no worries. Talk to the references I provided as I know many other who have got the permits in advance through travel agents or their booked hotels in Manali.
2. The road between Rohtang Pass and Manali is in REAL mess that is perfectly true but that does not make it non-motorable. Manay people are doing it every day but again you need the skills for the same. I had word with Hitesh (Qualis) and Sumit (Ritz) in the last couple of days, who passed Rohtang Pass but again its the driver behind the wheels that counts. I suppose Sumit took the driver from Manali to Keylong with him to get helping hand incase he get stuck as I advised him. I could not contact him further as they are out of coverage now. But, yes the road conditions in the last 17 KMs of stretch especially Rani Nalla are full of deep slush and chaotic.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
I was told that by some locals in Manali (acquaintances off late) that …
1. I need to be present in person with car and documents to get the permit to go to leh
2. The roads are in a real mess that even Innova's and Scorpio's are not able to pass through them (esp the Manali – Rohtang road)
Any recent travellers who have an experience could please share your side of the story would help
Cheers
Rajesh
Hello Rajesh,
Below is the link which has the list of accommodation or stay options available at Manali – Leh Highway with their contact details. You can contact Sherab, Jispa Journeys (pick details for the link below) to book the tents for you at Jispa. I guess the entire list may be useful for you —
http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/list-of-accomm…
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Rajesh, some more info from Bhupesh (via Email) who just came from his Ladakh trip
Bhupesh Said:
Hello Rajesh,
There will no snow or sleet or black ice on roads at this time of the season. So, may be snow chains are doesn't really required. If you really want, then you should be worried of Slush that you will encounter at worse on Manali – Rohtang Pass road and if the weather is rainy then also at Tangang La road. Having said that carrying wooden planks and rubber sheets will be much more helpful indeed. Wooden planks can be helpful incase the vehicle get stuck in between some rocks and rubber mats over wooden planks will help you in slush.
I guess they have mentioned snow chains for slush only. Personally, I have never seen people use it but yes, those guys are much more experienced than me so won't have suggested incorrectly. Please confirm if they suggested for Snow or Slush? I guess for slush the wooden plank and rubber mats will do the job for you.
P.S. -> I moderated the comment.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Another bummer!
One of my friends who is going with me was understanding from the some rally guys from a reputed organization about the perils of driving on these roads. Apparently we have been advised to carry chains for the tyres (these are somethings that we used in US to work around the snow and sleet). Do we really need them for this trip?
And for the tents in Jispa, do we have to do some advance booking for them? If yes, how do I do that?
Thanks
Rajesh
Hi Kalyan,
Very true… Its the journey that matters but in case of Ladakh, you may also forget the journey when you reach that heaven on earth
… Good to see that spirit of yours.
1. Yes, you can hire a driver from Manali as well for your taxi. I am not sure about the charges but it could be anywhere between Rs 600 – 1000 per day, not sure though.
2. Yes, you will need the permission from SDM office incase you are coming in your own taxi. It will not take much time hardly a 10-15 minutes job. You need to submit the copy of your driving license or may be the car registration certificate or paper or just the car registration number will do the job I guess. There are no charges for the permits for Manali – Rohtang Pass road as far as I know, but of course if you book it through some agent in advance then it will cost you..
3. If you are reaching late in Manali then do plan to take the permits in advance because at any day you need to leave Manali by 4.30 – 5.00 AM max to avoid any hassles of traffic jams at Rohtang Pass. Also, the Manali SDM office is closed on Second Saturdays, Sundays and National or Local holidays. Here is the contact details which may help you Balbir Thakur
(Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Manali) – 09418460974, 01902254100, 01902254200
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks for information and sparing your valuable time for us in replying for our queries
My tour plan is this
We are starting from hyderabad in taxi . We want to enjoy different variations of India. As said by Goodman “Remember that happiness is way if travel not destination” we will be their at manali on sunday( expecting) . From manali to Leh if want to hire only taxi driver not taxi as we will be havign our ouw vehicle . Is it possible to hire a driver if so how much he will charge
You also said that we need to take permission from SDM office for NON HP vehicles . How much time it will take to get permission and any documents are to be submitted , and any charges we have to pay
from manali we are planning to Valley of flowers
Thanks and Regards
Kalyan
Namaste Kalyan,
Please find my answers below in the respective order.
1. Private taxis will charge about 12K-14K in July and 10K-12K in August for a drop at Leh from Manali with one night halt at either Keylong or Jispa.
2. You need to stay either at Keylong or at Jispa. Keylong has more accommodation options but Jispa is much more scenic and my personal favorite too. Try either Hotel IBEX, Jispa (book in advance) or Jispa Journeys Tents. Check the article below for the same for the entire list and contact details of accommodation options on Manali – Leh Highway: http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/list-of-accomm…
3. I guess there will not be any need to carry your tents if you plan the journey accordingly. Also, hiring the taxis from HP or Ladakh will not let you be stranded in a place where you will need one. So, don't worry about that.
4. Well, the permission are required to ply on Manali – Rohtang Pass road in non-HP registered vehicles. If you hire taxi from the Manali only then you don't need any permits. Of course in Ladakh you will need Inner Line Permits to visit Nubra Valley, Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri etc. You can find details or everything you want to know about Leh – Ladakh Inner Line Permits at the following link: http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/inner-line-per…
Let me know any queries or doubts you have.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks for your valuable information .
But some more info pls
1) You advised me to hire a taxi driver from manali to leh as they are experienced on this road . but how much they will charge
2) what are the best places to stay
3)Should we carry our camp luggage (tent etc) or are they available on rental basis if so any idea reg charges
4) I read in paper that we need to take permission from govt authorities , can u give me those details like to whom we should approach and how much time it will take
Pls help me in this
Thanks and Regards
Kalyan
Thanks Dheeraj
and please take my e-mail out when you moderate the content.
You know what? More I exchange notes with you and read your POV, the more I feel convinced that I should drive now to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime-experience. And your point well taken SIR… I DO GET IT … I will have that due respect to the Himalayan/Karakoram trail and will be respectful of the altitude as well. I am a controlled driver and not a road rage freak anyway.
I will surely share my experiences with you during the journey and out of it as I can. I AM SO THRILED!
Thanks
Rajesh
Hi Rajesh,
I will share my contact details over email with you. Meanwhile, I will remove your email ID from here so that your email-ID is not caught by spammers bots. Since, email Id is required field in the comment writing section, I always have the email Id of yours but its kinda safe thing rather exposing your ID in any comment or post. Only if you require to communicate or let other people know about your contact details you shall write your email in any discussion forum or blog.
…
Good luck for your trip and thanks.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hey Dheeraj
You da man O|¯|_ O|¯|_ O|¯|_!
, but would truly appreciate if you can share your number in case of a distress call looking for way to work around. You can send it to my e-mail ID.
Thanks for all the help.
Not sure if you do this
Thanks for all the help again.
Rajesh
Hello Kalyan,
I am glad you the information is helpful for you. Please find the answers below in respective order of your queries —
1. I guess if not important you should save time to travel in Leh – Ladakh more than doing road journey from Hyderbad to Manali in taxi, which may not interest you much. The journey beyond is all that matters. Either take flights to Delhi and then overnight HPTDC Volvo to Manali or fly to Bhunter, Kullu and reach Manali by taxi from Bhunter airport. First option is better choice. Even then if you feel like doing Hyderabad – Manali by road then I advise you to hire the driver from Manali only because they will be more skilled and better known to the conditions then a driver of plains. Its important to have hill driving experience before you do Manali – Leh journey. Having said that, if you plan to drive yourself then you may venture Hyderabad – Manali by road to feel the passion of driving but I guess that is not the case. The charges of driver I am not aware. However, for hiring complete taxi from Manali – Leh you would need to pay abut 12K-13K for a drop to Leh from Manali.
2. Well, I am sorry I may not be the correct person to adivse the medication but still you can refer the below two threads for list of things to carry including day to day medicines and the other links will help you find tips/medication (take only after doctor's advise) for better acclimatization. It is very important to be aware of acclimatization before going to Manali – Leh Highway. Hence, follow both the links below —
List of things to carry with day to day medicines: http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/list-of-things…
Tips on Acclimatization and its Importance on Manali – Leh Highway and Ladakh: http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/acute-mountain…
Feel free to let me know if you have more queries or doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks for the information you are providing . can you pls clarify few things
1) we are planning for Manali to leh from hyderabad by taxi from hyd. (safari or tavera). should we hire taxi driver from manali ? if so how much they will charge
2) Can you pls suggest me medication
Thanks
Kalyan
Hi Rajesh,
Thanks for such warm words. Usually I respond quickly unless I ain't driving
… I just love the place so keep learning whatever I can about the places wherever I go, its a kinda addiction to know more now… Again, find the responses in the respective order of your queries…
1. Nothing required. Just present them the copy of your driving license and vehicle's registration certificate copy and state them clearly that you need to go to Leh not Rohtang Pass. It will do the job for you.
2. Hmm… for me best way to travel to to Leh is by ROAD… its the journey one shall take atleast once in his or her lifetime. It is like no other place. A Road journey to Leh DOES matter BIG way… Now, regarding the dangerous part… yes it will throw all sought of challenges at you like gushing water streams may be, tire deep, washed away roads, non-existent roads, barren land etc but this is what adventure is all about. If you are comfortable with driving, I guess there is no harm. But, the call shall be yours only to venture towards this adventure or not… Of course you always have a choice to back out wisely if the situation demands… But, let me tell you frankly that this ain't an easy ball game… it will test your driving skills to the very best.
Having said all that, I have seen 60+ year old uncle taking his alto which his wife all the way on the roof of the world… So, of course its not easy but if wisely put it can be done and tonnes of people do it every year and doing it today as I write it… I hope these words help you better decide for yourself. Just be wise, drive with cool head and whenever in doubt park aside and see 4-5 vehicles crossing the bad patch. You should even inspect with your own foot and then plan and decide the line of least resistance.
3. No one will turn hostile rather will generally help all the way around. Note the mechanic shops from the above article. Its good to have the vehicle checked 2-3 week before the trip and get the required fixes done. Do carry to tow-away rope which will certainly help if you get stuck or if you are required to help other. Request that DO help others in need too… Get puncture repair kit as well with you (cost about 500 bucks with an Air Compressor which can inflate the tire when required) and if you face puncture then immediately change tire with stepeny and get it fixed as soon as you get puncture repair shop.
4. Get it full once you reach Tandi from Manali. Then I guess the next petrol pump is about 360 KMs away and keeping your mileage in mind it can be covered. So, no need to carry extra petrol for the stretch.
5. Regarding the plan —
Day1 — You need to leave about 4.30 – 5.00 AM from Manali to have your day at exposal else you can get stuck in Rohtang Pass jam which can last for hours to days (may not be in August but still for hours). Jispa is beautiful and you can enjoy river side all day. Hence, I suggest that you keep the energy for the next day by reaching Jispa and relaxing there only. If you reach Sissu village before noon then you may ask people about the way to waterfall and enjoy it for an hour or so.
Tents are good but if you can shell out money and serious towards comfort then Hotel Ibex is the best bet in Jispa (book in advance) as they have decent food, electricity and you can enjoy a beer or two too
…
Day 2 — Just enjoy the journey. Make sure to leave Jispa by 5 AM at max. Enjoy breakfast or cup of tea at Dhabha besides Deepak Tal and get by it as soon as possible to cross the Zingzing Bar Nalla before 8 AM types to avoid getting stuck. That nalla is really nasty one. So, make sure to– leave 5 AM from Jispa, enjoy quick breakfast besides Deepak Tal or Zingzing Bar dhabhas. You can stop at Sarchu for a cup of tea after crossing the HP border and then at Pang you can have your lunch to reach Leh by evening.
Day 3 — Yes, try Oriental Guest House or Shanti Guest House at Shanti Stupa road. Both are really good options of stay. Local sightseeing including Leh Palace, Main Market, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa… Stroll or meal or two at Changspa road is a must in the evening. It can be clubbed with Shanti Stupa visit in the evening followed by Changspa Road hang out… Also, both Oriental and Shanti Guest House are at walkable distance from Shanti Stupa and Changspa Road… Carry TORCH LIT for sure…
Dat 4 — Do it like… Leh – Khardung La – Diskit (both monasteries and Lord Buddha Statue) – Hunder (evening double humped camel safari at hunder). Either stay at Hunder or come back to Diskit for the night stay.
Day 5 — Diskit/Hunder – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh. Do not forget to taste the lovely tomato soup at Khardung La and take pictures besides the highest motorable road sig board
…
Day 6 — Leh – Pangong Tso. On the way to Pangong Tso visit Hemis monastery… Its totally safe to be there in any tent…
Day 7 — Pangong Tso – Leh. On the way back to Leh visit Thicksey and Shey Palace.
Day 8 — Leh – Sarchu. Sarchu is the best option for stay. You will get the good quality of swiss tents with attached toilets.
Day 9 — Sarchu – Manali
Carry Torch Lit for sure…
I hope this helps
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Man Dheeraj, you are too cool! Thats loads of good information. I should say this as I wasn't quite expecting such a quick response from you. Just curiosity, how do you know so much about this stretch?
Now that you have responded, I guess will need some more help
1. I am hoping for the permissions, they would not need anything special, like the driver should be experiened driving in hilly terrain and kinda have proof to it ( though I am almost certain its difficult to prove) or driver from HP and J&K only.
2. I have been hearing people say the best way of reaching Leh is fly into leh, and they are making me feel weak everytime they discourage. I believe I am going to Leh first and foremost to enjoy the Manali – Leh drive, bring it on baby. What would you suggest … is that all that dangerours?
This permission thing, I almost had my heart in my mouth. And some elements are trying to scare me into not adventuring out and fly in or hire taxis. My experience with taxis hasnt been the best, they have seen these places plenty of times .. now either they will really help you get to the great spots or they will drive you nuts by killing the passion in you ( I believe and see the later happening more). My car puts me in the driving seat (literally too) and helps plan things at ease
3. For the journey – I have brand new tyres (Bridgestone with tubes on my car), will get new clutch, new brakes, maybe filters replaced .. .but all oils changed for sure. Anything else you advise. No experience doing punctures, so what is the way out for it. Moreover I read, get MSEAL, Coolant, Spanner, Hammer, Toolkit. What would be more prepared, we cannot take everything. I guess if things breakdown, the local cabs and drivers may turn hostile
4. Manali to Leh, my tank can gas up 50+ litres, how much more extra do you suggest I take? It gets to 12 kms for a litre on highways on plain lands. And I did see the note about taking 2L cool drink bottles. MAKES SENSE.
5. Here is my plan for travel … (While Hyderabad to Manali would be a boring subject for you, we are doing that in 4 days), hence I am starting from when I get to Manali and ready for the journey beyond …
Day 1 : Start from Manali and that night halt at Jispa – with a day at my disposal with drive, can you please tell me what are the things that I can do on the way? What options do we have for the nights stay? Are tents TOOOOO adventurous (though we are family, its just husbands and wifes, no kids)
Day 2 : Start from Jispa and reach Leh : I am assuming this will take the entire day. What can I do on the way?
Day 3 : Local sight seeing in Leh (Hope we got some decent layover options in leh for the nights, guess get good rooms for under 1000 per night). Will also get my inner travel permits.
Day 4 : To Nubra. Leh – Sumur (Samstaling Monastery) – Panamik (Hot Springs) – Diksit (See the monastery) – Hunder (Layover in the night here)
Day 5 : Hunder (Get to see the double hump camels) – Khardung La – Leh (Sleep over @ Leh)
Day 6 : Leh – Pangong Tso (Get a tent & Sleeping bag and layover at the night near the lake). This should be safe I feel with families, guess we will not be the only one venturing out in the night next to the lake?
Day 7 : Pangong Tso – Leh (Spend the night in Leh)
Day 8 : Back to Manali (I am not sure in the retun trip which is a good place to stop, maybe Sarchu – in the tents)
WOuld truly appreciate if you could shed some light on it.
Thanks
Rajesh
Hello Rajesh,
Please see my answers below in the respective order of your queries —
1. Well, its very easy to get the permits from SDM, Office in Manali and is hardly 10-15 minutes job. But, you need to be aware of the fact that SDM office will be closed on Second Saturdays, Sundays and National/Local Holidays. If you plan to reach Manali in either of the day then you need to get the permit done in advance through some hotel staff or travel agent in Manali. You need to send them the scanned copy of your driving license and vehicle registration papers.
Balbir Thakur (Sub-Divisional Magistrate)- 09418460974, 01902254100, 01902254200
2. I guess Scorpio can manage six people easily, so no worries out there for entire trip in Leh Ladakh as well as on Manali – Leh Highway.
3. No risk in terms of safety from humans as people are generally nice in Himachal and extra extremely great in Leh – Ladakh
… Yes, but in terms of terrain there are certain stretches that will surely require your heart not to be faint one.
4. Well, driving through lower foothill Himalayas is altogether different than driving in Higher Himalayas especially the Manali – Leh Highway which is among the top most adventurous roads in India. It will surely test all your skills and heart too. You need to be ready for some tense moments and keep your cool to overcome them, especially if slush at Manali – Rohtang Pass is not over by the time you planning. The worst is Manali – Rohtang Pass stretch, rest of the journey can be managed if you drive sensibly, cautiously and safely. Always try to leave early in the morning until you are on Manali – Leh Highway so that most of the water crossings are covered early in the day when they have less deep water. Of course, your driving experience will help you for sure.
5. For Manali to Leh you need to hire a different taxi which will be HP registered and in Ladakh you need to hire a different taxi which will be Ladakh registered as outside taxis are not allowed but you have your own vehicle so plan in that only. Still, the drop from Manali – Leh will cost you about 10-11K with one night halt in August. I am not sure if I saw Innova in taxi as Xylo and Sumos are much preferred among taxi drivers there. In Ladakh, you will majorly find Scorpio as taxis. But, surely you can check Innova too once you there as I may not have seen but it may or should be available, I guess. In Ladakh, Scorpio taxi will cost about 12K for Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso Lake with one night stay at each place. Khardung La comes on the way to Nubra Valley, so that is also covered. Rest depends on the bargaining power and tourist rush.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have some doubts or queries.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
We plan to go to Leh over Manali and we are traveling to be in Leh for 6 days/7nights in our own car mid-August, 2011. We have a scorpio and we are about 6 folks who want to do the traveling. I have seen your posts and I should say I am very impressed with the kind of knowledge you have got about this and I have a few questions …
1. Now I read an article that you referred that private cars (or non-HP registrations) are not allowed to ply on the Manali – Rohtang stertch and that it requires to be permitted for travel by SDM, Manali. I would like to know how easy or difficult is it go get this permission and how much time does it require. My vehicle is Andhra Pradesh registration?
2. Is it bit too many for 6 people to travel in a Scorpio from Manali to Leh and also do the sight-seeing in Leh
3. We are families, so does it pose any kind of risk
4. Is it safe to drive in these mountain ranges, with our own car? We have some experiences driving in mountain terrain – did Coorg,
Ooty, Tekkady, Araku Valley, Conoor, Devikulam, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ponmudi on our own in our car. I have already been to Manali and Kullu and I saw the hill terrain and found it to be far easier then the terrain in Ooty (again my point of view of what I saw).
5. If we have to travel from Manali to Leh, and further from Leh to Khardung, Nubra, Pangong, etc. what would the taxi fare be for an Innova – Manali to Leh and travel in leh approx.
We would truly appreciate if you can help figure some answers to these questions
Thanks
Rajesh
[...] posted his intent and his base itinerary in the comments of the article: How to plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway . I hope Sudhir, this is the right place to discuss and spare the Manali – Leh Highway as is. [...]
Hello Pathikrit,
… The Jalori Pass route is extremely adventureous, I know but owing to bad weather the road conditions have gone pretty bad. It's almost likely and common to cause break faliure on the roads of Jalori Pass if you do not drive at first gear. Its written all over and still people neglect or avoid it, not sure why :confused: … When we went, I had given strict instructions to my friend driving his Santro to descend in first gear only but he also neglected and got is break pads heat but thankfully not much as we stopped for phot break in between and I quickly spotted to cool it down. I would have suggest Tirthan stay rather Kullu which would added further toppings to your great trip to Himachal. But, somethings are should be left for another time too 
and Tirthan Valley is one such place. We did Kinnaur Valley and Tirthan Valley via Jalori Pass together and you just refreshed my memories of the trip too… Thanks… Again, I am glad you enjoyed the travel.. hope to see your pictures too 
…
… We grow more as we share more and information is the heart while sharing 
…
Thats is an awesome account of your journey with lots of contacts info that will be helpful for me and the readers here at my blog. Thanks alot for sharing the information. I am glad that you enjoyed the trip with FULTOO affect
Try to be in touch and for any travel related stuff you know the place now
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj, How r u ?
As per your guidence we enjoyed our trip (Gurgaon -Narkanda-Sangla-Manali-Guraon)extremely well.We started on 5th June11 with 2 cars (Innova and Xylo) early morning and reached Narkanda(Hatu)at about 3pm as we took lot of breaks during the journeys for our 5 kids.It would be helpfull for our travel crazy friends that we got a specialist driver for hills. His name is Rakesh and phone no. 09459264626.He is extremly skilled in the difficult terrains. Also one more person is there to arrange drivers for hill areas,his name is Mr.Pappu No.09817500904. If you directly contact Rajesh he will charge around 600/-day+foods,stay at cars in the night. Through Pappu it will be around 200/- extra per day.We stayed at Kinner Camps in Sangla but Banjara Camps is more better option in all regards.Specially from main road to Kinner Camps the road is very bad, dangerous and also rate is bit high in comparison to facilities and locations.But I will suggest all of you to stay at Chitkul, there are two hotels and one of them is hotel Panchali is the best location in the regions @1200/- day. The hotel is surounded by snow peacked hills and in the front beautifull river.At an altitude of more than 3500 meters the place is heavenly.Staying 2 days at Sangla we decided to go Manali through Jalori Pass. And it was a journey with full of adventures.In this route you will have to cross several hill and one of the hill's altitude is 10280 ft and temperature was (7th june.11)5 degree celcius with stormy wind. Standing on the top of the local village (one Lodge is also there but in very poor condition) with a cup of boilling tea is cxcellent.But the road conditions are horrible. Most of the part of this road is made of broken stones from hills and very stip ups and downs. During 5/6 ours journey hardly 10 cars we saw in this route. We had a plan to reach Manali but in this route our Innova met some technical problems. As he was from plain and had no ideas about how to desend. The break shoes of the car got heated and brake was not working properly. We had to wait in the dark night in this hills surounded with deep forest nearly for 2 hours to get the brake cool.Also we spryed some water there.We had to sty at Kullu(hotel Amit) and in the morning we proceeded for Manali and on the way we enjoyed the water rafting (7.5 km)@ 350/- per head.Every one should enjoy.We reached manali on 9th June.11 and next day our plan was for Rohtang but we got stucked up on the way 1 km before rohtang for our delayed start but due to heavy presence of snow in the region we enjoyed same as Rohtang on our way back.Also we enjoyed paragliding on our way back to Manali from Rohtang @ 750/- per head. Rate is more negotiable.On 11th june11 at about 8 am we started from Manali and reached gurgaon via Bilaspur around 9pm.
The journey was excellent,courtesy DeVil on Wheels.
Thanks Dheeraj for your advice,will contact you again
Enjoy
Pathikrit
Hi Sourav, Road from Manali to Kaza HAS been opened couple of days back which means now both Kunzam Pass as well as Rohtang Pass are open for the season 2011. Venture on your trip and share your pics with us too…
Regards,
dheeraj
Dheeraj Sir,
Is the road from Manali to Kaza open now…Any updates anyone
Hi Dheeraj,
Boss any update on the road conditions from Manali to Kaza
Sourav, the updates are almost sale. No chances before 20 june.
Hi dheeraj ,
pls advise all necessary items i sld carry while travelling manali to leh . I am planning on 21st june in my car . Also I need yr mobile no for further advise .
Rajesh,am out of town, will mail you my contact. For list of things plz check travel basics section
Hi Sourav,
Today itself I called upt PWD Khoksar and the guy said Manali – Kaza road will not open by the end of this month. I suggest you to postpone your plans buddy by atleast a week. Secondly, one of the travelers is currently doing Spiti and will be back by 14/15th June, I will get the ground updates from him and let you know. Moreover, from Kaza side Kunzam Pass is open and the road is open upto Battal from Kaza side and from Gramphu side road is open only upto 8-9 KMs.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I have already planned an excursion to Kaza and Keylong from Manali along with me and my 2.5 years old kid.. On July 1st we start from Manali to Kaza.. What is the right time to start and will kunzum la be open at that time… Anybody can suggest please
Hi Sudhir,
… From the initial look the plan is very much based on the Sarhcu-Pang-Tso Moriri part and rest follows it. I am afraid you won't be able to do it due to following reasons and hence will need to start fine tuning up right from there. You can't do it because —
), I hope you understand the fact that knowing the places by reading experiences, maps etc and actually driving the places are altogether different stories. Hence, I may not the be the best guy to present you the BEST possible plan with all the places I have not been even but I will surely suggest something good and then will help you in best possible way to make it a BEST plan, of course by taking help from my other fellow travelers who have been to such places. I don't want my limited knowledge about the places I have not been comes in the way for best possible plan for such great adventure of yours 
….
Well, its a long long itinerary and there are many places I have not been like Zanskar and unexplored Leh-Ladakh. I only know about them and how to get there but no personal experience. For some places you have mentioned in the second part I may not even know anything at all
1. You will not have permits by then since permits are issued from Leh DC office. So first you need to reach Leh.
2. Even if you get the permits through a travel agent then also I will not suggest it because of AMS issues that can be caused by staying at such high altitudes. You body will not be properly acclimatized by then to stay overnight at such high altitude.
So, IMHO you will have to "consider coming to Leh, establishing a base here, then moving on".
I would require sometime to study your itinerary and present best possible text what I can in my limited knowledge of the place or I will mail you a good place from where you can execute the fine tuning process of the itinerary right away with many veterans guys who have done many of these places.So, collectively there knowledge will create a best possible plan.
Since, its your dream trip (so would have been mine
I will email you my contact number.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi!
I'm very impressed by your knowledge of Ladakh and the extremely helpful insights you have provided for others, in your article. Please accept my compliments !
I'm planning to go to Ladakh in July in my Skoda Yeti 4×4, but as I'm not used to, and uncomfortable driving in that kind of terrain, could you suggest some good driver who knows Zanskar and Ladakh.
I'm also sending an itinerary, with the request that you vet and organize it properly.
Can I have your cell no: ? Mine is +9810100006, and my email is sudhirkochhar@yahoo.com
Day 1: Gurgaon – Chandigarh
Day 2: Chandigarh – Manali ?
Day 3: Manali – Jispa
Day 4: Jispa – Sarchu
Day 5: Sarchu – Pang – Debring – Tso Kar – Tso Moriri (could consider coming to Leh, establishing a base here, then moving on)
Day 6: Tso Moriri – Tso Kiagar – Sumdo – Mahe – Chumathang (Hotsprings)
Day 7: Chumathang – Upshi – Karu – Hemis Gompa – Thikse – Choglamsar – Leh
Day 8
&day9: Leh – Sabu Village, Stakna, Matho, Stagmo, Thikse, Shey Palace, Spituk, etc – Leh (This is all around Leh)
Day 10
&day11:Leh – Shey – Thikse – Chemre – Tangtse(Army Camp) – Lukung – Spangmik – Marmik La (Highest Pass in the world, beats Khardung la by 200') – Pangong Tso – Leh
Day 12: Leh – Sankar – Khardung la (spend no more than 1 hr or so here) – Khalsar – Tigre – Sumur – Panmik – Khalsar – Diskit – Hunder – Leh (If lucky, could see double humped camels here)
Day 13: Leh – Phyang – Pathar Sahib & Magnetic Hill – Nimmu – Basgo – Saspul – Likir – Alchi (Local- around Leh)
Day 14: Alchi – Rizong – Khalsh – Lamayru – Khaltse – Dhumkar – Skurbuchan – Dha – Batalik ( Signal out post at Hambothing La, near Batalik) – Kargil
Day 15: Kargil – Shergol – Mulbekh – Kargil – Suru valley – Sanku – Panikhar?
Day 16: Panikhar – Tangole – Parkachik – Rangdum?
Day 17: Rangdum – Pensi la – Abrang – Ating – Sani – Padum – Bardan -Padum
Day 18: Padum – Stongde – Tsa Zar – Zangla – Padum – Sani – Ating – Pensi la
Day 19:
&20 : Pensi la – Kargil – Khaplu – Drass – Mina Marg – India Gate – Zoji la – Sonmarg
Day 21:
&22. : Sonmarg – Srinagar – Avantipur – Khana bal – Banihal Pass – Ramban – Batote (Dhamkund) – Patnitop
Day 23: Patnitop – Kud – Udhampur – Jammu – Pathankot
Day 24: Pathankot – Ambala
Day 25: Ambala – Gurgaon.
Please add/subtract if absolutely necessary as I want this to be a comprehensive travel to these areas.
Please indicate night halts which will be more realistic, scenic and where accommodation will be available. Small treks are looked forward to!
Any other advice is extremely welcome.
ADDENDA TO ABOVE ITINERARY.
Sending you an itinerary to be added to the one sent earlier. These areas are less explored, and with army contacts one can get permits. It's a dream itinerary!! Please add great areas that I may have left out.
1. From Debring to Tso-Moriri and stay
2. From Tsomoriri to Chumur – Kyon Tso – Hanle and stay (Excellent place, as seen in snap)
3. From Hanle – Loma – Dungti – Koyul – Fukche and stay (From Dungti onwards its a no for civilians)- Consider a stay at Nyoma village. Will see Kiangs here)
4. From Fukche to Demchok and back – Its completely an Army territory and without Army permission you can't go there as Dist Admin won't issue permit for Demchok. (Demchok is Indo – Tibet border from where it's a day journey by car to Mansarovar.)
5. Fukche – Dungti – Tsaga La – Chusul – Stay
6. Chusul – Merak – Man – Spangmik – Stay (Do Marsimik La here by staying an extra day)
7. Spangmik – Lukung – Tangtse – Wari La – Panamik – Hundar – Stay
8. Hundar – Turtuk (Turtuk also opened last year only for visitors and POK, line of control is just 6 km from there) – Stay or back to Hundar and stay
9. Then cross Khardungla and come to Leh
Thank you,
Regards,
Sudhir Kochhar
Sachin, best wishes for the journey as I said keep the Tso Moriri option away if you don't feel to do 12 Hrs journey from Pangong to Tso Moriri. Also, explain the complete plan to the taxi driver so that he carries enough fuel for the same. Do not forget to bargain for the whole package which will include Leh Local, Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar and Leh-Manali.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks and I think you are right we can visit Solang on last day. So I think our current itinerary is better and we will follow it.
Thanks buddy thanks a lot.
Thanks & Regards
Sachin
Hi Sachin,
Well, I guess if you leave early from Manali or Solang Valley to Rohtang Pass and enjoy there till noon i.e. by 1 PM, guess will be more than enough then you will be able to reach Jispa by sunset for sure because the traffic jam will be higher on the other side of Rohtang Pass than towards Jispa. This will help you see Ladakh covering all major destinations as per below itinerary. You will have almost complete day on 13th July at Manali or Solang Valley as volvo leaves Manali by 5.30 PM… So, even on this day you can enjoy adventure activities at Solang Valley if you want. I will generally prefer this option than having adventure activities at Rohtang on the second day itself as it may cause some altitude sickness issues. You can even split the adventure activities in these two days. Do the light ones which do not consume much time and do not exert your body on the second day and reach jispa with more time to relax. Rest like parasailing can be done at Solang Valley as well on the last day.
BTW, I am not sure if you want to visit Manali-Solang-Rohtang in greater detail or Leh-Ladakh? I will suggest that you go for Leh-Ladakh compared to Manali-Rohtang Pass. The beauty you will see at Manali-Leh and further in Leh-Ladakh, the Rohtang Pass can no where be compared to it. Having said that due to too much tourist rush I am making such a remark as you will see lots of dirty snow all over Rohtang Pass which does not appeal at all atleast to me. I have been there 4-5 times and I never liked Rohtang and always felt crossing it in a rush.
Even then if you want to have rest day at Solang then you can skip Local sight seeing of Leh or you can skip Tso Moriri Lake and do Leh-PangongTso-Leh as a day trip. Either of them will give you one day you need at Rohtang Pass or Solang Valley. Also, if you are following the current one keep in mind that Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri will take around 12 Hrs I guess and your taxi will need to carry fuel for about 700KMs as there will not be any petrol pump before Tandi on Manali-Leh Highway. So, if you think 12 Hrs will be over kill then skip Tso Moriri and head back to Leh from Pangong to enjoy the relaxing evening in Leh.
Let me know incase you have some doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
Thanks for your help. Dheeraj, is it possible to enjoy fully at Solang valley and Rohtang pass and then reaching to Jispa on same day?
Can we stay at Solang valley for one more night and reduce the day we are getting to relax at Manali at the end of tour? or are there any other good places than Rohtang pass that must be visited(near leh-ladakh)?
thanks once again
thanks and regards
Sachin
Hi Sachin,
You can follow the below plan to your liking
Day 1 – Chandigarh to Manali or Solang Valley by taxi. I will suggest you to stay at Solang Valley not Manali. (3rd july)
Day 2 – Manali / Solang Valley – Rohtang Pass (do activities) – Jispa/Keylong by evening. Do not exert too much and keep your body relaxed. I will prefer stay at Jispa here but there are limited options of stay.
Day 3 – Jispa – Leh
Day 4 – Leh Local Sightseeing including getting the permits and arranging taxi. It will be great if you can py the hotel you book to get the permits for you. That ways you save about half a day for yourself. Leh Local Sightseeing may include Indus and Zanskar Confluence at Nimmu, Basgo Palace, Likir Monastery, Alchi Monasteries, Magnetic Hills and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Day 5 – Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley (Diskit – Hunder – Diskit). Reach Diskit and explore the monasteries there. In the evening go to Hunder for sand dunes and camel safari and come back to Diskit for over night stay.
Day 6 – Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh. Sumur is famous for its monasteries and Panamik for hot water springs.
Day 7 – Leh – Pangong Tso Lake. Visit Shey Palace and Hemis monastery enroute to Pangong Tso lake.
Day 8 – Pangong Tso Lake to Tso Moriri and Tso Kar Lakes. You need to share the plan with taxi driver and ask him to do the Pangong to Tso Moriri and then continue to drop you guys to Manali. So, arrange that taxi only and bargain hard since you have hired hime for whole Ladakh sighseeing and drop to Manali as well. It will also include the local sightseeing on Day 4 as well. So, its a complete package to bargain for.
Day 9 – Tso Moriri – Pang – Sarchu. Return journey starts here.
Day 10 – Sarchu – Manali
Day 11 – Manali – Delhi (13th July by overnight volvo which will drop you on 14th morning about 7 AM). So, you can relax complete day at Manali too.
Let me know if it works for you else we can fine tune it according to your needs.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj
I appreciate all your help for the tourists, thanks buddy. Dheeraj we are planing to go leh-ladakh from Manali. We are from Nagpur and will be reaching Chandigarh on 3rd of July in the morning. And we have return reservation from Delhi on 14th July. Can you suggest a good plan for us? Our main goal is to do some adventures activities at Rohtang pass. We have to enjoy beauty of Manali – Leh highway and Rohtang pass. Also whatever we can see in this duration. Please suggest a good plan for us.
Thanks
Sachin
hello Bhupesh, your itinerary seems decent enough just instead of coming back from Pangong to Leh on the same day. You can do it like this-
Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso
Day 8 | Pangong Tso – Tso Moriri
Day 9 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Sarchu.
Day 10 | Sarchu – Manali
Day 11 | Manali – Delhi
Leave manikaran for the time being as it can be covered 365 days an year but Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes have 1/4 th of the year to cover them. But, in anycase you can leave early from Tso Moriri to reach Keylong/Jispa the same day and follow your rest of the itinerary. But, of course that gives you less time to explore Tso Moriri/Tso Kar as well as Manali – Leh Highway, which will be the major highlight of the trip.
Let me know incase you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Can anyone pls chk the itinerary and suggest if this is ok. also suggest places to stay in leh,drass,diskit,tso kar, keylong etc.
Day 1 Patiala – Pathankot – Udhampur
Day 2 Udhampur – Drass
Day 3 Drass – Kargil – Lamayaru – Leh
Day 4 Leh and Local Sightseeing
Day 5 Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder – Diskit (Nubra Valley)
Day 6 Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
Day 7 Leh – Pangong Lake – Leh
Day 8 Leh – Upshi – Chumathang – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar
Day 9 Tso Kar – Pang – Sarchu – Keylong
Day 10Keylong – Manikaran – Chandigarh
Day 11Chandigarh – Delhi
Hello Bhupesh,
You can do Pangong Tso – Tso Moriri within a day and will take around 12 hrs I guess. You do not need to go back to Leh for the same but yes you need to carry enough petrol to complete 700 KMs without any petrol pump. Otherwise you can drop Tso Moriri and have relaxing trip back to Leh from Pangong Tso. Then do Leh – Sarchu/Pang on the next day.
I guess June29th is fine as the roads are open now and many have done it already. By that time all the tented acco. will also be up and running.
Do you need places for stay at Manali-Leh Highway and Leh or at Pangong and Tso Moriri?
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks alot Manohar. I am glad that the informational was helpful for you. Let me know in case you have any queries. All the best for your Ladakh trip…
Really very very useful and practical information provided by you. My special thanks to you for it.
Hello Sushan,
… Patnitop to Srinagar is about 160 KMs.
Please find below my answers in the same sequence of your queries –
1. I will not say that road condition is good rather will say that road conditions are better than Manali – Leh Highway. Zozila Pass will be in a mess and you need to be careful while driving in that stretch.I hope you have read the Self Drive section in the above article which gives few more suggestions on driving through difficult stretches.
2. You do not need any special permissions to drive you car in Leh. You will only need to carry the original documents of the car including RC, a valid pollution certificate (make new if it is expired), the insurance documents of your car and the valid driving license. It is always better to safeguard the originals in the luggage and carry attested copies of these documents. If police men create much fuss then only take out the original documents from the luggage to satisfy them. Also, carry your own photo ID nationality proof which may be PAN Card, or copy of passport etc.
But, for yourself you will need to carry the inner line permits to visit the restricted areas of Ladakh including Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar lakes. This link will help you understand the process and help you get it done quickly by downloading the form and completing the formalities at home itself. Check the link:Inner Line Permits for Leh – Ladakh
3. No there is no risk buddy. You will find many tourists enroute, do not worry
4. Just keep following the highway and carry all the documents for car and driving license. Do not leave the highway and try to be on it as much as you can. I guess highway is completely secure and I guess you should not have any security concerns.
5. Ladakh is the district and Leh is the administration head quarters of it or non-technically, can be called as capital town of Ladakh. Its is from Leh all the excursions generally begins in Ladakh district after getting the inner line permits. Ladakh starts from Sarchu on Himachal Pradesh side and from Kargil, I guess from Kashmir side.
I hope this helps. Let me know incase you need more info.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Sushan, if you are leaving tomorrow then better not to do attested copies and carry your originals with you. It will be required from some gazetted officer. Also, for Inner Line Permits just download the form available at the link below. Completely fill the form and attach the photo copies of the photo ID proofs with it.. Write an application for addressing Leh DC to issue permits to you. If you are in group you can write the names of all the members on the group and attach copies of their photo ids proofs. Staple the bundle including inner line permit application form, request application you will write and photo copies of photo id proofs from here only. Then, go to Leh DC office once you reach Leh and submit the bundle along with the required fees. Get the permit signed from the ADC office and you are done. On the way back get 7-8 photocopies of the permit form issued to you. You need to submit these photo copies of the permits at the check posts while going to Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri.
This will save alot of time for you up in Leh as there you will need to keep runing up and down to photo copy shop for one thing or the other. Check the sample application form on the same link which we filled and you will get similar permit stamped and attested from DC office once all formalities are done.
Regards,
dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you very much for the help. I have finalised my plan to leh and would seek help in a few more things.
1. Is the road condition to leh via srinagar in a good condition as i will be traveling in my own car (Ford Fiesta) which has not very high ground clearance.
2. Could you please brief me on the documents or permissions required to move in leh in my car.
3. Are there any risks during the journey after Jammu. Also, how far is Srinagar from Patni top.
4. any suggestions on what i should do and not do while traveling on this route.
5. How far is ladakh from leh.
I would be obliged if you guide me with this.
Hi Pathikrit,
Thanks alot and I am glad that you like the information provided in the article. First of all, if possible try to add two more days to visit atleast two tourist spots in Ladakh, after all you are going that far not to just explore Leh only. The itinerary below will help you plan for the days you plan to spend in Leh – Ladakh. You can replace the Srinagar highway by the Manali highway to follow the similar itinerary or if you are doubt then let me know I will tweak it for you. here is the URL
http://devilonwheels.com/index.php/leh-ladakh-sample-itinerary-2/
The above itinerary does not have Pangong Tso Lake, for which as I have mentioned in the comments that you will need 12 days atleast, for a comfortable joruney. In 11 days, you can only plan a day trip to Pangong Tso lake and come back the same day.
Now, coming back to driver part. Well, the problem with Manali – Leh highway is the terrain and number of challenges it offers. One definitely needs a big heart to welcome those challenges as adventure. If you have soft heart while driving then I suppose you should hire a driver from Manali who will take you on the whole circuit without much issues. But, if you want to feel the adventure yourself then I guess you should do it yourself. At least, with XYLO you will not face the GC issues and it is just a matter of sensible driving on your part and you will be able to make it. there could be some stretches which will have water crossings as well as slush where you can watch how others are clearing it, then plan a route in your mind and stick to it. So, you need to make up your mind and prepare it hard enough to face such challenges. You can watch below one of the challenges you may face —
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JK_mpQ3yZY
Let me know if you need more details.
Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma
Its a nice guide line for the trip. Anyway I am planning the trip of Manali to leh during mid June with my own car (Xylo E8). consisting my wife and 12 years old son. Have enough time (ten days/Gurgaon-manali/Sholang-Leh-Gurgaon) so will go for 2 night halts on the way to leh from manali.I am planning to carry a portable oxygen cylinder with us along with some normal medicines plus AMS medicine.Do you suggest that I should hire a driver from Manali though I have travelled with my car to Nainital from Gurgaon and even to Kolkata (only one halt at Varanasi and again from kolkata to derjeeling then to kolkata)and came back and in this stretch my wife also drove for half of the ways.Please opine.
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