Thanks alot bro, for much appreciation. As I said, it is so encouraging to know that information proved useful on the blog. Weather is generally good though rainy. Ladakh is a rain shadow area but still in recent years there have been rains there as well in August. But, I guess after reaching Leh there might not be much issues. From Manali to Sarchu and Kargil to Delhi types, you will surely face monsoon fury …

Now, first suggestions would be reverse the direction of your journey. Go via Srinagar side and come back via Manali side. Why? Two Reasons. First, the gain in altitude is gradual, so minimum chances of getting stuck with AMS. Your body will be acclimatized to great extent to face the high altitude region of Manali – Leh Highway while you return. This is very important in order to enjoy the journey rather being sick throughout the 5000+ Meters range of Manali – Leh Highway.

Secondly, it will save you one day on return as you can easily adjust visit to Tso Moriri and Tso Kar Lakes while on the way towards Manali. Otherwise, you will need to visit Tso Moriri and Tso Kar and then return to Leh the second day to start the return from Srinagar. Since you have 14 days, I will suggest you the following itinerary -

Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop
– Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar
– Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
– Overnight at Srinagar
Day 3 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
– Enjoy the vistas enroute
– Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
– Overnight at Kargil
Day 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
– Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
– On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Zanskar
– Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
– Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening
– For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
– Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
– Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
– On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
– Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 7 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
– Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
– Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
– Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
– Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 9 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
– Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
– Overnight at Leh
Day 10 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping or you can do tour to Sham Valley
– Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Zanskar, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib
– Overnight at Leh
Day 11 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
– Cover Karzok Monastery
– Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 12 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu
– Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
– Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
Day 13 | Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
– On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
– Overnight at Manali
Day 14 | Manali – Delhi
– Return
Day 15 + 16 | Buffer days to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.

Additional Points:

1. Instead of coming back to Leh from Nubra Valley, you can head towards Pangong Tso via Wari La route. This will give you an additional day which can be spent in Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso or Leh. If you are riding then you need to carry sufficient fuel for it.

2. In Srinagar you can also visit Floating market > Shalimar Garden.
I hope this helps you. Let me know incase you have more queries of doubts.

3. For cheap and moderate budget accommodation or hotels in Leh – Ladakh you can refer the links here and here respectively.

Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma

Thanks alot. There is a dedicated section for most things around planning a journey to Leh – Ladakh on the blog here. Thanks to the extreme love towards this heaven on earth.

Coming back, all the roads to Leh – Ladakh will be closed most probably in first half of May and in second half there are slight chances that Srinagar – Leh Highway will be open. This year even Srinagar – Leh got opened in first week of June. So, if you are planning by road then I will suggest that you postpone it till mid-June types to enjoy the road journey to Leh. Please let me know how you plan to go there, how many days you have in hand and is there any special place you like to see there? I will try to provide all possible inputs I can which may be required for planning your trip to Leh – Ladakh …’

I hope this helps.

Regards
Dheeraj

Thank you so much for such warm words of appreciation and stopping by my blog. It feels really good and such words sometimes acts as top up fuel to maintain the ignite for this passion of traveling… Proves great source of motivation too … I am just trying my level best to provide whatever insights I can and have over my past experiences in traveling. It feels really good when they prove useful for other fellow travelers.

Thanks again!!

Regards,
Dheeraj Sharma

Some tips from my side –

1. Do acclimatize very well and take ample of rest atleast for first two days. When body acclimatize you feel much more cold

2. Try to cover the tips of finger, toes, nose, ear with proper heaviest woolen gear. Do carry hand warmers in case hands gets numb.

3. Dress up in layers and make sure throat is also covered. The cold is dry in Ladakh, so it is a bit different. Ensure that they carry heaviest woolens …

4. Try to feel the local culture their at the time when the locals relax over there, indulge with them to get to know about life and stuff there. If possible try spending a day with some family guest house to actually feel the life.

5. At any cost do not exert your body once you reach there.

6. If the flights are booked for both side then do not stay overnight at Nubra Valley if they are planning to do so because a heavy snowfall can close the KTOP for 2-3 days.

7. Same is tru for Pangong Tso. My advice will be explore regions around Leh, go to chilling on on day where Chaddar trek starts, once day tour to Sham Valley, One local Leh day and if feeling OK on the last day then go for a day trip to Pangong Tso or KTOP.

I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.

Regards
Dheeraj Sharma