There have been few articles on Manali – Leh Highway published earlier on my blog. Now to make complete sense of all of them, I would like to put them all at one location to transform it into a Manali – Leh Highway Travel Guide along with the list of places to visit on Manali Leh Highway.
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Manali Leh Travel Guide
There is no doubt that Manali – Leh Highway is easily the most adventurous as well as the most beautiful among all the Highways in India. Every adventure lover has a dream to travel on this 474 KM long, Manali – Leh road trip at least once in his or her lifetime.
I strongly feel that everyone who loves to travel, be it adventure lover or a nature lover or any other form, must and must travel Manali – Leh Highway at least once in his/her lifetime. Personally, I am lucky enough to have traveled through the experience of this lifetime’s journey on Manali Leh road trip numerous times in the last ten years, as of 2018. And, I wish I will do it many more times in the future too.
The highway is desolate at many places, so it is better to plan the trip and have as much information as possible before making a trip to Ladakh.
I hope this detailed guide on Manali Leh road trip helps all my fellow travelers to find complete information or all they want to know about Manali – Leh Highway at a single place only. In this article, I have also merged the important places to visit on Manali Leh Highway road trip.
Who maintains the Manali to Leh road?
The Manali – Leh Highway makes you experience the raw mother nature present on earth in almost its every form. Technically, BRO takes care of this Highway, and they have further divided its responsibility between Project Deepak and Project Himank.
Project Deepak is responsible for maintaining the section from Manali to Sarchu (222 KM) in the Himachal Pradesh region while Project Himank is responsible for Sarchu to Leh (252.4 KMs) section which falls in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir region.
Planning the Trip
To help you plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway, you can refer the below link which will explain you complete details about how you can plan your journey on Manali – Leh Highway.
The below link includes the information regarding best season to travel on Manali – Leh Highway, modes of travel on Manali – Leh Highway, bus services from Manali to Leh, public amenities like ATMs, Petrol Pumps, Liquor shops, etc. on Manali – Leh Highway. You can read all the details in the article How to plan a journey on Manali – Leh Highway
Every year, I also publish an article to post updates on road conditions and Manali Leh Highway Status. You should be able to hook to that thread to get the latest updates on road closure, road opening, water crossings, etc..
Where to Stay
There are many options to stay on Manali Leh Highway. Its always better to know or have the list of all accommodation places on Manali – Leh Highway before you travel on it because, in such unpredictable terrain, you can never predict what can come to your rescue. So, having as many details as possible about the place is always favorable when making a Manali Leh road trip.
I have compiled the list of accommodation or stay options on Manali – Leh Highway at the below link which includes the information about their contacts, location, price range, experiences, etc. You can read the details in the article List of Accommodation Options on Manali – Leh Highway
Importance of Acclimatization
Since you would be traveling above 14000 feet for about 300+ KMs on Manali – Leh Highway, it’s really IMPORTANT for you to understand about acclimatization, its importance, and AMS or mountain sickness. Many instances people have been found in doubt whether to take the babies or kids with them to Leh – Ladakh or on Manali – Leh Highway.
To answer your queries and doubts in such cases, I have compiled a brief text on the link below. The article includes information about AMS and acclimatization, which will help you keep your body better acclimatized. It will help minimize the chances of AMS or mountain sickness when its safe to take babies or kids to Leh – Ladakh and what precautions to take, etc. You can read all the details in the article Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization
Things to carry on Manali – Leh Highway
I have tried to compile a practical list of things to carry while you travel or go on a trip to Manali Leh Highway. I am sure it will be helpful for you when you take this adventurous journey. You can refer to this complete list of things to carry when you go on Manali Leh road trip
Clothes to Carry on Manali Leh Road
As for clothing to carry on Manali Leh road trip, it is always best to dress up in layers with Inner Thermals both lower and upper always ON. It might irritate in bright sunshine in lower hills, but as the altitude increase, then it will certainly help in the shades or evenings or mornings or if the weather turns up dark. You need to carry heavy woolens when you travel to Manali – Leh Highway.
It is really IMPORTANT that you carry eateries like dry fruits (must have as a backup in case you get stuck), chocolates, some non-perishable food and ample water to keep each one of you hydrated.
You should always carry your water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂
Are you making a self-drive trip?
If you are traveling from Manali to Leh by car then you must carry a few things on this adventure trip to Ladakh.
Along with the list of things I mentioned in the above link, if you are self-driving on Manali Leh Highway, then you must take the Basic toolkit, screwdriver set, small hammer, puncture repair kit, iron rod, two or three “2 liters” empty bottles of Pepsi / Coke / Limca, etc. to carry extra petrol or diesel (jerry cans will leak, cold drink bottles do not leak), funnel, towing rope, spare tube (must for bikes), Elfy or Fevi quick (2-3 sachets), jump-start cables/wires, M-seal to prevent leakage, etc. These are among the things which I carried along on my trip to Ladakh.
You can also refer the top 40 list of things to carry on Manali Leh self drive trip.
Even if you are making a trip from Manali to Leh on bike, this list of things to carry will help you on your bike trip as well.
Also, do not forget to get your vehicle (car/bike) serviced about 2-3 weeks before the start of the Ladakh journey. This service will ensure that you have proper time in advance to test your serviced vehicle and get fixed any hitches that may have been introduced in that service.
Places to Visit on Manali – Leh Highway
Throughout 474 KM, on the Manali – Leh Highway, one goes through varied forms of nature ranging from beautiful lush green valley(s) to rocky, barren multi-colored mountains to high walls of snow to violent river/water crossings (nallas) to wide flat lands to abrupt landslides to head swaying hairpin bends to butter-smooth roads to many non-existent and washed away roads to strong cold winds blowing you away and to what not, all this raising the fun of this ultimate journey to greater heights.
Video – Tourists Attractions on Manali to Leh Road Trip
In this travel guide of Manali Leh Highway, I am going to share an informatory dissection of all major places that come on the route from Manali to Leh along with the details of food, fuel, accommodation or stay options, amenities, etc..
I hope this information helps you get an idea of what you can expect on a journey of Manali – Leh Highway bearing in mind the stoppages of your interest including overnight stays, food, beverages, amenities, photos, etc.
If you are not interested in much of the text then you may also check the summary of the places in tabular format at the end of the article directly.
Altitude over Distance Graph
I have created this graph of Manali to Leh distance by the road along with the changes in altitude as you travel on Manali Leh Highway.
To save a bigger resolution picture of the altitude over distance graph of places on Manali Leh Highway, Right Click & then select the option: “Save Image As…”
Manali | Altitude: 1950 Mtrs and Solang Valley | Altitude: 2590 Mtrs
Manali, about 570 KM from Delhi, is the place from where this lifetime journey begins on Manali Leh Highway. Manali, the valley of gods is lush green at the time when you will be doing your Ladakh journey and you will definitely enjoy the weather up in Manali.
Although, in May – June due to the holiday rush, Manali is not a penny less than the chaotic trade fair, and I am sure you will not want to be at this place in such a tourist rush. You can do a lot in Manali town, and for comprehensive details including how to reach Manali from Delhi, I request you to read my Manali Travel Guide.
Should I sleep at Manali or Solang Valley?
One point worth highlighting is that if you are traveling Leh – Ladakh from Manali side then you should avoid staying overnight in Manali town rather stay overnight at Solang Valley, 14 KM away.
Why?
Manali is at a lower altitude than Solang Valley, and it does not help in acclimatization. Solang Valley does help acclimatize your body to some extent, which may help in minimizing the troubles of mountain sickness as you move ahead towards Leh Ladakh in the next few days of your Ladakh road trip.
Solang Valley is further 14 KM ahead of Manali and is a much calmer place as compared to Manali. Solang Valley also offers some majestic views along with adventure activities like parachuting, paragliding, skating, and zorbing, etc
Is there any drawback to stay at Solang Valley?
The only drawback sleeping at Solang Valley on your Ladakh road trip is that you won’t find as many options for a stay as you can find in Manali. The prices of the hotels in Solang Valley are likely to be on the higher side as compared to the varied economic hotel options available in Manali town. Also, the variety of cuisines will be much less as compared to what you get in Manali, and mostly, you will need to have your food in the hotel only.
But, the advantages of getting acclimatized and peace around will outweigh these minor hitches, unless you want a very cheap hotel. If you miss different cuisines and lively crowded place, you can surely spend your day in Manali enjoying the other flavors of the valley and come back to the hotel at Solang Valley for night stay.
Is Solang Valley on Manali Leh Highway?
Technically, Solang Valley is not on Manali – Leh Highway rather one needs to take a left diversion from Palchan and travel further 6 KM to reach Solang Valley.
If you have hired a taxi from Manali to Leh, you need to ask the driver upfront to pick you from Solang Valley hotel. If you have opted for a shared taxi / public bus, then you need to reach Palchan, the diversion point on Manali – Leh Highway to get into one of them en-route, but that also must have been booked in advance from Manali. Else, you will have to travel to Manali town in the morning to get the shared taxi.
Similarly, if you are traveling by Manali to Leh bus service, then as well, either make prior arrangements with the conductor the previous night or travel to Manali in the morning to catch the bus.
That was all about the first place that we covered of this Manali Leh Travel Guide 😉 …
Gulaba
Running through few small villages (Palchan, Kothi) of this beautiful lush green valley you reach Gulaba, 20 KM from Manali. Gulaba is famous as one of the lower winter snow point when the road to Rohtang Pass gets closed. There are only a few Dhabhas on Gulaba and no options to stay.
Marhi | Altitude: 3300 Mtrs
After Gulaba, you reach Marhi which is the highest snow point in winters when the road to Rohtang Pass is closed. There are few Dhabhas on Marhi by HPTDC but there are no stay options.
Marhi is a common stoppage point for people doing cycling on Manali Leh Highway. Cyclists put up their own camps to spend the night at Marhi and get acclimatized for the ride ahead.
Rani Nala
Few KMs ahead of Marhi you reach Rani Nalla, which is a glacier point. This place is famous for its huge snow walls, more than 20 feet high. You can find snow here almost nine out of 12 months. The feeling of going between these huge walls of snow is impeccable, especially in the early season.
Of course, if you do not leave early in the day, then surely the traffic jam may frustrate you in the early season due to the narrow passage and kill your time. You need to leave as early as possible like 5 AM from Manali to avoid the traffic jam on Manali – Rohtang Pass road in June.
It is perhaps the last major point on the southern portal of Rohtang Pass. No stay or food options are available at Rani Nalla.
Rohtang Pass | Altitude: 3980 Mtrs
51 KMs away from Manali town, Rohtang Pass connects the tribal valleys of Lahaul and Spiti to Kullu Valley. This is the hottest Himalayan tourist spot in Northern India and people flood this place in the month of May and June. Though there has been some respite since the introduction of Rohtang Pass permit.
Do expect heavy tourist rush and traffic jam, if you are late in leaving from Manali in the early season.
Rohtang Pass remains closed for more than six months in the winter months due to heavy snowfall and thus closing the Manali Leh Highway.
Many people feel the altitude factor after reaching Rohtang Pass with headaches and feeling to puke. So, it better to keep yourself hydrated on the way. There is no place to stay or eat at Rohtang Pass.
Rohtang Pass is the first of the five major mountain passes in this travel guide of Manali Leh Highway.
Fun Fact: By the way, the meaning of Rohtang is “pile of corpses or dead bodies” 😉 …
Gramphu | Altitude: 3200 Mtrs
After you descend towards the northern portal of Rohtang Pass, you reach a place called Gramphu.
At Gramphu, there is a diversion towards the right which will lead you to Spiti Valley via Kunzum Pass. If you want to visit Chandratal then you need to take the diversion towards Spiti and once you reach Batal, go straight towards Chandratal. There are no stay options at Gramphu, but you will find a couple of tea shacks / dhabhas serving tea.
If you are traveling from Kaza to Manali, it will be the first point where you will get mobile signals.
Khokhsar | Altitude: 3140 Mtrs
Just a few KM after Gramphu, you will reach Khoksar which is the first settlement in the Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
This place has several Dhabhas where you can enjoy the food, a clean washroom or toilet to freshen up and a PWD rest house for night stay. To stay at the PWD rest house, generally, you will need bookings. There are few houses as well in this small village. The Chandra river flows through this place, and the surrounding views are just amazing from the village.
It is a major eating point on Manali Leh Highway especially when you are traveling from Manali to Jispa for the first night stop.
Sissu | Altitude: 3170 Mtrs
Sissu or Khagling is a small town situated at the right bank of Chandra River in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh. There is a waterfall on the opposite side of town which looks spectacular especially near monsoon months.
Sissu has a PWD Rest House, but in case you want to stay, then you should book that in advance else you may not find the accommodation. My personal experience had not been good with getting any accommodation at any of the HP PWD Rest Houses.
Apart from PWD rest houses, there are a couple of more places to stay at Sissu including Hotel Triveni.
There are a few dhabhas or food stalls where you can find food, tea/coffee, and drinking water as well. You may also get some basic healthcare facilities at the local Primary Health Care center at Sissu town.
There is also a helipad that is used for the chopper services and mainly utilized by locales in the winter months when the roads are closed due to heavy snow at Rohtang Pass connecting Kullu – Manali valley and Kunzum Pass connecting Spiti Valley.
The northern portal of Rohtang Pass tunnel will be opening near Sissu, very soon (as of 2018).
Tandi | Altitude: 2573 Mtrs
Next on the list of places to visit on Manali Leh Highway is the most important place called Tandi.
At Tandi, you will find the only petrol pump on Manali – Leh Highway after Manali and up to Karu or Leh. The next petrol pump is about 365 KMs away towards Leh from Tandi.
Hence, you mustn’t miss this petrol pump to top up the fuel. Apart from being famous for this only petrol pump on Manali – Leh Highway, Tandi offers a view of the confluence of Chandra River and Bhaga River. The merged river is called Chandrabhaga River, and when it enters Jammu and Kashmir, it is further called the Chenab river.
The Chandra River originates from Chandratal / Samudri Tapu, Spiti Valley, and Bhaga River originates from Suraj Tal or Surya Tal, Lahaul Valley. So, if you have time on hand then do click some pictures of the confluence too.
There is Manali Leh Highway travel guide that is complete without the mention of Tandi petrol pump 🙂
Keylong | Altitude: 3080 Mtrs
Next comes Keylong, which is the biggest town located on Manali – Leh Highway and is the district/administrative headquarter of Lahaul Valley and Spiti Valley districts of Himachal Pradesh.
All the major GOVT. Offices of the district are present in Keylong town only. The Keylong town is completely cut off from the outside world in the winter months of November to April, due to heavy snow present at Rohtang Pass.
The opening of the Rohtang Pass tunnel will provide year-round connectivity to Keylong and the rest of the Lahaul Valley. Although the road from Manali to Leh will remain closed at other mountain passes in winter months even after the Rohtang Pass tunnel is operational.
Keylong Sightseeing & Stay Options
There is a famous Kardang Monastery in Keylong, which is the largest and most important monastery of the Lahaul district of the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The views from the Keylong town are pretty nice with the Bhaga river flowing in between, but I felt it (Keylong) a bit boring 🙁 …
Also, people coming to explore Lahaul Valley including Udaipur, Triloknath Temple, etc make Keylong as the base town.
Most people while traveling on Manali – Leh Highway, including the HRTC and HPTDC bus services, halts for a night stop at Keylong town. There are many options for accommodation (small hotels and guest houses) available at Keylong, including the famous HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga, Circuit House, PWD Rest House, Tourist Bungalow, etc. There are few small hotels or guest houses in Keylong town which are right on the Manali – Leh Highway and can be opted for a stay too without going down to Keylong village.
Utilities / Services at Keylong
There are phone services at Keylong, and mobile phone data services work great too at Keylong. You can make calls at home from Keylong as then mostly there will not be any phone signals once you cross Darcha and reach Upshi near Leh on Manali Leh Highway.
The electricity power connections are also available at Keylong, which can be utilized to charge mobile or camera batteries.
Medical facilities are also available at the local hospital, and there is also one SBI ATM in Keylong town. So, if you have, by chance, missed the ATM at Manali to fetch the cash, then do not miss the ATM at Keylong. However, in the first place, I will say that DO NOT miss to carry cash from Manali ATM. Still, if you have missed it then try your luck at the Keylong ATM which is the only ATM available on Manali Leh Highway.
Jispa | Altitude: 3320 Mtrs
Jispa is a small village that is located on the banks of the Bhaga River. While coming from Manali side, Jispa is my most preferred place for a night stay and to break the journey on Manali Leh Highway in two days.
The accommodation options present in Jispa are limited as compared to Keylong, but if you book them in advance, I bet the vistas are worth spending time and money. Jispa feels much closer to nature than Keylong.
There is a Hotel Ibex with a perfect restaurant serving delicious food. There are a couple of other guesthouses and some camping tents, including the Swiss tents, which are available as stay options at Jispa. You can get the food as well as beverages here in Jispa.
The village also has a small monastery, a small museum along with numerous trails into the woods which you can explore or how about spending some time on the banks of Bhaga river, for me it’s just amazing.
There is a helipad as well in Jispa. and it does have a telephone connection which you may use to call at home or inform someone close because beyond Jispa mobile signals (might have gone already) as well as fixed phones will be hard to find till you cross Upshi or reach Leh on this adventurous Manali to Leh road trip.
Darcha | Altitude: 3360 Mtrs
Darcha is a small village that is considered as the last northernmost civilized place in Himachal Pradesh. Primarily, everyone traveling on Manali Leh Highway needs to stop at Darcha police checkpoint and has to register their names with vehicle number in the passerby records.
This acts as a record that a person has passed Darcha on his journey on Manali Leh Highway, which is useful in case of rescue like operations (or other purposes as well). Foreigners need to get their passports verified at Darcha police checkpoint.
Darcha is also the endpoint of a famous trek which starts from Padum, Zanskar Valley in Ladakh region and of course, you can start the same trek from here as well. BRO completed the new road from Darcha to Padum via Shingo La pass in 2018. So, if you are planning a trip to Zanskar, then you can travel to Padum from Darcha over Shingo La pass through this route.
Utilities, Food & Stay options at Darcha
Food / Drinking Water / Beverages (tea/coffee) in dhabhas or roadside stalls is available at Darcha on Manali Leh Highway. This place also has some tented accommodations and a few people stay overnight at Darcha as well.
Darcha does have telephone and power connections, in case you need to call home or charge your phone or camera for one last time before reaching Leh, then you may try your luck here as well. I didn’t see any phone here, but people do say that the village has a phone connection.
Beyond Darcha
Beyond Darcha village, the vegetation will start to reduce, and the mountains will start to change their colors into dark brown watercolor paintings that we all used to paint in childhood. The decrease in vegetation also means difficulty in pumping the oxygen, and increasing altitude will make it even tougher.
This is another reason why you need your body to be better acclimatized and always hydrated on this tough journey on Manali Leh road. Do not forget to intake a good amount of water to keep your minerals and oxygen levels correct in the body.
Pro Tip: It will be best if you can carry ORS diluted water or Glucon-D water with you all the time and keep sipping it after every half an hour or so to keep yourself adequately hydrated on Manali Leh Highway.
Deepak Tal | Altitude: 3810 Mtrs
Next on the list of sightseeing places on Manali Leh Highway is Deepak Tal. It is a small man-made lake near Patseo having its own charm and is one of the two lakes that you can visit when traveling to Ladakh via Manali.
The still water of the lake offers some very nice reflecting views, almost picturesque from many different angles to all those photography lovers. So, if you are one of those, then get ready to shoot some unique angle of yours.
You can enjoy a cup of tea or your breakfast at the Dhaba just aside Deepak Tal.
Fun Fact: Beyond Deepak Tal, you will be at an altitude of more than 14000 feet till you reach about Upshi. So, get ready for some real fun in various ways… 🙂
Patseo | Altitude: 3811 Mtrs
After passing through Deepak Tal, you will reach Patseo just a couple of KMs ahead. Patseo is a small place where only a few army camps are present, and sometimes they divert the road in some weird zigzag manner. Once you reach Patseo, the feeling of getting to the high altitude starts taking in effect.
Zingzing Bar | Altitude: 4270 Mtrs
Zing zing Bar is a tiny place with 2-3 tented dhabhas that offers stay options in them as dormitory beds. Of course, these dhabhas do offer food and beverages too.
If you leave early from Keylong/Jispa and you prefer to have your breakfast a bit late, then you can mark Zing zing Bar dhabhas for breakfast as well. This point is where the climb to the mighty Baralacha La pass starts.
Just after Zingzing bar, there was used to be a nalla (water crossing) created by the melting snow of the Baralacha range. People mostly used to get stuck in it when traveling later in the day. However, BRO has built a permanent bridge on top of it, and the adventure of the most ferocious water crossings on Manali Leh Highway is gone.
Still, there are a couple of water crossings on Manali Leh Highway that becomes violent late in the noon. Hence, the advice of starting the day early on Manali Leh Highway still holds true 🙂 …
Suraj Tal | Altitude: 4883 Mtrs
Suraj Tal or Surya Tal is the second-highest lake in India and 21st highest lake in the world. Amidst in the high hills of Baralacha La range and just below the Baralacha La pass (8 KMs before Baralacha La pass), you will find this beautiful crystal clear aqua colored sacred body of water. Suraj Tal is the source of the Bhaga river and remains frozen and cut off in the months of winter.
Early in the season, i.e., June, you will find this lake to be frozen as well. As we get more into the summers, having snow-covered peaks around and emitting its aqua green color at the foothills, the Suraj Tal lake looks simply breathtaking. Do not miss to click a few pictures of this amazing high altitude lake in India on Manali Leh Highway.
Later in the season time when the snow has melted, the Surajtal may not have much water in it and will not look as enchanting as it looks in the early season.
Baralacha La | Altitude: 4890 Mtrs
Baralacha La or Baralacha Pass (La meaning Pass) is second of the five high mountain passes that come on the Manali to Leh Highway. Baralacha La connects the Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh to the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir.
At the North-West base of the Baralacha La range, the Bhaga river originates from Suraj or Surya Tal, and at South East base, the Chandra river originates from Chandratal. Yunam river flows on the Sarchu (Ladakh) side of Baralacha La.
There is another famous trekking route which goes to Chandratal lake, either starting from or ending at Baralacha La. You will not find any food or water or accommodation at this pass.
After Rohtang Pass, Baralacha Pass is the second major hurdle to cross or open. At least in the early season of this journey on Manali Leh Highway, you will certainly witness one or two vehicles either stuck aside or stuck in the middle which results in the traffic jams on this road.
The ice or snow melting from the slopes, battered by moving traffic either creates deep mud or deep water crossings by washing away the roads. This gushing water makes the journey more adventurous and full of challenges on this mighty mountain pass. Once you get into the late-season like September – October, the Baralacha La pass becomes mostly devoid of snow.
The feeling of passing through this particular pass is a feeling of its own kind and I purely loved it 🙂
Bharatpur – Killing Sarai or Sarchu Sarai | Altitude: 4600 Mtrs
After passing through a small deserted place named Killing Sarai or Sarchu Sarai, you will reach Bharatpur, which has a few dhabhas to have some food as well as a series of tented accommodation running alongside the Manali – Leh Highway.
Some people do stay overnight at these camps as well, but being in much higher altitude than Sarchu, I do not recommend to sleep at Bharatpur as well. The accommodation or camps at Bharatpur are cheaper as compared to the stay options at Sarchu. You can have food/tea/coffee here.
Once you cross Bharatpur, after a few km, you will come across a road straight as an arrow leading towards Sarchu. Your instincts will compel you to rip apart, and just zip pass through it, especially after you have been held up by the road conditions since morning.
I will STRONGLY suggest to hold on to those instincts of pushing the paddle of your as the road is straight, somewhat metalled. Still, it does have lots of bumps in between may be due to the loose soil beneath or due to holes dug by Himalayan marmots. You do not want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere when the broken car at Sarchu.
All I want to say is that while speeding through that road to Sarchu on Manali Leh Highway, do not be too complacent else be ready for some super bumps on the way. When self-driving to Ladakh, always make sure you are not carried away by the emotions and drive with caution & care.
Sarchu | Altitude: 4290 Mtrs
222 KM away from Manali, Sarchu is famous for the night halt because it offers some good tented accommodations on Manali – Leh Highway. At Sarchu, the state changes from Himachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir. Also, the Deepak Project of BRO ends and Himank Project starts from Sarchu.
At Sarchu, there is a second police checkpoint where you need to register your name again on this epic journey on Manali Leh Highway. The entry acts as a record of your arrival up to Sarchu.
Sarchu is almost a middle point of the journey on Manali – Leh Highway offering some good accommodation options including the Swiss tents with attached toilets. Hence, many people do consider Sarchu for a night halt. People already having the night halt at Keylong or Jispa, usually stops for lunch at Sarchu. It does have a few dhabhas which offer food and beverages as well.
At Sarchu, you may get some fuel or petrol in black in dhabhas in case of any emergency.
Avoid Stay at Sarchu when coming from Manali to Leh
Sarchu is at very high altitude and many people staying overnight at this rough place suffer from mountain sickness including sleepless nights, severe headaches or vomiting. No wonder many veterans call Sarchu a Vomit Hilton.
If you are not properly acclimatized, you will surely be one of them, suffering the pinch or punches, especially at night. While traveling from the Manali side, the body does not acclimatize properly, and in case you have not had a night stay at Keylong or Jispa, the body will surely suffer to adapt at such a high altitude of Sarchu at night.
Hence, even though Sarchu offers some good amount of stay options (tented) but it’s always better to avoid a stay at Sarchu over Jispa or Keylong in the same order of preference. However, if you are coming from Leh or Tso Moriri lake after spending a few nights at higher altitudes in Ladakh, then your body is acclimatized already. So, in that case, you can opt to stay at Sarchu to break the journey on Manali Leh Highway evenly.
Gata Loops | Altitude: 4190 Mtrs
After 24 KMs from Sarchu, a series of 21 hairpin bends or loops about 7 KMs long, just before Nakee La Pass, will elevate you from an altitude of 4190 Mtrs to 4630 Mtrs. These loops are famously called Gata Loops. No food, no fuel, and no accommodation options are available here.
Please note that there goes a story of a ghost of the Gata loops, please don’t pollute the environment in the name of the ghosts or superstitions and do not throw plastic bottles in the offering to them. Even if you are superstitious, offer the water and keep the bottle with yourself.
Nakee La | Altitude: 4740 Mtrs
Next place on the list in this Manali Leh travel guide is the third of the five passes that come on the Manali – Leh Highway, Nakee La Pass. You will not find any soul, food, accommodation or fuel, or even trees here. The place is deserted.
There are few short cuts around Nakee La of dirt roads, I will strongly advise not to take any of the short cuts because I have seen many cars losing control especially when getting down and losing tractions or burning brakes.
Lachalung La or Lachulung La | Altitude: 5079 Mtrs
Lachulung La or Lachalung La or Lungalacha La is the second highest pass on the Manali – Leh Highway and fourth on the way from Manali to Leh road trip.
Get ready to start feeling some more breathlessness from here on. You will reach above an altitude of 5000 Mtrs or 16000 feet for the first time on your journey from Manali to Leh. Again there is no vegetation (also counts for breathlessness too), people, fuel, food, or accommodation at Lachulung La pass 🙂
Pang | Altitude: 4600 Mtrs
Pang, is where you start to see those unique looking soil formations on the mountains. The special and deserted colors of Ladakh will become more prominent just around Pang and onwards. Pang also has the world’s highest transit camps.
At Pang, there are few tented accommodations in Dhabhas for a night stay, and one can also enjoy food or beverages on their short stopover at Pang, evening tea maybe. One of the Dhabhas also had an attached bathroom.
Few KMs before Pang, the road runs alongside a river which offers an exciting feeling and some very nice views. Pang, along with its surrounding areas, does offers some fantastic views to be captured in your camera. Hence, do not miss the opportunity to record a few of them and spend more time between Sarchu and Pang.
Pang is at a higher altitude than Sarchu, which will account for headaches + mountain sickness and offers much lesser accommodation options too. Hence, it is always better to stay at Sarchu, which offers Swiss tents too unless you have some emergency.
You may get some fuel or petrol in black in dhabhas at Pang in case of an emergency.
Pang is an important place where you can find food and accommodation at least before Rumtse – Upshi, which does have very basic and limited guesthouses.
If you are running late, then at Rumtse – Upshi as well you are likely to be unlucky on the accommodation front. Hence, if you think you have gone late and don’t want to carry on till Leh in the dark, I will suggest you stay at Pang only and thoroughly enjoy the rest of the colorful journey in the next day’s daylight. It will be worth.
Some of the dhabha have electricity arranged from transit camps or battery backups, so, you may charge your phone or camera here. Also, the army transit camp may have a phone to call back home in case of an emergency.
In case of any medical emergency on Manali Leh Highway, you can get help at the Pang army transit camp.
Moore Plains or More Plains or Morey Plains | Altitude: 4730 Mtrs
Next place in this Manali Leh guide is one of the most interesting popular by the names More Plains or Moore plains, or Morey plains.
More plains are surprising, flat bedded plains amidst the highest of hills in the country. They run over a length of about 30-35 KMs. As soon as one reaches Moore Plains, the instincts force people to make their roads 😥 but I request you not to do so because it damages the ecology of the place and disturbs the wildlife. So, please stay on that beautiful blacktop road.
Fortunately, BRO has built a well-laid tarmac road on which you may hit 60 KMPH for the first time after long hrs of this drive on Manali Leh Highway. Hence, please avoid off-roading and preserve the ecosystem. Use this well-built road and enjoy the views at Moore Plains. You can make good progress on some lost time as well by staying on the road.
Many of the wild animals live on the water sources present in Moore plains and running the car off the roads may damage those scarce sources. Many people try to do off-roading for show off, and all sought of things with their vehicles, including the race with other fellow drivers.
However, these jerks are unaware of the fact that along with risking the damage to the vehicle in loose soil or potholes in the middle of nowhere, they are also disturbing the ecology of the place.
So, I request at least you not to do so and respect mother nature in every term so that it prosper more and more for our generations to come.
If you are lucky, you may spot a Kiyangs (Ladakh wild asses) and Blue Sheeps too at Moore Plains on Manali Leh Highway. Hence, keep your cameras ready for the game 🙂
Debring | Altitude: 4835 Mtrs
At Debring, there are few wrecked shelters of road workers maybe and some army camps too. Sometimes there you can find a makeshift dhabha too where you can stop for tea.
Debring is the point where the diversion road to Tso Kar and Tso Moriri lakes connect at Leh Manali Highway. The road is a mix of good and bad to Tso Moriri from Debring.
However, you should not visit the Tso Moriri lake from Manali side as you will not do not have the inner line permits to visit the lakes. If you are traveling from Manali to Leh by car, even if you arrange the permits through a travel agent, it is not recommended that you attempt a stay at such high altitudes (Tso Moriri: 4595 Mtrs and Tso Kar: 4530 Mtrs) with improper acclimatization.
Well, on your return journey from Leh to Manali, if you have plans to visit Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes then you can exit on Manali Leh Highway at Debring via this route.
Taglang La or Tanglang La | Altitude: 5328 Mtrs
Taglang La is the last and the highest mountain pass on Manali – Leh Highway at a whopping altitude of 5328 Mtrs or 17582 feet.
This pass is also the falsely claimed to be the second-highest motorable pass or road in the world, after Khardung La (5602 Mtrs or 18380 feet) which is also falsely claimed as the highest motorable pass or road in the world.
The winds at the Tanglang La pass are cold, and the force is such that it will blow you off the cliffs. Sometimes, it’s even hard to stand on your ground even. Secondly, the oxygen level per breath decreases considerably, and with almost nil vegetation, most people suffer breathlessness at this pass.
The raging pollution from trucks or oil tankers also accounts for the stoppage being brief, by most people. Don’t be surprised if your head may also spin many rounds at this place, especially when you travel to Ladakh via Manali side.
I do not recommend spending more than 15 minutes on Taglang La pass. While our short stay of 10 minutes, I had almost lost my footing quite a number of times due to that spinning effect at Tangang La 😀 (Disorientation or ataxia)…
The picture on the side of the signboard of one of the 15 highest motorable roads in the world, is a must for everyone visiting this Taglang La pass on Manali Leh Highway. You may not find food (sometimes a makeshift dhabha), and there is no place for accommodation at this place.
Rumste | Altitude: 4260 Mtrs
As you descend from Taglang La, Rumste is the first settlement you will come across as you enter the Leh valley. It is situated alongside the Indus river and has some tea houses and homestays.
The road conditions are in good shape at Rumtse. From Pang to Leh, the road conditions are excellent, mostly on Manali Leh Highway. There will be a point when you are driving just beside the Indus river, and I tell you that you will feel ecstatic, forgetting all about the swaying headaches in the past 3-4 hours.
Reaching Rumtse, you will start to breathe a bit better, and so as your head will also feel slightly lighter due to the decrease in altitude. I started to feel that I have reached my dream destination, i.e., Leh :).
I am not aware or heard of any accommodation or food options that may be available at Rumste apart from some homestays if the villagers allow you to stay. Secondly, the drive to Leh from Rumste is almost like driving in plains, and you can cover the remaining distance fast enough.
Hence, after clicking the pictures of this small village or spending time beside the Indus river, you better move ahead towards Leh and stay overnight.
Upshi | Altitude: 3480 Mtrs
Upshi has the last police check-point where you need to register your name along with vehicle number in the records. This destination marks either your arrival in Leh town or marks the departure from Leh town in the opposite direction.
Upshi is a small village from where the right will take you to Hanle and Tso Moriri lake via Chumathang. It does have few homestays/guest houses with food but they are very basic.
A few KMs ahead of Upshi, at Karu, you will finally find the second petrol pump of Manali Leh Highway. You should top up at Karu petrol pump when traveling from Leh to Tso Moriri to Manali without going back to Leh.
But, you can ignore it if you are heading to Leh, where you can find the fuel as well. So, overall you can ignore Upshi and Karu and head straight to Leh even if gets late.
Leh | Altitude: 3500 Mtrs
Leh, the dream of reaching Ladakh is finally true, and if you love this place then the excitement to reach Leh will refresh each of your body parts even after these 12 hours of an arduous journey on the Manali Leh Highway in a single day.
It’s always better to spend a couple of nights at Leh for local Leh sightseeing and get a feel of the culture, people, traditions, monasteries and magical aura of Leh – Ladakh. It will also help you acclimatize to further sightseeing places in Ladakh.
Main market and Changspa road are two happening places in Leh. So, if you like a lively environment, then try to get a hotel in Leh as close to them as possible. The next day, along with local sightseeing, you can also arrange the Inner Line Permits for other Ladakh destinations you are planning to visit in Leh – Ladakh.
This completes the last place in this Manali Leh travel guide.
Conclusion
I hope the above information in this Manali Leh road trip guide along with dedicated links will help you plan your travel to Manali – Leh Highway in the entirety and hasslefree.
In case you wish to share your experience or have any suggestions or have any questions then please feel free to leave a comment below, and I would be more than happy to respond to it within quick time.
Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions on traveling to the Himalayas.
If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Manali Leh Highway, do share this travel guide with them to help them make a memorable Ladakh trip.
929 Comments
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hello dhiraj 22 i want to ask that is the way open for leh via srinagar or manali
Aman, both Manali – Leh Highway and Srinagar – Leh Highway are open now.
Bro are u sure becz some1 had told me that after rohtang the route is totally blocked
Aman, 100% sure as I have talked to 4-5 people in person now who have reached up there in Leh from Manali – Leh Highway.
Thankuu shoo much bro can I have u r cntct num
hello dheeraj,
1st of all great thanks for such a nice blog which is so helpful for us.
we are 9 persons in our group. and leaving hisar (haryana) for leh on 13th night via srinagar. we have 15 days in our hand.
now sir i want to know above following:-
1) manali to leh road is open or not till now?
2) main attraction on that route?
3) where can we stay fully comfort (we are 9 persons in our group)
4) most important :- where we can stay as a guest in local houses on both routes (srinagar to leh & leh to manali)
thanks in advance. waiting for your reply.
Narendar, I think you must have left by now. Enjoy the trip. Manali – Leh Highway has been opened now.
Dear Dheeraj, I’m highly impressed by your passion and the website/articles you’ve posted. Planning a trip to Ladakh has become far easier with all the information and personal experience you have shared. Thanks on behalf of fellow travelers.
I’m planning a road trip to Leh via Manali/Rohtang from 10th to 20th July. Considering 2X2 Scorpio from Zoomcar for the drive. I need clarifications on two things.
a) Will 2X2 Scorpio be the right vehicle for the terrain or we need 4X4. Zoomcar folks do not have 4X4 vehicles.
b) Is first half of July a heavy rain period to drive through, especially in Himachal? Basically would like to avoid driving through the peak rainy season.
Thanks in advance for your response.
Cheers
Thank you Sanjay !! 🙂 🙂
1. Yes, 4×2 if you are a decent driver wil be quite good for the whole circuit as it is mostly the High GC that matters
2. Yes, first half of July is a good time to visit Ladakh. Mostly monsoons are delayed now a days and start to create havoc towards the end of July and in August as per last few years pattern. Though you cannot be sure of these things any time.
Hi Dheeraj,
Can u suggest whether we should hire Scorpio or Innova from Jammu to leh. Drivers are suggesting that Scorpio is better but I have heard that Innova is comfortable. We are reaching Jammu on 12th Morning.
Go with Innova for more comfort, since those are local drivers they will be able to manage. But yeah of course if there is a group of 3-4 people only then Scorpio makes more sense as in case you do not have good driver behind the wheel, the car will manage itself mostly with little skills.
We are 5 people as of now.
Go ahead with Innova in that case.
Hi,
I am planning to travel to Leh on 1st wek of July from Chandigarh. If possible can anyone provide details for renting a Royal Enfield bike in and around Chandigarh.
Thanks in advance.
regards,
Sumeeth
Sorry, no idea on that front.
Hi Sir,
Can u clear my doubts whether permits are required for this route
Manali-Leh-Khardungla-Nubra valley-Pangong-Marshim La-Tso Mori-Leh…
Any additional details will be appreciated……..Thanks
Replied: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/permits-ladakh-not-required-indian-tourists-may-2014/comment-page-2/#comment-333223
Hi dheeraj,
I wanted to know about the issues with permit through rohtang pass like if we travel from srinagar to leh the from leh to Manali do we still need pass for that,
2nd thing do we need to pay those new ngt charges if we are coming from Ladakh??
3rd like we heared that only 400 diesel vehicles are allowed does that means ppl coming from Ladakh too will be counted in that number??
It will be very helpfull if you reply for my queries…. Thnks 🙂
No Prateek, no permits are required in case you are traveling from Leh to Manali side over Rohtang Pass. All the restrictions does not hold good for this direction and applicable only for vehicles coming from Manali to Rohtang Pass.
Hi Deeraj,
I must say you have written a well descriptive article sharing your immense knowledge with us. I have also planned to visit Leh via Manali along with friends in our personal Scorpio. We had plans to leave from Delhi on the night of 5th June but I hear from someone that Rohtang pass is not opened yet. Can you let me know what are the timings of the opening of the pass. Are there any contact numbers from where we can get the information regarding this.
Best,
Haneet Singh
Thank you Haneet.
Rohtang Pass has been opened for a while now, however, Manali – Leh road will open by 15th June as per last reports from BRO. So, you cannot take the journey before 15th June.
Many things regarding Rohtang Pass will clear once NGT issues new order on the hearning pending on 8th June.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thanks again for your inputs Dheeraj. Guess we had to take Srinagar Leh way then.
Hello Dheeraj,
First of all, thanks for all the help you provide to all.
I am travelling to Leh Ladakh from mid June covering the route Kolkata-Chandigarh-Manali-Leh-Srinagar-Jammu-Kolkata. Its a 18-day tour inclusive of the train journey.
I need to have an active internet connection on my pone all the time. I would like to know about the availabilty of 3G or 2G services on various networks so that I can get a new connection well in advance.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Regards,
Pramit.
Pramit, most of the time when you enter into Ladakh district where ever there is connectivity you will get 2G mostly. Regarding 3G, very few spos you will get it from Jammu to Srinagar to Leh to Manali. Within Ladakh connection will more or less be available only around Leh and no where else. So, you can say there will be around 30-35% internet connectivity available for you from Jammu to Srinagar to Leh to Manali.
Thanks again.
Hi Dheeraj,
Will this news impact on people who are travelling to Leh via Manali – Leh highway or getting bacl from Leh via Manali – Leh highway ??
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/SC-refuses-to-stay-NGT-restrictions-on-tourist-vehicles-plying-through-Rohtang-Pass/articleshow/47427310.cms
It will not impact the people coming from Leh to Manali but as per initial reports of the implication, yes, it will impact people going to Leh from Manali.
Thanks Dheeraj
hi dheeraj. You are doing a great help to everyone by this site. Just needed a small clarification.
1) is it possible to reach manali from leh in one day if we start early in the morning from leh. If it isnt possible where maximum can we reach if we take minimum breaks. can we reach manali atleast by noon of the second day?
2) is it possible to reach manali from pangong tso in one day if we start early in the morning from pangong tso. If it isnt possible where maximum can we reach if we take minimum breaks. can we reach manali atleast by noon of the second day?
What is more advisable. to come back to leh from pangong and then start for manali the next day or start for manali directly from pangong.
Hi Ravi,
1. You can start from Leh at 5 AM and reach Keylong and Jispa and from there next day you can start early morning to reach Manali by noon.
2. Not possible. Follow 1.
3. In case you going to Pangong Tso, then you will need two days to reach Manali anyhow. From Pangong Tso you can start early and reach Pang or Sarchu, next day from Pang or Sarchu you can reach Manali by evening or break the joruney to reach Sissu or Khoksar from Pang or Sarchu and next day reach Manali by 12 PM types.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hello Dheeraj i live in Gurgaon and i am planning a road trip to Leh via Manali and coming back via Srinagar in my Nissan Terrano next month with my partner. I have no time boundation for the trip. Can you please give me a rough itinerary for the trip. Me and my partner can drive whole day and want so see snow on roadsides. before it melts.I am confused about how many days to spend on each place including the Leh-Manali highway. I have a rough idea as follows:
Day 1: Manali
Day 2: Jispa
Day 3: Sarchu or Leh
Day 4: Leh
Day 5: Leh
Day 6: Leh
Day 7: Kargil
Day 8: Srinagar
Day 9: Srinagar
Day 10: Patnitop
Day 11: Gurgaon
Please help. Many Thanks.
Vishesh
Hi Vishesh,
I will suggest that you start the trip around 12th June. I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here
Regards
Dheeraj
Hello Dheeraj, first of all you have made one heck of a blog, really impressive and more importantly very informative. And thanks for the helpful and quick reply of my post. Now i have last few doubts regarding the trip,
1) Do we need to carry our passports too along with other ID’s.
2) Do we have to obtain any kind of pass/permit for the vehicle to enter and sightseeing Leh and other places in J&K as i have heard that you can only take your car to Leh after that you have to hire a taxi for sightseeing because the outside personal vehicles are not allowed to do that in Leh.
3) Is there any chance for skiing in J&K in this season.
4) If i have to skip one place between Pangong or Tsomo Riri or Nubra devision what should it be.
5) Anything that i need to book online prior to the trip to make it more planned and relax.
6) Any additional advice from you and any fixed date to start my journey.
Many thanks,
Vishesh
Hello vishesh,
1. Any photo national ID will do.
2. As long as you are taking a vehicle that has white number plate, it is fine to take up there and to other places of sightseeing.
3. Higly likely NO
4. You can choose between Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. Since people have charm of Pangong Tso, go ahead with it.
5. Nothing unless you want to stay at some specific place and are not OK with searching 2-3 places to find a place to stay, it is fine to go on the spot.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi dheeraj
our plan is postponed due to some reasons. Can you tell me about the monsoon in ladaakh region. We are planning to start on 10th July now, is the date is ok ?
And i just read post about vehicles outside of leh are not allowed in the region as we are going in our self driven personal car with haryana registration ?
Many Thanks
Vishesh
Replied here: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/most-common-itinerary-for-leh-ladakh/comment-page-10/#comment-336590
Hello Dheeraj,
First of all awesome website. Got a lot of info on trip planning for Leh.
My friends and I are planning a trip to Leh from Sept 1 to 12 and I have some questions.
1. As far as I understand the Srinagar-Leh route is better route than Manali-Leh. But are there any bike/car rentals at Srinagar like Manali?
2. Is September the best time because I understand the rains would have receded by then?
3. Can we take our own camping equipment rather than staying in one of the local ones we put up our own?
Hi Prasad,
You can travel from Srinagar side and come from Manali side to enjoy both of them
1. You will get car rentals in Srinagar. For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2015 – 16 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
2. September is a good time to travel, one of the best.
3. Yes, you can. For information on pitching your own camps in Leh – Ladakh, please refer our FAQ in the community: FAQ | Can I pitch my own tents or camps anywhere in Ladakh?
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi,
Me and my friend are planning for a bike trip from delhi to leh via manali in the first week of june. Please suggest if it will a favorable time for the bike trip. If not please suggest when will be the best time for this bike trip.
thanks.
Sanchit, the Manali – Leh Highway is expected to be open by 15th of June as per last reports from BRO. So, first week of June it will be closed in all likely chance. It takes about 8-10 days to settle the road from initial snowslides and risky conditions, so even if the highway will open before it may not be favourable and safe for some days after it opens.
Thanks Dheeraj for your suggestions and the update. It was of great help. Could you please suggest the best time (please be precise with the month or week 🙂 ) for a bike trip to leh via manali.
Thanks in advance.
sanchit
Plan anytime between 25th June to 20th July before rain arrives Or else plan in September any time 🙂
How about delhi – srinagar – leh highway on the same june 1st week. What are your opinions for bike trip for this route for 1st week of june . I ve seen in many posts that srinagar – leh highway is much better. What would you suggest as we have a plan for 28th may to 7th june. Pls suggest 🙂
It takes 4 days to reach Leh from Srinagar side and is always prefered to enter from Srinagar side and come from Manali side. You have 11 days in hand and 8 days will be taken in traveling to Leh only and coming back on same route. One day is required for acclimatization in Leh so you are left with just two days in which you can do a day trip to Khardung La and Pangong Tso respectively before starting the journey back on Day 8 from Leh.
4 days from (srinagar to leh) or from (delhi to leh via srinagar) ???
Sanchit, Delhi to Leh from Srinagar.
Dear Dheeraj,
I am An avid reader and especially for your Blog,
As per Tribuneindia Published from Chandigarh Rohtang Pass was opened for light vehicular traffice on 14th May 2015.In my past experience of trying to cross over Rohtang from manali in my last 4 attempts , i was able to do it only once.The time of the year for my attempts have been May,June (twice) and July.Every time i have been on a four wheeler,I was able to cross in May 2013 that also because i had resolved that come what may i will crossover this time.It took me six hours from marhi to cross rohtang. The only reason every time to fail was the horrendous traffic jams in rohtang.My every time leaving manali not before six in the morning to cross could have contributed to the failures.That is i use to get so sick and tired of traffic jams that i use to come back to manali every time. Rani Nalla is the the biggest and foremost bottleneck in crossing rohtang that is my perception.I am travelling to leh this year from 12th june , i have heard that one should start very early that is around 3 am in the morning or on Tuesdays for some reason ,if one has to cross Rohtang without much ado.Sir,My question to you if you can enlighten us on this is that what is the best time , Day or what methodlogy one should adopt who is eager to cross over to go to either Leh or spiti. Or is it better to go from srinagar to leh and cross rohtang from keylong side keeping in mind just the only fact that it is easier to get down from rohtang then to go up from manali side.It will be really great to have your input on this.
P.S: this time i am taking my kids 12 and 14 with me.
Jaswinder ji, I understand your pain and hence I never plan my journey first of all in June because of peak season. However, things have changed this year so far as it looks because only 1000 vehicles are allowed now to travel to Rohtang Pass for commercial or tourist purpose. Hence there will not be much of traffic now. Though next hearing is pending on this rule in coming week. In any case, Firstly, I will suggest you that please plan it in other direction as going via Srinagar – Leh Highway will be much much easier on your body and help you acclimatize to the high altitude of Manali – Leh Highway. Also, it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Manali – Leh by splitting the journey almost evenly in two days which is very difficult in the other direction. Thirdly, it will allow you to fit Tso Moriri lake into the itinerary in better way. You can read more reasons on the link here
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
thanks for the help dheeraj. i will keep you posted about our trip. Lastly 🙂 any suggestions for us as this is our first bike trip to leh and we have 2 bikes yamaha fzs & pulsar 135.
I will suggest that you go through the articles mentioned under the DwD Community thread for a bike trip to Ladakh or any other part of Himalayas at the link: All About Bike Ride to Ladakh & Himalayas. This will help you cover almost all your queries or many useful + practical tips related to a bike trip to Ladakh or Himalayas.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning a trip to Leh from Delhi. The itenary is as below:
23rd May Delhi to Srinagar by flight
24th May Srinagar to Kargil by Road
25th May Kargil to Leh
26th May Leh to Nubra valley
27th May Nubra to Leh
28th May Leh to Pangong
29th May Pangong to Leh
30th May Leh to Kargil
31st May Kargil to Srinagar
01 Jun Srinagar to Delhi by Flight
Please suggest the places and sight seeing that we can do on this itenary. like can we do Sonmarg and Gulmarg both on the way to Srinagar to kargill and back. As we are not staying a full day at Leh how do we plan to cover the Leh sight seeings.
I hope the roads will be open with less challenges from 24th May onwards. Also is it a good option to come back via Manali. We have childrens with us. And we had planned by road from Srinigar to Lah so that we can acclimatize the high altitude as we ascend. I see you have mentioned the Manali Leh road may not be open by first week of Jun. I will wait for your reply.
Thanks,
Arup, it is a risk that you are not staying in Leh and directly going to Nubra Valley without much acclimatization in Leh. If possible extend by one day. Manali – Leh Highway will open by 15th June, so that is out of proposition completely. For extracting the detailed sightseing on this route for these days, you can refer the Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Also, on the way back to Kargil from Leh, take the permits from Leh DC Office and explore the new route from Dah – Hanu – Batalik route to reach Kargil from Leh.
is it good plan-we hire bykes in manali then go to leh and leave it,,then hire leh bykes by which we complete the tourist places and return to manali by the leh bykes????
I think you meant return to Manali by Manali bikes not Leh bikes because if you return by Leh bikes then you need to pay one way rental to Leh guys which is very costly.
hi, we are planning a trip to leh, from manali, from 9 th june to 18 th june, 2015. will the roads open by that time ? we are 7 persons. and is it possible to go to pangong tso directly from nubra valley / tsomoriri ?
It might has just opened during that time of the year, Manali – Leh Highway. Hence, it is touch and go and also the road conditions will not be that stable. Regarding direct routes, please read: Tips for Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso Direct Route and Tips for Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri Direct Route
Hi Dheeraj
We are group of 4 ppl(2 couples) planning our trip from May 21 as given below. We wanted to know by May end will the Manali Leh Route will be open?
Days Places Date
Day 1 Mumbai to Srinagar 21-May-15
Day 2 Srinagar to Kargil 22-May-15
Day 3 Kargil to Leh 23-May-15
Day 4 Leh 24-May-15
Day 5 Leh to Nubra Valley 25-May-15
Day 6 Nubra to Leh 26-May-15
Day 7 Leh to Pangong 27-May-15
Day 8 Pangong to Tsomoriri 28-May-15
Day 9 Leh to Sarchu/ Jispa 29-May-15
Day 10 Sarchu/ Jispa to Manali 30-May-15
Day 11 Manali – Delhi 31-May-15
Day 12 Delhi 01-Jun-15
Jiten, I think you meant as below:
Day 8 Pangong to Leh (not Tso Moriri) 28-May-15
Day 9 Leh to Sarchu/ Jispa 29-May-15
Rest looks fine. Regarding Manali – Leh Highway, it might be not open by that time or just opened with unstable roads.
I am planning trip from manali to leh then continuing from leh to jammu. I am planning from 23 may onwards I need to know if the route is open
Sanjay, I will suggest that you plan in other direction so that there is a higher chance of opening up of Manali – Leh Highway when you hit that road.
HI,
i am planning for Manali – Leh in the end of july. i want to ask i have Honda Twister is it ok or i need upper level bike..???
Chetan, with some push at some places it shall be manageable. Especially in slush stretches. However, the advantage will be that being lighter in weight it will be much easy to push and pull 😉
Hi Dheeraj,
we are planning a tour from manali to leh on aug 30. I checked your blog where you told not to book bike over phone or internet. one thing we are fearing is what happened if we don’t find 4 bike on 30th aug? is there bike available always?
can you please let us know good bike rental shop or their number?
we are planning this trip for last two years, so we dont want to take any risk.
please also let us know the feasibility of our rout for 10 days
manali – leh
leh – nubra
nubra – pangong
pangong – tso moriri
tso moriri – manali
we will wait for your reply and we will do whatever you suggest, as I am started to find you my guru by reading your lots of blogs.
Hi Sujay,
Mostly you will find bikes but ye risk is always there but lesser risk than agreeing on some bike which can left you stranded in the middle of no where. Manali bikes are not allowed now to travel in Ladakh to Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley. Also, you are taking direct routes on these places where there will be no one to help. Are you sure about it?
Hey Dheeraj, Is there any inner permits we have to take while from Manali to Leh/Ladakh on bike. ?
Prasoon no permits are required for Indians now in Ladakh. However, you need to take a permit to cross over from Manali to Rohtang Pass that cost Rs 50 and given either at Green Tax barrier or barrier at Gulaba as a toll ticket.
Very thanks to you Dheeraj for the information, I have read that bike rented outside Leh I.e. rented from Manali are not allowed inside Leh ..is it true ? Pls tell me how to deal with it as it will cost more again hiring bike at Leh..
Bikes rented outside Leh are not allowed for sightseeing inside Ladakh except Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes which can be done while going to Manali from Leh. Private bikes are completely allowed. You can use the outside rented bike to reach Leh but then for going to Pangong Tso, nubra Valley, etc.. you need to hire rented bikes from Leh only.
To know more about this rule and present situation, please refer the link: Bikes Rented Outside Leh Banned in Ladakh
This year as per reports, rule is going to be stricter. Manali rental guys have formalized a deal that for the days Manali bike is parked in Leh and Leh bike is rented, they will charge 50% of the rent of the bike. So, confirm with Manali rental guys first about this signoff.
hi Dheeraj !
cn u please give me an estimation on the cost of tolls that inoccured between both I.e delhi-manali-leh and delhi-srinagar-leh ///traveling by 5 seater ??
There is no toll on Srinagar – Leh Highway and Manali – Leh Highway. Toll you will only be paying between Delhi to Jammu route and shall be around 400-500 approx. at max.
Hello Dheeraj,
Awesome work on the forum. Truly appreciate it. I’ve completely analyzed the info provided by you and have come up with an itinerary myself. I’ll be doing it in June for 17 days this year. I know this trip can be done with the luggage on a RE classic 350. my concern is, is it possible to do this trip riding doubles (me and a pillion) and all our luggage being carried on one bike??. The total trip is 22 days, we will do Srinagar Leh Manali and remaining days for Chandigarh Delhi Agra. Please let me know if this trip is possible on one bike with a pillion and our luggage.
Thanks in advance. Waiting for your reply.
Vikram it all depends on how you will manage the space. If you can manage the space then yes it can be done. A lot of foreigners ride doubles too with luggage and that too for many days, so possibility wise it is fine but how much you guys are comfortable and how you manage space yourself is the question for you 🙂
Thanks for the reply Dheeraj.
We will have bare minimum. We will only carry things which are really essential for us and bikes. We are planning to carry it on a carrier which is fabricated especially for this ride. And if the roads are bad, the pillion gets off and pushes the bike. So pls let me know if this ride can be done because you know about the Himalayan road and all the other parameters.
In that case you shall be able to do it bro 🙂 🙂
Hi, we are a group of 8 peoples, planning for a bike trip from Manali. Please can you tell me we should hire the bike from Manali after reaching manali or prebook it. Also the cheapest bike rent that we can get.
Prasoon, best is to get it on the spot after inspecting the bike. Check the article: How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali
Hi Dheeraj,
Read you blog on travelling through Manali – Leh highway, it was very useful. We are (10 people) planning a trip from Manali – Leh – Srinagar in mid August. We will be reaching Manali on Aug 15th and will return from Srinagar on Aug 23 rd. We plan to take a bike trip from Manali – Leh and from thereon to Srinagar via traveller. I will list down our itinerary (rough one), Can you check it a reply back.
Day 1 (Aug 15th) – Reaching Manali by evening (rest day). We are coming from Kerala.
Aug 16th – Visit 1-2 places in Manali.
Aug 17th – Morning leaving Manali for Leh (stay in Jispa according to your suggestion)
Aug18th – Evening reach Leh (stay)
Aug 19 – 20 – Visit places in Leh
Aug 21 – Leave for Srinagar (stay in between/direct to Srinagar) – please help us on that.
Aug 22 -Reach Srinagar
Aug 23 – Return
The above is a rough plan, extending 1 more day in Manali or Leh – Which one will be better and also Leh – Srinagar Do we need to stay in between ? Would be great if you can help us.
Thanks & Regards,
Subin Revi
Hallo
We are 6-7 persons are planing to visit leh. Our plan is as under. Kindly suggest any correction.
11-Jun Pune To Delhi
Delhi To Manali
12-Jun Manali Local Points
13-Jun Manali To Keylong [ 115 Km 5 to 6 Hrs. ] stay at Keylong
14-Jun Keylong To Sarchu [ 105 Km 5 to 6 Hrs ] stay at Saruch
15-Jun Sarchu To Leh – [ 220 Km- 8 to 10 6 hrs ] Stay at Leh
16-Jun Leh around at Stay at Leh
17-Jun Leh To Kargil
18-Jun Kargil To Srinagar
19-Jun Srinagar To Mumbai
Kasture, looking at the plan I feel you are just running over the road to Leh without any sightseeing within Ladakh. Also, I will not suggest you to make a night halt at Sarchu as your body will not be acclimatized and you may get hit with AMS. Hence, better to avoid stay at Sarchu. Do Manali to Jispa on 13th June, then do Jispa to Leh directly to avoid AMS at night. This will save you one day and that can be used in Leh for either a day trip to Pangong Tso OR a day trip to Khardung La.
Dheeraj Ji
As per suggestion we have change plan as under. Is it Ok??
11-Jun Pune To Delhi
Delhi To Manali
12-Jun Manali Local Points
13-Jun Manali To Keylong [ 115 Km 5 to 6 Hrs. ] stay at Keylong
14-Jun Keylong To Sarchu [ 105 Km 5 to 6 Hrs ] stay at Saruch
15-Jun Sarchu To Leh – [ 225 Km- 8 To 9 Hrs ] Stay at Leh
16-Jun Leh To Pangong Lake [ 225 Km 5 hrs ] Stay At Pangong Lake
17-Jun Pangonge lake to Nubra Vally & Stay at Nubra Vally
18-Jun Nubra Vally To Leh & stay at Leh
19-Jun Leh To Mumbai
Regards
Hi Kasture,
You should change it like below:
Delhi To Manali
12-Jun Manali Local Points
13-Jun Manali To Keylong [ 115 Km 5 to 6 Hrs. ] stay at Keylong
14-Jun Keylong To Leh, long ride so start early say 5 AM. This will help you svae health issues due to AMS. Body does not acclimatize for sleeping at Sarchu that early in the trip.
15-Jun Leh rest and acclimatization in Leh
16-Jun Leh To Nubra Valley
17-Jun Nubra Valley to Leh
18-Jun Day trip to Pangong Tso
19-Jun Leh To Mumbai
Please find below a little updated plan as rest mostly it looks fine to me
Aug 19 – Rest in Leh
Aug 20 – Day trip to Khardung La OR Day trip to Pangong Tso
Aug 21 – Leh – Kargil via Lamayuru
Aug 22 – Kargil – Srinagar
Aug 23 – Return
If you can extend a day, then best is that you make a day trip to Khardung La and then a day trip to Pangong Tso
Thanks Dheeraj 🙂
Hello Dheeraj Bhai! Great work with the blog. In one of your articles i read about no mobile network on the majority part of the Manali Leh highway. Since we plan to do Tso moriri while coming back from Leh, it might take us more than three days to reach Manali so I Just wanted to confirm is there anyway to make any contact back home that can be made during these days? If not what is the first place where it would be possible to make any call or message?
Harry, once you cross Darcha, there will be no mobile network almost for next 280-300 odd KMs till the time you reach Upshi. You will be doing like
Leh to Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri to Sarchu
Sarchu to Manali
Now, on Day 1 you can make a call upto Upshi by BSNL Post Paid. Then on Day 2, you will not get any connectivity. Finally on Day 3, you will reach Darcha from Sarchu in about 3 Hrs or so from where you can make a call 🙂
Thanks for the reply buddy! that means roughly a two day stretch without any contact with the world. I was just concerned about our parents being worried back home since we are on bikes. I guess will have to cancel Tso moriri and directly reach Darch the 2nd morning 🙁
Harry, you can also do as below by starting early from tso moriri by 6 AM
Leh to Tso Moriri – Phone connectivity in the morning
Tso Moriri to Jispa – Phone connectivity in the evening
Jispa to Manali – Phone connectivity almost whole day
Ohh can that be done? like is Tso moriri to Jispa possible in a day? Last year i did Chandigarh to Srinagar in a day but that was mainly day.. i had my doubts in this regards.. Anyways thanks a ton for the help.. Will try and reschedule 🙂
Harry, Tso Moriri to Jispa can be done by leaving early in the day, it will take around 12 Hrs.
Hello friends..
I have booked ticket to leh for june 8th. I will be. Accompanied by 10 of my friends. We want to end our trip at delhi via manali or keylong. We want to visit unseen places around leh along with popular tourist destinations like nubar valley!, pangong lake etc. We don’t want to compromise the beauty of the road and the experience. So we can effort to hire good suv. But we have a wish to drive. Any one of the car along with the local driver seating next to me. Is it possible!!
We will reach Leh on 8th June and need to come back to delhi! Y 17 th. What will be your suggested Itenary for the trip. How much cost can I take as estimate for CAR.
Cane you suggest someone to contact for bookings.
I really need your help.
I am from Kolkata and traveling has been my hobby since long. Have experienced all drives arround entire sikkim too. Plz help brother.
Hello Souvik,
You have 10 days in hand and I will suggest that you follow the following itinerary:
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 + Acclimatization
— 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. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— 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 – 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 6 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 8 | 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 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 by overnight Volvo
Regarding hiring an SUV in Ladakh for self drive will not be possible but you may request your taxi driver to help you in it if he allows you to drive his taxi. The taxi for above plan shall cost you around 50-55K upto Manali from Leh as per current year taxi union rates. For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2015 – 16 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Also, Very Good to know about your passion of driving, in case you interested to join in the team we are planning to expand it towards North East section with one expert already in the team, let me know if want to join in and contribute towards the DwD Community.
Regards
Dheeraj
Good Morning Dheeraj ,
Let me tell you that I will be an absolute pleasure of mine if I can contribute my ideas & expertise for north east including the state of Sikkim . Let me know how .. 🙂
now for my leh – ladakh trip , I have a different pla . Kindly go through once.
Day 1: Arrive Leh Airport and met by our representative and transfer to the
hotel. Complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize. Evening visit to Leh
market and Shanti Stupa. Overnight at hotel
Day 02: Leh (Excursion to monasteries) Post breakfast we proceed for Indus
valley Monastery tour including Shey palace, Thiksay Gonpa, Hemis Gonpa, and
Museum, Sindhu Ghat, Stok place and museum. Ovenight at hotel at Stok Village .
Day 03: Excursion to Pangong Lake 14,0000ft After an early breakfast we leave
for Pangong Lake through Changla at a height 17,800ft (5486) Pangong lake
situated at a 14000 feet 4267 4267mtrs. A long narrow basin of inland drainage,
hardly six to seven kilometer at its widest point and over 130 km long. One rarely
feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable.
Evening leisure and overnight stay at camp.
Day 04: Pangong to Leh. Post breakfast we drive back to Leh but one should not
miss the early morning raising sunshine of the lake and its beautiful birds singing,
drive back to Leh overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Leh to Nubra After an early breakfast we drive to Nubra valley leads
through khardong la) at 18,390 ft (5,602m) around 39 Kms from Leh. Arrive
Hunder by afternoon and check in Deluxe camp. Later we drive towards Turtuk
village the last border of India and Pakistan. Later we drive back to Hunder.
Day 06: Nubra valley to Leh After your breakfast at the camp, visit Disket
Monastery from where you can have an excellent view of the confluence of
Shayok and Siachan rivers. Drive back to Leh via same rout. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Leh to Serchu (255 Kms) After the Breakfast drive to Serchu via
Taklangla (5260m) and Lachulung La (5060m). Packed or hot Lunch at Pang.
Arrive at Serchu by evening. Overnight stay follows in the Camp
.
Day 08: Serchu to Manali (222 Kms) After the breakfast drive for Manali via
Baralacha La (4845m), Keylong and Rohtang Pass. Arrive Manali by evening.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 09: Free leisure day around Manali
For this entire trip , I had a talk with a driver called “lobzung” , I got his number from this community itself . He has quoted a rate of Rs 43000 for the entire trip with an Innova . Is it ok to go ahead further ?
As we are going in a group of friends , I am thinking about bonking hotels and tent on spot at Leh once we reach . Will that be a wise decision to take ? Please let me know .
Please suggest
Souvik, this is also fine, all you need to do is swap Pangong Tso with Nubra Valley so that you guys are more acclimatized when you stay overnight at Pangong Tso. Pangong tso should always be done after Nubra Valley. You can book hotels on the spot too and will need to look here and there a bit though.
Regarding contribution to DwD Community, you can register yourself at DwD Community (https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/) and start contributing by starting threads or new topics about North East in the community. Soumen da is already there as an expert for us in for the North East contributing in DwD Community already.
Hi Dheeraj
We (15 to 18 ppl ) have planned to a road trip of Manali – Leh -Srinagar – Manali. But we had few questions which i think no one else could answer better than you. We are coming from Bangalore/Hubli so we are planning for hiring Bikes in Manali for the trip.
1. Are the rental bikes reliable and in good conditions?
2. Is there any particular agency that we can hire the bikes in good condition?What would be the rent?
It would be of great help if you could share the detail of the agency if any present.
3.We have planned to visit in the 2nd and 3rd week of June, how would the road conditions be?
Arjun, 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
If you still cannot or do not want to reverse then we can discuss your above queries 🙂 🙂 … Make the trip in third week of June to settle the road conditions.
Thank you for the quick response Dheeraj 🙂 We will have to stick with the route decided earlier. I would like to know about the queries asked in the previous message. We will have to stick with 2nd week of June as we got our leaves approved for 2nd and 3rd week of June from our offices 🙁
As you wish 🙂 🙂
1. Please read: How to Hire or Rent a Bike or Motorcycle in Manali
2. Bikes rented outside Leh are not allowed for sightseeing inside Ladakh except Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes which can be done while going to Manali from Leh. Private bikes are completely allowed. You can use the outside rented bike to reach Leh but then for going to Pangong Tso, nubra Valley, etc.. you need to hire rented bikes from Leh only.
To know more about this rule and present situation, please refer the link: Bikes Rented Outside Leh Banned in Ladakh
Since, this is the first time rule is getting implemented no one is sure what will happen or what will not. I personally feel larger groups will be targetted more than smaller groups or individuals.
For renting bikes in Leh – Ladakh along with current Bike Union Prices, you can check the DwD Community thread: Leh – Ladakh Bike Rental Rates 2014 – 15 & Reliable Shops
3. Road will have just opened, so conditions will be a bit bad.
Hello!
Just had a few questions I was hoping you could help me with. Ill be flying in to Chandigarh AUg 4th & heading straight to Kasol for 3 nights after which we plan to drive to Leh. (Manali – – Rohtang – Gramphu – Kokhsar – Keylong – Jispa – Sissu ). Overnight at Sissu.
Next night stay at Sarchu , next Tso Moriri (night stay) & finally Leh. Will spend about 3 nights in Leh, 01 Pangong & 2 at Turtuk. Flying out from Leh 2 weeks later.
Id really appreciate if you could perhaps tell me about some not so common trekking routes and naturally beautiful places to visit around the above mentioned places. I would love to visit Kunzum La but it seems to be off my above route hence not possible. What do you think?
While in ladakh I will also be visiting Turtuk instead of Nubra valley as Ive heard it way more beautiful and less touristy.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Hello Simone,
I will not suggest the stays at Sarchu and Tso Moriri while going from Manali Leh Highway. Your body will not be acclimatized for such an altitude that early and cause severe AMS issues especially at Tso Moriri and Sarchu. Also, these are remote places and getting help will be difficult in such cases with nearest hospital being Leh more than 200 KMs. Also, army helps out in such situations but it is better to not take such a risk rather have a smooth journey. It does not happen to all and always but why do you want to take a chance even. It is better that you reach Jispa from Kasol, stay there overnight instead of Sissu and then make a dash to Leh starting early morning. Rest there in Leh for a day to acclimatize and then start exploring Ladakh in the order Nubra Valley, Pangong tso and Tso Moriri. This is an ideal plan in this order for best acclimatized tour to Ladakh.
Yes, Kunzum La will be off route and will require at least couple of days to visit it. Also, it add the arduous journey from Gramphu to Kunzum Pass as well 🙂 … Turtuk is in Nubra Valley only, thing is it is almost the last point to stay in Nubra Valley with just tyakshi village ahead. But, yes, it is very less touristy and most beautiful in Nubra Valley with Hunder which is touristy.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Kudos to your patience. You answer every question so patiently. Please spare a minute for my question as well.
I have only 9 days for the trip. Since I’m from Hyderabad I’m planning to fly to Delhi, take an overnight bus to Manali and do a Manali – Leh – Manali trip on a rented bike in 7 days. I have a friend in Delhi who will accompany me from Delhi. We plan to rent 2 separate bikes in Manali.
The question is
Will I be able to do Manali – Leh – Manali in 6 – 7 days? Is it advisable? I certainly do not want to miss Pangong lake
(I need to come back to Manali because I cannot take off from Leh because the flight cost and one way bike cost will be exorbitant)
Note: I will not be able to do Leh – Manali – Leh because landing and taking off from Leh would be very expensive
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Pavan
Hi Pavan,
Thank you.
Since, you cannot spare more than 7 days for Manali – Leh Manali journey, I will suggest you follow the below plan which is the only option for you though it will be a bit hectic as you will be traveling almost every day to some or other location. Much like journey will be your destination. Here is the plan for 10 days but since you have 9, so you can do a Day trip to Khardung La or Hunder on Day 5 and on Day 6 do day trip to Pangong tso:
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
— Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
— If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali
— Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
— It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS.
— Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there.
— I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa.
— Overnight at Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh
— Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – 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
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for going out of your way and taking time to answer my question.
Just need one more help.
Can I avoid trip to Hunder/Diskit and do day trip to Nubra valley and come back to Leh? I will get to see Khardungla anyway isnt it? I’m not too keen on seeing too many places either. As long as the below schedule doesnt disturb my acclimatization, it is OK with me. My travel days (Hyd-Delhi-Manali) are also included in my 9 days. Hence, here’s what I’m planning
Day 1 – Morning, Reach Manali from Delhi by overnight bus. Hire a bike in Manali. Reach Solang valley. Over night rest.
Day 2 – Solang to Jispa (night stay at Jispa)
Day 3 – Jispa to Leh (night stay at Leh)
Day 4 – Local sight seeing in Leh
Day 5 – Leh – Nubra – Leh (day trip – come back by evening. over night at Leh)
Day 6 – Leh – Pangong (night at leh)
Day 7 – Leh – Sarchu (night stay at Sarchu)
Day 8 – Sarchu – Manali
Day 9 – Manali – Delhi and take a flight back to Hyd.
This schedule fits perfectly into my itinerary. Do you think this is advisable? Will I be able to acclimatize? Thanks in advance for your time.
I want to do this trip only on bike. Not taxi. I’m OK to have ‘my journey as a destination’, as a matter of fact, that’s what I’m excited about. Please advise.
Thanks,
Pavan
Hi Pavan,
You can do a day trip to Hunder Diskit, start by 6 AM from Leh though. Yes, Khardung La is just 40 KMs from Leh on the way to Nubra Valley. Try to take a risk and sleep at Pangong Tso on Day 6 to relax a bit and then start early by 6 AM from Pangong Tso to reach Sarchu the next day.
Regards
Dheeraj
HI DHEERAJ,
We,6 Guys, are planning to visit Leh in coming Aug. We are planning to book a car from Delhi and thinking to reach Leh via Manali. Is it advisable to book car for entire trip? And such private vehicles are allowed for site-seen at Leh or we will have to hire another local transport for it?
Kartik, are you planning to get a taxi? If yes, then taxis hired outside Leh are not allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh. You can use them just to get into Leh and get out of LEh. For sightseeing in Ladakh, you will need to hire Ladakh based taxi then and there only.
Thanks..
One more thing i want to ask..
Is it worth visiting Leh In Mid-March ? Thinking to reach by Air from Delhi.
Kartik, the conditions will be quite cold, with very very few tourists around, most hotels closed, food will be served basic, most restaurants closed. Also, chances of flight cancellation due to bad weather a bit high. The lakes will be frozen too with no facility of stay around there.
Hi Dheeraj,
It’s nice to see your website with lots of information. We (4 adults) planning to take a road trip from Manali to Leh in June-Aug next year. Please suggest if the timings are ok. Also can you suggest some good cab operators who can provide reliable driver/guide for the trip. We will take a return flight from Leh due to shortage of time.
Thanks
Debasish, time is fine to travel to Ladakh. For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2014 – 15 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.
hello frnd
i am planning a tripon 7th oct frm manali to leh by jeep. can you plz provide me reliable car rentals contact. n how much it should cost including overnight stay at any place in between?
I do not advice to travel on Manali – Leh Highway in October. Few cab drivers will agree I will say, you can try your luck with the list: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/ladakh-zanskar-travel-guides/listof-taxi-drivers-for-ladakh-srinagar-leh-manali-t353.html
hi dheeraj…
i m leaving for manali tomorrow by air..
and den planning to go leh via leh-manali highway..
dis is not my trip to leh but in is month..yes dis is my frst time..
can i plan my journey???
I will not suggest you to travel Manali – Leh Highway at this time of the year.
hi dheeraj ,
i wanted to know the present condition of leh. Is it advisable to visit there on october 2nd?
Akhil, I will not advice to travel on Manali – Leh Highway but you can travel to Ladakh for sure in first week of October though conditions will be quite quite cold.
Hey,
I am flying from Srinagar to leh and planning to go from leh to manali on rented bike and thereon from Manali to Delhi on bus. Wanted to check whether we can get rented bike one way from leh to manali at leh
Thanks
Rakesh, the one way bike rental is quite costly and leave a big dent in pocket for you, sometimes like 12K for just the pickup from Manali. Be sure if you are ready to make that investment or not or if at all it is worth the money spent. My suggestion is unless you are hard core biker and cannot live up the passion of biking, it is not wise to spend that much money just for the pickup of bike.
Hi dheeraj
I am planning for Ladakh via manali via road journey with my wife and a four years old daughter.Just wanted to know whether mid of Sep. shall be fine.
Also please let me know is the journey safe for Travelling along withe the family.Hope no lootmar type incidences via road.
thanks
Mid. September, it starts to get cold, in fact Ladakh higher reached have started getting snowfall now. Go preapred with woolens and it should be fine to travel upto late September. nights at the lakes like Pangong Tso or Tso moriri will be cold.
Hi Dheeraj,
What a great blog and envious life you have! 🙂
We are flying from Delhi to Leh on September 27th. The idea is to drive from Leh towards Manali (stopping where we feel like) and October 8th we camp at Chandratal. 10th morning we fly out from Kullu. I have a few questions for you:
– do you have any recommendations for car hire in Leh?
– what camping equipment will we need for chandratal (besides sleeping bags?) Is there a possibility to hire them somewhere? More importantly what’s the probability of being able to stay overnight near chandratal first week of October. 8th is a full moon which is why we picked that date (and also why we are doing Leh to Manali and not other way round)
– lastly, if you have a recommended route? I have Koko singh’s book on Ladakh and the Himachal version in the same series had worked out really well for an impromptu trip few years back.
Apologies for any questions that you may have already answered on the blog. I’m happy to just have you point me to relevant links.
Thanks a bunch!
Archana
Hi Archana,
Rather Inspiring life 😉
1. For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2014 – 15 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.
2. I will not recommend an overnight stay at Chandratal during that late in season. Also read: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in October
3. What route exactly? Ladakh or Spiti? You can check out: DoW – Maps of Ladakh | Nubra Valley & Changthang
Regards
dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Im going to start my trip on 23 aug, Delhi – Manali – Leh.
as im hearing lots of news about heavy rain in UK and part of HImachal,
DO you have current update about the Manali-Leh highway status ?
Is it still opened or not ?
and what about manali, is it affected by this heavy rain in northern India ?
Manish, roads are open both Manali to Delhi and Manali to Leh. There were landslides but things are through. You should expect some blockades as it is monsoon time but things are settling.
Hi Dheeraj,
I m going to start my trip on 31 Aug, delhi to manali to leh. one of my friend was told about the heavy rainfall on delhi-manali highway at near sundernagar. Do you please give the latest info about the delhi manali highway.
Aman, things have settled now.
Hello! I have a question concerning the HRTC bus service between Leh and Manali. I know that there is a bus which is connecting Delhi and Leh. I can choose this connection in the online booking system but it is not possible for me to find the other way around. It is just not possible to select Leh as source. It want to travel from Leh to Manali in mid or late september. Can you tell please whether it is possible to book this trip online?
Thank you very much!
You can book the bus service from Leh to Keylong, then Keylong to Manali and finally Manali to Delhi.
I just want to add up here, you have to choose the bus type as deluxe bus, for delhi to manali route there is a volvo bus but for manali and leh route there is only deluxe bus, i was facing the same issue as i was putting volvo bus in search option, so please try changing the bus type while searching the bus in manali and leh route, i recently booked so its possible.
Thank you both! Maybe I did not understand everything correctly but I can not find Leh as ‘source’ in online booking system. I have uploaded a photo to illustrate the problem.
http://picload.org/view/cgrwrag/screenshotfrom2014-08-20220011.png.html
Yes, Leh is not in that list. Manish is refering to HPTDC but I am refering to HRTC which you are refering too. In destination you can see Leh but in source there is not any. HRTC only runs standard bus between these places. There is Facebook Page of Himachal Roadways, please get in touch with them there and you should get the updated info. about the last date of bus to Keylong from Leh.
Thank you for your kindness. I have written HRCT a massage on Facebook 🙂
Great, so we look forward to correct details here too so that we can keep all updated 🙂
Hello Dheeraj,
I am planning a road trip by bike on Manali-Leh link. I ahd been reading your blogs and browsing Dow for past 2 days but still confused, so appreciate direct guidance from you. I am just preparing my itinerary based on few friends feedback who had been there. i share my plan below, and then would appreciate your advise on it…
Dates: 10 Aug to 17 Aug [18 i had to be in office ;-)]
Travelling from Chennai.
I plan to take a flight from Chennai to Leh. Settle for 2 day in Leh take rest, do some sight seeing near by and then leave for Leh – Manali trip by rented bike next morning. i guess this 400 approx Kms stretch could be covered in 2 days. Arrive in Manali and do local sight seeing for a day and leave for delhi next day. from delhi come back to chenai.
Major questin: Sould i plan road trip from leh to manali or manali to leh. i read about AMC and is little confused. Only advantage i see for me is that i get direct flight to Leh and save 1 day journey from delhi to manali.
thx in advance for your kind feedback
hi Sachin, if you have to do Manali to Leh then you have to do Delhi to Manali in one or the other way for sure. I will suggest do something like below:
10: Delhi
11: Delhi – Manali
12: Manali – Jispa
13: Jispa – Leh, long day but to avoid AMS, must be done
14: Leh Rest and acclimatization
15: Leh – Khardung La – Leh
16: Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
17: Leh – Delhi and Chennai by flights.
Wow Dheeraj, appreciate your prompt feedback! I follow your itinerary and advice. I proceed with tickets booking and prepare the full itinerary and list of stuff i carry with me. once all in place i make a final check from you on preparation, Sir.
One question as of now…Aug 11-17 is good time to visit manali-Leh i guess, no rains or harsh weather etc!!
Bhai, there will be rains for sure in the lower hills but once you enter rain shadow region of Ladakh after Baralacha La then it should be fine with very less rains or no rains. However, down Rohtang Pass towards Manali and then further down, you will face monsoon hassles.
Sir jee, finally tickets are booked (although most of the friends are ditching me for the trip); but i remain committed to travel (if not now, i wonder in future i will be able to go or not!!)….
by the way little change in plan…in return i take flight from delhi instead of Leh..so the plan is like below:
09 night: Delhi
10: Delhi – Manali
11: Manali – Jispa
12: Jispa – Leh, long day but to avoid AMS, must be done
13: Leh Rest and acclimatization
14: Leh – Khardung La – Leh
15: Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
16: Leh – Manali (is it possible in 1 day??)
17: Manali – Delhi Flight to Chennai at 5 PM
In above itinerary which place/route should I skip to be able to catch my flight at delhi on 17th at 5 PM.
Have to be in delhi by 12 noon to be able to reach airport by 3 pm.
can i make this trip as per above plan..or should i skip any place to be able to reach back to delhi in time..
Leh to Manali is ONLY possible as cannonball run of 16+ Hrs in a shared taxi that starts 2-3 AM from Leh and drop you at Manali non-stop in the evening.
Dheeraj San,
one more question…
i should halt at Jispa or Leh? you say long day at Jispa and halt at Leh..thx for confirming where should i halt for 1 day..
for overnight stay i read your posts but again confused with many options..just suggest me 1 (or 2 as back up) for the night stay…
thanks…i write i na while with questions on items to carry along 🙂
Sachin san, (after a long time I heard san, almost 6 years now :)…)
Day 1 (11), it should be Manali or Solang Valley, Day 2 at Jispa and Day 3 you reach Leh from Jispa directly after a long day.
Solang: Hotel Iceland, Jispa: Jispa Journeys / Padma Lodge, Leh: Khan Manzil, Kidar, Jigmet, Paul Guest House, Glacier View, Greenland Homestay at Changspa,
Moshi Moshi Dheeraj San,
I share my joy to announce that i did successfully completed my trip as planned and also apologize profusely for coming back to you so late.
Your blogs, advise, guidance etc were very useful for the trip. Not to mention this trip did changed me a lot…the stress and extreme weather conditions that i put to my body to test revealed all the affects of the good tonics i had been taking all my life [i hope u understand what tonics i refer here ;-)]. This came as an eye opener to me and i realized that i need to mend my ways if i need to live long being fit and if have to continue these adventures in future too…..
Now i stopped taking all the bad stuff/tonics, having healthy non junk diet,,,started cycling and learning swimming (hope it lasts long)….
May be next time i do the same journey on the cycle… with god’s grace 🙂
Awesome Sachin !! That is how such travel to Himalayas Transforms you, make you better with each trip in one or the other sense 😀 … Thank you for writing it here and sharing your thoughts with us.
Hi,
Thanks for this very helpful information. Do you have any contacts for booking reliable taxi service from Manali to Leh.
It will be helpful if you could share.
Thanks,
Nikhil
Nikhil, check the thread in DoW community: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali
Hello Dheeraj, thanks for this awesome site..We are planning to visit Ladakh in 2nd half of september.
I have an i10 and my friend has a Premier Rio. We are planning to take both of them. (2 couples). Can these cars withstand this journey?
Rio has a good ground clearance so it should not be an issue. Also i10 in September will have advantage too with roads being much better in condition than rest of the season. Still, For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway Or Spiti Valley via Manali Or Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh / Spiti / Manali – Leh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.
Thanks Dheeraj for earlier suggestions :
Here is My complete plan after all the suggestions :
Day 1 : Delhi to Manali
Day 2-3 : rest in manali (since there is bus on the same day when i reach manali and if i take rest i will get the next bus for leh after one day)
Day 4-5 : Manali – Leh ( HPTDC buses)
Day 6 : Rest + local sighting
Day 7-8 : Nubra Valley( diskit and all the places)
Day 9 : Leh – Pangong lake – Leh
Day 10 : Fly back to Delhi
______________________________
or PLan B :
Day 1 : Delhi – Manali ( bus)
Day 2-3 : Manali – Leh ( Bus)
Day 4 : Rest in Leh
Day 5-6 : Nubra Valley( diskit and all the places)
Day 7-8 : Leh – Pangong lake( and around places) – Leh
Day 9 : please suggested a place for this day, i can Cut one day from Pangong, if 2 days needed.
Day 10 : Fly back to delhi
My start plan 23th aug cant be changed( boss woudnt allow :)______________________
so please suggest is manali worth 2 days ?
or shall we live one more day in heaven 🙂
Manish, problem is that whether or not you like 2 days in Manali, it is forced in this circumstance. You have to spend one night in Manali / solang valley at least before moving out to Keylong where the high altitude region starts. Putting up in Vashishth or Solang Valley will help you with acclimatization. So, go with Plan A and stay at either Vashishth OR Solang
Thanks Dheeraj,
One more thing, i have heard that we need to book tents for nubra valley in advance we are staying there overnight,
is that true ?
how much advance we have to book tents and where we can do that ?
can it be done online ?
or we have to do it in leh ?
No need to book online Manish. Go over there and book on the spot else stay at some guest houses at Hunder or hotel in Deskit.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you for the capturing the intricate details of LEH n Ladakh. Need your suggestion on the plan below. Have looked at your suggested itenary and adapted it to suit our travel plan.
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
— Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
— Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
— It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that we do not feel sick or hit by AMS.
— 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 5 AM types, so that we reach Leh in the evening.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder- Turtuk
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit/ Turtuk
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Chusul-Loma-Hanle(If Permits allowed)
— Overnight at Hanle
Day 9 | Hanle– Tso Moriri via Mahe or Chumur(If Permits allowed)
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 10 | 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 11 | Leh – Lamayuru – Kargil
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 12 | Kargil – Drass – Zozi La – Sonamarg – Srinagar
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Have late drunch meal at Sonamarg
— Overnight at Srinagar
Day 13 | Srinagar – Chandigarh
— Overnight at Chandigarh
Avinash, part from direct route of Pangong tso to Hanle from Chusul, I think all seems quite good and you can try your luck with it. Keep in mind that even after you get permits, there is no assurance that Army will allow you to pass through it. So, keep that buffer with you. Also, DO NOT Mention Chumur as it is too sensitive to be mentioned and may lead to ILP rejection in the first step.
Hi Dheeraj,
Came back from the majestic and rejoicing bike trip to Leh Ladakh.
Your Leh manali highway guide really helped us a lot.
Thanks for your updated and helpful information given.
Great!!!
Awesome Tapas, good to know that. If possible, try and share your Himalayan experience with us at DoW – Himalayan Travel Community as Photo Tale or Travel Tale Or your reviews of the hotels/guest houses where you stayed or dhabhas/restaurants you ate food on your trip… All this might help others planning the similar trip too 🙂 🙂
Surely.
Looking forward to it 🙂
Hi,
can you please suggest if this schedule will be fine. as I have my train back from Chandigarh on the 9th Aug and Im reaching Chandigarh on the 28th around 4pm. so I have around 11 days for CHandigarh – Manali – Leh – Manali – Chandigarh.
27th Mumbai TO Chandigarh (4pm)
28th chandigarh evening 6pm to 1am manali midnight
29th Manali take bike and around solang/ Manali Solang Valley and around Manali
30th Solang Jispa next stop ahead Sarchu – ROUTE – Rotang pass / Chandra valley /Koksar /Tandi (PETROL PUMP)/ Jispa/Sarchu
31st – Jispa/ Sarchu TO Leh – Route – Jispa / Baralacha-la pass/ Sarchu/ Gata loops/ Lachlung-la / Nakee-la pass/ Changthang / Tso Kar Lake/Polo Kongka La/ Tso Moriri/Korzok / Changpa nomad life / Mahe Bridge/ Indus / Leh
1st – Leh -around Leh – Shey, Thiksey & Hemis Gompas/ Stok Village/ Market
2nd – Leh to Hunder – Route – Leh/ Khardung La/ Nubra Valley (camel ride) /sunset at a vantage point near Diskit Gompa/ Nite stay @ Hunder
3rd – Hunder to Pangong – Route – Nubra hunder /wari Pass / Chang pass/ Pangong
4th – Pangong to Leh
5th – Leh to Tsomoriri
6th – Tso Moriri to Sarchu- Route: Sarchu/ Gata loops/ Lachlung-la / Nakee-la pass/ Changthang / Tso Kar Lake/Polo Kongka La/ Tso Moriri
7th – Sarchu to Keylong -Route Baralacha-la pass/ Sarchu
8th – Kelong to Manali / nite
Same nite – Manali to Chandigarh
9th – chandigarh 11.20am train to Mumbai
Please let me know if we shoud do this route, we are 4 people and planing to hire 2 bikes.
Thanks
Himani
10th Mumbai
Himani, this looks fine except the fact that you are doing Manali – Leh highway while going to Leh in 3 days which is not recommended. After Solang Valley, you should stay at Jispa and then next day leave early morning by 5 AM to reach Leh by evening. Your body will not be acclimatized to sleep at Sarchu while going to Leh. While coming back, you can do so in 3 days.
Now the day you have saved, use that for a two day trip to Pangong Tso instead of going directly from Nubra to Pangong Tso. This will be eased out and will offer much safer route.
Thanks for awesome information. I was planning my Trip to Leh via Manali in November-14. Your site provided me all the details. Now I will delay my Trip in month of Apr-15 or May-15. Thanks again.
Vinit to travel on Manali – Leh Highway, you need to delay the trip upto January 2015. Also, 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
Hi dheeraj, i am traveling manali to leh in mid og Aug .we are on person me & my wife & my daughter she is only four year i just wanted to know roads are safe or not & Aug month is fine for traveling What more precautions do i take when i m doing journey with my wife
It depends on person to person to take the children of such age group because AMS do not matter with respect to age or sex or any physical health condition. It can happen to anyone of any age or sex or fitness I shall say :D… The issue with children is that they tend to exert the body considering it the same kind of place they belong to and this elevates the chances of getting struck with AMS. Secondly, they are not much expressive about their uneasy feelings, so it is parents who need to watch out and take care that the child is not suffering from uneasy feelings, headache or nausea and is behaving properly. With 2+ year child, I think she will also be NOT able to convey the uneasiness she may feel. You have to be vigilant and if you notice any such feeling or he/she tells you about such a feeling then please do not ascend anywhere, either descend to lower altitude or stay at the same place to watch things overnight and if symptom increase then start descending immediately. Same is applicable for any adult as well. And yes, do keep the body adequately hydrated!!
Also, PLEASE read the article: Traveling to Ladakh with Kids or Babies. This article covers this topic in complete detail.
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 certainty about weather conditions but above is generally common pictures seen over last few years except ugly 2010 …
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning ladhak trip in this july 23rd, we are starting this from delhi – manali – leh. we are landing at delhi @10.00 pm. is there any bus transport service available from delhi to manali after 10.30 pm. please help us out.
Last bus I know which leave to Manali from Delhi is at 10 PM.
Hello Dheeraj,
We are 4 student planning for Manali-Leh trip from 26 July to 2 aug.Plz plz provide me proper itinerary.which is suitable for us bike or Geep (self driven)?What will be cost for geep or car ?
How are you planning to return from Leh? You have 7 days from where to where?
Hi,
First of all I would congratulate on such a successful blog and forum which is an inspiration and help for every traveler. Your blog is the one which inspired me to do the Ladakh Ride.
After three years of planning and cancelling I’m finally going to Ladakh in July.
Itinerary is copied below. Itinerary is flexible. Please feel free to suggest any changes.
Day 1 -19 July: Delhi – Manali
Day 2 – 20 July: Manali – Jispa
Day 3 – 21 July: Manali – Sarchu
Day 4 – 22 July: Sarchu – Leh
Day 5 – 23 July: Acclimatize to Leh and Sightseeing
Day 6 – 24 July: Leh – Panamik/Turtuk – Diskit
Day 7 – 25 July: Diskit – Leh (If possible we can go directly to Pangong)
Day 8 – 26 July: Leh – Pangong Tso
Day 9 – 27 July: Pangong – Leh (Pangong to Tso Moriri)
Day 10: 28 July: Leh – Sarchu (Tso Moriri to Sarchu)
Day 11: 29 July: Sarchu- Jispa
Day 12: 30 July: Jispa – Kullu
Day 13: 31 July: Kullu – Delhi
Queries:
1) How will be the weather at that time. I’m expecting heavy rains till Baralach La. Will it be ok to ride at this time?
2) We are not going for Saddle bags and we will keep our stuff in Rucksacks and tie them to the seat and cover them with sheets. Will it work?
3) We are buying Army Boots from Gopinath market. Will we face issues after crossing streams?
4) Will we need Permits?
Please suggest me.
Cheers
Ashwin
Guess Ashwin, this is being answered in DwD Community thread I believe.
OK Many Many fresh ppl go to there leh trip
and im one of them 🙂
I hope there are lot of experience ppl will help me or ppl like .
My problem start with very basic question :
1. Should i have an online reservation of Manali- leh ( HRTC) ?
I will be reaching delhi from mumbai at 5 pm.
so i have two option, go to chandigarh ( will reach there around 11 pm by catching 7 pm shatabdi)
or catch any bus from delhi (around 6 pm)
In both of the cases im not sure that these buses will take me to manali on time( before 9 am)
and how far that place where i got the bus to Leh.
so help me out here ppl
thanks.
Manish, you should reserve the Manali to Leh bus by HRTC as HPTDC one will start in July. Book and HPTDC Volvo bus from Delhi to Manali which runs late in the evening or HRTC Volvo which also runs late in the evening. They will make you reach Manali early morning. Rest for a day there and do Manali – Leh by HRTC bus service. In case you visiting in July, by that time HPTDC semi delux bus will also start from Manali to Leh which you can take too.
Hi Dheeraj,
There is news about Delhi-Leh Bus services, just wana know do you have idea, when its going to start ?
doubt in my mind is they saying fare from delhi to leh will be around 1300/- and currently fare from manali to leh is around 2500, so how its possible get from delhi to leh in 1300/- ?
another question is
IF i took bus from delhi which is schedule around 6.30PM so im able to reach to manali in time to catch the 9:00 am bus from manali to leh. both are himachal tourism buses
I think I have replied to it in some other thread.
We are 4 person age group 55-58 yrs.in a Scorpio leaving from Delhi on 18July will be doing Manali, Jispa,Leh/around Leh, Kargil,Srinagar, Mughal route to Jammu , return Delhi on 03 Aug. any like minded , there are few friends willing to bring own Jeep / bike any one want to join us call me at 09810506646
please writ me
Hi Dheeraj,
I visit almost everyday your site and i must say its very helpful.
I have traveled once to leh via manali-leh highway on mid sept-2012 and was forced to return back from Pang because of sudden snow fall and bad health. We got stuck just before baralacha because of weather.
We have planned to visit once again and starting our journey on 28th June from Delhi. Will reach Manali on 29th and have return tickets booked on 9th July 2014.
Need a route plan so that i can see Pangong Tso, Nubra valley ,khardunla,Diskit,Hunder, Man – Merak, Chusul,Tsaga , Loma , Hanle , Nyoma ,Tso Moriri. How to go via Chumur.
Sorry to mention few things.
1.Returning 9th July 2014 from Delhi airport.
2.10 Persons travelling 6(bikes) + 1 Taxi.
3.Can u suggest some renting agents fro bikes and taxi?
For renting bikes in Leh – Ladakh along with current Bike Union Prices, you can check the DwD Community thread: Leh – Ladakh Bike Rental Rates 2014 – 15 & Reliable Shops
For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2014 – 15 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.
Thanks a lot Dheeraj.
I need bike and taxi renting agents from manali.
4 Bikes + 1 SUV preferred
1.Is accomodation is there at pangong tso ?
2. While returning can return from Pangong tso to Tso Moriri? any accomodation there?
3.And which route to follow on way back to manali considering the above route ?
Tapas, do you know outside rented bikes are not allowed now for Pangong Tso and Nubra in Ladakh?
You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here
Dheeraj, simply saying-
“you are GREAT Yaar”
Thank you so much Shera !! 🙂
Don’t plan for Chumur as you will be end up not doing the entire route 😀 … It is a trouble some place and in case you mention on permits, you will end up loosing permits for other parts too. Hence, do it when you have enough reasoning, time and can afford loosing places. Now, To get an idea of the routes in Ladakh along with distances, you can refer: DoW – Maps of Ladakh | Nubra Valley & Changthang. Keep in mind that, the remote routes are isolated and completely off track with almost no roads. Better stick to traditional routes in case it is the first trip to Ladakh.
Regarding these places of remote Ladakh, you will need permits from DC Office. Even if you get permits nothing is sure that army will let you pass through Chusul and Tsaga or not.
Hello
Is manali leh highway open?
Yeah, Manali – Leh is open all open now… Traffic was supposed to be allowed to ply in couple of days after trial runs… But this anyways means unofficial opening of pass for those who can take risk… Still, I will suggest to take precautions in early 4-5 days because in early opening the road conditions are not stable… So, those who traveling during this period should keep couple of days of buffer for temporary road blocks 🙂 🙂
Please stay tuned to DwD Community thread for latest updates on Manali – Leh Highway: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/road-status-conditions-f32/manali-leh-highway-status-2014-t706-40.html#p9338
Dheeraj I am travelling on the route on 20 June so at that time conditions would be OK probably?
Chetan by 20 June, it should be good to travel.
Hello Dheeraj Bhai…..
First of all thanxs for ur reply…. We 6 people leaving Srinagar on 30 July…. We have a night halt at Kargil on 30th July…. n next 3-4 days at Leh…. I m having a contact with one Army person and he helping us in our stay at Kargil n Leh…. I just wanna to ask u that is the accomdation at Army’s place is fine or weather we go with private accomdations…. Can u help us in this ??????
Rahul, they have very good stay mostly.
hey,
i am a lonely traveler and planning to a 25 day trip to ladakh….my plans include stock kangdri summit so please suggest what is best time for trekking in leh and any tips for lonlely traveller.
Ankit, from June end to mid September will be good time to visit Ladakh in that case.
Hi Dheeraj Bhai….. Is their any road from Shimla to reach Leh other than Manali-Leh highway????
Rahul, there is Hindustan – tibet Highway which goes through Kinnaur and Spiti Valley. You can traverse that route. Ultimately it meets at Gramphu on Manali – Leh Highway and hence you skip rohtang Pass on this route. Rest you follow Manali – Leh Highway
Hindustan – Tibet road is better in a group , chances of road blocks are more better to drive Shimla – Manali – Leh
The information on your site is really helpful. We (five persons)are planning for our tour from Leh to Manali in the first week of June. Will it be OK? Also please tell me how long can I expect the tour to be (from Jammu to Srinagar to Leh to Manali to Jammu)? Any other suggestions!!!
Sahil, I will suggest to shift it by couple of weeks for Manali – Leh Highway to open and settle a bit. Else take srinagar to Leh highway and come back from Manali – Leh highway
Hi Dheeraj,
First of all let me congratulate and thank to you for this beautiful forum/website.
We are planning to leave Delhi on 31st may. We are 4 people, 2 from Bangalore, one from hyderabad and me from gurgaon using Xylo to travel.
our itinerary: Delhi – manali – leh
31may – manali stay
1june – jispa
2june – Leh
3june – pangong(Bike)
4june – leh(back)
5june – Nubra (Bike)
6june – leh(back)
7june – leh local
8june – jispa
9 june – manali
10 june – delhi
Is there any thing You can suggest? Is it fine traveling on these dates?
One more thing, we have one vacancy 🙂
Just swap your Nubra tour with Pangong for better acclimatization. And while coming back from Leh to Manali stay at Sarchu. If you can add a day you can also do Tso Moriri as well. However, there is a doubt about opening of Manali – Leh Highway. Earlier it was expected to open by 28th of May but now with recent snowfall and avalanches, it seems unlikely.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are a group of 06 people + 01 mechanic and will be travelling from Manali to Leh on 04 motorbikes 350cc rented from Manali.
We will start on 10th July from Manali and will be back to Manali by 19th July.
Will this period be a good time to travel on Manali-Leh highway with respect to monsoons, road conditions and pillion riding?
Thanks in advance.
Anuj Sharma
Bikes rented outside Leh are not allowed for sightseeing inside Ladakh except Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes which can be done while going to Manali from Leh. Private bikes are completely allowed. You can use the outside rented bike to reach Leh but then for going to Pangong Tso, nubra Valley, etc.. you need to hire rented bikes from Leh only.
For renting bikes in Leh – Ladakh, you can check the DwD Community thread: Leh – Ladakh Bike Rental Rates 2014 – 15 & Reliable Shops
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for your reply first of all.
I have gone through your article on vehicles to be allowed to pangong lake etc.
My concern is whether the period of my travel will be good with respect to road conditions especially rohtang pass because it would be rainy season at that time.
Anuj
Anuj, Please refer the link in our community: FAQ | Is Monsoon season good time to travel to Ladakh? for more details.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for your response.
I have another query. We are renting motorbikes from Manali. The bike rental shop is saying that the “restrictions on only Leh bikes to be used to Nubra Valley n Pangong Lake” has been lifted and that bikes rented from Manali can be used too to go to Nubra n Pangong.
Could you please help me out with this doubt.
Thanks
Anuj
Anuj, I just had a word with guys in Ladakh. They have confirmed me that rule is not lifted. And bikes rented outside will not be allowed for sightseeing in Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Zanskar Valley. Rest anywhere in Ladakh the bikes rented outside are allowed. Local authorities are supporting the bike union and there were couple of groups who have faced trouble. For the first group the bikes were taken in custody and offered free bikes of Leh by union just as warning. For the second group again as a warning bikes were taken into custody though not seized and the group had to hire a tempo traveller to travel to other places on their own cost. So, this rule is still in place as per the local union of Leh.
Dheeraj,
I need another suggestion.
I have gone through your blogs on Stay Accommodations in Leh/ Nubra/ Pangong etc.
But the articles are of year 2012. How much would be the variations in cost in general with respect to the earlier dates such as 2012?
And do I need to get the hotels pre-booked for my intended stay, 12th July to 18th July at Leh, Nubra and Pangong or I can get hotels after arriving at these places directly?
Anuj
nuj, expect about 15-20% hikes for last 2 years in these hotels or guest houses. Every year they increase in general by 10-12%. In July since it is Kalachakra festival this year in Leh, expect lacs of tourists to be there. Most of the hotels are already booked, so book them in advance to avoid any hassles.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for your help. I finally got an accommodation booked for my travel dates at Leh.
I have another query.
Can we get rain jackets in Manali either by purchase or for rent and what would be their rates?
Anuj
You should be able to get those jackets there but the prices might be steep. Better hire from home town only and carry along.
Hi Dheeraj,
Could you please update me about the status of Manali-rented bikes being allowed to go to Nubra and Pangong.
Anuj
Anuj, the scene is eased out for small groups or individual bikers. Those who came back have reported nothing much asked to them as they were traveling in small group of 2-3 bikers only. So, I feel unless you are not part of big group then things should be fine for you too.
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning to travel to Leh from Manali by bikes on 22nd June. We are 5 friends (3 boys + 2 girls).
I had few questions, if you can answer them, would be great for us :
1. We need to come back to Manali by 29th June (i.e. 8 days in total); so can you help to plan an itinerary so as to cover the Pangong lake and either of the Nubra Valley and the Khardunga Pass (whichever of these 2 is better)as we have time limitation ?
2. With your experience of the Manali Leh highway, can you highlight on the cons of riding 2 on a 350cc/220cc bike ? I mean to ask that is it fine if we travel 2 considering the road condition and altitude we need to escalate ?
3. This is a separate question from the 1st one. Can we cover the distance from Rohtang to Sarchu in one day considering nothing unexpected happens ?
4. Can we cover the Leh to Manali return journey in 2 days ?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thanks and Regards,
Kush K
Hi Kush,
1. With 8 days from Manali to Manali, you can plan something like below:
Manali – Rohtang Pass – Jispa
Jispa – Baralacha La – Sarchu – Pang – Leh
Leh Local Sightseeing and Acclimatization
Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder (Nubra Valley)
Hunder – Sumur – Panamik – Khardung La – Leh
Leh – Pangong Tso/Leh
Pangong Tso/Leh – Sarchu
Sarchu – Manali
2. Both bikes should do fine. BTW, I am not a biker but all bikers in the group when I travelled never had any issues. You need to decide with which bike you are in better control and comfort.
3. Better not to do so and follow the itinerary as suggested above
4. Yes, in fact starting early from Pangong Tso, you will reach Sarchu and then to Manali next day.
Regards
Dheeraj
hi Dheeraj… been a great fan of your blog since some time now .., but never could really make it to the mountains. But now we.. a group of 5 are planning to visit Amarnath caves. We have planned to go Chandigarh-Manali-Leh-Ladakh-Amarnath-Srinagar-Chandigarh. Do Advise and help plan the route please. And thanx a lot in advance
Thank you Sumit. How many days do you have in hand. Amarnath Yatra will take at least 5-6 days of your schedule. How about doing it first and then coming from Manali side?
Thanx for the reply bro… We do have like 15 days in hand and more , well time is no problem. Only thing is we want to go from Manali side and finish it to Srinagar and then Baltal and Amarnath , back to Srinagar for 2 days and then home. Need advise on the route/stoppages/special places to see enroute . Hoping for a very detailed reply.
WE have to reach Baltal on the 5th of July, so were thinking of starting towards manali on the 25th of June. Need expert advice bro! for the stoppages overnight and special places to be visited /not to be missed 🙂
Hi Sumit,
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
— Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
— If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali
— Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
— It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS.
— Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there.
— I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa.
— Overnight at Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh
— Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | 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 – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 9 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
— Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 10 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 11 | Leh – Lamayuru – Kargil
— Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
— On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
— Overnight at Kargil
Day 12 | Kargil – Drass – Zozi La – Sonamarg/Baltal
— Enjoy the vistas enroute
— Overnight at Sonamarg/Baltal
If you have more time, you can do two day trip to Pangong Tso 🙂
Thanx a ton for the reply bro!
So we can stay overnight at Pangong Tso ?! Ok thats great info.
Yes going by own car.. a 7 year old innova as this is our first trip to the region so would like to see and access vehicle damages this time 🙂 .
By any idea… can I get any contact of a travel agent in Manali for the permit purposes ? or do i search google.. which i tell you is pretty confusing at times:p
Thanx again bro!
Sorry bro, your hotel should be able to help you with it. But its a trivial process and done within 15 minutes.
I have 4 days can I make it done?? in 4 days ?
4 days from where to where Vinit?
I am planning to do manali-leh bike tour in May last week 2014,on my 110 cc bike TVS star city.Any tips for safe tour.Any travel buddy??
Vinit, DoW has started an initiative under DoW – Himalayan Travel Community for finding Travel Partners or Companions, leave your message in Travel Partners section at the link: Ladakh & Zanskar – Travel Partners Section. There is also a DoW Travel Calendar linked here which can be used to easily and quickly spot a travel partner with similar dates of all the people looking for Travel Partners for their trips. May be you meet someone online going over the same dates.
It will be quite challenging in last week of May as roads will just open by then and will not stabilize.
Hi Deeraj,
Thanks for all updated and tips for leh trip, just have one question me and my friend are planing for leh trip in first week of jun on bikes. please suggest what will be the better way to go via Srinagar side and come back via Manali side or
go via Manali side and come back via Srinagar side.
Varun, 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
Hi Dheeraj,
Me and my friend will attempt stok kangri starting from 21st June. We will reach Manali on 17th. June, 2014. I have info from HPTDC that they will resume their services from 1st July onwards. Can you please provide me with some contact number of Four wheeler operators who will organize Manali to Leh road trip in Two days? We are budget traveler / Trekker and cannot afford to book the entire car. Any info will be highly appreciable.
Saikat
Saikat, sorry brother I do not have any contact for such travel agents. It is best that you go over there and book in person after a little bargain on per seat basis.
we are 11 persons and plan to visit Leh in the month June’14. date -22nd june. and start from Srinagar and finish at Manali. no. of day 10.
Please adveice the itinerary and some good hotels
Amit, It will take 4 days to reach Leh from Delhi via Srinagar side and 3 days to come back to Delhi from Leh via Manali side. This makes it 7 days. 1 Day is required in Leh for acclimatization. You have 10 days. 1 Day can be used as Day trip to Pangong Tso and other day can be used as day trip to Nubra Valley or just Khardung La pass.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for all your articles.I am planning my first trip to Ladakh based mostly on those.
We are planning a trip to leh via the Manali-Leh highway in end of July.We are 2 families consisting of 7 people.
Here is the rough itinerary that we have prepared.
Day 1 : Manali-Jispa
Day 2 : Jispa-Leh
Day 3 : Leh
Day 4 : Leh-Nubra
Day 5 : Nubra-Leh
Day 6 : Leh-Pangong
Day 7 : Pangong-Leh
Day 8 : Leh
Day 9 : Leh-Tso Moriri
Day 10 : Tso Moriri-Leh
Day 11 : Leh-Sarchu
Day 12 : Sarchu-Manali
I have two major questions-
a) Is travelling through the Leh-Manali highway safe during July?I did saw you mentioning in one article that the road conditions are very bad during this time.Would first week of august be a good time?
b) Are 7 seater taxis to Leh available from Manali?And in Leh?(For going to Pangong,Tso Moriri etc. and returning).
Because if we have to take 2 separate taxis then the whole point of sharing the taxi fare will become moot.
Any suggestions on the itinerary?
Our budget is preferably ~20-25k per person.
More like (7+1) seater vehicle
Much like winger or tempo traveler you can target to hire.
a) August will be more bad better carry on the journey in July as road conditions hardly improve.
b) There are no 7 seater available but you need to get tempo traveler or winger in that case.
c) You don’t need to come back to Leh from Tso Moriri. You can take Tso Moiri – Tso Kar – Pang – Sarchu route to directly reach Sarchu on Manali – Leh Highway from Tso Moriri. This will save you a day. Rest of the itinerary is good to go.
Hi Dheeraj
I made promise to my friends that we will go to LEH on 11th may but i dont have any information whether manali-leh highway will be open by the time or not. Please give me some info if u have on that.
Thanx
Ajay
Manali – Leh Highway will not open by that time and I doubt even if Srinagar – highway will open by that time.
Hi Dheeraj,
We have planned for manali-leh-nubra-leh-manali trip staring from May 29th 2014. Will you think it would br possible for us to accomplish the same( for about 7-8days) considering the road status on Manali Leh highways?
Kishore, it will take 2 day to reach Leh from Manali and then 2 days to come back. 1 day you need for rest, acclimatization and permits.You will be left with 3 days, if I consider 8 days. You can make a 2 day trip to Nubra Valley covering Hunder, Sumur, Diskit, Panamik and 1 day trip to Pangong Tso lake.
Thanks Dheeraj,
BTW what would you comment on the status of roads to that place during May 28-June 5?
Kishore, by late may, I believe that Manali – Leh Highway should be open going over the past years. All depends upon weather in coming few weeks.
Hi Dheeraj,
I have been a regular visitor to your website and it a pleasure to read all queries and suggestion posted here. I follow all your updates on facebook as well where you post amazing pics from travellers, but seems like there has not been more updated recently.
Anyways, I have been to Leh region in 2011 and it was the most memorable time I had there. Though previous trip was coved with Flight (Delhi-Leh) and Bike(All Leh Region) rides, this time I am planning to visit by Road from Manali. Few Questions I have regarding this:
1. I work with an IT company and I won’t be able to take leaves from 26 May to 20 July due to some important commitment in office, So I am planning the trip (Via Road on Bullet from Manali) around 12th may for 10-12 days. I do not want to shift the plan after 20th July as I want to avoid that monsoon season because weather is very much unpredictable. Will that be good to visit during that time?
2. If that duration is too early to visit, What according to you will be perfect to visit: Chandrataal, TSO Moriri or any other place where I will get the same peace and Nature as Pangong TSO (I am also fine with Uttaranchal). Kindly suggest few options as I have 10 days of time to visit.
Looking forward for your reply.
Thanks,
Pankaj Sharma
Hello Pankaj,
Thank you so much. Glad you love the info. provided on DoW.
No Pankaj, seeing the current situation of weather and progress on snow clearance, I do not think that Manali – Leh Highway would be stable by that time of the year. I will suggest to make it in September in that case when roads are best to ride and tourist rush is less.
Regards
Dheeraj
hi dheeraj
There are three query..
i am travelling to leh via manali from 23 rd june 2014 onwards (thanx for the guidance i have made the whole trip acc to the views and suggestions)my doubts are as follows.
1) i know my veh (i-20 sports diesel well)just the concern is will it cross the whole stretch on manali leh as per ur experience on seeing veh moving?
2) what is the best time of the day to cross rani nala ?
3) i am starting on Tuesday from manali towards sarchu (i knw rohtang is closed on tuesday)is it possible to cross it on tuesday (ny means) and will i be able to get the permit on monday for the next day as the officials know that tuesday will be closed so will they even issue the pass.
regards
aman singh
Hello Aman,
1) For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway and Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.
2) It does not really matter and Rani Nalla was not much of a concern last year and had been stabilized. But, it is always best to start early in the day for Rohtang Pass. I will suggest 3.30 – 4 AM types to avoid the mad tourist rush.
3) This is a bit tricky though people get through on Tuesday as well. Just that you may need to cross very early in the day, like said above 3.30 types. Try to get the permit for Monday only if they resist for Tuesday. Tell them that you will leave on Monday night only in that case.
Regards
Dheeraj
manali rohtang road is closed on tuesday????..Though we are travelling by HP Registered Taxi???
Archit, yeah, Manali – Rohtang Pass remains closed on Tuesday for maintenance. you can leave very early in the morning, say 3.30 AM types before the Checkpost appears to avoid rush and the limitation. Mostly people kind of pass through at such time even on Tuesday.
First of all Thanks for this Site.
my que is Regarding ILP – Mentioning Nubra Valeey will cover almost everything except Turtuk.
But what are the places to Mention for Pangong Tso Lake.
You need to mention Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong Tso and Tso MOriri in case you wish to visit these places.
Hello Dhiraj,
I was planning for 1 10 days trip to Leh in May 3rd and 4th week with two of my German colleagues. My point of interest is Manali-Leh by road (preferring 4 wheeler- Do you have any contact for a good guide/a travel agency?), Khardung La, Pangong lake, Tsomoriri lake.
Can you plase help me for a planning.
What would be the temperature in Manali and Leh in May?
Also what permission need for a foreigner to enter these areas?
They are in India as tourists.
Is Dalhousie is a good place for travelling?
Thanks a lot in advance.
Sudhhee
Hi Sudhee,
Well, in May, I feel there is least chance of opening of Manali – Leh Highway and getting stabilized. I think last week of May still feel a 50:50 chance for its opening. Then, 10 days a bit tad less for a trip to Ladakh by road and for foreigners, you need to get Protected Area Permit from DC Office Leh and for yourself you need to get Inner Line Permit.
Why is Dalhousie?
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi, we have planned a trip from Manali-Leh-srinagar in June.We are 10-11 people. so can anyone have contact no. of tempo traveler. i had enquird to some drivers taking their numbers from DoW community and they responded very well but still as that drivers dont have 13 seaters they said we will arrange 13 seater for you. if i got their numbers than i can settle rents directly with them.
also check this itinerary
31 may-day 1- mumbai- chandigarh
1 june-day 2- chandigarh- manali
day 3- manali
day 4- manali-Gispa
day 5- Gispa-Leh
day 6- rest and permit at leh
day 7- leh-hunder
day 8- hunder-leh
day 9- leh-Pangong Tso
day 10- Pangong Tso-leh
day 11- leh-Kargil
day 12- Kargil-srinagar
day 13 srinagar
day 14 srinagar-jammu
day 15 jammu-mumbai
Archit, get in touch with Stanzin Chille – 09419855428 (drives a Tempo Traveller as suggested in link here)
Regarding itinerary, it is quite good.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank You. All credit for itinerary goes to you….:D
Best wishes for your Ladakh trip Archit !!
Can you tell me how to send bike from delhi to manali and vice-versa;
if u have any contant than please share the details; i m going to leh on 3 May is this time is good for visting leh and the roads will open during that period….please let me know
By 3rd May, Manali – Leh might not be open. From Delhi to Manali, you can ride there brother, anyways it will take a day, so you are not saving anything and plus before entering the isolated zone of Manali – Leh Highway, you will also come to know if there are any glitches in your bike.
Dheeraj,would mid oct 2014 be good season for bike ride from manali to leh-ladakh n all other itnry? m planning d same for 15 days ex manali… n i want to leave bike in leh which m gona pick up at manali! is it possible?
Omkar, I will first advice you to read: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in October and then take a calculative risk accordingly.
Hello Dheeraj, Planning a trip to Leh-Ladakh region via Manali-Rohtang in the 1st week of July ( starting 3rd-10th July 2014)… how do we plan our itinerary for 8 days…a rough plan is 1. Keyong 2. Moriri 3. Leh 4. Palace 5. Pangong 6. ?? 7 ?? 8 ?? we need to find out some more places of interest to visit need your help.. thanks and rgds Santosh
Santosh, are you planning to travel by your own vehicle? If not, then please DO postpone the program by couple of weeks because there is Kalachakra Festival in Ladakh in first two weeks of July and finding a vehicle will be very hard or almost not possible. 8 days feel a bit tight too for a road trip. Are you flying back out of leh?
Dear Dheeraj,
Your details for Srinagar-leh & manali-leh is perfect.
We family of 4 intend to visit in 1st week of June & will not be having my own vehicle. Also intend to use local bus to/from leh being on budget.Will be grateful for following info. —
Suggested iteniary for 12 days ex-srinagar. DO you recommend return from LEh via MAnali to enjoy that scenary of that area also?
Ketan, you that early in the season you will not have buses plying on manali – Leh Highway. So, you need either your own vehicle OR shared taxis or private taxis to travel. For Srinagar – Leh Highway, I am sure there will be buses running for sure. You can follow below itinerary:
Day 1 | 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 2 | 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 3 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 5 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
Day 7 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
— Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
— Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
— Cover Karzok Monastery
— Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
Day 9 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – 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 10 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
— On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
— Overnight at Manali
Day 11 | Manali – Delhi
— Return home
Day 12 | Buffer Day
You need to get shared taxi for Tso Moriri tour to Manali from Leh. Else You might need to drop Tso Moriri or go back to Leh using your buffer day and then travel to Manali – Leh Highway.
Regards
Dheeraj
We made a video from our cyclingtrip Srinagar-Leh-Manali.
Maybe you’re interested:
https://vimeo.com/76082141
Awesome it is!! Inspiring too… Just replied it in the DwD Community post too 🙂 Thanks for sharing it with us.
Is Oct a good time to visit Ladakh or J&K or Himachal Pradesh? I would love to go to Ladakh as this has been eluding us for the last two years…. Please please suggest a one of the three places for 13 to 14 days in the first half of Oct from Delhi. I hope it is Ladakh
Priya, this is answered at the post here
Hi: Have been on the thread quite interesting thank you guys for all the information given. Just a point how would be the travel post january 15th and to be in leh by january 22nd. do advice we are 6 of us planning to take a suv else rent bikes if possible.
How are you planning to travel by Road on Manali – Leh Highway?
yes we are planning to travel by road intend to hire 2 bikes and a SUV which we will be bringing along with us
Suresh, unfortunately Manali – Leh Highway is closed for the season and will only open next season in mid May or June types.
Hi, I am planning to travel leh from the manali side in mid september. I wanted to ask you if a ritz car will be able to reach there hassle free??
For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway and Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.
Dear Dheeraj,
I read your comments about Leh journey. I am also making a plan to visit this beautiful creation of nature along with my friends. Please help me to get the itinerary for 8 days from Chamba (H.P) via Pangi (Killar Valley-Sach Pass) as I have not seen any of your blog with this route. Can we take tents with us and if yes, can we require any permission to spend a night in our tents anywhere while on journey. Thanks in advance for your kind help.
Amit, 8 days will be less. Is your starting point Chamba only? For information on pitching your own camps in Leh – Ladakh, please refer our FAQ in the community: FAQ | Can I pitch my own tents or camps anywhere in Ladakh?
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your reply.
Yes, My Starting point will be Chamba only and the days we will increase from 8 to 10.
Amit, in that case you can follow something like below:
Day 1 | Chamba – Sach Pass – Killar
Day 2 | Killar – Udaipur – Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Sarchu – Leh
Day 4 | Leh Rest Day + Permits
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
Day 6 | Hunder – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso/Leh
Day 8 | Pangong Tso / Leh – Sarchu
Day 9 | Sarchu – Manali
Day 10 | Manali – Delhi/Chamba
I hope this helps.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thanks Dheeraj. It will really helpful for us.
Pleasure Amit, best wishes for the trip 🙂
Hi Dheeraj,
we are going from Manali to Leh by taxi on 9th Aug. Since its raining a lot, I would like to know whether how safe are the roads and weather.
Sapan, you might need to face rain hassles upto Sarchu but then ahead it is generally OK and very light rain because the area is under rain shadow. But, if there are predictions of rain then you might need to face the challenge upto Sarchu or Baralacha La pass.
We(4 of us) did Manali to Leh on 22nd of July with overnight stay in Sarchu. It wasn’t really raining anywhere then. There was very little snow fall at Rohtang.
Dheeraj we had defy all your suggestions due to hiccup with our transport! We were supposed to take Srinagar route, but ended up traveling via Manali due to strike in Srinagar, plus had to halt in Sarchu instead of Keylong because of car breakdown before Manali. Overall had a good trip. Thanks to pointers that you have given here.
Great Chandan, all is well that ends well.
we are planing leh ladakh tour on 4 wheel we are 4 person pls give us complete detail for the same possible then pls call
9422045095
Can you please ask specific queries? Or are you looking out for travel agent?
Hi Dheeraj,
We have used your sample plan and tweaked it to suit our requirement. We are going to Leh in Aug first week on bike from Delhi. Below is our sample itinerary. Please let us know in case of any fallacy in the plan. Thanks in advance.
Date Starting Point Halt Distance Expected Journeey Time
8/3/2013 Delhi Chandigarh 257 8
8/4/2013 Chandigarh Manali 290 10
8/5/2013 Manali Keylong/Chander Taal 160 8
8/6/2013 Keylong Sarchu 106 4
8/7/2013 Sarchu Leh 251 9
8/8/2013 Leh
8/9/2013 Leh Diskit 118 5
8/10/2013 Leh Pangong Tso 214 7
8/11/2013 Leh Kargil 215 7
8/12/2013 Kargil Srinagar 204
8/13/2013 Srinagar
8/14/2013 Srinagar Jammu 294 10
8/15/2013 Jammu Chandigarh 345 10
8/16/2013 Chandigarh Delhi 258 7
hi Hashim,
Please do it like below:
8/3/2013 Delhi Chandigarh
8/4/2013 Chandigarh Manali
8/5/2013 Manali Keylong/Jispa
8/6/2013 Keylong/Jispa Leh
8/7/2013 Leh Local + Permits
8/8/2013 Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
8/9/2013 Diskit/Hunder – Leh
8/10/2013 Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
8/11/2013 Leh – Kargil
8/12/2013 Kargil – Srinagar
8/13/2013 Srinagar
8/14/2013 Srinagar Jammu
8/15/2013 Jammu Chandigarh
8/16/2013 Chandigarh Delhi
One suggestion will be to skip a day in Srinagar and use it for 2 day trip to Pangong Tso to enjoy more in Ladakh.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Thanks Dheeraj!
Now following you in Twitter and FB 🙂
Thanks alot Hashim for the follows, feel free to throw any queries you have. Also, if you are an avid traveller then request you to JOIN DoW – Himalayan Travel Community and share your Himalayan knowledge and experiences with other like minded travellers too and help us materialize the vision to help a Himalayan life & help travelers travel with a difference in various parts of Himalayas
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your help and providing the info.
We are leaving on 29th from Amritsar to Leh Via Srinagar & Return from Manali. Just wanted to confirm that is it OK if we drive through my Ikon Diesel on this route? Or do we necessarily need some 4*4 with more ground clearance?
Keep helping!!!
Thanks,
Suneet
Suneet, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your suggestions, we had wonderful & most memorable trip of our lifetime trip.
Just wanted to share some info which most of the travelers were seeking. Contact numbers of the Dothguling Guest House, Tangtse
01981-201156 (Hotel WLL)
09469726914 – Tashi
09469188966 – Tsering
Please update the same in your site too.
Thanks & Regards,
Suneet
Suneet, thank you so very much brother. Was looking for it for long time!!
are you going on a tour.if you are going than can we join your group..and what are the charges/cost or price for that and around how many days it will take to come back.and can we come through our bikes
I think you are looking for travel partners. DoW has started an initiative under DoW – Himalayan Travel Community for finding Travel Partners or Companions, leave your message in Travel Partners section at the link: Ladakh & Zanskar – Travel Partners Section. May be you meet someone online going over the same dates.
Hi Dheeraj,
first of all i would like to praise you real high for the excellent knowledge you have given through this forum. I am planning a road trip to leh ladakh. As u recomended earlier i will take the srinagar route and return via manali. Ill be driving a tata safari 4*2.
It would be very kind of u if u would suggest me with th schedule.I would like to bend the trip more over the nature side.
Thanks Dushyant.
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here
For the list of good restaurants in Leh – Ladakh or eateries or food joints where food is enjoyed by many travellers including me, you can check the link here: List of Good Restaurants in Leh – Ladakh | Restaurant Reviews
Check the list of things to carry for Leh – Ladakh or other trip including basic medical kit, clothing, must haves etc. at the link here: List of Things to Carry for Leh – Ladakh trip.
For details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
are you going on a tour.if you are going than can we join your group..and what are the charges/cost or price for that and around how many days it will take to come back.and can we come through our bikes
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks again! here is the route that we are planning for the trip..as bike rent from Delhi will increase the tour span as well as cost we are now going through Manali_leh route..Please comment on preliminary route plan given below.
Day 1 – Delhi
Day 2 – Chandigarh-Manali
Day 3 – Manali >> Rent bikes
Day 4 – Manali–Palchhan-Koth–Marhi–Rohtang–Gramphoo–Koksar–Sissu–Gondla–Tandi–Keylong
Day 5 – Keylong-Gemur–Jispa–Darcha–Zingzing bar–Baralacha–Sarchu
Day 6 – Sarchu–Gata loops–Naki la–Lachulung la–Pang–Morey plains–Rumptse–Upshi–Karu– Stakna –Thiksey–Shey–Leh
Day 7 – Leh–Khardungla–Leh
Day 8 – Leh–Spituk–Lamaguru–Nimmu –Likir–Saspol–Alchi–Uletokpo–Ritzong-Nurla–Khaltse–Lamayuru– Leh
Day 9 – Leh–Shey–Thiksey–Karu– Shakti – Changlang La – Tangtse – Lukung – Spangmik – Pangong Tso
Day 10 – Pangong Tso – Spangmik – Lukung – Tangtse – Changlang La – Shakti–Karu–Upshi–Rumptse–Tanglang La –Morey Plains–Pang
Day 11 – Pang–Lachulungla–Nakila–Gata Loops–Sarchu–Baralacha La–Zing Zing Bar–Darcha–Jispa–Gemur–Keylong –Tandi–Gondla–Sissu – Kokhsar–Gramphoo–Rohtang–Marhi–Kothi–Palchhan
Day 12 – Manali–Delhi
Suvankar, on Day 5, do not stay at Sarchu and then go directly to Leh from Keylong or Jispa. Sarchu will make you feel sick with AMS, a bit. This will give you extra day. Add that day for getting permits and rest in Leh. Then Club Day 7 and 8 for 2 day trip to Nubra Valley and skip Lamayuru. You can also make a day trip to Pangong Tso and include Tso Moriri on the route back to Manali on Day 9.
Hi Dheeraj, thanx for your valuable comment..its look like this now :
Day 1 – Delhi
Day 2 – Chandigarh-Manali
Day 3 – Manali >> Rent bikes
Day 4 – Manali–Palchhan-Koth–Marhi–Rohtang–Gramphoo–Koksar–Sissu–Gondla–Tandi–Keylong
Day 5: Keylong-Gemur–Jispa-Leh
Day 6 – Sarchu–Gata loops–Naki la–Lachulung la–Pang–Morey plains–Rumptse–Upshi–Karu– Stakna –Thiksey–Shey–Leh
Day 7 & 8 : Leh-Nubra valley-Leh
Day 9 – Leh–Shey–Thiksey–Karu–Shakti–Changlang La– Tangtse–Lukung–Spangmik–Pangong Tso
Day 10 – Pangong Tso– Spangmik–Lukung–Tangtse–Changlang La–Shakti–Karu–Upshi–Rumptse–Tanglang La–Morey Plains–Pang
Day 11 – Pang–Lachulungla–Nakila–Gata Loops–Sarchu–Baralacha La–Zing Zing Bar–Darcha–Jispa–Gemur–Keylong –Tandi–Gondla–Sissu – Kokhsar–Gramphoo–Rohtang–Marhi–Kothi–Palchhan
Day 12 – Manali–Delhi
Is it ok?Is there any short route to go to leh form kaylong on day 5 in bike?and how to accumulate TSo moriri in 9th day’s plan?plese help!
Hi Dheeraj, thanx for your valuable comment..its look like this now :
Day 1 – Delhi
Day 2 – Chandigarh-Manali
Day 3 – Manali >> Rent bikes
Day 4 – Manali–Palchhan-Koth–Marhi–Rohtang–Gramphoo–Koksar–Sissu–Gondla–Tandi–Keylong
Day 5: Keylong-Gemur–Jispa-Leh
Day 6 – Leh
Day 7 & 8 : Leh-Nubra valley-Leh
Day 9 – Leh–Shey–Thiksey–Karu–Shakti–Changlang La– Tangtse–Lukung–Spangmik–Pangong Tso
Day 10 – Pangong Tso– Spangmik–Lukung–Tangtse–Changlang La–Shakti–Karu–Upshi–Rumptse–Tanglang La–Morey Plains–Pang
Day 11 – Pang–Lachulungla–Nakila–Gata Loops–Sarchu–Baralacha La–Zing Zing Bar–Darcha–Jispa–Gemur–Keylong –Tandi–Gondla–Sissu – Kokhsar–Gramphoo–Rohtang–Marhi–Kothi–Palchhan
Day 12 – Manali–Delhi
Is it ok?Is there any short route to go to leh form kaylong on day 5 in bike?and how to accumulate TSo moriri in 9th day’s plan?plese help!
Guess, I replied it here
Suvankar, first Day 6 you might have missed. It will be Leh Rest + Permits. Now, there are two back to back long days which are Day 10 and Day 11 in particular. Start early from Pang to be there right in time at Manali. Tso Moriri is impossible in this plan, you need an extra day for it.
Hi Deheeraj,
Thanx again buddy! yes..i hav miised to rectift day 6 on the 1st post! 🙂 We will decide to add one more day to visit Tso Moriri as no one of the team is ready to come back with out missed it!!please suggest:
1.how to arrange that day to visit Tso Moriri in current plan..
2.route to leh from Keylong on day 5
Thanks in advance…take care
Suvankar, if you want to include Tso Moriri then do it like below;
Day 9 – Leh – Pangong Tso – Hemis – Leh/Upshi
Day 10 – Leh – Shey – Thicksey – Upshi – chumathang – Mahe – Tso Moriri
Day 11 – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Pang – Sarchu
Day 12 – Sarchu – Baralacha La – Jispa – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
Day 13 – Manali – Delhi
Route from Keylong to Leh is like: Keylong – Jispa – Darcha – Baralacha La – Sarchu – Pang – Rumtse – Leh
Suvankar: Your Schedule looks to be too tight.
1. Manali to Keylong It is very hard to cover in a Day. THe Climb in Rothang itself is Tiring and Taxing. Plus Plan to Leave Manali at 5 AM.
2. You would Require 2-3 Hrs in Leh in Getting Permit
3. If you Leave Pongantso around 10 AM, you can Reach Sarchu. Avoid Staying in Pang.
4. You do not have any Buffer day between, you might need to consider having atlease One.
5. Things to Carry for Personal and Bike is Good idea. Create a list. If you are planning by Bullet, carry Essential Spares.
August is Monsoon Season, Proper Ride Gears are important.
All the Best.
Shiva, Bangalore
Hello Shiva,
Great tips, thanks for sharing it here bro… Just that things have changed at Rohtang Pass and long jams happens only in June and at max, mid July when there is tourist rush. Now, just few patches that are bad. Rest Rohtang is empty. So, Manali – Rohtang Pass – Keylong is about 6 Hrs drive with ease now a days.
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Last year we made a bike trip to Manali-Leh and around Leh.
It was a good advice from you that time.
This is a short video of that trip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AYX5go4lkg
Thank you!
Thanks alot friend for sharing it. If possible, try and share your Himalayan Travel Tale or experience with us at DoW – Himalayan Travel Community
Hi Dheeraj,
Doing good job, keep up the good work!!! Your articles helped to finalise the whole trip, now just need your help on 2 more things:
1.) Can this route be done in single day? (Leh – Khardung La – Hunder – Leh & if possible Panamik too)
2.) We would be visiting following places in Ladakh, which all permits do we need? (Khardung La – Hunder – Panamik – Hemis – Pangong Tso-Masmik La – Moore Plains)
Please Reply ASAP.
Thanks 🙂
Hi suneet,
1. You can do upto hunder and come back by evening. But, leave as early as possible from Leh. Leave Panamik not worth that much pain.
2. Just write Nubra Valley, Marsimik La, Pangong Tso
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
I so wish I had known about this wonderful forum and the initiative taken by you, that would have helped me plan a lot better. I would have planned Srinagar Leh Chandigarh, just like you prefer and not Chandigarh Leh Srinagar like I did. Anyways, I am listing my plan below. I would really appreciate if you or other members can give some inputs.
We are a group of 6 leaving Mumbai for Chandigarh on the 19th of this month and we have a return flight from Srinagar at 2 pm on the 29th. None of us has ever been even close to that region. We know nothing about the places we are heading to. Thanks to you and DOW community I have been able to devise at least a tentative plan.
Day 1 – June 19th – Chandigarh Manali: We reach Chandigarh airport at 9:45. Plan to leave Chandigarh after meal at around 11:00. I believe we will reach by 9:00pm. Am I right?
Day2 – June 20th – Manali: To avoid continuous travel we plan to spend the day in Manali.
Day3 – June 21st – Manali Sarchu: I understand you prefer staying at Keylong for acclimatization but I want to take the risk and stretch it till Sarchu. So that next day travel is as long as today’s and it doesn’t get too hectic.
Day4 – June 22nd – Sarchu Leh: We shall reach Leh by 5:00 if we leave at around 6:00. Am I right? I wish to reach early so that we can get to see a bit of Leh this day itself.
Day5 – June 23rd – Leh + Inner line permits: To avoid continuous travel and for acclimatization I wish this day for Inner line permits and Leh.
Day6 – June 24th – Leh Pangong lake Leh: Is it OK to make Pangong lake a single day affair? Or should I plan to stay here. But due to limited days I believe I can plan for a stay either at Pangong or Nubra and not both. And the other I have to visit in a day and come back. For now I have chosen Nubra valley for stay and not Pangong lake. Please let me know if my decision is correct.
Day7 – June 25th – Leh Nubra Valley via khardung la: As discussed, stay at Nubra valley.
Day8 – June 26th – Nubra Valley Leh: We shall reach by afternoon. Rest of the day I believe we don’t have any option but to stay and explore Leh.
Day9 – June 27th – Leh Kargil Sonmarg: Do you think it’s wiser to stretch till Sonmarg and not stay in Kargil? Is it possible to reach Sonmarg from Leh by around 4 or 5 pm. I have heard it has more to offer than Kargil and hence this decision. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Day10 – June 28th – Sonmarg Srinagar: This is a short distance which would mean we get an entire day here in Srinagar.
Day11 – June 29th – Srinagar Mumbai: We get half a day for Srinagar and then at 2:00pm we are off to Mumbai.
Other Queries:
1. I will in all need three vehicles (Innova or Scorpio) as the trip progresses. One from Chandigarh to Leh for 4 days, next for 4 days in Leh and last for 3 days from Leh to Srinagar. The cost I have found so for for these three 25k+25k+15k respectively. Is it reasonable or can I get better rates.
2. I have not opted Tso Moriri as I have only 4 days for Leh out of which one day has to be for Leh + inner line permits. For other three days I wish to stay at one so I opted for Nubra Valley and among Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri I chose Pangong Lake as I have heard a lot about it. Do you think it’s a right decision or shall I tweak something somewhere. Should I not stay at Nubra Valley and make all three destination a day long affair?
3. I only wish to book the first vehicle (Chandigarh to Leh for 4 days) in advance. Rest I believe can be taken care off there and then. Am I correct in my assumption?
My friends are hopeless when it comes to planning and hence I am the only one who has to plan something substantial or else trip can go for a toss. This is my last trip before I get married and spoil my life that pushes me all the more to make it a success. I have only 5 days and I have started panicking now. Please take some time off and reply to my queries. I would appreciate if you could drop a mail about ways of other means to contact you if in desperate need.
Thanks & Regards,
Rohit Singh
9821828881
Hi rohit,
It shall be OK to go with above plan but DO Nubra Valley first, then Pangong Tso day trip. And, halt at Kargil and then do Kargil – Srinagar next day.
1. Technically you need just 2 but better go with three vehicles as: Chandigarh to manali, Manali to Leh and then Leh – Ladakh and drop to Srinagar. 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.
2. It is better to keep Tso Moriri out as you have just 4 days in Ladakh.
3. No need for that too. Take them on the way after reaching the place, you will get good discounts. Talk to drivers for Ladakh in the list above, they might even come to pick you from Manali with good offer prices.
Believe me, marriage does not spoil it, see me. I started travel and this whole DoW initiative only after marriage 😉
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thank you for your prompt response and inputs.
I will surely make the subtle changes as suggested by you.
Will also try half a day more in Kashmir by making some adjustments here and there.
I have been talking to the contacts provided by you. Hopefully something will work out.
Glad to know someone who is advocating marriage.
Knowing you happy state post marriage is surely killing at least a bit of marriage phobia in me.
Will bother you again if needed. I am sure you will be as prompt and responsive as you were yesterday and you are usually.
Thanks & Regards,
Rohit Singh
9821828881
Rohit, best wishes for the trip!!
hi
i am single person traveling to leh. i would like to do car pool. is there an online community for this. i have the vehicle, but would be good to share cost. advise.
DoW has started an initiative under DoW – Himalayan Travel Community for finding Travel Partners or Companions, leave your message in Travel Partners section at the link: Ladakh & Zanskar – Travel Partners Section. May be you meet someone online going over the same dates.
Dear Dheeraj Bhai
First of all many thanks for the great work of information & guidance.
We 10-12 ppl r planning to visit Ladhak region last week of June and first week of July. Tentative plan given below, pl advice us about the plane and guide us for the nice and enjoyable visit to Leh
Day-1: Ambala – Manali
Day-2: Manali – Jispa/Darcha
Day-3: Jispa/Darcha – Leh
Day-4: Leh : Acclimatization and Leh SS
Day-5: Leh-Nubra & stay @ Nubra
Day-6: Nubra-Leh & Leh SS
Day-7: Leh – Pangong
Day-8: Pangong – Tso Moriri – Leh
Day-9: Leh – Kargil
Day-10: Kargil – Srinagar
1> Is it possible to use the same vehical hired from the Manali, for the local ss in Leh
2> Can we get the ILP for Tso Moriri and Pangong, in advance so we can able to visit their
3> If it is possible to provide the personal contact number for any kind of help, info, etc.
Desperately waiting for u r comments & suggestions.
With thanks & regards
Vijay, as I said do it like:
Day-7 Leh – Pangong Tso
Day-8 Pangong Tso – Leh
Day-9 Leh – Kargil
Day-10 Kargil – Srinagar
OR
Day-7 Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
Day-8 Leh – Tso Moriri –
Day-9 Tso Moriri – Sarchu
Day-10 Sarchu – Manali
Regarding other queries:
1. No, you need to hire different vehicle in Ladakh.
2. You should not do Tso Moriri while going from Manali to Leh because one need permits to visit Tso Moriri and these permits are issued at DC office in Leh. Even if you arrange these permits in advance somehow from Travel Agent in Leh then taxi from Manali will not be allowed to visit Tso Moriri. Even if you manage Leh taxi or going on your own, then you will not be acclimatized to sleep at such high altitude so early in the trip and may cause some ugly AMS issues for you. Highly not recommended.
3. I will mail you.
Regards
Dheeraj
Dear Dheeraj Bhai,
It is highly obliged if u send few contact numbers of travel agents @ Manali and Leh and u r contact number Pl. send it.
Sorry brother, do not have any contacts for Manali. Will email you my contact info.
WE ARE PLANNING FOR BIKE TOUR FROM MANALI TO LEH FOR 10 DAYS. HOW SHOULD WE PLAN OUR JOURNEY?
Piyush, Can we start an itinerary advice thread at the DoW Himalayan Travel Community at the link below so that it is more structured as well as more people will get benefit from the replies by reading existing thread? Here is the link: DoW – Himalayan Travel Community | Ladakh Itinerary Advice
Hi Dheeraj, We read thro ur website and it was very wonderful!!. We are 2 of us planning around a 13 day trip to ladakh in the mid of September. I will reach Leh via Delhi in flight, and want to back via Manali – Leh Highway after 12/ 13 days of Ladakh Trip (Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Alchi, etc.). I need to know –
1. May I find Snow in Kardungla pass on that time.
2. How will be the weather that time for Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley.
3. Is it be possible to avail Leh-Manali highway to back from Leh to Manali at the end of September.
I need your guidence for my Delhi – Leh – Manali – Delhi Trip on Mid of September 2013. If possible please share your contact details for more information.
Thanks,
Hrishikesh Chakraborty.
Hi Hrishikesh,
1. Very less chances unless there is fresh snowfall.
2. Weather will be a bit cold at that time at Pangong Tso and High passes but pleasant in Nubra Valley.
3. Yes, very much possible.
As I am replying to this thread you will get an email, check spam if not, and we can discuss it there. Quickest replies you can get either on the Blog OR I am sure you will like to be at below link for your itinerary advice in more structured way 🙂 DoW – Himalayan Travel Community | Ladakh Itinerary Advice
Regards
Dheeraj
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for the information. I have communicated with some travel agents (As we are 2 and want to avail the trip on cost sharing basis) – as per them the Trip need to start from Manali to Leh. As end of September, the Highway may be close and also I will not get any tourist for sharing.
Could you guide me in the same. Also I have not received any email from you. So it will be greatful if you share your contact information with me.
Thanks
Hrishikesh Chakraborty.
Hrishikesh, you can email me using the Email Me button in the side bar or you can PM me in Forums section of DoW – Himalayan Travel Community. Regarding highway being closed, it is not that ways. IT might close for a day or two in case there is snowfall but not always. Highway permanently close after October only.
DoW has started an initiative under DoW – Himalayan Travel Community for finding Travel Partners or Companions, leave your message in Travel Partners section at the link: Ladakh & Zanskar – Travel Partners Section. May be you meet someone online going over the same dates.
Dear Dheeraj,
First of all, hats off for all the detailed information with respect to all aspects of travel and answering to varied queries by sharing thoughtful insights.
We are planning a 13 day bike trip from Manali. It would be great if you could suggest a itinerary for the Manali-Srinagar-Leh route since the acclimatization will be better and we can enjoy the drive . Thanks much!
Guru, 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 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh.
Take out the rest day from it and it will be 13 days.
Hi Dheeraj,
Thanks for your reply earlier. I have dropped the plan of 1-way travel. Better do a return and come back to Manali.
I would like to know if we can be able to do a very quick tour. My route would be Manali – Leh. Monday – Saturday (Return journey in 1 week). Would we be able to cover Nubra and Pangong Tso in this 1 week trip? Incase if we have to skip 1 place, shall we skip Nubra or Pangong Tso?
Also, we would be on Bikes. Could you please give info on Permits stuff? Is it to be taken from Manali or Leh?
If I were to list my plan..
Start from Manali on Monday
Reach Leh on Wednesday
Thursday for Nubra and/or Pangong Tso
Reach Manali back on Saturday
My plan sounds funny to me, specially after reading these wonderful write ups over here. Let me know your thoughts. Would it be doable?
Anubhav, I am a bit confused!! You you saying you have dropped plan of 1-way travel and then you are planning to return? Earlier were you planning to fly out? If yes, why are you not doing it now? You have less number of day as well. Also, thi Start from Manali and end at Manali is what 7 days you are looking?
yes Dheeraj, start from Manali and come back to Manali in 7 days.. my earlier plan was to take the bike from Manali and drop it at Srinagar.. canceled that now. Now its Manali – Leh – Manali in 7 days. it would be possible?
Anubhav, you can try to follow below itinerary:
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
— Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
— If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali
— Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa
— It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS.
— Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there.
— I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa.
— Overnight at Keylong/Jispa
Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh
— Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
— To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link here
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 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
You can club Day 5 and Day 6 and do day trip to Nubra Valley skipping Panamik and Sumur