Most Common Itinerary for Leh Ladakh

On request of some avid readers of the blog and so many like-minded travelers seeking guidance for their tour to Leh – Ladakh, I would like to sketch below one of the most popular Ladakh itineraries. Many of Leh – Ladakh lovers follow it, including me, as it covers all three major tourist destinations of Ladakh, including Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, and Tso Moriri Lake.

Video of Most Common Itinerary for Leh Ladakh

The itinerary also covers Srinagar Leh Highway as well as Manali – Leh Highway, so it is apt for those looking forward to covering the entire Ladakh circuit. If you are making a trip to Ladakh in winters, then better refer most common itinerary for a winter trip to Ladakh

Most Common Itinerary for Leh Ladakh

Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this Leh Ladakh day by day plan infographic guide. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.

Why travel Ladakh from Srinagar side?

I have started from Srinagar side because it gives at least two benefits, if not more. First, the body gets better acclimatized due to gradual ascent by the time you reach Leh and when you return from Manali Leh Highway, hence fewer chances of getting stuck with Acute Mountain Sickness (more info on AMS) and more enjoyment of views on Manali – Leh Highway.

If you start via Manali – Leh Highway, then most of the terrain runs over 4000 Mtrs of altitude, and by the time you reach such altitude, your body is not properly acclimatized. Hence, many people fall sick on Manali – Leh Highway despite covering in 25:75 ratio (Manali – Keylong, Keylong – Leh) in terms of distance.

Secondly, you save one day as Tso Moriri and Tso Kar Lakes can be adjusted once you start towards Manali from Leh. This way, you are not required to return to Leh from Tso Moriri to go towards Kargil or Srinagar.

Finally, you need to get inner line permits to travel to Tso Moriri which you will not get when traveling from Manali side. The permits need to be stamped in Leh Information Center or Leh DC office.

For now, these reasons are good enough to start your Ladakh journey from Srinagar side 🙂 …

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Looking for an itinerary for Leh Ladakh trip?

14 Days Itinerary for Leh Ladakh

When you plan for the Ladakh trip, it is better to plan the trip with a good number of days in hand. Cramming too many places in the Ladakh trip does not make any sense because you will not enjoy the real beauty of the trip. Hence, I have kept about 12-14 days for this common itinerary of Ladakh trip.

Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop

  • Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
  • About 12-13 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar

  • Enjoy walk around Dal lake and maybe Shikara ride as well
  • Overnight at Srinagar
  • About 8-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 3 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil

  • Enjoy the vistas en route near Sonamarg
  • Have a meal at Drass during lunch
  • Overnight at Kargil
  • About 8 Hrs drive, depending upon the traffic movement at Zozila and breaks you take in between

Day 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh

  • Cover Mulbekh Maitreya, Lamayuru Monastery, Lunar Landscapes
  • On the way, you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu and other parts of Sham Valley
  • Overnight at Leh
  • About 9-10 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 5 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits

A Village in Ladakh

Day 6 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder

  • Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
  • On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
  • Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
  • About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and at Khardung La

Day 7 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh

  • Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
  • Overnight at Leh
  • About 7-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 8 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake

  • Cover either of Hemis, Thiksey, and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
  • Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
  • About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 9 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh

  • Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey, and Shey on return to Leh
  • Overnight at Leh
  • About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 10 | Rest day at Leh

  • Enjoy local culture, shopping or rest in Leh
  • Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
  • Overnight at Leh

Day 11 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang

  • Cover Karzok Monastery
  • Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
  • About 7-8 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 12 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu

  • Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
  • Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
  • About 11-12 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 13 | Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali

  • On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the roadsides only
  • Overnight at Manali
  • About 11-12 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and of course the mess at Rohtang Pass

Day 14 | Manali – Delhi

  • Return Home
  • About 13-14 Hrs drive from Manali to Delhi, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 15 + 16

Buffer days to be kept in case of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.

Nubra – Shyok – Pangong Tso Route

Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso Direct Route Option

You can save a day by making a direct trip to Pangong Tso from Nubra Valley as suggested below.

Day 7 | Hunder / Diskit – Shyok village / Wari La route – Pangong Tso

  • Take the direct route from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso either via Shyok village or Wari La pass whichever is open.
  • In the last couple of years (as of 2019), the direct route between Nubra Valley – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso has been stabilized a lot. It is not that desolate in the season anymore as it used to be a few years back.
  • A lot of people do this route nowadays, so it should be fine for you to do that route as well. Just enquire at Agham village on the safer side or wait for a couple of cars to tag along on the route.
  • Overnight at Pangong Tso.
  • About 6-10 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and route you take between Shyok and Wari La.

Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh

  • Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey, and Shey on return to Leh
  • Overnight at Leh
  • About 6-7 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Alternatively, you can also make a day trip to Pangong Tso (if Shyok village and Wari La pass routes are closed) as below but that makes it a bit in case.

Day 8 | Leh – Chang La – Pangong Tso – Chang La – Leh

  • Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso via Chang La Pass.
  • Overnight at Leh.
  • About 8-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between.

Additional Points for Ladakh trip from Srinagar

  • You can also make a three day trip to Nubra Valley so that you can spend one night a beautiful village Turtuk and remove rest day at 9 or add one day to the above plan to visit Turtuk. I bet, you will not regret it at all visiting Turtuk in Nubra Valley.
  • In Srinagar, you can also visit the Floating market > Shalimar Garden.
  • 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.
  • Any doubts related to the budget of your Ladakh trip?? Don’t worry, check this complete guide on How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip
Taxi for your Most Common Itinerary for Leh Ladakh

Conclusion

I hope this plan or itinerary for Leh Ladakh from Srinagar side will be useful for travelers planning their journey at least for the first time.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my YouTube channel to ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram or comments on my YouTube videos. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

I will look forward to any questions or doubts or valuable suggestions and inputs you have and would love to discuss your custom plan as well in the comments section.

You can share your valuable suggestions and inputs you have or if you would love to discuss your custom plan as well in the comments section. If you want any customization or deviation from the above plan, feel free to ask any questions, and in case you know a friend who is interested in traveling Ladakh from Srinagar in such a plan, feel free to share the article with them.

This post was last modified on Jul 3, 2020 23:14

View Comments

  • Very comprehensive. This excludes the Zanskar valley. What would be the suggested itinerary change if that also needs to be included. Would it be a good idea to reach Srinagar by flight and then travel by road ?

  • Hi Dheeraj,
    Your information is very useful for me, a 1stimer to Leh !!! Thanks !
    I will fly to Leh and here is my plan:
    Day1: Leh (guesthouse)
    Day 2: Leh – Turtuk (guesthouse ?)
    Day 3: Turtuk – Pangong (camping or guesthouse ?)
    Day 4: Pangong – Tso Morri (camping or guesthouse ?)
    Day 5: Tso Morri – Tso Kar – Hemis – Leh (guesthouse)
    Pls advise if it''s ok !
    Thanks !
    Hung

    -

    • Hi Dheeraj,

      I along with my parents are planning a road trip to srinagar from delhi. we will start from delhi on 15th early morning. We wish to be back to delhi by 24th sep.

      In this time frame is it possible for us to cover drass/kargil? If yes can you suggest an itinerary?
      What kind of weather can we expect there?

      Hoping to hear from you..

      • Rene, are you just visiting Srinagar or visit Ladakh as well? If you want to just visit Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir, then yes it is possible.

        Day 1 | Delhi - Jammu
        Day 2 | Jammu - Srinagar
        Day 3 | Srinagar
        Day 4 | Srinagar - Zoji La - Drass - Kargil
        Day 5 | Kargil - Drass - Sonamarg
        Day 6 | Sonamarg - Gulmarg
        Day 7 | Gulmarg - Patnitop
        Day 8 | Patnitop - Delhi
        Day 9 | Buffer day

        • Thank for prompt reply. I really appreciate that.
          Initially we planned for Leh Ladakh but had to drop it because of time constraint.

          So now we have limited days i.e. 15-25 sep. and we are mainly visiting srinagar. But I want to take my parents to Drass and Kargil.

          The plan you suggested seems good. I will reach to you for any further help and request you to help me as I am chalking out the plan all alone with no travel exposure.

          Cheers
          Rene

          • No problems Rene, feel free to post as many questions as you would like :)

    • Day 2 is required at Leh for acclimatisation. One day is not enough. This plan looks too hectic. Hall of Fame at Leh is must visit, without which your trip is incomplete.
      Turtuk to PangongTso in one day is feasible only through Shyok/ WariLa route, but you will have to check if this route is open.
      You are stretching yourself a too much with the trip.

  • Hi Dheeraj,

    First of all many thanks for such a wonderful and informative blog.

    We are planning for Delhi - Srinagar - Leh - Manali - Delhi road trip (by own diesel car) in September mid this year. It will be a 12 - 13 days trip. My question is:

    - Is it wise to book all hotels for all (12 days) in advance or is it fine if we directly reach to the destinations and search for hotels?

    Thanks
    Sehaj

    • Hi Sehaj

      we too are planning leh ladakh trip in mid september from Delhi.
      Have you finalized your trip?

      Thanks
      Saurabh

      • Seems, wonderful, let me know incase you guys have questions on planning the trip to Ladakh or your itineraries.

    • September is not a peak season and you can travel to Ladakh without much issues without any bookings. You will be able to find them on the spot.

  • HI Sir This is Ahmed we are travelling in Aug last week. we will start from Delhi and our tour is for 10 to 12 days.
    1) From Delhi its good to start from Srinagar then Leh manali and all or we should start from Manali.
    2) We are 6 frnds and we want to hire taxi from Delhi to cover all the places how much will be total cost if we hire from Delhi to Srinagar Leh Manali and all and coming back to Delhi?
    3) Kindly suggest few places where we should go by bike coz we want to explore the places by bikes?
    4) What will be the approx. cost including Rental car, Bikes in few places, Budget hotels and meals for 12 days? places will Start from Delhi and cover Manali leh Ladakh Srinagar kargil and all places which we should go?
    5) Kindly suggest the best route map to cover max places which are worth and duration we should stay there?

  • can we plan in December or January for Leh ladhak bike ride along with Manali, Jammu and All.... plz suggest

    • No, the roads from Manali to Leh gets closed by mid to late October nowadays.

  • Dear Dheeraj We are planning to travel in Aug last week and we are planning for 8 to 10 days . kindly suggest the plan from Delhi and end Delhi and Second plan if we go by flight to Leh and start our tour. so how we proceed and best places to go by Bike in this tour. What are things we should carry

    • You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh - Ladakh by Air followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 9 days: Leh – Ladakh | Most Common Itinerary by Air.

      It will take 4 days to reach Leh from Srinagar side starting from Delhi with stop overs at Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and 3 days to come back from Leh from Manali side to Delhi with stopovers at Sarchu, Manali. This makes it 7 days. 1 Day is required in Leh for acclimatization. You have about 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.

      Opt to go via Manali - Leh Highway and I will suggest that you refer the thread for more details on the route and night halts though it is of 9 days: Manali - Leh - Ladakh - Manali | Itinerary for 9 Days. You can fit in plan I suggested in above para in this plan

  • Hi Dheeraj....This is our plan.....
    Aug 1st – Srinagar to Leh
    Aug 2nd – Kargil to leh
    Au 3rd – Leh
    Aug 4th – Leh to Turtuk
    Aug 5th – Turtuk,takshi village
    Aug 6th – Hunder,diskit, leh
    Aug 7th – Pangong Lake
    Aug 8th – Psomoriri,tsokar lake
    Aug 9th – Tsokar to Jispa
    Aug 10th – Jispa to Kaza(Chandratal)
    Aug 11th – Kaza(Hikkim,komic etc)
    Aug 12th – Dhankar, Tabo, Nako
    Aug 13th – Nako to Shimla
    Aug 14th – Shimla to Delhi

    Is this fine???

    • This plan is not doable. I recommend that you study the geography and topography od Ladakh and Spiti Valley. Also, only JK10 registered vehicles are permitted in Ladakh, so be sure that the innova you are hiring is JK10 registered. Innova for 65k for the entire trip. There is something amiss. Please check again.

    • Hi Saran,

      My inputs below:
      1. I believe you meant Srinagar to Kargil
      2. Aug8: Are you doing PAngong Tso to Tso Moriri to Tso Kar? It will be too much, better add a day or stay at Tso Moriri only
      3. Then do Tso Moriri to Jispa
      4. Jispa to Chandratal, Chandratal to Kaza covering Lagnza, Hikkim, Komic

      Rest you are just being on road mostly not soaking in except Turtuk.

      • Hi Dheeraj...One more clarification pls...We got a rate of 65k for innova to cover our entire trip(srinagar-leh-turtuk-tsomoriri-jispa-kaza-nako-tabo-shimla)..is this rate fine...some says its high..

        • It seems to be a fine rate to covering the entire stretch including Spiti Valley

      • Yes almost full on roads..It is possible knw?or any change needed apart from tsokar one..yes its srinagar to kargil only

        • Well, I will recommend add some rest days in Kaza and Kinnaur to ease out the trip in that leg

  • I am Deepak,

    The information and tour plan you have shared is awesome. Even I am planning for the similar type of tour.

    Please let me know how viable is the below mentioned plan. I am planning to transport my 2010 model CBZ Xtreme (90000KM Driven, which is well serviced) to Delhi and start the journey from there.

    Even let me what need to be checked with the bike as this my first bike trip.Please let me know at what places fuel is available and what kind of possible vehicle break down might happen.

    Actually I am planning to reach Delhi from hyderabad on 16th June by train and on the same day start for Jammu.

    Day2: Jammu to Srinagar

    Day 3 : Srinagar to Kargil

    Day 4: Kargil to Leh

    Day 5: Leh sightseeing, inner line permit and acclimitization.

    Day 6: Leh to Nubra Valley

    Day 7: Nubra to Pangong

    Day 8: Pangong to Tsomoriri ( Avoid returning to Leh)

    Day 9: Tso moriri to Sarchu

    (From leh to Sarchu it is almost 1050 Km, milege of my bike in city is 40KM/L. If I take 30Km/L for this terrain, I will be needing 35 to 40 Litres of fuel. Even if i start with full tank of 12 Litres and 2 jerry cans of 20 litre capacity, I will be having shortage of 10 litres. Is there any fuel station available in this route or is it is better to return to Leh after pangong and then leave to Sarchu via Tso Moriri)

    Day 10: Sarchu to Manali

    Day 11: Manali to New Delhi.

    If possible please share me information about place must to see in the whole trip or else please share me any web links.

    With Best Regards

    Deepak

  • Hi Dheeraj,

    Its my pleasure to thank you for giving amazing tips to make our trip easy.

    On 26th June morning at 9:55 I will be reaching Delhi and start my journey to manali on a public transport and will be reaching Manali in early morning on 27th June. From there only I am going to start my bike ride following the same itinerary suggested by you in this top of the page. And I have to end my bike tour in manali 0n 8th June evening and need to travel to delhi by public transport and next day evening (9th evening 3:00) I have to get my flight back in Delhi to Srilanka.

    So, according to given period, kindly adjust your itinerary according to my period and suggest me a good plan.

    Appreciate your valuable reply.

    Thanks.
    Mubarak
    Srilanka

    • You can follow the below plan:

      27th - Manali rest day
      28th - Manali - Jispa/Keylong
      29th - Jispa/Keylong - Leh
      30th - Leh rest day and find shared taxis or bikes and apply for Protected Area Permits
      1st - Leh - Nubra Valley
      2nd - Nubra Valley - Leh
      3rd - Leh - Pangong Tso
      4th - Pangong Tso - Leh
      5th - Leh - Tso Moriri
      6th - Tso Moriri - Leh
      7th - Leh - Jispa/Keylong (start back for Manali)
      8th - Reach Manali and take the evening Volvo back to Delhi from Manali.

      • Dear Dheeraj,

        Problem is, i am going to Srinagar via Pathankot from Manali in the bike. from srinagar to Leh and Leh to Manali on the same dates above mentioned.

        Please revise your suggested itinerary plan according to this and send it to me for my convenience.
        Your help much appreciated.

        • Although I will suggest to drop Srinagar - Leh Highway in that case because else you will have to drop Tso Moriri lake. Still, if you want to do it, you can follow below

          27th – Manali rest day
          28th – Manali – Pathankot
          29th – Pathankot – Srinagar
          30th - Srinagar - Kargil
          1st - Kargil - Leh
          2nd – Leh rest day and find shared taxis or bikes and apply for Protected Area Permits
          3rd – Leh – Nubra Valley
          4th – Nubra Valley – Leh
          5th – Leh – Pangong Tso
          6th – Pangong Tso – Leh
          7th – Leh – Jispa/Keylong (start back for Manali)
          8th – Reach Manali and take the evening Volvo back to Delhi from Manali.

  • Hello Dheeraj,
    Thanks for starting this blog. It has been very useful for planning our trip. We are 2 couples travelling from srinagar and reach leh on 25th June. In leh we will be covering nubra, turtuk, pangong, tso moriri, the leh itenary is as follows:

    Our driver-thanks again as we got his contact from your suggested list- said travelling direct pangong to tso moriri won't be possible as the road has been closed. And he suggested this plan.
    1 day: Leh local (26th june)
    2 day: Leh to nubra, hunder stay.
    3 day: hunder to Turtuk and back hunder
    4 day: Nubra to pangong via shayok and pangong stay.
    5 day: pangong to chumathang stay.
    6 day: chumathang to Tsomoriri and back Leh.

    1. So is it possible to travel direct from pangong tso to tso moriri instead of long chumathang route?
    2.On day 6, other couple is planning to head leh along with the cab and fly back while two of us wana go ahead via manali route. So would we able to get public transport or tag along with other grp till manali. I read there is HPTDC bus operating from leh to manali, but for that do l have to come back to leh from tso moriri or can join keylong/jispa/sarchu?
    Please suggest.

    Thanks and regards,
    Ankit

    • Hey Ankit,

      Considering driver is suggesting it, better take his words and yes Chusul road is on and off this season. It depends on the permit if you get from DC office in Leh. If you get it, then go with it else take Chumathang route

      It is better for other couple to return to Leh on Day 5 because it does not make sense to travel to Chumathang and return.

      • Hello Dheeraj,

        Ok, actually we are starting from chumathang in morning and head to tso moriri and then reach leh by night by car..car rental ends there..
        And take bus to manali next day morning.

        So rather is there any way to reach manali from tso moriri if you don't have a cab.

        Thanks

        • No Ankit, from Tso Moriri in case you have personal vehicle or hire the taxi, you cannot reach Manali by public transport.

      • Hello Dheeraj,
        Thanks for your reply.

        2.I m confused, do u suggest to skip travel to tso moriri. And leave for manali from Leh by HPTDC bus after coming from Pangong ? Or Is there any other way.
        Can we find info about HPTDC buses anywhere. Like do they operate everyday now and do the bookings. Because I read couple of years back it used to operate alternate days.

        Thanks and regards,
        Ankit

        • No, I am saying that the other person who will come back to Leh, should not go to Chumathang. I believe you are going to cover Tso Moriri, come back to Leh and then from Leh will take bus to Manali?
          HPTDC will publish the details as soon as the road gets open.

  • Hi Dheeraj,

    I am from Singapore and have 13 days to travel around Leh on a motorbike trip this September, would the following itinerary be comfortable?

    Day 1: fly into Leh
    Day 2: Leh (Rest Day)
    Day 3: Nubra Valley via Khardung La
    Day 4: Leh
    Day 5: Tso Moriri via Chumathang
    Day 6:Sarchu
    Day 7: Manali
    Day 8: Dharamshala
    Day 9: Jammu
    Day 10: Srinagar
    Day 11: Kargil
    Day 12: Leh
    Day 13: Buffer Day

    • Franz, I will recommend that you focus on Ladakh only ad skip other places for some other time. Also, it is better to fly to Srinagar and then go to Ladakh and after covering Ladakh go over to Manali - Dharamshala. This way it helps in acclimatization and better planning of the trip. Let me know if are unable to work out the itinerary from the plan mentioned in the article above.

      • Hey Dheeraj,

        Based on what you said, is it safe to assume the pace I am going at would not be safe or comfortable? In that case, would it be better to just focus on leh and Manali by doing a round trip from Leh to Manali and back to leh again? Thank you so much for your help

        • This is what I will recommend you

          Day 1 | Delhi - Srinagar
          -- Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
          -- If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden.
          -- Overnight at Srinagar

          Day 2 | Srinagar - Sonamarg - Zozi La - Drass - Kargil
          -- Enjoy the vistas enroute
          -- Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
          -- Overnight at Kargil

          Day 3 | Kargil - Lamayuru - Leh
          -- Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
          -- On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
          -- Overnight at Leh

          Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization
          -- To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
          -- Overnight at Leh

          Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
          -- Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
          -- On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
          -- Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari

          Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
          -- Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
          -- Overnight at Leh

          Day 7 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
          -- Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
          -- Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)

          Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
          -- Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
          -- Overnight at Leh

          Day 9 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley
          -- Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
          -- Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
          -- Overnight at Leh

          Day 10 | Leh - Taglang La - Moore Plains - Pang - Sarchu
          -- Stay overnight at Sarchu

          Day 11 | Sarchu - Baralacha La - Keylong - Rohtang Pass - Manali
          -- On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
          -- Overnight at Manali

          Day 12 | Manali - Delhi
          Day 13 + 14 | Buffer days to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.

  • what would be the itenerary from chd to leh via manali... would be highly appreciate if u could share it. thanks.

  • Hello DevilOnWheels Team
    we have planned to Start On 18th of May 2018, From Chandigarh-Srinagar-Jammu-Kargil Leh. Will the Route Open
    Thank You
    Waiting For Reply

  • Hey Dheeraj,

    How can i break down this itinerary into 9-10days following the same route as Delhi-Srinagar-Manali-Delhi

    • It will take 4 days to reach Leh from Srinagar side starting from Delhi with stop overs at Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and 3 days to come back from Leh from Manali side to Delhi with stopovers at Sarchu, Manali. This makes it 7 days. 1 Day is required in Leh for acclimatization. You have about 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.

      Opt to go via Manali - Leh Highway and I will suggest that you refer the thread for more details on the route and night halts though it is of 9 days: Manali - Leh - Ladakh - Manali | Itinerary for 9 Days. You can fit in plan I suggested in above para in this plan

      • Hey Dheeraj,

        I am very extremely excited after going through your website and way you are updating every information for travelers so well. However, i am very much satisfied and agreed on advantages you have mentioned to take Delhi-Srinagar-Manali-Delhi route. considering the same, i have listed down below itinerary covering 10days, could you please review and help me out. I am planning to drive my I20:

        Day 1 -- 25-May-18 -- Delhi to Patnitop
        Day 2 -- 26-May-18 -- Patnitop to Srinagar
        Day 3 -- 27-May-18 -- Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
        Day 4 -- 28-May-18 -- Kargil to Lamayuru – Leh
        Day 5 -- 29-May-18 -- Leh to Leh Local Sighseeing
        Day 6 -- 30-May-18 -- Leh to Nubra Valley
        Day 7 -- 31-May-18 -- Leh to Pangong Tso Lake
        Day 8 -- 1-Jun-18 -- Leh to Taglang La - Pang - Sarchu
        Day 9 -- 2-Jun-18 -- Sarchu Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
        Day 10 -- 3-Jun-18 -- Manali to Delhi

        • Hey Dheeraj,

          I have started my preparation and following your great guidance and reading your website all day long. now i will be starting my journey from June 8th instead of May. now i am little scared on following option after going through the route details on : https://devilonwheels.com/tips-for-nubra-valley-to-pangong-tso-direct-route/ . Me and wife will be the only one and we will be going via a hatchback. Is it really advice able to do this route. Is there any other route which i should take to avoid any difficulties for us. Is there any better road which is available now in year 2018? or i should go back to Leh from Nubra Valley??

          Day 7 Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso Lake

          • Hey Arun,

            In a hatchback, this kind of route I will say not to take unless you are prepared to turn back because of some section that you could not cross. In last couple of years the road condition has been much better but I am not sure if you are ready to take up the chance. You should also wait for other vehicles to arrive and join them in a convoy so as to get some help. Else avoid the route and take conventional route to Pangong tso from Leh.

        • Thank You Dheeraj,

          Highly appreciated with your promptness. If i add one more day, where do i fit that day with what all other options i have to explore?

          Also, reason i have opted Srinagar route with 10-11days plans is what i am really convinced with acclimatized, no road pass (rohtang pass), by this i covered both the highways. I hope i am going in a right way. Hope with I20 drive is manageable as i have read lot of people recommend SUV

          • Wonderful, yes Srinagar - Leh is better option always for acclimatization. For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali - Leh Highway and Ladakh, I will say Possible = Yes, Difficult = Yes, at quite a few place:

            You will indeed face few tough challenges on the route. The hatchback/sedan will increase the level of every challenge even further, sedan is the worst candidate. My suggestion will be to go via Srinagar route as it will help you feel comfortable with the driving, provide more acclimatization and then once you have done the local Leh-Ladakh, then come back via Manali side. Secondly, since you are in hatch/sedan, then you need to drive with extra care as well. There will be some sections on the Manali - Leh highway in which you might need to sacrifice some scratches on the underbelly. Just make sure you do not bump the engine sump (know it before where it is placed in your car). You need to protect it all around the trip. Thirdly, whenever in doubt do not rush into the section rather park aside and feel the section with your foot, see how other vehicles are crossing it and make a planned route in your mind to cross that section. At the very least do carry Mseal, quick fix, funnel, jerry cans and towing rope with you all the time.

            Also, I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh Self Drive tips at the links below:

            7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh, Routes and Road Conditions In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips, Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips

        • Thank you Arun. I will highly recommend that you add one more day in the plan and also consider the option below if that is not possible

          Day 6 — 30-May-18 — Leh to Nubra Valley
          Day 7 — 31-May-18 — Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso Lake
          Day 8 — 1-Jun-18 — Pangong Tso Lake - Taglang La – Pang/Sarchu

  • Dear
    Is it possible to do a day trip to Pangong from Leh as I want to avoid staying at Pangong due to high altitude area. Pls suggest as I will be travelling alone on my suv.

    • Yes Firaz, many people do a day trip to Pangong Tso. It takes about 12 hrs

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