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Leh ladakh road trip: an unbelievable drive in india.

This is Part 1   of our 5 part series on planning the ultimate road trip to Leh Ladakh in India. We will cover every aspect – itinerary, accommodation, packing, driving – of planning an unforgettable Ladakh road trip:

Read Part 2 – Leh Ladakh Road Trip II (Nubra, Pangong, and Manali) (opens in new tab)

Read Part 3 – Packing for a road trip to Leh and Ladakh (opens in new tab)

Read Part 4 –  10 Dos and Donts for a roadtrip to Leh-Ladakh, India  (opens in new tab)

Read Part 5 – Accommodation: Luxury Camping in Ladakh (opens in new tab)

As we make our way to Ladakh, lush meadows, Chinar forests, and apple orchards give way to barren landscapes illuminated by the glimmering sun. Monks are everywhere and monasteries dot the landscape – that’s when you know you’ve arrived in one of the most spectacular places on Earth!!

A road trip to Ladakh is no small feat- it is well and truly the stuff of dreams. Ladakh’s soundlessness, its cobalt blue skies, bright rainbows, and glistening lakes are pure magic.  This road trip boasts of iconic landmarks such as the highest motorable road in the world ( Khardung La );  some of the highest mountain passes in the world such as Zoji La and Tanglang La;  splendid scenic drives in remote regions, and some little known gems such as the kaleidoscopic More Plains , Lamayuru, and the hypnotic Gata Loops. It is truly a road trip like no other!!

Before the fun stuff and a day-by-day itinerary of our roadtrip to Ladakh, here’s a quick look at the logistics:

Here’s an overview of the route we followed over the course of 3 weeks. We drove from Delhi to Ladakh via Gulmarg. We drove back from Leh City to Delhi via Manali.

This self-drive road trip is only for experienced drivers who are comfortable driving in India and  skilled at driving in the hills. There are dubious roads, bumpy stretches, and unpaved mountain passes by the dozen (all details in the daily breakdown below). Having said that, if you enjoy driving and are fond of road trips, it truly doesn’t get better than this. Look at these panoramas and those crystal clear skies. Don’t forget to read our article on 10 Things to keep in mind while planning a road trip to Leh and Ladakh  before embarking on this road trip.

Try to stick to bottled/filtered water while you are in India. Stock up on water and also on non-perishable snacks including dried fruits, nuts, and cookies before the road trip. However there is no need to go overboard as hot food is plentiful, cheap, and easily available in India.

There are hundreds of dhabas (shacks) along the way, most of which cater well to vegetarian and vegan travellers. Expect to find paranthas (stuffed flatbreads) and sandwiches. As you begin to inch closer to Leh, you will start noticing a smattering of mok mok/momos (steamed dumplings), chowmein (an Indian take on traditional stir-fried noodles), and Maggi (Instant noodles) on menus. A meal at a roadside shack will rarely set you back by more than £5 (INR 500). There are also loads of mid-range and some truly exquisite restaurants in the bigger cities you’ll hit during this road trip. We’ve mentioned a couple of our favourites in the itinerary  below  🙂

The cumulative expenses depend on the kinds of hotels and restaurants you choose to stay and dine. As with every other country we visit, we chose quaint lil B&Bs for the days when we had to be on the road all day and just needed a place to crash at night and luxury hotels for languorous days that had to be spent in the same city. Besides accommodation and food, expect to spend approximately £120 (INR 12000) on fuel and £40 (INR 4000) on tolls and road taxes if you’re driving a rental car . This sum is a bit lower if you’re driving your own car.

Try renting a 4X4 for your road trip to Ladakh – this isn’t essential but it makes the ride easier. It is easy to rent a car in most major cities in India. As most of you probably know, driving in India is like nowhere else in the world. Roads are chaotic and lane driving is but a myth. Taking these things into consideration, it’s best to rent a car from an Indian rental company . Such companies understand the nuances of the Indian market well.

There are a number of car-rental companies in India. Here are a couple of things we kept in mind while renting a self-drive car in India:

• Make sure you opt for a company that provides unlimited mileage. A lot of companies offer a quote that includes limited mileage. Customers are charged an extortionate amount for every kilometre over the fixed mileage. This is never a good idea if you, like us, love taking detours and discovering offbeat gems along the way.

Keeping these things in mind, we rented a Scorpio from Myles Cars   for our self-drive road trip and the experience was seamless. We opted for their personalised service, which included a pick up/drop off at our doorstep (something we’ve seen only in India 🙂 ). Our car was in great shape and didn’t give us trouble as we drove through varied terrains, bumpy roads, and mountain passes. We drove it much more than we anticipated but paid no additional cost (thanks to the unlimited mileage clause!)

Now that the logistics are out of the way, let’s head to the fun stuff. Here’s a day by day breakdown of a road trip to Ladakh:

Day 1: Driving from Delhi to Patnitop

The first day’s drive through bustling Indian towns and cities and plains is perfect to acquaint oneself with driving in India. The drive from Delhi to Patnitop , a small hill-station in Jammu and Kashmir is long. It can take about 16 hours (although Google says 10 ;-)), so you might consider breaking it if you don’t enjoy long days on the road. In any case, always take frequent breaks especially if you are the only one driving.

Start early – we left Delhi at 4.30 am. We took the following route: Delhi-Karnal-Ambala-Ludhiana-Jalandhar-Pathankot-Udhampur-Patnitop. This drive isn’t particularly scenic and there are frequent toll booths along the way. However the first 7-8 hours boast of great roads. Also, there are lots of service stations and public toilets along the way.

There is no shortage of restaurants. International chains – McDonald, KFC, Subway – seem to be extremely popular in the area. But if the weather’s conducive, we’d suggest taking a pitstop at a traditional Indian  dhaba (shack) for some North Indian grub.

Fight the impulse to follow your GPS blindly and try to stay on the highway as much as possible. For eg. our GPS took us through ‘shortcuts’ towards Gurdashpur and Binanagar. Instead of following the highway and driving towards Pathankot, we obeyed the GPS. This was the worst idea ever as roads were bad and in horrible condition. We ended up wasting 2 hours on an already long day!

Accommodation:

Patnitop is a small hilltop town that makes for a perfect pitstop for the night. There are a few hotels and resorts in the area. We chose to spend the night at Vardaan Resorts because it was recommended by a couple of locals.  Rooms are clean but dated and food is fresh. The view however is enviable. Waking up to this view made us really excited about the panoramas that lay ahead.

Day 2: Driving from Patnitop to Gulmarg

This is when the fun begins in real ernest. Almost as soon as you leave Patnitop, you will start spotting lush forests, meadows, glistening waterfalls, and blue skies. Apple farms start making an appearance and Kashmir’s sun-drenched panoramas put visitors in a good mood. At one point you’ll cross Jawahar tunnel and the moment you come out on the other side, you’ll be greeted to the first glimpse of the beautiful Kashmir valley.

The winding hilly drive from Patnitop to Gulmarg takes over 8 hours. Expect to make loads of stops along the way – rainbows play hide and seeks with red-cheeked kids in the countryside and Kashmir. Glowing and throbbing nature is at its best and most magical here in Kashmir.

Make sure your fuel is topped up when you leave Patnitop as gas stations start getting scarce at this point.

You could choose a hotel in Srinagar or Gulmarg. We chose to stay in a slightly secluded spot in Gulmarg – The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa was recommended to us by a reader and we’re so glad we chose it for our stay in Gulmarg. It’s a magical property, nothing short of splendid. Decadent rooms overlook snow-capped peaks and coniferous forests. On s haring a photo on our Facebook page , we found out dozens of our readers have stayed there in the past and all of them gush about it – so glad we aren’t the only ones! 🙂

Days 3-5: Gulmarg & surroundings

We spent 3 nights at The Khyber Himalayan Resort as we explored Gulmarg and its surroundings. It provided the perfect break from all that driving. Nature is extravagantly beautiful in this part of Kashmir.

You could just pick up your car, pack a picnic basket, and find an idyllic picnic spot just about anywhere. Alternatively you could go for a hike , one that’s as easy or strenuous as you want it to be, through Gulmarg’s magical woodlands. Don’t forget to hop on the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest operating cable cars in the world . The first level of the gondola ride is passable but the views of the Himalayas from the second level are splendid. Highly recommended. Tickets cost £16 (INR 1600). Go prepared for LONG queues 🙂

Day 6: Driving from Gulmarg to Kargil

Finally it was time to leave the serene environs of Gulmarg and head to faraway hills. The drive from Gulmarg to Leh cannot be covered in 1 day, so it’s best to cover it over 2-3 days. Kargil is the perfect pitstop if you decide to do this stretch over 2 days.

This drive is one of the most scenic drives so far. Expect glacier views at Sonmarg, little streams at Drass, herds, cheery shepherds, flocks of sheep, and seductive stretches of countryside. At Zoji La (Zojila Pass), one of the bottlenecks along the way, roads are dubious but stunning views abound. Snow-laden panoramas are everywhere to be seen so it’s hard to get annoyed at the bad roads or traffic jams.

Start early. The drive from Gulmarg to Kargil is just 250 kilometres long but it took us 12 hours because the mighty Zojila Pass is always jam-packed and the roads on this stretch are in bad shape. To add that, there was a protest in one of the villages on our way and the villagers had blocked all traffic for a couple of hours. Always stay prepared for things like these when driving in India 🙂

It being peak season we were unable to find any hotel in Kargil for the night. Finally, after over 2 hours of first pulling into Kargil, we found a dingy room at a local guesthouse. We were grateful for the beds at the end of a long day but we can’t recommend the place. I won’t get into the nitty-gritties but let’s just say we were very glad to get out of there next morning! 😉

Day 7: Driving from Kargil to Leh City

The military presence in this area can’t be glazed over. You will spot soldiers everywhere – this is because of the volatile political situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Scenery wise, this stretch of road is spectacular ! In fact, it is so scenic you will want to stop every 5 minutes especially as you inch closer to Leh. As we made our way to Ladakh, we could see lush meadows, and Chinar forests giving way to barren landscapes illuminated by the glimmering sun. Monks could be seen everywhere and monastries dotted the landscape as far as the eye could see – that’s when we knew we had arrived in Leh!!

Some of the places that are worth stopping on the way are Lamayuru village (mid-way between Kargil and Leh), Alchi, and the famous (and much hyped) magnetic hill .

Start early with lots of time on hand and stop to absorb the scenery every 20 minutes 🙂 Have lunch at Lamayuru to break your journey and enjoy the peaceful vibe at the monastery.

Leh City has loads of guesthouses and hotels to suit every budget. Choose one that gels with your travelling style – just make sure the hotel offers parking (as you will need to leave your rental car here while exploring Nubra Valley & Pangong Lake), rooms are heated, and it has oxygen supplies should you need them.

Since we had to spend quite a few days in Leh city, we chose the luxurious Chamba Camp Thiksey . It overlooks the gorgeous Thiksey Monastery, far from hustle-bustle of Leh City. Glamping is the only way to stay next to some of the most remote panoramas of the world in such luxury. We’ve been glamping in loads of places around the world but I’ll say this – nowhere has it been more decadent or scenic that in India. We loved waking up in our decadent tent at The Ultimate Travelling Camp, nestled amidst snow-capped mountains and spending languorous days absorbing Leh’s natural beauty, with cappuccino on call 🙂

Days 8-10: Explore Leh City and surroundings

There are loads of things to see in Leh City.

• Explore Shanti Stupa , a Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop
• The  Old Town of Leh also makes for a fascinating self-guided walk – explore its crumbling houses, the buzy marketplace, and Leh Palace
• Leh Palace offers great views of Leh City but for truly spectacular views of Leh City, head to the neighbouring  Namgyal Tsemo Monastery
• Outside the city, Thiksey Monastery and Hemis Monastery offer an insight into the Buddhist way of life. It’s easy to spend hours at each monastery – exploring rooms, marvelling at staircases, and talking to monks. Don’t miss the early morning call to prayer and prayer ceremony at Thiksey Monastery.

All these historical and cultural sites draw visitors. However here in Leh City, the landscape is the real draw – you could stop just about anywhere and be treated to a special view.

Take it easy on your first day in Leh City and give your body time to acclimatize to the altitude. If you’re on a road trip, chances are you will adjust pretty quickly because the ascent to such high altitudes has been gradual. However the difference in altitude might hit you harder if you’ve flown straight to Leh City. In any case, refrain from consuming spicy/heavy food or alcohol for the first couple of days. Have loads of water and keep yourself well hydrated.

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140 thoughts on “ leh ladakh road trip: an unbelievable drive in india ”.

This is Amazing and extremely helpful. Thank you for the detailed post .

Thanks Ananya – so glad you found it useful 🙂 We wanted to pen EVERYTHING that could potentially help someone planning a trip to the area! 🙂

More than just a tour guide, its extremely helpful for people like me who are planning a trip to Ladakh.

Thanks Suyash – it took us SO long to put all this information about a roadtrip to Ladakh together in one post but your comment just made it all worth it 🙂

Hi Savi/Vid,

I have been following your page from quite a while now. I love to read your experiences and struggles in a trip. I have been struggling from last few months to plan my honeymoon trip from April 20th. It would be great if you can help us with some inputs. We are planning a road trip to Ladakh from Manali. Is it a good option for honeymoon purpose, as we both like road trips, that’s why we thought this could be a good option. We are planning a 10 days trip from Manali to Leh and vice-versa.

Plz share your inputs also if you have any other suggestions than Ladakh, we are open for suggestions.

Plz help in the same, we are planning a decent honeymoon trip within India as we are not interested in Maldives, rest most of the countries have not opened there borders yet.

Waiting for your reply.

Hey Shivani – if you choose nice accommodation Ladakh can make for a good honeymoon 🙂 If you want someplace warmer with nice honeymoon-friendly hotels you can also choose Kerala

Such a awesome journey it look like .. I been there many a times but seems like life got refreshed after reading your words with awesome pictures … Much useful link .. In august I am Going again . Will Try all the places which U guys mentioned . Thanks 4 the post .

Thanks a ton Harkaran – so glad you enjoyed our guide to driving in Ladakh 🙂 We’re not surprised you keep going back to Ladakh – Have fun in August & don’t forget to send us photos

Stunning pictures. After reading this post, I am so looking forward to my trip to Ladakh! <3

Thanks Deepika – we hope you have an amazing time in Ladakh. Do try to check off some of the lesser known sites (Lamayuru, More Plains etc) too 🙂

Hi guys.. Wonderful writing & you guys make my mind to go & see such a beautiful place in India.. Photos are amazing. Hope you had great time there

Hey Manoj – it’s awesome that we managed to persuade you to go and drive around Ladakh. We promise you you’ll love it 🙂

I was 4 when I was left behind due to my acute asthma in 1986 by mom and Bro to joindad in Ladhak serving the Indian army.At this time this little gem wasn’t known to the world.But I grew up on stories from the valley and have been wanting to go there since I was 4. Last year after a lot of convincing my husband took me upto Srinagar, Sonamarg and Zozilla pass. I had to call dad then to salute him to serve the nation at the toughest battlefield and also assure him my asthma was doing just fine. I have been holding up Leh because I wanna drive up there and not fly so I acclimatise well.Your post is just what was needed. Thank You ?

Hey Kamakshi – you’re welcome. As we mentioned, Savi’s bronchitis held up well in Ladakh. We’re sure you’ll be fine and would love it 🙂 Just make sure you book a hotel with oxygen supplies and don’t try to pack in too much in your schedule. Hugs from us

Awesome blog, have been on two treks in Ladakh (personally count it among my favourite destinations, though obviously there is a lot of world left to explore) but your snaps are brilliant and a road trip looks like a pretty interesting prospect for a 3rd visit. Do visit the Tso Moriri if you ever go again. Long drive but personally thought it was way better than Pangong…

Thanks Uday – you should definitely try driving to Ladakh. We’ll be back for Tso Moriri but thought we’d recommend it to our readers anyway – we heard SUCH great things about it 🙂

Stunning pictures, great writing and truck load of information. Thanks for such a detailed post. Definitely bookmarking this series for our future leh travel plan. I have to ask, do you guys had any issue with self-driving in and around kashmir and ladakh? I keep hearing there are lot of taxi union issues, any comments.

Hey Krithika

Thanks a ton – glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 Driving in Kashmir and Leh City isn’t a problem but the taxi union is quite strong in Ladakh – we’ve written all about it (and how we dealt with it( in days 11 -15 of our itinerary here: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/india/epic-road-trip-leh-ladakh

Guys, it seems like an awesome journey! I’m just speechless. 🙂 The views like those make it all worth it. I’ve been wanting to go to Leh since forever. I think this post will help a lot! 🙂

Thanks a ton Ramya – hope you make it there super super soon. A roadtrip to Ladakh is truly dreamy 🙂

Absolutely stunning views and informative blog post. Can I just ask what camera you’ve used for these pictures?

Keep doing what you are doing!

Thanks a ton Harshitha 🙂 We use a Nikon D610 for all our photographs – we’ve written a detailed post on our travel and photography essentials: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/featured/travel-photography-essentials

Thanks v much Savi! Really appreciate your response, it’s been really helpful.

Btw, i just turned on notifications on your insta account! Great pictures you guys ?

Thanks a ton Harshitha 😀

Hey! I have been waiting for this post, so that I can make notes before I leave for my trip:) Loved the post and the pictures are incredible as always:) Thanks for taking out time to answer all my queries with regard to the accommodation at Leh, Nubra and Pangong. I have made bookings at the same stays at all 3 locations 🙂 Leaving on 17th July, so excited. Thank you so much 🙂

Hey Chinar – that’s awesome. You MUST send us photos when you visit Leh & Ladakh. We’d love to share them with our readers 🙂 Hope you found all the information you wanted – feel free to drop us an email if you need anything else

finally , the itinerary is out. Covers all bases , but just wanted to ask for someone not going by car to leh , what all can be done using motorbikes and what will need a taxi? was planning to take taxi for Nubra valley and Pangong and Motorbike for Leh local??

Hey Gaurav – you can refer to days 11-15 to see what we did but I think what you have in mind is great. In fact you can even cover Nubra and Pangong by bike but do be warned, the roads are really steep and in bad shape. However we did see a few bikers covering the route themselves 🙂

Thanks , taking lots of cues from u guys , hope we end up as much fun as u guys. Cheers.

Awesome Gaurav. Have fun and send us photos from you trip to Ladakh 🙂

Best post of yours till date.. such detailed write up and envious pictures to match up with it..3 weeks in Heaven i should say.. keep rocking guys..

Thanks a ton Madhu – so glad to hear you found it useful 🙂

just wat i needed, have been waiting since the day ur first post abt Ladakh came uo… its just my dream destination. Being suffering from chronic disorder its just scares me out listening the stories abt the place but the moment i see any pic of leh ladakh it seems this is wat i wanna do. And ur pictures, they motivate me to the T. they just scream out saying “Come fall in love with me”…just get goose bums seeing god’s beautiful creation and to witness it would be something else. great job guys love love love you. BIG HUGS AND KISSES TO U.. stay blessed and KEEP LIVING.

Thanks a million Prachi – It’s easy to get medical attention, especially in Leh City. You should make a short trip just to test the waters 🙂

Yup this is on my top priority list now. And next to top is meeting you guys. you truly are big time INSPIRATION. just WAITING FOR MY BIG FAN MOMENT. 🙂

Aww thanks Prachi – I hope our paths cross somewhere around the globe super soon 🙂

What time of the year did you take this trip? Want to plan one in April, advisable?

Hey Vamshika – we went in July. In April some roads are still snowed under, so do check before going. Or you could fly to Leh City and you’ll explore it from there 🙂

You guys are lucky to have made it just before the ban on self driving cars in Ladakh region.

Hey Sam – we didn’t. We drove to Ladakh and back from Ladakh but rented a taxi to explore Ladakh while we were there. Please see days 11-15 for this!

Great post, even greater pics! Surely gonna use this if and when I plan an epic road trip to Ladakh. Btw, you guys look amazing in all of the pics!

@Vid: If possible, could you write a post on your photography workflow? How you manage the RAW files, what softwares you use etc? I have read about your travel photography gear but was curious about the workflow.

Thanks for the tonne of info already 🙂

Regards, Anu

Hey Anu – thanks a million 🙂 Sure I’ll definitely pen a post on that. I have a few huge HDDs (couple of TBs each) to store RAW files and I use Lightroom to edit photographs

Omg!! My husbanhuhas always been dying to be here and I have been researching the areafor quite some time now but reading all of your series I am also desperately wanting to be there. So beautiful described! This is definitely on top of my list now! Thanks for the traveling goals..

Hey Sneha – so happy to hear you enjoyed reading about our roadtrip in Ladakh 🙂 Hope the two of you make it there soon 🙂

It’s so beautifully written that sitting on my bed feels like driving on the panoramic Leh and Ladakh road.You two are inspiration for me!!

Thanks for that Upasana – this took so much time to put together but your comment just made it all seem worthwhile 🙂

Wow..I mean wow..Reading this was like traveling to Kashmir . And the pictures are so beautiful. Loved reading ! Sorry for all the exclamation marks but I am awed.

Thanks Khushboo – so happy to hear you enjoyed both the text and words- yay 🙂

Great travelogue. I haven’t seen northern India but now I won’t be able to stay away. Thanks!

This was our first road trip to The Himalayas and it did not disappoint 🙂 You should definitely head over!

Thanks for such detailed and helpful posts and for not saying that driving in India is too crazy to attempt – I drive here everyday and love it! I think once you understand the culture and drive like an Indian it’s not too unsafe. I’d love to try this road trip on a car or a bike. Thanks for the self drive car hire tips and stunning photos too!

Hehe Anna – driving in India is a different ballgame altogether but it’s definitely doable and a lot of fun. Would love to hear from you after you attempt a roadtrip to Ladakh – have a feeling you’ll love it 🙂

Your post reminded me of my CEAT tyres sales trips in punjab and jammu. Gt road and beyond. 20 yrs back.

Extremely beautiful Photoes…

Thanks a ton Hardik 🙂

Amezing clicks! Which month u did it? how was weather? any rain?

We went in June and the weather was amazing. We didn’t encounter any rain 🙂

You guys r just superb!!.. Seeing u travel makes me leave everythng nd jst go by d flow lyk u guys do U both are such full of positivity nd full of lyf dat it makes us believe all d more in everything u do

Dear Anubhuti, you are too kind and generous in your appreciation. We are really humbled by your words.Thanks so much and we hope you also get a chance to travel around the globe and explore everything for your self 🙂

You Guys Are Doing Awesome Work. Keep Exploring!?

Thanks a ton Meet 🙂

I heard you could do go through Ladakh by road these days. Walked from Lamayaru to Darcha (took almost a month) and then bus to Manali 30 years ago! Memories. Time to go back.

Hey Steven – Walking from Lamayaru to Darcha sounds like one incredible adventure. Love the sound of it. You should definitely re-visit Ladakh – you’ll be surprised at just how much things have changed 🙂

I just checked the route – been trying to match my old photos to Google maps! We walked quite a bit further, over the Shingo La (I remember that) into Himachal Pradesh and we must have hit the road at Keylong. It appears many of the gompas are still only accessible by foot – Photoskar, Lingshed, Lingshot, and some others. There is now a new gravel road up to Phuktal north off the Manali road. Did you get up there? That is a truly incredible and memorable place, thousands of years old. I also remember as it was an easy 40 mile river valley walk from Padum, so on a road trip could be done from Padum in a couple of days. Lamayaru to Padum was about 2 weeks of daily mountain climbs – still walking only.

Hi, Which month did u travel?..Love the season colors..

Hey we travelled during summer (June)

Hi, I really wanted to know about the weather there in May.We are planning in last week of May this year.there will three kids in the group. TIA

May is a great time but sometimes the snow hasn’t melted and many roads are not open. So check for updates before leaving

It is a very advantageous post for me. I’ve enjoyed reading the post. It is very supportive and useful post. I would like to visit the post once more its valuable content. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I appreciate it very much!

We are a group of 3 engineering students from Mumbai and we have been dreaming of going to Leh Laddakh since our freshmen year! Thanks to your blog we are finally planning a bike trip to Leh from Delhi and back this year. Kudos to you guys for inspiring people like us. We shall make full use of your suggestions. Keep up the great work and wish you luck for your future endeavors.

Hey Rohith,

thanks a lot for your message. Hope you guys had a great road trip to Leh Ladakh – do share photos with us if you get a chance 🙂

Hey there ! Every time I surf thru https://www.bruisedpassports.com , I’m in awe of you both. Cheers guys ! Now coming on to the important point, how much did it cost for the entire trip. Plus would like to have your advice on the following route we intend / plan to take – delhi to Srinagar (via flight) to leh ladakh to manali / Jammu (via road) and fly out of delhi. Would we be doing justice to the scenic beauty of Leh Ladakh. Secondly, what time of the year does it opens for civilians, which month onwards

Best Sripat

Yes your itinerary will be doing justice to the beauty of Leh Ladakh. Costs will vary as you’ll have to hire a cab from Srinagar to Leh to Manali/Delhi. We rented a car and drove from Delhi back to Delhi. You will be taking flights. So it’s difficult for us to tell you the estimated cost for your trip 🙂

It usually opens May onwards but that varies year on year so best to check that closer to your trip

Hi Guys . We are planning to do a road trip from Delhi to Leh , but i am hearing all scary stories that a rental Car ( yellow/black board) should be avoided as the locals don’t let u pass after a certain point ? Is this true ? Most of the folks are advising us to take flight to Leh . What do you suggest?

Hey you can only drive till your hotel in Leh in a rental car. Beyond that, (say for Nubra / Pangong etc.) you have to take a local taxi. Nothing to worry about. Taking a flight to Leh is also not a bad idea – to be honest Delhi – Patnitop drive was quite bleh and I’d rather skip that. That said, Kargil – Leh and Leh – Jispa are some of the most stunning drives so if you fly to Leh and back you’ll be missing those 🙂

Loved your post. Is the road trip doable with kids?

Thank you 🙂

I believe it’s best to take a doctor’s advice on that as many people suffer from altitude sickness in Leh and it might not be good for kids

Hi Your post is great.. Its detailed and covers all the bases.. I have read and heard that self-driven cars from Myles and the like are not allowed beyond a point in ladakh as the local car hires do not allow you to use ur rented vehicle. I am planning for a similar trip in July by renting a car from one of these app based rental services. Need your input on this. Should I go for it or look out for other options?

Hey Aditya,

Yes, you’ll only be allowed to take the car to Leh. For Khardung-La, Nubra, Pangong lake etc., you will have to hire a local car.

Can we plan a trip in July ion leh?

Yes in fact July is one of the most popular months to do a road trip to Leh Ladakh 🙂

Hi we are planning to visit leh ladakh during aug.. wanted your suggestion on where should we stay- at nubra valley or at diskit because i’ve heard all monastriea are closer to diskit but dunes are closer to nubra.. bit of confused over there. Also, have been reading articles about altitude sickness at leh. I’ve never felt any such sickness before while travelling to hill stations..should I be worried this time?

Hey one can never predict altitude sickness, so we can’t say anything. You’ll just have to wait and watch. As a precaution, do spend 1-2 days getting acclimatised to the altitude before starting to explore. We’d say Diksit is a better option 🙂

The photofeature of the Manali-Leh Ladakh road trip is just mesmerizing. Definitely have to give it a try.

Best time to visit Leh Ladakh would probably be like in mid-December and Jan starts it is one of the most charming places to see I have visited there for like 3 days and 4 nights, food is also delicious. thanks for the wonderful article.

Yes we’d love to visit Leh Ladakh in winter months 🙂

Excellent blog writing with beautiful photography enjoy reading such a nice blog. Thank you for sharing.

I have read this article this is such an amazing place for hill lover. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for your detailed report!

Would you recommend doing this trip in July? We are a European couple who loves roadtrips and I have seen so many beautiful videos of this region but I don’t know if it’s not too dangerous to drive the roads?

Hey there – would’nt recommend driving yourself if you haven’t driven extensively in India before this 🙂

Hey Savi and Vid,

Amazing Post and beautiful pictures!!! I was planning on visiting Leh-Ladakh end of June and this article is undoubtedly the best one I have come across. Could you please let me know when (which month) did you visit?

Hi Sharanya,

We drove to Leh Ladakh at the end of May / beginning of June 🙂

Ladakh is a standout amongst the most attractive tourist destinations on the planet. It has amazing natural magnificence and beautiful scenes which impress visitors. Thanks for the amazing post with a great picture.

That’s right!

What an amazing experience you had in this road trip. I am eagerly waiting for mine, and yes your 10 Tips for planning trip to leh ladakh would be so helpful to us. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

Great – enjoy your road trip to Ladakh 🙂

Hi We are family of 3. Myself, my husband and our 3 year old daughter. Could you pls tell me which is the best time of the year to visit Leh Ladakh. We plan to make a road trip.

We went in May/June and it was great. You do have to check the road conditions though as they vary from year to year. July/August is better but also more crowded and risk of high rains.

Hello Vid and Savy,

Your article is awesome and the photos are just incredible, that’s the best pictures I’ve ever seen of Ladakh! I’m travelling to Ladakh next year with my girlfriend, I can’t wait to be there 🙂

We are motivated to follow a similar itinerary as yours, renting a car from Delhi. However, we are wondering if this still possible. First because of the situation in Kashmir, could there be additional restrictions for foreigners? We are also unsure if it’s possible to drive a rental cat in Ladakh. On this website ( https://www.leh-ladakh-taxi-booking.com/contact-us ) it says that tourists are not allowed to drive in Ladakh and that it is compulsory to have a driver. Is it true? Is there a difference between foreigners and Indian tourists when travelling in Ladakh? Where to find the official rules?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Damien from France

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. In general, self-drive rental cars can be driven to get to Leh (capital), but you can’t drive rental cars to get to say Nubra valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri etc. To get to these places you need to hire a local driver.

Have you driven in India before this? It can be a very challenging experience for someone who has never driven in India. Also, as you pointed out, the current situation in Kashmir might not be favourable for a road trip via the Srinagar route.

There is a difference between foreign tourists and Indian tourists when in Ladakh e.g. you will need to get additional permits to visit Nubra/Pangong/Tso Moriri. There was a website http://www.lahdclehpermit.in/ for issuing permits online but I just noticed (June 2020) it’s not issuing permits online (this might change as they must be revising rules etc. after the situation in Kashmir last year)

Do keep us updated. It’d be interesting to see what you do. Any other questions, just mention them here.

Nice coverage of the place. I really like to this article its very interesting and informative. Thanks for your amazing travel guide and your photos are mind-blowing.

This is really a lot helpful. Me and my friends are planning a trip soon. Is Maruti Suzuki XL6 a good choice to drive for the trip? Plz reply

Yes it should be a decent choice for driving in Ladakh 🙂

Thanks for sharing very nice planning. Hire the best self-drive cars in Coimbatore we are here our name Cars2u all brand cars and pick your favorite color cars2u is the best choice, No1. service providers, cheapest self-driving cars in Coimbatore visit our web page. choose your favorite cars all times available free doorstep delivery

Thank you so much for this content. You discussed very interesting things in this blog. I also have a great experience on Delhi to Leh trip. Checkout my content, hope you like it.

Amazing clicks Savi. The narration is really flowing, made me relive the journey. Thank you!

Nice blog post with wonderful pictures. I’m from ladakh and I really enjoyed your blog post like watching your trip on the screen like a movie. Your stay in Kashmir was very short..there are other great tourist attractions in Kashmir.

Your Delhi to a leh-Ladakh road trip is so Amazing. Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure you this would be beneficial for most people.

Super excellent blog writing with beautiful photography enjoy reading such a pleasant blog. many thanks for sharing.

Brilliantly scripted, well presented with the right balance of information and story telling and of course, your landscape photographs have taken this narrative to a different orbit altogether. Thank you guys for sharing your experiences in such a wonderful manner. I am sure there will be a lot fence sitters falling on the side of doing ” Life mein ek Bhar ” trip. A small clarification though, You mention that this trip was in End May / early June. May i know which year?.

Very informative for our journey. What you provided is very vibrant if somebody wants to take a digital tour at the destination. The pictures are mesmerizing and could easily grasp anybody’s interest towards the destination. You had covered all popular places in Ladakh but I’m a little bit eager to know about the off-beat destinations in Ladakh which would be very fascinating for me. Your content is much initiating towards any traveler who is planning for Ladakh trip. I’m convinced that this Ladakh itinerary can brought up anyone’s interest. Keep on travelling.

OMG… What a trip you had guys… it’s amazing… Fabulous… fantabulous … am just dying to follow the same path you did during your entire Ladakh tour from Delhi and the pictures… are just awesome, mind-blowing boss… Thank you guys for this lovely travel guide to Ladakh. Kudos …

Your article was very good, and you have given very good information in this article. I regularly read all the articles on your website

Wow! Such a wonderful article with beautiful pictures, everything is described in detail. The entire article is full off valuable information & tips which will definitely help and encourage all the fellow travelers to plan it more efficiently. Leh Ladakh is one of my dream destinations . I am planning to visit there since long but due to this pandemic it has been delayed. Your article has again increased my passion and I am more excited to feel the breath taking beauty of Ladakh region with my own bare eyes. The Hotels and accommodation you have suggested will surely help me to plan my trip more efficiently. Thank you for sharing your experience and depth knowledge on the sector.

I really enjoyed reading your post. This is a very nice article for traveling and It was an amazing blog I really like it, all pics are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing this article. You can visit us if you need any travel regarding help, we love to do bike adventures

After reading your article, I checked out your website, and i really like your post. It looks massive and pretty cool. It offers a lot of awesome things

I really enjoyed reading your post. This is a very nice article for traveling and It was an amazing blog I really like it, all pics are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing this article.

While reading your post I was virtually on a Ladakh trip. You explained each and everything day to day very beautifully. It is very informative, could you please explain the exact cost breakup of the rented car to and fro Delhi.

It was roughly around 3K per day (unlimited kms) and we had to pay the state road tax ourselves when crossing different states

Hey Savi, The blog you shared has helped me to plan a trip with my friends, the images you have shared are so much tempting. Ladakh is a wonderful beauty. I am planning for a Ladakh Motorcycle Tours with friends, hope it turns out as planned. Thank you for sharing the information, just loved it!

Hey Savi, You’ve accomplished a great job. I’ll definitely share it with my friends and suggest it to my acquaintances. I’m certain that they’ll benefit from this website.

Waoo, well written …keep it up, I also did Chadar Trek

Hey, loved reading the blog! Can you also tell which month you went? Or any suggestion on best time to visit Leh Ladakh?

HEy we’ve been in both summer and winter and it’s beautiful. But if it’s your first time, we would suggest June-July

welldone. i will go there next year.

I really enjoyed your post. This is a very nice article for traveling and It was an beautiful blog I really like it

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update.This article is really very interesting

Can you recommend a good driver for 19 June-6 July 2023 for me and my wife. I have detailed itinerary with hotels booked. Cannot find a driver with an email address, so that all intinerary can be sent and proce quoted.

Paweł/Kraków/Poland [email protected]

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update. This blog is really very interesting.

leh Ladakh bike tour packages from mumbai

Fantastic article. I am very pleased to say that your article is fascinating to read.I always find myself wanting to comment on it.You’re doing an excellent job.Keep your writing up

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This is very well detailed blog about Leh Ladakh road trip itinerary. It will help many travelers to plan a Leh Ladakh trip. Leh Ladakh has a magnificent beauty which is worth visiting. i am planning for a trip to Leh Ladakh with my family can you please share what are the best months to visit Leh Ladakh.

Very well written article, i love to read it. The article is very helpful for the people who are looking for a Leh ladakh road trip. Leh ladakh is one of the beautiful region which has a natural majestic beauty. When i visited there, the experience was quite wonderful. If you are planning to visit Leh ladakh this article will help you plan your trip to Leh ladakh.

You’ve made some good points there. I am glad thatyou just shared this helpful information with us.Thank you for sharing

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Leh ladakh road trip is a beautiful experience. This article will be very helpful for the people who are looking for a road trip to Ladakh. This article provides detailed itinerary for Ladakh road trip. Thank you for this great information.

Great Trip Leh Ladakh This is a very helpful knowledge for the peoples Amazing Road trip leh Ladakh.

Many Indian’s primary wish to travel Ladakh by a road trip on their own bike. Definitely my dream also. Hope I will also achieve it.

Got our travel rout sorted after reading this post. Thanks it was of great help.

Your guidance is so much helpful for us. Thank you for your share. keep it up.

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Best / Most Common Itinerary for Leh Ladakh Road Trip in 2023

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.

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 winter, then better refer most common itinerary for a winter trip to 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.

Let's quickly dive into the details:

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 a 25:75 ratio (Manali – Keylong, Keylong – Leh) in terms of distance.

Dheeraj Sharma

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 toward 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 . As of 2022, permits are not required for domestic tourists to travel anywhere in Ladakh including the  Umling La pass . You only need to pay the environment/green/ecology fee and carry a receipt of the payment

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

12-14 Days Itinerary for Leh Ladakh by Road

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 road 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 a 12-13 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar

• Enjoy a walk around Dal lake and maybe Shikara ride as well
• Overnight at Srinagar
• About an 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 a 9-10 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 5 | Leh Local Sightseeing

• To know about the places to visit in/around Leh, check my Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
• As of 2022, permits are not required for domestic tourists to travel anywhere in Ladakh including the  Umling La pass . You only need to pay the environment/green/ecology fee and carry a receipt of the payment. Get the online Ladakh inner line permits stamped in Leh Tourist information center or Leh DC office
• Check the Leh – Ladakh taxi union rate list for 2022 – 23 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh.
• You can call the local drivers directly to connect with them and check the more comprehensive List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali with recommendations/reviews for DoW community members.

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 the tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
• About a 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
• About a 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 toward Pangong Tso
• Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
• About a 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

Day 10 | Rest day at Leh

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

Day 11 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang

• Cover Karzok Monastery
• Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
• About a 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 – Sarchu

• Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than in Pang
• Overnight at Sarchu
• About 8 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between

Day 13 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Atal Tunnel – Manali

• On the way cover Suraj Tal, and Deepak Tal which are on the roadsides only
• Overnight at Manali
• About 6 Hrs drive

Day 14 | Manali – Delhi

• Return Home
• About a 12-14 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 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 2023), the direct route between Nubra Valley – Shyok Village – Pangong Tso has stabilized a lot. It is not at all 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 a 6-10 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and the route you take between Shyok and Wari La.

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

• About a 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 an 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 in the beautiful village of Turtuk and remove the 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 the 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 the cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip

I hope this plan or itinerary for Leh Ladakh from the 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 comment on my YouTube videos.

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 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.

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I am Dheeraj Sharma - a traveler, techie, and Himalayan lover. Since 2009, I have been helping thousands of travelers every year plan memorable & budget-friendly trips to the Himalayas - Smartly, Safely, and responsibly.

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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 ?

Hey Vimal, you can refer: Ladakh and Zanskar Itinerary

Hi Dheeraj,

Thanks for the prompt reply. On the taxi related rules – i hope there would be no problem if i have a car rented from Delhi or elsewhere for the complete trip, or if I am having a zoomcar or my own car.

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

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.

Thanks a lot for your advise I will replan my trip cheers ! Hung

Great, have a wonderful trip

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 🙂

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

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.

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.

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?

Replied https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/how-to-calculate-cost-or-budget-for-leh-ladakh-trip/comment-page-13/#comment-466981

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???

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.

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

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

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.

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

For fuel, please check: Fuel Availability In Leh – Ladakh | Ladakh Self Drive Tips

You will have to carry the fuel with you if you plan to do above circuit. There are places where you get black fuel too. Please refer article above.

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

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, 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

You can refer: Ladakh from Manali – Most Common Itinerary

Hello Discover With Dheeraj 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

Most likely this year the road should be open. Srinagar – Leh is already open.

Hey, we are also planning for a similar itinerary. May be we can catch up / plan together?

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

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

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

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

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://discoverwithdheeraj.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

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.

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

I have planned a trip as per your recommended itinerary and made few tweaks, please advise if I am missing out anything and also please suggest a tentative budget for the trip on own Enfield 350\’s. Thanks

Haldwani-Delhi-Shrinagar-Leh-Manali-Delhi-Haldwani (May/June 2018)

Day 1 | Haldwani – Delhi

Day 2 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop – Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop. About 12-13 Hrs drive

Day 3 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar – Overnight at Srinagar. About 8-9 Hrs drive

Day 4 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil – Overnight at Kargil. About 8 Hrs drive

Day 5 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh – Overnight at Leh. About 9-10 Hrs drive

Day 6 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits – Overnight at Leh

Day 7 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder – Overnight at Hunder / Diskit . On the way Khardung La. About 5-6 Hrs drive

Day 8 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh – Overnight at Leh. About 7-9 Hrs drive

Day 9 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake – Overnight at Pangong Tso. About 5-6 Hrs drive

Day 10 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh – Overnight at Leh. About 5-6 Hrs drive

Day 11 | Rest day at Leh – Overnight at Leh

Day 12 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang – Cover Karzok Monastery. Overnight at Karzok. About 7-8 Hrs drive

Day 13 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring– Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu – Overnight at Sarchu About 11-12 Hrs drive

Day 14 | Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali – About 11-12 Hrs drive

Day 15 | Manali – Delhi – About 13-14 Hrs drive

Day 16 | Delhi – Haldwani

Personal requirements

Rucksack, Helmets, Bike Carrier for fuel and luggage Riding gear or Jacket, gloves, knee guards, helmet and balaclava. Rain Covers Jackets and 2-3 pullovers A pair of hand gloves preferably woolen, and warm clothes/caps to cover your ears and neck Soaps, towels, general medicines, bandages etc. 2 pairs of thermal inner, 4-5 pairs of socks Waterproof shoes, Sleeping bag Medicines for Acute Mountain Sickness such as Avomine, Dexamethasone, Diamox and Acetazolamide Chocolates, biscuits, and dry fruits Camera, chargers for cell phone and other basic things Torch, Mobile chargers, Camera kit etc.

Essential tools:

Tool kit, Ring spanners size 8 to 17 Screw Driver set, Steel wire Electrical & Scotch tape Foot or Electric air pump Puncture repair kit  

Essential Spares

Engine oil 90w Gear oil Headlight and brake light bulb Chain links Clutch and front brake lever, Clutch and accelerator wires Spare tube for front and rear tyre Spark plug Spare key Spare Fuse Nylon Rope & Bungee cords, Electrical wire Few nuts and bolts of various sizes Petrol pipe

Your plan looks similar to our most common itinerary and is good enough for enjoyable trip to Ladakh. The essential kit also is good.

Thank you very much for prompt response Dheeraj, much appreciated. Could you please also help me with a tentative budget that we can keep in mind while planning for the trip including fuel, stay, food etc. It would be of great help.

For doubts related to budget for Leh – Ladakh trip, I am sure the link below will help you alot for getting an idea of overall budget: How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip

Also, check the article: 5 Tips for a Budget Trip to Ladakh

Hello, I am also interested in the trip but don’t have a group as of now. Please let me know if I can join you guys.

It will be much better that you check the DoW Travel Calendar from the link in the Main Menu of website. There had been about 600+ entries of the people planning their trips in last couple of seasons which helped them have better visibility for finding out travel partners. You can filter entries based on the preferences you have and increase chances of visibility. Hence, kindly explore DoW Travel Calendar and also post your entry too. This will help you find other fellow travellers looking for company and increase probability of finding your post by others too.

You can also post a DoW Travel Calendar entry by using the Main Menu and clicking on Submit New Event option in it. Here is the link: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/dow-travel-partners-calendar/

thank you for your feed backs and forums regarding Ladakh tours.

i am from kerala and am planning to visit leh-ladakh on the month of may 2018 (9 /5/218 to 25/5/2018) . we are confused about rotang pass and srinagar -leh high way opening time.please find our detailed the itinerary and comment! 1)9 may 2018 Delhi to Amritsar 2)10 may 2018 Amritsar sight seeing 3) 11 may 2018 Amritsar -Srinagar 4) 12 may 2018 Srinagar sight seeing 5) 13 may 2018 Srinagar to Kargil 6)14 may 2018 Kargil to leh 7) 15 may 2018 Rest at leh 8) 16 may 2018 leh to Nubra valley (via thunder ) 9) 17 may 2018 nubra to Pan gong 10) 18 may 2018 Pan gong to leh 11) 19may 2018 leh to tso moriri 12) 20 may 2018 tso moriri to sarchu /jispa or keylong 13) 21 may 2018 sarchu to manali /kasol 14) 22 may 2018 kasol to delhi 15) 23 may 2018 buffer day and flight back to home

waiting for your valuable feed back.

Well, your plan looks OK to me. I will recommend that you make a delay of one week for Manali – Leh Highway to open.

thank you dheeraj.

could you please tell Approximate time srinagar-leh & leh- manali high ways open? And we are planning to travel in car.is it ok in this period of time ?

You can track them under: Manali Leh Highway Status 2018 and Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2018

Hi Dheeraj, Please check my Itinerary below and let me know if any changes is required. We are travelling in a bike. Give me some inputs if there is any hectic schedule involved and suggest me what to modify.

Day 1: Chandighar – Patnitop Day 2: Patnitop – Sonmarg Day 3: Sonmarg – Kargil Day 4: Kargil – Leh Day 5: Rest day in Leh Day 6: Leh – Khardungla – Nubra Day 7: Nubra – Pangang Tso via Wali la Day 8: Pangang tso to Leh day 9: Leh to Tso moriri Day 10: Tso moriri – Sarchu Day 11: Sarchu to Manali Day 12: Manali to Chandighar

Prem, the plan looks good to me.

How is Nubra to pangong route now? Will you advise to that this route or come back to Leh?

Now a days many people do direct route from Pangong tso to Nubra Valley, so it shall be fine. Unless people at agham village says otherwise, you can very much take this direct route.

Dheeraj, I’m more worried about rain during July first week. Im not planning in June cos roads will not be good(as i read from your blogs). So Please let me know if July first week doable and how usually the weather in July first week (esp zozila)?

July first week is still good time to travel Suhas, rains mostly start from middle – late July

hey prem when are you plan this trip? in May or June?

Dear We planned to travel along Leh by June last week. Will be following exactly as per your itinerary. Got a small quiry that Is it possible to cover Nubra Valley to Leh via Pangong in one day?? Will it be hectic as we will be heading to Nubra Valley and stay over der, very next day will be headed towards Pangong and den to Leh from there on the same day. Is it possible?? Or worth enough to save one day???

Furu, Nubra to Pangong tso to Leh will surely be hectic and you will not enjoy much. It is same as doing day trip to Pangong Tso from Leh especially from Shyok route.

So it’s better to get back to Leh from Nubra. And den do a day trip to Pangong Tso. Will it be fine and easy to do a day trip to do a Pangong???

Furu, I will say add one more day to make it comfortable or stay at Pangong Tso. Then come back to Leh next day.

we are group of 6 (3 couples) visiting the region by an SUV (Innova/Scorpio) from July 6 this year 

Please review below itinerary and advise if the same is possible: Srinagar – Leh – Manali – Delhi Day 1 (July 6) Hometown to Srinagar (Flight) Day 2 srinagar – kargil Day 3 kargil – Leh Day 4 Acclimatization + local sightseeing Day 5 Leh – Nubra valley Day 6 Nubra valley – Pangong lake – Leh Day 7 Leh – Tsomoriri Day 8 Tsomoriri – Manali Day 9 Manali – Delhi Day 10 Delhi – hometown Also advise if is it possible to reach Manali directly from Tsomoriri lake within a day.

Which option is better for day 6 night stay per above itinerary? Leh (going back from pangong) or pangong itself considering next day is for tsomoriri?

Just replied to your comment here: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/question/srinagar-leh-manali-itinerary/

Hello Dheeraj, Thank you for the reply. We are planning through a tour operator so inner permits will be taken care of by them. Also, Which option is better for day 6 night stay per above itinerary? Leh (going back from pangong) or pangong itself considering next day is for tsomoriri? How are the accommodations at Pangong?m

Well, if you go back to Leh, it makes it less tiring. Otherwise, if you stay at Pangong tso, you will need to make a 12 Hr journey on bumpy roads to reach Tso Moriri next day. Please note that Nubra to Pangong tso to Leh will be like 12 hrs journey and I see that it is already hectic.

I will recommend that you drop to Tso Moriri lake visit. Rest at Pangong tso.

Dropping Tsomoriri is not option ! Already dropped once during my first visit because of last minute hotel cancellation 🙁

Google maps show Pangong to Tsomoriri 208 kn (5.5 hours journey). Are roads that bad that it will take 12 hours?

Yeah brother, do not follow Google maps for a trip to Ladakh, you may end up in a bad situation. Do not expect driving more than 20 KMs per hr on an average with breaks and all. So, 10-12 hrs it will surely take.

Hi Dheeraj, We are planning Delhi-Srinagar-Leh-Manali-Delhi circuit. Will the itinerary be suitable?

Day 1: Leave Delhi for Patnitop. Overnight at Patnitop Day 2: Patnitop to Kargil Day 3: Kargil to Leh (Overnight at Leh) Day 4: Leh to Nubra Valley (Overnight at Nubra Valley) Day 5: Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso (Overnight at Pangong Tso) Day 6: Pangong Tso to Hanle (Overnight at Hanle) Day 7: Hanle to Sarchu (Overnight at Sarchu) Day 8: Sarchu to Manali (Overnight at Manali) Day 9: Manali to Delhi

Some more details We will be a group of 8-10 people and will be taking own cars. (However experienced drivers will be driving) All of us are aged 27. We would not like to spend heavily on accommodation. approx 500-700 per night will be great and no problem in twin-triple or even 4 sharing rooms if there are any.

As per my estimates

Daily Food will be around 1000 max. 9k Accommodation (at 750 per night) 6k Tolls and Fees 1k max per head Fuel and Driver Cost as incurred.

So Delhi to Delhi should be 16k per head + car expenses

Is there anything I am missing out like 1) Are permits needed at any of thee places? 2) Are private cars not allowed at any of these places? 3) Any reason to not do a road or any alternate route you would suggest.

We have 9 days in hand. So please do help us in getting this sorted out.

Hi Sayanta,

The above plan is too rushed, does not take care of acclimatization. With that large group, someone may fall ill as the probability is high in large group. Permits are required, there is no rest in between and I am not sure if you have ever taken such hectic trip.

Thanks a lot for your very informative website for ladakh first timers like me.

Please find below our itinerary and let me know your suggestions. We have booked zoomcar for the entire trip and plan to hire bike at leh. Also considering no peak season we are not planning to book any stay now. We’ll explore once we reach there. Is it risky not to plan stay in advance?

Date Start End Distance Approx travel time in hour [w/o break]/per google map Stay Places to see Remarks DAY 1 14th sept Chandigad Pathankot 235 4.5 Stay at Pathankot Need to check for stay DAY 2 15th sept Pathankot Srinagar 331 7.5 Stay at Srinagar Gardens & Shikara ride Need to check for stay DAY 3 16th sept Srinagar Kargil 202 4 Stay at Kargil War Memorial at Drass Need to check for stay DAY 4 17th sept Kargil Leh 217 4 Stay at Leh Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu Need to check for stay DAY 5 18th sept Leh Leh 0 Stay at Leh Local sight seeing if possible “DAY FOR ACCLIMATIZATION. Collect bikes, fill petrol in bike and jerry cans. IMP: Get all required permissions” DAY 6 19th sept Leh Hunder 127 3.5 Hunder/ diskit “Khardung La tallest lord Buddha statue sand dunes and bacterian camel safari” Need to check for stay DAY 7 20th sept Hunder Leh 127 3.5 Stay at leh “monastery hot water springs” Need to check for stay DAY 8 21st sept Leh Pangong 225 5 Stay at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung) On the way Hemis/Thicksey/ and Shey Need to check for stay DAY 9 22nd sept Pangong Leh 225 5 Stay at Leh On the way Hemis/Thicksey/ and Shey Need to check for stay DAY 10 23rd sept Leh Tso moriri 220 5 Stay at Tso moriri Need to check for stay DAY 11 24th sept Tso moriri Sarchu 228 7 Stay at Sarchu Need to check for stay DAY 12 25th sept Sarchu Manali 223 7 Stay at Manali Need to check for stay DAY 13 26th sept Manali Chandigarh 309 8 Need to check for stay Total [approx] 2669 64

Thanks again.

Regards, Santosh

Hi Santosh,

I thought I would share my thoughts. Hope you don’t mind as I know you have asked for Dheeraj Ji’s inputs here! I am taking the liberty to express my opinions here!

1. I am also traveling during this time to Ladakh (look at the below post for my plans, I am starting on 16th from Noida) and I have booked the stay for the entire trip as I did not want to shell out extra money + search for stay there (although that might turn out to be cheaper as you can bargain). The main reasons for my decision are as follows:

a. Looking at various hotel booking website like MMT and booking.com, it seems that there would be people traveling on that month too and rooms/stay options are flying off the shelf and getting expensive by the day!

On the flip side, if you go for a home stay kind of arrangement, then you can definitely check them out when you reach there but I am more comfortable knowing that I have stay booked.

b. When I look at your plan, everything seems to be in perfect order apart from your planned stay @ Sarchu which might not be advisable as most of the camps/cottages would close down by that time and then there would be very limited number of options available. The reason for this as per the camp owners is that it starts getting very cold out there around last week of September and sometimes the weather also gets very bad! I personally talked to 2-3 camp/cottage owners and all of them said that they would wind up the camping latest by 15/16th of September.

Hence, I had to change the stay from Sarchu to Jispa which is further down and stay options there are easily available.

You can reach out to me @ [email protected] for any comments that I have put above!

In general, if you are OK with basic guest houses and home stays, there will not be any issue at all for booking on the spots. Your plan is well laid and comfortable. As Abhishek pointed in September, Sarchu camps starts to pack up and few properties remains. Nowadays road conditions are much better and Leh – Jispa can easily be done in a day. Since you are not booking in advance, take the decision to stay at Sarchu and Jispa on the day or a day before.

Thank you so much for your valuable suggestions.

Dheeraj ji,

I have following questions… 1. After after Pangong & Nubra is done with local bikes we plan to take our selfdrive/zoomcar to Tso moriri… then Jispa and back to Chandigarh via Manali. Will there be any problem if we take zoomcar to Tso moriri? 2. Can we take Zoomcar to Hanle? 3. Can we take Zoomcar to Turtuk?

Thanks a lot.

You can only take outside rented car to Leh and for all above places you need local Leh taxi.

So here is what my Ladakh trip looks like… starting on 16th September and ending on 30th September.

Day 1: Noida – Patnitop (Overnight stay at Patnitop) Day 2: Patnitop – Sonmarg (Overnight stay at Sonmarg) Day 3: +++ Rest Day at Sonmarg + Sight Seeing in Sonmarg & Gulmarg +++ (Overnight stay at Sonmarg) Day 4: Sonmarg – Kargil (Overnight stay at Kargil) Day 5: Kargil – Leh (Overnight stay at Leh) Day 6: +++ Rest Day at Leh + Sight Seeing in & around Leh +++ (Overnight stay at Leh) Day 7: Leh – Nubra Valley (Overnight stay at Diskit) Day 8: Nubra Valley – Pangong Tso Lake (Overnight at Pangong Tso Lake) Day 9: Pangong Tso – Leh (Overnight stay at Leh) Day 10: Leh – Tso Moriri Lake (Overnight stay at Korzok) Day 11: Tso Moriri – Jispa (Overnight stay at Jispa) Day 12: Jispa – Manali (Overnight stay at Manali) Day 13: +++ Rest Day at Manali + Sight Seeing in & around Manali +++ (Overnight stay at Manali) Day 14: Manali – Noida Day 15: Buffer Days Day 16: Buffer Days

Do you think that this plan looks good? I am assuming that I have taken enough breaks in between for the body to acclimatize to the conditions up there! Let me know if there are any changes that you want to suggest!

I would also welcome any feedback from fellow members here!

Thanks and Regards, Abhishek

You should use your buffer days and plan for Leh – Nubra – Leh in two days and then Leh – Pangong Tso – Hanle – Tso Moriri – Jispa direct trip. Rest your plan is very nicely laid out.

Hi Dheeraj Ji,

Any specific reason why you would recommend doing Leh – Nubra – Leh? I was thinking that I could do Nubra and Pangong Tso Lake in one go and then come back to Leh before exiting out from there and covering Tso Moriri….

Please let me know!

It will ease out the trip and you will enjoy more with Leh – Nubra – Leh in two days. You will fuel up and then best will be to do Leh to Pangong Tso, Pangong Tso to Hanle and Hanle to Tso Moriri, finally exit to Jispa from Tso Moriri

So I took your advice and have added a day in between to return to Let from Nubra Valley and then proceed towards Pangong Tso Lake next day. I guess that would be the best approach for me considering that this is my first trip to Ladakh.

Thank you very much for your advice!

Yes Abhishek, you will have wonderful and memorable trip, I am sure. We will look for your updates.

Thanks a lot for your wonderful work.really your suggestion and planning are fantastic. We are 3 above 45 reach Leh by flight on 27th september and back from srinagar on 5th October. Pls suggest itinerary. wants to visit best of ladakh and kargil.it will be our 1st and last visit of ladakh. We want to see the villages of ladakh closely.how is TSOGSTY.can I get home stay there??we want budget trip.Pls reply.Thanks in advance

I see you have 9 days at hand, you can follow something like below:

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + 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 – Lamayuru – Kargil — Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes — On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu — Overnight at Kargil

Day 8 | Kargil – Drass – Zozi La – Sonamarg – Srinagar — Enjoy the vistas enroute — Have late drunch meal at Sonamarg — Overnight at Srinagar

Day 9 | Fly back

Just replied to the other comment.

Hi, I am planning to go to Leh-Ladakh on Aug 14th- Aug 25. I have prepared 2 sample itinerary . Would you please go through them and suggest if any changes need to be done

—— Itinerary 1———–

Aug 14 : evening flight to Delhi, stay at Delhi Aug 15 : renting bikes from Delhi, move to Chandigarh Aug 16 : Chandigarh to Solang Aug 17 : sightseeing in Solang Valley, Solang – Jispa Aug 18 : Jispa -Leh Aug 19 : leh sightseeing, permit, stay @ Leh Aug 20 : Leh-Khardung La- Diskit-Hunder-Leh Aug 21 : Leh-Pangng-Leh Aug 22 : Leh-Sonamarg Aug 23 : sightseeing in Srinagar Aug 24 : Srinagr – Jalandhar Aug 25 : Jalandhar- Delhi

———– Itinerary 2 ———- Aug 14 : evening flight to Delhi, stay at Delhi Aug 15 : renting bikes from Delhi, move to Chandigarh Aug 16 : Chandigarh to Solang Aug 17 : sightseeing in Solang Valley, Solang – Jispa Aug 18 : Jispa -Leh Aug 19 : leh sightseeing, permit, stay @ Leh Aug 20 : Leh-Khardung La- Diskit-Hunder-Leh Aug 21 : Leh-Pangng-Leh Aug 22 : Leh-Taglang La-Sarchu Aug 23 : Sarchu-Manali Aug 24 : Manali-Chandigarh Aug 25 : Chandigarh-Delhi Aug 26 : evening flight

Is it ok to go with this plan ?? We wish to return via Srinagar but if any issues there at that time we will return via Manali

Given the number of days at hand, the plans looks fine to me.

Thank you so much for replying. N this DoW is loaded with information for Ldakh trip. We will go ahead with this plan and let you know once done

Great, thanks a lot. Feel free to post any further questions.

We are planning for a similar trip starting from Chandigarh from sept 29-oct8. Is it a good time to visit? Will the roads(kargil-leh) be open during this period?

Thanks, Amit

Amit, the roads are open during that time but it starts to get cold especially in morning and night and plus the stay options are mostly winded up especially on Manali = Leh Highway. People do make the journey during this time but it has its own perils along with occassional snowfall.

Hi Dheeraj Would like to know your expertise view as planning for my maiden drive to Leh. Is it worth enough to have a journey from Manali – Leh -Manali Aug 1st to Aug 10th. Is it safe as I will be having solo drive in my car??? Is it worth enough to plan a journey at this time of year ( Aug 1st to Aug 10). Or should I wait till next year and leave as soon as the road opens next year. Pls help me out

It is monsoon time in general up there in North 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. Landslides or slush or road blocks are pretty common in the month of monsoons but these landslides are cleared in a day or two unless there is a very major one. Having said that, rains does reach Ladakh nowadays but in general, it is overcast days or in form of light drizzles. I will suggest you also read my article on 10 Tips for a Trip to Ladakh in Monsoons .

You can also refer to the link in our community: FAQ | Is Monsoon season good time to travel to Ladakh? for more details.

Dear I can even fit 12 – 13 days doesn’t matter but am bit confused about going in the month of august 1st. Is it worth enough to take this journey at this time or should I wait till next June. Because these trips won’t happen oftenly in life as am from Kerala. Requires lot of effort and plan that’s why I asked. Should I carry on with August 1st to 15th or Should I wait enough for June 2018??? Pls give your experienced feedback. Thank you

Sijas, you will sure be going through monsoon hassles. It is monsoon time in general up there in North 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. Landslides or slush or road blocks are pretty common in the month of monsoons but these landslides are cleared in a day or two unless there is a very major one. Having said that, rains does reach Ladakh nowadays but in general, it is overcast days or in form of light drizzles. I will suggest you also read my article on 10 Tips for a Trip to Ladakh in Monsoons .

I will suggest based on above articles and suggestions in them, you can easily make up your mind.

Hi Dheeraj Thanks a ton for all the blogs.. Me along with 2 friends planning to go to Manali-Leh-Ladakh-Sringar-Punjab strating this July 8th. I have worked out a rough itinery. Please suggest me any changes in this as we 3 are first timers and confused with the ride time and all. july 8 th-TVM -Delhi by flight-Manali by Bus july 9th- Manali local- Night stay at Solang 10th- Solang- Jispa-Night at Jispa/Pang 11th-Jispa- Leh- Night at Leh( reach by evening,obtain permit, bike for ladakh) 12th- Leh-Nubra-Leh (visit hunder,sumur, panamik and back to leh) night @Leh 13th- Leh- Pangong Lake(return and visit Hemis,Shey,Thicksey,Tsemo)-night @Leh 14th-Leh to Srinagar ( Visit pather sahib, hall of fame, Lamayaru, pass Dras,Kargil and reach Srinagar-night @srinagar)(Confused whether we could ride this at a stretch or to take night halt at Kargil) pls advice. 15th- Srinagar Local + Gulmarg- night @ srinagar 16th- Srinagar-Pahalgam-Jammu (night @jammu) 17th-Jammu-Pathankot-Punjab-night 18th-punjab-amritsar-wagah-night @punjab 19th-Chandigarh-Kerala reach kerala by 21st

please help me if any corrections needed.

I will suggest that you rest in Leh after reaching to Leh for at least one day. Then make two day trip to Nubra Valley and then one day trip to Pangong Tso. Then go over to Srinagar. this should be minimum plan even if it means dropping Kashmir places and others. Else it does not make sense for the trip.

Hi Dheeraj, I am confused whether to prebook hotels or book hotels going there especially because we are 7 of us and will be staying at Hunder, Pangong tso, tso moriri, Hanle. We will be visiting in aug end. I have similar doubt on pre renting cab and bike or renting over there. Could you please advice me. Thanks!

Kruthi, if you are not too much fussy about places to stay and do not mind staying at small family run guest houses or home stays, there will not be any issue searching stays on the spot all over in Ladakh

Hi Dheeraj, I am confused whether to prebook hotels or book hotels going there especially because we are 7 of us and will be staying at Hunder, Pangong tso, tso moriri, Hanle. Online rates seems very high as of now. We will be visiting in aug end. I have similar doubt on pre renting cab and bike or renting over there. Could you please advice me on this. Thanks!

I am planning to go with my family ( 2 adults and 2 child 7 year and 12 years ) in a self drive SUV for the 14 days iterinary mentioned above from Delhi on July or August 1st week. How is the current security situation throughout this journey. Is it safe to go with family now? Please advice

In general as per reports by other members of the community, it looks fine. No major issues reported.

Hi Dheeraj, thanks for all the good work you do for all of our benefit. Is there also an itinerary on the portal for Delhi-Manali-Ladakh-Delhi, where Manali to Ladakh is by road, and Ladakh to Delhi is by flight

Please find the itinerary below:

Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley — Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization — If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali — Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley

Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa — It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS. — Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there. — I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa. — Overnight at Keylong/Jispa

Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh — Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening. — Overnight at Leh

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

Day 11 | Fly back

Thanks Dheeraj. We will hire a taxi from Manali and spend the night at Solang Valley. We plan to reach Manali around 1 PM on Saturday 23rd Sep and plan to start driving early on Sunday morning from Solang. We plan to not pre-book and go to the taxi stand on Saturday and negotiate and finalize. 1. Will we have enough time to book a cab that day? 2. Are there any permits we will need to take? Will the offices for that be open on Saturday afternoon? 3. Are the drivers generally OK picking up from Solang valley?

Also, if we reach Manali early, say 7 AM, will it be possible to go to the taxi stand and book a taxi then? If not, it may make sense to come into Manali only around noon, because we want to book a taxi and then go and stay at Solang Valley

It might be difficult at 7 AM as most drivers come by around 8-10 AM types. But, any early starters you may be able to find.

Replies below:

1. Yes, you will have enough time to book the taxi 2. No, in case of taxi the taxi guys has to arrange the permit for his taxi 3. Yes, they will pick up guests from Solang Valley.

My hotel owner is telling that inner line permit is still required even for Indians for nubra and pangong. Is it true? All my colleagues had to take this permit during their visit in 2017.

Yes, this is very much true. Starting 2017, the inner line permit are again required in Ladakh

Thanks a lot for your excellent support with this DOW page, got to know a lot about leh trip. Thanks again.

Really exciting itinerary. Shall be working on finalizing my itinerary soon!

Sure, feel free to post any further questions you have for your trip.

Your posts are extremely informative for first-timers. So first of all, I owe you a big thank you!

I will be going to Leh-Ladakh late September and my itinerary goes as follows:

Day 1: Morning flight to Srinagar. Srinagar to Kargil. Night stay there. Day 2: Kargil-Drokhpa region-Kargil Day 3: Kargil-Padum Day 4: Sight-seeing around Padum. Night stay there Day 5: Padum-Kargil Day 6: Kargil-Leh Day 7: Sight-seeing around Leh Day 8: Leh-Nubra Valley Day 9: Nubra Valley-Pangong Tso Day 10: Pangong Tso-Tso Moriri Day 11: Tso Moriri-Tso Kar-Leh Day 12: Buffer Day 13: Fly out of Leh

1. I wanted to know if Day 9 and Day 10 back-to-back will be too hectic, and if we should return to Leh from Pangong. Also, how long is the journey from Nubra to Pangong, because I really want to spend some time in Pangong.

Some of us will be flying out on Day 13 itself, so if it’s not a big deal, we want to complete the trip within Day 12.

2. Can I include Hanle in the buffer day (in case you advice me to not travel directly to Tso Moriri) as : Pangong Tso-Hanle, and then Hanle-Tso Moriri on the following day? Also, what are the procedures for getting the permit at Hanle?

3. What are the places I can cover around Leh and Padum in the limited time that I have? (I prefer to travel on the roads less traveled, so feel free to suggest non-touristy places)

Thank you in advance!

There is no point going for the Padum in just two days at hand, it will put you through treacherous journey just to sleep one night and come back again. Rather best you can do is Kargil – Rangdum (cover Penzi la), Rangdum – Lamayuru, Lamayuru – Drokpa region – Leh. The extra day now you have got is to be used to visit Hanle like Leh – Nubra Valley, Nubra Valley to Pangong tso, Pangong tso to Hanle, Hanle to Tso Moriri.

Thank you so much for the feedback.

In one of your blogs, I read that the conditions are more harsh at Rangdum and hence I opted to stay at Padum.

If it’s not too inconvenient for you, can you share the places I can visit if I choose to stay at Rangdum and follow the route you suggested?

Also, is it feasible to go from Pangong to Hanle to Tso Moriri in a day?

We will be booking a cab for ourselves, so you can advice accordingly.

Yes, that is true but it does make sense if you have days in hand but for just 2 days going another 5 Hrs of a bumpy ride in a day is not advisable. LA Himalaya home stay has attached toilets too now at Rangdum, so facilities have improved there. When you stay at Rangdum, you can visit Penzi La Pass and the two lakes that comes on the way to it. Plus it is the nature and the journey which is enjoyable to Rangdum. Of course, Rangdum monastery too offers very nice views.

Pangong tso to Hanle = Day 1 and Hanle to Tso Moriri – Day 2.

I am thinking of extending the stay at Padum to 2 days. Then what are the possible places I can explore?

Also, if I have to choose between going to Tso Moriri or Hanle, which one will you advise?

Again, thank you and my apologies for bothering you so much!

That sounds good then, you can refer: Local Sightseeing in Padum – Zanskar Valley

I will choose Hanle because it has a different beauty than the lake which you anyways will visit Pangong Tso.

I’ve gone through the recent notification given by the bikers union. We are hiring delhi registered bikes for our ladakh trip. Will this be a problem?

Jitesh, it depends on the mood to be very frank now a days !! Best is to do Leh rented bike journey only within Ladakh

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Beyond Wild Places

Your guide to the wilder side of life

A Complete 10-Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary

A trip to Ladakh is undoubtedly on many intrepid travellers bucket lists. The mystical Indian Himalayan region is still one of the most underrated places on earth. Despite it being a very remote corner of the Indian subcontinent, you’ll be surprised that you can see a lot in a short time with this Ladakh itinerary.

Over 10 days, you can visit the famous Pangong Lake, ancient monasteries of Hemis and Lamayuru, the former Silk Road trading route of Nubra Valley, and crumbling palaces with panoramic views over the arid, snow-capped landscape. This itinerary I’ve put together covers the best things to do in Ladakh over 10 days based on my multiple trips to the region.

Whether you fly into Leh for a short trip or incorporate this into a longer North India adventure travelling by road, your time in Ladakh will undoubtedly be something you’ll never forget. Buckle up for some long drives, and you’ll be blown away by the incredible land forms and ancient history awaiting in Ladakh.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more:  Privacy Policy

When to Visit Ladakh

The best time to visit Ladakh is from mid-May until end of September . This is when the region sees its best weather with warm days and relatively mild nights. The roads and trekking routes are also guaranteed to be clear of snow during these summer months, making places easier to access.

Where to Stay in Leh

Leh is the main town and base for exploring Ladakh. The town has hundreds of accommodation choices, from homestays and hostels to high end hotels. I’d recommend picking somewhere that is comfortable for you and your budget, as you’ll be spending most of the time in this Ladakh itinerary based in Leh. Here are my top picks:

Budget:   Raybo Hostel

Budget:   Peace Guest House

Midrange:   Chandan Guest House

Midrange:   Rock Castle Residency

High-end:  Grand Dragon

Read more:   Best Places to Stay in Leh, Ladakh For All Budgets

How to Get Around Ladakh

Travelling by road is one of the best parts of any Ladakh trip. The scenery from the various road trips in the region offer jaw dropping views that you’ll want to savour every minute (even if some of the drives are long, bumpy and windy).

There are a few ways to get around Ladakh to the various sights and day trips in this itinerary. Which way you choose will depend on your budget and comfort level. However, for this 10 day itinerary, I would recommend a combination of taxis for day trips and a shared group tour for the trip to Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley (unless you want to arrange a private tour).

Here’s more specific information for each transport option:

Public bus: Public transport is a little limited in Ladakh. You’ll need a lot of time and patience if you plan on using local buses to get to all the best places. If you only have 10 days, this is not ideal. But if you have more than 10 days, check out my guide to Leh for more information on the public transport options in the region.

Taxi: This is very ideal for day trips. You can easily organise taxis in Leh to take you to Thiksey, Lamayuru, Hemis, Alchi and more. A popular day trip combining Shey, Thiksey and Hemis costs around 3700 INR (AU$70) for the day as an example. You’ll have to budget more for the drive to Alchi and Lamayuru.

Group tours: Joining group tours to Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley is a popular option. In high season from June until August, you’ll find groups leaving every day in shared taxis for 3-4 days. You can easily organise this upon arrival in Leh.

Private tours: If you want to organise all your Ladakh trip in advance, then I suggest arranging a 10 day tour through a local company in Leh. They can help arrange taxis for day trips, and a private car for Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. I highly recommend Gonbo of Lungta Travel . He’s also the owner of Rock Castle Residency Guesthouse in Leh and can help with arranging all of this for you.

For more detailed information on these options: Comprehensive Travel Guide to Ladakh

Overview of this 10-Day Ladakh Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from Delhi to Leh

Day 2: Acclimatise in Leh

Day 3: acclimatise and explore leh town.

Day 4: Day trip to Thiksey, Hemis and Shey

Day 5: Day trip to Lamayuru and Alchi

Day 6: road trip to nubra valley via khardung la, day 7: drive to pangong lake and stay the night, day 8: return to leh, day 9: relax in leh (optional visit to stok village), day 10: fly back to delhi.

Detailed 10 Day Ladakh Itinerary

Here’s how I would spend 10 days in Ladakh, if you’re prepared to take some long driving days and want to see as much as you can in a short time.

Day 1: Delhi to Leh

If you’re opting for a quick 10-day trip to Ladakh, then it’s likely you’ll be flying into Leh from Delhi. There are frequent flights every day from Delhi to Leh, mostly in the morning hours. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful flights in the world.

Flights are run by Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, and IndiGo. The flight time is around 1.5 hours and can cost anywhere from 3000INR (AU$60) to 9000INR (AU$180) one way.

If you prefer to travel to Leh, Ladakh by public transport , then you can also come via Manali or Srinagar, depending on how much time you have and your trip plans. Read my guide on getting to Leh by public transport for more information.

Once you arrive in Leh, you’ll want to head straight to your accommodation and rest for the remainder of the day. The altitude will likely hit you after about 2-3 hours of being in Leh, so it’s best to relax and stay hydrated for the afternoon to adjust slowly.

Read more: 20 Best Things to Do in Delhi

Your first full day in Leh should also be considered an acclimatisation day. You may wake up on this day with a headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue, which are common symptoms when arriving in Ladakh from Delhi.

The best way to avoid getting sick and easing into the altitude is to rest as much as possible , stay hydrated, and eat regular, small meals to maintain energy.

Try not to do too much on this day, unless you’re coming from somewhere else that is around 2000m or higher. You could walk somewhere into town for dinner, if you’re feeling up to it.

You’ll still be acclimatising for at least 48 hours after arriving, so on day three you shouldn’t try to overexert yourself too much. But, you’re probably keen to get out and start exploring this beautiful mountain town. Here’s how I recommend you spend your day:

Morning: Breakfast at your guesthouse or a cafe in the main market area (my top picks include Bodhi Terrace, Bon Appetit, or Asian Corner Restaurant)

Mid-morning: Explore the Central Asian Museum and then wander around the main market

Lunch: Taste the local Tibetan food at Tibetan Kitchen

Afternoon: Explore Leh Palace and Tsemo Maitreya Temple

Dinner: Chopsticks or Wanderers Terrace

Read more: 25 Best Things to Do in Ladakh

Day 4: Day trip to Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries (plus Shey Palace if you have time)

Get ready for a day trip out to the east of town to some of the most impressive monasteries and villages of the Ladakh area. If you have patience you could get to Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace by bus, or take a taxi for the day and visit all three places including Shey Palace.

Hemis Monastery is one of the most important in the region. It was originally established in the 17th century and is tucked into a gorge in Hemis National Park. The most impressive part of the complex is the museum, holding the most important Buddhist relics and artefacts of India.

Thiksey Monastery is an imposing monastery built in a similar style to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The temples at the top of the gompa hold some beautiful Buddhist statues and monuments, plus the view over the valley is incredible.

Another day trip, this one longer than the day before, the drive to Lamayuru is one of the most beautiful in the region. You’ll wind through incredible moonscapes and small villages, with dramatic mountain peaks and raging rivers on either side. After about three hours, you’ll arrive in Lamayuru , the oldest monastery in Ladakh.

Built over several levels across the rocky landscape, it’s easily one of the most impressive sights. Plus, if you time your visit for the midday puja, you can sit with the monks and listen to their their chanting prayers.

On the way back to Leh, stop in at Alchi to visit the unique 1,000 year old Buddhist murals and shrines hidden off the main highway. There’s also some delicious local restaurants there, the standout being Alchi Kitchen, if you time it for a lunchtime meal.

Another few days of long drives ahead, but the scenery makes it all worthwhile. Either join a group tour or hire a private driver to take you to two of the most famous sights in Ladakh: Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

On this day, you’ll leave Leh and drive first up to Khardung La pass . Connecting Leh with Nubra Valley, Khardung La sits at 5,360m and was once the highest motorable road in the world (now overtaken by another road in India). It’s an essential photo op, before descending down towards Nubra Valley, the Shyok River and the Karakoram Mountains.

Once part of the old Silk Road trading route across Asia and connecting Pakistan with Tibet, Nubra Valley is a stunning place. Visit Diskit Monastery and it’s Maitreya Buddha statue, sitting high above the valley floor, with panoramic views across the eastern Karakoram Mountains.

Then, head to the village of Hunder to take a look at the double humped camels or Bactrian camels roaming the mountain backed sand dunes.

Stay overnight in either Hunder or Diskit.

Where to stay in Diskit?  Ama Guesthouse or  Himalayan Regal House Where to stay in Hunder?   Hunder Stay and Camp  or  Hunder Haven

From Diskit or Hunder drive back through the valley, and towards Pangong Lake. While the drive is quite long and arduous in some parts, keep soaking up the incredible mountain views out the window.

Pangong Lake is one of the world’s highest saltwater lakes sitting at 4,250m. It’s a sacred site for Buddhists, with almost 2/3 of the lake actually lying across the border in Tibet. It’s bright blue colour shimmering against the arid, desert-like mountains makes it an otherworldy sight that draws many visitors each year.

Stay the night on the shores of the lake. The most popular place is  Spangmik , a cluster of glamping style tents and small hotels. However, the overcommercialisation of this village has led many people to continue further to  Man  or even further to  Merak . You’ll find more laidback tents and homestays in the latter villages.

Where to stay?   Nirvana Resort  in Spangmik or Pangong Travel Camp in Man

The final long day of driving, as you head back to Leh via Changla Pass at 5,360m. You’ll likely need to relax in the afternoon in Leh after all that driving or head to one of the cafes in Leh to eat good food.

On your final day in Leh, you may not feel like driving anywhere! You can hang around the town of Leh and do some shopping in the main market area instead.

If you want to do some extra sightseeing, head to Stok village , just a half an hour drive from Leh. At the base of Stok Kangri, Stok was home to the royal family of Ladakh, the Namgyals, after they fled during the invasion of the Dogras. Check out the 71-foot Gautama Buddha statue and monastery above the village, or arrange to have lunch at Gyab-thago Heritage Homestay, where you can try a traditional Ladakhi meal in a family home.

I highly recommend heading out to Shanti Stupa for sunset, as the perfect ending to this Ladakh itinerary. Shanti Stupa is the white peace pagoda you can see north-west of the Leh bazaar on a small hilltop. It was built in 1991 with funds from the Japanese, and it offers an impressive panoramic view of town.

Flights back to Delhi from Leh tend to leave early in the morning.

Want to Go Trekking in Ladakh?

You’ll need to allow a minimum of two weeks in Leh if you want to add a trek to this itinerary. Otherwise, you could skip the day trips to Lamayuru and Hemis if you were really short on time.

The Sham Valley Trek is a three day moderate trek that could be easily added onto this itinerary. The highest point of the trail is just under 4000m, so it’s doable for those with limited time.

If you preferred something longer and more challenging, the Markha Valley Trek is a five day trek that goes over 5000m. I’d recommend undertaking this trail after spending a week in Ladakh or longer, to ensure you’re properly acclimatised.

More Essential Reading for Ladakh

• Comprehensive Travel Guide to Ladakh
• Ultimate North India Itinerary: 1 Month in Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh
• Best Places to Stay in Leh, Ladakh For All Budgets
• 25 Best Things to Do in Ladakh
• How to Get to Leh, Ladakh By Public Transport ‘

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Best Rajasthan Itinerary for 2 Weeks in India

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Best Places to Stay in Leh, Ladakh for All Budgets

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Thank you author for your blog. Keep it up.

how much would be approx budget for this, assuming we start from mumbai and not delhi, and stay in budget hotels + group trips instead of prrivate

I have a budget breakdown on my Ladakh Travel Guide, so you can find prices for everything there. Accommodation can be 800-1000inr per night, three day tour to pangong and nubra can be 4500inr per person. Also depends whether you’re flying into Leh or driving.

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Plan Your Ultimate Leh Ladakh Trip Itinerary: The Complete Guide

Planning a trip  to Leh Ladakh can feel like piecing together a complex puzzle. You might wonder about the best places to visit, how long your trip should be, or how much it will all cost.

These questions are common among travelers looking to explore this breathtaking part of India. Here’s something you may not know: Leh Ladakh offers one of the most  unique landscapes  on Earth, blending stark mountains with vibrant cultures.

Our guide is here to take the guesswork out of planning your perfect adventure. From  detailed itineraries  that fit any schedule—whether you have 6 days or 12—to  insider tips  on must-see spots and  preparation advice , we’ve got you covered.

Imagine navigating through  high mountain passes  and serene lakes without worrying about what comes next; we’re making that possible. Ready for an adventure?.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover Leh Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes and rich culture by exploring places like the ancient monasteries of Leh, Nubra Valley’s sand dunes, and the serene Pangong Lake.
• Budget for your trip with an  estimated cost  ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 40,000 per person to cover travel, accommodation, food, and sightseeing in this unique part of India.
• Plan your visit between June and September to enjoy  pleasant weather  ideal for exploring without extreme temperatures getting in the way.
• Consider booking transportation and accommodations in advance for a smooth experience during  peak tourist seasons .
• Pack appropriately with  thermal clothes , sunglasses, sunscreen and sturdy shoes particularly if you’re planning adventure activities or visiting during colder months.

Overview of Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh is a stunning region known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From majestic monasteries to pristine lakes, Leh Ladakh offers diverse attractions ideal for an adventurous getaway.

Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient palaces or trekking through rugged terrain, this region has something for every traveler.

Popular attractions Leh Palace and Tsemo Fort  offer a glimpse into the region’s royal past, standing tall as symbols of Ladakh’s rich history. The  Shanti Stupa , perched on a hilltop, provides breathtaking panoramic views of Leh city and is a beacon of peace.

For nature lovers,  Pangong Lake  dazzles with its changing colors and serene waters—truly a sight to behold.

Nubra Valley  is another must-visit spot known for its enchanting  desert landscapes  dotted with  double-humped camels . Trekking enthusiasts can explore adventurous trails that promise unforgettable adventures amidst the stunning scenery.

With  hot springs and age-old attractions , this valley encapsulates the essence of Ladakh’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Ideal trip duration

After exploring popular attractions, it’s essential to consider how long your adventure should last. The  ideal trip duration  for a  first-time visit  is usually around  7 days . This allows ample time to acclimate, explore Leh Ladakh’s  breathtaking landscapes , and immerse in its rich culture without feeling rushed.

For those short on time or seeking a quick getaway, trips as brief as  2 days  can still offer stunning glimpses into the beauty of places like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake. However, longer stays up to  12 or even 20 days  provide the full spectrum of experiences—from serene monasteries in Leh to the rugged terrains of Kargil and Srinagar—making every moment count on this extraordinary journey.

Cost of the trip

Planning your Leh Ladakh trip itinerary? Expect to spend  between INR 25,000 and INR 40,000 . This range includes  travel, accommodation, food, and sightseeing costs . The  average cost hovers around 30,000 INR per person .

Yet, for those on a tight budget, fear not! There are ways to make this dream adventure more affordable. Look for  budget-friendly options  that don’t skimp on the experience but keep your wallet happy.

Leh Ladakh offers a variety of experiences regardless of your budget. From the  Manali to Leh bus journey  showcasing  breathtaking views  to finding  quaint guesthouses in Leh town —smart planning can significantly lower expenses without compromising on fun or comfort.

Next up: Discover the best time to visit this incredible destination and make the most out of your trip!

Best time to visit

The  best time to visit  Leh Ladakh is between June and September, during the monsoon season. This period offers  pleasant weather , making it ideal for exploring the region’s breathtaking landscapes without extreme temperatures hindering your experience.

Additionally, April to May is another favorable time to visit Ladakh.

Winter provides a unique experience for adventurous souls as it is considered a great time to visit Ladakh. From  late September to October , you can also witness the beauty of Ladakh amidst crisp weather and stunning natural vistas.

Keep in mind that the cold desert of Leh Ladakh is only accessible for a few months in the year, so plan your trip accordingly – ensuring  proper preparation and travel arrangements  are made beforehand.

Leh Ladakh Detailed Itineraries

Explore Leh Ladakh with our comprehensive itineraries, tailor-made for every traveler – from 6 to 12 days of adventure and discovery. Start planning your ultimate journey now!

For a  6-day Leh Ladakh trip , plan to visit the mesmerizing  Pangong Lake  and scenic  Nubra Valley . It’s advisable to reach Leh by flight for better  acclimatization . Make the most of your time with these stunning destinations and  travel experiences .

Explore Leh Ladakh’s beauty in just 7 days, starting with  acclimatization in Leh  to ease into the high altitude. Then, venture to  Nubra Valley  via the famous  Khardung-La Pass  and experience its stunning landscapes and monasteries.

The journey continues to  Pangong Tso , where you can immerse yourself in the serene charm of this breathtaking lake before returning to Leh. This itinerary is ideal for a short but  enriching adventure .

Embark on an unforgettable 7-day trip during  June-July , perfect for experiencing the wonders of Leh Ladakh. Start with exploring lively marketplaces and fascinating monasteries right after your arrival to acclimate before setting off on your adventure.

Explore Leh Ladakh to the fullest with a  10-day itinerary ! Spend ample time at  popular attractions  like Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Sham Valley. Get ready for an adventurous trip that includes trekking in the stunning landscapes of Ladakh and learning about its rich history.

Ensure  proper acclimatization  and book  transportation and accommodations  in advance for a seamless experience. Pack appropriate clothing and gear as you embark on this 10-day journey through breathtaking vistas and  cultural marvels of Leh Ladakh .

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Leh Ladakh with a well-planned 10-day itinerary. From exploring monasteries to indulging in outdoor activities, every day will be filled with unforgettable experiences.

Explore the ultimate  12-day itinerary  for Leh Ladakh, offering a comprehensive adventure with hand-picked destinations and experiences. During these 12 days, you can delve into the  natural wonders  of  high mountains , serene lakes, and  ancient monasteries  in Leh Ladakh – an experience that will leave you enchanted.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through  captivating landscapes  and immerse yourself in the  rich culture and history  that dot this breathtaking region. From jaw-dropping mountain passes to tranquil lakes nestled amidst rugged terrains, each day of your 12-day itinerary promises to be filled with awe-inspiring moments and unforgettable memories as you explore the gems of Leh Ladakh.

Must-Visit Places in Leh Ladakh

Explore the rugged landscapes of Sham Valley, dotted with monasteries and ancient stupas. Traverse the famous Khardung La pass to witness the breathtaking beauty of Nubra Valley, home to sand dunes and Bactrian camels.

Sham Valley

Sham Valley, also known as Ladakh Trans-Himalaya, is a charming tourist destination offering a  picturesque trekking route  in the Indus valley of the Sham region. This allows travelers to experience the  rural village life  of Ladakh while embracing  local sightseeing and culture .

Conveniently located along the Srinagar-Leh highway, this scenic valley is popularly referred to as the “ Apricot valley ” due to its abundant apricot orchards. It’s an ideal spot for beginners seeking a short trek in Ladakh, with its  gentle terrain  earning it the affectionate nickname of the “ Baby Trek .” Visitors embarking on a trip to Sham Valley can seize this opportunity for an authentic travel experience by following  detailed travel itineraries  for efficient sightseeing and exploration.

Nubra Valley

Nestled in the northern region of India,  Nubra Valley boasts breathtaking landscapes  and a rich Ladakhi culture. The valley’s allure lies in its  unique topography formed by the convergence of the Shyok and Nubra rivers , providing prime farming land.

Visitors are drawn to  iconic attractions like the Diskit Monastery, Hunder Village, Samstanling Monastery , and the mesmerizing Hunder Sand Dunes. With a  distance of around 160 km from Leh —equivalent to roughly five hours by road—the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.

Explore beyond these renowned spots as well; Panamik Village and Yarab Tso Lake offer further enchantment while catering to thrill-seekers with an array of adventure activities. The picturesque vistas make Nubra Valley an idyllic destination for both nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike..

Pangong Lake Pangong Lake , nestled amidst the  grand Himalayas , is a pristine gem in Ladakh. With its vivid blue waters and breathtaking surroundings, it’s an absolute must-visit. This  high-altitude lake  stands as one of the highest  brackish lakes …in the world, enchanting visitors with its  crystal-clear beauty . As you explore Leh Ladakh, make sure to include Pangong Tso in your itinerary for a truly unforgettable experience.

Kargil,  nestled along the banks of the Indus river  and merely 60 kilometers from Drass, boasts a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and political significance. This picturesque region offers an  array of sightseeing opportunities  including serene lakes, verdant valleys, ancient monasteries, and awe-inspiring vistas that will leave you breathless.

Its  strategic location amidst towering mountains  adds to its allure as a  must-visit destination for history buffs and nature enthusiasts  alike.

This captivating town holds the key to  unlocking Ladakh’s mesmerizing beauty  while providing  unique insights into its vibrant past . As you plan your adventure through Leh Ladakh, don’t miss out on experiencing the grandeur of Kargil’s offerings before embarking on your next escapade to Srinagar or delving deeper into this mystical land with a sojourn in Zanskar.

Srinagar, nestled in the heart of the  Kashmir Valley , marks the enchanting beginning of your ultimate Leh Ladakh adventure. As you step onto this bustling city’s grounds, you’re met with a myriad of cultural and historical marvels that seamlessly blend into its picturesque landscape.

The journey from Srinagar to Leh Ladakh offers awe-inspiring views of  snow-capped mountains  and  crystal-clear lakes , providing an early taste of the natural wonders that await on your expedition.

You’ll also have the opportunity to indulge in local delicacies and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Kashmiri traditions before embarking on your epic road trip.

Tips for Planning Your Itinerary

Consider acclimatizing before your trip, combining destinations for efficiency, and booking transportation and accommodations in advance. Pack appropriate clothing and gear to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey.

Acclimatize before beginning the trip

Acclimatize to the  high altitude  of Leh Ladakh to prevent  altitude sickness . Spend at least two days resting and hydrating upon arrival. Avoid strenuous activities during this time, and consume plenty of water and light meals to help your body adjust.

Prepare for  thinner air ,  lower oxygen levels , and  decreased humidity  in Leh Ladakh. These changes can affect breathing, energy levels, and overall well-being. Getting acclimatized is crucial for an enjoyable and healthy trip as it helps reduce the risk of altitude-related illnesses such as acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Once acclimatized, you’ll be ready to embark on an adventure-packed itinerary across this breathtaking region filled with unique experiences..

Consider combining destinations

To make the most of your Leh Ladakh trip, consider  combining destinations  to  optimize your time and experience . This strategic approach allows you to visit multiple attractions in one go, making your itinerary more efficient and diverse.

By linking nearby spots like visiting Nubra Valley and then traveling to Pangong Lake, you can maximize your exploration while minimizing travel time. This way, you get to immerse yourself in different landscapes and experiences without having to backtrack or waste precious hours on the road.

When planning your Leh Ladakh adventure, merging these destinations not only saves time but also offers a  seamless transition between unique locations . It enriches your journey with  contrasting vistas and cultural encounters  within a single trip, providing an enriched experience that showcases the diversity of this captivating region.

Book transportation and accommodations in advance

When planning your Leh Ladakh itinerary, it’s essential to  book transportation and accommodations in advance . This ensures a  hassle-free trip , especially during the  peak tourist season .

Consider using  reputable travel agencies  such as Cliffhanger India for expert assistance, providing you with  budget-friendly options  and  first-hand experiences  from seasoned travelers.

By securing your transport and lodging beforehand, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and cultural wonders of Leh Ladakh without any stress or last-minute complications.

Pack appropriate clothing and gear

When planning your Leh Ladakh adventure, it’s crucial to pack the right clothing and gear. Ensure you have  thermals, sweatshirts, pullovers, woolen lowers, windproof jackets, and waterproof shoes .

For winter trips, thermal tops and pants as  base layers  are essential. Don’t forget  sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy shoes  – they’re absolute must-haves on your list. And for a bike tour in Leh Ladakh, consider including water-wind-proof jacket and light woolens to make the most of your trip.

Remember that  layered clothing like thermals and fleeces  can be vital for unpredictable weather conditions in these stunning terrains!

The Perfect 8-Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary

Embark on an adventure with our carefully crafted 8-day itinerary, covering the best of Leh Ladakh’s captivating landscapes and cultural wonders. From exploring ancient monasteries to traversing breathtaking mountain passes, each day is packed with thrilling experiences to make your trip truly unforgettable.

Day 1: Arrival in Leh

Upon arrival in Leh, take it easy to acclimate to the  high altitude . Spend the day at leisure and avoid strenuous activity to prevent  altitude sickness . Ensure you’re  well-hydrated  and get plenty of rest as your body adjusts to the change in elevation.

Consider staying at accommodations that offer oxygen supply or have access to medical facilities, especially if you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness. It’s essential to  prioritize your health  during this initial phase of your Ladakh adventure.

Take a slow and steady approach, allowing yourself time for proper acclimatization before embarking on further exploration in this captivating region.

Day 2: Explore Leh and its monasteries

Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Leh by exploring its ancient monasteries on day 2. Visit  Thiksey Monastery , perched atop a hill, offering panoramic views of the Indus Valley.

Step inside  Hemis Monastery , adorned with  vibrant murals  and housing a  fascinating museum  showcasing Tibetan artifacts. Delve into the serene ambiance of  Shey Palace , known for its giant copper statue of Lord Buddha and  stunning wall paintings .

After exploring these iconic landmarks, head to  Stok Palace  to witness its impressive architecture and royal artifacts that offer a glimpse into Ladakh’s regal history. With each monastery brimming with cultural richness and breathtaking scenery, day 2 promises an enriching experience in Leh Ladakh.

Day 3: Drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung-La Pass

After exploring Leh and its monasteries, get ready for an exhilarating drive to  Nubra Valley  via the world-renowned  Khardung-La Pass . The journey rewards you with  breathtaking views  of the Himalayan, Zanskar, and Karakoram ranges.

It’s a 5-6 hour road trip from Leh to Nubra Valley that unveils  stunning landscapes  en route. You can experience this scenic adventure by renting a cab or booking a tour package. On reaching Nubra Valley, be prepared to be captivated by its picturesque beauty and notable attractions like the  Diskit Monastery  and the  sand dunes of Hunder .

Drive through the  towering mountains  as you make your way from Leh to Nubra Valley – a voyage filled with awe-inspiring vistas unfolding at every turn. The mesmerizing panoramas present an ideal opportunity for photography enthusiasts as well as anyone looking for an unforgettable visual treat.

Witnessing these natural wonders is nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you in absolute wonderment at Mother Nature’s grandeur.

Day 4: Trek and sightsee in Nubra Valley

Experience an  exhilarating trek  in Nubra Valley, surrounded by the  majestic Himalayan, Zanskar, and Karakoram ranges . Discover  gompas, sand dunes, and other breathtaking attractions  scattered throughout the valley.

Immerse yourself in the  adrenaline-pumping activities  and  awe-inspiring landscapes  that make Nubra Valley a dream destination for all adventure enthusiasts seeking natural beauty.

Explore Nubra Valley’s stunning vistas while indulging in various sightseeing opportunities. Embark on an unforgettable journey filled with  unparalleled scenery and diverse tourist attractions , making it a must-visit destination for travelers of all kinds.

Day 5: Drive to Pangong Tso via Chang La

Embark on an exciting  6-hour journey  from Leh to  Pangong Tso , covering approximately 225 km. The route offers stunning valleys, rugged terrains, and a drive through the captivating Zanskar region.

As you travel via  Chang La , brace yourself for  diverse and breathtaking landscapes  that promise an  unforgettable adventure .

The drive to Pangong Tso via Chang La provides travelers with a unique and memorable experience. From  picturesque valleys  to barren terrains, this highlight of your trip showcases the beauty of Leh Ladakh in all its diversity.

Day 6: Learn about Ladakh’s history

Explore  Ladakh’s rich history  at museums and heritage sites, discovering its  ancient connections with Tibetan Buddhism and the Silk Road . Unravel the region’s past through monasteries like Hemis, Thiksey, and Alchi, showcasing intricate art and architecture.

Dive into Ladakh’s cultural tapestry by interacting with locals and witnessing traditional rituals at centuries-old gompas.

Unearth fascinating insights into Ladakh’s  historical importance as a strategic crossroads  on famed trade routes between India, Tibet, China, and Central Asia. Delve into  tales of conquests and influences  that have shaped this high-altitude paradise amidst stunning Himalayan landscapes.

Day 7: Visit Pangong Lake and return to Leh

On Day 7, head to the  breathtaking Pangong Lake . Marvel at its mesmerizing  crystal blue waters  and the  rugged peaks  that encircle it. Spend a few hours here soaking in the sheer beauty of this  pristine location , before making your way back to Leh.

When returning to Leh, take your time and soak in the  scenic views  along the journey. Plan for a  leisurely drive  with plenty of photo stops to capture the  stunning landscapes  that Ladakh has to offer.

Day 8: Departure

After soaking in the beauty of Leh Ladakh on Day 7 and experiencing the serene Pangong Lake, it’s time to bid farewell to this enchanting region.  Departure from Leh  marks the end of your incredible adventure.

Ensure you have all your belongings packed and ready for check-out from your accommodation.  Arrange for transportation to the airport  and double-check your flight details before saying goodbye to this captivating destination.

Remember that even though leaving Ladakh can be bittersweet, you’ll carry  unforgettable memories  of its  awe-inspiring landscapes  and  warm hospitality  as you head back home rejuvenated from this remarkable journey.

Other Recommended Itineraries

Discover alternate ways to experience Leh Ladakh with our suggested 7-day, 9-day, and even a quick 48-hour itinerary. Customize your journey based on your time constraints and desired highlights for an unforgettable adventure.

7-day itinerary

Explore the best of Leh Ladakh in just 7 days, starting with a day for  acclimatization . Make sure to visit Leh,  Nubra Valley , and  Pangong Tso  to witness rugged mountains and immerse yourself in Buddhist culture.

With this itinerary, you’ll uncover both popular highlights and hidden gems while embracing the stunning landscape of this unique region.

Embark on a journey full of exploration as you set out to experience the adventurous terrain and  rich cultural heritage  that makes Leh Ladakh an unforgettable destination for any travel enthusiast.

9-day itinerary

Embark on an unforgettable  9-day adventure  in  Leh Ladakh, India , exploring breathtaking landscapes and immersing yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of the region. Start your journey by acclimatizing upon arrival in Leh before delving into this mesmerizing terrain.

Discover the  ancient monasteries  of Hemis and Thiksey, then venture to the mystical  Nubra Valley  to witness the magnificent sand dunes and revel in its serene ambiance. Next, behold the surreal beauty of  Pangong Lake ‘s ever-changing hues against a backdrop of rugged mountains.

Uncover local history at sites like  Shey Palace  and  Stok Palace Museum  while savoring authentic Ladakhi cuisine for a truly immersive experience.

48-hour itinerary

Now, switch gears to a faster-paced adventure with the  48-hour itinerary  in Leh Ladakh. This condensed trip packs in must-see sights like the iconic  Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Temple .

Take part in the vibrant  Dosmoche Festival  for an unforgettable  cultural experience  that showcases the rich traditions of Ladakh.

With limited time, make the most of your visit by immersing yourself in this whirlwind adventure through Leh Ladakh’s  captivating landmarks and festivals .

Conclusion:

Plan your perfect adventure with the  ultimate Leh Ladakh trip itinerary guide . Discover  top attractions , ideal durations, and best times to visit this stunning region. Follow  detailed itineraries  for 6, 7, 10, and 12 days to make the most of your journey.

Explore must-visit places like Sham Valley, Nubra Valley, and Pangong Lake for an unforgettable experience. Use  practical tips  for planning your itinerary and  acclimatizing before starting your trip .

Create memories with an engaging 8-day travel plan or explore other recommended itineraries for a remarkable Leh Ladakh experience!

1. What’s the best way to get to Leh Ladakh from Delhi?

From Delhi, you can take a flight directly to Leh Ladakh airport, known for its short runway and breathtaking views. If adventure calls your name, consider the road trip from Manali to Leh or Srinagar to Leh — each route offers unique landscapes and experiences. Remember, checking the Manali-Leh highway status is key before setting off.

2. How high is Leh Ladakh above sea level?

Leh Ladakh sits proudly at an altitude that commands respect – we’re talking about 11,562 feet! This high elevation means crystal-clear skies but also calls for some acclimatization time upon arrival.

3. Are there any must-see places in Leh Ladakh I shouldn’t miss?

Absolutely! Your camera will thank you after visiting Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Tso Moriri – each scene more surreal than the last. Don’t forget historic sites like Hemis Monastery and Alchi Monastery for a dash of culture.

4. Which season is perfect for visiting Leh Ladakh?

Visiting in June through August gifts you with pleasant weather ideal for exploring all those top spots on your list without battling the cold winds of winter or late autumn.

5. Can I book hotels easily in Leh Ladakh during my visit?

Yes! From cozy homestays in Durbuk to luxurious retreats near Changspa – finding a place that feels like home isn’t tough at all here; just make sure you book ahead if traveling during peak season!

6. What kind of preparations do I need for a successful trip?

Given its altitude and remote location, prep work involves getting travel insurance covering high-altitude areas – better safe than sorry! Also pack layers because weather here has mood swings., Lastly charge up those prepaid cards because while digital payment options exist they might not be everywhere yet..

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The Best Leh-Ladakh Itinerary for 10 days

Featured , Ladakh

Last Updated on: Jul 16, 2023  

Ladakh is a fascinating place. Anyone who has once visited Ladakh can never forget its landscape, its people and the eternal beauty it hides between those colourful layers of mountains. Planning a trip to Leh has never been an easy task. With help from various sites, we were all set for the trip that we were waiting for so long! Here is a detailed report on our travel to Ladakh

The Best Leh Ladakh Itinerary for 10 days

Day 1 (baltal – kargil).

We completed our Amarnath Yatra successfully before we ventured for the anticipated trip to Leh. From Baltal, we hired a car to Kargil. We left the greenery of Baltal and entered the barren dusty mountain roads. The Zozila Pass said to be one of the most treacherous passes of India was just a glimpse of how the trans-Himalayan passes would be.We reached Kargil at the evening and rested for the night.

Ride through the Zoji La

Day 2 (Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh)

The next morning we started for Leh. The journey to Leh was equally exciting. We got the first taste of the magnificent monasteries of Ladakh at Mulbek where the gigantic Maitreya Buddha stood towering over us.

The Maitreya Buddha at Mulbek monastery

We travelled and crossed the Fotu La and the Namik La passes. Just as we crossed the Namik La, we saw something that looked straight out of a Hollywood movie. The breathtaking Lamayuru Monastery stood there with all its glory. With meandering roads leading to the monastery, it was the ethereal beauty of the place that stood out. We were not able to stay the night at Lamayuru, but I can well imagine how enchanting the place would look at a full moon night!

The Lamayuru Monastery

After our visit to the Lamayuru, we headed towards Leh town. Leh in itself is a small and colourful town. The markets are bustling with activities during the day. There are numerous shops that sell Buddhist artifacts, statues of Buddha and other goodies. The Tibetan markets are also there selling garments, shoes, bags and any adventure gear you can think of. Well, many are branded, but I cannot assure you about the authenticity of the brands! And finally, there are shops selling junk dresses (Yes I call those funky, colourful dresses as them junk dresses) and pieces of jewellery as well as pashminas. Leh with all its colours and flavours is a town full of life. With people from various countries (Yes, we see more of foreign tourists and travellers here) the place is buzzing with activity.

Beautiful artefacts – care to buy some?

Day 3 (Leh – Chang La Pass – Pangong Lake)

After a well-deserved rest, the next day we started for Pangong Lake. We had planned to stay the night near the Lake so that we can experience a night beside the lake. The road to the Pangong goes through the Changla Pass, another high trans-Himalayan pass. I was really excited to see the cute marmots on the way. These animals seemed so friendly! As I was looking for more marmots, we saw a glimpse of blue. Yes, that was the Pangong Lake, the huge lake which has only 40% of it in India. The Pangong Lake played hide and seek with us for some time before it revealed us to us in full glory. I had never seen such a shade of clear blue before! The azure lake and the golden mountain ranges at its back looked like a perfect picture postcard. I think the whole of this region is like a postcard at which you can stare for hours and marvel. We camped near the lake, enjoyed the changing colours of the lake at different times of the day and also had a campfire near the lake.  My nomadic heart truly was for a treat that day.

Pangong Lake

Day 4 (Pangong Lake – Hemis Monastery – Thiksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh Palace – Leh)

We were back from Pangong and while returning we visited the Hemis Monastery, Thicksey Monastery, Shey Palace and the Leh Palace along with the Sindhu Ghat. There are no words to describe the grandeur of the monasteries of the Leh. But what surprised me was the serenity of the Sindhu Ghat. A peaceful place where you can just sit with your legs in the waters of Sindhu and contemplate on the journeys you have taken, the sights you have seen.

At Sindhu Ghat

Day 5 (Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley)

This day was reserved for Nubra Valley. To reach Nubra, we had to cross the world’s highest motorable pass the Khardung la. Not only the roads, but the weather also become treacherous at Khardung La. The sunny weather of Leh became gloomy once we were near the pass and suddenly snowflakes were all over me. It was snowing at Khardung La. Just imagine the feeling of standing at a height of about 18000 ft and experiencing snowfall! It is simply amazing.

Snowfall at Khardung La

We were in the midst of mountains and rugged terrains so long, but this day we saw stretches of sands and a black road among those sandy stretches. Nubra is one of the coldest deserts of the world and double-humped Bactrian camels are found only here apart from the Gobi desert. And then the colossal statue of Maitreya Buddha came to our sight. That was the Diskit Monastery- a place where the ancient and the modern stands to look at each other. At the mountain over the Shyok river stands the oldest monastery of Ladakh region, the Diskit Monastery and exactly in front of it, stands the 32 m Maitreya or the future Buddha, looking down at the Shyok river.

Gian 230 feet Maitrya Buddha statue at Nubra Valley

A ride on the camels simply completed our day. We stayed at Hunder for the night at a homestay. We were simply bowled over by the hospitality of the people there. The next morning we were all set to be back at Leh.

Day 6 (Nubra Valley – Leh)

The return from Nubra to Leh was equally long and arduous. After returning from Nubra Valley , it ews only roaming aroundthe streets of Leh for us.

Riding camels at Nubra Valley

Day 7 (Leh – Magnetic Hill – Alchi – Likir – Spituk – Leh)

A day of relatively lesser travel when we visited the monasteries near Leh – the Alchi, Likir, Spituk monastery. Each monastery had their own distinct charm and visiting them increased our thirst for knowing about them more. We travelled past the Magnetic Hill this day. and all that we heard about the Magnetic Hill was true! The car really moves ahead even though it is not being driven. The evening was spent viewing the sunset from Shanti Stupa and roaming around Leh markets.

Shanti Stupa, Leh

Likir Monastery

Day 8 & 9 (Leh – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali)

The day to leave Leh had come. But we decided not to let the spirit of adventure die. We were all ready to set on the journey through the Leh- Manali Highway – the route which is there in every wayfarers’ bucket list. And truly so, the Leh- Manali route is simply grand and a saga. The scenery, mountains, terrains everything about this road is epic. We had a stopover at Keylong and reached Manali the next day.

The Leh – Manali Highway – the grand ending to an epic adventure

The remarkable tour has a perfect ending, it was no less than a blockbuster. Due to time restraint, we did not visit the Tso Moriri and HanuDha. We plan to do that soon. It is so very true that Leh is like a mecca to all Indian travellers. The place has all the thrills and excitement. Once you visit Ladakh, you simply cannot stop raving about it.  The same is with us.

Day 10 (Manali)

Some facts:.

Altitude: Leh is at a height of 11480 ft

Best Time to visit: June to September

The best way to visit Leh by road is to enter by the Srinagar-Leh highway and return by the Leh – Manali highway. This also helps in proper acclimatization.

ATMs: ATMs are found in Leh city. But carry cash when you are travelling to Pangong, Nubra or Tso Moriri.

At the Sindhu Ghat

Agni Amrita

Related posts.

Hunderman – Ghost Village near Kargil with Museum of Memories

A Trip to Changthang Valley in Ladakh and a Failed one to Tso Moriri

Changpa Tribe of Changthang, Ladakh – The Story of Pashminas

Sham Valley in Ladakh – A Complete Travel Guide

Basgo Monastery, Ladakh – Ruins of Palace and Fort

Saspol Caves – Best-kept Secret of Sham Valley, Ladakh

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update.This article is really very interesting

Nice blog post with wonderful pictures.I really like to this article it’s very interesting.

IN the 10 days trip, how many hours will one have to travel in vehicle. I m asking this question as there is issue of travel sichness and hence a littl concerned,

Regards bharat

Yes, there can be problems of travel sickness and AMS while travelling in Ladakh. Please know more about AMS and then make an informed decision.

Really amazing blog. I learn new information from your article , you are doing a great job . Keep it up

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Destination

Tour Key Points

• Covering highest motor-able passes
• Buddhist culture
• Coldest Desert at Hunder
• World's highest salted Lake Pangong
• Value for money
• Accommodation & facilities Quite Tough -->
• Food Medium Grougs -->
• Location Medium Grougs -->
• Quality of activity Medium Grougs -->

Leh Ladakh Road Trip

Blessed with rugged terrains, high passes and ancient monasteries and soaked in enduring beauty and beautiful landscapes, Ladakh is a famous destination and stands as an otherworldly realm, a high-altitude cold desert that transcends ordinary travel experiences. This unique Leh Ladakh trip plan promises more than just panoramic landscapes; it offers a rendezvous with ancient cultures, spiritual serenity, and the untouched beauty of the "Land of High Passes.” If you are a hill station lover, get ready to embark on a Leh Ladakh Road trip like no other as you journey through the enchanting landscapes of Leh Ladakh. This remarkable adventure promises breathtaking vistas, rugged terrains, and the thrill of the open road. Prepare to be captivated by the sheer beauty of this region, where mountains rise majestically, and serenity permeates the air.

Leh Ladakh Tour by Car

As you navigate the winding roads on Leh Ladakh Road Trip , you will witness nature's grandeur unfold before your eyes. From snow-capped peaks to serene lakes, every turn reveals a new marvel. Picture-perfect landscapes dotted with vibrant prayer flags and monasteries perched atop rocky cliffs create a surreal ambience that will leave you awe-inspired. Leh Ladakh tour packages transcends the conventional, offering a spiritual odyssey through rugged terrains, ancient monasteries, and encounters with the resilient people of the high-altitude desert. Traveling Leh Ladakh by motorcycle involves crossing some of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world such as Khardung La and Chang La and driving through vast semi-arid planes.

Feel the rush of adrenaline as you conquer these challenging terrains, offering a sense of nature exploration like never before. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Leh-Ladakh as you encounter friendly locals and visit ancient monasteries. Discover the spiritual essence that permeates the region and find solace in the serene surroundings. Witness traditional festivals and partake in authentic local cuisine, tantalizing your taste buds with flavours that are unique to this region. Capture moments that will forever be etched in your memory as you witness the starry night sky stretching above you, undisturbed by city lights. Camping under the celestial canopy, surrounded by untouched wilderness, is an experience that will leave you humbled and connected to the magnificence of the universe. Feel this exotic travel experience with the Leh Ladakh tour by car .

Leh Ladakh Route

One of the common routes for Leh Ladakh Tour is Delhi to Leh through Manali .

Delhi - Manali - Jispa - Sarchu - Leh

After reaching Leh, the next destinations lie in the Ladakh region dotted with places of pristine beauty. Leh to Ladakh distance is approx. 125 Kilometres which makes it convenient to travel and cover all major attractions. The distance of the famous lake Tso Moriri from Leh is approx. 220 Kilometers. Leh to Pangong Lake distance is roughly 160 kilometres. Leh Ladakh tour cost varies with type of vehicle, accommodation, sharing basis and facilities taken. Check detailed pricing, inclusion and exclusions of Ladakh tour.

Be prepared for ever-changing landscapes as you pass through the dramatic valleys of Nubra and Zanskar, their stark beauty leaving you spellbound. Come across rare wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard, and experience the raw power of nature in its purest form. Leh Ladakh is not just a destination; it is an expedition of self-discovery and profound exploration. A journey that will test your limits, challenge your perceptions, and ignite a passion for adventure within you. So, gear up for an unforgettable road trip to Ladakh , where every mile will take you deeper into the heart of this mystical land. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime, and let the magic of Leh Ladakh leave an indelible mark on your soul. Here we present a comprehensive travel itinerary for 7-day Ladakh itinerary . Leh Ladakh route is one of the most challenging travel routes and undoubtedly, it deserves all the accolades. The challenge of unpredictable weather, rugged terrain, high altitude makes it a bucket list destination for adventure lovers. So, if you have been waiting all this while to go out on one such road trip, consider this Ladakh itinerary from Leh .

• Include / Exclude
• Departure Dates / Price

On arrival at Delhi International airport, you will meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Free time leisure to relax. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early breakfast at hotel followed by transfer to Delhi domestic airport to board flight for Leh. For a road trip to Leh, Delhi to Leh route is mesmerising and full of diverse landscapes. On arrival at Leh airport, you will be met by our representative and escort you to hotel for check in. Complete day for the acclimatization at hotel, which is 3500 metres above sea level. Overnight at hotel.

Tour of Hemis, Thiksey & Shey monastery. After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to visit Hemis Monastery situated 45km west of Leh; Hemis is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. From Hemis, you are driven back taking the same route to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus valley. Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its (Dukhang) assembly hall which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. After that we continue to drive through series of chortens to visit Shey Palace the former summer palace of the King of Ladakh. Late evening return back to Leh for overnight stay.

Leave for Uletokpo camping which is one of the most beautiful camping in the Ladakh region on the way visit Spituk monastery that is just 5 kms from Leh town. Continue drive to Alchi monastery is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground. By the lunchtime you will reach Uletokpo. Evening enjoy to sit on the bank of river coming down from the Ridzong side. Leh Ladakh route Overnight at Deluxe camp.

Leave Uletokpo and continue drive to Lamayuru via Khaltsi. From here another 22 kms drive will take you to Lamayuru. The oldest and spectacularly set Lamayuru monastery founded in the 10th Century. Visit the monastery. Further drive to Dhahanu Aryans in this palace you will find number of villages and here climate is little warmer then Leh the local community of Dhahanu believed to be the last race of Aryans, confined to the valley with their pure Aryan features. Overnight at Deluxe camp.

After breakfast excursion around Dhahanu village, later drive to Leh via Likir to visit Likir Monastery it is famous for its huge sitting Buddha statue. It's one of the best maintained monasteries in Ladakh. This magnificent monastery stands on a small hillock in the valley, about 10 km from Saspol village near Indus River. Under the supervision of LhachenGyalpo, the fifth king of Ladakh, Lama Duwang Chosje founded this monastery in 1065. The monastery is known for housing a 23 m high gilded gold statue of Maitreya Buddha. After the excursion of Likir evening return back to Leh for overnight stay.

Distance from Leh to Nubra Valley is approximately 125 kilometers. Have Breakfast at hotel and then drive to one of the enchanting valleys- Nubra via Khardungla pass which is the highest motorable pass in the world 5600 mtrs and has been recorded in the Gunnies Book of world records. Further proceed for Nubra Valley known as the Orchard of Ladakh and was originally called Ldumra which meant the valley of flowers and charismatic white sands, the snow caps, the green tumbling villages, the murmuring rivers, families of yaks and camels, the apricot orchards. Cradled between the Karakoram Range and the Ladakh Range, this high-altitude desert enchants visitors with its stark landscapes and vibrant cultural tapestry. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the valley boasts orchards and lush fields nourished by the Shyok River. Visitors relish the thrilling Khardung La Pass ascent, one of the world's highest motorable roads. Nubra, a mosaic of dunes and oases, beckons explorers seeking tranquility amid Himalayan splendour. Overnight camp at Nubra Valley.

After breakfast pleasurable excursion vicinity of Nubra Valley today you will be driven back to Leh via visit Diskit Monastery It belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by ChangzemTserabZangpo, a disciple of TsongKhapa, founder of Gelugpa, in the 14th century. Diskit, the largest town, features the iconic Diskit Monastery with a towering Maitreya Buddha statue. On arrival check into the hotel for overnight stay.

After early Breakfast leave for Pangong Lake (14,500 ft), through Changla Pass 17,350 ft., it is the third highest motorable road in the world. After crossing the pass halt for picnic lunch at Tsoltak, the summer pastureland of the yaks. Arrive Durbuk and from there a short drive takes you to Lukung at the western shore of the lake and drive along the Pangong Lake upto Spangmik (8 kms) the last point allowed for tourists. This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 kms wide and over 144 kms long. Pangong Lake it is the highest salt water Lake in the World, shared by two countries India & China. Enjoy the beauty of the lake on the Banks of Pangong Lake while appreciating the changing Colours and fascinating high altitude of the Lake. Overnight stay at deluxe camp.

Drive back for Leh. Leisure evening short walk around Leh bazaar.

Early breakfast at the hotel followed by transferred to Leh airport to board direct flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi, you will be transferred to a hotel where you can freshen up. Later do a city tour of Delhi. After a farewell dinner drive to the Indira Gandhi International Airport to board your flight back home.

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis as per the above mentioned hotel or similar category.
• Accommodation is on half board basis.
• Toyota Innova for whole tour.
• Accompanying English speaking guide for whole trip.
• Environment fees.
• Inner line permits.
• All applicable taxes.
• Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
• Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices included”.
• Medical & Travel insurance
• Monuments / monasteries fees.
• Any local guide / camel ride etc.
• Additional costs due to flight cancellation, road blocks etc.
• Services subject to full advance payments only
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
• For any adventure tour a person should be covered under travel insurance. All our rates do not include any travel insurance/ repatriation charges/ damages/ claims etc in case of any eventuality.
• Insurance cover has to be from the guest's country of origin only and cannot be done here in India on arrival
• We look forward your kind revert on above to process the reservation

Hope you would find all the above in order and look forward to your feedback. Please feel free to contact us in case of any further information or clarifications.

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Leh Ladakh Road Trip – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Leh Ladakh road trip is a different adventure altogether. The breathtaking views of the mountains and green valleys is a once in a lifetime experience.

Leh Ladakh road trip is a different adventure altogether. When you travel by road to Ladakh, it is a road trip to paradise. The journey is adventurous and amusing. The breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains and green valleys can bring you a once in a lifetime experience.

The scenery around is never to be seen anywhere. The views of the mountains and also the incredible sights of the lakes and above them the ancient monasteries hold the whole spiritual and cultural value in them for years. The great Leh palace is the charm of Ladakh’s history.

Table of Contents

Leh Ladakh Road Trip – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary 

The path to follow.

You can take two routes for the Ladakh road trip . One is the Srinagar – Leh highway and the other is the Manali-Leh highway. It is a two-day journey from Srinagar to reach Ladakh by road which includes a night stop at Kargil in between. The total distance from Srinagar to Leh is 430 kilometers and Kargil lies in the middle which is about 200 kilometers from Srinagar towards Leh. The Leh-Srinagar highway, also known as NH-1 is said to be more relaxed and comfortable than the other route. Due to cold weather, this highway remains closed from mid-November to April/May.

The journey from the other route, that is, from the Manali-Leh highway is also a two-day journey with a night halt at Sarchi or Jispa. This highway is 474 kilometers long. The appropriate time for a road trip on this highway is in summer because it is closed during winters due to heavy snowfall. This route is perfect for adventurous off-road biking or jeep ride.

List Of The Essentials

These essentials are necessary to carry on any kind of Leh Ladakh tour .

While going to Ladakh, you need to carry your warm clothes due to its cold climate which persists throughout the year. Also, there are chances of a little rain so carrying rainwear and waterproof jacket along is necessary. Apart from the clothes, there are certain accessories you need to carry along like sunglasses, scarfs, hand gloves, handkerchiefs as well.

Always carry necessary medications in case of an emergency. If you or someone you are traveling with has mountain  sickness or has stomach issues, etc; then important medicines should be carried along while on the Leh Ladakh road trip.

To always keep your energy intact, do carry some energy drinks too and for personal hygiene, toiletries like toothpaste, mouthwash, face wash, toothbrush, etc; should be kept with the belongings.

Some places in Ladakh need permits even for Indian residents so for those permits do carry some important documents like Aadhar card, license, voter ID card, even carry a copy of your tickets, passport size photographs, hotel reservation slips, for safety purposes.

For your electronic gadgets like mobile phones and cameras, you must carry a power bank along because the stoppages on a road trip are not for a very long time.

And last but not least, the most important thing to carry is some water bottles and some eatables for your journey.

Itinerary For Ladakh Road Trip – Best route for Ladakh

  The Srinagar to Manali suggested itinerary is as mentioned below :

• Day 1- Srinagar to Kargil

The distance between Srinagar to Kargil is 225 kilometers. You will cross the Zoji La pass and Drass village on this route. Sonmarg lies on the route where you can plan to stay overnight.

• Day 2- Kargil to Leh

Kargil is considered to be the most important town on the route. The beautiful landscapes and museums are the attractions and also the famous Lamayuru monastery . The distance from Kargil to Leh is 220 kilometers.

• Day 3- Leh to Nubra valley

Nubra valley is said to be one of the most visited valleys on the Ladakh trip by road. It is famous for sand dunes and also the Diskit monastery. The distance between Leh to Nubra valley is 180 kilometers.

• Day 4- Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake

Pangong Lake is the most famous lake in Ladakh. The distance from Nubra valley to Pangong Lake is 270 kilometers.

• Day 5- Pangong to Leh

Leh and Pangong are 150 kilometers away from each other. The places to visit in Leh are Leh Palace and the Leh market.

• Day 6- Leh to Sarchu

From here you can begin your journey to Manali from the Manali Leh highway after having a relaxing stay overnight.

• Day 7- Sarchu to Jispa

The Himalayan landscapes are the beautiful attractions on this route. Passing through Baralacha pass which connects Jammu Kashmir to Lahaul.

• Day 8- Jispa to Manali

The distance between Manali and Jispa is 150 kilometers. On this route of Leh Ladakh road trip, you will cross the Rohtang Pass and Lahaul Valley as well.

The Manali to Srinagar suggested itinerary is as described below :

• Day 1- Manali to Jispa

Jispa is 150 kilometers from Manali . To avoid delays in your journey, you should start early in the morning. Passing through Rohtang pass and Lahaul valley on this journey you’ll reach Keylong. There are two monasteries to visit here, Shashur and Kardhang. Staying in Jispa is comfortable at night.

• Day 2- Jispa to Sarchu

The journey ahead is filled with beautiful landscapes. For a small break, there is a Zingzing bar on this route, where you can relax for a while. Ahead comes Baralacha pass which is at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level. Sarchu is 120 kilometers from Jispa.

• Day 3- Sarchu to Leh

The distance from Sarchu to Leh is 215 kilometers, passing through Tanglang pass at a height of 5300 meters above sea level, you can also visit the monasteries Thiksey and Shey.

• Day 4- Leh to Nubra valley

Nubra valley is famous for sand dunes. The highest motorable road, Khardung La also lies on this route and Diskit monastery as well.

• Day 5- Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake

Amongst all the lakes in Ladakh, Pangong Lake is the most visited lake in the Leh Ladakh road trip. The distance from Nubra to Pangong is 270 kilometers.

• Day 6- Pangong to Leh

Leh Palace is a must-visit place to observe the beauty of Leh. The distance from Pangong to Leh is 150 kilometers.

• Day 7- Leh to Kargil

The distance from Leh to Kargil is 220 kilometers and the Zanskar and Indus river are the sights on this route as well as the famous Lamayuru monastery.

• Day 8- Kargil to Sonmarg

The most important town on this route is Kargil. Drass village and Zoji La pass lie on this route from Kargil to Sonmarg.

• Day 9- Sonmarg to Srinagar

The beautiful and adventurous Ladakh tour ends here. You can continue your journey towards Delhi from Jammu after Srinagar.

The adventure and experience of the Leh Ladakh road trip are beautiful and something to be remembered for the entire lifetime. The journey is known to be heavenly because of the views like that of paradise which will make you awestruck. Whether you take the road trip with your friends or the family, it is always going to be one of a kind.

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17 thoughts on “leh ladakh road trip – ladakh road trip itinerary”.

My dream destination dear. Your details and amazing pictures are intriguing me to fix my next trip.

Wow what a detailed and wonderfully laid out post. I will definitely save this one in the hope that I take a road trip in that part of India!

Ladakh is on my bucket list since long. Don’t know when it will happen. Your detailed post will help then.

The word Leh instantly evokes wanderlust and so many times there are plans being made amongst us friends but we just don’t make it to that trip. However, when we do make this trip as planned, i am gonna use this itinerary.

I have heard a lot about Let Ladakh trip .I loved how you have detailed out everything required for planning this trip .This is really helpful for anyone planning a trip .

Leh Ladakh is a beautiful vacation spot. I’ve saved so many pictures and added this place to my bucket list. The itinerary would help me to plan a trip with my family.

This is such a in depth post well who do not want to visit Leh and Ladakh thank you for giving so much information about the trip

Very helpful guide for leh laddakh road trip. This definitely gives a proper approach in planning next trip to this beautiful place

Ladak is indeed a beautiful city. Thanks for sharing such helpful road trip guide to ladak.

I really want to visit leh ladakh. Its a beautiful place. Its a helpful post for travelers.

Leh ladakh road trip is the most amazing thing to do with friends! It is a dream for me! Loved the post!

Ladakh has always been on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing this post. Will plan a trip soon.

Those pics are simply mesmerizing just like this place! On my wishlist for a long time and must visit…

I am planning to go in August is that the right time? Also is the entire in car? I mean for ppl with motion sickness is that gona be a problem?

We opted for Manali route some 4 years back and I must say it was bliss watching the beautiful nature unfold at every level.

And its my dream place to visit. Want to go there once. The heaven right? Tha ks for this post. Bookmarking it

I am so intrigued with the post. Beautiful pictures and a great itinerary. I am planning my trip to Leh. I guess, i will give road trip a thought as its sooo mesmerizing

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Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days: Ultimate Itinerary (+ Guide)

Discover the stunning beauty of Ladakh in this short Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days.

Undoubtedly, Ladakh is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Located in the northern-most portion of India, Leh Ladakh is a place ripe with unique experiences, must-do activities, incredible sights & astonishing scenery.

Ladakh is a hot summer destination in India . The place gets maximum attention during April and June, with families, teenagers, and road-trippers all making their way to experience one of the best trips in India. Its dramatic landscape is its single biggest draw, with snow-clad mountains and glistening lakes boasting their charm. Likewise, Ladakh’s diverse topography makes your entire trip worthwhile. No matter where you go or which place you visit, you ought to come across valleys, rustic villages, and peaceful Gompas.

Along with Leh Ladakh’s landscape, its tourist destinations such as Tso Moriri , Nubra Valley , Leh City , Siachen Glacier , and Pangong Lake cultivate a lively sense of tourism. The culture, the traditions, and the local customs create a beautiful blend of harmony to enrich your overall Ladakh tour experience .

With so much to see and do around, we thought of creating the best itinerary for Leh Ladakh that can help you nail your first-ever trip. In this guide, we created a schedule that includes terrific places, top experiences, and must-do tours/activities .

So, without further ado, let’s get started with our Leh Ladakh tour itinerary.

Overview of Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

The itinerary designed for this Ladakh trip is curated for 5 days. The tour will start and end in Leh .

While not many people visit Leh Ladakh on such a short break, there’s a significant portion of travellers who prefer 5-6 days duration. To cater to these tourists, we created a perfect Ladakh itinerary consisting of all the niche experiences & activities .

Although a 5 Day Leh Ladakh itinerary sounds short, it is still packed with good sightseeing spots , road trip journeys, and must-do activities. Even if you’re a first-time traveller, this 5 day itinerary for Ladakh will come in handy to plan your first ever trip!

The trip can be customized entirely according to your style and preference. Thus, you can include or exclude any destination from the journey as you’d like.

Schedule of Leh Ladakh Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Leh – Sightseeing Tours Day 2 : Leh – Nubra Valley (Khardung La Pass – Diskit – Hunder) Day 3 : Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake (Sumur – Shayok – Tangtse) Day 4 : Pangong Lake – Leh (Chang La – Chemrey – Hemis) Day 3 : Depart from Leh

Essential Planning Tips for 5 Days in Ladakh

These are some vital planning tips one should consider before planning their 5 days trip to Ladakh.

Take a Flight

Since our Leh Ladakh trip is only for 5 days, it makes sense to travel via flight. We won’t recommend a road trip journey to & fro Ladakh , as this is not a feasible option for a shorter travel plan. A minimum of 7-9 days is required to plan a full-fledged road journey to Leh Ladakh. Also, ensure that you arrive in Leh a day before your actual trip. This way, you can also take care of getting acclimated to the altitude of Ladakh.

Pre-Plan your Ladakh Tour

We recommend planning your Leh Ladakh trip at least six months before your actual departure . Considering the summer season in India (April to June), most travellers often book their Ladakh tour to avoid hiked hotel prices & airfare tickets.

Secondly, you’ll need to get your Inner Line Permit arranged. This is only applicable to foreigners (non-Indian residents). An Inner Line Permit is basically a ticket that grants you access to enter the protected areas of Ladakh. These places include visiting Nubra Valley , Pangong Lake , Turtuk , Khardung La , and Tso Moriri . One can get their permits sorted by directly  visiting this website .

The charges for these permits are as follows  –

Environmental Fee : INR 300 Inner Line Permit : INR 20 per day per person Red Cross Fund : INR 100

Note : The above prices can change. Please  visit the website  to stay updated on the latest pricing.

Travel Q – Do you need an Inner Line Permit in Ladakh? No. Inner Line Permit is no longer required for Indian citizens. Earlier, you had to compulsory book the pass to visit the protected zones of Ladakh. However, now the government has scrapped the idea of improving logistical tourist routes.

Book Your Transport

The second most important thing for your Leh Ladakh itinerary is to book internal transpor t . For this 5 day tour, we recommend booking a private vehicle for your entire Ladakh trip. Riding a motorcycle can be difficult, especially when you’re just getting acclimatized.

You can directly book a taxi from the airport to the hotel journey from the airport itself. To explore Leh Ladakh’s sightseeing, you’ll need to arrange transport in advance. We recommend Expedia for the rental car service, as they tend to provide affordable rates for their private vehicles.

Altitude Sickness  in Ladakh

Many people ignore the altitude sickness problem in Ladakh and then often waste their sightseeing schedule. The best precaution against AMS (acute mountain sickness) is ample rest. At the same time, it may sound like a ridiculous thing to do, especially when you’re travelling to a beautiful region – getting rest is crucial before you start your sightseeing in Leh Ladakh.

Not doing so will only cause you more problems throughout the trip. If you have any medical conditions, please consult a doctor before this trip. It’s best to clarify your fitness levels before you travel to Leh Ladakh.

Moreover, to help you avoid AMS in Ladakh,  read this guide  as an additional resource. It details some steps to handle altitude sickness in Ladakh.

Cost of Leh Ladakh Tour Itinerary

Ladakh is an expensive region to travel to. Significantly, after COVID-19, many hotels and tour operators have hiked their rates to match their daily expenses. On average, a 5-day trip to Ladakh can cost anywhere between INR 12000 – INR 15000 , which excludes to & fro flights and sightseeing entrance fees. Considering flights, expect the price to increase to INR 28000 – INR 32000.

Note – The above prices are an indicative number based on the history of previous tours/packages. You can explore the below packages to find your perfect Leh Ladakh tour –

5D/4N Leh Ladakh – Explore this tour to book a similar version of this itinerary. 7D/6N Ladakh Sightseeing – Book an all inclusive tour for Ladakh via Delhi.

Detailed Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

Day 1: arrive in leh.

Leh, the city of adventures, is a bustling cold desert town filled with glorious tourist attractions. It isn’t a developed city boasting great amenities and accessibility; it still marks a vital destination to promote adventure tourism.

The rugged roads, dramatic landscapes, snowcapped peaks, bells of the monasteries, and the deserted cold wind makes you feel alive when you’re in the city of Leh. It isn’t only the attractions that drive most tourism, but its unique blend of Indian and Tibetian culture tends to bring out energetic vibes.

Once you reach Leh, the first thing you need to do – is get acclimatized.

Due to Leh Ladakh’s altitude, oxygen levels are minimum – causing you breathing and exertion problems. To avoid any health-related issues, it’s best to recommend giving yourself the time to get acclimatized to Leh’s atmosphere.

Note : You can spend more than a day in Leh to cover most of the city’s major sightseeing. If you take a day off to get acclimatized to the surroundings, it’s recommended to add an extra day to your Leh Ladakh itinerary to visit its important landmarks.

On this day, you can opt to visit Leh Ladakh’s top most attractions including – Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Magnetic Hill, and Hall of Fame. To add more sightseeing excursions to your Ladakh trip, you can book a full-day guided tour of the Leh City. This way you can maximize your travel for inner region travel.

Apart from the attractions listed above, there’s plenty to see and do in Leh Ladakh. You can add these places to your Leh Ladakh itinerary – Shey Palace ,  Shey Monastery ,  Gurudwara Patthar Sahib ,  Stok Palace ,  Likir Monastery , and  Thikse Monastery .

Day 2: Leh to Nubra Valley (Drive)

Approx Distance from Leh to Nubra Valley  – 4hr 40mins (160km)

If there’s anything that a traveller might dream of on their Leh Ladakh road trip, it is this journey –  Leh to Nubra Valley . It’s one of the bucket-list activities many adventurers plan for a good reason!

The scenic drive from Leh to Nubra is packed with astonishing scenery, barren landscapes, mighty Himalayas, and the beautiful Zanskar and Karakoram range . These natural settings make the road trip quite memorable!

Visiting Nubra Valley is a must on a Leh Ladakh tour . Every biker dreams of seeing the place and traversing the region to explore its stunning beauty. The valley houses many attractions such as Diskit , Turtuk , Panamik , and many other unspoiled areas. The locals who live here showcase their lively traditions to fascinate tourists from all over the world.

To reach Nubra Valley, you’ll need to start early in the morning. You’ll travel via the Khardung La, which is approximately 38kms from Leh and will take you around an hour to reach. There’s a canteen around the place to stop by and get some refreshments.

Continue your journey from Khardung La to reach Diskit for some sightseeing tours. The town is famous for its landmark – the  Diskit monastery , which is considered the largest gompa ( Tibetian temple) in  Nubra Valley. Nearby the hill lies another milestone of Diskit –  the statue of Maitreya Buddha . Bactrian camel rides and Hunder dunes also remain popular sightseeing tours of Nubra Valley.

You can spend the night at Hunder Village, located 10kms from Diskit. For more hotel recommendations around Nubra Valley, explore this page .

Day 3: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake (Drive)

Approx Distance from Nubra Valley   to   Pangong Lake  – 6hr 20mins (140km)

Like the other road trips in Leh, the journey from Nubra Valley to Pangong is one of the scenic drives in the country. Every year, many tourists flock to the region of Ladakh to experience the road trip vibes of the Nubra and Pangong. Especially if this is your first-time exploring Leh Ladakh, you shouldn’t miss out on a trip to these places.

Pangong Lake is one of the gorgeous, most beautiful lakes in India. The expansive views of the contrasting blue lake make the waters look adorning to the backdrop of the rugged mountains. During the winters, the temperatures in the area fall below -20°C causing the lake to get frozen completely. Moreover, the lake’s elevation makes the surrounding scenes truly captivating, making you fall in love with Pangong Lake’s beauty.

Travel Q :  Is camping at Pangong Lake allowed? Considering the imbalance in the ecological fragility of the lake, the Government of India has decided to stop overnight camping around Pangong Lake. The sustainability issues made the authorities declare a ban, thus preserving the beauty of the lake. For alternatives around Pangong, check this page.

There are multiple ways to reach Pangong Lake from Nubra Valley. One is via Shyok , where the roads are comprehensive and extensive, and the other via Wari La , which is more of an off-beat experience. Nowadays, most travellers opt to take the Wari La route to explore the mountainous region, and it isn’t the easiest path to drive on and will require profound driving experience to complete the stretch.

Distance from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Shyok route : 140kms (6hr 20mins) Distance from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Wari La route : 375kms (9hrs)

Looking for accommodation near Pangong Lake? Find out the resources below –

Hotels near Pangong Lake : Explore this page to find best hotel stays & deals near Pangong Lake. Campsites near Pangong Lake : The Nature’s Nest Camp near Pangong is the closest you can get to Pangong Lake.

Day 4: Pangong Lake to Leh (Drive)

Approx Distance from Pangong Lake to Leh  – 5hr 30mins (222.9km)

Before returning to Leh, stroll around Pangong Lake to admire the scenic sunrise. You’ll even spot many bird species around the lake, as Pangong is a popular breeding site for migratory birds.

On your way back, you’ll be taking the  Chang La pass . You can visit several attractions here, such as  Chemrey monastery  and  Hemis monastery . The Hemis Gompa is Leh Ladakh’s largest monastery, boasting beautiful shrines and an 8-meter Padmasambhava statue. Before reaching Leh, you’ll also find the famous monastery of  Thiksey . It’s known for its impressive architecture and decorated interior work.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Leh’s surroundings. Furthermore, if you had spent day one getting acclimatized to Leh’s climate – this is the perfect day to enjoy the serene beauty of Ladakh’s amazing sightseeing spots.

Day 5: Departure

This marks the end of your Leh Ladakh Itinerary for 5 days. You can extend this itinerary to 7 or 9 days, depending on your schedule, and visit places like  Zanskar Valley ,  Kargil ,  Hemis National Park ,  Moonland , and  Tso Moriri Lake .

Accommodation for Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

When planning your Leh Ladakh tour, accommodation becomes a crucial factor. Firstly, it’s essential to understand that Leh Ladakh isn’t a developed region compared to other metropolitan cities. It boasts many luxury hotel stays, guesthouses, and hostels – but you shouldn’t expect great amenities in places like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

Most of the inner sub-regions feature rustic accommodation with basic amenities & facilities – which is still considered a favorable option amongst travellers who enjoy rustic stays.

For our Leh Ladakh itinerary trip itinerary, we categorized hotels into several price ranges. This will help you select the right hotel for the right price during your stay in Ladakh.

Please find the below resources for the hotel stays in Leh Ladakh  –

Budget Hotels in Ladakh  – Explore this page to find budgeted stays & rental apartments in Leh Ladakh. Mid-range Hotels in Ladakh  – Looking for good amenities? Check this page to find mid-range hotels across Leh. Luxury Hotels in Ladakh  – Fancy a luxurious stay in Ladakh? Check this page to find more.

Recommended : Read this guide to find out the top 5 luxury stays in Ladakh .

FAQs for Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

How many days are enough for Leh Ladakh? You’ll at least need 10-12 days to cover major sightseeing spots of Leh Ladakh. Considering the distance between Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Leh, you should give yourself the time to soak in Ladakh’s serene beauty.

Are 5 Days enough for the Leh Ladakh tour? Factually, a 5 day trip to Ladakh isn’t a sufficient period to admire Leh Ladakh’s scenery. With so many attractions & experiences, a tour of a minimum of 7-9 days is required. However, if you’re short on time and need a quick breakthrough to fizz past Ladakh’s sightseeing, a 5-day tour is worthwhile.

How much does a Leh Ladakh trip cost? Many tour operators across India will charge different prices for their services & sightseeing add-ons. It ultimately comes to the duration you choose, places you visit, and some off-beat experiences. However, an average 5D/4N Leh Ladakh package costs INR 13,000 (excluding flights). You can check these tours here.

What is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh? Indian summers are the best period to enjoy Leh Ladakh’s mild temperatures. The region   attracts most of the crowd between April and July and is the busiest period to travel within Leh. You can expect temperatures ranging between 15°C – 30°C during this season.

Are Ladakh roads safe? The roads in Leh Ladakh are pretty rugged, featuring  steep cliffs , unpaved lanes, traffic jams, and rocky terrains. The highways in Ladakh aren’t the most drivable paths but certainly, boast incredible scenery and amazing landscape.

Further Readings & Resources

Coorg, India – 15 Absolutely Best Things to Do in Coorg, India Ooty, India – 15 Stunning Places to Visit in Ooty in 2 Days Iceland – 12 Stunning Things to Do in Iceland in October

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Leh Ladakh road trip from Delhi – 13 days itinerary

Some of the places are always your dream destinations; even after knowing that they are well connected by roads but still cut out from the rest of the world. Leh Ladakh road trip from Delhi was one of our dreams. We were trying to accomplish this 3500 km road trip dream for three years and finally, it happened in 2017.

The each landscape, mountain, road, stream throughout the road trip is unique and has its own tale. So, now do we have?

Starting with Julley! Joolay! Julley from Ladakh- the land of high passes is a mesmerizing, indeed a magical word to say Hi, Hello, Namaste, Welcome and goodbye. It brings a smile whenever we say it. Anyways we have lots to talk about this epic road trip; starting with the itinerary or travel guide for Leh Ladakh road trip.

Table of Contents

13 days Itinerary for Leh Ladakh road trip

There are two routes to reach Leh – one from Manali and another from Srinagar, Sonamarg . We did the circuit route, starting from Jammu to Leh and back via old Manali. So, we will be talking about the 13 days guide on it.

Day 1 (Delhi – Jammu)

Start from Delhi around 6-7 am and try to cover the distance till Jammu.

Route: Delhi – Ambala- Khanna- Ludhiana –Pathankot- Jammu

Total Distance : 588 Km

Total Time : 10 -12 Hrs

The condition of roads : Excellent; National Highway with multiple tolls. The whole route is plains.

Places to explore on the way : Nothing much except the huge swaying paddy field of Punjab.

Day 2 (Jammu – Srinagar- Sonamarg)

Start from Jammu around 7 am to reach Srinagar or Sonamarg. We planned to stay at Sonamarg instead of Srinagar because of the unrest going in Srinagar from the past few days.

Route : Jammu – Udhampur – Ramban- Anantnag – Srinagar – Sonamarg

Total Distance: 336 km

Total Time: 8-10 hrs

Condition of roads: Excellent; National Highway with tolls, plain as well as hilly drive

Tunnels:  India’s longest 9 Km tunnel; Chenani – Nashri (also known as Patnitop tunnel) has got opened in 2017 itself and it has cut short the total distance by 41 km. Another, 3 km long Jawahar Tunnel ; also known as Banihal Tunnel.

Places to explore on the way : Dal Lake, Shikara ride in Srinagar, and huge golden meadows of Sonamarg .

Day 3 (Sonamarg – Drass – Kargil)

In the morning get up early to see the first sun rays striking the mountain peaks of Sonamarg, roam and feel its golden meadows (the real Kashmir). And leave for Kargil by 10 -11 am.

Route : Sonamarg- Baltal- Drass – Kargil

Total Distance: 125 km

Total Time: 3 -4 hrs direct-drive whereas 6-7 hrs with sightseeing

Condition of roads: Excellent roads but few broken patches too

Passes: Zoji La Pass at 11,575 feet which connects Kashmir and Ladakh Valley

Places to explore on the way : Zojila Pass, Zero Point, Baltal from where Amarnath yatra begins, Drass war memorial, Elephant ridge, view of Tiger Hill, Kargil War Memorial and apricot plantations

Day 4 (Kargil- Lamayuru – Leh)

Leave from Kargil around 9 am to have full time for sightseeing on the way.

Route : Kargil – Mulbekh-  Fotu La pass – Lamayuru – Leh

Total Distance : 217 km

Total Time: 8 -9 hrs with sightseeing

The condition of roads: Continuous ascent and descents; good roads with few broken patches in between.

Passes: Namika La at an altitude of 12139 feet and Fotu La pass at an altitude of 13,478 feet

Places to explore on the way : At Mulbekh, the future Buddha statue dating back to the 1 st century, Fotu La Pass, the ruins of Chiktan Fort; at Lamayuru the old Lamayuru monastery and moon lands, Gurdwara Pathar Sahib at Nimu, the magnetic hill and confluence of Indus – Zanskar River.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW_XX9oB-H7/?taken-by=suruchimittal

In between the journey there are several attractions to explore on Srinagar Leh Highway . Don’t miss them!

Day 5 & Day 6: (Leh)

Take rest, get acclimatized, and explore the city of Lamas.

Places to explore: Leh Palace , Shanti Stupa, Hall of fame; Hemis monastery (45 km from Leh); and Leh market. Take a permit from the DC office to further explore Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

Also on the way, you must explore – 6 must visit Leh Ladakh Palaces before they disappear

Day 7 (Leh – Nubra/Nobra Valley – Hunder)

Route : Leh – North Pullu -Khardungla Pass – South Pullu – Diskit – Hunder

Total Distance : 127 km

Total Time: 6-7 hrs with sightseeing

The condition of roads: Completely broken patch of 20 km at and around Khardung La till South Pullu.

Passes: Khardung La, the highest motorable road and pass at an altitude of 18380 feet

Places to explore on the way : Khardungla Pass, Diskit Monastery; the tallest statue of Maitreya Buddha and Hunder Sand dunes.

Day 8 (Hunder – Pangong Tso)

There are two routes to reach Pangong Lake from Khalsar (33 Km from Hunder); one via Shyok and another via Leh. Check with the BRO (Border roads organization) or locals if the route from Shyok is accessible or not. During our travel, there was a major landslide on the Shyok way, so we had to travel all the way from Khardung La again to reach Pangong Tso.

Route: Hunder – Khardungla- Leh – Thiksey – Changa- Tangtse – Pangong Tso    OR   Hunder – Khalsar – Shyok – Tangtse – Pangong Tso

Total Distance : 240 Km via Shyok and 351 km via Leh

Total Time: 8 hrs via Shyok and 11 – 12 hrs via Leh

The condition of roads : The roads are bad at and around Kardungla. Gushing streams; and the paved road is on the way to Pangong from Changla whereas for the other route via Shyok; local taxi driver narrated that the route has many streams flowing on the road itself and sometimes it gets impossible to judge the depth and condition of the road.

Passes: Kardungla Pass at 18380 feet and Chang La pass at 17590 feet

Places to explore on the way: Pangong Lake, Chang La pass, Shyok River, ruins of Shey Palace, Thiksey monastery, Hemis monastery .

Day 9 (Pangong Tso – Tso Moriri)

Route : Spangmik- Man- Merak – Chushul- Nyoma -Tso Moriri

Total Distance : 215 km

Total Time : 7 -9 Hrs

The condition of roads : Gravel and dirt tracks with streams flowing in between and you can drive maximum at a speed of 20-30 km/hr.

Places to explore on the way : Kaygar Tso, Tso Moriri, Chushul pass, Rezang La, Tsaka La, Namashang La  and straight roads traversing among the barren mountains

Day10. (Tso Moriri – Tso Kar )

Total Distance : 90 km

Total Time : 4-5 hrs

The condition of roads : Gravel and dirt tracks, enclosed amidst the mountains. One can drive max at a speed of 20-30 km/hr (which can be irritating after a span). The road at Tso Kar village is metalled, a well-made road.

Places to explore on the way: Kaygar Tso, Puga hot springs, Polo KongKa La, and Salt deposits around Tso Kar Lake.

Day 11 (Tso Kar – Keylong)

Start early from Tso Kar to reach Keylong by evening and trust me this is the most scenic ride.

Route : TsoKar – Debring – Pang -Sarchu – Zing Zing Bar –Jispa – Keylong

Total Distance : 250 km

Total Time : 8-10 hrs

Condition of roads : From Tso Kar to Manali Leh highway dirt road whereas afterward excellent paved roads till Pang, then continuous ascents, and descents with paved as well as dirt road patches, and too have to cross the famous Gata loops i.e. 21 loops within 6.5 kilometers

Passes: Lachalung La at an altitude of 16,616 feet, Lakeela at 15547 feet and BaraLacha at 16,040 feet

Places to explore on the way: Suraj Tal , Deepak Tal, Gata loops , Lachalung, Lakeela, and Baralacha pass

Day 12 (Keylong – Manali)

The Keylong to Manali route is lush green and it’s just a 4-5 hr drive if the ascent to Rohtang pass is in good shape.

Route : Keylong – Sissu – Rohtang Pass – Marhi – Manali

Total Distance : 115 km

The condition of roads : From Keylong to Sissu excellent paved roads, then continuous bad road while the ascent of Rohtang pass and the good road while descents. Few gushing water streams in-between the roads.

Passes: Rohtang pass at an altitude of 13,050 feet

Places to explore on the way: Lots of seasonal waterfalls; Tourist Sissu village, Rohtang Pass, Old Manali , and lots of apple orchards. Note: You don’t need Rohtang Pass Permit while coming back from Leh to Manali. Also, shop the famous Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories known as the Gift of Kullu Valley.

Day 13 (Manali – Delhi)

It is always tough to say goodbye to the valleys and it was toughest for Leh Ladakh road trip. The last day is going to be a long hectic drive day.

Route: Manali – Mandi – Rupnagar- Ambala – Panipat – Delhi

Total Distance : 537 Km

Total Time: 11-12 hrs

Condition of roads : Excellent, national highway

Places to explore on the way: Mandi; Chandigarh and delicious Punjabi food at Dhabas.

Certain important Points for Leh Ladakh Road Trip

• All these routes can be covered in a lesser time than mentioned, but we suggest stopping and taking the enthralling views.
• There is neither a hurry to rush and reach anywhere in the valley, so drive slowly.
• Listen to the locals for advice as they know the valleys better than a traveler.
• Don’t drive at night as first you will miss the views and it is really risky. And if your vehicle breaks down there is nobody to help around for miles.
• Spend a day or two at Leh, to get acclimatized for the higher altitudes.
• Prepare yourself for AMS (Acute mountain sickness) which can vary just from a mild headache to breathlessness. If one is feeling severe restlessness, look for immediate help at the nearest shack or with BRO.

• For certain areas in the valley, you need to take the Inner Line Permit .
• Always have a day or two buffers in the Leh Ladakh road trip, as one never knows neither can predict the present and future situation of roads and landslides here.
• Get your vehicles fuelled up at Leh as the next fuel station is available at Tandi, 365 km from Keylong.
• For covering Tso Moriri and white Lake Tso Kar on the way from Pangong Lake, do carry extra fuel; at least 20 liters or even more.

• Drink lots of water and say complete no to drinks while driving and during your whole Leh Ladakh road trip. This is for the safety as well as helps to get acclimatized
• Don’t litter around in the valley.
• The idea of Leh Ladakh road trip itself means being in the lap of nature; away from the daily hustle-bustle and social media. We simply mean that here there is no network. If you want to be in continuous touch with your family and friends do carry a BSNL sim.
• ATM services are available at Srinagar, Leh and then at Keylong. So carry enough cash during your Leh Ladakh road trip and keep some as a buffer.
• There are a lot of options for accommodations. Luckily, we got nice accommodation everywhere without booking but we recommend to have pre-bookings for the Leh Ladakh road trip.
• In between, there are multiple shacks to enjoy Maggi, tea, coffee, paranthas, omelet, etc. These shacks do provide homestays too at very reasonable rates.
• There are washrooms at the shacks for nature’s call and one needs to shell 5 -10 Rs each time.

This is just the start of our Leh Ladakh road trip travel series. Stay tuned to know and see more in detail.

You might be interested in checking our other series of Ladakh too:

Nubra Valley: The Valley of Flowers in Ladakh

A day at White Lake Tso Kar in Ladakh

Attractions on the Srinagar Leh Highway

Ladakh-The land of High Passes

All you need to know about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit

6 must-visit Leh Ladakh Palaces before they disappear

A Walk with Indian Soldier at Kargil War Memorial

Hemis Monastery

Story of Gata loops, Manali Leh Highway

Dos and Donts for Ladakh road trip

All you need to know about Rohtang Pass Permit

Sonamarg Kashmir- The Golden Meadows of India

Our Love for Old Manali over Main Manali

You can also read about our other Spiti Valley road trip here.

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12-Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary – A Road Close To Heaven Down On Earth

by middha on February 11, 2023

Plan your trip to the beautiful locale with this 12-day Leh-Ladakh itinerary!

Ladakh, popular as the “coldest desert in the world,” is home to some stunning scenery. It is an extraordinary region stretching from the Siachen Glacier to the Great Himalayas. A 12-day Leh Ladakh itinerary example is offered below. You can customise your planned travel itinerary from it.

The Leh Ladakh itinerary is organised so you can arrive at your planned destinations before dusk, avoiding the night-time obstacles of travelling in a challenging environment. You can visit the Zanskar Valley for complete calm, Kargil for a dash of adventure, and Magnetic Hill for a fascinating experience.

During your Leh Ladakh vacation, you can try out a Bactrian camel safari tour in Hunder, engage and stay with the locals, go on thrilling adventures on the adventurous roads, and relax and revitalise in Tso Moriri.

Are you a foodie? These are the 9 top local food in Leh Ladakh to try.

12-day Leh Ladakh itinerary from Delhi via Manali

Here is a 12-day Leh Ladakh itinerary from Delhi via Manali.

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi, then transfer to Manali

Your journey to Manali begins with your arrival in Delhi. Take a bus or a cab journey to your dream destination, Manali.

You will be passing through some of the most spectacular natural landscapes. 

Day 2: Arrival in Manali – A scenic beauty

You will arrive in Manali and stay at your pre-booked accommodation. Take in the valley’s beauty and explore Manali at your leisure for the rest of the day. Then you can go on a sightseeing excursion. You can explore the Solang Valley and then engage in various adventure activities such as cable car rides, snow scootering, skiing, paragliding, and much more.

On the second day of the excursion, you can also go to Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, or Manali’s ancient colonial town. Spend some time in the evening on Mall Road, where you can shop or go café hopping. Return to Manali’s hotel for supper and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Manali to Jispa

Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is Jispa. As you begin your journey to Jispa, you will pass through the renowned Atal Tunnel, one of the world’s longest underground highways.

You will continue towards Sissu and Keylong, a tranquil region where natural beauty is in its purest form. Witness the spectacular Sissu Lake and the Sissu Waterfall. After exploring the lush green Bhaga valley, you can drive to Jispa. You will soon arrive at Jispa, known for its distinctive routes and beautiful green trees.

After that, check into the Jispa camp. Spend your evening unwinding with a cup of tea and some snacks. There will be overnight stays at Jispa’s authorised campgrounds. 

Day 4: Jispa To Sarchu via Baralacha-la

Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is Sarchu. Get up early and begin your trip to Sarchu after a good breakfast.

Along the route, you’ll stop at Deepak Tal, which reflects the serenity of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. You can take a rest at the Zingzing Bar, which is one of the highest roadside bars in the world. Visit the Suraj Tal, which translates to “Sun God’s Lake”, like a brilliant emerald buried amid the bleak Himalayas.

Your next stop is the Baralacha La Pass, a spectacular mountain pass at 16000 feet that offers breathtaking views of the convergence of the three valleys.

Lunch will be served in the Bharatpur tent colony or the nearby area. Later in the evening, you can enjoy views of the lovely brown mountains and an outstanding sunset from the campground. Have an overnight stay at the Sarchu campground.

Day 5: Sarchu to Leh

Have breakfast at the hotel before departing for Leh, as your dream destination is next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary.

You will fall in love with the ride across Gata Loops, a sequence of 21 hairpin turns up to the peak of NakeeLa Pass. Then you’ll go to the Lachung La Pass, another high mountain pass in the vicinity.

The More Plains, where a vast stretch of beautiful landscape is bordered on all sides by the spectacular Himalayas, is the next destination. Lunch will be served at Pang or in the neighbouring area. Finish all the check-in processes when you arrive in Leh in the evening. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel and spend the night in Leh. 

Day 6: Local Sightseeing in Leh

Acclimatise by waking up to a spectacular sunrise. Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is the local sightseeing in Leh. Begin your evening excursion with a visit to the breathtaking Shanti Stupa, built to commemorate Buddhism’s 2,500-year heritage.

Visit the Leh Palace, built in the 17th century and provides a peek into Leh’s golden age. You can then shop for Tibetan handicrafts at the Leh Market or go to a cafe to enjoy some exquisite Ladakhi food. 

Day 7: Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung-La Pass

Prepare for the ultimate adventure as you cross some of the world’s highest passes, with ever-changing vistas of the lonely countryside to greet you. Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is the most stunning Nubra Valley.

Stop at a café atop the world’s highest all-season motorable road, the Khardung-La Pass, to soak in the scenery and feel like you’re on top of the world. As you descend from Khardung-La, the landscape shifts from bleak cold desert to white sand desert as you approach Nubra Valley, home of the Nubra Sand Dunes. If time allows, pay a visit to Ladakh’s oldest and largest monastery, Diskit Monastery, which holds a gigantic Buddha statue. 

Enjoy a beautiful double-humped Bactrian camel ride, which is the speciality of this region because it was initially part of the famous Silk Route. Later, enjoy a night of camping with a bonfire beneath a star-studded sky at the Nubra Valley campground. 

Day 8: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake

Wake up in the beautiful Nubra Valley and be ready for the most exciting day as you go to Pangong Lake on the Indo-China border, the next destination on your Leh Ladakh itinerary. 

Pangong Tso, one of the highest-altitude saline water lakes, will greet you with its changing blue, green, and red colours. For the rest of the day, explore the location around Pangong Lake, which includes views of the Shyok River and the mountains on both sides.

Live your Bollywood dream by replicating the scenes from Bollywood movies like 3-idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan to get a Bollywood-style experience. You will spend the night in the campground to find all the stars are closer.

 Do you enjoy biking trips? Read a short guide to plan your bike trip to Leh-Ladakh .

Day 9: Pangong Lake to Leh

Enjoy the beautiful Pangong Lake on the 9th day of your Leh Ladakh travel itinerary.

On your way back to Leh, take a short diversion to the Chang-la Pass, one of the world’s highest mountain passes. The Chang-La Cafe, located directly on the Changla Pass, is well worth a stop. Visit the Changla Baba Temple, which gives the pass its name and is supposed to protect Chang La tourists.

Visit the Druk Padma School, which appeared in the film “3 Idiots” as the set for the last scene. Visitors with time can also stop by the Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace along the route. After landing in Leh, take some time to unwind before heading to the hotel for dinner. Stay the night at a hotel in Leh.

Day 10: Leh to Kargil

Prepare yourself for a thrilling trip to ‘Sham Valley,’ located along the Srinagar-Leh route, the next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary.

Begin your trip with the Hall of Fame, where you can pay your respects to the Indo-Pak War martyrs. Enjoy exquisite langar while learning about the army’s part in the Gurudwara’s building at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.

Magnetic Hill, a short stretch of road that defies gravity, is another fascinating location to visit on this day. From the Indus Sangam Viewpoint, you can see the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers. You’ll also observe a transition in the terrain that mimics the moon’s surface when you walk through Lacanuru Village.

Then you’ll proceed to Basgo Palace and Monastery, built on a steep incline and resemble huge anthills rising from the earth. Find yourself at Kargil for a night stay on the tenth day of this Leh Ladakh travel itinerary.

Day 11: Drive from Kargil to Srinagar

Prepare to depart for Srinagar on the 11th day of your Leh Ladakh travel itinerary. Visit the Drass Village – the world’s second-coldest inhabited village.

Enjoy stunning views of Kargil, Tiger Hill, and other Kargil War peaks. Make a quick stop at the Kargil Conflict Memorial to pay your respects to the martyrs of the Kargil war. To go to Srinagar, take the Zoji La Pass. Check into your Srinagar hotel and unwind for a few hours.

The remainder of the day is free to do anything you like, including a leisurely Shikara ride on Dal Lake. On the 11th day of your Leh Ladakh travel itinerary, you will spend the night in Srinagar.

Day 12: Departure from Srinagar

Check out of the accommodation and make your way to Srinagar Airport to begin your journey home.

Ladakh is a visual feast of colourful prayer flags, elaborate paintings, and red-robed monks among the stunning Gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries). There’s a myth that only in Ladakh can a guy get sunstroke and frostbite simultaneously by sitting in the heat with his feet in the shade.

People in Ladakh are warm and inviting, and their culture is reminiscent of Tibet in many ways. This year, go where you feel most alive; the perfect destination is Leh Ladakh. Plan a travel itinerary for it with zeal.

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A 7-Day Leh Ladakh Trip Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

We sent Chandrika on a once-in-a-lifetime Ladakh trip. She came back to tell us how everyone can make it happen.

A land many have heard of, but only the ones with adventure in their hearts have dared to venture to. A land of rugged mountains that coexist alongside the mystical chants of Buddhist prayers – the recently declared Indian Union Territory of Ladakh is this and so much more! 

Located in the northern part of the Indian sub-continent bordering Tibet, Ladakh is shrouded in a certain mystery, despite having gained a lot of popularity in the past few years.

Filled with adrenaline-inducing twists and turns, high mountain passes, and some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in India, a trip through Ladakh is the perfect way to get an introduction to the Himalayan region. 

Ladakh is a high-altitude region, meaning, no matter which part of Ladakh you are at, you’ll find yourself at a minimum altitude of 3000 meters (9800 feet) above sea level. This is important to mention here because this is considerably higher than most people are used to and the high altitude affects many aspects of travel in this region.

To help you execute that dream Ladakh trip, this 7-day itinerary designed by India Someday and Unplugged Life will take you through some of the biggest highlights of the region, while giving you a sense of what it means to be traveling in a destination as unique as this.

How to get to Ladakh

Before we dive deep into the specifics of the itinerary, it’s crucial to plan your arrival in Ladakh. The best way to reach Ladakh is to fly in. The biggest town in Ladakh is Leh, which is connected by air with India’s capital city, New Delhi.

Daily direct flights are running between Delhi ’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, run by 3 Indian airlines – Air India, SpiceJet, and GoAir. If you are traveling from another country or Indian city, you’ll first have to get to Delhi to catch the 1.5-hour flight to Leh.

Although there are multiple flights available daily, do keep in mind that the weather in Leh largely determines flight schedules. Turbulent weather is pretty common in this region so flights taking off an hour early or an hour late is not unheard of. Having said that, we have to admit that the destination is worth all that trouble!

Leh Ladakh 7-day itinerary

Day 1 – land in leh and rest.

The erstwhile capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, Leh is perched at an altitude of 3524 meters (11562 feet) and is home to some of the most popular attractions in the region.

The landscape in Leh is rugged, with a backdrop of barren mountains, while the weather is generally dry and very hot during the day and slightly chilly at night, depending on which month of the year you visit.

Most flights to Leh land sometime in the morning or early afternoon, so you can expect to have more than half a day to spare. But this is a day to take it easy. Remember you’ve just landed at a high altitude destination practically from the sea level (Delhi lies at an altitude of roughly 200m above sea level) and that means your body needs time to acclimatize to this drastic change.

The process of acclimatization can take a while, about 24-48 hours for most people. But no matter how you feel on day 1 (we know you’re excited!), you must take as much rest as you can and keep yourself hydrated. This is a day of barely any physical activity, so go ahead and enjoy the views from your hotel and indulge in the local Ladakhi food to gear up for the next day.

Where to stay in Leh : Gangba Homestay

A picture-postcard-like setting with a traditional Ladakhi-style building, an apple orchard, and a view of snowy peaks in the distance – Gangba Homestay is truly a home away from home.

Run by a local family, they are the warmest, most welcoming hosts you could ask for in Leh! To top that, the food served in the homestay is delicious and homely, while the rooms are very spacious, well-equipped, and comfortable. But what sets Gangba Homestay apart is their hospitality and the staff’s mindset to always go the extra mile to care for their guests.

Day 2 – Leh city tour

Your second day in Ladakh will also be spent in Leh to continue with the acclimatization process. However, on this day you’ll be taking a tour of the beautiful city and its surrounding areas. 

Confluence (Sangam) of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers

Located around 35 Km away from Leh town, the point of confluence of the mighty Indus and Zanskar Rivers is your first stop for the day. The different shades of green of the two rivers’ water are distinctly visible with bare eyes, making it a place worth visiting during your stay in Leh.

You can either choose to drive down to the exact point of confluence, maybe enjoy the view with a cup of steaming hot tea, or you could also get a bird’s eye view of the confluence from a vantage point. Depending on which time of the year you visit, you’ll notice how different both rivers look individually, leading up to their meeting point.

Magnetic Hill

A very popular tourist attraction in Leh, Magnetic Hill is technically a small stretch of road on the Leh-Kargil Highway. It is popularly known to be a spot where gravitational forces can be defied, due to a so-called magnetic pull from the surrounding mountains. Although this spot has maintained its popularity among tourists, there is not much truth to what happens here.

The landscape of the surrounding mountains and slopes is such that, to our eyes, it looks like the road is sloping uphill, but in reality the road slopes downhill making cars roll down even on neutral gear. But having said that, it’s a great spot to stop by for a while and get a good look at the stunning landscape.

Lunch at a local Tibetan restaurant

Ladakh is not only well known for its natural beauty, but for its delicious local cuisine too. With heavy influences from the neighboring Tibetan cuisine, you’d be missing out on an important cultural element if you don’t give Ladakhi food a try.

Head to Tenzin Dickey Tibetan Restaurant , located less than a kilometer from Leh’s main market, for a sumptuous lunch of local dumplings, noodles, soups, and an assortment of drinks. The restaurant is unassuming and cozy and the food makes you feel right at home.

Belonging to the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh, Leh Palace is the former residential palace of the royal family. Perched on top of a hill, the palace overlooks Leh and has now been converted into a museum for visitors to get a glimpse of Ladakhi royal heritage.

A tour of the 9-storeyed palace takes you through almost 450 years of artifacts belonging to the royal family. Although the palace is still under renovation, it is worth a visit for the incredible bird’s eye view of the city it offers.

Leh main market

Leh’s main bazaar is a colorful, bustling market in the city center and the perfect place to spend a leisurely evening strolling through its narrow alleys. The market is home to shops selling all kinds of local products – from fresh produce to souvenirs and handicraft items.

Pick up Tibetan prayer flags and wheels or silver jewelry, taste local dry fruits like apricots, figs, and walnuts, and end the day with a meal at one of the many cafes lining the street.

Day 3 – Drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La

On your third day in Ladakh, it’s time to venture out of the city into the mountains!

The curvy roads of Ladakh can be unforgivable so it is important to be accompanied by an experienced local driver. Some stretches of road are steep and bumpy and you need a good car for better comfort. You can hire a private car but keep in mind that the cost of transport is quite high in Ladakh.

A good option for solo travelers and couples is to use shared taxis that are available for all kinds of tours in Ladakh , including the 3-day Nubra-Pangong tour. This helps saving money by sharing the cost of transport with other travelers. Sharing a car also helps to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and therefore, the pollution.

The drive from Leh to Nubra Valley takes approximately 5-6 hours. But the biggest highlight of the drive is climbing up to the Khardung La (La is the Ladakhi word for a mountain pass) and crossing it to get to the other side of the Ladakh mountain range.

The pass is situated at an altitude of 17,582 feet (5359m) and is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in the world.

The winding mountain road leading up to Khardung La is spectacular and is a treat in itself. Once at the top of the pass, spend 15-20 minutes exploring the surroundings without exerting your body too much.

It is important to remember that there is very little oxygen available to breathe at such high altitude, so take it easy and enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains.

Once you cross Khardung La and start driving towards Nubra Valley, the landscape changes dramatically. The drive past Shyok River towards the lush green valley of Nubra is worth keeping your eyes peeled for!

By the time you get to your hotel in Nubra Valley after several pit stops on the way, it’ll probably be late afternoon.

Read more: 8 Snowy Destinations in Asia for Mountain and Winter Lovers

Complete your check-in formalities and head to the famous Hundar dunes to catch the sunset, with herds of Bactrian Camels for company. The Bactrian Camels are native to this region and are known for their ability to withstand high altitudes and extreme cold.

To say the least, the landscape here is equally fascinating, with rolling sand dunes as far as the eyes can see, enclosed by towering rocky mountains on all sides.

Where to stay in Nubra Valley – Stone Hedge Ladakh

A gorgeous property located just 10 minutes away from the Hundar sand dunes, Stone Hedge is one of the most luxurious hotels you will come across in Ladakh.

Like a little oasis in the desert, with a natural spring flowing in the backyard, a lush garden whichever direction you look, and warm and cozy interiors, Stone Hedge sets the bar high.

Their rooms are exceptionally well-furnished with perfect mood lighting, elegant wood furniture, a room heater (rarely found elsewhere in Ladakh), and a lovely balcony that opens up to the backyard.

Day 4 – Drive to Pangong Lake

Check out from your hotel in Nubra Valley this morning and head back to the dunes once again if you want to see it in daylight. The difference is stark and worth another visit. Alternatively, you can directly head to Diskit Monastery in Nubra Valley before starting the drive towards Pangong Lake. 

The Diskit Monastery is the oldest and largest monastery in Nubra Valley. The iconic statue of the Maitreya Buddha stands tall here at a height of 32 meters and overlooks the vast plains of the Shyok River flowing nearby. 

After a tour of the monastery, it’s time to get on your way to Pangong Lake. The drive is roughly 6 hours long and takes you through picturesque mountain roads.

Flanked by the Shyok River on one side for most of the journey, this drive takes you from an altitude of about 10,000 feet (3048 meters) to 14,270 feet (4350 meters), where Pangong Lake is located.

Pangong Tso (Tso is the Ladakhi word for lake) is a saline water lake that spreads across India and Tibet. In fact, 60% of the lake lies in Tibet. But given its massive length and width, it would take roughly 3 hours to drive along its coast only on the Indian side.

Popular for its stunning turquoise blue water, Pangong Tso is one of the biggest attractions in all of Ladakh. However, do keep in mind that the appearance of the lake largely depends on which time of the year you visit.

The lake is completely frozen in the winter while the peak summer months from June to August are when it reveals all its colors.

Once you reach Pangong Tso, check into your accommodation for the night. After that, you’ll have the evening free to either take a stroll near the lake or sit at one of the small restaurants, enjoy the view while sipping hot tea.

Do keep in mind that as the sun sets, it tends to get chilly in this part of Ladakh, the extent of which again depends on the season. So get ready to layer up some warm clothes and snuggle in for the night!

Where to stay in Pangong Tso – Native Huts

There are no permanent hotels near Pangong Lake, so be prepared for a night of adventure staying in these wooden huts specially constructed for tourists while the travel season lasts. The huts come with an attached western toilet and have basic amenities like fresh towels, warm blankets, and charging points (operational from 6 pm to 11 pm).

The owners of these huts are very helpful and accommodating so if you want more blankets or hot water, just let them know. They also arrange fresh, hot meals for guests in a separate dining space inside another hut, and that food at the end of a long, cold day truly warms the heart.

Read more: 10 Awesome Treks And Hikes In India

Day 5 – Drive back to Leh via Chang La

This will be the last day of driving through Ladakh, but expect it to be no less exciting than the previous two days!

The journey from Pangong Lake back to Leh takes close to 6 hours and will take you via Chang La, a mountain pass situated at an altitude of 17,590 feet (5360 meters).

The drive to Chang La is relatively bumpier than what you would have experienced while driving to Khardung La, but the experience of getting to the top of the pass is incredible. 

On the way from Chang La to Leh, make another stop at the famous Hemis Monastery. With a long and rich history, the monastery also houses a museum that showcases artifacts from the museum’s heritage.

Considered to be one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh, the highlight of visiting Hemis is the huge statue of Guru Rinpoche and the monastery’s unique architecture.

Day 6 – Explore Leh

Spend your final day in Ladakh seeing more of Leh and wrapping up your visit. This would be a good day to revisit the local market to pick up souvenirs to take home, in addition to visiting the following places.

Thiksey Monastery

Start your day early with a visit to the Thiksey Monastery to witness the morning prayer chanting session. Get there by 7 am so you can get in the prayer hall in time without disturbing the monks. It may seem way too early, but the experience is magical!

As the sun rises and illuminates the surrounding snow-capped peaks, the monks begin their day together by rhythmically chanting Buddhist prayers – an experience not to be missed in Leh.

Shanti Stupa

Constructed as part of a Peace Pagoda Mission, the Shanti Stupa was built jointly by the Buddhist community of Japan and Ladakh. While the iconic white dome sits at the top, the Shanti Stupa houses the relics of the Buddha at its base.

Visited for its religious as well as architectural value, there’s a certain air of calm surrounding the Stupa, as it sits looking over the vast expanse of Leh.

Stok Palace

Located on the western bank of River Indus, the Stok Palace was originally built as the summer home of Ladakh’s royal family. Currently, this is where the royal family resides all year long.

The palace also has several museum rooms that display lots of ancient artifacts belonging to the royal family- from precious jewelry and royal attires to weapons and items of daily use.

A part of the Stok Palace has now been transformed into a heritage hotel and opened up to travelers who want to experience the royal way of living for a few days.

Lunch in the orchard at Chulli Bagh

After a tour of the Stok Palace, head to the nearby Chulli Bagh, which is essentially the royal family’s orchard, with apricot and walnut trees dominating the scene.

Settle down for a luxurious lunch amidst the lush greenery of the meticulously maintained orchard and enjoy a delicious meal accompanied by freshly plucked fruits from the garden.

Ladakhi cultural show

Now that it’s almost time to wrap up your final day in Leh, head back to the hotel to watch a vibrant cultural show displaying the beautiful dance forms and music of Ladakh.

Ladakh has a rich culture comprising beautiful folk dances native to different parts of the region, performed by both men and women, depending on the dance form.

Decked in traditional costumes and jewelry, it’s a real treat to watch the locals match steps while humming Ladakhi songs. 

Day 7 – Depart from Leh

This is a day of no activity since you have to catch a flight out of Leh back to Delhi. Depending on your flight time, you may be able to squeeze in a couple of hours in the morning to visit the local market or the village if you want, for a final glimpse of life in Ladakh!

Ladakh is vast and a one-week trip may not entirely do justice to its beauty. But if this is all the time you have, this itinerary is a good place to start planning your trip.

In case you want a curated, personalized itinerary, connect with India Someday and Unplugged Life for an unparalleled experience of Leh and Ladakh after checking these tips to spice your travel itinerary up !

Read the author’s honest review of both companies .

Contributing members are responsible for the accuracy of content contributed to A World to Travel.

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5 Days Leh Ladakh Itinerary

• Jammu And Kashmir

Day 1: Arrival in Leh Day 2: Leh to Sham Valley Day 3: Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung-La Pass Day 4: Nubra Valley to Leh Day 5: Leh to Pangong Lake Day 6: Departure  Ladakh has always been known as an “explorer’s hub” with a panoramic view and numerous picturesque places to visit. The views offered here are breathtaking and one of its kind in the entire nation. Leh Ladakh is visited by thousands of solo travelers, groups of friends and families every year making it a popular tourist attraction all across the globe. However, not many know that this bustling place can be easily explored with an itinerary of Leh Ladakh in 5 days. There are a plethora of unique destinations such as Leh , Nubra valley,  Kargil , Zanskar Valley and many more. Choose a Ladakh tour package by Thrillophilia and gear up for an amazing adventure through the scenic landscapes of Leh and Ladakh. On your 5 days trip to Ladakh, you will get a chance to learn about the rich culture and admire the beauty of this Himalayan paradise. You can visit some famous attractions like the beautiful Pangong Lake and the historic Leh Palace. Also, you can take part in thrilling activities like trekking amidst the mountains or exploring local villages to learn about their unique culture.

You can also enjoy camel rides amidst the dunes while exploring Nubra Valley. If you are a trekking lover, you can trek on various famous routes like the Markha Valley Trek and the Stok Kangri Trek. So, book your Ladakh tour package by Thrillophilia and have a remarkably adventurous travel experience.

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5 Days Itinerary for Leh Ladakh Trip

Day 1: arrival in leh.

1. Upon your arrival in Leh, you will be welcomed by our representatives to help you get to the hotel. 2. Once you reach the hotel, you must complete the formalities and documentation while checking-in. 3. Post the check-in, we will provide you with a welcome breakfast and leave you to rest in your rooms. 4. Your Ladakh expedition will begin in the evening at Shanti Stupa , a white-domed Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop, which denotes 2500 years of Buddhism. 5. Then we will move on to the Leh Palace which was constructed in the 17th century. It will give you a great opportunity to learn more about their culture. 6. After visiting both the tourist attractions, you can visit Leh market  where you can shop for local handicrafts &  you will get a chance to enjoy delicious Ladakhi cuisine as well. 7. Once you are done with the shopping, mouth-watering dinner will be waiting for you. If you are Planning a Trip to Ladakh, must Checkout: Leh Ladakh Tour Packages Also Checkout:  Ladakh Family Tour Packages

Day 2: Leh to Sham Valley

1. Wake up to the beautiful views of mountains visible from your windows and a delicious breakfast in bed. 2. On your second day in the 5 days trip to Ladakh, get ready for an adventurous trip to “Sham Valley”. 3. You can pay your respect to the martyrs of the Indo-Pak war at the Hall of Fame. 4. You can enjoy a scrumptious langar at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and understand more about the history of how it was constructed by the Indian army. 5. Another tourist attraction included in your 5 days Leh Ladakh itinerary is the Magnetic Hill , which is a small stretch of the road that defies the principle of gravity. 6. You can also visit SECMOL, the school where the movie 3 Idiots was shot. 7. After a day filled with thrilling adventure you can return back to the hotel for dinner and get some goodnight sleep. Distance between Leh and Sham Valley: 75 kms Know More:  Manali to Leh Ladakh Guide Click Here to Book:   Ladakh Tour Packages From Hyderabad

Day 3: Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung-La Pass

1. After getting a healthy breakfast in the morning, prepare yourself for the ultimate adventure planned for the day. 2. You will get an opportunity to experience some of the highest passes in the world starting with Khardung-La Pass, the world's highest motorable road. 3. Once you are done exploring the Khardung-La Pass you will be taken to Nubra Valley and its sand dunes for a change in landscape. 4. You can enjoy the exclusive double-humped camel ride, found in this region on the silk route. 5. Then you will be taken to camping sites in Nubra valley where you can enjoy a bonfire under the sky full of stars. Distance between Nubra Valley and Khardung-La Pass: 120 kms If You are Planning to rent a bike in Ladakh then Checkout:  Leh Ladakh Bike Rentals Also Book:  Ladakh Tour Packages From Surat

Day 4: Nubra Valley to Leh

1. Wake up to a gorgeous morning in the Nubra Valley where you will be served a wholesome breakfast. 2. Get ready for the main highlight of your 5 days trip to Ladakh, as we brace ourselves to visit the Pangong Lake. 3. Pangong Lake is one of the highest altitude lakes in the world where you can witness the water change its color from blue to red to green. 4. We include spending some leisure time in the beautiful surroundings of Pangong Lake with your loved ones in your 5 days Leh Ladakh itinerary. 5. Then we will camp overnight near the Pangong Lake where you will be provided with mouth-watering dinner. Distance between Nubra Valley and Leh: 160 kms Must Read:  Srinagar to Leh Road Trip Guide You can Also Checkout:  Leh Ladakh Group Tour Packages

Day 5: Leh to Pangong Lake

1. Wake up to the mesmerising views of Pangong Lake and get a scrumptious breakfast. 2. As we head back to Leh, we will make a pitstop at the Chang-La Pass which is one of the highest passes in the world. 3. You can visit Changla Baba Temple on top of the pass. 4. Further we will move forward to the Druk Padma school where the last scene of the famous ‘3 Idiots’ movie was shot. 5. If time permits, you can also visit Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery on your way back to Leh. 6. Upon reaching Leh we will head back to the hotel where you can relax, have dinner in peace and stay for the night. Distance between Pangong Lake and Leh: 223 kms Know More:  Road Trip to Leh Ladakh Guide Checkout & Book:  Leh Ladakh Tour Packages From Pune

Day 6: Departure

1. You will be served breakfast in the dining area of the hotel. Post that you can complete the check-out formalities. 2. Once the documentation is completed you will be transferred to the airport in our car or shuttle. 3. Fly out of Leh with a bag full of memories from this magical land. You Can also book:  Manali to Leh Bike Trip Package from Delhi

Essential Information About 5 Days Leh Ladakh Itinerary

Ladakh weather & temperature.

Ladakh is known for its extreme cold weather and picturesque beauty. The altitude range of Ladakh varies from 9,000 feet at Kargil to 25,000 feet at Saser Kangri. Summers at Ladakh are quite comforting but winters are unbearable at times. The months between December to February witness minus temperatures and high atmospheric pressure which makes it more difficult to breathe. Also Checkout:  Ladakh Honeymoon Packages from Delhi Also Checkout and Book:  Ladakh Tour Packages From Ahmedabad

How to Reach Ladakh?

Know More: How to reach Ladakh Guide

1. By Air: The easiest and ideal way to reach Ladakh is by air. There are numerous flights that fly to Ladakh from all over the world. The nearest airport to Ladakh is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport which is around 4 kilometers away from the main city. 2. By Road: There are two major routes to reach Leh Ladakh - one through Manali and other through Srinagar. Ladakh is around 450 kilometers away from both the cities. You can hire a cab or board a bus or drive your way to get there. 3. By Train: There is no train station in Ladakh but you can reach the nearest railway station in Jammu, Jammu Tawi at the distance of 700 kilometers from Ladakh.  Click here to Book:  Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Delhi                                    6 Days Leh Ladakh Sightseeing Tour

Travel Tips for Ladakh

1. A trip to Ladakh can put you in unexpected situations so you must always carry basic medicines for headache, fever and stomach ache. 2. The only network provider that works in Ladakh is a postpaid BSNL connection so you must buy one upon your arrival 3. ATMs are in scarce quantities so one must carry adequate supply of cash in hand Know More:  Delhi to Leh Ladakh Guide Also Checkout:  Manali to Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Delhi

What to Pack for Ladakh Trip

1. Packing clothes for a 4 to 5 days trip to Ladakh depends upon the season in which you are planning to visit. 2. If you are planning to visit in the summer season then you can pack regular cotton clothes such as T-shirts and jeans. 3. You can also carry a couple of thermals and light woolens as well as a waterproof jacket as the weather is really unpredictable here. 4. You must carry a few warm socks and caps as well.  Recommended Read:  Mumbai to Ladakh - A Detailed Travel Guide Must Checkout:   Ladakh Tour Packages From Chennai

Best of Leh

Things to Carry for Ladakh Trip

1. Sunscreen lotion 2. Sunglasses 3. Gloves 4. Cap 5. Cold cream/Lip Balm/Moisturizer 6. Mustard Oil 7. Toiletries such as Comb, Towel, Face wash, toilet paper, deodorant, soap 8. Eatables such as dry fruits, chocolates, teabags, maggie packets, coffee pouches 9. Water bottles 10. Medicines 11. Electronic devices such as power bank, car charger, memory cards, spare battery 12. Documents such as Medical insurance, printout, passport size photographs, copies of flight tickets, etc. 13. Sundry cash Plannig a bike Trip to Ladakh, do Checkout:  Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Packeges Also Book:  Leh Ladakh Tour Packages From Nagpur

Where To Stay In Leh – Ladakh

1. The Apricot Tree: Located on a magnificent cliff overlooking the Indus River, the Apricot Tree is one of the most luxurious hotels of Ladakh. It is a great getaway for families and huge groups of friends who wish to spend leisure time in a peaceful and serene environment. Each room is accompanied with private balconies and views of mountainous terrains. 2. The Nimmu House: If you are looking for opportunities to indulge yourself in Ladakhi culture then the Nimmu house is ideal for you. They offer beautifully constructed eco-resorts situated in the traditional village of Nimmoo. Apart from comfortable and luxe stays you can involve yourself in wellness activities such as meditation and yoga to rejuvenate yourself. 3. Stok Palace: Built by the king of the Namgyal Dynasty in 1820, Stok Palace is one of the most luxurious hotels in Leh. All the rooms come with vintage decor and premium amenities. They have a museum open to the public making it more attractive to the public. You can also get  delicious Ladakhi, Indian and Tibetan cuisines at your doorstep.  Click here to Book:  Leh Ladakh Package For Couple                                    Ladakh Packages from Chandigarh

Inner Line Permits

All foreign tourists in a group of at least two or more individuals planning to visit Ladakh are required to apply for a Protected Area Permit (PAP). There are several travel agents in Leh that can assist you in providing the same. Both Indian and foreign tourists are required to submit an inner line permit for certain areas in Ladakh so it is advisable to apply for one just in case. In order to get the permit you are required to submit an application form available in the local cyber cafes and photo state shops at the DC’s office. The application submission is done between 3 PM to 5 PM at a nominal fee of INR 20. Also Check Out:  Ladakh Tour From Kolkata                              Leh Ladakh Tour Packages from Delhi

People Also Ask About Ladakh

Which are the best places to visit in ladakh.

Here are some best places to visit in Ladakh : 1. Pangong Lake: Pangong lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Leh. It is located around 160 kilometers away from Ladakh at an elevation of 14,270 feet and offers picturesque views of crystal clear blue water. The lake is 12 kilometers long between the boundaries of India and China. 2. Nubra Valley: Nubra Valley is a gateway to stunning parts of moonscapes that starts in China and ends at Ladakh. It is home to Hunder Sand Dunes, Diskit Monastery, Yarab Tso Lake, village of Turtuk and Samstanling Gompa. It also houses the oasis of the town which makes it a great place to stop and gaze at the magnificence of landscapes around. 3. Kargil: Kargil is the second largest city of Ladakh after Leh and is known for its rich culture, history and political importance. This city sits at a height of 2,676 meters above sea level along the bank of the Indus river where you can witness extreme cold conditions as the temperature drops to minus 45 degrees in winters. This city is famous as the battleground of the Kargil war fought in 1999 in which Pakistani soldiers disguised themselves as Kashmiri citizens and infiltrated the region. Also Book:  Leh Ladakh Tour Packages From Mumbai

Can I do a Leh Ladakh trip in 4-5 days?

When is the best time to plan a vacation to ladakh, how much does a ladakh trip cost, how far is ladakh from manali, how far is sham valley to leh, how far is pangong lake to leh.

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Heaven, Peace, Silence, and Tranquility at one place? Come and spend a few hours at Pangong Lake in Ladakh! A pristine place in Ladakh marked by subtle to high peaks around, crystal blue waters and the vast expansion catches the eye so much, so long as if a magic is happening right in front of the eyes. Let our Ladakh holiday packages transport you to this mesmerizing destination, where nature's grandeur unfolds in every corner.Pangong Lake, also known as Pangong Tso, lies calmly at a breathtaking elevation of 14,270 feet. Interestingly, the lake is 12 km long and marks itself between the laps of India and China. Rather, 60% of the portion is stretching in the neighboring nation and this excites every traveler to be here.The surreal clean blue waters are actually brackish or salty in nature and this feature doesn’t let any aquatic life survive in the same. Moreover, the temperature range between -30 to -10 degrees make even this salty lake freeze with thick ice sheets, which is quite opposite in case of salt ridden water bodies.This picturesque landscape location enhances its beauty with the arrival of migrating birds every year and attracts many travelers in search of adventure, photographs, bird-watching and chilling experience. Pangong has another unique and catchy feature; when it acts like a chameleon and changes its color from blue to green to even grey at times. The brackish water of Pangong attracts the migratory birds every year during winters in Ladakh.

One of the most beautiful parts of the moonscapes of Ladakh, Nubra Valley is a deep-cut gorge created by the combined effects of Shyok and Nubra (Siachen) rivers. A high altitude cold desert, Nubra Valley is actually an extension of the Tibetan Plateau (Qing-Zang Plateau) that starts in China and extends up to Ladakh. This valley in the plateau separates the Ladakh Range from the Karakoram Range. But more than anything, Nubra Valley is the most beautiful region in all of Ladakh. Home to wonders like the Diskit Monastery,Hunder Sand Dunes, Samstanling Gompa, Yarab Tso Lake, and the villages of Turtuk and Panamik.Located about 160 km from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, Nubra Valley is a great attraction to all those who come here. The gateway to the upper reaches of the country, especially Siachen, Nubra Valley has an oasis of a town in the heart, Diskit, making a great place to stop you and reflect at the beauty around. And while you are at it, take a short detour to the famous white sand dunes of Hunder. The shapes and forms that these dunes take during different times of the year mesmerize every visitor who comes here. To make it further interesting, there are the double-humped Bactrian Camels, offering rides through the dunes.And when it turns dusky, head to the Diskit Monastery and visit the towering statue of Maitreya Buddha which looks over the entire valley and blesses it for another day to come.Planning a Trip to Ladakh, Experience of Chadar Trek - The Frozen River Trek

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Leh Ladakh Itinerary for 12 Days

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Is 12 days a good number for the trip to Ladakh? The answer to this question is yes, but you may still be forced to leave some places off your itinerary. For example, people traveling with their own vehicle may cover routes from Manali Leh and Srinagar Leh; but you may not be able to see some local tourist attractions in Ladakh. Someone taking a flight to Leh will have more time in Ladakh; but you will have to stop traveling on these two highways; and it will also have to depend on public transport; or spend a lot of money on taxis.

Regardless of the above, 12 days is still considered a good enough time for a trip to Ladakh. How can you plan your itinerary to make the most of this time; and covering as many places as possible is what we’ll talk about in this post.

For the purpose of this article, I will assume that you are beginning your journey from Delhi. If you came from a different city, only the travel details for the first and last days will be different. The rest of the details for the rest of the day will still be applied.

First, I’ll detail an itinerary that I recommend; followed by some alternative versions of the same journey. Depending on your mode of travel and preference; you can choose and follow any of them.

• Delhi to Jammu – Day 1
• Jammu to Srinagar – Day 2
• Srinagar to Kargil – Day 3
• Kargil to Leh – Day 4
• Leh – Day 5
• Leh to Diskit – Day 6
• Diskit to Pangong via Shyok – Day 7
• Pangong to Leh via Chang La- Day 8
• Leh to Tso Moriri via Chumathang – Day 9
• Tso Moriri to Sarchu via Tso Kar – Day 10
• Sarchu to Manali – Day 11
• Manali to Delhi – Day 12

Before continuing to provide more information about the itinerary, let me explain first why I am recommending traveling this way. Generally, people prefer to reach Ladakh via Manali and return via Srinagar. However, I advise you to do the exact opposite and below is why.

Acute mountain disease in Ladakh

Also known as altitude sickness or simply AMS, this remains the biggest concern during a trip to Ladakh. No matter how much tourism increases, the fact remains that Ladakh is a high-altitude desert; and when you travel here, you are raising your bodies to a height that you have never been before. Although coming from the side of Manali, this gain in altitude is tremendous and sudden; leaving our bodies with little time to adjust. This is the reason why most people suffer from AMS on the Manali Leh route; in Sarchu, Pang or any high altitude pass.

On the other hand, this increase in elevation is somewhat gradual when passing through Srinagar’s side; allowing more time for our body to get used to it. And therefore, less chance of altitude sickness. For more details on what AMS is and what you can do about it, read How to deal with acute mountain sickness in Ladakh.

Rohtang licenses

Now permission is required to approach and cross the Rohtang Pass on the side of Manali. This permission is a mandate and is issued on a first come, first served basis. There is also a limit to the maximum number of licenses issued per day, which is why it is very difficult to obtain this permission during the high tourist season. It continues to be bought mainly by local taxi drivers in Manali and is just a hassle for anyone traveling to Rohtang Pass.

There are two ways to obtain this permission; online or in person from the DM office. Whatever your purchase, it becomes an additional task that you will have to take care of. But if you were coming from Leh to Manali and crossing Rohtang on the other side, this permission is not necessary. Therefore, taking the Srinagar Leh road to reach Leh would prevent you from worrying about this permission too.

Traffic on the Rohtang Pass

A checkpoint has been installed in Gulaba, where you need to send your permission before moving on to Rohtang. In addition, the number of tourists visiting Manali and Rohtang increases each year; for this reason, the average waiting time at the checkpoint can be 2 to 3 hours. You will find local taxis lined up here until 4 am.

Even after crossing the checkpoint, you will continue to travel the entire 50 km stretch towards the top of Rohtang. It just really spoils the day and becomes a nuisance. This problem can also be avoided by reaching Ladakh via Srinagar.

Fuel availability in Ladakh

The gas station in Ladakh is still the only one in the city of Leh. However, gasoline and diesel are now available almost everywhere in black. You can easily get fuel from Chadar tents or small stores for around Rs. 120 per liter. I bought fuel in Diskit, Pangong, Hanle and Karzok, but it is also available elsewhere. The quality of the fuel, however, is questionable. So, if you can carry spare fuel that can last until the next gas station, do so. Otherwise, ask at the local stores and you can definitely shop there in black.

Day 1 – Delhi to Jammu

There is not much to write about that day, except that it will be a long and monotonous journey. You will cover approximately 600 kilometers in 11 to 12 hours. The good news is that the road is good for most of the journey. There are some bad spots in the middle, but only during the last stretch between Pathankot and Jammu. However, there will be many tolls between Delhi and Pathankot. Hotels in Jammu are available in abundance, but stay close to a Jammu Srinagar highway.

Day 2 – Jammu to Srinagar

There are two ways to travel from Jammu to Srinagar. Take the Jammu – Srinagar highway, which runs a total of about 270 kilometers. Even at this distance, however, it takes you about 11 to 12 hours to complete; because heavy traffic and congestion on that route are quite normal. It will take you through the picturesque cities of Patnitop and Anantnag; and the condition of the road remains a mixture of super smooth, smooth, bad and ugly.

The second route is the historic Mughal road, which runs through Rajouri, Peer ki Gali and Shopian, for a total of about 330 kilometers. This is the longest of the two roads, but it is also the most scenic. The traffic on this stretch is not much either. For more details; Read how to travel from Jammu to Srinagar via Mughal Road.

Day 3 – Srinagar to Kargil

Today’s destination is the small town of Kargil. Start early from Srinagar, so you can have some time to stroll along the way. The entire stretch from Srinagar to Kargil is very panoramic, as it slowly changes from the lush green of Kashmir to the arid brown of Ladakh. The total distance covered will be about 220 kilometers in a total of 8 to 10 hours, depending on the speed and breaks. You will cross the cities of Kangan, Sonamarg and Drass on the way. The high altitude pass of Zoji La is the worst part of the road. It is worth visiting the Kargil War memorial in Drass.

Day 4 – Kargil to Leh

Starting as early as possible is of utmost importance on this day; because there are many tourist attractions involved. The maximum number of tourist attractions you will address on day 4 is likely to be more than on any other day of the trip. Namika La and Fotu La will be two high altitude passes that you will pass through before reaching Leh. Lunar Landscape, Indus Zanskar Confluence, Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Maitreya Buddha statue are some of the most popular tourist spots that will fall on the way.

Day 5 – Leh

Your first agenda for today is to organize your permissions; without which you will not be able to visit other areas in Ladakh. There are two ways to do this. Or you can get permission from the DM office in Leh; or you can pay your hotel to arrange this for you. Currently, many hotels offer this service to their guests for an additional cost of Rs. 100 – 120 per person, in addition to the permission fee. You will have to ask your hotel and, if they deny it, you will have to visit the DM office to arrange the permits.

Day 6 – Leh to Diskit

The destination for this day is the Nubra valley. Once again, I recommend the early start so that you have time to visit some of the tourist areas of Nubra. Diskit is the seat of the Nubra valley and this is where you will stay overnight. From Leh, the road goes up first for 35 kilometers to Khardung La; and then go down to the valley through the village of Khardung. You will arrive at Khalsar from where, a road forks to the left and reaches Diskit.

Day 7 – Diskit for Pangong Tso

You will now be going to Pangong Tso; the beautiful blue lake that in recent years has become the very symbol of Ladakh. But before that, you will do a little more sightseeing in the Nubra valley. From Diskit, return to Khalsar and take the road that leads to Panamik. There is a hot spring in Panamik, which is worth taking a dip in.

Day 8 – Pangong Tso to Leh

On the 8th, you will return to Leh, but follow a different road. You arrived in Pangong via the Khardung La and Shyok roads, but for the return journey, you will be covering the mighty Chang La, incorrectly famous as the third highest road in the world. Higher or not, it’s definitely a very scenic ride that takes about 9 to 10 hours to complete. The road is mostly good with a bad stretch near the top of Chang La.

Day 9 – Leh to Karzok

From here, it’s mostly a trip home, covering the Tso Moriri and Manali Leh road on the way. From Leh, head to Upshi and take the road via Chumathang. You will arrive at Sumdo and continue driving towards Karzok, the small village on the banks of Tso Moriri, where you will stay all night. The road is in good condition, but the last 50 kilometers between Sumdo and Karzok are a complete dirt track. The trip will take about 8 to 9 hours; therefore, start in Leh.

There are several hotels and inns in Karzok, where you can stay all night. For details, read How to plan a trip to Tso Moriri.

Day 10 – Karzok to Pang / Sarchu

For today’s journey, you first drive 50 kilometers to Sumdo and then take the road towards Tso Kar via Polo Kongka La. There are some dhabas in Tso Kar, where you can take a short break. This road will enter the Manali Leh road, near Debring. You will start driving towards Manali and will soon reach Pang. Depending on how long it took you to get here, you can stay in Pang or continue in Sarchu for another 70 kilometers.

Day 11: Sarchu / Pang to Manali

If you stayed in Pang, start at 7 am, because it will be a long journey. If you stayed at Sarchu, make sure you are on your way to 8 am. You will cross 4 high altitude passes, drive across the stretch of Manali Leh and reach Manali at night around 5pm to 6pm. The reason I’m so stressed about starting early is because the traffic in Rohtang will consume at least two hours before you finally reach Manali.

Day 12 – Manali to Delhi

It will be a long and boring journey from Manali to Delhi. The total distance is about 550 kilometers and can take 14 to 15 hours to complete. Personally, this is a stretch I hate to drive because of the long line of trucks you find here; very annoying.

12-day itinerary for Ladakh

The trip described above was best for those traveling with their own vehicle. If you were planning to use the public transport service for your trip, plan it as follows.

• Delhi to Manali – Day 1
• Manali to Keylong – Day 2
• Keylong to Leh – Day 3
• Leh – day 4
• Leh to Diskit – Day 5
• Diskit for Leh – day 6
• Leh to Pangong – Day 7
• Pangong to Leh – Day 8
• Leh to Kargil – Day 9
• Kargil to Srinagar – Day 10
• Srinagar to Jammu – Day 11
• Jammu to Delhi – Day 12

This itinerary is via Manali and not by Srinagar because, in my opinion, getting from Manali to Leh by bus is easier than Srinagar to Leh. Take a bus from Delhi to Manali first. Then board the bus from Manali to Leh, which completes the trip in 2 days with an overnight stop in Keylong.

To visit Diskit and Pangong, go to the Leh Bus booth early in the morning. If there are no buses available, board a shared taxi along this route. The next day, you will return to Leh in shared taxis again. You have no choice but to return to Leh from both places, as there is no public transport on internal routes, such as the Shyok road.

12 Days in Ladakh

If you were flying into Leh City and have entire 12 days to spend in Ladakh itself, then your itinerary can be like the one mentioned below.

• Leh – Day 1
• Leh to Diskit – Day 2
• Diskit to Turtuk – Day 3
• Turtuk to Panamik – Day 4
• Panamik to Pangong via Shyok – Day 5
• Pangong to Hanle – Day 6
• Hanle to Karzok – Day 7
• Karzok to Leh via Tso Kar – Day 8
• Leh to Kargil – Day 9
• Kargil to Leh – Day 10
• Buffer Day – Day 11
• Fly Out – Day 12

The day I left as a reservation here can be spent anywhere you like mentioned in the itinerary. In my opinion, however, I will recommend that you use it as day 2 and stay in the city of Leh just for another day. People who take a flight to Ladakh are more prone to AMS and allowing an additional day before going to Diskit via Khardung La will give your body more time to get used to.

Leh Ladakh in 12 Days

I suggested the first itinerary starting from Srinagar and ending at Manali. But if you wanted to then you can definitely do the journey other way around as well. Staring from Manali, your itinerary then will change into something like this.

• Delhi to Manali – Day 1
• Manali to Jispa – Day 2
• Jispa to Keylong / Sarchu – Day 3
• Keylong / Sarchu to Leh – Day 4
• Diskit to Pangong – Day 7
• Pangong to Leh – Day 8
• Kargil to Srinagar – Day 10
• Srinagar to Jammu – Day 11
• Jammu to Delhi – Day 12

12 Days Itinerary for Leh Ladakh

There is another way to change this itinerary from Manali. You can incorporate a visit to a few more places in Ladakh, but you will need to ask someone in Ladakh to arrange your permission in advance. The best option is to contact a hotel and, if they agree to arrange permission, book your stay with them. You will send your IDs and payments in advance so that when you arrive in Leh, your permission is already there waiting for you.

• Manali to Keylong / Sarchu – Day 2
• Keylong / Sarchu to Leh – Day 3
• Leh to Diskit – Day 4
• Diskit to Pangong – Day 5
• Karzok to Leh – Day 8

You will complete Manali to Leh journey in 2 days and collect your permits from the hotel once you reach there on Day 3. Whatever little sightseeing you can do in Leh city will have to be squeezed into the evenings of Day 3 and Day 8.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary 14 Days

If this is your second trip to Ladakh and this time you want to cover Zanskar valley as well; then you can plan your itinerary like the one below.

• Kargil to Padum – Day 4
• Padum to Kargil – Day 5
• Kargil to Leh – Day 6
• Reach Leh – Day 7
• Leh to Diskit to Leh – Day 8
• Leh to Pangong – Day 9
• Pangong to Pang – Day 10
• Pang to Manali – Day 11

Many people try to cover a little bit of Ladakh and Kashmir on their trip. You can also do this by planning your journey as below. But you will have to reach Ladakh by air and fly out of Srinagar. It cannot be a complete trip from your home. You will land in Leh, rent a private taxi for sightseeing in Ladakh and travel to Srinagar; take some sightseeing tours in Kashmir and then fly out of Srinagar airport. Remember that to visit places in Kashmir, your registered taxi in Ladakh will not do and you will have to rent another taxi in Srinagar.

• Diskit to Pangong – Day 3
• Pangong to Hanle – Day 4
• Hanle to Karzok – Day 5
• Karzok to Leh – Day 6
• Leh to Kargil – Day 7
• Kargil to Srinagar – Day 8
• Srinagar – Day 9
• Srinagar to Gulmarg – Day 10
• Gulmarg to Srinagar – Day 11
• Fly Out of Srinagar – Day 12

12 Days Leh Ladakh Itinerary

Another way to go about the same journey is like below. In this particular itinerary, you will give up a day in Srinagar in favor of visiting Pahalgam

• Srinagar to Gulmarg – Day 9
• Gulmarg to Pahalgam – Day 10
• Pahalgam to Srinagar – Day 11

Your sightseeing in Srinagar will then have to happen on Day 8 and Day 11. Pahalgam to Srinagar is just about 3 to 4 days of travel time so you can use this day for visiting places in Srinagar City after you reach there.

Ladakh Trip in 12 Days

This is another version of an itinerary covering Ladakh and Kashmir both. In this particular one, you will give up Hanle and Tso Moriri in favor of gaining more time in Kashmir valley.

• Pangong to Leh – Day 4
• Leh to Kargil – Day 5
• Kargil to Sonamarg – Day 6
• Sonamarg to Srinagar – Day 7
• Srinagar to Gulmarg – Day 8
• Gulmarg – Day 9
• Pahalgam – Day 11
• Pahalgam to Srinagar – Day 12
• Fly Out of Srinagar – Day 13

Your journey on the 6th and 7th will not be that long. On the sixth day, after arriving in Sonamarg, plan a trip to Thajiwas Glacier, which is highly recommended. On the 7th, it will take you no more than 3 hours to reach Srinagar, after which you will be able to visit some of the city’s sites.

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Journey To The Top of The World: The Ultimate 2024 Guide To Road Trip From Delhi To Leh Ladakh

Leh ladakh: an overview .

Leh Ladakh is also home to a unique culture preserved for centuries. The region is predominantly Buddhist, and visitors can explore the various monasteries, temples, and  cultural festivals throughout the year.

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Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit- The best time to visit Leh Ladakh is from May to September, when the weather is pleasant and the roads are open. Remember that the region experiences heavy snowfall during wintertime, and the roads are closed.
• Route- The most popular route to Leh Ladakh is from Delhi via Manali. The distance from Delhi to Leh Ladakh via Manali is around 1,000 km, and the journey takes approximately 2-3 days. Another route to Leh Ladakh is from Srinagar, which is around 434 km and takes about 12-14 hours.
• Permits- Visitors might require permits for Ladakh road trip to enter certain areas of the region. You can obtain these permits from the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh. The permits are usually issued for a specific period and are valid for a particular area only.
• Transportation- You can opt for a self-drive road trip or hire a taxi from Delhi to Leh Ladakh. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Delhi to Manali or Srinagar and then take a taxi or bus to Leh Ladakh.
• Accommodation- There are various accommodation options available in Leh Ladakh, including budget guesthouses, luxury hotels, and homestays. Booking your accommodation well in advance is essential, especially during peak tourist season.

Things to Do in Leh Ladakh

• Visit Monasteries – There are numerous monasteries in Ladakh, including the famous Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, and Diskit Monastery. Visitors can explore the rich culture and traditions of the region through these monasteries.
• Explore Lakes – Leh Ladakh is known for its crystal-clear lakes, including Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and Tso Kar, amongst other beautiful lakes in Ladakh. These lakes offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes and are a must-visit for nature lovers.
• Trekking – There are several trekking spots in Ladakh, including the Markha Valley Trek, Chadar Trek, and Stok Kangri Trek. These treks offer a unique perspective of the region’s natural beauty and are a must-do for adventure enthusiasts.
• River Rafting – The Zanskar River in Leh Ladakh offers some of India’s best river rafting experiences. The river runs through a narrow gorge, and visitors can enjoy the thrill of navigating the rapids.
• Shopping – Leh Ladakh is also known for its unique handicrafts and souvenirs. Visitors can buy traditional Tibetan and Ladakhi handicrafts, such as prayer wheels, thangkas, and pashmina shawls, at the local markets in Leh.

Challenges of the Road Trip

• Altitude Sickness – Leh Ladakh is a high-altitude region, and some travellers might experience acute mountain sickness in Ladakh. Acclimatizing to the altitude is essential by taking it slow and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Rough Roads – The roads to Leh Ladakh are notorious for their rough patches. Therefore, travellers must remain well prepared for long stretches of bumpy rides.
• Limited Amenities – The region is sparsely populated, and certain areas may have limited amenities such as petrol stations, ATMs, and medical facilities.

Preparing for the Road Trip

• Vehicle – The Delhi to Leh Ladakh road is challenging, and you need a vehicle that can handle the rough terrain. SUVs and 4&#215;4 vehicles are the best options for this road trip. Getting your vehicle serviced before the trip is essential to ensure it’s in top condition.
• Spare Parts – Carrying spare parts and tools is essential for a Delhi to Ladakh Trip. Some necessary spare parts include spare tires, fuel, engine oil, coolant, brake oil, and fuses.
• Navigation Tools – Carrying navigation tools, such as GPS devices and maps, is essential for a road trip to Leh Ladakh. The roads in the region need to be better marked, and these tools can help you navigate the area.
• Clothing and Gear – The weather in Leh Ladakh can be unpredictable. Therefore, carrying suitable clothing and gear is essential. Some essential items include warm clothing, sturdy boots, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats.
• Food and Water – The region is sparsely populated, and you may need help finding restaurants or food stalls along the way. It’s essential to carry enough food and water for the journey.

Route and Itinerary

Day 1: Delhi to Manali

The journey from Delhi to Manali is around 540 km and takes approximately 12 hours. You can break the trip into two days and stay overnight in Chandigarh.

Day 2: Manali

Explore Manali and its surrounding areas, such as Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley.

Day 3: Manali to Jispa

The journey from Manali to Jispa is around 140 km, and it takes approximately 5-6 hours. The route takes you through the scenic Rohtang Pass and the Lahaul Valley.

Day 4: Jispa to Sarchu

The journey from Jispa to Sarchu is around 80 km and takes approximately 3-4 hours. The route takes you through the Baralacha Pass and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Day 5: Sarchu to Leh

The journey from Sarchu to Leh is around 250 km and takes approximately 9-10 hours. The route takes you through the Gata Loops, Nakee La, Lachung La, and Tanglang La passes.

Day 6-8: Leh and Surrounding Areas

Explore  Leh  and its surrounding areas, including monasteries, lakes, and trekking routes.

Day 9: Leh to Srinagar

The journey from Leh to Srinagar is around 434 km and takes approximately 12-14 hours. The route takes you through the Zojila Pass and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas.

Day 10: Srinagar

Explore Srinagar and its surrounding areas, such as Dal Lake and Mughal Gardens.

Day 11: Srinagar to Delhi

The journey from Srinagar to Delhi is around 875 km and takes approximately 22 hours. You can break the trip into two days and stay overnight in Jammu.

Safety Tips

• Acclimatization: Acclimatization to high altitude is essential to prevent altitude sickness. It’s necessary to take it slow and spend a few days in Leh to acclimatize before venturing further.
• Driving: The roads on  Delhi to Ladakh Trip can be treacherous, and driving carefully is essential. Always wear seat belts, drive within the speed limit, and be cautious while overtaking. Keep your headlights on at all times, especially while driving through tunnels.
• Communication: The region has limited mobile connectivity, so informing your family and friends about your itinerary is essential. Carry a satellite phone or a walkie-talkie for emergencies.
• Permits: Visitors require permits to visit certain areas in Leh Ladakh. Obtaining the necessary permits from the local authorities before starting your journey is essential.
• Medical Kit: Carry a medical kit with essential medications, first-aid supplies, and altitude sickness medication.
• Environmental Responsibility: Leh Ladakh is a fragile  ecosystem  responsibility is essential while visiting the region. Here are things you can do to minimize your impact:
• Carry your garbage and dispose of it in designated areas; 
• Use reusable water bottles and avoid single-use plastic; 
• Respect the local culture and traditions; 
• Do not disturb the wildlife or damage the natural habitats; 
• Choose suitable accommodation options

Accommodation Options

• Budget Guesthouses – Budget guesthouses are a popular option for backpackers and budget travellers. They offer basic amenities like clean rooms, hot water, and Wi-Fi. Some popular guesthouses in Leh include Zostel Leh, The Auspicious Hotel, and Padma Guest House et al.
• Mid-Range Hotels – Mid-range hotels offer more amenities and comfort than guesthouses. They usually have attached restaurants, parking facilities, and tour packages. Some popular mid-range hotels in Leh include The Grand Dragon Ladakh, Hotel Caravan Centre, and Hotel Hill Town etc.
• Luxury Hotels- Luxury hotels give the highest level of comfort and amenities. They usually have spas, swimming pools, and fine-dining restaurants. Some popular luxury hotels in Leh include The Stok Palace Heritage Hotel, The Indus Valley Hotel, and The Ladakh Sarai. Check the Leh Ladakh packages for the best experience.
• Homestays – Homestays are an excellent option for visitors who want to experience the local culture and traditions. They offer a unique opportunity to interact with locals and learn about their way of life. Some popular homestays in Leh include The Lchang Nang Retreat, Tukchu Homestay, and The Shanti Stupa Homestay.

Places to Visit During Leh Ladakh Road Trip

Silk sunset, various shades of white, tar on the roads, the gloom beyond the oil lamp floating over the lake, ripples in the water, fog on the mirror, the garden of the spring, the fairy palace, subject of the poems, emptiness in the eyes, absence of words, forever in ordinary things, and the old roses on a breeze—all these things can be found in Srinagar, where love arrives in memories of forever to liberate us into life! Insane views and entrancing locales may be found at Srinagar’s tourist destinations.

Sonmarg, which translates to “the Meadow of Gold” in English, is a neighbourhood in the Ganderbal region. It is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Kolhoi and Machoi glaciers. It is certainly located in one of the most beautiful areas of the Himalayan glaciers.

It is a well-known tourist destination since it is an alpine valley, and grassy meadows offer commanding views of the glaciers when travelling to Ladakh by car. From here, there are trekking paths to many lakes, including Vishansar Lake, Krishnasar Lake, and Gangabal Lake. The sacred cave of Amarnath is also accessible by travelling to the surrounding Baltal valley.

Drass Valley

The Drass Valley in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil District is frequently called the entrance to Ladakh. Drass has contributed significantly to the infamous Kargil War. The war between India and Pakistan began in 1999 when the Pakistani Army dumped shells on Drass and the nearby villages.

In the end, India took over Drass and other areas of the grounds, and from that point on, Drass was acknowledged as the Kargil War Memorial. At the height of 3230 meters above sea level, Drass lies tucked away among the snow-capped peaks along the Leh-Kargil National Highway. Drass Valley in Ladakh begins at Zojila Pass.

You will pass through this unique place from Delhi to Leh on your drive. Many of you have heard of this place. In India’s Jammu and Kashmir province, Kargil is a part of the Ladakh division. It is one of the top stops on a road trip to Leh and is the second-largest town in Ladakh after Leh. Check the complete guide   for the full information.

The region was believed to be affected by Ali Sher Khan Anchan’s rule over Skardu between the late 16 th and mid-17 th centuries. Additionally, stop through the Suru valley on your way to Kargil. This valley separates the Zanskar valley from the Kargil valley. Despite being over 3000 meters high, the Suru stream that runs through the valley keeps it remarkably green. The Greater Himalayas’ greenest valley is that one.

The Mulbekh Monastery, 45 kilometres from Kargil atop a mountaintop, is well-known for its two Gompas. The Drukpa and Gelugpa sub-monasteries are within the grounds of this famous religious site. On the Srinagar-Leh Highway, the structure may be seen from a distance. The Maitreya Buddha statue is this location’s main draw.

Beautiful artefacts and frescoes enhance the Gompa’s aesthetic appeal and spirituality. It is made of limestone and measures 30 feet. This sculpture was thought to have been created by Buddhist missionaries to spread the religion of Buddhism. One of the best places to visit while driving through Leh Ladakh is the monastery, from which you can see the surrounding areas from above.

Ladakh is called the “Heaven of Passes,” while the Moonland is the “Heaven of Adventure.” On a road trip to Ladakh, this is one of the most excellent spots to stop in Jammu & Kashmir. The breathtaking views of the area, frequently called a photographer’s paradise, are guaranteed to enthral tourists.

The surrounding areas’ tranquil, scenic scenery enhances Moonland’s allure. Everything about this region, from the lovely surroundings, picturesque valleys, and breathtaking views, makes it a slice of heaven on earth.

Another name for this monastery is “Place of Freedom.” One of Ladakh’s largest and oldest monasteries dates back centuries. The Lamayuru Monastery, affiliated with the Red Hat Buddhist sect and situated on a steep mountain about 127 kilometres from Leh, is located there. This location is a must-visit after you arrive in Leh because of its elaborate paintings, holy texts, and Buddha statues.

You must visit another important location on your Delhi to Ladakh Trip. This monastery, which is 70 kilometres from Ladakh, was reputed to have been a traditional location for studying and preaching Buddhism. The Alchi Monastery was erected in the 12th century and is situated on a level terrain. The buildings Du-khang and Sum-tsek are located inside the monastery.

The Manjushri Temple is another temple located there. The monastery’s assembly hall, or Du-khang, is one of the most beautiful stops on your road journey to Ladakh because it features multiple murals depicting the various forms of the Lord Buddha as well as antique paintings.

A Delhi to Leh Ladakh Guide is an adventure of a lifetime. With its breathtaking landscapes, unique culture, and challenging terrains, Leh Ladakh offers an unforgettable experience. By planning your trip carefully and being prepared for the challenges, you can make the most of your visit to this incredible region. So pack your bags, fill up your tank, and embark on a journey to Leh Ladakh that you’ll remember for years.

A road trip from Delhi to Leh Ladakh is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure offering breathtaking Himalayas views, unique culture, and challenging terrains. With careful planning and best possible preparation, visitors can make the most of their trip and create unforgettable memories.

It’s essential to be mindful of the challenges and safety concerns while exploring the region and to be responsible for the environment and local communities. So pack your bags, gear up your vehicle, and embark on a memorable journey to Leh Ladakh that you’ll cherish forever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q: 1. how to plan a delhi to ladakh road trip, q: 2. how much does a ladakh trip cost from delhi, q: 3. how much money is needed for a ladakh trip, q: 4. how can i plan my itinerary in ladakh.

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Road Trip from Delhi to Leh Ladakh – A Complete Guide

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Are you wondering how to plan a road trip from Delhi to Leh Ladakh? You’ve come to the right place! Here’s a complete guide to help you plan your road trip to Leh Ladakh from Delhi.

Nothing can beat the road trip to Ladakh when it comes to road-tripping. This is one road trip in India that tops the bucket list for India .

This Leh Ladakh trip from Delhi brags about challenging and treacherous snow-carpeted passes like Rohtang La, Baralacha La, Khardung La, Chang La, and Zoji La, deep valleys, high altitude plains (Morey Plains), and unending glistening streams. It’s absolutely the stuff dreams are made of.

With stunning landscapes, unpaved and challenging roads, and low oxygen levels; this road trip sure is a master-stroke for adventure travelers.

While traveling to Ladakh is once in a lifetime affair but it’s not at all easy.

Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh

With moderate temperatures and perfect weather conditions; April, May, June, and September are the best months to visit Leh Ladakh. Leh Manali Highway remains closed during the winter season.

Planning an Itinerary For a Road Trip to Leh Ladakh From Delhi

A road trip , or for that matter any trip starts at home. The most important thing to do before embarking on any journey is to chalk out a rough itinerary.

First, figure out whether you want to go via Manali and come back via Srinagar or the other way around.

Both ways, it takes 3 days to reach Ladakh. In total, 6 days on the road.

Now, choose the places you want to see and the number of days you can devote. A perfect trip to Leh-Ladakh should range from 12-14 days.

And if you wanna witness the amazing Spiti Valley , add 4-5 days to your itinerary.

Delhi to Leh by Road: Road Map

There are two route options for traveling from Delhi to Leh by car:

Delhi to Leh Route Via Leh-Manali Highway

Route 1: Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali – Leh

Road Map: Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali – Rohtang – Gramphu – Kokhsar – Keylong – Jispa – Darcha – Zingzingbar – Baralacha La – Bharatpur – Sarchu – Gata Loops – Nakee La – Lachulung La – Pang – Tanglang La – Gya – Upshi – Karu – Leh

Distance: 960 km

Driving Time: 24 hours

Delhi to Leh Route Via Srinagar-Leh Highway or NH1

Route 2: Delhi – Ludhiana – Srinagar – Leh

Road Map: Delhi – Ludhiana – Jalandhar – Pathankot – Jammu – Patnitop – Anantnag -Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zoji La – Dras – Kargil – Lamayuru – Alchi – Nimmoo – Leh

Distance: 1228 km

Driving Time: 27 hours

We drove from Delhi to Ladakh via the Manali-Leh Highway and drove back from Leh to Delhi via the (NH1) Leh-Srinagar Highway.

Pahalgam was a bit out of the way but we added it to our itinerary because of our sheer desire to witness the kaleidoscopic vistas of the valley. Our road trip itinerary blends two of the most fascinating and beautiful destinations – Kashmir and Ladakh of India into one.

Preparing a Car for the Delhi to Leh Road Trip

I was under the impression that a road trip to Ladakh needs an SUV but was stunned to see people driving Nano, Maruti 800, i20, and Santro on the road to Leh.

If you are thinking of renting a car , I would definitely recommend renting a 4×4 vehicle as it’ll make your trip easier.

Get your vehicle serviced before embarking on this tedious journey.

It’s essential to keep the complete toolkit with a puncture repair kit, foot pump, and extra fuel in a container.

My friend’s car got punctured near Lachung La Pass and surprisingly, not even a single car stopped to help.

One major tool from the toolkit was missing and it created havoc. My friend’s husband walked or rather climbed a few km to get help.

It was scary.

Please be sure to pack the car essentials when traveling on lifeless roads like these. Don’t forget to keep the RC and pollution certificate in the car.

Things to Pack for Ladakh

The weather in the Ladakh region is erratic. Days are hot while nights are chilly.

Icy cold winds cut through you, more if you choose to stay in tented accommodation.

Pack an equal number of warm and summer clothes (depending on the number of days), a good raincoat or windcheater , sun caps , glasses , sweaters or jackets (at least two warm and one light jacket), and sunscreen lotion .

If possible carry a small tent with a sleeping bag for an emergency as the roads are unpredictable and you never know when road closures leave you marooned on the road.

Carry two to three pairs of shoes because playing in the snow at passes can dampen your shoes.

It’s utterly important to pack a first-aid kit with all the required medicines and a portable oxygen cylinder .

Other essentials include photocopies of your ID card and Inner line permit documents .

Do carry loads of camphor as it’s a real Catholicon to treat Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Permits for Ladakh

Only a certain number of vehicles are allowed to cross Rohtang Pass per day. So, please get a permit for your travel date in advance to avoid disappointment.

Permits are issued by DC in Kullu . It can be applied online too.

An inner line permit is required if you are planning to visit the border areas like Chushul which is issued by DC in Leh or can be applied for online .

Food Options on the Way

Stuff your car with 2-3 cartons of bottled mineral water , as one needs to be hydrated all the time because of the low-oxygen environment.

Store dry snacks (avoid salty stuff) like cookies, chocolates, candies, and dry fruits. Turnip and Radish prove to be curative in high-altitude areas.

There are plenty of dhabas (roadside food stalls) along the way. Food options include tea, coffee, paranthas, rajma-rice, momos, sandwiches, chowmein, and of course Maggi.

There are some fine restaurants you’ll bump into during the road trip but nothing like eating at a roadside food stall as it gives a real road trip feel.

Expenditure

The total cost depends on the set of hotels you choose for your stay. We chose homestays and mid-range hotels which proved to be good.

In addition to accommodation, other expenses include fuel charges (INR 15,000 or USD 183 approx.), road taxes or tolls (INR 2,000 or USD 25 approx.), and food (INR 12,000 or USD 146 approx.). Our cumulative expenses (2 adults + 1 child) reached around INR 56,000 or USD 700 approx.

Day By Day Itinerary of Road Trip to Leh Ladakh From Delhi

Delhi to leh via manali-leh highway (958 km), day 1: driving from delhi to manali.

Route: Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali (531 km | 12 hours 30 minutes)

Today, you’d be on the road, mostly. It takes around 13 hours to reach Manali from Delhi provided you don’t stop anywhere. With pitstops and breaks which you are bound to take, it takes more time, obviously.

You can enjoy some of the best things Manali has to offer if you arrive early or else, can relax and rest.

Overnight at Manali .

Recommended Hotels in Manali: Snow Bliss Manali | Snow Valley Resorts Manali | Baragarh Resort and Spa

Click Here to Find the Best Deals on Hotels in Manali

Day 2 : Driving from Manali to Tandi

Route: Manali- Palchan – Kothi – Gulaba – Marhi – Rani Nala  – Rohtang – Gramphu – Khoksar– Sissu – Tandi ( 110 km | 3 hours 30 minutes)

We relished momos, rajma-rice, and a hot cup of tea at a Dhaba in Khoksar (Lahaul Valley), refueled the cars at a petrol pump in Tandi (last on this route, so quite crucial), and stopped by to witness the beautiful confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi.

Edit: We traveled to Ladakh in 2017 when the Atal Tunnel was yet to be constructed. Atal Tunnel (9.02 km) connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti. It cuts short the road distance by 46 km between Manali and Leh. This reduces the driving time by 4 to 5 hours.

Updated Day 2 Route via Atal Tunnel: Manali – Palchan – Burwa – Teling – Sissu – Tandi (66 km | 2 hours)

Overnight at Tandi (camps).

Pro Tip: If you choose to spend the night at Jispa, you can save a day. This way, you’ll drive to Jispa on day 2 and drive from Jispa to Leh on day 3.

Recommended Campsite in Tandi, Kyelang: Tandi Sarai

Day 3: Driving from Tandi to Sarchu

Route: Tandi- Keylong – Jispa – Darcha – Deepak Tal – Patsio – Zingzing Bar – Suraj Tal – Baralacha La – Bharatpur – Sarchu (116 km | 3 hours 30 minutes)

Don’t rush, you don’t visit places like these every day. Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal are the preferred stops on the way. These turquoise lakes are mesmerizing and each one has a story to tell!

Savoring Maggi (literally, a lifesaver in mountain ranges) at Zingzing bar before ascending the mighty Baralacha La was a much-needed break for us.

Crossing Baralacha La (second highest pass on the Manali-Leh Highway) is an experience in itself.

Overnight at Sarchu (camps).

Click Here to Find Out the Campsites in Sarchu, Himachal Pradesh

Day 4: Driving from Sarchu to Leh

Route: Sarchu- Gata Loops – Nakee La – Lachulung La – Pang – More Plains – Tanglang La – Rumtse – Upshi – Karu – Leh (250 km | 6 hours 40 minutes)

Most of the places during our day 3 journey tempted us to get out of the car to enjoy the virgin nature.

Gata Loops ( 21 hairpin bends), Nakee La and Lachulung La (high mountain passes), Pang (this is where one starts feeling high altitude sickness and this is where colors of Ladakh become more conspicuous), More Plains (the unceasing stretch of plains at such high altitude enveloped by mountain ranges comes as a surprise and seems unnatural and stunning), Tanglang La (second highest pass as claimed), and Upshi (police checkpoint to mark your arrival to or departure from Leh); all the places need your attention.

Overnight at Leh. It’s advisable to take rest for a day to better acclimatize to a low-oxygen environment.

Recommended Hotels in Leh: The Grand Dragon Ladakh | Gomang Boutique Hotel

Recommended Local Homestay in Leh, Ladakh: Tukchu Homestay in Leh, Ladakh (We stayed at Tukchu , and loved it to the core!)

Click Here to Find Out the Best Deals on Hotels in Leh, Ladakh.

Explore Leh-Ladakh

Day 5: driving from leh to pangong tso and back to leh.

Route: Leh – Karu – Sakti – Chang La    – Durbuk  – Tangtse – Lukung – Pangong Tso (223 km | 5 hours 30 minutes)

Enjoyed the snowball fight (why should kids have all the fun?) at the mighty Chang La Pass . Staying for more than 10 minutes can make you feel sick (low oxygen levels).

One can plan a night’s stay at Pangong Tso to truly witness the breathtaking exquisiteness of the lake and watch the classic sunrise and sunset over the artistic landscape.

We, because of the kids, resisted the temptation and decided to come back to Leh the same day. Though we witnessed the beautiful sunset at Chang La.

Overnight at Leh.

Day 6: Driving from Leh to Nubra Valley and Back to Leh

Route: Leh – Khardung La- Diskit – Hunder (126 km | 3 hours 30 minutes)

Spend some time at Khardung La Pass, a gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. At an altitude of 18,379 ft, it’s known to be the highest motorable pass in the world.

Bacterial Camel Safari at Hunder (kids adore it) and a visit to the gorgeous monastery with the tallest Buddha statue at Diskit are must-do activities. Plus, you can enjoy the views of the beautiful Shyok River. If you are on a laid-back vacation, you can choose to spend a night at Hunder / Diskit . We had to rush to cover the maximum number of places in numbered days.

Day 7: Exploring Leh City

We’ll do local sightseeing and how can we forget shopping at Leh.

There’s nothing like relishing the local culture of the place you are visiting.

Some of the places worth visiting in Leh include – Thicksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Stok Palace (not for the museum but for the special momos prepared in the royal kitchen), Shey Palace , and Druk Padma Karpo School (Rancho’s School).

Overnight at Leh .

Return Journey – Leh to Delhi via Leh-Srinagar Highway (1231 km)

Day 8: driving from leh to sonamarg.

Route: Leh – Nimmu – Lamayuru – Kargil – Drass – Zoji La – Sonamarg (344 km | 8 hours)

A confluence of Zanskar and Indus at Nimmu , Lamayuru Monastery , Lunar Landscapes ,  Gurudwara Pather Sahib , Magnetic Hills , and Kargil War Memorial (Vijaypath) are must-see places in this route.

Enjoy the beautiful landscapes en route.

Hold your breath as you cross one of the most dangerous mountain roads in the world, Zoji La Pass . It connects Ladakh to Kashmir. The pass is closed from November to March due to extreme weather conditions.

Night Stay at Sonamarg .

Recommended Hotel in Sonamarg: Hotel Village Walk

Day 9: Driving from Sonamarg to Srinagar and Exploring Srinagar

Route: Sonamarg – Ganderbal – Srinagar (80 km | 2 hours 15 minutes)

Spend your day exploring Lal Chowk , Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens, and Pari Mahal at Srinagar.

We shopped for authentic Kashmiri handicrafts at the J&K Tourism Art Emporium . Lal Chowk is famous for its dry fruit shopping. Do try walnut fudge at Hazratbal Bakery .

Night Stay at Srinagar .

Recommended Hotels in Srinagar: The Orchard Retreat & Spa   | Four Points by Sheraton Srinagar | The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar

Click Here to Check Out Unique Houseboat Stays in Srinagar.

Day 10: Driving from Srinagar to Pahalgam and Exploring Pahalagam

Route: Srinagar – Pahalgam (90 km | 3 hours )

It’s magical to Immerse in the beauty of the Valley of Shepherds . Located on the bank of the Lidder River , Pahalgam is a real treat for your eyes and soul.

Beautiful spots like Baisaran, Aru Valley, Lidder Valley, Betaab Valley , and many more spellbind you.

Hiking on a horse to the magical highland vistas of a tiny village called Aru is something you shouldn’t miss! Friendly horsemen with their lovely stories make the ride one of a kind.

Overnight at Pahalgam

Recommended Hotels in Pahalgam: WelcomHotel Pine N Peak | Heevan Pahalgam | Royal Hilton Pahalgam | The Villagio

Day 11: Driving from Pahalgam to Jammu

Route: Pahalgam- Anantnag – Patnitop – Jammu ( 252 km | 7 hours 15 minutes)

Patnitop or Patni Top is a beautiful hill resort. You can choose to spend a day here if you’ve time. We didn’t have enough time to enjoy the beauty of this hilltop tourist destination so drove to Jammu for an overnight stay.

Overnight at Jammu

Recommended Hotels in Jammu: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Jammu | K C Residency Jammu | Zone by the Park Jammu

Day 12: Driving from Jammu to Delhi

Route: Jammu – Pathankot- Jalandhar – Ludhiana – Ambala – Karnal – Panipat – Delhi (589 km | 10 hours 20 minutes)

The drive is long and not at all scenic. Start early. There are plenty of restaurants, dhabas, and cafes on the way.

Wondering where to stay in Delhi?   Check out the best hotels to stay in Delhi .

What to do in Delhi?

If it’s your first time in Delhi, there’s so much to explore in and around Delhi. Check out the best places to visit in Delhi . If history tickles you, we suggest visiting Humayun’s Tomb , Tughlaqabad Fort , and Safdarjung Tomb in Delhi.

Are you a street art lover? Delhi has got you covered! Take a stroll around the open-air art museum, Lodhi Art District in Delhi and admire the imaginations of street artists from all around the world.

If traveling to Delhi with kids, Shankar’s International Doll Museum in Delhi is a place to be.

Major Attractions That We Missed on the Leh Ladakh Car Trip

List of some of the beautiful places which we couldn’t witness but you can definitely plan to:

• Zanskar Valley (detour from Kargil to Padum)
• Marsimik La (3 hours from Pangong Tso, needs an extra day)
• Tso Moriri (240 km from Leh)
• Spiti Valley (Manali – Solang Valley – Rohtang Pass – Gramphu – Khoksar – Gramphu – Kunzum Pass – Kaza)

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Anjali Chawla

18 thoughts on “Road Trip from Delhi to Leh Ladakh – A Complete Guide”

Thank you for reading!I appreciate it 🙂

That sounds like a really nice trip, lovely views! I would love to take photos there! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for reading! You would love taking pictures at Ladakh as it’s known to be a photographer’s heaven!

The campsite looks like you’re in some foggy wonderland! I would love to be able to visit there sometime soon! Thank you for sharing!

What a beautiful journey! Thank you for sharing. We spent almost 4 weeks in India in January and drove 3000km in a tuk tuk from Ft. Kochin to Jaisalmer. It was extraordinary and we have been looking at going back. I think we would love this drive, thank you for the tips.

Thank you, Darcee! I’m so glad you loved your trip to India. You should surely try this road trip next time when you are here. Do let me know if you need any help in planning this epic road trip 🙂

wow Anjali, you took me on a virtual trip to Ladakh. One of my another bucket list is to drive upto there all by myself. Lets see how soon can i make it possible. Very well scripted.

Wow..I think in my head I hv already travelled to Manali Leh Ladakh Srinagar Jammu and I am back home… wonderful way of writing.. beautiful pictures..thx for all the tips and details of every place…guyz but you travelled in pre covid era..is it’s still same I hv my doubts..plz help….

That’s amazing. It feels so overwhelming when our write up connects with the readers and they find helpful. Yes we did travel in pre-Covid time and are waiting for things to improve to head back again. But post-Covid there will be the precautions that need to be taken of social distancing and masks.

The wonderful word-by-word picturisation of every minute and detailed information has proven to be immensely helpful for me to plan my second visit to Leh, Laddakh(the last happened to be in Aug’1993. Undoubtedly and unquestionably, Anjali your pen-down skills are impeccable. God bless you n your lovely travel-mate, your cute daughter.

So happy to hear that. We are glad that we could help you plan a trip to Ladakh. It gives us satisfaction that our efforts are appreciated. Feel motivated. Thanks

We are gleaming with joy hearing your kind words. Thank you for all the wishes and blessings. Hope you had a wonderful trip.

In fact you have discovered the essence of life and the way one should live like. Thank you so much for the valuable guidance and a worth experiencing the experience of yours which has filled the imaginations of my 4th coming visit to Ladakh and Kashmir. Thank you so much for your pain is taking efforts and value ab feedback. God bless you. Dev Ashish Boss New Delhi

Hi, Just wondering what currency your estimated costs are in? I loved you post and we are looking to head this way April next year. Also did you drive yourselves?

thanks Nell

The costs are in Indian rupees. I should have mentioned it. My bad. I’ll update it and will include the estimate in USD too. No, we hired a professional driver with good experience driving on challenging terrain. The car was ours. However, my friend’s husband (my friend and her family accompanied us on the trip) was confident enough to drive on high-altitude terrain, so he managed to drive the car himself.

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update.This article is really very interesting.

I have done road trips from Bangalore to Coorg and Ooty and other places around Bangalore many a times. My bucket list is Manali to Leh. While I know the experience on a two-wheeler is unparalleled, I am more comfortable driving and am planning to rent a car from some car rental companies like Zoomcar. What do you suggest?

Hello Parth,

Thanks for reaching out. Renting a car, preferabely SUV or 4X4, for a road trip from Manali to Leh is a good idea.

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Epic road trip from Manali to Leh, and the must-visit places for your travel itinerary

Panchali Dey , TIMESOFINDIA.COM , TRAVEL TRENDS , INDIA Updated : Apr 4, 2024, 09:41 IST

When it comes to picking a road trip, many would pick their favourite one as the most sought-after Manali to Leh trip, and we can’t agree more. The very journey through the rugged terrain on your vehicle is an experience that will be etched in your heart forever.

This time, if you set off on your road trip, seize the opportunity to explore the resplendent beauty of the region. With snow-capped mountains, distant valleys, and the refreshing mountain breeze, the journey becomes even more exhilarating. As you travel through the rugged terrain, you'll pass through some of Ladakh's most renowned passes, which will allow you to marvel at the awe-inspiring beauty of the region no doubt.

The best time to travel to Leh Ladakh via this route would be from June to September. If travelling by road, it typically takes at least 2 days to cover this 473 km route with ample stops for rest.

If you have also been planning to hit the road and enjoy this road trip, here are some places that you should add to your itinerary for an unforgettable Manali Leh road trip.

Perched at an elevation of 6725 ft above sea level, this hill station captivates with its enchanting vistas. While summers offer pleasant weather, winters adorn the peaks with glistening snow, rendering it a picturesque destination en route from Manali to Ladakh.

Rohtang Pass

En route from Manali to Leh, the Rohtang Pass offers breathtaking panoramic views. Situated 51 km from Manali at an altitude of 3900 m, this route leads to destinations, such as Pangi, Lahaul Spiti, and Leh, offering vistas of snow-capped peaks and glaciers, with the Chandra River flowing nearby.

Keylong Pass

Whether you seek scenic strolls through quaint villages or awe-inspiring mountain vistas, Keylong is one such place that you won’t want to miss. Set adjacent to this locale is the magnificent Bhaga Valley, replete with verdant greenery. Serving as the administrative centre of Lahaul and Spiti district, Keylong is a favoured stopover among tourists and trekkers en route from Manali to Ladakh for an overnight stay.

Nestled beside the Chandra River, Jispa is a picturesque hamlet offering a captivating stopover during the Manali – Leh tour. Adorned naturally with streams, scenic peaks, verdant valleys, and lush foliage, it offers visitors an intimate encounter with Mother Nature.

Discover the charming Himalayan village of Darcha, nestled beside the Bhaga River, roughly 23 km from Keylong. It’s one of those places in India where you should try camping for a change. Frequented by tourists journeying from Manali to Ladakh, this place surely makes for a great pitstop.

Baralacha La

Nestled amid the lofty Zanskar region, Baralacha La serves as a pivotal mountain pass and confluence point of several roads. Connecting Lahaul to Ladakh, this plateau is enveloped by the Pir Panjal and Himalayan mountain ranges, offering a spectacular destination during the journey from Manali to Ladakh.

A hidden gem known primarily to those traversing the Manali – Leh route, Gata Loops captivates visitors with its stunning vistas nestled in the Western Himalayas. Accessing and departing from this location is as thrilling as the journey itself, making it a must-visit destination during the Manali to Ladakh journey.

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When it comes to picking a road trip, many would pick their favourite one as the most sought-after Manali to Leh trip, and we can’t agree more. The very journey through the rugged terrain on your vehi...

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip: The Most Practical Leh Ladakh Itinerary

Every biker dreams of riding in the mystical lands of Ladakh. The cool mountain air, the calmness of the road, the beautiful Himalayan vistas and the rhythmic sound of your bike make a Leh Ladakh bike trip an absolute must for any motorcycle enthusiast. We have been to Ladakh twice and have created this perfect 14 Day Leh Ladakh itinerary to help you plan your trip.

While there are a number of tour operators who offer tour packages for various durations, often times people don’t know what to expect them to include in their tour. Keep reading to ensure that you know all the details of a exploring Leh-Ladakh on a motorcycle.

If you’re a group with 3 or more motorcycles, you can follow this itinerary word by word and ensure an epic Ladakh road trip ! However, if you’re a solo rider or just two bikers, we recommend you join a group just to ensure that there’s some kind of help while accessing the remote areas of Ladakh. You can either find fellow travelers on Facebook groups or approach these groups at different road stops on Ladakh highways. Bikers are generally a friendly bunch and look out for each other. Hence, they won’t mind if you join them.

Before delving into a detailed itinerary, we have attempted to answer a couple of common questions that people have asked us numerous times while while planning their Leh Ladakh bike trip.

Quick overview

How Long is the Leh Ladakh Bike Trip?

The most popular and endearing Leh Ladakh bike trip is about 15 days long and it covers all the important stops around Leh. This trip generally starts from Jammu/Srinagar and ends in Manali. There also people who choose to fly directly into Leh and just see the important locations around Leh. Such a trip can be completed in 5 to 6 days. We’ve explained how you can easily convert this 14 day itinerary to a 5 Day Leh Ladakh itinerary below.

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Best Time

The best time for a Leh Ladakh Bike trip is from May end to September when the temperatures are bearable and the mountain passes have opened . After September, the mountain roads generally close due to extreme temperatures and landslides. Before April, due to harsh winter conditions and unpredictable rainfall, it becomes a little risky to conduct a Ladakh bike trip.

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Cost

An average Leh Ladakh bike trip cost for 15 days is somewhere around Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 30,000 per person if you’re taking your own private vehicle. This cost includes food, accommodation in guest houses or camps and fuel.

Camps and homestays generally have options that include breakfast and dinner and the cost is very reasonable. While riding, there are numerous shacks/dhabas where you can have a good meal for as low as Rs. 100. These include breakfast options like parathas, omelets, sandwiches, butter toasts and coffee while lunch options include Tibetan delicacies like thukpas, momos, chowmein and local North Indian delicacies. If you opt for Non-vegetarian food, it’ll cost youa little more.

If you’re renting a bike for the entire trip, this cost will rise to Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 60,000 per person. The bike rent and fuel cost shall be divided into two in case you’re taking this Leh – Ladakh bike trip with a pillion rider.

Your total cost also depends on the type of bike that you’re renting. The following are the latest bike rental rates in Ladakh for the most popular brands:

• Royal Enfield Classic 500 CC – Rs. 2,000/day
• Royal Enfield Himalayan – Rs. 2,500/day
• BMW/GSR 310 CC – Rs. 3,500/day
• Bajaj Avenger 220 CC- Rs. 1,500/day
• Scooty (Activa/Access) – Rs. 1,100/day

An additional Rs. 150/day is charged for Ladakh carrier and saddle bag .

Leh Ladakh Packing List

Despite recent developments, Ladakh is still quite a remote location. Basic utilities might be readily available in the town of Leh, but in more remote areas, they are quite scarce. So, it’s better to pack them in advance to avoid shortage or paying premium prices for the same.

Also, you shall also need to pack weather sensitive clothing like rain covers, thermal wear, safety gear for riding a bike in Ladakh and some common spare parts for your bike . In addition to this, it’s necessary to carry medication for basic ailments as you don’t know when you might need them. Pack a go-to medication kit along with your bike’s first aid kit to take care of this.

To guide you better for your Ladakh trip, we have created this detailed Leh Ladakh Packing List that you absolutely should follow. We recommend referring this list to ensure that you are prepared for all contingencies during your Leh Ladakh Bike Trip .

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Route

The best and the most convenient route for your Leh Ladakh bike trip starts from Jammu/Srinagar and ends in Manali. For a classic Leh Ladakh Itinerary travel in a clockwise direction starting from Jammu and take stops at the following hubs :

• Nubra Valley

For visiting Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake, you shall need to come back to Leh to resume your journey as there are no proper roads connecting these locations . There is a new direct route that connects Nubra Valley to Pangong lake via Shyok Village and Wari La. Despite the development of this route, it’s a little riskier to travel by bike . Hence, we recommend that you go back Leh and leave for Pangong Tso the next day.

This Leh Ladakh bike trip route is planned in such a way that it takes care of acclimatization and comfort for beginners as well as advanced riders. The important thing is, that you start from Srinagar or Jammu side .

Why it’s better to start your Ladakh Bike Trip from Jammu?

We have visited Leh twice. Once from Jammu side and once from Manali side and we recommend choosing the former route . The following are the main reasons for starting your Ladakh bike trip from Jammu side:

• If you’re taking your own bike to Ladakh, the best, most convenient and cheapest way to transport it is by train . Indian Railways does a fabulous job of packing and transporting your bike to Jammu (the most well-connected station near Ladakh). A lot of trains from all over India reach Jammu and your Bike will reach there in great condition without any hassle .
• Jammu is a great hub for bikers riding towards Kashmir, Ladakh and the rest of Himalayas. Hence, with an abundance of mechanic shops, it’s easier to get a couple of modifications done to your bike in Jammu before you start your Leh Ladakh bike trip . We’re talking about adding saddle bags or fitting a luggage rack on your bike or evening getting your bike serviced and ready for exploring Ladakh!
• However, the most important reason for starting your Leh Ladakh trip from Jammu/Srinagar, is that the ascend to Ladakh from Jammu is a lot easier compared to the one from Manali. The route from Manali side is a lot steeper and a lot of riders struggle with acclimatization. The steeper the ride, the lesser time the body gets to adjust to the change in climate. Acute mountain sickness or any other disease can absolutely ruin your trip.

Now that we have the answered some common questions about a Ladakh road trip, check out the following Leh Ladakh itinerary. We followed this itinerary and had the best time in Ladakh.

14 Day Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Itinerary

The crux of this Ladakh Bike trip itinerary is that you start your ride early in the morning . Through out the route, there’s a possibility of road blockage due to onrushing water due to the melting ice. The later you start, the higher your chances of encountering flooded roads and long traffic jams. Hence, we recommend waking up at 6 in the morning and starting your ride 7 AM. This also allows you to reach your destination earlier and enjoy it more during day time. Additionally, it allows you to take longer breaks at interesting locations enroute.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Jammu and gearing up

Your first day entails your arrival in Jammu and collecting your bike from the transporter (like the Indian Railways suggested above) in case you’re using your own vehicle for your Ladakh bike trip. If you’re hiring a bike, you’ll have to either hire it from a dealer who can collect the bike from Manali. If you don’t find such a dealer, you can ride back to Jammu (400 kms) instead of Chandigarh (300 kms) as proposed below .

After collecting your bike, get it checked thoroughly by the expert mechanics in the Jammu city center. You can make some modifications like a luggage brace or replace your break liners for better performance.

You can spend the rest of the day exploring Jammu. Popular places include the Amar Mahal Museum, Bagh-E-Bahu, the Bahu fort and Shree Ranbireshwar Temple.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 2: Jammu To Srinagar

Distance: 250 kms

Duration: 8-9 hrs. considering usual conditions

Start early in the morning for Srinagar on NH 44. The road condition is great and you might find usual traffic of goods vehicles. Enjoy the first time joy of riding in the mountains here. NH 44 is the most well developed road in this entire Leh Ladakh bike trip.

Stop for Lunch at near Peerah village. Khajuriah Vaishno Dhaba in Peerah is arguably best place to have Rajma Chawal in the world . The perfectly cooked Rajma, rice, dollops of desi ghee and the lip-smacking anar-dana chutney make this the perfect spot for an early lunch.

Farther on the way, you shall cross Jawahar Tunnel, one of the oldest Himalayan tunnels in India . Moreover, at the time of its construction, it was one of the longest such tunnels in Asia!

You shall reach Srinagar by late afternoon. Check into your hotel/house boat and head over to Dal Lake for an evening walk on its beautiful boulevard. You can also opt for a Shikara ride in the lake.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 3: Srinagar to Kargil via Sonamarg and Draas

Distance: 205 kms

Duration: 7 – 8 hrs. considering usual conditions and traffic on Zoji La

You can start off early in the morning from Srinagar and head to the beautiful valley of Sonamarg. Sonamarg exemplifies why Kashmir is known as heaven on earth.

After a quick breakfast stop at Sonamarg, you shall head towards Kargil via Dras. The route that you shall be taking is the mighty Zoji La . Zoji La is one of the steepest and most under developed mountain passes of the Himalayas. It has been under redevelopment for quite some time. While one side is pretty well developed, the other side is quite a task. Ensure that you are with your group and be extra careful while driving here. The local drivers are quite rash and accidents are quite common.

After descending from Zoji La, you shall see a lot of small yurts selling delicious food cooked by locals. Have a hearty lunch here after an arduous bike ride on Zoji La.

Alternatively, you can take a lunch break in Dras, another quaint little town on the way to Kargil .

Overnight stay in Kargil.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 4: Kargil to Leh

Distance: 220 kms

The mountain pass that you shall be crossing on Day 4 of your Ladakh bike trip is known as Namika La. The road is very well developed by the Border Road Organization, fondly abbreviated BRO 😅.

After scaling Namik La, visit the famous Lamaryu monastery and its lunar landscapes that have earned it the name Lamaryu Moonland. The landscape formations due to lacustrine deposits in this region reminded us about our epic 4 days in Cappadocia, Turkey .

Your next photo stop shall be the popular Magnetic Hill . It’s a good place to take a break as there are a number of small yurts/shacks selling regional food.

You shall reach Leh by late afternoon or evening depending on the number of stops you’ve taken. You can stay in guesthouses or camps that include dinner . Hence, you don’t have to roam around for food after an entire day of riding.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 5: Leh Local Sight Seeing and Permits

Dedicate Day 5 of your Leh Ladakh itinerary to local sight seeing and getting the inner line permits for various mountain passes. You can get these permits online at the official website of Leh District Tourism .

💡 Pro Tip : It’s easier to print the permits at home and get them stamped at the Leh Tourist Information Centre or Leh DC office. You will not be able to find a lot of print shops or reliable internet in the mountains.

Local sight seeing in Leh involves the following must visit places:

• The Khar – A structure that towers over the entire city of Leh. It houses the Leh Palace, the Tsemo Castle and the Namgyal Gompa.
• Shanti Stupa –  A Buddhist white domed shaped Stupa located over the Chanspa hill.
• Hall of Fame – A museum respecting the fallen heroes of the Kargil war and highlighting the hardships of the lives of the soldiers stationed at Siachin Glacier.
• Leh Main Market – The central market of Leh where you can shop for local crafts like shawls, souvenir t shirts and enjoy a lunch at some cute cafes.

💡 Insider tip: We advise you to book your hotel/camp in such a way that you can keep your luggage in the Leh hotel when you make trips to Nubra Valley and Pangong lake. This way, you won’t have to mount, dismount, carry and unload all your heavy luggage at each destination. This way, you will have a room every time you return to Leh but will not be charged for the time you’re staying in Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso. A lot of hotels are accommodating this request.

Call in an early night as the next day, you shall be driving on one of the highest motorable roads on earth – Khardung La.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 6: Leh To Nubra Valley

Distance: 130 km

Duration: 5-6 hrs. considering usual conditions and breaks

On Day 6 of your Ladakh tour, you shall be scaling the mighty Khardung La – one of the highest motorable roads on earth located about 17,582 feet above sea level.

The road is reasonably well-developed. However, there can be traffic congestion due its recent popularity with tourists. Moreover, due to the melting ice in the summers, the pass can be flooded and also lead to breakdowns. Hence, we recommend starting your journey early in the morning. By doing so, you shall reach Khardung La top way before other tourists and might even get the entire place to yourself along with the Indian army personnel stationed there.

💡 Insider tip: The army serves a spiced herbal tea free of cost at the top. It’s a great way to warm yourself up in the cold and also indulge in some great conversation with the army personnel.

At the top, a lot of tourists and bike groups get pictures like the one above with the Khardung La top milestone. This picture is an amazing souvenir to get from your Leh Ladakh bike trip.

After reaching Nubra Valley, head over to the famous sand dunes of Hunder and get a picture with the Himalayan Bactrian Camels. These camels are unlike any that you might have seen. They are furry, sturdy and have two humps instead of a single one like regular camels.

A lot of people opt to ride these camels. We request you not to do so as the it’s cruel and the camels hardly get any rest due to the onslaught of tourists. Instead, get a picture with them for a memorable, cruelty free souvenir from Ladakh.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 7: Relax day at Turtuk Village

Distance: 85 kms

Take a well deserved break from long bike rides in the beautiful Turtuk village in Nubra Valley. The village is located very close to the Line of Control (LOC) and is known as the gateway to the Siachin glacier .

You will have to park your bikes at the designated parking spots at the entrance of the village and continue on foot . The village is constructed like a beautiful maze set between cherry and mulberry orchards. You might even encounter a lot of cherry trees in the streets of Turtuk village.

Turtuk is a photographer’s dream. It is located in a beautiful valley surrounded by towering mountains. The landscape is green in contrast to the rest of Ladakh as it is irrigated by glacier water distributed in the village through canals constructed 200 years ago.

There are a number of small cute cafes serving piping hot food. Some of our favorite dishes in Turtuk were Spicy Chowmein, buckwheat pancakes with walnut puree, freshly squeezed mulberry or cherry juice and any local dish made from mulberry, cherry, walnut or apricot!

Moreover, you can also ask for a guided tour of the numerous walnut, cherry or apricot orchards and buy some fruits for home as well if you can accommodate them in your luggage.

Return back to Hunder at your camp/guest house. Overnight at Hunder.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 8: Nubra Valley To Leh

Distance: 130 kms

Duration: 7-8 hrs. considering usual conditions and breaks

Start your return towards Leh early in the morning as you shall be taking a pretty long stop at Diskit.

The Diskit Monastery houses the tallest Lord Buddha statue in India, that is visible even from its approach road . The statue stands an impressive 106 feet and is an amazing photo spot. Click some great pictures here and explore this 14 th century Diskit Monastery before heading back to Khardung La for your return leg to Leh.

Upon reaching Leh, rest and recover in the innumerable cafes or shop for souvenirs in Leh Main market. Overnight at Leh.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 9: Leh to Pangong Lake

Distance: 223 kms

Duration: 5-6 hrs. considering usual conditions

On day 10 of your Ladakh bike trip, start at 7 AM towards the Instafamous Pangong Tso via the mountain pass Chang La.

Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake is the pristine lake that features in the hit Bollywood movie, 3 Idiots . This is very evident as tourism and commercialization have set up many photo spots with “3 Idiots” references.

You shall be reaching the lake rather quickly as the road is quite well developed to boost tourism. Upon reaching the lake, find a spot that’s away from the scores of tourists. The lake is a tranquil paradise and its beauty is in its serenity. Don’t let the crowds take that away from you.

That being said, you still have to get those pictures with this piece of natural beauty. So, sit on some lonesome rock in the middle of the lake and ask one of your rider friends to start clicking. The rush of tourists increases with each passing hour. Hence, visit the lake as early as possible.

Most tourists make a day trip to Pangong lake. However, we highly recommend staying a night in one of the camps along the shores of the lake. This not only gives you private access to the lake without the tourists but also provides you with an opportunity to witness one of the most magical sunrises (picture below) you will ever see.

Overnight in Spangmik.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 10: Pangong Lake to Leh

Duration: 8 – 9 hrs. considering usual conditions and long stay at Thiksey Monastery

Wake up early in the morning to witness a magical sunrise as pictured above. Relax at the camp by the calm waters of the lake.

Day 10 of your Leh-Ladakh trip entails your return to Leh from Pangong Lake and doesn’t involve any major sites or congested mountain passes . Hence, you can afford to start today’s ride a little late. After a hearty breakfast and a fun bonding session with your bike gang by the lake, start your return journey.

On the way back, pay your respects at the majestic Thiksey Monastery . This humongous temple complex houses the Maitreya (Future Buddha) standing tall at 15 meters, inside the temple complex. The monastery is known for its well-planned architecture, spectacular views and calm vibes.

You shall return to Leh by evening. Overnight in Leh.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 11: Leh To Tso Moriri

On Day 11 of your Ladakh bike tour, head to Tso Moriri – one of the highest mountain lakes in the world . The lake stretches out till about 28 kms and provides some of the most beautiful and serene views in the world.

You shall be passing the second highest motorable road in Ladakh, Taglang La. There is another less popular route as well, but if you’re a biker, you’d definitely not want to miss out on scaling Taglang La. It was my favorite mountain pass to cross in the entire duration of my Ladakh bike trip. It is very well developed, provides beautiful views of snow covered mountain peaks and the traffic is considerably manageable as well.

Post Taglang La, the route to Tso Moriri is a rather steep one. The road isn’t that developed, the incline is considerable high and you might have to go off road for longer durations. If you’re not an experienced biker or if you’re driving in the mountains for the first time, I would recommend you to skip Tso Moriri and head straight to Sarchu.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 12: Tso Moriri to Sarchu

Distance: 230 kms

Duration: 9-10 hrs. considering usual conditions

Start early in the morning from Tso Moriri so that you can reach your next stop, Sarchu before dark.

On the way, you shall be crossing More Plains . More plains are a rare flat land in the Himalayas where there are no ascents or descents on the road and you just keep driving on a flat road. The road is adorned with large stone hills on either side along with plain lands that create an ideal photo spot for you and your bike. Ever seen those Ladakhi pictures of a bike parked on the side of a long, never ending road with mountains on either side? Yes, that picture (like the one above) was taken on More plains. No other road in Ladakh provides the luxury of such an amazing picture.

After crossing More plains, you shall be driving on the main highway connecting Ladakh to Himachal Pradesh. So, expect a lot of truck traffic and be careful as a number of accidents have taken place on these roads.

Reach the tent city of Sarchu before nightfall. There is one main bridge that connects Sarchu to the main highway. If the bridge gets flooded, you might not be able to enter Sarchu.

There are a number of budget, mid-range and luxury camps in Sarchu for your night stay which also include dinner and breakfast in the room rate. Sarchu has been developed as a tent city as it falls at a convenient distance for bikers riding from Leh to Manali. So, finding food and accommodation shall not be a problem. However, advance booking is still recommended.

Overnight at Sarchu.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 13: Sarchu To Manali

Distance: 180 kms

Duration: 6 hrs. considering usual conditions and breaks

Start the 13th day of your Himalayan bike ride from Sarchu for Manali. The distance is quite short but traffic and fog can be deterrents to a short ride.

On the way, cover the pristine Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal lakes that are visible from the roadside itself.

Have lunch in Keylong, one of our favorite Himalayan towns that has great options for food with numerous cafes.

When we visited for the first time, we had to take the route through Rohtang Pass that added an additional 3 hours to our ride time due to the risky roads, traffic and the fog. However, after the construction of Atal Tunnel, the travel time and distance have greatly reduced. Take the Atal tunnel to save time or visit Rohtang if that’s on your bucket list.

After reaching Manali, visit the Hidamba temple or roam around on Mall road to explore Manali at your pace.

Overnight in Manali.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary Day 14: Manali To Chandigarh/Jammu/ Delhi

This brings us to the 14 th day of your Leh Ladakh Bike trip. We have kept the option open for you to chose the destination as per your convenience.

You can opt to ride to Chandigarh (300 kms) like we did since it was the nearest, well connected hub for us to transport our bikes back to our home town.

You can head back to Jammu (400 kms), in case you have rented your bike from there and you need to return it back to Jammu.

If you’ve rented your motorcycle from a dealer who doesn’t mind collecting the bike from Manali, you can take an overnight sleeper bus to Delhi and return home.

15 Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary: Buffer Day/day exploring any of the locations in detail

You can easily add another day to your 14-day Leh Ladakh bike trip by keeping a buffer day for unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road closures, harsh weather, etc. If there are no such unavoidable situations, you can dedicate an extra day to any of the locations mentioned above to explore them further or relax and take in its beauty.

We suggest that you don’t add any additional location from the ones stated above on your extra day. That will lead to increased fatigue and lesser joy. You are on a holiday after all.

Suggested 5 Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary

If you only wish to spend 5 days in Leh Ladakh, you can easily convert this itinerary to 5 day Leh Ladakh itinerary. Just fly in and out of Leh from Delhi and skip Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14 of the above itinerary . In addition to that, do a day trip to Turtuk instead of dedicating another entire day to it.

You can easily land in Ladakh, drop your luggage at a base hotel in Leh, hire a bike from Ladakh and visit all the important locations around Ladakh in 5 days.

In a Nuthsell

This brings us to the end of our Leh Ladakh bike trip itinerary. We advise you to take a print out of this itinerary for reference as internet connection isn’t very reliable in Ladakh. If you still have any questions, ask us in the comments below and we shall be happy to answer them to the best of our knowledge. You can also reach out to us on Instagram @worldwidewander_org . Check out our other blogs on India travel if you plan to club an epic India trip with your Ladakh trip!

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