“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. – Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums
Preface
This is a labor of love and the connection that I share with the most special place that I have ever been to in my life. It is the surreal Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh. It is romance that I will make sure will last for a lifetime. There are plethora of information available on internet on how to plan Ladakh trip but the fact of the matter is that they are not available on a single page. This endeavor of mine is to bring to you all the information that you require to plan your trip to Leh Ladakh on a single page. This is a monumental and tedious task, hence I have divided this guide into several headings and sub headings. You only need to click on the heading link in the list about which you seek the info and then again return to this list by clicking on the back to the top button.
[Here’s why you should visit Ladakh once in a lifetime]
Highway to Heaven: Planning Travel to Leh Ladakh
At Chang La – A Captivating View
Planning Ladakh Trip? Well let me try to illumine the ways to plan your trip to Ladakh. I’ll throw light on both routes i.e. the Leh – Manali highway as well as Leh – Srinagar Highway. These are the only two routes through which you could reach Ladakh by road. These routes are not operational throughout the year as the Zoji La (Pass) on Srinagar – Leh Highway and the Rohtang La (Pass) on Manali – Leh Highway remain closed from late November till early May on account of heavy snowfall.
Once these high mountain passes open up, the main tourist season in Ladakh begins.
The List for Planning Travel to Leh Ladakh
- Ladakh Trip (By Bike/Car) on Manali – Leh Highway
- Ladakh Trip (By Bike or 4/2WD) on Srinagar – Leh Highway
- Self-Drive or Ride to Ladakh
- Hiring Private Taxi for Leh Ladakh in Manali
- Hiring Private Taxi for Leh Ladakh in Srinagar
- Shared Taxi from Manali & Srinagar to Leh
- Shared Taxis from Leh to Manali and Srinagar
- Travel to Ladakh by Bus
- Night Stay or Accommodation on along the Manali – Leh Highway
- Night Stay or Accommodation on along the Srinagar – Leh Highway
Coming Soon
- Renting a Bike for Leh Ladakh on Motorcycle
- Accommodation in Leh Ladakh
- AMS & Acclimatization
- Permits in Leh Ladakh
- List of Things to Carry
- Travel Tips for Planning Ladakh Trip
- Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh
- Rafting in Ladakh
Let’s begin with facts now on how to plan your trip to Ladakh. I won’t give you much asides on how terrific the journey is as I have covered them in various travelogues on this blog of mine. YOu could search and read them if you want to. I’ll provide the links to them wherever relevant or at the bottom of this post. In here, I will only deal with facts and information that you’ll need for planning travel to Ladakh:
Ladakh Trip (By Bike/Car) on Manali – Leh Highway (490 kms)
On this highway (Which I would suggest you avoid if you are planning a round trip, i.e. Manali – Leh – Srinagar) there are many challenges but the rewards are great. However this is a route you’ll enjoy more if you are doing it from Leh to Manali.
There are permits to be obtained in Manali if you are traveling from this route to Ladakh. If you are taking this route, you need two days to reach Ladakh. Whereas the popular stopover and most known stopover for the night (recommended by travel agencies) is Sarchu; it is definitely recommended. You are sure to have reckoning with acute mountain sickness (AMS). Recommended places where I’d suggest you to make a night halt are Darcha or Jispa or even Zingzingbar.
The details of the journey on Manali – Leh Highway by road are as follows:
The Journey to Leh
Travel to Leh via Manali Route
Manali – Rohtang Pass
Distance Traveled: 52kms
Road Condition: Mostly good till Rohtang Pass
Highest Elevation: 3,980 m (13,060 feet)
Road Highlights: You can halt at Marhi at 10,800 feet (33 kms from Manali) for breakfast.
Accommodation Availability: No
Rohtang La – Gramphu
Distance Traveled: 19kms
Road Condition: In bad shape
Highest Elevation: 3,200 m (10,500 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Gramphu – Kokhsar
Distance Traveled: 6 kms
Road Condition: Average to bad
Road Highlights: Nothing except for a check post at Khoksar where foreign nationals should get themselves registered.
Kokhsar – Sissu
Distance Traveled: 25 kms
Road Condition: Average
Highest Elevation: 3,130 m (10,270 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Sissu – Tandi
Distance Covered: 8kms
Road Condition: In bad shape
Highest Elevation: 2,570 m (8,430 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Note: Tandi has the last petrol pump on this route. The next one is at Karu 380 kms away so get your tank up!
Tandi – Keylong
Distance Covered: 9 kms
Road Condition: From bad intially to good.
Highest Elevation: 3,080 m (10,100 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Keylong – Jispa
Distance Covered: 22 kms
Road Condition: Good
Highest Elevation: 3,310 m (10,860 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Jispa – Darcha
Distance Covered: 6 kms
Road Condition: Good
Highest Elevation: 3,360 m (11,020 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Note: Travelers need to get themselves registered here.
Darcha – Zingzingbar
Distance Covered: 26 kms
Road Condition: Good
Highest Elevation: 4,270 m (14,010 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Zingzingbar – Baralacha La (Pass)
Distance Covered: 18kms
Road Condition: Average to bad
Highest Elevation: 5,030 m (16,500 feet)
Accommodation Availability: No
Baralacha La to Bharatpur
Distance Covered: 2 kms
Road Condition: bad
Highest Elevation: 4,600 m (15091 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Note: I stayed here once at a Dhaba Tent and it is definitely not recommended. You’ll surely have bouts of AMS as did I. Only in extreme emergency as was our case.
Bharatpur to Sarchu
Distance Covered: 38 kms
Road Condition: Average
Highest Elevation: 4,300 m (14,100 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Sarchu – Pang
Distance Covered: 80 kms
Road Condition: Good to average
Highest Elevation: 4,600 m (15,100 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Road Highlights: Ride on the Gata Loops at an elevation of 4,190 m (13,750 feet), Nakee La at an elevation of 4,739 m (15,547 feet) and Lachulung La at an elevation of 5,065 m (16,616 ft).
Note: Travelers need to register themselves here at the check post.
Pang – Tanglang La
Distance Covered: 69 kms
Road Condition: Good to average to bad
Highest Elevation: 5,328 metres (17,480 feet)
Accommodation Availability: No
Road Highlights: Ride across Morey Plains a flat high altitude plateau at an elevation of 4,700 m (15,400 ft) is absolutely breathtaking and out of this world experience
Tanglang La – Rumtse – Upshi
Distance Covered: 60 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3,480 meters (11,417 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Upshi – Leh
Distance Covered: 51 kms
Road Condition: Good
Highest Elevation: 3,500 metres (11,483 ft)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Along the Way in a Nutshell
Vehicle Repair (Puncture & Mechanic): Marhi, Khoksar, Tandi, Keylong, Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi
Fuel Pump: Tandi and Karu (36 kms before Leh)
Fixed Phones: Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Upshi
Liquor Shops: Marhi, Keylong, Darcha, Upshi
Return to Top
Ladakh Trip (By Bike or 4/2WD) on Srinagar – Leh Highway
The details of the journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway by road are as follows:
Travel to Leh via SrinagarRoute
Srinagar – Sonamarg
Distance Covered: 85 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3,480 meters (11,417 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Sonamarg – Zoji La Pass
Distance Covered: 24 kms
Road Condition: Average to very challenging
Highest Elevation: 3,528 metres (11,575 ft)
Accommodation Availability: No
Zoji La – Drass
Distance Covered: 38 kms
Road Condition: From challenging on early stretch to good once you descend the pass
Highest Elevation: 3,480 meters (11,417 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Drass – Kargil
Distance Covered: 58 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3,480 meters (11,417 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Road Highlights: Drass War Memorial built to commemorate Kargil war martyrs
Kargil – Mulbekh
Distance Covered: 40 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3100 meters (10170 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Mulbekh – Lamayuru
Distance Covered: 70 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3,700 meters (12,139 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Road Highlights: Namika La at an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet)and Fotu La at an altitude of 4108m (13478feet)
Lamayuru – Alchi
Distance Covered: 57 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3,100 meters (10,200 feet)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Road Highlights: Namika La at an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet)and Fotu La at an altitude of 4108m (13478feet)
Alchi – Likir
Distance Covered: 20 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3,651 m (11,978 ft)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Likir – Leh
Distance Covered: 50 kms
Road Condition: Mostly good
Highest Elevation: 3524 metres (11,562 ft)
Accommodation Availability: Yes
Along the Way in a Nutshell
Vehicle Repair (Mechanic & Puncture): Ganderbal, Sonamarg, Kargil, Mulbekh, Lamayuru , Nimmu (last three puncture shops only)
Fuel Pump: Mangan, Sonamarg, Kargil, Mulbekh, Wakha, Khaltsi
Fixed Phone: Ganderbal, Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil, Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi, Nimmu and in between these places as well
Liquor Shops: Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil
Self-Drive or Ride to Ladakh
A ride on the Manali Leh Highway is the kind of stuff dreams are made of. Equally challenging and spectacular, this highway is a rider’s/driver’s delight. Dramatic change in the landscapes, crossing water streams and riding across some of the highest motorable roads in the world makes this one of the best highways for road trips in India. But only the daring souls take this route and the rewards are overwhelming once you reach Leh and the reality sinks in and later in your life when you look back and reflect on the adventure of having made it.
Now the roads are challenging. You need good riding/driving skills but you need more mental grit. The ride at some stretches will test you mentally, especially the Rohtang Pass with its slush and Baralacha La with its vicious water crossing.
On Srinagar Leh Highway, the only challenge you’ll face is crossing Zoji La. This is the easier and recommended route to take for a road trip to Ladakh. Acclimatization is not an issue on this route as you gain altitude slowly and steadily as opposed to Manali – Leh Highway which is more of 10,000 feet plus journey all along after crossing Rohtang Pass.
You also need to plan your halts carefully on Manali – Leh route as riding/driving above 10,000 feet could lead to acclimatization issues. Sarchu is where most travel agencies prefer to call the day off. But it is above 14,000 feet. It could cause serious acclimatization issue. Cases of altitude mountain sickness (AMS) abounds in Sarchu. Darcha, Keylong and Jispa could be considered as alternative when taking this route.
Yet another recommended thing is to know your vehicle. Do acquire some basic maintenance skills like changing wires (break, clutch etc.), changing oil, replacing spark plugs. Those traveling on motorcycle need to carry spare tube in case of puncture and puncture kit too if possible because you may find a puncture repairing shop but not the tube. Similarly those traveling on car should carry jumpstart cables and towing ropes.
Hiring Private Taxi for Leh Ladakh in Manali
The thing you should know about hiring a taxi in Manali for Leh (If they are not registered in Ladakh) is that they are only entitled to drop you in Leh. They are not allowed to offer local sightseeing or travelling to places within Ladakh.
If you are taking a taxi, hire it in Manali from the Taxi Stand. These drivers are skilled enough to negotiate the tough terrain this Manali – Leh highway is. However do make sure that you let your driver know where you want to make your night halt. Once again I reiterate, Sarchu is not recommended (acclimatization issues). Plan your night halt at either Jispa or Darcha.
Do remember to bargain hard.
Hiring Private Taxi for Leh Ladakh in Srinagar
As in the case of Manli taxis, taxis with Srinagar or Kashmir registration number are anly allowed to drop you to Leh. However, on this route, it is better if you hire a taxi only till Kargil. You are more likely to find a Leh registered taxi in Kargil that will not only drop you in Leh but can also offer local sightseeing and can travel to places like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. This will definitely bring down your cost.
Once again go to the taxi stand and do remember to bargain hard.
Shared Taxi from Manali & Srinagar to Leh
Shared taxi ply for Leh from both Srinagar and Manali but the thing to consider is that they don’t make a night halt.
It’s called a cannon ball run.
It means that you’ll ride continuously for 14-16 hours in company of 8-9 unknown companions on tough terrain. It will significantly bring down your cost (1200-1500) but do ask yourself is it worth it?
Shared Taxis from Leh to Manali and Srinagar
Same is applicable vice versa. That is taxis from Leh to Manali and Srinagar also do the canon ball run. Be very wary of shortcuts on Gata Loops on Leh Manali shared taxi ride .
Travel to Ladakh by Bus
This is the best option for you if you are planning solo trip to Ladakh or even if you are a couple and want to do Ladakh trip on Budget.
Buses to Leh are available from Delhi, Srinagar and Manali. From Manali side, there are more option if you take the bus to Keylong from where frequency of buses to Leh are even more.
Delhi – Leh Bus Service
There is a direct bus serive from Delhi to Leh which is operated by Himachal Pradesh tourism (HPTDC).
The bus from Delhi ISBT is scheduled to depart at 03:45 PM. It reaches Chandigarh Sec 43 at around 9.30 PM (If you are starting your journey from Chandigarh). From there, it takes 9 hours to reach Kullu at around 6.30 am and arrives at Manali at 10 AM.
The bus leaves Manali after a short break for Keylong where it is scheduled to arrive at 03:30 PM where it makes a night halt. The next day, it departs for Leh at 05:00 AM and is scheduled to arrive there by 07:00 PM in the evening.
Departure: Daily (till Sept 15) from ISBT, Counter 7
Time: 3:45 PM
Delhi ISBT Phone # 011- 23868694
Chandigarh ISBT Phone # 0172-2668943
Keylong Bus Stand Phone # 01900-222245
Manali Bus Stand Phone # 01902-252323, 01902-252116 & 01902-253147
Manali – Leh Bus Service
The journey from Manli to Leh by bus takes 2 days with a night hat in Keylong.
Himachal Tourism offers two kind of rides on this routes. One is the HRTC which does not stop for any sightseeing activities. The halts are only for necessary food and washroom breaks.
The other bus service is run by HPTDC which is a semi deluxe non AC bus. This service is available only from July 1st till 15th September and halts at several places for sightseeing.
Fare of HRTC Bus from Manali to Leh: INR 500 PP.
Fare of HPTDC Bus from Manali to Leh: INR 2500 PP (Inclusive of accommodation and food)
Srinagar Leh Bus service
The buses from Srinagar ply to Leh from late May till early November. This is a two day journey with a night halt in Kargil.
Fare of Government Operated Buses: INR 1050 PP for Deluxe, INR 650 PP for Semi Deluxe.
Fare of Private Buses: INR 1000 PP for Leh and INR 500 for Kargil.
[Here’s more on traveling to Ladakh by bus]
Night Stay or Accommodation on along the Manali – Leh Highway
Khoksar: HP PWD Rest House
Keylong: HP PWD Circuit House, HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga and several guesthouses
More on Ladakh by bus here.
Night Stay or Accommodation on Manali – Leh Highway
Jispa: HP PWD Rest House, several tented accommodation as well as a lodge and a hotel named Ibex
Darcha: Basic tented accomodations
Bharatpur: A few Dhaba tents (This is where I had to stay in the first Dhaba Tent that I came across when I first traveled to Ladakh via Manali and also my only tryst with acute mountain sickness).
Sarchu: Tented accommodations only ranging from Dhaba tents to luxury tents
Pang: Again tented accommodations only but with lesser option than Sarchu. No luxury tents.
Rumtse: Guest houses/homestays
Upshi: Guest houses/homestays
Night Stay or Accommodation on along the Srinagar – Leh Highway
Sonamarg: Good options for accommodations
Drass: Good options for accommodations
Kargil: very good options at Kargil
Mulbekh: Guest house/Home stays
Lamayuru: Hotel, Guest Houses and Home Stays
Alchi: Guest house/Home stays
Likir: Guest house/Home stays
If you want me include more information, feel free to suggest headings which I might have overlooked or missed. If you have traveled on this route this year, any update would be most welcome. Feel free to ask for assistance in case you have questions or doubts on planning travel to Leh Ladakh in the comment section below.
Cheers and happy traveling!
More coming soon…Stay tuned
Complete Travel Guide on Planning Travel to Leh Ladakh
