Manali to Leh by RoadLadakh in 8 nights

Eight nights on the great Manali–Leh highway: a night in Jispa, the Gata Loops and Tanglang La, then Leh, Nubra, Turtuk and Pangong, and fly home from Leh.

Day 1

Arrive in Manali

Manali is at about 6,750 ft

Arrive in Manali and check in. The day is free to rest and walk around the town before the long drive to Ladakh.

Dinner Overnight: Manali

Day 2

Manali to Jispa in the Lahaul valley

About 134 km · 7 to 8 hours

Start early on the high road from the green Kullu valley into the stark Lahaul valley, climbing towards Rohtang Pass (3,950 m). As you cross into Lahaul the landscape and culture change, from Hindu villages to Buddhist ones. Pass Tandi, where the Chandra and Bhaga rivers meet to form the Chenab, and reach Jispa for the night.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Jispa

Day 3

Jispa to Leh over the high passes

About 340 km · 11 hours

A very long, unforgettable day on the Manali–Leh highway. Pass the lakes of Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal, cross Baralacha La (16,020 ft) and come down to Sarchu. Then climb the Gata Loops, 21 hairpin bends up the mountainside, cross Lachulung La, drive across the More Plains, a high plateau about 42 km long, and over Tanglang La (17,585 ft) before coming down to the Indus valley. Reach Leh by evening.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Leh

Day 4

Leh: Hall of Fame, Sangam and Shanti Stupa

About 35 km · 1 hour of driving

Visit the Hall of Fame, the Indian Army's museum of Ladakh's wars, including Kargil; Gurudwara Pathar Sahib; Magnetic Hill, where cars seem to roll uphill; and the Sangam, where the green Indus meets the Zanskar. In the evening, watch the sunset over Leh and the Indus valley from Shanti Stupa, the white peace pagoda built in the 1980s, then go back to the Hall of Fame for its light and sound show (the car is included; the ticket is paid there).

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Leh

Day 5

Over Khardung La to the Nubra Valley

About 125 km · 5 hours

Cross Khardung La (18,380 ft), with the Karakoram range ahead, and drop into the Nubra Valley along the Shyok river. On the way, stop for an ATV ride (paid there) and at Diskit, the valley's largest monastery, founded in the 14th century, and its 33 m Maitreya Buddha looking down the valley. Reach Hunder by late afternoon, and in the evening walk on the sand dunes, where you can ride a double-humped Bactrian camel (about ₹500 a ride, paid there).

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Nubra

Day 6

Day trip to Turtuk

About 80 km each way · 2.5 hours each way

Drive down the Shyok to Turtuk (about 10,000 ft), a Balti village that was part of Baltistan until 1971. Walk through its apricot orchards and stone lanes, and go on to the zero point, about 2.2 km from the border, where binoculars show the Indian and Pakistani bunkers. Back to Hunder for the night.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Nubra

Day 7

Nubra to Pangong Lake by the Shyok road

About 7 hours

Drive to Pangong Tso by the newer Shyok road, through a landscape of river beds and bare mountains. Reach the lake (about 14,500 ft), which runs about 144 km into Tibet, and spend the evening on its shore. Night at a lakeside camp or cottage.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Pangong

Day 8

Pangong to Leh, with Shey and Thiksey

About 150 km · 4 hours, over Chang La (17,590 ft)

Drive back over Chang La to Leh. On the way visit Shey Palace, the old summer palace of the kings of Ladakh, with its great gilded copper Buddha (7.5 m); Thiksey, one of Ladakh's largest monasteries, stacked up a hill above the Indus; and the school made famous by the film 3 Idiots (entry is up to the school).

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Leh

Day 9

Fly home from Leh

An early transfer to Leh airport for your flight home.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels and camps are as listed or similar, subject to availability. Breakfast and dinner are included (MAP).

Package cost

Price per adult on twin sharing, by the number of adults travelling together. Land only.

Private non-AC vehicle with driver: an SUV for 2 to 6 (Xylo or Scorpio at the Deluxe and Super Deluxe levels, Ertiga or Innova above, up to 5 guests in an Innova), or a 12-seat Tempo Traveller for 8 to 12. Point to point as per the itinerary, not at disposal.

Rates in INR per person on twin sharing. GST 5% extra. The extra-bed price is for a third person sharing the room; the without-bed price is for a child sharing without a bed.

Optional add-ons

Not in the package price. Add them when you book.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Prices are per person, for travellers sharing a room, and depend on how many travel together. They come from the 2026 season tariff and are confirmed when you book.
• Vehicles: a Xylo or Scorpio at the 3-star Deluxe and Super Deluxe levels, an Ertiga or Innova from 3-star Superior upwards, and a 12-seat Tempo Traveller for 8 to 12. An Innova or Innova Crysta takes up to 5 guests. Vehicles are not air-conditioned and run point to point as per the itinerary.
• Leh is at about 3,500 m (11,500 ft) and the passes are far higher. Rest completely on the first day, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first two days, and see your doctor before you travel if anyone has heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions.
• Carry original photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or voter ID) for the inner line permits; we apply for them before you arrive.
• Days are sunny and nights are cold, even in summer, and colder still at Pangong, Nubra and Hanle. Pack warm layers, a windproof jacket, a cap, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.
• Prepaid SIM cards from outside Ladakh do not work there; postpaid connections do. Networks are patchy outside Leh.
• At the 3-star Deluxe level, Nubra is a camp with tents. Pangong stays are camps or cottages at every level; only the top levels have room heating.
• The Manali–Leh road usually opens from around June to early October, depending on snow, and the drive from Jispa to Leh is very long (about 11 hours) over passes above 16,000 ft. Travel dates are confirmed against the road opening.
• Children's rates: a child sharing with an extra bed pays the extra-bed rate; a child without a bed pays the without-bed rate.

When to go

Mid-May to September. The high passes open in late spring and close with the first heavy snow, usually in October. June to August is peak season.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday