The classic Ladakh road trip: Manali to Leh over the high passes, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri, then west through Lamayuru, Kargil and D…
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This Manali to Leh to Srinagar road trip is the classic way to experience Ladakh by road, crossing the Himalaya from Himachal Pradesh, exploring Ladakh's valleys and lakes, and leaving through Kargil and the Zojila pass to Kashmir. It is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for people who love long drives and changing landscapes.
From Manali you drive through the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul and on to Jispa, then over Baralacha La, the Gata Loops, Lachung La and Tanglang La to Leh. After a day of sightseeing in Leh, you cross Khardung La to Nubra Valley, take the Shyok road to Pangong Lake, and continue on a remote route to Tso Moriri, returning to Leh past Tso Kar.
The final leg heads west past Magnetic Hill, Alchi and the moonland of Lamayuru to Kargil, then through Drass and the Kargil War Memorial to Srinagar. A private car for the whole journey, breakfast and dinner, permits and oxygen support are included.
Route
Jispa 1N – Leh 2N – Nubra 1N – Pangong 1N – Tso Moriri 1N – Leh 1N – Kargil 1N
Duration
8 Nights / 9 Days (Manali to Srinagar)
When I flew to Leh from Delhi, I couldn't even climb the hotel stairs on the first day, and breathing was never fully easy. Everything still went well, and Pangong, Nubra and Khardung La were unforgettable. If you fly in, rest the whole first day.
Ashok Saini, Founder, Dreamland Vacations
Leave Manali in the morning and drive through the Atal Tunnel into the Lahaul valley (or over Rohtang Pass when open and permitted). Stop at Sissu and have lunch at Keylong, then continue to Jispa on the Bhaga river (about 140 km, 5 to 6 hours). Overnight in Jispa.
Start early for the longest day (about 335 km, 10 to 11 hours). Cross Baralacha La, descend to Sarchu, climb the Gata Loops to Nakee La and Lachung La, cross the vast More Plains and go over Tanglang La before descending to the Indus at Upshi and on to Leh. Overnight in Leh.
A gentle day after the long drive. Visit the Hall of Fame, Spituk Monastery, Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa, and spend the evening in Leh Market. Overnight in Leh.
Drive over Khardung La to Nubra Valley (about 125 km, 4 to 5 hours). In the afternoon, enjoy a camel ride at the Hunder sand dunes (at extra cost). Overnight in Nubra Valley.
Drive to Pangong Lake along the Shyok river road (about 150 km, 6 to 7 hours) and spend the evening by the lake. Overnight at Pangong Lake.
Leave early for a remote drive to Tso Moriri (about 200 km, 6 to 7 hours) via Chushul, Tahto La, Mirpal Tso and Kaksang La, then through Mahe and Sumdo to Korzok village on the lakeshore. Overnight at Tso Moriri.
Walk by the lake in the morning, then drive to Leh via the Puga valley, Tso Kar lake and Taglang La (about 240 km, 7 to 8 hours). Overnight in Leh.
Drive west to Kargil (about 220 km, 6 to 7 hours), visiting Magnetic Hill, Alchi Monastery, the moonland landscape at Lamayuru and the giant rock-cut Maitreya at Mulbekh. Overnight in Kargil.
After breakfast, drive to Drass and visit the Kargil War Memorial, then cross Zojila to Sonamarg and continue to Srinagar (about 200 km, 6 to 7 hours). Drop at your hotel or houseboat in Srinagar, where the tour ends.
Hotel names will be provided after booking, subject to availability and confirmation. We do not hold hotel confirmations before booking.
8 nights accommodation (Jispa 1, Leh 3, Nubra Valley 1, Pangong Lake 1, Tso Moriri 1, Kargil 1) on twin sharing, in the selected hotel or camp category
Breakfast and dinner daily (MAP), starting with dinner at Jispa
Private vehicle with driver for the full journey from Manali to Srinagar, as per the itinerary (point to point)
Oxygen cylinder in the vehicle for the high-altitude days
Inner Line Permit / protected-area permit, environment fee, wildlife fee and Red Cross fee
Daily refill of boiled or filtered drinking water
All toll, parking, fuel and driver charges
Airfare or train fare to and from Leh (we can quote flights separately)
Monument, monastery and museum entrance fees unless specifically mentioned
Camel ride, river rafting, adventure activities and optional tours
Services of a local guide
Lunches and meals not mentioned in the inclusions
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, tips and room service
Alcoholic, mineral and aerated drinks
Travel insurance
Air conditioning in the vehicle (non-AC vehicles are standard in Ladakh)
GST as applicable
Any cost arising from flight cancellations, bad weather, roadblocks, landslides, ill health or other reasons beyond our control
Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Package cost depends on travel dates, hotel category, number of travellers sharing the vehicle and availability; prices are confirmed at the time of booking.
Leh is at about 3,500 metres. Rest fully on the day of arrival; altitude sickness can affect anyone, and guests with medical conditions should consult a doctor before travel.
Sightseeing is on a point-to-point basis in locally registered vehicles as per Ladakh taxi union rules; the vehicle is not at disposal.
Stays at Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and Hanle are in camps, cottages, guest houses or small hotels with basic facilities and limited electricity; alternate properties of a similar standard may be used.
Itineraries may change because of weather, roadblocks, landslides, flight delays, permit restrictions or local conditions; any extra cost arising from such changes is payable directly.
Carry original government photo ID for permits and checkpoints. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit arranged through us.
Child policy, hotel check-in and check-out times and meal plans are as per the selected hotels.
Cancellation charges depend on hotel, camp, transport and permit supplier rules at the time of cancellation.
Cancellations close to the travel date, during peak season or for fixed departures may attract higher or 100% cancellation charges.
Permit fees and any non-refundable bookings cannot be refunded once processed.
No refund is given for unused services, nights or sightseeing, or for changes due to weather, roadblocks or flight cancellations.
Refunds, where applicable, are processed after the amount is received back from the hotel or supplier.
Read more about the roads in our how to reach Leh guide and Ladakh mountain passes guide.
This trip runs only when both highways are open, usually from about mid-June to late September; opening dates change each year with snow. The Jispa to Leh day is long (about 335 km, 10 to 11 hours) and crosses passes above 5,000 metres. Stays at Jispa and Tso Moriri are simple. We can add transport from Delhi or Chandigarh to Manali and a night in Manali, and a houseboat in Srinagar at the end.
Share your dates, travellers and comfort preference. Our team will guide you with the next best step.