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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.
This Leh-Ladakh trip from Delhi boasts challenging, 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, challenging roads, and low oxygen levels, this road trip is a masterstroke for adventure travelers.
While traveling to Ladakh is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s not easy.
Read more: India itinerary ideas for spending 1 to 4 weeks
Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh
With moderate temperatures and ideal weather, April, May, June, and September are the best months to visit Leh Ladakh. The 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, decide 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 to them. A perfect trip to Leh-Ladakh should range from 12 to 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 went 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 requires an SUV, but I was stunned to see people driving Nano, Maruti 800s, i20s, and Santros on the road to Leh.
If you‘re considering renting a car, I would definitely recommend a 4×4, 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, including a puncture repair kit, a foot pump, and extra fuel, in a container.
My friend’s car got a puncture near Lachung La Pass, and surprisingly, not a single car stopped to help.
One primary tool from the toolkit was missing, and it created havoc. My friend’s husband walked or, instead, climbed a few km to get help.
It was scary.
Please be sure to pack the essentials for the car 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 and a sleeping bag for emergencies, as the roads are unpredictable and you never know when a road closure will leave you marooned.
Carry two to three pairs of shoes, as playing in the snow at passes can make your shoes damp.
It’s utterly essential 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 for treating 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.
DC issues permits 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 the 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 you need to stay hydrated all the time due to the low-oxygen environment.
Store dry snacks (avoid salty stuff) like cookies, chocolates, candies, and dry fruits. Turnip and Radish are 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, chow mein, 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 turned out to be good choices.
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 (two adults + one 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 pit stops 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 you 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 (the last on this route, so quite crucial), and stopped by to witness the beautiful confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi.
Edit: We traveled to Ladakh in 2017 when the Atal Tunnel was yet to be constructed. The Atal Tunnel (9.02 km) connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti. It shortens the road distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km. 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 (the 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 we visited on day 3 tempted us to get out of the car and 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 a day off 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 the Best Hotel Deals 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 lake’s breathtaking beauty 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. However, 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.
A 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 as many places as possible in a limited number of days.
Overnight at Leh.
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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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.
Absolutely no useful information given in this blog. Distance traveled each day, the distance between major stops/ towns, approximate driving time between two pit stops, etc. Hope to find a blog with detailed and more useful info.
Thank you for your feedback. I’ve updated the blog to include some more detailed information such as daily travel distances, the distance between major stops/towns, and approximate driving times. I’ll continue to improve it further to make it as useful as possible. Your input is valuable and much appreciated!
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.
I am really appreciate to your trip. I have celerio, is it capable for that journey. Please advice me.
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
I wished to do the Delhi to Leh road trip one day. Thanks for sharing the awesome post-Anjali.
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
Hi 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.