Overview
Experience the exhilarating drive through one of the highest motor-able road in the world. Stretch between 490 km Leh – Manali or Manali – Leh highway today is more enjoyable as 90% of the entire stretch is well constructed. Back in the 90s its use to be one of the most dangerous Himalayan roads.
It opens only about four months in a year from June to mid – October. It’s when all adventure lovers take this route in different ways – by mountain biking, motorbike tours, or just a leisurely jeep safari tour.
The road crosses four main passes Rohtang la 3978m, Baralacha la 4890m, Lachulang la & Taglang la 5328m. The route follows along the banks of Chandra Bhaga river which later becomes Chenab one of the main Himalayan rivers, Tsarap which joins the Zanskar river, and finally along the banks of the Indus river.
It crosses many Himalayan ranges from Pir Panjal, Great Himalayan & East Zanskar mountains.
From the lush green Kullu valley to the high plateau to Rupshu the landscape changes after crossing these four main passes. The 230 km stretch is in Himachal Pradesh between Manali – Sarchu and 260 km Sarchu to Leh are in the Ladakh region. Numbers of 6000m peaks can be seen along this route.
Today the journey between Manali – Leh or Leh – Manali takes one day that is the continuous drive to 17-18 hours. But that is to fatigue for a long mountainous drive. We recommend breaking this trip in 2 or 3 days so that you will have enough time to explore places. The best time to travel on this road is from the 1st week of June to July end.
To avoid acute mountain sickness we recommend staying a night at Manali 2050m, then Kyelang or Jispa altitude 3100m, from Jispa drive direct to Leh. If you have the time it is advisable to make overnight at Tsokar Lake at Pongunagu. Making it 3 days excellent trip to Leh.
Route
Manali – Rohtang la – Gramphoo – Koksar – Tandi – Kyelang – Jispa – Darcha – Zingzingbar – Baralacha La – Sarchu – Gata Loops – Nakee La – Lachulang La – Pang – More plains – Taglang La – Rumtse – Upshi – Thiksey – Choglamsar – Leh
Manali to Leh tour – 2 days
Day 1: Manali – Rohtang La – Jispa
Day 2: Jispa – Baralacha La – Sarchu – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
Manali to Leh tour – 3 days
Day 1: Manali – Rohtang La – Jispa
Day 2: Jispa – Baralacha La – Sarchu – Tsokar Lake
Day 3: Tsokar – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh
Trip Highlights
- An exhilarating mountainous drive in Himalaya
- Manali - Leh highway a panoramic mountain view of Himalaya.
