Ladakh Highway Road Trip Itinerary
The Ladakh Highway Road Trip is a 430km journey starting in the city of Manali, India and ending in the city of Leh, India. It is an experience that will provide you with memories to last a lifetime. This road trip is suitable for every driver, and can be managed with a low budget. The best time of year to take this road trip is in the summer months, as the roads can become treacherous in the winter.
The route will take you through the towns of Keylang, Pang, and Hemis, each offering its own unique attractions. Keylang is home to the historical Keylong Monastery, and is located in the valley of the Bhaga river. Pang is known for its incredible natural beauty, and offers the perfect opportunity to take in the stunning views of the Himalayas. Hemis is home to the Hemis National Park and the Hemis Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The overall road conditions can be poor in some areas, so it is recommended that you take 4 days to complete the journey. This will give you plenty of time to take in the sights and sounds of the area, while still getting to your destination in a safe and timely manner.
The Ladakh Highway Road Trip is an experience that will provide you with a high level of satisfaction and memories that will last a lifetime.
4
number of days
430 km
route length
low
budget
explorer
good for
on the left
traffic direction
high
accident level
START
Manali
Distance 430 km
Driving time 8.1 h
Pace: modest
111.8 kWh
Airports
KUU
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Manali, a beautiful hill station located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, is a popular tourist destination in India and serves as the starting point of the legendary Ladakh Highway Road Trip. With its picturesque mountains, dense pine and deodar forests, fast-flowing rivers, and lush green meadows, Manali is the perfect destination for a peaceful and rejuvenating vacation.
Manali is home to a number of attractions, including Rohtang Pass, Vashisht Hot Springs, Hadimba Temple, Jogini Falls, Solang Valley, and Rahala Falls. The Rohtang Pass is an especially popular tourist attraction, with its breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountain range. Vashisht Hot Springs is an excellent spot to relax and rejuvenate with its natural hot springs and therapeutic baths. The Hadimba Temple, dedicated to the mythical Hadimba Devi, is an iconic destination. Jogini Falls is a serene spot to enjoy the beauty of nature, and Solang Valley offers a variety of adventure sports activities.
The closest international airport to Manali is the Chandigarh International Airport (IXC), located approximately 250 km away. Car rentals are available at the airport, making it convenient and easy to travel to Manali by car.
Manali is an excellent destination to enjoy the beauty of nature and start off the Ladakh Highway Road Trip. With its many attractions, stunning views, and convenient access, Manali is an ideal place to explore and enjoy a peaceful vacation.
1
Manali
- Keylang
Distance 70 km
Driving time 1.5 h
Pace: modest
18.3 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on an adventure of a lifetime and take a road trip from Manali to Keylang! This scenic drive takes you through the stunning landscapes of the Himalayas, with breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, lush valleys and gushing rivers. The journey is about 70km long and takes less than two hours of driving. Along the way, you can make stops at some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Great Himalayan National Park and the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. The winding roads will take you through some of the most picturesque places in the region, so make sure to keep your camera handy! Once you arrive in Keylang, you can explore its many attractions, from its Buddhist monasteries to its beautiful lakes. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to explore the beauty of Manali to Keylang!
Keylang - India - Asia - Road Trip - commons.wikimedia.org
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2
Keylang
- Pang
Distance 180 km
Driving time 3.2 h
Pace: modest
46.8 kWh
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Itinerary
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Welcome to the Keylang - Pang road-trip stage! This stage of your tour is 180 km long and will take you fewer than 4 hours to complete.
Start your journey in Keylang, where you can explore the fascinating old town, the colorful markets and the beautiful temples. Don't forget to take a boat ride along the river and take in the scenic views.
Continue to the next stop, the Pang National Park. Here you can take a guided hike and explore the lush green forests and the rich wildlife. Don't forget to take a dip in the natural hot springs and enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains.
On your way, you can also visit the Bhojpur Fort and the Pang Palace. Both of these sites offer amazing views of the surrounding landscape.
At the end of your journey, you will arrive in Pang. Here you can explore the old city, the markets and the temples. Don't forget to take a stroll along the river and enjoy the picturesque views.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!
Pang - India - Asia - Road Trip - pixabay
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3
Pang
- Hemis
Distance 145 km
Driving time 2.4 h
Pace: modest
37.6 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready for an incredible road trip from Pang to Hemis? This stage of your journey is 145km long and will take you fewer than 3 hours to complete, so it’s the perfect opportunity to take in the breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
Start your journey in Pang, where you can explore the ancient monastery, take in the beauty of the surrounding mountains, and visit the local markets.
As you drive, enjoy the stunning views of the Indus Valley, and make sure to stop at the village of Gya, with its spectacular views of the mountains. Here you can find some of the best souvenirs, as well as delicious local food.
Continue your journey to Hemis, the largest monastery in Ladakh. It’s a must-see destination with its ancient architecture, stunning views, and peaceful atmosphere.
These are just a few of the highlights of this stage of your road trip. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the “Itinerary” of this stage.
So pack your bags and get ready for an amazing road trip from Pang to Hemis!
Hemis - India - Asia - Road Trip - www.flickr.com
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4
Hemis
- Leh
Distance 35 km
Driving time 1.0 h
Pace: slow
8.1 kWh
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Itinerary
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If you're looking for an exciting road trip, the journey from Hemis to Leh is a must-do! This 35 km stretch of road takes less than an hour to drive, and is full of incredible sights and experiences. From Hemis, you'll be able to take in the beautiful views of the Indus Valley and the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains. Along the way, you'll also pass by some of the most iconic sites in Ladakh, including the Hemis Monastery, the Thiksey Monastery, and the Shey Palace. All of these sites offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the region.
Make sure to take your time and enjoy the journey. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the sights and sounds of the region. You'll be able to enjoy the stunning views of the Indus Valley, the majestic snow-capped Himalayas, and the unique culture of the region.
For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!
Leh - India - Asia - Road Trip - Pixabay
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Leh
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Leh is a beautiful destination located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the end point of the famous Ladakh Highway Road Trip, a journey of over 700 kilometers from Manali to Leh, that takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in India.
Once you reach Leh, you can explore the ancient Buddhist monasteries and the local markets. Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa are must-visit places in Leh. The palace was constructed in the 17th century and is a great example of the traditional Ladakhi architecture. The Shanti Stupa is a white-domed Buddhist stupa, built by a Japanese monk and it offers a great view of the entire city.
For adventure seekers, Leh offers a range of activities like trekking, mountain biking, and white water rafting. You can also explore the nearby Nubra Valley, which is known for its sand dunes and double humped Bactrian camels.
The closest international airport to Leh is the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL). So if you are traveling by air, you can fly to this airport and then take a car to Leh.
Leh is a great destination to explore the culture and beauty of Ladakh. So don't miss out on this amazing road trip, named the "Ladakh Highway Road Trip".
Leh - India - Asia - Road Trip - Pixabay
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Ladakh Highway Road Trip at a glance
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Start:
Manali
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End:
Leh
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Distance:
430 km
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Stay:
4 days
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Getting there:
Kullu Manali Airport (KUU)
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When to drive:
June, July, August, September
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
Surely, the presented Ladakh Highway Road Trip has become an ideal inspiration for your future travels.
Our itinerary can be used as a foundation that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with original attractions.
If car travel is a travel mode that you prefer, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a number of elements to bear in mind to make your adventure safe.
These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who are considering renting a vehicle or camper rental.
In India, there are a number of road regulations to be followed while on a tour.
Alcohol is best to be avoided at any cost when India is your travel destination.
Travellers should remember that the legal alcohol limit for drivers is low and cannot exceed 0.3‰.
Exceeding the maximum permissible speed, which is 70km/h, when driving around the urban areas may result in a speeding ticket.
When it comes to undeveloped areas, you cannot exceed the maximum allowed speed of 80km/h.
Remember that the permissible speed is 120km/h on highways in India.
We recommend driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit to increase the safety of you and your passengers.
One of the decisive factors when scheduling an itinerary is costs.
Well, depending on your needs, the amount of money that you have to pay will differ.
Below, you will find the budget possibilities.
If you’d like to benefit from the cheapest offer to cover the planned 5 stages while travelling around India, it can cost around 63 EUR.
Budget accommodation options will cost roughly 154 EUR.
Those who want to benefit from this option will spend approximately 96 EUR on restaurants and food.
Travellers will have to pay approximately 288 EUR if they aim for the cheapest car rental offer as well.
Thus, you can expect the travel expenses to be around 313 EUR without vehicle hire and 601 EUR with car hire.
Tourists who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option will pay around 75 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the trip.
Cost amounting to 264 EUR can be expected by all tourists who are considering standard hotels.
Holidaymakers can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost approximately 144 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard hire car can expect a cost of roughly 432 EUR.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay roughly 915 EUR for the whole trip, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend about 483 EUR.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will live up to the expectations of the most demanding tourists.
When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total roughly 1,360 EUR for holidaymakers who are considering car rental and 483 EUR for those who do not want to rent.
Travellers who want to cover the trip in a premium rental car should expect a cost of around 540 EUR.
In the top standard configuration of the itinerary, the gasoline cost will be up to about 100 EUR.
Tourists who would like to go for top services in all aspects of their road trip should expect to pay roughly 192 EUR for restaurants and food and roughly 528 EUR for hotels.
Our adventure will also be excellent for all camper lovers, as it can be easily adjusted to their expectations.
If you choose this transport option, the expenses are around 900 EUR.
You will spend around 113 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the trip.
Drivers who opt for camper hire should expect to pay approximately 220 EUR for accommodation and more or less 96 EUR for expenses connected with food.
You can check all of the expenses in the Road Trip Costs section.
The period between June and September is perfect to explore the part of India described in our road trip idea.
There are countless intriguing road adventures that are available on our website if you like Ladakh Highway Road Trip.
Hopefully, the great variety of trips will definitely come up to the expectations of the most demanding drivers.