A 9-day Manali → Leh → Nubra → Pangong road-trip covering Rohtang, Baralacha La, Tanglang La, Khardung La — with high-altitude safety, biking logistics, and mountain café stops.
The 479-km Manali-Leh highway is one of the world's great high-altitude road trips — five mountain passes above 4,500 m, surreal Lahaul-Spiti landscapes, and the final descent into the Indus Valley at Leh. Pair it with Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso for the complete Ladakh circuit.
Mid-June to mid-September only. The Manali-Leh route is snow-blocked outside this window. Best weeks are July and early September — June can still have snow on Baralacha La, late September risks early snow.
Day 1-2 Manali acclimatisation (2,050 m). Day 3 Manali → Jispa (mild altitude, overnight). Day 4 Jispa → Sarchu/Pang → Leh (the big drive, 380 km over 4 passes, 12-14 hours). Day 5 strict Leh rest day. Day 6 Leh → Nubra via Khardung La (overnight Hunder dunes). Day 7 Nubra → Pangong (long drive via Shyok or back via Leh). Day 8 Pangong → Leh. Day 9 Leh departure flight.
Manali — Snow Valley Resort, Apple Country. Jispa — Hotel Padma Lodge. Leh — Hotel Singge Palace, The Grand Dragon Ladakh. Nubra — Hotel Yarab Tso (Hunder). Pangong — Camp Redstart, Pangong Retreat (tented).
Fly Delhi → Manali via Chandigarh-Bhuntar (KUU); or overnight Volvo Delhi-Manali. Return flight Leh (IXL) → Delhi.
Hire a self-drive SUV (XUV300, Thar) from Manali or a chauffeur-driven Innova Crysta. Solo riders should rent Royal Enfields only with prior Himalayan riding experience. Inner Line Permits required for Nubra, Pangong — buy at Leh DC office Day 5.
₹45,000 – ₹70,000 per person mid-range (9 days, shared SUV cost, permits, fuel, stays, food, return flight).
AMS (acute mountain sickness) kills — never ascend Manali → Leh in one day on Day 1. Always overnight at Jispa (3,200 m) first. Carry Diamox (consult a doctor 7 days before), portable oxygen cans, ORS sachets. BSNL/Jio postpaid only — no prepaid SIMs work in Ladakh. Tank up petrol at Tandi pump (Lahaul) — next pump is 365 km away at Karu.
Doing the route in a sedan or hatchback — high-clearance SUV only. Skip riding a Royal Enfield with no prior Himalayan biking experience. Skip Pangong tent camps in shoulder-season (late September) — nights drop below freezing without insulation.
Day 1
Arrival at Manali via overnight Volvo from Delhi or flight Bhuntar (KUU). Check-in at Snow Valley Resort. Acclimatisation walk Old Manali. Light dinner at Drifters Cafe.
Vegetarian highlight: Old Manali backpacker cafés — Drifters Cafe veg pizza, Cafe 1947 hummus platter.
Day 2
Acclimatisation day — Hadimba Mandir morning visit, Vashisht hot springs afternoon. SUV/bike rental confirmation. Permit + fuel check. Early dinner, early sleep.
Vegetarian highlight: Veg trout-style replacement (paneer tikka) at Johnson's Cafe; sattvik thali at Sagar Ratna Mall Road.
Day 3
Manali → Jispa (140 km, 5-6 hours). Cross Rohtang Pass (3,978 m) and Atal Tunnel. Stops at Sissu and Keylong. Reach Jispa (3,200 m) by evening — first acclimatisation altitude.
Vegetarian highlight: Sissu veg dhaba — rajma chawal and aloo paratha lunch; Hotel Padma Jispa veg dinner — dal, sabzi, rice, chapati.
Transit: Manali → Manali · Road · 5-6 hours — Manali to Jispa via Atal Tunnel and Rohtang. Self-drive SUV or shared cab. Carry packed lunch and water.
Day 4
The big drive — Jispa → Sarchu → Pang → Leh (340 km, 12-14 hours). Cross Baralacha La (4,890 m), Nakee La, Lachung La, Tanglang La (5,328 m). Brief stops only — altitude is severe. Reach Leh by night, immediate rest.
Vegetarian highlight: Pang army-camp veg thali (rice, dal, sabzi) — the only proper meal stop between Jispa and Leh; carry packed snacks.
Transit: Manali → Leh · Road · 12-14 hours — Jispa to Leh in one day — start by 5:00 am. Cross 4 passes above 4,800 m. AMS risk peaks here. Tank up at Tandi (Lahaul) — last fuel for 365 km.
Day 5
Strict Leh rest day — no high-pass driving. Slow walk Main Bazaar, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa sunset. Inner Line Permit pickup at DC office for Nubra and Pangong.
Vegetarian highlight: Tibetan Kitchen — thukpa, thenthuk, veg momos; Bon Appétit — sea-buckthorn juice and apricot pie; Leh organic bakery cinnamon rolls.
Day 6
Leh → Nubra via Khardung La (5,359 m, 125 km, 5 hours). Photo stop at Khardung La summit — keep it brief (under 20 minutes). Descend to Diskit Monastery and Hunder sand dunes. Overnight Hunder.
Vegetarian highlight: Hunder veg camp dinner — Ladakhi skyu (root-veg pasta), rice, dal, momos by the dunes.
Transit: Leh → Leh · Road · 5 hours — Leh to Hunder via Khardung La. Inner Line Permit checkpoint at South Pullu. Photo stop at Khardung La summit (under 20 minutes — altitude is severe).
Day 7
Nubra → Pangong via Shyok route (200 km, 7-8 hours; rough road, 4x4 essential) or back via Leh and Chang La (longer, smoother). Reach Pangong Tso (4,350 m) lakeside camp by evening.
Vegetarian highlight: Pangong tent-camp veg dinner — hot rice, dal tadka, mixed-veg sabzi, gulab jamun dessert; carry thermals for the cold.
Day 8
Pangong sunrise photography. Pangong → Leh via Chang La (5,360 m, 160 km, 5-6 hours). Sangam Point and Magnetic Hill stops on the way back. Farewell dinner in Leh.
Vegetarian highlight: Sangam Point veg dhaba — Maggi noodles and chai; Leh farewell dinner at The Tibetan Kitchen — thukpa platter and Tibetan butter tea.
Transit: Leh → Leh · Road · 5-6 hours — Pangong to Leh via Chang La (5,360 m). Smoother than the Shyok route. Sangam Point and Magnetic Hill detours on the way back.
Day 9
Last Main Bazaar shopping (apricot products, pashmina, prayer flags, Ladakhi tea). Leh airport (IXL) departure flight to Delhi by noon.
Vegetarian highlight: Leh airport limited veg café — eat a hearty Main Bazaar breakfast before departure.