Kashmir Ladakh Manali Road Trip

Today we leave the green valley and enter the mountains. We drive 204 km to reach Kargil. The most exciting part is crossing Zojila Pass (3,528m), which connects Kashmir to Ladakh. On the way, you see the beautiful Sonamarg meadow. We also stop at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass to pay respect to our soldiers. You will see Tiger Hill and Tololing from the road. The air starts getting cooler as we reach Kargil (2,676m). Overnight stay in a hotel in Kargil after a scenic mountain drive.

After breakfast, we drive towards the capital city of Ladakh. Today you see the "Moonland" landscape at Lamayuru Monastery, where the ground looks like the moon! We cross two high passes: Namika La and Fotu La. We stop at the Magnetic Hill where cars move uphill by magic! We also visit the Sangam Point (meeting of Indus and Zanskar rivers) and the holy Pathar Saheb Gurudwara. By evening, we reach Leh city (3,500m). This 210 km drive is full of amazing natural wonders and very good roads.

Today is a relaxing day to enjoy Leh culture. We visit the famous Shanti Stupa, which is a white dome on a hill. From here, you can see the whole Leh town and the snowy mountains. Next, we visit the 17th-century Leh Palace, which was the home of the royal family. In the afternoon, you can walk in the Leh Main Market to buy Tibetan crafts or try delicious local food in cafes. This day is very important for your body to adjust to the high altitude before we go higher tomorrow.

Get ready to cross one of the highest roads in the world! We drive to Khardung La Pass at 17,582 ft. You can take photos with the snow and enjoy the view. Then we go down into Nubra Valley, which is a cold desert with white sand dunes. We visit the big Buddha statue at Diskit Monastery. The best part is the Double-Humped Camel ride in Hunder village. We stay in a beautiful campsite under the stars. The elevation is 3,000m, so it is very comfortable to sleep.

Today we drive to the most famous lake in India! We take the direct route along the Shyok River. The road is adventurous with some water crossings. By afternoon, you reach Pangong Lake (4,225m) on the border of India and China. The water changes colors from light blue to dark blue. It is the same lake you see in '3 Idiots' movie. We stay in a camp or guest house near the lake. It is very cold at night, so wear your warm clothes and enjoy the bonfire.

After a beautiful sunrise at the lake, we start our drive back to Leh. We cross Chang La Pass (5,360m), which is the third highest motorable pass. On the way, we can stop at Thiksey Monastery, which looks like a mountain palace, and the Rancho School. We reach Leh by evening. You have some free time to do last-minute shopping for your family. This 150 km drive brings you back to the comfort of your Leh hotel for a good night's sleep.

We start our journey on the famous Leh-Manali Highway. Today we drive 250 km to Sarchu. We cross Taglang La Pass(5,328m) and drive through the flat More Plains, which are 40 km of straight road in the mountains! We also see the Gata Loops (21 hairpin turns). Sarchu is a high-altitude camp site (4,300m) on the border of Ladakh and Himachal. It is a very remote and windy place. We stay in deluxe tents and enjoy a warm dinner in the middle of nowhere.

The last big drive! We drive from Sarchu to Manali. We cross the scenic Baralacha La Pass (4,890m) and see the beautiful Suraj Tal lake. We pass through Keylong and Sissu villages in Lahaul Valley. The biggest highlight is the Atal Tunnel, which is 9 km long and takes us directly to the green side of Manali. Suddenly, the desert is gone and you see trees and waterfalls! By evening, we reach the cozy town of Manali. You can walk on Mall Road for shopping.

Your 10-day Kashmir Ladakh Manali road trip ends today. After breakfast, you can relax in Manali or visit the Hadimba Temple. If you have time, you can go to Solang Valley for paragliding. In the evening, we drop you at the Manali bus stand to catch your Volvo bus to Delhi. You go home with amazing memories of two mountain highways and three different cultures. It was a long journey of 1,448 km, and you did it! Safe travels and see you again!