Manali Leh Road Trip for 12 Days
Our journey kicks off in Manali, a charming town nestled amidst the majestic mountains. From here, we embark on a scenic drive towards Leh, soaking in the breathtaking views of valleys and mountains as we ascend in altitude. Upon reaching Leh, we take it easy on the first day, allowing ourselves to acclimatize to the high altitude.
The following days are filled with exploration as we delve into the rich Buddhist culture of Ladakh. We visit monasteries that stand as serene symbols of faith and tradition, immersing ourselves in their tranquil ambiance.
Venturing beyond Leh, we discover the wonders of the region, from the enchanting Nubra Valley with its rolling sand dunes to the captivating Pangong Lake, where crystal-clear waters mirror the surrounding peaks. The journey to Khardungla Pass, one of the world’s highest motorable roads, offers exhilarating vistas and a sense of achievement.
However, it’s not just the landscapes that leave a lasting impression. Interacting with the locals allows us to glimpse into their simple yet profound way of life. From sharing stories over cups of butter tea to learning about traditional customs, these encounters enrich our journey in unexpected ways.
As we bid farewell to Ladakh, we carry with us memories of its natural splendor and the warmth of its people, reminding us of the beauty of simplicity in a world often overshadowed by complexity.
| Region | Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, India |
| Duration | 11 Nights/ 12 Days |
| Max Altitude | 5607m/ 18390ft |
| Best Season | Mid May – Oct |
Trip Itinerary
After breakfast, we go for a half day sightseeing tour of Manali, visiting Hadimba Devi and the Manu temple. In the afternoon, you may visit the Vaishisht hot sulphur spring. O/n in the hotel.
Post breakfast, we drive towards Leh, halting at Sarchu for the night. We shall cross Atal Tunnel, Keylong (3350m/ 10988ft) and Baralacha Pass (4890m/ 16039ft) before reaching Sarchu (4253m/ 13950ft), which is also the border area of the states of Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul) and Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh). O/n in the tents.
Leave early morning for Leh (255 Kms), through Nakeela and Lachangla Pass (5066m/ 16617ft). Halt for lunch at Pang. Post lunch, drive through Skyangchu Thang (One of the highest plateau on Earth, stretching 42 Kms), Tanglang La Pass (5361m/ 17585ft) and Indus Valley to reach Leh. O/n in the hotel.
Post breakfast, we move out for some monastery sightseeing, starting with Hemis, Thiksay and finally to Stok Palace and then back to Leh. O/n in the hotel.
After an early breakfast, we leave for Pangong Lake through Chang-La pass (5360m/ 17590ft). It is a beautiful experience to stay near the lake and watch the stars. O/n in the guest house.
Explore the beautiful lake in the morning and then drive back to Leh. Visit Leh market. O/n in the hotel.
After an early breakfast we depart for Nubra valley crossing the Khardung-La pass, the highest motorable road in the world at 5359m/ 17582ft, around 39kms from Leh. Reach Hundar village in Nubra valley and check in the guest house. After lunch and relaxing for some time, we move out to take a tour of Nubra valley visiting Diskit gompa, double humped camel ride and Hundar village. O/n in the guest house.
After your breakfast at the camp, visit the Samstanling monastery. Later we drive back to Leh crossing over Khardung La. Evening is free to visit the market. O/n in the hotel.
- Today’s Drive will be around 90kms.
- Terrain type (basic)
- After a relaxing breakfast, we will visit Phyang Monastery, Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara, Hall of fame (A museum in memory of the brave Indian soldiers), Likir Monastery.
- Sangam Point which is the confluence of Indus and Zanskar river.
- Overnight stay at Saspol Village
After an early breakfast, we drive to visit Lamayuru Gompa. After visiting Lamayuru, we drive back to Leh visiting Alchi and Rizong Gompa, known as the paradise for Meditation. O/n in the hotel.
Visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Spituk Gompa, Hall of Fame and around market. This is preferred to be a contingency day for unseen events or delays due to bad weather, flight cancellations etc. This can be used for resting or local sightseeing etc. O/n in the hotel.
What's Included
- Food: Bed & Breakfast in Hotel/ Guest House/ Tents
- Accommodation: Hotel in Manali & Leh. Tents/ Guest House in Sarchu, Pangong, Uleytokpo & Nubra Valley on twin sharing basis
- Travel: Airport transfers & local sightseeing in the vehicle, as per itinerary
- Sightseeing, Guide Charges, Monastery & other Monument entry fees
- Local sim card for mobile phone in Leh
- Permit Charges
What's Not Included
- Travel Fare from Delhi to Manali and Leh to Delhi
- Any kind of Extra Meals/ Drinks ordered
- Tips, Phone Calls & Laundry
- Any kind of Personal Expenses
- Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay due flight cancellation, bad weather, ill health, road block or any other factors beyond our control
- Government & Service Tax
- Insurance for accident, theft, medical, evacuation etc
- Any expenses not included above
Tour2292809894505/11/2025Verified Incredibly-Amazing-Adventure Trip in Trans-Himalayan Region Strongly Recommend the Mountain Intelligence crew for Trans-Himalayan region tourism. From the initial discussions our itinerary was based on our interests and personalized experiences. They live & breath the terrain therefore can plan and execute a tailored trip.We had an AMAZING 7-days and 6-nights adventurous trip through Ladakh. Very Big Thank You, Jigmed & Rigzin for arranging this incredibly memorable trip for us, it was Par Excellence experience !! Highlights of our trip … - Spot-on time-bound planning of destinations and sightseeing.- Safe drivers that navigated the intricately winding Trans-Himalayan terrain. Gulp, windy roads, unpaved in some parts where the vehicle is up against the mountain and valley's does make one's heart skip few beats !!- Transport vehicles were equipped with oxygen tank just in case one needs to address altitude sickness. Fortunately we did not need any medical attention (Pshew!!). - Tip for travelers: 1) Ascertain cardio fitness and blood-oxygen level is sustainable for high altitude. 2) Listen to your body and don’t push your luck, this will ensure a safe and enjoyable trip :-)- Hotels in Leh, Nubra Valley & Pangong Lake were cozy and served freshly cooked delicious food. Friendly hotel staff even catered to special food requests. Appreciation and tips goes a long way :-)- Special Mentions: * Artisanal Alchemy's Dining Experience was one-of-kind where "authentic" Ladakhi gastronomy was curated by the incredible host, Kunzes Angmo. She accompanied the delectable delicacies with interesting narratives of the cuisine origin, spices, and more. We strongly recommend this to folks that love & enjoy good food peppered with great history of Ladakh food stories :-) * De Reeva Resort, Pangong offers incredible views of the lake. It's a short walk to the lake to soak in the views, both at sunset and sunrise !!- Regret not being able to do the day-hike to Stok Changma due to road closures for the Ladakh Marathons. However the Artisanal Alchemy's Dining Experience 'more-than' made-up for this missed trek :-) killian c05/11/2025Verified Baby Trek with Family/Friends Great experience, thanks to Jigmet who was an excellent guide. Great moments shared with him also in the Home-Stay. He was able to adapt, both for the pace and for the deviations. Professionalism, reassurance and total confidence.I highly recommend. Wander5737454301217/09/2025Verified A wonderful experience in Ladakh with Mountain Intelligence We took a 7-day and 6-night trip through Ladakh with Mountain Intelligence. The tour included Leh and the Nubra Valley. We planned to reach Pangong Lake as well, but eventually decided to return to Leh for altitude sickness prevention.Our driver was exceptional: a very friendly boy, very helpful and attentive at all times. He even accompanied us to a health center in Nubra when we were not feeling well, which gave us a lot of peace of mind. In addition, he was driving safely and prudently along the complex roads in the region, which we greatly value.The stays in the different accommodations were also very nice, comfortable and cozy.In short, it was a very positive experience that I would recommend to anyone who wants to discover Ladakh with caring and responsible professionals. I would encourage everyone to share this adventure with Mountain Intelligence. Adventure4704013560920/06/2025Verified Superb❤️👍💪👏👏 Super Exciting Trip! The itinerary planned was so comfortable and suited to all four family members. Day wise activities, stay and travel was awesome. The vehicle provided was very comfortable and our guide was an excellent person full of experience, information and know how of each and every surprises within the mountains. He made our trip memorable one. The lunch, tea and dinner points en route were so excellent that food added extra points to our Leh trip. Thanks to whole team of Mountain Intelligence Treks! Great 👍 All the best to your incoming projects. 💐💐👍👍 Harsh Dabas01/06/2025Verified Wonderful Stay with Warm Hospitality We stayed at De Reeva Resort, Tso Pangong, for one night as a family (my wife, parents, and I), and had a truly memorable experience. The staff was incredibly helpful and attentive, ensuring all our needs were taken care of. The rooms were comfortable, and we felt well looked after throughout our stay. A special mention to the food — it was fresh, delicious, and comforting, especially in the cold weather. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a peaceful and well-managed stay near Pangong Lake! We stayed at De Reeva Resort, Tso Pangong, for one night as a family (my wife, parents, and I), and had a truly memorable experience. The staff was incredibly helpful and attentive, ensuring all our needs were taken care of. The rooms were comfortable, and we felt well looked after throughout our stay. A special mention to the food — it was fresh, delicious, and comforting, especially in the cold weather. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a peaceful and well-managed stay near Pangong Lake! Mani C29/01/2025Verified Ice climbing It was a amazing experience, I was a beginner and rigzin helped me a lot to climb my first ever wall. They had all the gears and I always felt safe. Will do it again when I am in leh. Clement L20/10/2024Verified Incredible Experience in the Himalayas I had a truly unforgettable experience climbing all 6070m of UT Kangri with Rigzin, supported by his team from Mountain Intelligence. Rigzin provided incredible help in pushing me up the mountain despite the going getting tough for me, especially in the final 500m of elevation or so. My acclimitization was not the best (my fault) and so the altitude was a challenge. Nonetheless, Rigzin supported me every step of the way and helped when he was needed the most. On the descent, I accidentally fell into a river and suffered some cuts and abrasions. Rigzin and team went out the way to send me to a hospital and got me checked. It goes without saying that I could never have made it up and down safely without their help!I wish them all the best and definitely look forward to the next adventure with them! William Dickens D08/09/2024Verified An incredible time in the Himalayas We had an unforgettable experience touring Ladakh, all thanks to Rigzin and Mountain Intelligence. From the moment we first inquired, their team stood out for their quick, prompt responses and excellent value compared to other operators. Our entire trip was seamlessly planned, from airport pick-up to drop-off, with every detail in between—accommodation and the itinerary—carefully organized to suit our needs. Rigzin and his team made everything feel effortless, allowing us to fully enjoy the stunning landscapes and rich culture of Ladakh. We can’t recommend Mountain Intelligence highly enough for anyone looking to explore this beautiful region. Thank you Rigzin for an incredible trip! Alpine Trail08/09/2024Verified Amazing UT Kangri Expedition with an Excellent Team I just returned from an incredible UT Kangri expedition at 6070 meters with Mountain Intelligence Company and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. The trip was perfectly organized, and everything went smoothly thanks to the fantastic team. Rigzin, our main guide was outstanding. He is a true expert in mountain climbing and made sure we were safe every step of the way. His experience and careful planning helped us reach the summit and get back to base camp without any issues.The whole organizing team did a great job with all the details from the gear we needed to the logistics. They made the whole process easy and stress-free.If you’re planning a high-altitude adventure, I strongly recommend Rigzin and his team. They made our climb an amazing experience and I’m grateful for their hard work and expertise. Thanks Rigzin and Mountain Intelligence for a fantastic adventure! Sonam Lama01/09/2024Verified Leh Ladakh Private Tour by Mountain Intelligence I had an amazing trip to Leh Ladakh with Mountain Intelligence Treks led by Rigzin Angdu. From booking to the end of the journey, everything was perfect. The itinerary was well-planned, the accommodations were comfortable and the guides were knowledgeable. The trip was safe, enjoyable and great value for money. I highly recommend Mountain Intelligence Treks for an unforgettable Ladakh experience.Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 22 reviewsVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more