Manali Leh Road Trip for 12 Days

We leave the green valleys of Manali today and drive toward the rugged mountains. The journey takes us through the world-famous Atal Tunnel, which is a 9 km engineering marvel. We pass through Keylong (3,350m) and climb the Baralacha La Pass at 4,890m. You will see the beautiful Suraj Tal lake near the top. By late afternoon, we reach the high-altitude campsite of Sarchu (4,253m). This is the border between Himachal and Ladakh. Staying in tents under the clear mountain sky is a unique experience. The landscape becomes rocky and barren, signaling your entry into the high Himalayas. This 180 km drive is full of amazing photo opportunities.

Today is a long but rewarding drive of 255 km to reach Leh city. We cross the Nakeela and Lachangla passes, reaching over 5,000m. We stop for a hot lunch at Pang before driving through the Skyangchu Thang, which is one of the highest flat plateaus on earth stretching for 42 km. Finally, we cross the Tanglang La Pass (5,361m), the second highest motorable pass in the region. As we descend into the Indus Valley, the scenery becomes more dramatic. By evening, we reach Leh city (3,500m) and check into a comfortable hotel. Your body will need some rest after this long journey through the "Land of High Passes."

After a late breakfast, we spend the day exploring the spiritual side of Ladakh. We visit the famous Hemis Monastery, which is the largest and richest in the region. Next, we see the Thiksey Monastery, which is often called the Little Potala Palace because of its beautiful architecture. We also visit the Stok Palace and Museum to see the royal history of Ladakh. This 80 km round trip is easy and helps your body stay adjusted to the 3,500m altitude. You have the evening free to explore the local Leh market for handicrafts or try some authentic butter tea in the local cafes. Overnight stay at your hotel in Leh.

We drive 150 km today to see the world-famous Pangong Lake. The route takes us over the Chang La Pass (5,360m), which is often covered in snow. When you see the first view of the blue lake, it will take your breath away. Pangong Tso is a 134 km long lake shared between India and China. The water changes colors from turquoise to deep blue throughout the day. We stay in a guest house or deluxe camp near the lake at 4,250m. Watching the sunset over the water and the millions of stars at night is the highlight of all Manali Leh road trip packages

Wake up early to witness a magical sunrise over the blue waters of Pangong. After breakfast and some photography by the shore, we start our drive back to Leh city. We cross the Chang La Pass again and return to the Indus Valley. Upon reaching Leh, you have the afternoon free to rest or visit the local market for any last-minute shopping. You can buy famous pashmina shawls, apricots, or Tibetan jewelry. This 150 km drive brings you back to the comfort of your Leh hotel. It is a good time to relax and share photos of the lake with your friends and family.

Get ready to cross the highest motorable road in the world! We drive 125 km to Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass (18,390 ft). At the top, you will see a panoramic view of the Karakoram range. After a short stop, we descend into the "Valley of Flowers." We visit Diskit Monastery, which has a 100 ft golden Buddha statue. In the evening, we reach Hunder village where you can enjoy a ride on the rare Double-Humped Bactrian Camels in the sand dunes. Staying in a guest house or camp at 3,000m altitude is very comfortable. The desert scenery surrounded by snowy peaks is truly spectacular.

In the morning, we visit the quiet Samstanling Monastery in the Sumur region. This monastery is very peaceful and has beautiful wall paintings. Afterward, we drive back toward Leh, crossing the Khardung La Pass once again. We reach Leh by the afternoon, and the rest of the evening is free for you to explore the local cafes or simply relax at your hotel. This 125 km drive completes your valley tour. You return to your hotel in Leh (3,500m) for an overnight stay. This is your last chance to enjoy the evening vibes of the Leh Main Market before our Sham Valley tour tomorrow.

Today we explore the western side of Leh, known as the Sham Valley. The drive is around 90 km on very smooth roads. We visit the Phyang Monastery and the gravity-defying Magnetic Hill where cars move uphill by themselves. We also visit the holy Pathar Sahib Gurudwara and the Hall of Fame war museum. One of the best views today is the Sangam Point, the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. We stop at Likir Monastery before reaching Saspol village for an overnight stay. Saspol is famous for its apricot orchards and ancient caves. It is a very peaceful and green part of Ladakh.

After an early breakfast, we drive further west to visit the famous Lamayuru Monastery, also called the Moonland because of its unique soil. After exploring the monastery and the stunning landscape, we drive back toward Leh. On the way, we visit Alchi Monastery, which is the oldest in Ladakh and famous for its 1,000-year-old frescoes. We also stop at Rizong Monastery, which is known as a paradise for meditation because of its isolated location. By evening, we return to Leh city for an overnight stay. This day is full of history and ancient art, making your 12-day journey culturally complete.

This is a relaxed "buffer" day in Leh. We visit the white-domed Shanti Stupa, the historic Leh Palace, and the Spituk Monastery. This day is very important in case of any delays earlier in the trip due to bad weather or road blocks. If the trip went as planned, you can use this day for resting, more photography, or visiting any local spots you missed. You can spend the final evening at the Leh market for some final shopping and a farewell dinner with your group. This is your last night in the magical land of Ladakh before your flight home tomorrow morning.