Manali to Leh Road Trip
The high road from Manali over the great passes to Leh, with an overnight stop to acclimatise (summer only).
Trip at a glance
- Duration7 days / 6 nights
- Starts inManali
- RouteManali · Leh · Pangong Lake
- Places3 destinations
- StateLadakh, India
- Ideal forRoad trips, Adventure holidays
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-1ASU2H
Best time to visit: March to June; December to February for snow
Trip overview
The high road from Manali over the great passes to Leh, with an overnight stop to acclimatise (summer only).
The route spends 2 nights in Manali, 3 nights in Leh and 1 night in Pangong Lake, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits road trips and adventure holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Manali
- Arrive via Kullu–Manali Airport (Bhuntar and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Old Manali: Cafés and village lanes
Day 2Manali: Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass
- Solang Valley: Paragliding, ropeway and snow sports
- Rohtang Pass: High pass with snow (permit required, seasonal)
Day 3Manali to Leh
- Travel from Manali to Leh by private vehicle, with stops on the way
- Check in at your Leh hotel
- Leh Palace: Seventeenth-century royal palace
Day 4Leh: Shanti Stupa and Thiksey Monastery
- Shanti Stupa: White stupa with sunset views
- Thiksey Monastery: Monastery resembling the Potala Palace
Day 5Leh: Hemis Monastery and Hall of Fame
- Hemis Monastery: Largest monastery, with a summer festival
- Hall of Fame: Army museum
Day 6Leh to Pangong Lake
- Travel from Leh to Pangong Lake by private vehicle
- Check in at your Pangong Lake hotel
- Pangong lakeshore: Changing colours of the lake
Day 7Depart from Pangong Lake
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Leh Airport (IXL) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Daily driving kept to comfortable distances with scenic stops
- An experienced local driver who knows the roads
- Road and weather conditions checked before each long day
- Activities booked with licensed, insured operators
- Fitness level and experience checked before we confirm each activity
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Manali: Rohtang needs an online permit and is closed on Tuesdays; Sissu via the Atal Tunnel is an easy alternative.
- Leh: Rest completely on arrival day; altitude sickness is common if you rush.
- Pangong Lake: Nights at Pangong are freezing even in summer; camps provide heaters or electric blankets at a cost.
Questions about this trip
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Himachal PradeshManali
Manali sits at the head of the Kullu Valley, with apple orchards, old wooden temples and snow peaks all around.
LadakhLeh
Leh, at about 3,500 metres, is Ladakh's capital and the base for exploring the region.
LadakhPangong Lake
Pangong Tso is a long, high-altitude lake at about 4,250 metres, stretching from Ladakh into Tibet.
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