45

Manali to Leh Road Trip Packages

From Manali, breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges are a perennial specialty. This is the place where mountain adventures take on a new dimension. Heaven for tourists, Manali is replete with scenic quotients offering trekking enthusiasts an experience of its own kind.

Attracting visitors from all over the world all year round, this is a place for backpackers to explore the serene settings of the Himalayas. It is also the place where adventure tourists can enjoy exhilarating activities such as paragliding, rafting, and skiing while on Manali to Leh Road trip.

This is a place where the earth meets the sky! At more than 15,000ft, you are greeted and embraced by the clouds on a Manali to Leh bike trip. Located on the eastern part of the Pir Panjal range, this mountain pass is a connecting point for the Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti valleys.

A natural divide between these two valleys, an ancient trade route passed through either side of the Pir Panjal ranges. From the Rohtang La, enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas and its snow-capped mountains. Enjoy regional food at local dhabas and eateries; savor the unique ambiance to the brim during your biking trip to Leh.

An administrative center of the Lahaul and Spiti region, Keylong is famous for the Kardang Monastery. Being an important monastery of the Drukpa sect, this place of full of Buddhist pilgrims. Keylong is also the place where the yearly Lahaul festival is held.

Apart from the monasteries in Ladakh, you can also visit the holy Kelang Wazir temple in the vicinity. Located at about 120km north of Manali, this is an excellent place to spend an overnight during the Manali to Leh trip.

During a journey of uninterrupted beauty, Darcha presents a unique reality that is intriguing and equally fascinating. Located on the banks of the Bhaga River this is a small village that emanates a silent charm.

From Darcha, you can trek to Padum over a period of several days and enjoy the serene beauty of the region. The visual treat on offer makes Darcha and the surrounding regions, a photographer’s favourite haunt.

This place is a pride of the Zanskar section in the Himalayas. A beautiful nature-architected pass, the Baralacha La connects Lahaul to Ladakh. If on one side the Pir Panjal mountains amaze you, on the other, the Himalayan range stands in inviting disposition. 

Being a high mountain pass in Ladakh, you get amazing views of the landscape from here. Be it the melting snow from the mountains beyond you, or the uniquely shaped hills in the distance to the valleys and streams, you get an enthralling as well as exciting visuals in the blink of your eye.

Known as an easier mountain pass to traverse, Lachulung La is located about 16,600ft above the sea level. Being a natural divider of the Tsarap Chu Chu and Tozay rivers, this pass is close to the Pangong Lake as well.

When you get here you can notice that most tourist vehicles have stopped allowing visitors to see the natural beauty of this place. It offers the best of the panoramic views of the nearby peaks and valleys. The inexplicable scenic quotients are equally complemented by the salubrious weather.

Located beside the Indus River, Upshi comprises of a quaint and picturesque setting. Located in the vicinity of an ancient trade route that is connected to Tibet, this village was once a thriving place. Now the occupants of this paradisiacal region are busy with activities such as goat farming.

Almost every home in this hamlet has a goat breeding area. You can also witness numerous shepherds walking with their livestock towards pastures and back. It is a fantastic place to visit in Ladakh, go for a village tour and be charmed by the elegant and serene lifestyle of the inhabitants.

Also called as Pangong Tso, this is a picturesque lake in the upper reaches of the Himalayan range in the Ladakh district. At about 13,900ft, this natural water body has scenic quotients which are unparalleled in beauty and magnificence. Camping near Pangong Lake is a major activity in Ladakh. 

At a distance of about five hours drive from Leh, the trip to Pangong Lake on a Manali to Leh road trip lets you view the beautiful countryside and also pass through the third highest motorable mountain pass in the world called the Chang La. The azure waters of this lake stand eternally still.

This valley is one of the finest expositions of nature’s magnificence. There are very few places on Earth with the same stature as this when it comes to beautiful and varied scenery. Located in the Nubra district about 150km north of Leh, this valley is where the Shylok and Siachan rivers confluence.

At an average altitude of above 10,000ft, this region is a cold desert with vegetation along river beds. The villages of this valley are fertile and with adequate irrigation facilities. The majority of inhabitants here speaks the Nubra language and are Buddhists. Nubra is also famous for its camps that gives a beautiful star gazing experience.

Also called the Luru Gompa Monastery, Lamayuru is amongst the foremost monasteries in Ladakh region. Located in the Kargil district of Ladakh and close to Leh, this sacred monastery consists of five buildings. Housing on an average more than 400 Buddhist monks, it is the venue ground of the two masked dance festivals. 

The landscape next to the monastery is unique and enticing. Many people are of the opinion that the soil of this region is similar to the soil found on the moon.

One of the important Buddhist stupas, Shanti Stupa was built by a Japanese Buddhist. Located in Chandspa in the Leh district, this structure was built to promote world peace and harmony. As a testimony to the completion of Buddhism’s 2,500 years on earth, it has now become a major and popular tourist spot in Ladakh.

From this stupa, you can view most of the Leh town. The best and the most prized views are the sunrise and sunset views from the stupa.

You must have definitely heard about this palace if you are planning to visit Ladakh. Surrounded by the amazing beauty of the region with the snow-capped mountains and the valleys Ladakh is also famous for the Royal Leh palace. Located at the Leh city, Leh Palace is one of the main tourist attractions in the Leh city. This palace is one of the tallest buildings of its time with nine stories. 

One can enjoy the spectacular views of Stok Kangri and the Ladakh mountain range. The building was started in the year 1553 and the construction was completed by the 17th century during the reign of Sengge Namgyal. The architecture is the finest example of the medieval Tibetan architecture.

Don't forget to check out the list of best hotels in Leh that will make your stay wonderful.

Known for its amazing magnetic wonders, this hill is a very famous place to visit in Ladakh. Thousands of tourist come to visit this place every year. The magnetic hills are gravity hills located near Leh in Ladakh. Standing tall at an altitude of 14,000 feet these hills said to have some magnetic energy that can pull cars uphill. 

This hill is on the Leh-Kargil-Batalik national highway and is bordered by the Sindhu river. These mystics hills still amaze the people coming to visit this destination. The optical illusion created by these hills is the perfect example of natural wonders.

Most of you might have heard about this monastery in Ladakh. Within the Nubra region of Ladakh, Diskit is arranged at an elevation of 3142 meters above ocean level, and lays 15 km north-west off the Khalsar-Panamik course, at the edge of the abandon in Shyok valley. Diskit is well known for its fourteenth century monastery. 

The monastery has a place with Gelugpa arrange or the Yellow Hat order of Tibetan Buddhsim. It was established by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, the pupil of Tsong Khapa, in fourteenth century. 

Built in the loving memory of Guru Nanak Dev, this Gurudwara is a sacred site revered by the devotees. It is located on the Leh-Kargil highway and falls on the route to Leh. While Leh has countless places brimming with tourists, this place is still not known by many and is a true treasure for the solace seekers. If interesting tales bewitch you then this holy place holds a huge rock which is said to be thrown away by a demon on Guru Nanak Dev and was never removed.

Even after repetitive efforts, no one was able to push away this mighty structure and this is the reason it is called the Pathar Gurudwara. Visiting this serene site is indeed one of the best things to do in Ladakh if you are touring with your family as this quaint slice has everything to soothe your soul.

When you are on a tour to Ladakh don’t miss a chance to visit this one of a kind amazing monastery. Out of the amazing monasteries in Ladakh Thiksey Monastery is another monastery which is famous among the tourist around the world. Arranged 18 km from Leh in the Indus valley Thiksey monastery is the biggest religious community in focal Ladakh. 

The Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Gelugpa group of Tibetan Buddhism is situated at the highest point of slope. The 12 story religious community has 10 temples, an assembly hall and is home to 120 friars and abbey. Aside from going by religious community, one can likewise locate some uncommon and valuable stupas, statues, thangkas, divider canvases and swords in the cloister.

If you love exploring the monasteries and the its surroundings then this is another monastery which is a must visit for you. Hemis Monastry is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, situated in Hemis, Ladakh, India. Arranged 45 km from Leh, the cloister was re-set up in 1672 by the Ladakhi ruler Sengge Namgyal. 

Hemis Gompa is the biggest religious community in Ladakh. The gigantic architural structure of Hemis Monastery is remarkable and speaks to a particular style of engineering from the other critical cloisters of Ladakh. An essential yearly celebration of Ladakh recognizing the birth commemoration of Guru Padmasambhava is held at this religious community successively for two days in June-July.

This is another lake in Ladakh which is very famous among the people. Surrounded by barren hills with the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains this lake makes an ideal vacation spot. The lake measures 28 km in length from north to south and about 4-6 km in breadth and about 100 feet average in depth. Camping near To Moriri is also preferred by a lot of visitors there. The crystal clear water and blue colour of the lake will make you fall in love with this place. 

Another interesting thing about this lake is that this lake was once a popular source of salt. Set amidst the mountain ranges in Leh this lakes provides you with some of the best views with peaceful surroundings. 

For those of you who are still searching for some different spot to visit in Ladakh then here we bring you another place. Spituk Gompa reviews the Indus Valley with various mudbrick structures tumbling happily down a lofty hillock towards Spituk town. 

This Buddhist monastery gives you an opportunity to meet monks and observe their lifestyle closely while reveling in the divine tranquility of the peaceful atmosphere that dominates the region. The gompa is located just 6 km away from Leh Town and is one of the major tourist attractions in the town. 

From its architecture to its location, everything about the monastery has an air of divinity to it. Founded in the 11th century, the monastery houses a giant statue of Kali.

There is another must-see attraction in Leh Ladakh tour and that is the Tso Kar Lake. Also called ‘White Lake' is one of the three high height saltwater lakes in Ladakh. The Tso-Kar Lake is known as 'White Lake' on the grounds that the white salt of the water stores everywhere throughout the lake shores. Tso-Kar Lake is the littlest lake among the three vital lakes in Ladakh. 

The Tso-Kar lake is extremely well known with bird watchers. The range encompassing Tso-Kar lake is rich with wildlife and birds. Be that as it may, the principle fascination among the birds' life at Tso Kar is dark necked cranes. The dark necked cranes, known for their devotion, come to Tso Kar to lay eggs.

You can check out the best trekking experiences in Ladakh to make your Ladakh trip more adventurous.

1) Manali

While in Manali, you can find an abundance of petrol pumps. This hill station town has a total of 6 petrol pumps.

2) Tandi

Moving 110 km from Manali, you can find a petrol pump in Tandi.

Distance from Manali to Tandi: 110 Kms

3) Karu

345 km from Tandi and 30km before Leh, you can also refuel your vehicles in Karu.

Distance from Tandi to Karu: 345kms

4) Leh

Arriving in Leh, one can also find quite a few petrol pumps. In addition to the few petrol pumps in Leh, you can refuel your vehicles at the petrol pump near the Leh Airport (25 km from Leh).

A convenient mode of travel while commuting from Manali to Leh by taking a bus. The smooth availability of bus service creates travel convenience for many people traveling from Manali.

It is strictly recommended that while going on Leh Manali highway you should carry sufficient amount of cash, as you can find the scarcity of ATMs after leaving Leh/Manali. Though there are too many ATMs in Manali, giving you sufficient opportunities to withdraw cash, after Manali, there is only one ATM you will find in Keylong, which is on the way to Leh. 

However, it is not mandatory that the ATM in Keylong will be in working condition. Aftermath, you will directly find ATMs in Leh, which will be limited in number. 

Only the SBI, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, HDFC, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank have their ATMs in Leh. 

Hence, make sure you have sufficient cash for the trip from the beginning only. Also, except a few antique shops, the majority of restaurants and hotels do not accept the credit or debit cards, please carry enough cash with you on your trip.

1) Keylong

Located 117 km away from Manali, Keylong is the first place to take a break for the night while on the Manali to Leh bike trip. Listed below are some of the best hotels that go easy on the visitor’s pockets:

• Hotel Dekyid,
• Hotel New Gyespa,
• Hotel Tashi Delek,
• HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga,
• Valley View Hotel
  
  

Distance between Manali to Keylong: 117 Kms

2) Sarchu

• Himalayan Saga Camps
• Goldrop Camps
• Planet Himalaya Camps
• Antrek Camps
• Blue Poppy Camps
  
  

Distance between Manali to Sarchu: 223 Km

3) Leh

Located 357km from Keylong and 250km from Sarchu, upon your arrival in Leh, you can relax around a number of hotels that are solely meant for the tourists. Most of these hotels are located within the easy reach from the main town. Some of the places to stay in Leh:

• Ladakh Sarai
• Hotel Nalanda Ladakh
• The Grand Dragon Ladakh
• Ladakh Residency
  
  

Distance Between Keylong to Leh: 357 Kms

Distance between Sarchu to Leh: 250 Kms

For the bike ride, you can take a bike on rent in Manali and head on to this adventurous & scenic ride.

The inner line permit (ILP) rules for Ladakh tourism have been simplified. There are certain requirements to be considered like a valid photo ID and attested photocopies that act as a proof of Nationality (Passport, DL, Voters ID etc.).

 No inner line permits are now required to travel to places like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. However, there are some exceptions. In case one plans to cover a direct Stretch from Tso Moriri to Pangong Tso via Chushul route with a visit to Hanle, then one needs to give detailed information.

 It is important to mention Pangong Tso, Man, Merak, Chushul, Tsaga, Loma, Nyoma, Mahe, Hanle and Tso Moriri in the permit application. Similarly, it is mandatory to apply for an Inner Line Permit, if you are planning to visit Pangong directly from Nubra via Shyok, Darbuk, Tangtse.

Inner Line Permits for Foreign Nationals

The foreign nationals must obtain the inner line permits, if they plan to visit areas like Turtuk, Panamik, Khaltse, Pangong, Changthang, Hunder, Tso Kar and Tso Moriri and few others. Also, to visit Hanle, Chusul, Tsaga, beyond Loma bend, Chumur, Marsimik La and Batalik Sector, they must have the inner line permits.

Foreign nationals, with exception from Bhutan, Burma, Nepal and Pakistan, also need to obtain PAP or the Protected Area Permit to visit the above-mentioned places. This permit is issued at the Leh DC Office and is allowed only to a group of four or more foreign nationals and is valid for 7 days.

While travelling Suru and Zanskar valleys, inner line permits are not required. However, this permit doesn't allow them to beyond Merek Village in the Mahe or Pangong village.