Travel guidePermits & roads
Manali–Leh highway — passes, season, altitude and permits
The Manali–Leh highway runs about 428 km from Manali through the Atal Tunnel and over Baralacha La (4,850 m), Nakee La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La (5,328 m) to Leh. It is usually open from May to November, depending on snow, and is driven in two days, with a night at Jispa or Sarchu. Leisure Himachal's two Ladakh safaris use this road.
The route
| Leg | Distance (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Manali → Sissu (via Atal Tunnel) | 41 km |
| Sissu → Tandi → Keylong | 30 km |
| Keylong → Jispa → Darcha | 28 km |
| Darcha → Zingzingbar → Baralacha La | 47 km |
| Baralacha La → Sarchu | 33 km |
| Sarchu → Pang | 76 km |
| Pang → Tanglang La | 66 km |
| Tanglang La → Upshi → Karu → Leh | 109 km |
Distances from the route table on Wikipedia’s Leh–Manali Highway page, via the Atal Tunnel; they add up to about 430 km. Older figures of around 470 km are for the road over Rohtang Pass.
The passes
- Baralacha La, about 4,850 m — snowfields and Suraj Tal, the source of the Bhaga.
- Nakee La, about 4,739 m, and Lachulung La, about 5,065 m — above the Gata loops.
- Tanglang La, about 5,328 m — the highest point, after the long flat of the More Plains.
Where to stop overnight
Jispa or Keylong (about 3,100–3,300 m) is easier on the body; Sarchu (about 4,200 m) splits the drive more evenly but is high for a first night. Our jeep safari spends the night in camp at Sarchu.
Altitude
Leh is at about 3,500 m and the passes far higher. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, rest on arrival in Leh, and come down if a headache, nausea or breathlessness gets worse. Since 2022 a minimum two-day stay in Leh has been required before crossing Khardung La.
Practical notes
- Fuel: fill up before Lahaul — fuel stations are very few between Keylong and Leh.
- Network: mobile coverage is patchy; tell people your plan.
- Vehicle: an SUV or MUV with ground clearance; expect broken stretches and water crossings.
- Season: the road opens and closes with the snow — see the pass calendar for Baralacha La’s dates by year, and check the latest status before you travel.
- Flying out: at the Leh end, read Leh airport taxis.
See the Leh-Ladakh guide and the Manali to Leh taxi.
Before you go
Quick answers
How long is the Manali–Leh highway?
About 428 km. Driving time is two days for most people, with an overnight stop at Jispa, Keylong or Sarchu.
When does the Manali–Leh road open?
Usually from May until November, once the Border Roads Organisation has cleared Baralacha La — it reopened on 13 May in 2025 and 15 May in 2026. The dates change each year with the snow.
What is the highest point on the Manali–Leh road?
Tanglang La, at about 5,328 m, on the second day between the More Plains and Upshi.
Do I need a permit for the Manali–Leh road?
Not for the highway itself beyond the Atal Tunnel; private vehicles entering Lahaul should register on e-Aagman. In Ladakh, protected areas such as Nubra and Pangong need registration and the environment fee through the LAHDC permit portal.
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Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 25 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.
- Manali-Leh national highway restored via Baralacha La — The Tribune, 13 May 2025
- Manali-Leh road reopens for light vehicles via Baralacha-La — The Tribune, 16 May 2026
- Leh–Manali Highway — Wikipedia
- Tanglang La — Wikipedia
- LAHDC Leh — permit portal
- e-Aagman vehicle registration — Government of Himachal Pradesh