Leh is the main town of Ladakh, at about 3,500 m in the upper Indus valley. By road it is 428 km from Manali over Baralacha La and Tanglang La, usually open from May to November, or 434 km from Srinagar via Kargil. Leisure Himachal runs two jeep safaris here from Manali: a 9-night Leh and Nubra circuit, and an 8-night route that ends in Srinagar.
Getting there
How to reach Leh-Ladakh
By air
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, with year-round flights from Delhi and other cities.
By rail
No railway in Ladakh.
By road
Manali–Leh highway, 428 km over Baralacha La (4,850 m) and Tanglang La (5,328 m), usually two days with a night at Sarchu or Jispa. Srinagar–Leh, 434 km via Zoji La and Kargil.
Permits. Visitors to Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and other protected areas pay the Ladakh environment fee and register through the LAHDC permit portal (lahdclehpermit.in); foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. Since 2022 a minimum of two days' acclimatisation in Leh has been required before crossing Khardung La. Rules change — check the portal before you travel.
Sights
What to see in Leh-Ladakh
01
Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa
The 17th-century palace of King Sengge Namgyal above the old town, and the white stupa on the opposite ridge.
02
Thiksey, Hemis and Shey
The monasteries and old palace of the Indus valley south of Leh — Shey is about 15 km away.
03
Nubra Valley
Over Khardung La (5,359 m) to Diskit monastery, the sand dunes and Bactrian camels at Hunder, and the hot springs at Panamik.
04
Pangong Tso
The 134 km lake at about 4,300 m, two-thirds of it in Tibet, reached over Chang La.
05
Lamayuru and Alchi
Lamayuru's monastery above its eroded 'moonland', and the 11th-century murals at Alchi.
06
Sarchu and the high passes
The camp on the Himachal–Ladakh border at about 4,200 m, between Baralacha La and the Gata loops.
The guide
Leh-Ladakh travel guide
Why go by road?
You can fly to Leh in an hour from Delhi. Going by road from Manali takes two days, and that is the point: the highway crosses the Great Himalaya and the Zanskar range, climbing from cedar forest through Lahaul to the bare plateau at Sarchu and over Tanglang La at 5,328 m. It is one of the great mountain drives in the world, and climbing slowly is also the best way to acclimatise.
When is the Manali–Leh road open?
Usually from May until November. The Border Roads Organisation clears the passes each spring, and the dates move with the snow — the pass calendar lists them by year. July and August bring the monsoon to Manali and Lahaul, but Ladakh itself stays mostly dry.
Manali–Leh–Srinagar, 8 nights — from Chandigarh over the passes to Leh, then west through Kargil to a houseboat in Srinagar.
Both use a non-AC Tavera or Qualis with a driver who knows the high roads, and include camp nights at Sarchu and Uleytokpo.
Altitude, honestly
Leh is at about 3,500 m, and Khardung La and Chang La are far higher. Altitude sickness is common and avoidable: spend two easy days in Leh before going higher, drink plenty of water, 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. Read the Manali–Leh highway guide before you go.
Usually from May until November, depending on snow on the passes — it reopened on 13 May in 2025 and 15 May in 2026. Dates change each year; check the latest status before travelling.
How many days do I need for Leh-Ladakh?
At least six nights if you fly in, including two quiet days in Leh to acclimatise. By road from Manali, plan nine or ten — our Manali–Leh jeep safari is 9 nights.
Do I need a permit for Nubra and Pangong?
Yes. Visitors to protected areas such as Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri register and pay the environment fee through lahdclehpermit.in. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. Ask us on WhatsApp what applies to your route.
How do I avoid altitude sickness in Ladakh?
Rest for the first 24–48 hours in Leh, drink water, avoid alcohol, and go higher gradually. Coming by road from Manali helps, because you climb over two days. Descend if symptoms get worse.
What is the real height of Khardung La?
Surveys put Khardung La at about 5,359 m. The signboards at the top claim about 5,602 m.
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.
