A road journey across Ladakh is an unforgettable adventure, complete with stunning scenery, steep mountain passes, tranquil lakes, and a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Here is a general guide to organizing a Ladakh road trip.
I am Nishant Srivastava. I have done a five-time Ladakh road trip on my motorcycle, so I have decent experience. Today, I am going to guide you through planning a 10-day road trip to Ladakh in 2024.
If you live in some other part of India, and you are planning for a Ladakh Motorcycle trip, then you can transport your vehicle to Delhi and follow this Itinerary, or you can transport to Chandigarh as well.
Important Information About Ladakh
Best Time To Visit Ladakh
The best season for a Ladakh road trip is between May and September when the roads are open and the weather is pretty consistent.
Also Read: Best Places to Enjoy Snow near Delhi
Route options for Ladakh
Classic route: Delhi-Manali-Leh-Srinagar-Delhi.
Or you can use Manali for both sides; we are discussing the Manali route in this article.
Both paths provide spectacular vistas and diverse landscapes.
Road Conditions are great on this route, except few patches and water crossing; if you are traveling in the month of July, then you may find big water crossings, but the rest of the times, you can easily cross them and most of the water crossings are covered with pipes so, it will not be a big problem for riders or travelers.
Best Mobile Network in Ladakh 2024
Keep In mind that you will have to carry a Post Paid sim to travel in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir; the best network is Reliance JIO; You can carry a JIO Post Paid Sim or Airtel Sim. Both work perfectly there, but JIO has better connectivity; you will find JIO Networks in Sarchu, Pangong, etc, but Airtel will work in Limited areas and forget other networks. These two only work. BSNL also works in many areas, but if not recommended, We will create a separate post for Mobile Networks and things to carry in Ladakh.
Ladakh is at a high altitude, thus acclimatisation is essential. Spend at least a day or two in Leh to acclimatize before moving on to higher altitude sites.
Ladakh 10 Days Itinerary for Road Trip in 2024 (Delhi To Delhi)
You can easily cover important places in Ladakh in 10-day road trips, but you can change the itinerary; if you want to spend more time there, I am assuming that you have only 10 days.
Day 1: Delhi to Manali
- Start early in the morning from Delhi.
- Reach Manali by evening or Night.
- Distance: Approximately 570 km.
Day 2: Manali to Sarchu
- Begin the day early and head towards Sarchu.
- Cross the Atal Tunnel, enjoy the waterfall in Sissu, and then cross the mighty Baralachla.
- Reach Sarchu by evening.
- Distance: Approximately 230 km.
Day 3: Sarchu to Leh
- Head towards Leh, the capital of Ladakh.
- Cross the famous Gata Loops and Tanglang La on the way.
- Reach Leh by evening.
- Distance: Approximately 250 km.
Day 4: Explore Leh
- Take a day to acclimatize to the high altitude.
- Visit local monasteries like Hemis, Thiksey and Leh Palace, Paththar Sahib Gurudwara etc
- Explore Leh town and its markets.
Day 5: Leh to Nubra Valley
- Ride to Nubra Valley via Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world.
- Explore Diskit Monastery and Hunder Sand Dunes.
- Stay overnight in Nubra.
- Distance: Approximately 125 km.
Day 6: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake
- Head towards Pangong Lake via Shyok.
- Enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake.
- Stay overnight at Pangong.
- Distance: Approximately 165 km.
Day 7: Pangong Lake to Leh
- Ride back to Leh via crossing Changla Pass.
- Relax and explore Leh in the evening.
- Distance: Approximately 160 km.
Day 8: Leh to Sarchu
- Begin your return journey towards Sarchu.
- Enjoy the scenic beauty on the way.
- Reach Sarchu by evening.
- Distance: Approximately 250 km.
Day 9: Sarchu to Manali (Rest)
- Ride back to Manali.
- Enjoy the landscapes once again.
- Reach Manali by evening.
- Distance: Approximately 230 km.
Day 10: Manali to Delhi
- Finally, head back to Delhi from Manali.
- Reach Delhi by evening.
- Distance: Approximately 570 km.
Also Read: Spiti Valley Road Trip Itinerary
Always check the road conditions and weather updates, and be prepared for altitude changes. Carry necessary documents, ensure your motorcycle is well-maintained, and prioritize safety throughout your journey.
Note: If you have any questions or queries regarding your Leh Motorcycle ride or road trip, you can ask in the comment section.
