Ladakh Road Trip

Ladakh Road Trip

The Manali-Leh highway is one of the great high-altitude road trips — crossing some of the world's highest motorable passes en route to Pangong Lake and the Nubra Valley. It's demanding, remote, and strictly seasonal, but it's also the reason many travelers put Ladakh on their list in the first place.

At 8-10 days and only accessible for about three months a year, this is the most serious undertaking of any route on this list — worth planning well in advance.

What to Know Before You Go

• The Manali-Leh highway is typically open only June through September — it's snowbound the rest of the year.
• Altitude sickness is a serious consideration; several passes on this route exceed 17,000 feet.
• Inner Line Permits are required for certain areas including Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley — these are usually arranged locally in Leh.
• Fuel and mobile coverage are both limited for long stretches — this trip requires more planning than most.

A Suggested Route

Best Time to Visit

The Manali-Leh highway is generally only open June through September, and even within that window, conditions can shift quickly. Early June can still have snow at higher passes; July–August is monsoon season on the Manali side, though Ladakh itself is a high-altitude desert with minimal rain.