A complete 12-day Ladakh road trip itinerary entering from Srinagar and leaving via Manali, covering Kargil, Lamayuru, Leh, Nubra, Pangong and the high passes, with shorter variations and practical planning tips.
Driving into Ladakh by road is one of the great journeys of the Himalaya. You watch the landscape change from green valleys to high desert, cross some of the highest passes in India and arrive in Leh with a real sense of distance travelled. This Ladakh road trip itinerary sets out a 12-day circuit that enters from Srinagar and leaves via Manali, plus shorter variations.
Distances and driving times are approximate and depend on road conditions. Treat this as a planning template, and confirm road status before each stage.
Why this direction?
Entering from Srinagar and leaving via Manali is a popular choice because:
- The Srinagar route rises gradually, with a lower overnight stop at Kargil, which helps acclimatisation.
- By the time you reach the high passes on the Manali highway, you have spent a week at altitude.
- You see both main highways without repeating any stretch.
The trip depends on both roads being open, which usually means mid-June to mid-September.
12-day itinerary at a glance
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Srinagar | Srinagar |
| 2 | Srinagar → Sonamarg → Zojila → Drass → Kargil | Kargil |
| 3 | Kargil → Mulbekh → Lamayuru → Alchi → Leh | Leh |
| 4 | Rest and gentle Leh sightseeing | Leh |
| 5 | Monasteries: Shey, Thiksey, Hemis | Leh |
| 6 | Leh → Khardung La → Nubra (Hunder) | Hunder |
| 7 | Hunder → Turtuk → Hunder | Hunder |
| 8 | Hunder → Shyok route → Pangong | Pangong |
| 9 | Pangong → Chang La → Leh | Leh |
| 10 | Leh → Tanglang La → More Plains → Sarchu or Jispa | Jispa (or Sarchu) |
| 11 | Jispa → Atal Tunnel → Manali | Manali |
| 12 | Buffer day / depart Manali | – |
Day-by-day details
Day 1: Srinagar
Arrive in Srinagar and rest. Check your vehicle, buy supplies, and get your documents in order. If you have time, an evening on Dal Lake or a walk in one of the Mughal gardens is a gentle start. Go to bed early – day 2 starts before dawn if you want to reach Zojila ahead of the traffic.
Day 2: Srinagar to Kargil
Leave early to cross Zojila before traffic builds up. Stop at Sonamarg for breakfast, at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, and reach Kargil by evening. It is roughly 200–205 km.
Day 3: Kargil to Leh
Drive via Mulbekh, Namika La and Fotu La to Lamayuru, then follow the Indus past Alchi to Leh. This is a long day; you can split it with a night in Lamayuru if you prefer. It is roughly 220–235 km. Our Lamayuru to Kargil road guide covers the highlights.
Days 4–5: Leh
Rest and explore Leh at a gentle pace before heading higher. See our Leh sightseeing guide.
Day 6: Leh to Nubra
Cross Khardung La in the morning and continue to Hunder. Read our Nubra Valley travel guide.
Day 7: Turtuk
A day trip west along the Shyok to the Balti village of Turtuk, returning to Hunder.
Day 8: Nubra to Pangong via Shyok
If the road is open, drive via Agham and Shyok village to Pangong. Otherwise, return to Leh and go to Pangong the next day. See Nubra to Pangong via Shyok.
Day 9: Pangong to Leh
Watch the sunrise at Pangong Lake, then return to Leh over Chang La.
Day 10: Leh to Jispa (or Sarchu)
Take the Manali highway over Tanglang La, across More Plains, through Pang and over Lachulung La and Baralacha La. Many travellers prefer to continue to Jispa rather than sleep at Sarchu because of its higher altitude. Leh to Jispa is roughly 320–335 km, a long day's drive. See our Manali–Sarchu–Leh guide and high mountain passes guide.
Day 11: Jispa to Manali
Drive through Keylong and the Atal Tunnel to Manali.
Day 12: Buffer day
Keep this day free for delays, or for rest in Manali before heading home.
Driving times and daily rhythm
Mountain roads are slower than they look on a map. Average speeds can be low on passes, through roadworks and over water crossings, and stops for photographs, tea and checkpoints add up. A comfortable daily rhythm for this itinerary is:
- Start: soon after breakfast, ideally by 7–8 am on pass days.
- Mid-morning: cross the highest point of the day.
- Lunch: a simple dhaba stop; carry snacks in case there is none.
- Arrive: by mid- to late afternoon, leaving time to rest and settle in before dark.
Avoid driving after dark: roads are unlit, animals wander onto them and oncoming trucks can dazzle you.
Where to stay along the route
| Stop | Typical options |
|---|---|
| Srinagar | Hotels and houseboats |
| Kargil | Hotels and guesthouses in town |
| Leh | The widest choice, from guesthouses to boutique hotels |
| Hunder | Camps and guesthouses |
| Pangong | Seasonal camps, cottages and homestays |
| Jispa | Hotels and camps beside the Bhaga river |
| Manali | Wide choice of hotels |
In peak months, book Pangong, Hunder and Jispa in advance, as options there are limited.
Highlights you should not rush
- Zojila (day 2): the transition from green Kashmir to arid Ladakh is one of the great moments of the trip.
- Kargil War Memorial (day 2): allow an hour to take it in properly.
- Lamayuru Moonland (day 3): best in early or late light; worth a night if you can spare one.
- Hunder at sunset (day 6): the dunes and mountains glow as the sun drops.
- Turtuk (day 7): slow down and walk the village rather than just driving through.
- Pangong at sunrise (day 9): set an alarm – it is worth the cold.
- More Plains and the Pang canyons (day 10): some of the most dramatic landscapes on the Manali road.
The extended 16-day version
With four extra days, you can add the remote south-east to the circuit before leaving via Manali:
| Days | Route |
|---|---|
| 1–8 | As above: Srinagar → Kargil → Leh → Nubra → Turtuk → Pangong |
| 9 | Pangong → Chushul → Hanle |
| 10 | Hanle: day trip towards Umling La (permits and road permitting) |
| 11 | Hanle → Tso Moriri |
| 12 | Tso Moriri → Puga → Tso Kar → Manali highway → Sarchu or Jispa |
| 13 | Jispa → Manali |
| 14–16 | Buffer days for weather, rest or extra stops |
This version is demanding and remote. Read the Pangong to Hanle route guide, Umling La guide and Tso Moriri guide before committing, and check whether the Puga–Tso Kar link is open to visitors.
Shorter variations
8 days: Leh-based loop
Fly into Leh and use the town as a base: two rest days, then Nubra, Turtuk, Pangong via Shyok and back. See the 7-day Leh itinerary.
10 days: Srinagar in, fly out of Leh
Follow days 1–9, then fly out of Leh on day 10.
Longer: add eastern Ladakh
Add 4–5 days for Hanle, Umling La and Tso Moriri. Our tour combinations guide shows how.
Road trip with children or older travellers
This itinerary can work for families, with some adjustments. Break the Kargil–Leh day with a night at Lamayuru or Alchi, add a third rest day in Leh, and consider skipping the Shyok road in favour of returning to Leh between Nubra and Pangong. On the Manali leg, stay at Jispa rather than Sarchu, and keep the twelfth day as a genuine buffer. Long days in the car are tiring for everyone, so plan regular stops, keep snacks and water handy, and be ready to shorten the plan if anyone feels unwell.
Doing the circuit in reverse
You can also enter from Manali and leave via Srinagar. The scenery is just as good, but the altitude profile is harder: you cross Baralacha La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La before you have acclimatised. If you choose this direction, spend a night at Jispa rather than Sarchu, and plan at least two rest days in Leh before going to Nubra or Pangong. Our acclimatisation guide explains why.
Planning tips
- Vehicle: high ground clearance, good tyres, a full-size spare and basic tools.
- Fuel: fill up in Kargil, Leh, Diskit, Karu and Tandi; there are long gaps between pumps on the Manali highway.
- Drive early: passes and water crossings are easier in the morning.
- Permits: required for Nubra, Turtuk and Pangong. See the permit guide.
- Outside vehicles: rules on non-local vehicles in some areas can change.
- Altitude: rest days in Leh are not optional.
Before you set off: a checklist
- Vehicle service: brakes, clutch, tyres (including the spare), coolant and lights checked by a mechanic.
- Documents: licence, registration, insurance and pollution certificate, plus printed permits for Ladakh's protected areas.
- Recovery kit: tow rope, jack, wheel spanner, puncture repair kit and a compressor.
- Supplies: water, snacks, a first-aid kit, warm layers and a blanket for each passenger.
- Navigation: offline maps downloaded – mobile data disappears for long stretches.
- Money: enough cash for several days in case card machines and ATMs are down.
- Plan B: know where you would stay if a pass closes unexpectedly.
Self-drive, taxi or bike?
| Self-drive | Local taxi with driver | Motorcycle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | High | Good, within the agreed plan | High |
| Effort | You handle every mile | Relax and enjoy the views | Physically demanding |
| Local knowledge | Your own research | Driver knows roads and conditions | Your own research |
| Best for | Experienced mountain drivers | Families, first-timers, mixed groups | Experienced riders |
Riders should read our Ladakh bike trip guide before deciding.
Related reading
For the existing Manali leg in more detail, see our Manali Leh road trip guide. If you are starting from Delhi, our Delhi to Leh travel guide covers the journey options.
Plan with Tripsdoc
Tripsdoc's Srinagar Leh Manali Package and Manali Leh Srinagar Package pages list current routes in both directions; check each page for inclusions. For a custom road trip, contact Tripsdoc.
Final thoughts
A Ladakh road trip is about the journey as much as the destinations. Give yourself enough days, build in rest and buffer time, and let the landscape set the pace.
Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons): Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0), Reyazsopore (CC BY 4.0), John Hill (CC BY-SA 4.0), Lalitgupta isgec (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting from Srinagar is usually easier for acclimatisation because altitude rises more gradually, with an overnight in Kargil. Exiting via Manali then takes you over the higher passes once you are already acclimatised.
Many people do, but check that your vehicle is in good condition, has good ground clearance and that local rules allow outside vehicles on your planned routes. Some areas have restrictions on non-local commercial vehicles.
Build at least one buffer day into the plan. Landslides, snow and roadworks can close roads temporarily. Check local updates daily and be ready to adjust the order of your route.