How to Travel from Manali to Leh

The most preferred route for those who are planning to take a trip to Leh Ladakh is to go via Manali. The scenic route takes you through one the most renowned hill stations of the North Indian region. Afterall, half the fun of travelling to Leh Ladakh lies in the journey rather than the destination, doesn’t it? There’s a reason why taking a road trip to Leh Ladakh is the most popular way of travelling to the place. The scenic views the Manali to Leh Ladakh road trip affords you hold no parallel to taking a boring flight that will deposit right in Leh in a few hours when you could have been enjoying a 12 hour ride full of majestic views, amusing pit stops and just time well spent with your companions.

So fasten your seatbelts, literally and metaphorically and brace yourselves as we list all the details about the Manali to Leh  route. Traversing through the panoramic views, the journey won’t be much less than travelling through paradise. You can travel from Manali to Leh by air, by train as well as by road.

Manali to Leh Ladakh via Air

There are numerous major airports from where you can take a direct flight to Leh but there aren’t any flights that directly connect Manali to Leh. The best option for you after you reach Manali is to take the bus to Jammu from where you can take a flight to Leh. The average cost of the flight tickets will be between Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 20,000.

Manali to Leh Ladakh via Train

Just as there aren’t any direct flights from Manali to Leh Ladakh, there aren’t any trains either. Once again you will have to take a bus from Manali but this time to Pathankot where your train journey will start. The BTI Jat express will take you from Pathankot to Jammu.  The average price of the train tickets will be between Rs. 6,500 to Rs. 9,000.

After you reach Jammu, you’ll again have to hop on a bus that will take you to Leh. Here, you can also hire a private or even a shared taxi to reach Leh.

Manali to Leh Ladakh via Road

This is the most convenient as well as the most popular way to travel from Manali to Leh Ladakh. You can take a car trip or a bike trip to Leh while travelling on the road. There is no shortage of picturesque locations, magnificent views, and adventure on this route. The route will take you from Manali to Keylong(via the Atal Tunnel), Sarchu, and Tanglang La, and then finally you will reach Leh. This Manali to Leh route will take you over five high-altitude passes on the way to Leh.

The Manali to Leh Ladakh Route and Distance

Since the construction and inauguration of the Atal Tunnel in 2020, the Manali to Leh distance has been shortened to approximately 430 kilometres, which will take you around 13-14 hours to travel. The Atal Tunnel with a length of 9.02 kilometres takes you from Manali to Keylong in Lahaul Valley. With the construction of this tunnel, there is no longer a need to travel over the Rohtang Pass that often restricts you with its opening dates. The risk of avalanches, bad roads, traffic jams, landslides etc. has also been eliminated.

Permits Required for a Manali to Leh Road Trip 

When you are taking a Manali to Leh road trip, there are a few permits that are necessary. The permits also depend on whether you have an Indian vehicle or a Foreign vehicle. These permits are necessary regardless of the fact that you’re taking a car or a bike to Manali. Keep the following in mind to avoid any hassles on your trip.

Also Read : Indus River in Ladakh

Permits Required for Indian Vehicles:

Rohtang Pass Permit: Any and all vehicles that travel beyond Manali towards the Rohtang Pass require this permit. You can get this permit issued online at the Manali SDM Office in person. All vehicles, be they local or foreign require this permit.

Inner Line Permit (ILP): Any Indian nationals travelling to Leh Ladakh require an ILP to obtain entry to the areas that are considered restricted in Ladakh. These areas include Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri. You can get the Inner Line Permits issued online or at the Leh DC Office in person.

Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Permit: In case you are planning to travel to the Dah-Hanu area in Ladakh, you’ll require this additional permit. This is a mandatory permit for both local and foreign vehicles and can be obtained in Leh itself.

Permits Required for Foreign Vehicles

Protected Area Permit (PAP): Any Foreign citizens that are travelling to the restricted areas require a PAP. The restricted areas include Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Tso Morir. You can submit your PAP applications through the local registered tour operators or travel agencies in Leh.

Best Time to Travel from Manali to Leh Ladakh

The best time to travel to Leh Ladakh is between June to September when the Manali – Leh Highway is open. The rest of the months due to weather conditions, you might find the roads closed.

Also Read: Best Bikes for Leh Ladakh Trip

Things to keep in mind while travelling from Manali to Leh Ladakh

• The Manali to Leh route does not have an abundance of ATMs so make sure that you carry ample cash.
• The cell phone reception in this mountainous region can be tricky. Airtel has a good reception so make sure to carry a backup SIM in case of emergency.
• service your car to avoid any breakdowns.
• The Manali to Leh road has 6 petrol pumps so make sure to monitor your fuel tank as well as carry back up fuel while travelling on this route.