Manali–Leh Highway
Road trip · Manali → Leh
One of the world's great high-altitude drives, the Manali–Leh Highway climbs from the green Kullu valley over a series of 4,000–5,300 m passes to the desert mountains of Ladakh. Ac…
Best season
Mid-June to mid-October
Duration
2–3 days
Distance
~475 km
Ideal vehicle
A high-clearance SUV or a well-serviced motorcycle (350cc+), with a spare tyre and basic tools.
The route
7 stops along the drive.
- 1Manali
Acclimatise and set off early; the climb begins at the Atal Tunnel.
- 2Jispa / Keylong
A good first-night halt in the Lahaul valley to help you acclimatise.
- 3Baralacha La & Suraj Tal
A 4,890 m pass beside the high glacial lake of Suraj Tal.
- 4Sarchu
High camping ground on the Himachal–Ladakh border; a common second halt.
- 5Gata Loops & More Plains
21 hairpin bends, then a vast, flat high-altitude plateau.
- 6Tanglang La
One of the highest motorable passes on the route before the descent to the Indus.
- 7Leh
The end of the drive and base for exploring Ladakh.
Overview
One of the world's great high-altitude drives, the Manali–Leh Highway climbs from the green Kullu valley over a series of 4,000–5,300 m passes to the desert mountains of Ladakh. Across roughly 475 km it crosses Baralacha La, Nakee La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La, past the vast More Plains and the twisting Gata Loops. The road is open only for a few summer months and demands time to acclimatise — but the scenery of glaciers, high pastures and moonscape ridges is unmatched.
Highlights
Atal Tunnel, Baralacha La and Suraj Tal, the Gata Loops, the More Plains, Tanglang La, and the first view of the Indus valley.
Road conditions
A mix of smooth tarmac and rough, broken patches, with occasional water crossings and landslide-prone sections. Long stretches have no fuel, phone signal or habitation, and the high passes can hold snow into June.
Driving tips
Break the climb with a night at Jispa or Sarchu to acclimatise, and start early each day to cross the passes before the afternoon winds. Fill up at Tandi — the last fuel for about 365 km until Leh — and carry cash, warm layers and water. Watch everyone for signs of altitude sickness (AMS).