Planning to go for a Ladakh? Great! You have chosen an amazing destination. Ladakh is one of the best holiday destinations of India where you find yourself in another world. You are definitely going to enjoy this wonderful trip. However, proper planning and carrying the essential clothing and other accessories is must to enjoy your trek.

Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop
  • Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop
  • About 12-13 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar
  • Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well
  • Overnight at Srinagar
  • About 8-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 3 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
  • Enjoy the vistas enroute
  • Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil
  • Overnight at Kargil
  • About 8 Hrs drive, depend upon the traffic movement at Zozila and breaks you take in between
Day 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
  • Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes
  • On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu
  • Overnight at Leh
  • About 9-10 Hrs drive, , depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 5 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
  • Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
  • Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
  • On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
  • Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
  • About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and at Khardung La
Day 7 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
  • Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
  • Overnight at Leh
  • About 7-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 8 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake
  • Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso
  • Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)
  • About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 9 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh
  • Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh
  • Overnight at Leh
  • About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 10 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping or you can do tour to Sham Valley
  • Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
  • Overnight at Leh
Day 11 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
  • Cover Karzok Monastery
  • Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri
  • About 7-8 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 12 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu
  • Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang
  • Overnight at Sarchu or Pang
  • About 11-12 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 13 | Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali
  • On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only
  • Overnight at Manali
  • About 11-12 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and of course the mess at Rohtang Pass
Day 14 | Manali – Delhi
  • Return Home
  • About 13-14 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 15 + 16

| Buffer days to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.

Additional Points
  • Instead of coming back to Leh from Nubra Valley, you can head towards Pangong Tso via Wari La route. This will give you an additional day which can be spent in Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso or Leh. If you are riding then you need to carry sufficient fuel for it.
  • In Srinagar you can also visit Floating market > Shalimar Garden.
  • For cheap and moderate budget accommodation or hotels in Leh – Ladakh you can refer the links hereand here respectively.
  • Any doubts related to budget of the trip?? Don’t worry, check: How to calculate cost or budget for Leh – Ladakh trip

List of Accommodation or Stay Options on Srinagar – Leh Highway

Srinagar – Leh Highway is much better than Manali – Leh Highway in terms of accommodation options it offers and one can find decent place to stay within 125 odd KMs at max. At some places like Mulbekh, Sonamarg, Drass etc the accommodation options could be very limited and basic guest house / home stay types while places like Kargil, Lamayuru does offer varied amount of accommodation options. So, it always better to break the journey at Kargil or Lamayuru but of course there are not much worries for places of stay on Srinagar – Leh Highway than on Manali – Leh Highway. You can also take diversion to the towns of Alchi / Likir for a stay there as well. Of course you will find basic home stay types of accommodation at both Alchi / Likir but it would be a worthwhile experience in any case. Here is the break up of accommodation options available on Srinagar – Leh Highway with distances –

  • Srinagar – Sonamarg (80 KMs) | Decent number of accommodation options available at Sonamarg
  • Sonamarg – Drass (65 KMs) | Decent number of accommodation options available at Drass
  • Drass – Kargil (55 KMs) | Many accommodation options available at Kargil
  • Kargil – Mulbekh (40 KMs) | Few basic / home stay accommodation options available at Mulbekh
  • Mulbekh – Lamayuru (70 KMs) | Decent number of accommodation options available at Lamayuru
  • Lamayuru – Alchi / Likir (55 – 65 KMs / 65 – 75 KMs) | Few basic / home stay accommodation options available at Alchi / Likir
  • Lamayuru – Leh (125 KMs) | Many accommodation options available at Leh
  • Alchi / Likir – Leh ( 65 KM / 55 KMs) | Many accommodation options available at Leh

Please keep in mind that Alchi and Likir are not exactly on Srinagar – Leh Highway and you need to take diversions near Sasapol, I guess, for either of them. The distance between Alchi – Likir is about 18 – 20 KMs only.

Acclimatization and its importance on Srinagar – Leh Highway

Unlike Manali – Leh Highway, the journey on Srinagar – Leh Highway goes through gradual increase in altitude thereby helping our body to get acclimatized properly for the altitude of Leh. That is why going through Srinagar – Leh Highway is always preferred for road trip to Ladakh than going via Manali – Leh Highway. By going to Leh – Ladakh from Srinagar – Leh Highway, one gives himself a chance to properly acclimatize to the high altitudes there by decreasing the chances of being hit by AMS. In the return leg, you can go via Leh – Manali Highway so that your body is properly acclimatized by the time you under take the varied high altitudes on that route. This helps you enjoy the Manali – Leh highway in a better way as well.

Having said that even on Srinagar – Leh Highway its always good that you take little precautions to further minimize the effects of high altitude  sickness. Here are some tips which will help acclimatizing the body faster

  • Try to cover the Srinagar – Leh journey in two days with a night halt at Kargil most preferably.
  • Keep your body properly hydrated.
  • Avoid sleeping at high altitudes.
  • Avoid over exertion.
  • Avoid tobacco and smoking and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
  • Keep your body warm and eat lots of carbohydrates.
  • Avoid sleep during the day.
  • Sleep in upright position, if possible.
  • Carry preventive medicines for AMS.
  • Immediately descend, if symptoms increase.

Fuel or Petrol Pumps on Srinagar – Leh Highway

Again, unlike Manali – Leh Highway, it is easy to find fuel or petrol on Srinagar – Leh Highway. One can get fuel or petrol on Srinagar Leh Highway at:  Srinagar, Kangan, Sonamarg, Kargil, Mulbekh, Wakha,  Khaltsi, Leh

ATMs on Srinagar – Leh Highway

As per my knowledge there are ATMS available at Ganderbal, Drass, Kargil apart from Leh and Srinagar ATMs. I guess you should carry enough cash with you in Ladakh because ATMs at these limited places can run out of money or become un-operational at any day or time.

Places on Srinagar – Leh Highway with their Distances and Altitudes

Generally, the places of on Srinagar – Leh Highway majorly goes like Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil – Mulbekh – Namika La – Fotu La – Lamayuru – Khaltsi – Sasapol – Nimmu – Leh and the approximate distances between these places is shown below briefly –

  • Srinagar – Sonamarg (80 KMs)
  • Sonamarg – Drass (65 KMs)
  • Drass – Kargil (55 KMs)
  • Kargil – Mulbekh (40 KMs)
  • Mulbekh – Lamayuru (70 KMs)
  • Lamayuru – Leh (125 KMs)

Places on Srinagar – Leh Highway with their Distances and Altitudes

Generally, the places of on Srinagar – Leh Highway majorly goes like Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil – Mulbekh – Namika La – Fotu La – Lamayuru – Khaltsi – Sasapol – Nimmu – Leh and the approximate distances between these places is shown below briefly –

  • Manali > Keylong (128 km)
  • Keylong > Sarchu (111 km)
  • Sarchu > Leh (265 km)

Summarized View of Facilities or Amenities on Srinagar – Leh Highway

Facility

Places

Accommodations / Stay Options

 Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil (Many options), Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi
Food / Beverages Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil (Many options), Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi
Diesel / Petrol Pumps Mangan, Sonamarg, Kargil, Mulbekh, Wakha, Khaltsi
Mobile Connectivity
  • Upto Sonamarg both BSNL and Airtel post paid connections work, then in Drass only BSNL, once you reach Kargil you will get the Airtel signal, but then in Mulbekh and Lamayuru only BSNL works, in Nimmu Airtel is restored along with BSNL and once you reach Leh both Airtel and BSNL works.
  • Of course BSNL has more coverage and better connectivity within this range than any other operator. Airtel works in Ladakh but with poor connectivity.
  • SMS does work fine for both BSNL and Airtel.
  • Vodafone did not work after Srinagar and but now works in Leh – Ladakh with Aircel. Surprisingly, Anadi reports recently (June 2013) below that it does not work anymore, may be contract renewal did not happen or what. So, do not rely on Vodafone.
  • Aircel also work in Leh and adjoining areas.
  • Packet data works but only with BSNL that too with EDGE only.
  • Prepaid connections from outside Jammu and Kashmir do not work in Leh – Ladakh. Carry only post-paid.
  • Anadi reports below: Vodafone postpaid still does not work after anywhere after Srinagar on Srinagar-Leh Highway and towns falling on the said highway.(It works in Gulmarg and Pahalgam). It did not work in Sonemarg, Drass, Kargil, Mulbek, Khaltse, Nimmu and Leh. Bsnl was omnipresent. In Leh, Bsnl, Airtel and Aircel were working. Vodafone, Reliance and Idea were not working.
Fixed Phones Ganderbal, Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil, Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi, Nimmu and in between these places as well
Electricity Almost all the towns en-route have electricity and I wonder if there is any town which lacks it.
Medical Facilities Sonamarg, Drass (limited), Kargil, Lamayuru (limited)
ATMs Ganderbal, Drass, Kargil
Mechanic / Puncture Shops Ganderbal, Sonamarg, Kargil, Lamayuru (Puncture), Mulbekh (Puncture), Nimmu (Puncture)
Liquor Shops Sonamarg, Drass, Kargil

 

Summarized View of Facilities or Amenities on Manali – Leh Highway

Facility

Places
Hotel / Guest Houses Khoksar, Sissu, Gondla, Patseo, Tandi, Keylong (Many options), Jispa, Upshi
Tents / Camps(Dhaba / Swiss / Normal) Marhi, Jispa, Darcha, Zingzing Bar, Bharatpur, Sarchu (Many options), Pang
Food / Beverages Marhi, Rohtang Pass, Khoksar, Sissu, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Deepak Tal, Zingzing Bar, Bharatpur, Sarchu, Pang, Rumste, Upshi
Diesel / Petrol Pumps Tandi (107 KMs from Manali), Karu (36 KMs from Leh)
Mobile Connectivity
  • In our case, mobile signal of Airtel worked till Keylong only and then faded rapidly. The signals were restored after crossing Upshi for Airtel.
  • Of course BSNL has more coverage and better connectivity within this range than any other operator. Airtelworks in Ladakh but with poor connectivity.
  • SMS does work fine for both BSNL and Airtel.
  • Vodafone did not work for us at all after crossing Marhi and not even in Leh -Ladakh.
  • Packet data also works upt Keylong and in Leh packet data is available only with BSNL edge.
  • Prepaid connections do not work in Leh – Ladakh.
Fixed Phones Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Upshi
Electricity Sissu, Gondla, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Upshi
Medical Facilities Sissu, Keylong
ATMs Keylong
Police Checkpoints Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi, Khoksar (For foreigners only)
Mechanic / Puncture Shops Marhi, Khoksar, Tandi (not sure), Keylong, Darcha, Sarchu, Upshi
Liquor Shops Marhi, Keylong, Darcha, Upshi
Natural Highlights Rohtang Pass, Tandi Confluence, Sissu Waterfall, Deepak Tal, Suraj Tal, Baralacha La, Strange Soil formations, Moore Plains (Wildlife too), Taglang La or Tanglang La, Gata Loops

 

Here is a list of essential things which you must carry with you while going for Ladakh Tour.

Clothing:

  1. Backpack (60 – 70 L)
  2. Backpack Small ( 25 – 30 L)
  3. Rain Poncho or Rain Jacket
  4. Warm Cap
  5. Sun Cap
  6. Sun Glasses
  7. Warm Jacket
  8. Sweat Shirts and Inners
  9. T-Shirts (Must be Quick Dry)
  10. Trek Pants or Hiking Pants
  11. Undergarments
  12. Waterproof Warm Gloves
  13. Warm Socks (Avoid Cotton socks as it takes more time to get dry after sweating)
  14. Trekking Shoes ( Must be used before to check the comfort level)
  15. Floaters or Slippers to wear at the campsite
  16. Small Towel

Accessories:

  1. Tent
  2. Sleeping Bag
  3. Sleeping Mat
  4. Water Bottle
  5. Walking Stick
  6. Swiss Knife
  7. Fire Lighter or Match Stick
  8. Head Torch

Personal Utilities:

  1. Sunscreen
  2. Moisturizer or Cold Cream
  3. Lip Cream
  4. Toilet Paper
  5. Hand Sanitizer
  6. Toilet Kit (Tooth Brush, Paste, Soap, Shampoo, Shaving Razor, scissor, mirror, comb etc.)
  7. Mosquito Repellent Cream (Mosquitoes are rare on Himalayas but good to keep it with you)
  8. Poly Bags for your shoes, dirty clothes etc.
  9. Locks
  10. Bungee Chords
  11. Sewing Needle and thread
  12. Nylon Strings

Medical:

  1. First Aid Kit
  2. Essential Medicines (Pain Killers, Anti Diarrhea Pills etc.)
  3. Medicine for Mountain Sickness (Diamox recommended )
  4. Vitamin B-Complex and other Multivitamin Tablets

Eatables:

  1. Dates and other Dry Fruits
  2. Chocolates
  3. Candies
  4. Packed Fruit Juices, Energy Drinks, Glucose and Electrolytes.

Entertainment and Extras:

  1. A book
  2. Cards or Chess or some other game like this
  3. A handy musical instrument like Flute or Mouth Organ
  4. Camera with Extra Batteries, Power Bank, Tripod, Monopod, Selfie-Stick
  5. Binoculars

Important Notes:

  1. Small Backpack is required if you have planned some day trek.
  2. Socks, Undergarments and T-Shirts should be of made of quick dry material.
  3. Sleeping Bag, Tent and Jacket should be  good enough to keep you warm.
  4. You will have to carry cooking kit along with semi cooked and raw vegetables; in case you want to do self cooking.
  5. Keep your ID Proofs and 4-5 copies of passport size photographs with you. You will need it for getting Restricted Area Permits.

How did you like this blog? Please write to me in comments and also let me know if you feel that I left something.