Adventure & Outdoor Activities

Best Road Trip Routes in Ladakh

Ladakh is one of the best road trip destinations in the world, offering thrilling mountain passes, breathtaking landscapes, and an unforgettable driving experience. Whether you're a biker, an SUV enthusiast, or an adventure traveler, these iconic road routes in Ladakh are a must-explore!

 Top 6 Road Trip Routes in Ladakh

1️ Manali to Leh Highway – The Classic Himalayan Road Trip

 Distance: 472 km Duration: 2 Days
 Route: Manali → Rohtang Pass → Keylong → Jispa → Sarchu → Tanglang La → Leh

 Why Ride? – One of the most scenic and adventurous road trips in India, crossing multiple high-altitude passes.
 Highlights:
✔ Ride through Rohtang Pass (3,978m) & Baralacha La (4,890m)
✔ Camp at Sarchu under the star-lit Himalayan sky
✔ Experience the Gata Loops – a thrilling series of 21 hairpin bends
✔ Stop at Tanglang La (5,328m), the second-highest pass in Ladakh

 Best Time to Visit: June to September

2️ Srinagar to Leh Highway – The Mesmerizing Kashmir-Ladakh Route

 Distance: 420 km Duration: 2 Days
 Route: Srinagar → Sonamarg → Zoji La → Drass → Kargil → Lamayuru → Leh

 Why Ride? – This road trip offers stunning valleys, war memorials, and Tibetan monasteries.
 Highlights:
✔ Cross Zoji La (3,528m) – One of the most treacherous passes in India
✔ Visit Drass – The Second Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth
✔ Pay tribute at the Kargil War Memorial
✔ Explore Lamayuru Monastery & Moonland landscapes

 Best Time to Visit: May to October

3️ Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung La – The Highest Motorable Road Adventure

 Distance: 120 km Duration: 5-6 hours
 Route: Leh → Khardung La → Diskit → Hunder → Turtuk

 Why Ride? – Experience the thrill of riding on Khardung La (5,359m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world.
 Highlights:
✔ Ride on the legendary Khardung La Pass
✔ Visit Diskit Monastery & the 32-meter Buddha statue
✔ Experience the white sand dunes & Bactrian camels in Hunder
✔ Explore Turtuk, India’s last village near the Pakistan border

 Best Time to Visit: May to October

4️ Leh to Pangong Lake via Chang La – A Dreamy Himalayan Drive

 Distance: 160 km Duration: 5-6 hours
 Route: Leh → Shey → Chang La → Tangtse → Pangong Tso

 Why Ride? – Drive through the stunning Ladakhi terrain to reach Pangong Lake (4,350m), famous for its changing colors.
 Highlights:
✔ Cross Chang La (5,360m), one of the highest passes
✔ Visit Shey Palace & Thiksey Monastery en route
✔ Camp beside Pangong Lake & witness a stunning sunrise

 Best Time to Visit: June to October

5️ Leh to Tso Moriri – The Offbeat & Serene Road Trip

 Distance: 220 km Duration: 7-8 hours
 Route: Leh → Chumathang → Tso Moriri

 Why Ride? – A less-traveled route, leading to the pristine Tso Moriri Lake (4,595m), surrounded by mountains & wildlife.
 Highlights:
✔ Relax at Chumathang Hot Springs
✔ Visit Korzok Monastery overlooking the lake
✔ Experience Ladakh’s untouched beauty & Changpa nomadic culture

 Best Time to Visit: May to September

6️ Leh to Hanle & Umling La – The Ultimate Offbeat Expedition

 Distance: 275 km Duration: 8-10 hours
 Route: Leh → Nyoma → Hanle → Umling La

 Why Ride? – Experience the world’s highest motorable road at Umling La (5,798m) & visit India’s highest observatory in Hanle.
 Highlights:
✔ Drive on Umling La Pass – the highest motorable road in the world
✔ Visit Hanle Observatory – India’s top stargazing destination
✔ Experience the remoteness & beauty of the Changthang Plateau

 Best Time to Visit: June to September

 Why Take a Road Trip in Ladakh?

✔ Adventure of a Lifetime – Ride through some of the world’s highest roads & mountain passes
✔ Breathtaking Landscapes – Witness turquoise lakes, rugged valleys, & golden sand dunes
✔ Cultural Experience – Explore Buddhist monasteries, war memorials, & local Ladakhi villages
✔ Thrilling Challenges – Conquer dangerous hairpin bends, river crossings, & high-altitude roads

 Ladakh’s road trips are not just journeys, they are life-changing experiences! Whether you’re a biker, a car traveler, or an explorer, these routes will leave you in awe.