This road trip takes you from Manali over high mountain passes through the Lahaul Valley to , with a rest day in the city and a side trip to the sand dunes of . The traveller asked for a road trip, so every day is built around the drive, with stops for meals, monasteries and scenic views along the way.
Manali to Jispa
An early start takes you over and into the Lahaul Valley, ending in .
Morning
Drive to
Set off early from Manali and drive about 50 km towards , then cross into the Lahaul Valley.
Afternoon
Lunch and monastery visit in Keylong
Stop at Keylong for lunch and visit the on the way.
Evening
Arrive in
The drive from Keylong to covers around 140 km from Manali in about 7-8 hours. Check into your hotel and relax.
Jispa to Sarchu
A challenging day over , with breakfast and lunch stops on the way to .
Morning
Breakfast in
Start the day with breakfast at before the climb ahead.
Afternoon
Cross and lunch at Bharatpur
Cross at 16,040 feet, then stop for lunch at Bharatpur. The drive from to is around 80 km and takes about 4-5 hours.
Evening
Campsite in
Check into your campsite and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains.
Sarchu to Leh
The longest and most scenic drive of the trip, crossing several famous passes on the way to .
Morning
and Nakee La Pass
Set out early to wind through the and cross Nakee La Pass.
Afternoon
Lunch in and passes towards
Stop at for lunch, then cross Lachung La Pass and Tanglang La Pass, the second-highest motorable pass in the world. The drive from to is around 250 km and takes about 10-12 hours.
Evening
Tea break in and arrival in
Pause for tea at , then check into your hotel in and rest.
Exploring Leh
A relaxed rest day to wander the city, its historic sites and its markets.
Morning
Visit
Explore the old royal palace that overlooks the city.
Afternoon
Browse the local markets
Wander through the bustling markets, sample local food and pick up souvenirs.
Evening
Sunset at
Head up to the white dome of to watch the evening light over the valley.
Leh to Nubra Valley
Cross the highest motorable pass in the world to reach the sand dunes and double-humped camels of .
Morning
Drive over
Head out from and cross , the highest motorable pass in the world. The drive to is around 120 km and takes about 5-6 hours.
Afternoon
Arrive in
Reach the valley known for its sand dunes and double-humped camels, then check into your campsite.
Evening
Evening at the campsite
Enjoy the beautiful views from your campsite as the day winds down.
Nubra Valley back to Leh
A return drive with a stop at a well-known monastery and the statue of Maitreya Buddha before ending the trip in .
Morning
and Maitreya Buddha statue
Stop at on the way back and visit the famous statue of Maitreya Buddha.
Afternoon
Drive back to
Continue the drive back to .
Evening
Relax in
Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your journey home.
Good to know
Road conditions
Road conditions can be challenging, so take the necessary precautions while driving.