Delhi to Leh Bus Service Resumes for 2018

by Vargis.Khan

With the opening of Manali Leh highway, the HRTC Delhi to Leh Bus service has also resumed from today. Below is the entire route and schedule of this bus. Please note that this is not one bus that runs all the way. You will be changing buses and drivers at Manali and then at Keylong. The first bus you will board will be from Delhi to Manali; then an HRTC bus from Manali to Keylong and then finally from Keylong to Leh. For complete information on this bus, how you can book tickets and how your journey will be, please read my previous post, Delhi to Leh Bus – Fare, Frequency and How to Book

Detailed information about HRTC’s Delhi to Leh Bus Service

HRTC’s bus service on 1072 kilometers long highway; starting from the warm plains of Delhi & passing through freezing cold of 17,000 feett high mountain passes; before reaching its destination at Leh after a daunting 35 hour road trip, resumed today (23rd May 2018).

Bus Details:

Route: Delhi – Chandigarh – Bilaspur – Mandi – Kullu – Manali – Keylong – Sarchu – Pang – Upshi – Leh
Distance: 1072 kilometers
Fare: Rs. 1399
Bus type: TATA Ordinary 2X3 (47 seater)
Halts: The bus takes overnight halts at Keylong both sides, which is not covered in the fare. However cheap accommodation is available near the bus stand itself.
Mountain passes covered: Rohtang La, Baralacha La, Nakee La, Lachulung la, Tanglang la

Also read: How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh – Complete Travel Guide

How to Book

As of now HRTC is offering online booking only from Delhi to Manali, because of unpredictable weather conditions on Leh road. However it will be available for online booking in coming weeks. Bus tickets are also available at counter prior to departure from Delhi ISBT.

Schedule

From Delhi- 3:45 pm | From Chandigarh sec.43- 9:30 pm
From Kullu- 6:00 am | From Manali- 7:30 am
At Keylong- 1:30 pm
—Overnight Halt—
From Keylong- 5:00 am | At Leh- 7:00 pm

Reverse Schedule

From Leh- 4:00 am | At Keylong- 6:00 pm
—Overnight Halt—
From Keylong- 6:30 am | From Manali- 1:25 pm
At Delhi- 3:30 am approx.

Also read: Srinagar to Leh Bus Service

Food Halts

• Evening snacks: Karnal
• Dinner: Ropar
• Early morning break: Pandoh
• Breakfast: Gulaba
• Lunch: Koksar
• Breakfast: Bharatpur near Baralacha La
• Lunch: Pang
• Evening snacks: Upshi
Additionally, the bus usually stops at major mountain passes for 5-10 minutes

Alternate Options

1. HRTC is going to start a Deluxe bus on Manali – Leh route for this season w.e.f 25th May. As a luxury option, passengers can travel from Delhi to Manali by Volvo and then catch this Deluxe bus from Manali.
2. Passengers starting from Manali can take any Keylong bound bus from Manali and then catch Keylong – Leh bus from Keylong next morning. Tickets for Leh bus are available at Keylong bus stand counter, an evening before departure of the bus from Keylong to Leh.

Also read: How to Travel to Ladakh by Bus and Shared Taxis

Conclusion

This bus is a great option for people who want to plan a road trip to Ladakh but cannot do it by their own vehicle. It is also a great choice for people traveling on limited budget. I hope the information above was of help. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to help.

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25 comments

LAPASSERIE-HUNOUT November 27, 2018 - 2:32 pm

Hi hello there!
First, thanks a lot for that post! Then, I have a question: I kept looking around the internet but can’t find a clear and sure enough answer; actually, I’d like to come to India to visit Ladack/Zanskar in June 2019; I also wish I could take a bus (public or private) at Delhi to Leh (Delhi-Manali-Leh); BUT, I’m starting to get worried since it seems like such buses don’t run before July or mid-June, and I’d like to land on the very beginning of the month. Am I mistaking? Tell me I am. I really hope there are buses I could take during that period.
Could you please enlighten my poor mind which can’t seem to find the exact answer ?
Thanks a lot!

Reply
Vargis.Khan November 27, 2018 - 8:30 pm

There is no definite telling right now. It all depends on how the weather trends; the amount of snow this winter and how fast the roads get cleared next summer. Sometimes the bus starts after June 15th but this year, it was available in the very beginning of June since there wasn’t much snow. It all depends on how fast the road opens next year but it usually is by early June. So even if there is no direct bus, you can still catch a bus for Manali from Delhi and then board a shared cab for Ladakh from there.

Reply
Ankur Rathi maheshwari August 8, 2018 - 8:46 am

I am travelling the August mid my vehicle is Dzire automatic you say confirm me I am travelling our vehicle Swift Dzire automatic please reply MI

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ABUL KALAM molla August 5, 2018 - 2:29 pm

Sir delhi to leh HRTC bus time table August 2018

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Vargis.Khan August 5, 2018 - 4:11 pm

Koi timetable nahi hai .. daily bus hai

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Shantanu July 18, 2018 - 1:21 pm

Hi Vargis..
I am visiting ladakh next week. Can I get bus service from leh to Manali/ Delhi?

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 18, 2018 - 1:22 pm

Hi Shantanu – Yes you can

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Mujeeb Rahman June 28, 2018 - 7:47 am

Hi, i am planning ladakh trip this july 17th, we are starting from delhi to srinagar to reach leh and return via manali..jus want to know that the leh to delhi bus available on this time and is there any possibility to advance booking from leh to delhi via manali..please help

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Raj June 28, 2018 - 7:56 am

Advance booking is available. I have confirmed bus ticket of hrtc from delhi to LEH, booked in first week of June

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Vargis.Khan June 28, 2018 - 2:51 pm

Thanks Raj

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sameer June 24, 2018 - 8:34 am

Will we get a hotel in keylong and that too within a budget around rs. 700 (Two person).

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 24, 2018 - 5:06 pm

Yes you will

Reply
S Dutta June 12, 2018 - 3:47 pm

Hi Vargis,
Does this bus start from manali everyday unlike hptdc bus because we are not getting the hptdc bus on the date we want to travel from manali to leh. Need the schedule. Another thing do the shared taxis travel thougout n8 straight 20 hrs?The hotel owner told us so.

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 12, 2018 - 4:08 pm

Yes for both. The HRTC bus is a daily service and yes, the shared taxis travel non-stop for 18-20 hours. This year there is also a new bus service from Manali to Leh. Starts from Manali at 4 AM and reaches Leh the same day at 8 PM.

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Raj June 11, 2018 - 5:40 am

Hey, tanx for the comments and info. I booked the bus from Delhi to leh

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Vargis.Khan June 11, 2018 - 6:07 pm

Thanks Raj. Do let us know how your trip was and if you have any tips for others.

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Pradeep kumar June 8, 2018 - 7:12 am

How to book bus tickets from keylong to leh

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Vargis.Khan June 8, 2018 - 11:44 am

There is no booking system available.

Reply
Amrutha June 8, 2018 - 4:32 am

Hi Vargis,

Any idea if there there are shared taxis available from Delhi to Leh or from Manali to Leh. If available how much would they approximately cost?

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 8, 2018 - 11:53 am

Hi Amrutha – No shared taxis from Delhi to Leh but you will find from Manali definitely. Fare will be about Rs. 2000 to Rs. 2500 per person.

Reply
Amrutha June 11, 2018 - 3:56 am

Hi Vargis,

Do you think its better to opt for bus or take a taxi from a viewing the place perspective along the way as i would be traveling alone.

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Vargis.Khan June 11, 2018 - 6:04 pm

If you mean shared taxi then a bus would be better. If you mean a private taxi then yes, a taxi will be better.

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Raj June 7, 2018 - 6:51 pm

I am planning to travel by bus from Delhi to LEH by hrtc bus. Is it safe for a single woman? Which seat would be the best in terms of views and exposure to sunlight. Is it safe to be alone at KEYLONG.

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 7, 2018 - 11:07 pm

So far I have heard that it is quite safe, haven’t heard anyone comment about any safety issues. It will be uncomfortable for a long journey but safe, yes.

Reply
Amrutha June 8, 2018 - 4:22 am

Hi Raj,

When are you travelling to Leh?

Reply

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