Traveling to Ladakh from Srinagar is considered a better option in terms of altitude acclimatization and getting yourself familiar with the terrain. Things on this road are not that difficult and extreme as they can get on the Manali Leh route. It can also sometimes help in planning your trip better and save a couple of days on the overall travel plan. Below is an example of a Srinagar to Leh Ladakh itinerary, detailing how you can plan your trip.
Please note that in this post, I will only share a few examples of the different ways the itinerary can be planned. If you need more details on the Srinagar Leh route, including the best time to visit, places to see, and accommodation choices, please take a look at How to Plan a Journey on Srinagar Leh Highway.
I will first share an itinerary that can be called the most common and preferred one. After that, I will post a few other ways that the same journey can be completed. It will include your travel on the Srinagar Leh route, sightseeing in Ladakh, and your return journey home.
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Srinagar to Leh Ladakh Itinerary
I agree that not everyone will be able to follow this itinerary to the last detail. Your final travel plan will depend on your mode of travel, time in hand, budget, and personal preferences. But it should give you a fair idea of how you can draft your own travel plan out of it.
For the sake of this article, I will assume that you are traveling in either your own vehicle or a private cab. Even if you went by public transport though, you can still travel in the same manner as I am mentioning below.
The itinerary below ensures that you do not either travel too much or too little on any particular day. It covers all major tourist places that are worth visiting. This is a travel plan that you can follow irrespective of whether you are traveling with family, friends, or solo.
Day 1: Delhi to Jammu
I am assuming Delhi as the starting point for the itinerary. If you were coming from a different town, the journey on this day and the last one will be different. The rest of the details will still apply.
Take an early start on this day. The journey from Delhi to Jammu is long but it can be done in a single day. If you weren’t able to for any reason, you can also stay in Pathankot for the night.
Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh – A Complete Travel Guide
Day 2: Jammu to Srinagar
The distance between Jammu and Srinagar is about 265 kilometers. But there is usually heavy traffic on this road. There is a lot of Army movement as well which can limit your speed. The travel time can be anywhere between 8 to 12 hours so please start as early as you can.
Day 3: Srinagar to Kargil
If you had time in hand, you can spend a day in Srinagar and do some local sightseeing in Srinagar City as well as some shopping. If not, you can be on your way to Ladakh.
The total distance between Srinagar and Kargil is approximately 210 kilometers. This will be about an 8-10 hours journey depending on your speed and breaks.
Enjoy lush green, awe-inspiring vistas all day long. Travel through some of the famous places like Sonamarg and Drass. Take a lunch break at either of these places and enjoy the delicious Kashmiri food, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. If you are a non-vegetarian, you are in for a treat.
You will also cross Zoji La Pass on the way. Near Dras, you can also visit the Kargil War Memorial. Reach Kargil City by evening and check into a hotel for the night.
Day 4: Kargil to Leh
Kargil to Leh distance is approximately 140 kilometers. Vistas from here will change. Greenery will start to vanish and landscapes will turn into a cold desert.
That as a matter of fact would already have happened once you crossed Dras. But whatever little greenery was left also will be gone after Kargil. From here on, it will be a beautiful barren wasteland called Ladakh.
Start as early as you can, probably by 7 AM because there are several places on this stretch that are worth a visit. If you started early, then it will also give you some time to reach Leh before dark. Find a suitable hotel if you haven’t booked in advance. Take a look at Good Budget Hotels in Leh with Tariff for names and numbers of a few recommended hotels.
This can easily be an 8-10 hours journey. See magnetic hill, monasteries at Mulbekh and Lamayuru, Indus-Zanskar river confluence, the tall Maitreya – Buddha statue in Mulbekh, Lunar Landscapes at Lamayuru, and Gurudwara Patthar Sahib on the way.
Day 5: Leh
Stay for the day in Leh. Rest and give your body some time to adjust to high altitude.
The main task for this day would be to arrange permits for visiting other areas in Ladakh. Please take a look at How to arrange Inner Line Permit in Ladakh for more details on this.
Once you have the permits in hand, you can also use this day to visit some local places within the town like Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, or Leh market.
An important factor that I must here is regarding cabs, either self-drive or with the driver. If the taxi is non-local, meaning that it was hired outside of Leh (including Srinagar and Manali as well), then it is only good enough to bring you to Leh. It cannot be used for visiting some of the tourist places like Nubra valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.
You must reach Leh in your non-local cab, leave it parked at the hotel and hire another cab from Leh for local sightseeing. If you are driving a private vehicle not registered in your name, then you must carry a document that proves your relationship with the vehicle owner.
To be on the safer side, only bring a vehicle that is either in your name, or your parents, or one of your siblings.
Day 6: Leh to Khardung La to Diskit / Hunder
Today you will be traveling to the famous Nubra valley. An early start from Leh is again advised. Reach Khardung La which is at a distance of about 35 kilometers from Leh, spend some time at the top, and descend towards Nubra valley.
You can stay at either Diskit or Hunder for the night. It is a 6-8 hours journey depending on your speed. If time allows, you can drive all the way to Turtuk and stay there instead.
The Maitreya Buddha statue, sand dunes, and Bactrian camels are the most famous tourist attractions that you should see. Hot Water Springs and Yarab Tso Lake near Panamik are also worth visiting. Take a look at Tourist Attractions in Nubra Valley – Ladakh for more details on sightseeing in the valley.
Day 7: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Shyok Road
There are two ways that this day can turn out. If time was not a problem, I will highly recommend spend another day in Nubra Valley and visit the local attractions.
If not, then travel straight to Pangong Tso from Nubra Valley. For this, you will drive back to Khalsar Village first. From there, rather than driving uphill towards Khardung La again, take the road to Agham Village. From there, you will continue driving to Shyok Village, Durbuk, Tangtse and arrive in Pangong Lake in about 6 hours.
For more details on this road and to see a roadmap, please take a look at Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake Direct Route.
Day 8: Pangong Tso to Leh
You will reach back to Leh City on this day via Chang La Pass. Spend some time at the lake in the morning and start by 8 or 9 AM after having breakfast. It will take you anywhere between 6-8 hours to get back to Leh. On the way, you can also visit Thiksey Monastery.
Day 9: Leh to Tso Moriri (Karzok)
It will be another day of a long journey (7-8 hours) and you will be traveling on some terrible roads as well. Start on Manali Leh highway and from Upshi take the cut towards Chumthang.
The road till Sumdo will be a mix of good and bad but after Sumdo, it is just a dirt trail for the last 50 odd kilometers. Reach Karzok by evening and spend some time at the banks of beautiful Tso Moriri. For more details on this route, take a look at How to Plan a Road Trip from Leh to Tso Moriri.
Day 10: Karzok to Pang / Sarchu
Depending on the time you started from Karzok, you can choose either to stay at Pang or Sarchu. If you started by say 9-10 AM, you can comfortably make it to Pang by 4-5 PM.
If you can start before 9 AM, you can make it all the way to Sarchu which will be a better option because it will reduce your travel time on the next day.
Day 11: Pang/ Sarchu to Manali
If you stayed at Pang and intend to reach Manali before dark, you must start your journey by the first light of the day. It will be very cold and if you are on a motorcycle, the first couple hours of the journey will be tough so early in the day.
But it will ensure that you are in Manali before it gets dark. If you stayed at Sarchu, even then I would advise starting early after having breakfast and you will take the same route back via Rohtang Pass to reach Manali.
Day 12: Manali to Delhi
There is not much to write about this day except that this will be a long and monotonous ride back home.
Return via Srinagar
In case you do not want to add Manali to your itinerary and want to return via Srinagar only, then the plan will be as follows. The change will be after your visit to Tso Moriri. Before this, the plan will remain the same. Your Srinagar to Leh Ladakh Itinerary will then look like this.
Day 10: Tso Moriri to Leh
Spend some time at the lake early in the morning and head back to Leh via the same route that you took to reach Karzok. Another route that you can take for the journey is to take the diversion towards Polakongka La from Sumdo and exit on Manali Leh highway just after Pang.
In this case, you will again be crossing Tanglang La to reach back Leh. I will advise taking this route because the road is good, won’t add much time to the journey but you will get to travel right through the amazingly beautiful More plains and see another beautiful lake, Tso Kar.
Day 11: Leh to Batalik
You will be traveling on the Srinagar Leh highway with a slight change. From Khaltse, rather than continuing towards Lamayuru and Mulbekh, head towards Dha village, reach Batalik and spend the night there.
Please note that this route requires an additional permit. So if you plan to follow this road, ensure that your ILP has the Batalik route mentioned on it.
Day 12. Batalik to Srinagar
Start early from Batalik. Reach Kargil and from there, follow the same highway all the way back to Srinagar. It will be About an 8-10 hours journey depending on your speed and the breaks you take.
If within budget, head straight to Dal Lake upon reaching Srinagar and stay in a houseboat. It is highly recommended and totally worth it.
Day 13 & 14: Srinagar to Jammu to Delhi
For the return journey as well, I can suggest a different route. Do not travel on the Jammu Srinagar highway that you took to get to Srinagar initially. For the return journey, head to Shopian and from there, travel on the historical Mughal Road to reach Jammu. On Day 14, you will drive back to Delhi.
Optional changes to the Srinagar to Leh Ladakh itinerary
The itinerary can be modified in several different ways. Let me suggest a few other alterations that you can do.
Zanskar Valley
If you want to cover Zanskar valley as well, then you will have to modify the itinerary on Days 4 and 5. Add a couple of days here. On Day 2, reach Padum from Kargil, return to Kargil on Day 3 and continue to Leh the day after.
If you just want to add one day here, then you can go to Rangdum and come back to Kargil on Day 2 itself. Please note that it is next to impossible to reach Padum and return to Kargil the same day. So I would not advise attempting so at all.
Tso Moriri
If you do not want to include Tso Moriri, then on Day 8 You can reach Pang from Pangong Lake direct. Stay there for the night, reach Jispa from Pang on Day 9 and return to Manali on Day 10.
Public Transport
If you were traveling by public transport, your itinerary will look like this. It is because there are no buses or shared taxis available on internal roads in Ladakh.
- Srinagar to Kargil to Leh – Day 1 & 2
- Leh – Day 3
- Leh to Nubra Valley – Day 4
- Nubra Valley to Leh – Day 5
- Leh to Pangong Lake – Day 6
- Pangong Lake to Leh – Day 7
- Leh to Tso Moriri – Day 8
- Tso Moriri to Leh – Day 9
- Leh to Manali – Day 10 & 11
My Preferred Srinagar to Leh Ladakh Itinerary
This one of course can only be done by a car or a motorcycle. But it ensures that you cover the maximum of Ladakh in your trip.
- Srinagar to Dras – Day 1
- Dras to Rangdum via Umba La – Day 2
- Rangdum to Padum – Day 3
- Padum to Kargil – Day 4
- Kargil to Leh – Day 5
- Leh – Day 6
- Leh to Turtuk – Day 7
- Turtuk to Panamik – Day 8
- Panamik to Pangong Lake via Shyok Road – Day 9
- Pangong to Hanle – Day 10
- Hanle to Karzok (Tso Moriri) – Day 11
- Karzok to Pang / Sarchu – Day 12
- Pang / Sarchu to Manali – Day 13
- Manali to Delhi – Day 14
If you can, add another day here and spend that sightseeing in Padum.
Srinagar to Leh Ladakh Itinerary – Conclusion
A 2-week plan in my opinion is a recommended time frame to cover all of Ladakh. Depending on how many days you have available, you can add or remove days from the itineraries I suggested above.
I hope the information above on Srinagar to Leh Ladakh itinerary was of help. If you have any questions or need any other details, please feel free to ask in the comments section below or at our Community Forum, and I will be happy to answer.
92 comments
Hi I’m travelling from Ludhiana can my query was regarding tso moriri lake is it on the route from leh to manali or is it off beat
Off the route
Hi Vargis, Thank you for the information. I am planning my trip like below, please suggest is it correct:
1. Srinagar-Kargil
2. Kargil-Leh
3. Leh-Nubra Valley
4. Nubra Valley -Turtuk
5. Turtuk- Pangong lake
6.Pangong Lake- Manali
7. Buffer
8. Return
Hi Vargis, need your advice pls.
On way back from Pangong Lake – > Manali (driving a car), which is a better option to take a stop for the night, specially considering low oxygen level conditions?
Option 1: Pangong -> Pang -> Manali?
Option 2: Pangong ->Karzok->Jispa -> Manali?
Option 3: Pangong -> Jispa -> Manali?
Thanks & Best Wishes
Jimz
Hi Vargis!! Thanks for such a wonderful explanation. Is this plan doable in July/Aug with family? Please suggest/recommend any changes if required.
Want to do Zanskar and Ladakh from Srinagar to Manali route in July.
Please suggest if this plan do-able.
Any suggestion or changes required please advice!!
Day1…Kolkata–Srinagar (By air)
Day1…Srinagar–Sonmarg(Night Stay)
Day2…Sonmarg – Kargil[visiting War Memorial,others](N/S Kargil )
Day3…Kargil- Suru valley-Nunkun-Pannikher-Parkachik-Rongdum-Drang Dranglacier-Penzilla Pass–Twin Lake–Zanskar valley–Padum (N/S)
Day4..Padum local sight seeing(Zangla palace, Stongday Monastry, Sheela waterfall, Sunny Lake, Karsha Monastery Rockwood statue, Phutang palace[Dalai Lama residence ](N/S… Padum )
Day5…Padum – Leh(on the way visit Lamayuru ) via Lingsed, Singela, Sirsila Pass(N/S.. Leh)
Day6…Leh local sight seeing[Hemis Thiksey Shey Palace Spituk Hall of Fame Shanti Stoop Leh Palace Magnetic hill Pathhar Saheb, Nimo confluence ](N/S.. Leh)
Day7…Leh- Nubra (via Khardungla )-Hunder-Turtuk(N/S… Turtuk )
Day8…Turtuk -Hunder(N/S)
Day9…Hunder – Pangong (N/S)
Day10..Pangong -Hanle(N/S)
Day11..Hanle-Tsomoriri(N/S)
Day12..Tsomoriri – Jispa(N/S)
Day13..Jispa to Manali(N/S)
Day14…Manali to Delhi via Volvo
Sudip Bhai the plan is doable but a couple of questions.
1. How are you traveling on this entire route?
2. Kargil to Padum will be an extremely long journey on bad roads. A back-breaking journey is what I call it. Will easily take you over 12 hours. If possible do it in 2 days, Kargil to Rangdum and Rangdum to Padum.
3. The same is Padum to Leh. It will be way too long for a day. Better to do Padum to Lamayuru and Lamayuru to Leh.
4. Tso Moriri to Jispa is a bit too long. Better to do Tso Moriri to Pang or Sarchu and then Manali the next day.
We mostly sr citizen of 62 to 75 yrs age with a tour operator with food arrangement planning to visit srinagar ladakh as jammu pahelgaon 2n srinagar 1n kargil 1n leh 2n to pangong back leh 1n to hunder1n to Turtuk back hunder1n back to leh 1n leh to Sumorri back leh 1n , leh to keylong 1n, keylong to manali 1n. Manali to kalka for hwh train. Pl advice any alterations, we are avoiding night stay in pangong and sumorri,.thanks in advance.
The plan is doable Mr. Mukherjee. It is indeed a wise decision to not stay at Tso Moriri and Pangong
your map shows road from Padum to Kargil and then to Leh vis Lamayuru. Is there a direct route from Padum to Lamayuru?
Hi Vargis Khan,
Am from Chennai & am planning to visit been 8th to 17th Aug 2020. do you think i can visit Leh Ladakh as well Gulmarg, Pahalgam & Sonmarg within those days. Am travelling my wife & 3 year old son, I wont be opt for places[Ex – Apharwat Peak which involves a lot of trekking]. I just want to visit the major tourist attractions which we should not miss it. Do you think i can manage & visit all the places ? If so, can you please suggest me with the best possible itenary ? If not, can you please share your thoughts as i really dont want miss out Gulmarg
Day 1 – Reach Srinagar & take a cab to Gulmarg & relex
Day 2 -Visit sightseeing places in Gulmarg
Day 3 – Sightseeing in Gulmarg & start by noon to Pahalgam
Day 4 – Sightseeing in Pahalgam
Day 5 – Sightseeing in Pahalgam & start by noon to Sonmarg
Day 6 – Sightseeing Sonmarg
Day 7 – Start early & reach Srinagar . Srinagar to Leh by Flight – Local sightseeing
Day 8 – Sightseeing in Leh
Day 9 – Return to Srinagar & local sightseeing. Overnight stay in Dal Lake
Day 10 – Return back to Chennai by flight
I am planning to travel on May 1 this year. Is this a good time and will the routes be opened? Following is my itinerary. I will be travelling in bike.
Day 0 Land in Srinagar
Day 1 Srinagar to Kargil via sonmarg, drass, zojilapass
Day 2 Kargil to Leh via fotlu and namkila (cover magnetic hill , indus confluence)
Day 3 Stay in Leh. Rest + permit
Day 4 Leh to Diskit (cover Khardung la,) Nubra valley, sandunes etc)
Day 5 Diskit to Pangon lake
Day 6 Pangong lake to Leh
Day 7 Leh to Kargil
Day 8 Kargil to Srinagar
Day 9 buffer
Day 10 Fly back
My itinerary is like
Day 1| Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
Day 2| Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
Day 3 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
Day 4 | Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley – Diskit – Hunder
Day 5| Hunder / Diskit – Pangong Tso
Day 6| Pangong Tso Lake- Hemis Monastery/Thicksey Monastery/Shey Palace- Leh
Day 7| Leh to Batalik
Day 8 | Batalik to Srinagar
My query is ..is it wise to book the taxi for Srinagar to Srinagar itself or break in two parts like Srinagar based Taxi and Ladkah based Taxi journeys.
If your answer is for breaking then..from which place to which place the two different taxis would be utilized?
We are 6 in total…
Itinerary is OK. Book two taxis. First to drop you from Srinagar to Leh. Then second for sightseeing in Ladakh and then dropping you back to Srinagar.
Thanks a lot
You are welcome !!!
Hello Mr Khan
First of all my regards and thanks to you for explored information about traveling to Leh ladhakh .
I want to visit in July as couple visiting in second week but max 7-8 days plan with minimumand comfortable budget. I am planning from Srinagar to Leh via road , and return flight from Leh to Delhi .
Day
1) Srinagar to Kargil
2) Kargil to Leh
3 ) rest in Leh and local permit
4) local taxi to nubra valley
5) nubra to pangong
6) pangong stay
7) return to Leh and fly back to Delhi
Should I change something in this plan ?
Good comfortable and budget hotels at that places .
I can book hotels online if u suggest some name
From where to higher taxis from Srinagar to Leh , how much it’s cost around ?
Good camps to stay at pangong ?
Suggestion of small untouched places on the waybor in the way.
Thanks a lot in advance Mr Khan .
I want to know how to get passes in Leh and on what days we can get … What is fee , or that can be done by some agents ?
See this
https://vargiskhan.com/log/obtaining-ilp-for-ladakh/
Hello Mr Khan
First of all my regards and thanks to you for explored information about traveling to Leh ladhakh .
I want to visit in July as couple visiting in second week but max 7-8 days plan with minimumand comfortable budget. I am planning from Srinagar to Leh via road , and return flight from Leh to Delhi .
Day
1) Srinagar to Kargil
2) Kargil to Leh
3 ) rest in Leh and local permit
4) local taxi to nubra valley
5) nubra to pangong
6) pangong stay
7) return to Leh and fly back to Delhi
Should I change something in this plan ?
Good comfortable and budget hotels at that places .
I can book hotels online if u suggest some name
From where to higher taxis from Srinagar to Leh , how much it’s cost around ?
Good camps to stay at pangong ?
Suggestion of small untouched places on the waybor in the way.
Thanks a lot in advance Mr Khan .
Do not book any hotels anywhere Mr. Gupta. Just reach your destination, find a hotel per your liking and negotiate an on the spot deal. The only change in the itinerary is regarding Pangong. Camp sites from there were removed a few days ago but a few are still operational. So you may not find a place to stay there and may have to return to Leh the same day.
Thanks a lot Mr Khan , your appreciation is my pleasure
You are welcome !!! 🙂
Can I do like
4) Leh to nubra and stay at nubra
5) nubra to pangong / Leh ( what will the better option )
6 ) stay in pangong or come back to Leh ….
You may face difficult finding accommodation at pangong because all the camp sites have been removed. If that happens, you will have to return to Leh.
Hi. Do you mind answering my question on whether cars on rental are available in Srinagar that I can leave elsewhere like in Chandigarh may be?I was thinking I will do a trip to Leh from Srinagar and return on the Manali highway and leave the car either in Manali Chandigarh. Kindly help. Thank you
Day 1: Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil
Day 2: Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
Day 3 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits
Day 4 | Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley – Diskit – Hunder
Day 5| Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
Day 6| Leh – Hemis Monastery/Thicksey Monastery/Shey Palace– Pangong Tso Lake
Day 7 | Pangong Tso Lake – Tso Moriri via
Man, Merak, Loma, Nyoma, Mahe and Sumdo route
Day 8 : Tso Moriri to Leh
Day 9: Leh to Batalik
Day 10 : Batalik to Srinagar
Day 11: Dal Lake & Shikara ride
Hey. Can you please check my itinerary and tell if it’s okay? How hard is it to get the permit to go to Tso Moriri from Tso Pangong?
Thanks in Advance
Hi Vargis
Need a few inputs from you regarding my Ladakh itenary.
I am planning to go in first week of June..is it OK to travel on these dates?
I want to cover major spots like Leh, Pangong and Nubra… i would like to start from Leh and end in Srinagar because of budget constraints (Lower Airfare from Srinagar)
I will be travelling solo…so need a tour operator who can accommodate me in a group.
Kindly suggest.
Hi Arun – Traveling in June is OK but I am sorry I do not have any contacts with any travel agents.
Hi Vargis,
I am planning to visit Leh Ladakh from July 6th to July 14th (inclusive). Need your help to plan an itinerary for 7/8 nights trip from Srinagar. My preference is to hire a bike from Srinagar. Can you please help me out?
Thanks.
Hi Vargis,
I am Vergis from Malaysia. Below is the itinerary I drafted based on your blog
Day 1: Delhi to Srinagar – rest n local sightseeing
Day 2 :Srinagar – Pahalgam
Day 3: Pahalgam – Gulmarg
Day 4 :Gulmarg – Srinagar
Day 5: Srinagar – sonamarg- zozila – Dras
Day 6 :Dras – kargil – Mulbekh — lamayuru
Day 7: Lamayuru – Leh
Day 8: local sightseeing – leh palace, Shanti stupa, leh market
Day 9: Leh to Nubra valley (Diskit)
Day 10: Diskit – Siachen – Leh
Day 11: leh to Pangong tso
Day 12: Pangong to leh
Day 13: flight from leh
I ve read that you mentioned we may drive from diskit to pangong lake rather than going back to leh, but i dont know how i can alter the itinerary. we also wish to do turtuk, please advise how shall incorporate into the itinerary.
May thanks
Hi Vergis,
Your itinerary is mostly all good except for the Siachen part. You will not be allowed to go there. You can plan like this.
Day 9: Leh to Nubra valley (Diskit)
Day 10: Diskit – Turtuk – Panamik
Day 11: Panamik to Pangong tso via Shyok road
Day 12: Pangong to leh
Day 13: flight from leh
Many thanks Vargis
You are welcome !!!
Hi Vargis,
All your itinerary’s were most helpful to all my friends who traveled Ladakh before and now me and one of my friend have planned to witness heaven on earth this september. We’ll be arriving in leh from Mumbai on 22 september and Returning back to Mumbai on 30 September from Srinagar. I need your guidance to plan our 8 days itinerary starting from Leh and ending in Srinagar. Please mail me if you already have itinerary for this route at [email protected].
Thank you in advance 🙂
Hello Vargis,
I’m planning a solo trip to Leh in mid-September. I have finalized following intnerary-
Sep13: Delhi to Srinagar
Sep14: Srinagar to Kargil
Sep15: Kargil to Leh
Sep16: Leh local sightseeing
Sep17: Leh to Nubra
Sep18: Nubra to Leh
Sep19: Leh to Pangong
Sep20: Pangong to Leh
Sep21: Leh to TsoMoriri
Sep22: TsoMoriri to Sarchu
Sep23: Sarchu to Manali
Sep24: Manali to Delhi
Please suggest modes of transport considering solo travel for-
1. Leh to Nubra and back, including travel within Nubra
2. Leh to Pangong and back
3. Leh to TsoMoriri
4. TsoMoriri to Sarchu/Manali
(Bikes are not an option as I can’t ride one)
Also are tickets for buses from Srinagarto Leh easily available or I have to book in advance?
Is Leh-Manali route advisable since there are no HPTDC buses after Sep15. What are the alternatives?
Thanks
Hello Vargis,
I’m planning a solo trip to Leh in mid-September. I have finalized following intnerary-
Sep13: Delhi to Srinagar (flight)
Sep14: Srinagar to Kargil
Sep15: Kargil to Leh
Sep16: Leh local sightseeing
Sep17: Leh to Nubra
Sep18: Nubra to Leh
Sep19: Leh to Pangong
Sep20: Pangong to Leh
Sep21: Leh to TsoMoriri
Sep22: TsoMoriri to Sarchu
Sep23: Sarchu to Manali
Sep24: Manali to Delhi
Please suggest-
Modes of transport for solo travel-
1. From Leh to Nubra and back, including travel within Nubra valley
2. From Leh to Pangong
3. From Leh to TsoMoriri and onwards to Sarchu/Manali
Also will Leh-Manali route be preferable since HPTDC and HRTC buses are not available after Sep15?
Also, are tickets for buses fron Srinagar to Leh easily available or do I have to do advance booking?
Any changes in itinerary or other suggestions.
Thanks
Hi Vargis Thanks for putting this information on Ladakh. I am very pressed for time and would love to see Ladakh in 3 days. Is it even possible to do that? I want to see Pangong lake and Nubra Valley.
Hi Jyo – See the article below please. This is the only way to cover Ladakh in 3 days.
https://vargiskhan.com/log/ladakh-in-3-days-plan-trip/
By Bike. RE Himalayan.
FYI,
Let me know if I can do Leh-Hunder-Pangong Lake- Hanle- Tso Moriri- Leh.
Hi Vargis,
Do you have 15days iternary, plan is go via Srinagar and return via Manali… And any suggestions for solo?
Should be able to cover some of the wonderful destinations, Hanle n Spiti as well…
How are you traveling Vishwanadhan?
By Bike. RE Himalayan.
Also,
Let me know if I can do Leh-Hunder-Pangong Lake- Hanle- Tso Moriri- Leh.
Hello vargis
Greetings.Can i carry ipad wth me during ladakh trip?
Hi Sucharita – Yes you can.
Hi vargis,
Amazing work..follower of ur blog..kindly advise me
We are from the defence and traveling as a family comprising of 2 adults n 2 kids (5 years n 2 years). We are travelling from Mumbai
Itinery as follows:
Will reach Srinagar on June 10th and will be returning from leh to Delhi on 21st June.
Day 1: Delhi to Srinagar – rest n local sightseeing
Day 2 : Gulmarg
Day 3: dal lake n valley of flowers
Day 4: Srinagar – sonamarg- zozila – dras – stay overnight
Day 5 : dras – kargil – Mulbekh — lamayuru – stay overnight
Day 6 : lamayuru – Leh- stay overnight
Day 7: local sightseeing – leh palace, Shanti stupa, leh market
Day 8: leh to Nubra valley – stay at hunder
Day 9: diskit – siachen – leh
Day 10: leh to Pangong tso ( by bus) stay overnight
Day 11: Pangong to leh
Day 12: flight from leh – Delhi – Mumbai
My doubts are:
1. Is my itinerary ok?
2. We want to do bike travel from Srinagar to leh ( we are used to long distance travelling by bike with kids) n leave the bike at leh n return by flight. Is it possible ..how much will it cost or going by taxi will be feasible? Can u provide contact nos of bike n taxi ppl?
3. Can we go to Nubra valley by bike? Or will it be difficult considering kharlunga..
4. Any contacts on stay at Hunder and Pangong?
5. Wanted to fit Tso moriri but not able to
Please help.
Hello,
1. Yes the itinerary is OK.
2. Please talk to Faisal in Srinagar at 9596410670. He runs a bike rental business as well as taxi service in Srinagar. He is a reliable guy and can give you the cost estimates. If you agree then you can rent from him as well.
3. No you can easily go to Nubra valley, not tough at all.
4. Plenty of option available. Please take a look at the posts below.
https://vargiskhan.com/log/accommodation-nubra-valley/
https://vargiskhan.com/log/accommodation-at-pangong-tso/
5. Moriri would be tough unless you are ready to add a day more.
Thanks alot varsi..
1. what is ur opinion about taking kids by bike from Srinagar to leh?
2. Also according to ur blog, we can go from Pangong to tso moriri..how difficult will it be taking in to consideration the roads n kids
Thanks in advance
1. I would not recommend it but you will be the best judge for it.
2. Permits for Pangong to Moriri route are not being issued this year so you cannot go that way.
Thanks
Can we move from Nubra valley to Pangong directly
Hi Remya – Yes you can, via Shyok road.
Can u suggest if we can cover spiti valley in trip of 12 days ? We r 9 adults travelling from Mumbai to shrinagar flight but confused about return booking as we wish to travel spiti valley if possible….
Yes Spiti in 12 days is definitely doable.
only for Spiti though. Not Spiti and Ladakh both
Thanks a lot for your prompt response. I was told that for 75+ years old and those who cannot walk much there will be challenges and not advisable? it is so? Your experience shall help. Also, one more plan was suggested to me and thought of taking your views as well.
15th June Friday – Arrive at Srinagar
16th June Saturday – Srinagar to Kargil and overnight stay at Kargil
17th June Sunday – Kargil to Leh
18th June Monday – Leh
19th June Tuesday – Leh
20th June Wednesday – Leh to Nubra Valley and stay at Nubra Valley
21st June Thursday – Nubra Valley to Leh
22nd June Friday – Leh to Pangong lake and return
23rd June Saturday – Return from Leh to Delhi
At Kargil, I saw some airbnb.co.in offered stay. reliable? Any suggestions for good stay at Leh or is it ok to rely on Leh?
I would recommend taking a doctor’s advice honestly. I do not really feel qualified because my answer will be just based on guesswork.
Your itinerary is OK. The journey from Pangong and back will be way too long and it is better to stay at the lake for the night.
Dear Sir, Can you give your views on my proposed itineary to Leh please? I have old people and also not so good in walking people in the group. Do not want anything to be hectic. If I need to reduce by a day or increase by a day, let me know.
15th June Friday – Arrive at Leh
16th June Saturday – Leh local
17th June Sunday – Leh local
18th June Monday – Leh to Nubra Valley and stay at Nubra Valley
19th June Tuesday – Nubra Valley to Leh
20th June Wednesday – Leh local
21st June Thursday – Leh to Pangong lake and return
22nd June Friday – Leh to Kargil and return?
23rd June Saturday – Return from Leh
Total 9 nights – 8 nights at Leh and 1 at Nubra Vally
Being Pure vegeratians, I do look out for some good stay and food options. Please suggest. For some of the members, climbing too many steps will be an issue.
Open to your suggestions. Thanks
Hi Sri, Your itinerary is OK but I will suggest staying at Pangong. Returning the same day will just be way too much of journey and very less time at the lake.
For veg restaurants, please see the article below.
https://vargiskhan.com/log/list-of-vegetarian-restaurants-in-leh-srinagar/
Thank you for this wealth of information and for keeping it up to date … it has made my planning much easier, well the dates easier the what to see and what to miss is a little more complicated as I want to see it all (of course!!) Best wishes and I look forward to following some of the routes very soon!!!
Thanks Rae
Hi vargis,
Isn’t it possible to start from srinagar early in the morning and reach leh by evening same day.
Thanks,
Tausif Ahmad
You can do it but only if you are in a local cab with a local driver. It will take a minimum of 18-20 hours for the journey; could even take longer.
Varghis Bhai, thanks for running such a wonderful Website and giving us information. It really helped a lot. Can you suggest any changes in the following itinerary. We will be reaching Srinagar 12th May Afternoon, and will be returning back from Srinagar on May 21st.
Will be direct route from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri be Open in May??
Also please throw some light on Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route via Agham Shyok route in May??
12th May Morning : Arrival in Srinagar(Afternoon), Procced to Drass, Rest in Drass,
13th May Morning : Head to Kargil War Memorial and then to Leh, Rest in Leh
14th May Morning : Proceed to Nubra Valley and Rest
15th May Morning : Nubra to Pangong Via Agham Shyok Road ( If Opened), Rest on the beds of Pangong
16th May Morning : Pangong to Hanle, Stay in Hanle,
17th May Morning : Hanle to Tso Moriri, Stay on the beds of Tso Moriri,
18th May Morning : Tso Moriri to Leh,
19th May Morning : Leh to Kargil
20th May Morning : Kargil to Srinagar by afternoon, Evening in Srinagar
21st May : Srinagar to Hyderabad
Have to Carry Fuel for 800kms.
If Agham Shok Route is Closed
Plan 2:
12th May Morning : Arrival in Srinagar, Procced to Drass, Rest in Drass,
13th May Morning : Head to Kargil War Memorila and then to Leh, Rest in Leh
14th May Morning : Sight Seeing in Leh
15th May Morning : Leh to Pangong, Rest on the beds of Pangong Lake
16th May Morning : Pangong to Hanle, Stay in Hanle,
17th May Morning : Hanle to Tso Moriri, Stay on the beds of Tso Moriri,
18th May Morning : Tso Moriri to Leh,
19th May Morning : Leh to Kargil
20th May Morning : Kargil to Srinagar by afternoon, Evening in Srinagar
21st May: Srinagar to Hyderabad
Thank You so much in advance 😀
Hello Dinesh Bhai,
You will have to change your itienrary at two places.
1. If you arrive at Srinagar in afternoon, you cannot goo to Drass the same day. You will have to stay in Sriangar and go to Kargil the next day.
2. You will have to add one day in Leh after your arrival in order to get permits. Cannot go to Nubra the very next day.
Thank You so much bro.
Can you please provide info on these?
1. Will the direct route from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri be Open in May??.
2. Also Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso route via Agham Shyok route in May??
Dinesh Bhai,
1. Yes it will be.
2. It should be open but will only know this for sure towards April end.
Thanks Vargis. We are 4 adults and 3 kids, planning for fo a trip from Chennai on May 16,2018 and return on 25th May. We need to cover Vaishnavodevi temple, Srinagar and Ladakh.
1. Is It it safe?
2. Will roads be open?
3. Can you suggest itinerary?
Hello Venkat,
1. Yes it is saafe
2. Yes the road will be open
3. How are you traveling? What is your plan? Flying to Srinagar? Flying back from Leh? Are you hiring a private taxi?
After considering the financials and fact that the kids 5 years and 7 years are hyper active we decided to just do Vaishnavodevi and Srinagar, upto Kargil
We are arriving Jammu on May 16, 9am. We visit vaishnavodevi on 16,17.1We can leave Katra ono18. We need to return on 25th 3pm flightffrom Srinagar
If you want to avoid Ladakh and have about a week from Katra, I will recommend covering Kashmir. Go to Sonamarg, stay there for a day and cover Thajiwas Glacier. From there you can go to Kargil and cover Gulmarg while coming back to Srinagar.
Vargis, I am wondering about what stops the public buses make on the trip from Srinagar-Kargil-Leh. From Delhi, I will have 5 days, 5 nights in Ladakh and am debating between flying in and out of Leh or flying to Srinagar, going by bus to Leh, then flying back to Delhi from there. If I fly, I will miss most of this route and the gradual acclimitization, but it will be more relaxing and I should be able to fit in Pangong Tso.
If I won’t have much time to get off the bus and take photos at many of the highlights along the road, then it wouldn’t seem nearly as worth it. Taking a private cab and paying to stop at all the locations seems like it would end up being a lot more money. Can you explain what stops the deluxe busses make?
Thanks
Caleb – If you only have 5 days and planning to travel by public transport then please fly straight to Leh. Reaching Srinagar and then going by Bus will only mean a hectic journey and you will miss out places in Ladakh. Skip Sringar entirely and focus only on Ladakh region. The bus takes minimal stops, more like for bio breaks. It stops at a few places in between but more like for 5-10 minutes. For most part, it just travels on. Please uderstand that this is not a bus service meant for tourists, but for locals to move around. So there is no tourist schedule, assigned stops etc. Depending on the bus driver’s mood, he may just chose to drive straight with only a few bio breaks and pit stops to eat.
Perfect, thanks for the advice!
You are welcome
Hi vargis
I want to know that can I travel with children as young as of 03 yrs from srinagar to leh by road during the month of Jun/Jul
Hi Arun – Yes you can. Please do take a look at the post below for some tips on how to plan your trip with kids.
Thanks …
You are welcome
Hello Vargis first I have to salute you for the time and effort you have given to pen down such detailed and accurate information. Great work.
Which now lures me to take valuable advise from you for our travel.
Our tickets are booked we reach delhi on 14th June night 11pm and return tickets from Delhi on 25th June 8 pm.
7 people total -5 guys and 2 girls.
5 bikes for a trip to leh.
Now can you help in making an itinerary for a bike trip delhi -srinagar -leh-Manali -chandigarh -delhi route..
Kindly add valuable suggestions as well and places to halt and stay for the given duration.
Awaiting your valuable suggestion.
Regards,
Kaushik
Hello Kaushik Bhai – Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it and glad that the information posted was of use. Before I make any suggestions, how are you arranging for the motorcyles? Rented and if yes, from where? Or are these your personal bikes that you are shipping?
hi vargis,
just asking for your opinion.. i’ll be travelling from srinagar to leh this july. just asking your opinion for our iternary draft.
day 1 : arrive srinagar
day 2 : srinagar – pahalgam – srinagar
day 3 : srinagar – gulmarg – srinagar
day 4 : srinagar – sonmarg – kargil
day 5 : kargil – lamayuru – leh
day 6 : leh – nubra via khardungla pass
day 7 : nubra – leh
day 8 : leh – pangong lake
day 9 : pangong lake – leh
day 10 : leh – delhi
this just our rough draft.
>> permit we already prepare upfront, just need to pick up there
thank you in advance
Hi Alice, Your itinerary looks great. No change required. And I am assuming here that you will be traveling by either your own vehicle or a private taxi, correct?
Hi,
This is my tentative itinerary. Please advise/suggest/recommend/comment
Begin: August 30th
Day 1: Stay at Dal lake. Local in Srinagar
Day 2: Dal Lake -> Sonamarg -> Zoji La -> Drass -> Kargil
Day 3: Kargil to Zanskar Valley (Padum)
Day 4: Padum to Kargil
Day 5: Kargil to Leh
(Is it possible to do a direct run from Padum to Leh in one day?)
Day 6: Leh – Nubra (visit Turtuk/stay at diskit or hunder)
Day 7: Nubra to Pangong Tso via Man – Merak. Stay at Spangmik.
(Would it be better to go via Shyok or Wari La?)
Day 8: Spangmik to Hanle via Chushul
(Is this realistic given ILP and army checkposts? We’d like to see the memorials and the Astronomical observatory!)
Day 9: Hanle to Tso Moriri and back to Leh
(Is this doable in one day? The thing is we have to be in Leh on 8th September in the morning. Should we take the route via Chumathang or tanglang la back to Leh?)
Day 10: Leh to Lamayuru.
(We’d like to go rafting nimmoo to saspul and stay overnight in lamayuru. Any thoughts?)
Day 11: lamayuru – Leh. Local sightseeing. Maybe a visit to Likir on the way back or Stok
Day 12: Leh to Hemis/Thicksey (if we’re not able to do this in conjunction with our return from Tso Moriri)
Day 13: Open
Day 14: Leh – Keylong
Day 15: Keylong- Manali – Chandigarh
(Would you recommend doing so in the HPTDC bus or shared taxi? Will be then doing Manali to Chandigarh overnight in a bus)
Day 16: Flight from Chandigarh
Addl info:
– 2 of us going from Srinagar to Leh. Joined by another friend directly in Leh. I’m alone going to return via Manali, they’re catching a flight.
– No vehicle of our own. We’d be open to public transport or shared taxis.(reasonable budget)
– How expensive would be hiring a private taxi for our travel and stay in Ladakh?
– I’ve read your post on camping (very helpful btw! Esp about the packs of dogs ) and we’re planning to carry our tents. Any specific suggestions or tips on good spots? We were looking forward to camping in Hanle (apart from nubra/pangong Tso). Any chance?
– Is rafting a possibility or does it need to be booked as part of a tour?
Sorry about the bunch of q’s… do provide your inputs! Also if you have any contacts, it’ll be really helpful. TIA!
Hello,
1. No you cannot do Padum to Leh in 1 day. You will have to come back to Kargil and continue the journey next day.
2. Your Day 6 should be spend in Leh, arranging permits. Go to Nubra on Day 7.
3. You cannot go to Nubra via Man Merak. Man and Merak are villages further ahead of Spangmik towards Chushul. You will have to do the journey via Wari La or Agham Shyok road.
4. Little confused with your name. If you are an Indian, then yes you can go to Hanle, if not an Indian then you cannot go any further than Pangong.
5. Hanle to Tso Moriri is one day journey and then Moriri to Leh is another day. 2 days journey here.
6. Yes you can do it but will have to add a day’s stay here at Lamayuru. Cannot come to Lamayuru and do rafting the same day, will be way too hectic. On a second thought, why come back to Lamayuru? You will be crossing it on your way to Leh from Kargil. Just add a stay here, do rafting and then go to Leh.
7. I read your HRTC or HPTDC comment after I went on answering the above. Going to Hanle will be a problem by public transport. There are no shared taxis available and bus service too is severely limited. You will have to come back to Leh from Pangong and then go to Moriri via Chumathang. For Keylong to Chandigarh, you can take the early morning bus from Keylong to Manali and then a bus from Manali to Chandigarh.
8. Private taxis in Leh are way too expensive, not suitable for a budget trip at all unless you have 5-6 people to share the cost with.
9. Ladakh is an open desert, plenty of spots to chose from but just find a local dhaba to camp, do not camp in the middle of nowhere.
10. Rafting is possible, don’t have to prebook.
Hi Vargis,
The article is very helpful. Need your help with modified itinerary. We are 8 of us travelling from Srinagar to Leh and Ladakh. Could you modify the trip for 9 days. Also, whether you would suggest taking flight back from Leh or Srinagar?
Thank you in advance. Looking forward to your reply at the earliest as need to plan quickly due to shortage of time.
Hi Jash – Do you have 9 days from Srinagar or less considering that you will take a couple of days to reach there? Let me know and I can suggest an itinerary. Better would be to reach Sringar, travel to Leh by road and catch a flight back from there.
Hi Vargis, that means, as per your itinerary mentioned above, one should take ILP from day 3 onward. Am I right?
Hi Dennis, Arrange permits on Day 3 before traveling to Nubra on Day 4.
Plus, I am going alone on an enfield. Do you know any good quality foot pump available online? i find plenty of them and never used one before. So any advice from you will be of great help.
Coido Foot Air Pump. its good.
Hi Vargis,
Could you please tell me, do I require ILP for this itinerary?
Hi Dennis – No you do not need an ILP for this route.
Let me rephrase … You do not need ILP for traveling from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil. ILP is required for local sightseeing in Ladakh, places like Nubra and Pangong. If you want to travel via Batalik, you need a permit for that too.