This article is more like a complication of several questions that I get asked related to traveling on the Manali Leh highway. Some of these questions have been asked here in the blog itself, some on the forum, and some via emails. The idea behind putting together these Manali Leh Highway FAQs was to gather information for anyone who may have the same questions.
It remains to be a fact that while you can read 100 lengthy articles, sometimes they all fail to either answer some specific questions. Sometimes the information is way too much to find a simple answer.
Manali Leh Highway FAQs
I will continue updating this article as I receive these queries and hope that this information will be helpful for everyone. If your questions did not get answered by the ones I listed below, please feel free to ask them in the comments section towards the bottom of this page.
Quick Navigation
1. What are Must-Visit Tourist Places on Manali Leh highway?
It is really hard to answer this question as the entire Manali to Leh road is a scenic destination in itself. However, some of the places worth mentioning are Rohtang La, river confluence at Tandi, Sissu Waterfall, Deepak Taal, Baralacha La, Suraj Taal, Gata Loops, Nakeela, Lachulung La, More Plains, Tso Kar, and Tanglang La.
For a detailed description of all these places, I would urge you to please read Tourist Places on Manali Leh Highway. I have talked about all these places in detail in this post.
2. Where can you find a Mechanic or Puncture Repair Shop on the Manali Leh highway?
Earlier this option was severely limited but with the recent increase in tourism in Ladakh, you can hope to find a mechanic or puncture repair shop at Manali, Kokhsar, Tandi, Keylong, Jispa, Upshi, and Karu.
Please note though that even this option keeps changing. During one of my visits, I found a puncture repair shop in Sarchu. But when I went the next year, it was no longer there. The places I listed above though have confirmed mechanics that remain all year.
3. Do you Need a Permit for Manali to Leh?
No there is no permit needed for traveling from Manali to Leh. Inner Line Permit is a requirement for sightseeing in Ladakh but you get it from Leh City itself. You do not need to get a permit for traveling to Leh City either from Manali or Srinagar.
However, you do need a permit for crossing Rohtang La from Manali side. To read more about this, you can visit How to get a Permit for Rohtang Pass in Manali or Online.
If you do not wish to cross Rohtang or did not get the permit then you can always remove this pass from your itinerary and travel via the Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel).
4. What is an ideal Manali to Leh itinerary?
An ideal itinerary for traveling from Manali to Leh depends on how you are traveling and how many days you have in total for the complete trip. Depending on your mode of travel and time in hand, you can complete the journey in 1, 2, or 3 days, or even more. Please take a look at Manali to Leh Travel Time & Ideal Itinerary for more details on this topic.
5. Can I travel from Manali to Leh in one day?
While the answer to this question is a yes, it is highly advised that you do not do so. You should give this journey a minimum of 2 days and 3 days. Rushing through the highway in 1 day will have you skip the entire sightseeing part and you may suffer from altitude sickness as well.
6. Can I find Liquor on Manali Leh highway?
My honest advice would be against consuming alcohol while traveling from Manali to Leh. However, if you must, you can expect to find liquor at Manali and Keylong. There is a hotel in Jispa by the name of Hotel Ibex that also has a Bar of its own. Several chadar tents and campsites on the way also provide alcohol at an increased price. This however is not always confirmed and may change each year.
7. Where can I find a Bank / ATM on Manali Leh highway?
The only Bank or an ATM after Manali and before Leh is at Keylong. You should withdraw enough cash to last the entire journey from Manali Leh itself.
8. Where can I find a hospital on Manali Leh highway?
The only hospital after Manali and before Leh is at Keylong. It is strongly recommended that you carry a first aid kit and some basic medicines for fever, upset stomach, body ache, headache, and nausea, etc.
9. How is the Mobile Network on Manali Leh highway?
In all probability, your mobile network will vanish anywhere between Rohtang Pass and Keylong. Vodafone will probably be gone as you start descending Rohtang La. Airtel may survive until Keylong.
BSNL or MTNL is the best mobile network in Ladakh and has the best connectivity even on Manali to Leh route. After Keylong, your phones will remain dead until your reach Leh. You will not be able to make or receives calls/messages and even data connectivity will be gone after Keylong.
10. Where to a Hotel, Guest House, or Campsite on Manali Leh highway?
You can find accommodation at several places between Manali to Leh in form of hotels, guest houses, PWD guest or rest houses, campsites, and chadar tents.
Chadar tents are available are cheapest. PWD guest houses would have to be booked in advance. Hotels are limited to few places only. More information regarding accommodation on Manali to Leh route can be found at Accommodation on Manali Leh Highway.
11. Where Can You Find a Petrol Pump on Manali Leh highway?
After Manali, the next petrol pump is at Tandi. After that, there is no petrol pump until Leh, hence it is absolutely necessary that you tank up at Tandi. If you run into any problem though you can seek help at the Dhabas en route. They store petrol and Diesel and sell them at an increased price.
The quality of the fuel at these Dhabas however is questionable.
12 Where can you find a pay phone on Manali Leh highway?
Payphone services are available at Keylong, Jispa, and Upshi.
13. Is electricity available on Manali to Leh route?
Almost all the hotels and campsites have electricity available. If they do not have an electric connection, then they will have a generator facility.
14. Which motorcycle is best for Manali to Leh?
There is really no best motorcycle as such. I have known people who have been to Ladakh on a 100 CC motorcycle as well. It all depends on the condition of the motorcycle and how well you can ride it.
There are however certain motorcycles that suit the terrain better than others. For more information on the topic, please read Which is the best motorcycle for Ladakh trip?
15. Can I ride from Manali to Leh with a pillion?
Yes, you can but ensure that your motorcycle is very well serviced, at least a week in advance. Whatever seems troublesome must be repaired or replaced.
When riding with a pillion, be extra careful especially at places with no Tar on the road or at water crossings. You will also need to pay close attention to how you plan to carry two people’s luggage on the motorcycle.
A bike with a larger engine, line 350 or 500CC will be best for a trip with a pillion. If you are riding a smaller engine bike, please ride solo and travel as light as possible. Do not carry any unnecessary luggage.
16. How is the public transport service on the Manali Leh highway?
Public transport on this route is available in the form of a Bus and shared taxis. Buses are operated by the Himachal Government and the shared cabs are owned by local Manali taxi operators. For more details on this topic, please take a look at How to Travel from Manali to Leh by Public Transport.
Manali Leh Highway FAQs – Conclusion
I hope the above-listed Manali Leh Highway FAQs were of help. If the question you wanted to ask was not part of the article, please feel free to ask in the comments section below, or at our Community Forum, and I will be happy to answer.
