One thing that takes precedence over everything else when it comes to planning a road trip to Ladakh is knowledge. In order to enjoy this journey to the fullest and return home safe, there are several things that you need to make yourself aware of beforehand. This is where having complete knowledge comes in handy. This was the idea behind putting together this Manali Leh Highway Travel Guide.
Careful planning based on complete knowledge is what will see you completing the journey without any unforeseen events; events that may land you in trouble.
I remember the first time I visited Ladakh a decade ago. I spent several weeks just reading and gathering as much knowledge as I could; regarding each and every place I wanted to visit. Still, something totally unexpected happened that I did not foresee. It resulted in me and my fellow traveler spending the night on the road in the blistering cold, in the middle of nowhere.
This only happened in situations and areas that I had no knowledge of. Had I known better, we never would have landed in such trouble.
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Manali Leh Highway Travel Guide
Out of the two roads leading to Ladakh, the Manali Leh highway has always been the more preferred one and also the more challenging one. The majority of the people traveling to Ladakh will choose to reach Leh via Manali and return via Srinagar.
Because of this very reason, the Manali Leh highway becomes the road that gets the traveler ready for the journey ahead. Hence, preparing yourself well for the Manali Leh highway becomes of utmost importance.
Spread over this blog are several articles that I wrote regarding taking a journey from Manali to Leh. This travel guide is an effort to consolidate all those articles on one page. Going through these articles will not only make you aware of the road but also of the challenges you may face.
Manali Leh Highway Road Map
You can get a map of the route from Manali to Leh Road Map With Distance. Posted at this link below is a complete road map of Manali to Leh. It has names of the places in between, the distance between two places, and several other basic facts about the highway. Feel free to download the map and save it on your phone or take a printout.
Manali to Leh – Route Explanation
This is more of a detailed version of the map. The previous post only has a map of the road with a few facts. The article at the link below explains the entire route in much detail. It includes the road conditions, where can you expect to find a mechanic, petrol pump or accommodation facilities.
Tourist Places on Manali Leh Highway
While the entire stretch from Manali to Leh is a sight to behold, there are certain places that become the highlight of the journey. The link below provides complete information about these places along with all other places on the Manali Leh highway. This article also provides information on where you can find accommodation and some other basic amenities.
Hotels, Guest Houses, and Camp Sites on Manali Leh Highway
There are several options in terms of accommodation on the Manali Leh highway. You can find hotels, guest houses (both private and government-run), campsites, and Chadar tents at several places and fitting into any budget.
The article at the link below lists down where you can find what kind of accommoation. Towards the end of the article are also the names and contact information of several hotels and campsites along the route.
Best Time to Travel From Manali to Leh
While the Manali to Leh stretch remains open for civilian traffic for 5 months in a year, there are times within this small window that are more suitable to different kinds of travelers.
For example, the months of September would suit more for traveling with family. June will suit better to the adventurous type. August is a bad time to go due to the monsoon season.
The article below breaks down these 5 months, providing details on what can you expect in which particular month. Hence, enabling you to decide better on which month you want to travel in.
Minimum Days required for Manali to Leh and an ideal Itinerary
Preparing an ideal itinerary for completing Manali Leh highway and deciding on how many days you want to dedicate majorly depends on how you are traveling and how many days you have in hand. The article below helps you prepare for your journey better by suggesting how many days you should dedicate to reaching Leh from Manali and an itinerary you can follow.
Available modes of transport on Manali Leh Highway
What preparation you should make if traveling on your own and what are the various modes of public transport available on Manali Leh highway has been discussed in the article below.
You can choose to either board a private/shared taxi or a government-run bus but if traveling via your own vehicle, there are a few things that you must pay close attention to. Please read the article below for more information.
How to deal with altitude sickness while traveling to Ladakh?
Acute mountain sickness, also known as AMS or high altitude sickness, is one of the most important aspects of this journey. If not paid close attention to and dealt with in the right manner, AMS can completely ruin your trip and make it more of a painful experience than an enjoyable one.
Please take a look at the article below for more information on what AMS is. It explains what the symptoms are and how can you deal with it in a better way.
Manali Leh Highway Travel Guide – Conclusion
I hope the information and links I provided in this Manali to Leh highway travel guide were 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 answer.
