The road to Ladakh may be long and winding, but it certainly requires no introduction. Undoubtedly India's favourite destination, the rugged and virginal beauty of Ladakh, the 'land of high passes', is almost nonpareil and the excitement only magnifies when you take a road trip to the region via Manali.
With a plethora of trekking opportunities, fantastic scenery, great accommodation options and an elaborate spiritual facet, both these destinations are great for travellers to explore. Here is a 10 day/9 night itinerary to help you make the best out of your Manali-Leh Bike Trip.
If you're already sold on the idea, this Manali-Leh Biking Tour package for ₹33,000 per person is just the thing for you. Click here to book now.
Getting Around In Manali And Ladakh
Both Ladakh and Manali are tourist magnets and transport therefore is not a problem. The best way to get around Manali is by hiring a taxi for around Rs. 2000 a day and if in case you are a biker, you can hire a motorbike (for your onward Ladakh Bike Trip) for around Rs. 1500 a day. Public buses, although cheap, are unfortunately not very reliable. This package takes care of all your bookings, so you don't have to worry about doing this on your own.
Ladakh has the same problem with buses and taxis therefore are reliable options, especially in Leh. However, in order to explore the entire region, you should ideally rent a car (a steady 4WD) for around Rs. 3500 a day or a bike for about Rs. 1500 a day. A car or a bike is imperative for your road trip from Manali to Leh.
While it has gradually morphed into a concrete jungle, Manali still has this magical air about it. Right from adventure sports enthusiasts to hippies and honeymooners, this lovely retreat has a little something for everyone. It therefore comes as no surprise that Manali boasts of the fanciest hotels and cafes in the north and is always brimming with tourists. Interestingly, it also serves as the perfect gateway to the Rohtang pass and Ladakh. A journey along the Manali-Leh highway is in fact termed one of the best in the world.
Manali is around 600 kilometers from Delhi and reservations for buses can be made from the city at the ISBT or the Himachal Tourism Office near Mandi House. Moreover, you can book tickets online for this 14 hour journey. If you're travelling from Chandigarh by taking a train to the city from Delhi, a private taxi can be hired, or you could get on a state transport bus and the journey is roughly 9 hours long. Moreover, there are flights (albeit irregular and expensive) from Delhi and Chandigarh to Kullu airport which is some 50 kilometers from Manali. This Manali-Leh package also takes care of transportation from Delhi to Manali and back.
Amazing Things To Do In Manali
Exhilarating activities such as skiing and mountain biking are synonymous with the Rohtang Pass. A trip to this celestial passage is therefore imperative before you proceed with your Ladakh Bike Trip.
Paragliding in Solang Valley is an experience you absolutely cannot miss as you will literally be on cloud nine.
Visit the thoroughly rejuvenating hot springs of Manikaran. It is a pleasant two hour drive from Manali.
Best Rated Places To Stay In Manali
3. Quality Inn River Country Resort - Rs. 2534
Best Rated Places To Eat In Manali
If in case you fancy a wholesome fish dish, Johnson's Cafe is exactly where you should be. The beautiful outdoor seating is a major plus.
This restaurant undoubtedly serves the best thin crust pizzas in Manali. It however is entirely vegetarian but totally worth your time and money.
The Manali - Leh Highway
Open from the months of May (end) to September, the Manali-Leh Highway is as delightful as it is intimidating and is the core of a Leh Ladakh Bike Trip. A journey along this route is pretty much akin to your path to enlightenment. It is approximately 480 kilometres long and the journey to Leh takes around 2 days to complete with an overnight stay at either Keylong, Jispa or Sarchu. Our 12-day package will take you on this beautiful journey without a hitch.
An exceptionally tiny village in Himachal Pradesh, Jispa is as humble as a place could possibly get and is a popular stop for travellers journeying along the Manali-Leh highway. With excellent views of the mountains and the Bhaga River, this village has the potential of being a destination in itself and not merely a stop along the way. Additionally, Jispa is also home to a tiny museum and some decent hotels.
The snow-capped mountains, deep valleys and humble villages on your road to Ladakh add to the charm of the trip and the memories will forever be indelible. You could either rent a 4WD or a bike from Manali for this mammoth of an odyssey and keep in mind that petrol pumps are only at Tandi and Upshi. Additionally, you could take the HPTDC bus service for Rs. 2000 which includes overnight accommodation at Keylong and food.
The route for the Ladakh bike trip is as follows:
Manali – Rohtang Pass - Gramphu - Kokhsar - Keylong - Jispa - Darcha – Zingzingbar - Baralacha La - Bharatpur - Sarchu - Gata Loops - Nakee La - Lachulung La - Pang - Tanglang La - Gya - Upshi - Karu - Leh.
140 kilometres from Manali, Jispa has some of the best overnight accommodation options for your Manali-Leh journey. Alternatively, you could also halt at Sarchu which is at an even distance from Manali and Leh (around 220 kilometres). However, altitude sickness is a major challenge and it is essential to give yourself time to acclimatise before you proceed with the rest of your Leh Ladakh bike trip. Our package ensures that there's an emergency medical kit on hand in case you start feeling sic.
Best Rated Places To Stay In Jispa
The mother of all destinations in India, Leh has no parallels and is perhaps an idyll for travellers all over the world. With forts, stupas and humble homes that are deeply embedded in the Tibetan culture, this desert city is enchanting and keeps one coming back for more. The multitude of hotels, stylish cafes and restaurants is yet another plus. The high altitude, however, is a bit of a deterrent and acclimatisation is therefore imperative. This moonscape is a good 475 kilometres from Manali and the iconic colourful prayer flags serve as the perfect welcome.
480 kilometres from Manali, arriving into Leh is a massive relief, although acclimatisation is a challenge. The heartbeat of a Leh Ladakh road trip, this flawless mountain district is a gift of the gods. Of all the sights on your road to Ladakh, Leh, undoubtedly is the most important.
Arriving in Leh is the mid-way of our package tour. Now it's half-way to go.
Amazing Things To Do In Leh
Watch your vehicle attain a life of its own at the Magnetic Hill. For most travelers, this scientific wonder is one of the most popular things to do during a Leh Ladakh Road Trip.
Visit the colossal white spiral Shanti Stupa and take some time out to meditate and enjoy arresting views of Leh. It rightly serves as a symbol of sorts for Ladakh.
The largest and the most beautiful monastery in central Ladakh, Thiksey Monastery is a major drawcard for developing a better understanding of Buddhist art and culture. This experience will be the most enriching during your Leh Ladakh Road Trip.
Go right up to the Khardung La, the world's highest motorable road. Relishing a bowl of Maggi at Khardung La is somehow an experience in itself and is an essential feature of your road to Ladakh.
Best Rated Places To Stay In Leh
While these are great accommodation options, you don't have to worry about your stay at all because the package takes care of it all. Book here.
Best Rated Places To Eat In Leh
One of the most popular pan-Asian restaurants in Leh, Chopsticks serves excellent food and is a great place to connect with fellow travelers.
This stylish multicuisine restaurant offers delicious food and often plays host to live musical performances. It might just remind you of a mountain village in Europe and features in almost every Leh Ladakh itinerary.
What was once a part of the fabled Silk Route, Nubra Valley is home to some of the most incredible mountain landscape in the Himalayas. With unending sand dunes and oasis hamlets, this region is made of dreams and possesses an inexplicable seductive charm. The ruined palaces and monasteries only help in magnifying the mystery. The valley is a five hour drive from Khardung La, the world's highest motorable pass and is an essential feature in every Leh Ladakh itinerary.
A six hour journey from Leh by virtue of the mighty Khardung La, the world's highest motorable road, brings you to the stupendous Nubra Valley with its never-ending expanse of sand dunes and oases. A proud feature of our Leh Ladakh bike trip, you can halt either at Diskit or the Hunder village in the valley. Since there are no restaurants in this cold desert, your camp/hotel should arrange food for you.
Amazing Things To Do In Nubra Valley
Sail through the white sand dunes of the Nubra Valley atop a Bactrian Camel. Double-hump camels are exclusive to the region and are therefore shining gems on the road to Ladakh.
The Diskit Gompa, Nubra Valley's oldest and largest monastery should be an integral part of your Leh Ladakh Bike Trip. It is also home to a gigantic statue of Maitreya Buddha which is absolutely stunning.
Best Rated Places To Stay In Nubra Valley
Pangong Tso will instil your belief in magic; it is an emotion in an array of colours- a little bit of blue here, a stroke of indigo there and a whole lot of golden everywhere. This alluring lake stretches to some 150 kilometres, right up to China and has rightly served as an emblem for Ladakh tourism. Day trippers usually do nothing but stare at its magnificence for several hours altogether and still cannot have enough of it. Tented accommodation, however, is available for those who would like to stay back and perhaps even explore the '3 Idiots' sand spit.
Undoubtedly a trademark of the region, Pangong Tso is perhaps the most exciting element of a Ladakh bike trip. Around 170 kilometers from Leh and 240 kilometers from Nubra Valley, the mystical blue lake is a popular day trip option if you leave early in the morning. There, however, are camps around the lake where you can stay overnight and basic food is available. Pangong certainly is a slice of heaven.
Amazing Things To Do In Pangong Tso
Let the beauty of the Pangong Lake transport you into a state of trance. There is a reason why Ladakh Tourism and Pangong Tso are almost synonymous.
So what's stopping you from taking that Leh Ladakh bike trip? Click here to book.
All hotel prices are approximate and are on a per day basis.
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