At 479 km, the Manali–Leh Highway is one of the highest and most dramatic motorable roads on earth, crossing five major passes above 4,000 metres before dropping into the Leh valley. It's on nearly every serious rider's and road-tripper's bucket list — but it also punishes poor planning. Here's how to do it right.
The Route, Pass by Pass
Most travelers split the drive into 2–3 days, though it can technically be done in one very long day. The standard stops:
- Manali → Rohtang Pass (3,978m) → Keylong: ~115 km. The most scenic and most crowded opening stretch.
- Keylong → Baralacha La (4,890m) → Sarchu: ~120 km. Sarchu, sitting at roughly 4,290m, is where most people spend their first proper high-altitude night.
- Sarchu → Nakee La → Lachulung La → Tanglang La (5,328m) → Leh: ~250 km. This final stretch includes the famous Gata Loops (21 hairpin turns) and the highest point on the whole route.
Permits You'll Need
Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit for certain stretches beyond Leh (Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri), obtainable easily online or at the DC office in Leh — but not for the Manali–Leh highway itself. Foreign nationals face additional restrictions on some border-adjacent areas, so check current requirements before you leave, as rules around Ladakh permits are periodically updated.
Best Time to Attempt the Drive
The highway is officially open roughly from mid-June to early October, snow permitting. Late June to August has the most reliable conditions; the road can close temporarily after landslides or fresh snowfall even in peak season, so always build in a spare day. Outside this window, the route is closed by snow and only accessible via the longer Srinagar–Leh road or by air.
Acclimatization Is Not Optional
This is the single biggest mistake first-timers make. Sarchu and the passes beyond sit well above 4,000m, and pushing straight through from Manali to Leh in one day dramatically increases your risk of acute mountain sickness. Spend at least one night at Keylong or Jispa before climbing higher, and once in Leh, rest for a full day before attempting side trips to Khardung La or Pangong Lake.
Bike vs. Car
The Royal Enfield remains the classic choice for this route and is widely available for rent in Manali with drop-off in Leh. If you'd rather not ride, SUVs handle the road just as well and are considerably more comfortable for longer stretches, especially through Gata Loops. Either way, carry extra fuel — the stretch between Tandi and Leh has very few functioning pumps.
What to Pack
- Heavy layers — even in July, nights at Sarchu can drop close to freezing
- A basic mechanical toolkit and puncture repair kit if self-driving/riding
- Sunscreen and sunglasses — UV exposure at this altitude is intense
- Cash — ATMs are unreliable to nonexistent for most of the route
- A physical map or offline GPS — mobile network coverage disappears for long stretches
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Manali → Keylong via Rohtang Pass (overnight at Keylong/Jispa)
- Day 2: Keylong → Sarchu via Baralacha La (overnight camp at Sarchu)
- Day 3: Sarchu → Leh via Tanglang La and Gata Loops
If you'd rather join a guided convoy with backup vehicles, fuel planning and permits sorted for you, see our Leh-Ladakh bike trip or the full Manali-Leh highway road trip package.
Written by
Funtoor Travel Team
Travel planners based in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. We plan and arrange trips — stays, transport and experiences — across the Himalayas.
