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The Himalayas Calling
The Himalayas Calling
A road winding across a snow-covered slope near Leh
  • Ladakh
  • 12 days
  • Moderate

The Great Himalayan Traverse

Overview

The great road journey across the western Himalaya: from the lakes of Srinagar over Zoji La to Kargil and Leh, out to Nubra and Pangong, then south over the high passes to Manali. Travelling in this direction lets you acclimatise on the way up.

  • Five high passes in one journey
  • The Kargil War Memorial at Drass
  • The moonland of Lamayuru
  • Through the Atal Tunnel to Manali

Day by day

Where you sleepHighest night 4,225 m
  1. Night 1: Srinagar, 1,585 m
  2. Night 2: Kargil, 2,676 m
  3. Night 3: Leh, 3,500 m
  4. Night 4: Leh, 3,500 m
  5. Night 5: Leh, 3,500 m
  6. Night 6: Hunder, 3,100 m
  7. Night 7: Pangong, 4,225 m
  8. Night 8: Leh, 3,500 m
  9. Night 9: Jispa, 3,300 m
  10. Night 10: Manali, 2,050 m
  11. Night 11: Manali, 2,050 m
  1. 1

    Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar

    Check into a houseboat on Dal Lake and take a shikara ride at sunset.

    • Night in Srinagar, 1,585 m
  2. 2

    Day 2: Over Zoji La to Kargil

    Up the Sindh valley to Sonamarg, over Zoji La and past the war memorial at Drass.

    • Night in Kargil, 2,676 m
    • Highest point 3,528 m
    • 205 km, 7 hours
  3. 3

    Day 3: Lamayuru to Leh

    Past the Maitreya carving at Mulbekh, over Namika La and Fotu La, through the moonland of Lamayuru and on to Leh.

    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
    • Highest point 4,108 m
    • 220 km, 8 hours
  4. 4

    Day 4: Rest in Leh

    A slow day to acclimatise: tea, the old town and Shanti Stupa at sunset.

    • Rest and acclimatise
    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
  5. 5

    Day 5: Indus monasteries

    Shey, Thiksey and Hemis.

    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
    • About 100 km
  6. 6

    Day 6: Khardung La to Nubra

    Over Khardung La to the dunes of Hunder.

    • Night in Hunder, 3,100 m
    • Highest point 5,359 m
    • 125 km
  7. 7

    Day 7: The Shyok road to Pangong

    Along the Shyok river to Pangong Tso.

    • Night in Pangong, 4,225 m
    • 160 km
  8. 8

    Day 8: Chang La to Leh

    Sunrise at the lake, then back over Chang La to Leh.

    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
    • Highest point 5,360 m
    • 160 km
  9. 9

    Day 9: Leh to Jispa

    The longest day: Tanglang La, the More Plains, Sarchu and Baralacha La.

    • Night in Jispa, 3,300 m
    • Highest point 5,328 m
    • 335 km, 10 to 12 hours
  10. 10

    Day 10: Jispa to Manali

    Through Keylong and Sissu, then the Atal Tunnel to Manali.

    • Night in Manali, 2,050 m
    • 95 km
  11. 11

    Day 11: Spare day in Manali

    Kept free for road delays. If it isn’t needed, explore Old Manali, Hadimba temple or Solang.

    • Rest and acclimatise
    • Night in Manali, 2,050 m
  12. 12

    Day 12: Leave Manali

    Fly from Bhuntar, or take the overnight bus to Delhi.

What the price covers

Included

  • Hand-picked hotels, homestays and camps, twin sharing
  • Breakfast and dinner every day
  • Private SUV with an experienced mountain driver, fuel, tolls and parking
  • Oxygen cylinder, pulse oximeter and first-aid kit in the vehicle
  • All permits and environment fees for the route
  • A trip planner on call throughout

Not included

  • Flights or trains to the start and from the end
  • Lunches on travel days
  • Monument, camera and activity fees
  • Travel insurance and evacuation costs
  • Extra nights caused by landslides, road closures or flight cancellations
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • 5% GST

Good to know

Permits

Indian citizens no longer need an Inner Line Permit for Ladakh, but everyone pays the LAHDC environment and wildlife fee, which we arrange and include. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, which we also arrange. Carry printed copies and your ID. No Rohtang permit is needed, because the route uses the Atal Tunnel.

  • The Manali–Leh road usually opens in June and closes by mid-October.
  • Only postpaid mobile connections from outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh work here. That covers the first half of the journey.
  • Day 9 is long. We can split it with a night in a camp at Sarchu if you prefer.
  • Keep warm layers in the car; the passes are cold even in August.

Questions travellers ask

Why travel from Srinagar to Manali and not the other way?

Srinagar sits at 1,585 metres and the road climbs gradually through Kargil. Starting in Manali takes you over passes above 4,800 metres before your body has adjusted.

How long are the drives?

Most days are five to eight hours. Day 9, from Leh to Jispa, is the longest at ten to twelve hours.

When does this route run?

From mid-June to mid-September, when both Zoji La and the Manali–Leh road are open.

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