Every serious conversation about Ladakh road trips and high-altitude routes starts with the same choice: Srinagar or Manali, and in which order. Both highways get you to Leh, but they gain altitude at completely different speeds, cross a different set of passes, and reward you with a different kind of trip — which is exactly why getting this decision right matters more than almost anything else in the planning stage.
At Travek Nerve Kashmir, this is the trip we plan more carefully than any other, because a wrong route choice here doesn’t just cost you a nice view — it can mean real altitude sickness. This guide breaks down both highways, the passes worth driving, permits, timing, and a sample itinerary.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: Srinagar-Leh Highway
The Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH1) runs 434 km through Sonamarg, Zoji La, Kargil, and Lamayuru before reaching Leh. It’s the gentler of the two classic Ladakh road trips and high-altitude routes, since Srinagar sits at just 5,200 feet and altitude builds up gradually over two days, with an overnight halt at Kargil (8,780 feet) recommended before the final push to Leh (11,520 feet).
Only one major pass, Zoji La (11,575 feet), stands between Srinagar and Kargil, though it has narrow, unguarded stretches that call for slow, careful driving. This route typically opens between late March and April, and it’s the one most guides recommend for first-timers and families.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: Manali-Leh Highway
The Manali-Leh Highway is the more dramatic of the two, climbing fast through Atal Tunnel, Baralacha La, Sarchu, and Tanglang La before dropping into Leh. Altitude gain here is far steeper and quicker than on the Srinagar side, which is why acute mountain sickness is far more common on travellers entering via Manali without a buffer day.
This highway usually opens between mid and late May, roughly a month after the Srinagar route, since its higher passes hold snow longer. Most experienced riders and drivers use it as the return leg of a Ladakh trip rather than the entry point, after the body has already acclimatised via Srinagar.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: The Passes Worth Driving
Ladakh has over 20 named motorable passes, but a handful define the region for anyone serious about Ladakh road trips and high-altitude routes.
Khardung La
At 17,582 feet, Khardung La connects Leh to Nubra Valley and remains one of the most iconic passes in the region, known for its dramatic switchbacks and sweeping Himalayan views.
Chang La
Roughly the same altitude as Khardung La, Chang La is the route into Pangong Tso from Leh, crossing barren, high-desert terrain that feels closer to another planet than to India.
Umling La: The World’s Highest Motorable Pass
At 19,024 feet near Hanle, Umling La holds the title of the world’s highest motorable pass. It’s a genuine bucket-list drive for anyone chasing the most extreme of Ladakh’s high-altitude routes, though it demands full acclimatisation beforehand.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: Permits and Fees
Most of the Ladakh region is open without special paperwork, but Inner Line Permits are required for Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Hanle, and the wider Changthang region. These can be arranged online or through a local operator before you arrive. All tourists also pay a Ladakh Environment Fee (commonly called the Green Tax), applicable across the region.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: Best Time to Travel
June to September is the reliable window for both highways and all the major passes, with roads fully open and weather at its most stable. May offers quieter roads and dramatic snow walls along the passes, but with a higher risk of temporary closures. By October, snow begins closing routes again, and both highways shut for winter shortly after.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: Managing Altitude Sickness
- Enter via Srinagar if this is your first Ladakh trip — the gradual altitude gain matters more than it seems.
- Rest on your first day in Leh — no strenuous activity, no rushing straight to Khardung La or Pangong.
- Hydrate constantly — 3–4 litres of water a day reduces the risk of altitude symptoms significantly.
- Avoid alcohol for at least the first 24 hours at altitude.
- Talk to your doctor about Diamox as a preventive measure before the trip, especially if flying directly into Leh.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: Sample 7-Day Itinerary
- Day 1–2: Srinagar to Kargil to Leh via Zoji La and Fotu La, with an overnight halt at Kargil.
- Day 3: Rest and acclimatise in Leh — light sightseeing only.
- Day 4: Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung La, overnight in Hunder or Diskit.
- Day 5: Nubra Valley back to Leh, or onward to Pangong Tso via Chang La.
- Day 6: Pangong Tso back to Leh.
- Day 7: Leh to Manali via Tanglang La, Sarchu, and Baralacha La, completing the classic two-highway loop.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: Plan with Travek Nerve Kashmir
A Ladakh road trip has more moving parts than most Himalayan itineraries — permits, altitude pacing, road status, and a route sequence that actually protects your health along the way. Travek Nerve Kashmir builds each of these trips around proper acclimatisation first, scenery second, with permits and logistics handled before you arrive.
If a full Ladakh road trip and its high-altitude routes are on your list, this is the way to plan it properly.
Ladakh Road Trips and High-Altitude Routes: FAQs
Which route is better for a first Ladakh road trip, Srinagar or Manali?
Srinagar to Leh is generally recommended for first-timers, since the altitude gain is gradual and reduces the risk of acute mountain sickness compared to the steeper Manali route.
What is the highest motorable pass in Ladakh?
Umling La, at 19,024 feet near Hanle, is currently the world’s highest motorable pass and one of the most extreme drives in the region.
Do I need a permit for a Ladakh road trip?
Yes, for restricted areas like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and Hanle. Most of central Leh and the main highways don’t require special permits, but a Ladakh Environment Fee applies to all tourists.
When do the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways open each year?
The Srinagar-Leh Highway typically opens between late March and April, while the Manali-Leh Highway usually follows in mid to late May, once snow clears from its higher passes.
How do I avoid altitude sickness on a Ladakh road trip?
Enter via Srinagar for gradual acclimatisation, rest fully on your first day in Leh, hydrate aggressively, avoid alcohol initially, and consult a doctor about preventive medication like Diamox before you travel.