Ladakh trip: route, permits and cost
By Ganesh ·
How to plan a Ladakh trip. The Manali and Srinagar highways, the Leh–Nubra–Pangong loop, Inner Line Permits, altitude sickness, and what it costs by flight, car or bike.
The short answer: a first Ladakh trip usually needs 7–9 days. Fly into Leh and rest for two days, then loop to Nubra Valley over Khardung La, cross to Pangong Tso via Shyok, and return to Leh, or drive in from Manali or Srinagar and fly out. Indians need an online Inner Line Permit for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and other protected areas. A 7-day flight-plus-taxi trip typically costs about ₹35,000–60,000 per person; a bike trip from Manali roughly ₹30,000–50,000 plus the bike.
Prices, permits and road opening dates below are approximate. Check before you go.
Three ways to do Ladakh
| Fly to Leh | Car / taxi by road | Bike (Manali or Srinagar) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Short trips, families, older parents | Groups who want the drive without riding | Riders with mountain experience |
| Days needed | 6–8 | 9–12 | 10–14 |
| Acclimatisation | Sudden, rest 36–48 hours in Leh | Gradual | Gradual |
| Season | Year-round (Nubra/Pangong roads best May–Oct) | Roughly June–Oct (Manali side), May–Nov (Srinagar side) | Same as by road |
| Rough cost per person | ₹35,000–60,000 | ₹40,000–70,000 | ₹30,000–50,000 + bike/fuel |
The routes
Manali–Leh highway
About 430 km over Rohtang (or through the Atal Tunnel), Baralacha La, the Gata Loops, the More Plains and Tanglang La. Usually done in two days with a night at Jispa, Sarchu or Pang. The road typically opens around late May or June and closes in October with the first heavy snow.
Srinagar–Leh highway
About 420 km via Sonamarg, Zoji La, Drass and Kargil (overnight), Lamayuru and Alchi. Lower passes make it the gentler way to acclimatise, and it opens earlier in spring than the Manali side.
The classic loop from Leh
- Days 1–2: Arrive in Leh. Rest completely on day 1; on day 2 do short, low-effort visits: Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, the market.
- Day 3: Sham valley: Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill, the Indus–Zanskar confluence, Likir or Alchi monastery.
- Day 4: Leh to Nubra over Khardung La; Diskit monastery, the Hunder sand dunes and Bactrian camels.
- Day 5: Optional Turtuk village near the Line of Control.
- Day 6: Nubra to Pangong Tso via the Shyok road; overnight in a camp or homestay by the lake.
- Day 7: Pangong back to Leh over Chang La; Thiksey and Hemis monasteries on the way.
- Day 8: Fly out (morning flights are most reliable).
With two more days, add Tso Moriri or Hanle (dark-sky reserve) in the south-east.
Permits
Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (also called a protected area permit) for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle, Turtuk and similar areas. Apply online on the Ladakh administration's official permit portal (lahdclehpermit.in) a few days before you go; you pay a small environment fee and a Red Cross contribution. Carry several printouts and your ID. Check posts ask for them. Foreign nationals have separate rules and usually need to apply through a registered agent.
What it costs (approximate)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Return flight to Leh from Delhi | ₹8,000–20,000 (much higher in peak weeks) |
| Stay in Leh per night (double room) | ₹1,500–3,000 (guesthouse) to ₹5,000–10,000 (hotel) |
| Camp at Pangong / Nubra per night, with meals | ₹2,500–6,000 per tent |
| Taxi for the Nubra–Pangong loop (4–5 days) | ₹25,000–40,000 per vehicle |
| Bike rental in Leh per day | ₹1,200–2,500 + fuel |
| Inner Line Permit and fees | roughly ₹500–1,000 per person |
Leh taxis are run by local unions with fixed rates for set routes, and rules on vehicles hired from outside Ladakh can change. Confirm with your hotel or operator before you plan to drive or ride in a rented vehicle from elsewhere.
Altitude sickness: don't skip this
- Leh is at about 3,500 m; Khardung La and Chang La are above 5,300 m. Flying straight in is the biggest risk.
- Rest for the first 36–48 hours, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and sleep at lower altitude when possible.
- Talk to your doctor before the trip, especially about Diamox and any heart, lung or blood-pressure condition.
- Headache, nausea and breathlessness at rest are warning signs; severe symptoms mean descending immediately and getting medical help.
Best time to go
May to September is the main season, with most roads and camps open; June to August is the busiest. Indian searches for Ladakh peak around June–July. Winter (December–February) is extremely cold but popular for the Chadar trek and snow leopard tours, flying in only.
Practical tips
- Only BSNL, Airtel and Jio postpaid connections work reliably; prepaid SIMs from other states often don't. Expect no signal in many valleys.
- ATMs are in Leh and a few towns; carry cash for the loop.
- Fill fuel in Leh, Karu or Diskit, pumps are few.
- Pack layers, sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm, the sun is strong even when it's cold.
- Build the day-by-day plan in Sancharees: it shows drive times between stops and works offline as a view-only copy when the signal drops.
FAQ
How many days are enough for Ladakh?
Seven to eight days for Leh, Nubra and Pangong by air; 10–12 by road.
Is Ladakh safe for families and older parents?
Yes with care: fly in, rest properly, keep Khardung La and Chang La stops short, and consult a doctor beforehand.
Do I need a permit for Pangong Lake?
Yes, an Inner Line Permit, applied for online.
Bike or car?
A bike is the adventure; a car is safer and more comfortable, especially for first-timers or anyone not used to high passes.
Photo: Zingzing Bar Suraj Tal Himachal Jul19 D72 10907 by Timothy Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Read in: लद्दाख ट्रिप: रूट, परमिट और ख़र्च (बाइक, कार या फ़्लाइट)