5 Jeep Safari Routes to a Paradise Called Leh

Known for its moonscape, challenging altitude and unpredictable climate, Ladakh secures top position when it comes to adventure destinations in India AND for obvious reasons; it remains an ultimate dream of adventurists to go on a road trip here. Many who travelled to Ladakh region have bombarded internet with their ever so lively blogs, pictures, stories, videos and everything that can best capture their experience. BUT the bottom line remains the same that a road trip to Ladakh is absolutely worth it. Now, there are many ways by which one can get to Ladakh, out of which we believe that jeep safari is the most appropriate method. One, jeeps are comfortable, two, you can accommodate a large group in a jeep and three, there is no better way of travelling than travelling comfortably and in groups! If you also agree with me, then you are going to like this blog, where we discuss different routes for a road trip to Leh:

Manali to Leh Jeep Safari

Manali to Leh is probably the most spoken about road trip in India. All adventure seekers dream of embarking on a journey on the gorgeous Leh-Manali highway that is replete with number of shades of nature’s beauty. While the landscape looks like it has been painted by a veteran, the 485kms of road can test any adventure junky’s patience and determination. The rugged terrains and the bumpy ride may give the tyres of your vehicles a wobble or two and the long hours of driving might freeze your knuckles BUT in the end my friends it is all worth it!

The Manali-Leh route is the most common road taken by adventurers; however the choice of vehicle may vary. The most comfortable being the jeep safari, whereas the most challenging can be cycling. So, if you are someone who along with thrill seek a certain level of comfort then a jeep safari is ideal for you. Let me break down the Manali to Leh jeep safari for you here:

Distance: 485kms

Route: Leh-Manali Highway (Part of National Highway 3)

Elevation: 4000m to 5328m (At Tanglang La)

Route Map: Manali – Rohtang Jot – Gramphu – Kokhsar – Tandi – Keylong – Jispa – Darcha – Zingzingbar – Baralacha La – Bharatpur – Sarchu (state border) – Gata Loops – Nakee La – Lachung La – Pang – More Plains – Tanglang La – Gya – Upshi – Karu – Leh

Stopovers (Accommodation): Manali, Kokhsar Village, Sissu, Keylong Town, Jispa Village, Darcha, Zingzingbar, Bharatpur, Sarchu, Pang, Upshi, Karu, Leh

Highlights of the Safari:

• Rohtang Pass
• Sand and Rock Natural Formations
• Fast Flowing Streams with icy-cold water
• Brown and Arid Mountains
• Lahaul Valley
• More Plains
• Spiti Valley
• High Mountain Passes
• Gata Loops
• Indus River

Manali-Leh-Srinagar Jeep Safari:

Adding thrill to an already eventful journey from Manali to Leh, the jeep safari via Srinagar is any day a great idea. The highlight of journey would be the dramatic change of landscape from green to desert and then again desert to green and possibly multihued. Now, we have already spoken how fascinating the journey between Manali and Leh is, so in this section we can discuss about the thrill of journeying between Leh and Srinagar. The jeep safari allows you to witness the diversity of Ladakh as the destinations you cover range from desert to mountains, spiritual centers and then unexpectedly cold regions like Drass before finally making into Kashmir region via Kargil to head to our final destination Srinagar. During this journey, you will be able to learn about the nomads, spiritualism, the different moods of weather and most of all you will realize why it is called an unparalleled destination.

Distance: Approx. 924kms

Route: Manali-Leh-Srinagar

Elevation: 2050m to 5358m

Route Map: Manali Town, Rohtang Pass/Chandra and Bhaga Rivers, Keylong , Darcha, Baralacha –Pass , Sarchu, – Tanglangla – Leh city – Khardung La – Nubra Valley Pangong Lake – Monasteries – Fort and Palaces – Alchi Lamayuru Valley – Fatu La Pass – Kargil – Drass D Zozila pass – Sonamarg & Srinagar City

Stopovers: Manali, Kokhsar Village, Sissu, Keylong Town, Jispa Village, Darcha, Zingzingbar, Bharatpur, Sarchu, Pang, Upshi, Karu, Leh, Spangmik, Tangtse, Sumoor, Diskit Village

Highlights of the Safari:

• Rohtang Pass
• Khardung La
• Pangong Lake
• Alchi and Lamayuru Monasteries
• Drass
• Kargil, Zozila Pass
• Sonmarg

Chandigarh-Manali-Leh Jeep Safari

The best thing about travelling in jeep or in your vehicle is that you can take whichever route you feel most comfortable with. AND trust me it saves lot of time and energy for good of all. So, when your google map shows you that NH 21 or Chandigarh-Manali Highway is what you should be driving on, I would take your attention towards an alternative route, which by the way is better and way more comfortable than NH 21. This particular route prevents you from getting stuck in bee lines and being victim to rash driving. Since, you are embarking on a journey that is absolutely unparalleled, your initial drive has to be smooth and comfortable.

Distance: 860kms

Route: Chandigarh-Manali-Leh

Elevation: 2050m to 5358m

Route Map: Chandigarh-Kharar-Behrampur Zimindara-Kiratpur Sahib- Anandpur Sahib- Nangal –Una- then turn right towards Bhota- then again right towards Jahu- at T-Point-turn left towards Ner Chowk- Manali Town, Rohtang Pass / Chandra and Bhaga Rivers, Keylong , Darcha, Baralacha –Pass , Sarchu, – Tanglangla – Leh city

Stopovers: Manali, Kokhsar Village, Sissu, Keylong Town, Jispa Village, Darcha, Zingzingbar, Bharatpur, Sarchu, Pang, Upshi, Karu, Leh

Highlights of the Safari:

• Nangal
• Manali Town
• Rohtang Pass
• Sand and Rock Natural Formations
• Fast Flowing Streams with icy-cold water
• Brown and Arid Mountains
• Lahaul Valley
• Spiti Valley
• High Mountain Passes
• Gata Loops
• Indus River

Srinagar to Leh Jeep Safari

When it comes to road trips, Srinagar to Leh journey is as exhilarating a drive as Manali to Leh drive. Trust me this drive will be one of the most memorable trips in India. Blessed with some wonderful views and fine roads, Srinagar to Leh jeep safari is absolutely the thing for adventure-seekers. Despite the fact that it is a long journey all the way up to Leh, in which you have to drive through meandering roads, cut through unmettled trails and pass through high mountain passes, there would not be a time when you might feel like giving up. There is way too much to capture in your camera, right from gorgeous landscape that changes from place to place to beautiful rural people that live in some exotic little huts and tents.

Distance: 440kms

Route: Srinagar–Leh via Zojila Pass

Elevation: 2000m to 4000m

Route Map: Srinagar-Sonmarg-Zozila Pass- Drass-Kargil-Fatu La-Alchi Lamayuru Valley-Pangong Lake-Nubra Valley-Khardung La-Leh City

Stopovers: Sonmarg, Drass, Kargil, Mulbek, Lamayuru

Highlights of the Safari:

• Sonmarg
• Zojila Pass
• Kargil
• Drass
• Lamayuru
• Alchi
• Leh

Amritsar Manali Leh Jeep Safari

From historical sites into the arms of nature, Amritsar to Leh jeep safari can be an impressive fusion journey. This expedition will help you see different colours of Indian culture and landscape. Through and through plain sites to undulating and barren landscape, Amritsar-Manali-Leh road trip is something that every traveller must try. In order to keep things fun, it is a great idea to drive via Dharamshala (Kangra District) rather than taking a simple route. In this journey, you will be able to explore the diversity of the state of Punjab and also get a fair idea about the splendor of Himachal Pradesh.

Distance: Approx. 900kms

Route: Amritsar via Dharamshala-Manali-Leh

Elevation: 2000m to 4000m

Route Map: Amritsar- Gurdaspur-Pathankot-Dharamshala-Mandi-Bhuntar-Manali-, Rohtang Pass / Chandra and Bhaga Rivers, Keylong , Darcha, Baralacha –Pass , Sarchu, – Tanglangla – Leh city

Stopovers: Dharamshala, Manali, Keylong, Leh City, Pangong Lake

Highlights of the Safari:

• Villages and Cities in Punjab
• Pathankot
• Dharamshala
• Manali
• Leh City
• Pangong Lake
• Monasteries
• Chang La

If you have a taken a road trip to Ladakh, then share your experience in comment box below; however, if you are in the process of planning a tour to Ladakh, you can contact us at info@tourmyindia.com and allow us to help make your trip unforgettable. REMEMBER: There is nothing better than hitting the road well planned!