After Kutch in Gujarat, Ladakh is the second largest district in our country. Add it to the two highways of Manali and Srinagar and you will have a very large area to cover during your trip. So yes, it definitely makes sense to book at least 14 days for this trip, instead of trying to compress everything into a smaller number. Ladakh is a place where the journey itself becomes the destination. Each turn on the road presents a fascinating view; and you must be sure that you appreciate the natural beauty around you as much as you can. A 14-day trip to Ladakh will give you plenty of opportunities to do so.

I will suggest the itineraries below in a few different ways. The first is for people who travel by car, whether by car or motorcycle. Second, I will recommend an itinerary for people who plan to fully visit public transport. The third set of itineraries will be for someone flying to the city of Leh; and you have 14 full days to spend in Ladakh.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary 14 days

For the purpose of this article, I will assume that you are starting your journey from Delhi. However, if you were coming from a different place, only the journey on the first and last days can be different. The rest of the details will still be applied. For those coming from Chandigarh or somewhere nearby, practically the same itinerary can be followed as in Delhi.

Delhi to Jammu – Day 1
Jammu to Srinagar – Day 2
Srinagar to Kargil – Day 3
Kargil to Leh – Day 4
Leh – Day 5
Leh to Diskit – Day 6
Diskit to Panamik – Day 7
Panamik to Pangong via Shyok – Day 8
Pangong to Hanle – Day 9
Hanle to Karzok – Day 10
Karzok to Pang / Sarchu – Day 11
Pang / Sarchu to Manali – Day 12
Manali to Delhi – Day 13
Buffer Day – Day 14

Acute mountain disease in Ladakh

This remains one of the biggest concerns for people while traveling to Ladakh. No matter how much tourism increases here, the fact is that Ladakh is still an arid, high-altitude desert. It is located at an elevation that you have probably never been before. It is the first time that your body has experienced such a high altitude and can trigger the symptoms of acute mountain sickness, also known as AMS.

The slow gain in altitude and a lot of rest is the key to avoiding altitude sickness, which doesn’t really happen if you passed Manali. In a matter of a few days, the altitude gain happens tremendously as you cross the Rohtang Pass and arrive at places like Pang and Sarchu. The route via Srinagar, however, increases in altitude a little more gradually; and therefore allows your body a little more time to get used to the change.

For more details on what AMS is and what you can do about it, read How to deal with acute mountain sickness in Ladakh.

Rohtang licenses

Rohtang in the past two years has become an annoyance for people traveling to Ladakh. Now permission is needed to cross this powerful passage on the side of Manali; without which, you will not be able to overcome Gulaba. Now, this permit is issued first come, first served; and there is also a maximum limit for the number of licenses issued per day. It can be obtained online or in person at DM Manali’s office. I explained the entire process step by step in How to obtain a license for the Rohtang Pass; but the fact is that, in the end, getting that permission is just an additional annoyance that you will have to worry about.

In high tourist season, when the whole of Manali is packed with tourists, these licenses are sold in a matter of minutes (and purchased mainly by local taxi drivers). If you were unable to get it online, you will have to waste an entire day in Manali. The best way to avoid all this unnecessary worry is to reach Ladakh via Srinagar and return via Manali. You do not need permission if you are crossing Rohtang on the other side.

Traffic in Rohtang

Traffic jams on the Rohtang Pass are getting longer each year. During my last year’s trip, it took me 4 hours to reach Manali from the top of Rohtang; that’s how he started to go crazy. There is a checkpoint in Gulaba, where you are required to send your permission. The average waiting time at this checkpoint is 2 hours at the tourist station. You’ll find taxis lined up here at four in the morning. The long line of cars at the top of Rohtang is another matter. All of this can be avoided by approaching Ladakh from Srinagar’s side.

Buffer Day

You will notice that on the itinerary above, I kept the 14th as a reservation. When traveling to a place like Ladakh; and for up to 14 days, it is important that you keep at least one day in addition to the actual travel days. The region’s unpredictability and the weather here can force you to extend your stay by a day or two anywhere on the route. Keeping one day above your entire travel plan will give you the ability to do so. If everything went as planned, you can use that day to relax anywhere you like at the end of the trip. Or you can just go home and rest for a day before you go back to work.

Fuel management

Last, but not least, is the question of how to manage fuel during this trip. The gas pump in Ladakh is still limited to the city of Leh, which means that you will need to transport replacement fuel, depending on your vehicle’s mileage; and the distance you plan to cover before finding another gas station. Much of it is that gasoline and diesel in Ladakh are available almost everywhere in Black today. It is true that you will be paying around Rs. 120 per liter, but at least it will save you the trouble of loading liters of gas; especially if you were on a bicycle. You can get fuel in Nubra, Hanle, Karzok and in the Pangong chadar tents. For more details, read Fuel while traveling to Ladakh – How to manage.

Now, going back to our itinerary, let me give you a day by day of how your journey will be.

Delhi to Jammu – Day 1

Start early from Delhi
Total distance of about 600 kilometers
Travel time of 12 to 13 hours
Roads are mostly good with a lot of tolls in between
Overnight at Jammu

Jammu to Srinagar – Day 2

Start early again from Srinagar. Long traffic Jams are common on this route.
Overnight at Srinagar
Total distance of 270 kilometers
Travel time of 11 to 12 hours
Either stay at a hotel in Srinagar or a houseboat. Read Hotel Grand Valley Inn – A Great Place to stay in Srinagar.
You can also take the alternate route via Mughal Road to reach Srinagar. For more details, read How to Plan a Journey on Mughal Road.

Srinagar to Kargil – Day 3

Travel through the beautiful vistas of Kashmir Valley
Overnight at Kargil
Total distance of 200 kilometers
Travel time of 8 to 9 hours
Cross Zoji La and see Kargil War Memorial at Drass

Kargil to Leh – Day 4

The vistas start to change from lush green to barren desert as you get closer to Kargil and approach Leh.
Total distance of 220 Kilometers
Travel Time of 7 to 8 Hours.
Plenty of sightseeing to do today including Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Mulbekh Maitreya, Indus Zanskar Confluence etc. For more details read What to See on Srinagar Leh Highway – A Complete List.
Overnight in Leh

Leh – Day 5

Spend the day in Leh City
Arrange permit for journey ahead. Read How to Obtain Inner Line Permit for Ladakh for details.
Visit local attraction in Leh city like Leh palace, local market, Shanti Stoopa etc. Read Tourist Places in Leh City for details.
Leh to Diskit – Day 6
Start early from Leh
Cross Khardung La and reach Nubra Valley
Overnight in Diskit
Total Distance of 120 kilometers
Total Travel time of 6 to 7 hours

See Bactrian Camel, Diskit Monastery, Hunder Sand Dunes. Read Tourist Places in Nubra Valley for complete list.

Diskit to Panamik – Day 7

Spend the day exploring Nubra Valley
Drive all the way to Turtuk and have lunch there
Drive back to Diskit and then reach Panamik
Overnight Stay in Panamik
Total drive of 200 to 250 kilometers
All day of sightseeing
Panamik to Pangong via Shyok – Day 8
Reach the famous lake of Pangong, the very symbol of Ladakh
From Diskit, reach Back Khalsar and take Agham Shyok road to reach Pangong
Total 190 kilometers to be covered
Travel time of 6 to 7 hours

Pangong to Hanle – Day 9

Travel through Changthang Valley and reach Hanle via Man, Merak, Chusul and Loma.
Overnight at Hanle
Total distance of about 170 kilometers
Travel time of 8 to 10 hours
Also Read How to Plan a Trip to Hanle
Hanle to Karzok – Day 10
Drive back to Loma from Hanle and reach Karzok via Nyoma, Mahe and Sumdo
Overnight at Karzok
Total distance of about 150 Kilometers
Travel time of 8 to 9 hours
Also read How to Plan a Trip to Tso Moriri.

Karzok to Pang / Sarchu – Day 11

Drive back to Sumdo from Karzok
Take the route via Polo Kongka La to reach Tso Kar
Spend some time at the lake and exit on Manali Leh highway near Debring
Overnight at either Pang or Sarchu
Total distance of about 140 kilometers till Pang; 210 kilometers till Sarchu
Travel time of 7 to 8 hours in total
Pang / Sarchu to Manali – Day 12
Reach Manali while crossing the 4 high altitude passes of Nakee La, Lachulung La, Baralacha La and Rohtang La
Overnight in Manali
Total distance of 300 kilometers from Pang; 220 kilometers from Sarchu
Travel time of 9 to 10 hours

Manali to Delhi – Day 13

Drive back home via Chandigarh
Total distance of 550 kilometers
Travel time of 14 to 15 hours

Buffer Day – Day 14

You can use this booking day to stay anywhere on your itinerary, depending on your preference. My recommendation would be to wait and use it for the last few days of your trip; on the Manali Leh road. From Karzok, arrive at Pang and spend the night. The next day, travel in a relaxed way and arrive at Jispa in the Lahaul valley; where you will continue to Manali. This will give you plenty of time to stroll down the Manali Leh road, instead of rushing to finish in a day from Pang to Manali.

14-day Itinerary for Leh Ladakh

Delhi to Manali – Day 1
Manali to Keylong – Day 2
Keylong to Leh – Day 3
Leh – Day 4
Leh to Diskit – Day 5
Diskit to Leh – Day 6
Leh to Pangong Tso – Day 7
Pangong to Leh – Day 8
Leh to Tso Moriri – Day 9
Tso Moriri to Leh – Day 10
Leh to Kargil – Day 11
Kargil to Srinagar – Day 12
Srinagar to Jammu – Day 13
Jammu to Delhi – Day 14

Arrival in Leh – Day 1
Leh – Day 2
Leh to Kargil – Day 3
Kargil to Leh – Day 4
Leh to Diskit – Day 5
Diskit to Turtuk – Day 6
Turtuk to Panamik – Day 7
Panamik to Pangong – Day 8
Pangong to Hanle – Day 9
Hanle to Karzok – Day 10
Karzok to Sarchu – Day 11
Sarchu to Jispa – Day 12
Jispa to Leh – Day 13
Fly Out -Day 14

Arrival in Leh – Day 1
Leh – Day 2
Leh to Diskit – Day 3
Diskit to Turtuk – Day 4
Turtuk to Panamik – Day 5
Panamik to Leh – Day 6
Leh to Pangong – Day 7
Pangong to Leh – Day 8
Leh to Karzok – Day 9
Karzok – Day 10
Karzok to Leh – Day 11
Leh to Kargil – Day 12
Kargil to Leh – Day 13
Fly Out – Day 14

Delhi to Jammu – Day 1
Jammu to Srinagar – Day 2
Srinagar to Kargil – Day 3
Kargil to Padum – Day 4
Padum to Kargil – Day 5
Leh – Day 6
Leh to Diskit – Day 7
Diskit to Panamik – Day 8
Panamik to Pangong via Shyok – Day 9
Pangong to Hanle – Day 10
Hanle to Karzok – Day 11
Karzok to Pang / Sarchu – Day 12
Pang / Sarchu to Manali – Day 13
Manali to Delhi – Day 14