🏔️ Ladakh Road Trip – A Dream Destination for Every Traveler
“Life is not about the destination, it’s all about the journey you take.”
A Ladakh road trip is more than just a travel plan — it’s a dream for every biker, road trip enthusiast, and adventure traveler who wishes to ride or drive through some of the highest motorable roads in the world.
Back in November 2021, we set our hearts on reaching Leh-Ladakh. We made it as far as Darcha, a small village in Himachal Pradesh, only to find that the Leh-Manali Highway had already closed for the season due to heavy snowfall. Disheartened, we had to return — but not without making unforgettable memories during our 10,000 KM journey across India.
Even though we couldn’t reach Ladakh on that trip, the experience left a lasting mark on our hearts. It reminded us that while destinations matter, it’s the journey, the challenges, and the moments along the way that truly define the adventure.
Planning Our Dream Road Trip to Leh-Ladakh from Chennai 🚗🇮🇳
In 2021, we embarked on a road trip from Chennai, in the southern part of India, all the way to Ladakh in the north. Knowing how far it was, we weren’t sure when we would get a chance to go there. While traveling is a passion for our family, it does come with significant expenses — especially since we travel by car and cover thousands of kilometers with family.
Fast forward to March 2022, the desire to visit Leh-Ladakh once again became stronger. There was no debate — Ladakh was calling, and we had to go. It had always been on our bucket list, and this time we were determined to experience it properly.
Planning such a massive road trip from Chennai to Ladakh, covering the entire length of Bharat (India), required meticulous preparation. We started gathering essentials like gadget chargers, cameras, warm clothing, and travel gear. Our car was fully serviced before the journey to ensure a smooth and hassle-free ride across changing terrains and altitudes.
It’s important to note that traveling to Ladakh is seasonal. For almost six months of the year, the region gets cut off from the rest of the country due to heavy snowfall. Roads and high mountain passes remain blocked, making it impossible for vehicles to cross. So, timing the trip is crucial if you’re planning a Leh-Ladakh road trip.
We began our epic road trip from Chennai, making our first major stop in Hyderabad. There, we visited the magnificent Statue of Equality, a monumental tribute to the 11th-century Vaishnavite saint Sri Ramanujacharya. This spiritual landmark celebrates the saint’s teachings of equality and devotion.
From Hyderabad, our journey continued to Aurangabad, where we had the divine darshan of Mahadev at the Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas in Bharat. The temple holds immense religious importance and is a must-visit for devotees of Lord Shiva.
While in Aurangabad, we also explored the world-famous Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among its many marvels, the Kailasa Temple stands out as a true architectural wonder. This awe-inspiring temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva (Mahadev) and is renowned for being carved from a single rock—top to bottom.
It is believed that the Kailasa Temple took over 200 years to complete, yet its construction remains a mystery to historians and engineers alike. The precision, scale, and method of excavation defy even modern technology. It’s a place of myth, history, and divine architecture — and honestly, it deserves an entire blog of its own. I promise to share more details on that soon!
🛕 A Sacred Detour: Jyotirlinga Temples & Rajasthan’s Royal Welcome
From the mystical Ellora Caves, our spiritual road trip continued to the sacred town of Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. Here, we had darshan of Shri Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar Mahadev, both revered as part of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples in India. The spiritual energy of the place was truly uplifting.
Our next divine destination was Ujjain, where we visited the powerful shrine of Shri Mahakaleshwar Mahadev, another of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This leg of our journey was intentionally planned—combining divinity with leisure—making it one of the most spiritually fulfilling road trips we’ve ever undertaken.
With our hearts full and spirits high, we continued northwards toward our dream destination—Ladakh. Along the way, we took a joyful break in Jaipur, famously known as the Pink City of India. Here, we indulged in local Rajasthani flavors—starting with the iconic Onion Kachori, and followed by a cooling Kulfi from Ramchandra Kulfi Bhandar (Badi Chopad). A bit of shopping for Rajasthani traditional wear added the perfect local touch to our journey.
🎨 Shopping in Jaipur & Choosing the Best Route to Leh-Ladakh
Shopping in Rajasthan is a delightful challenge in itself! While in Jaipur, you’ll find it nearly impossible to resist the vibrant Rajasthani dresses, intricate handicrafts, and colorful traditional attire. Every shop offers a burst of colors and heritage designs that truly represent the royal essence of Rajasthan. Be warned—you might end up wanting to buy everything! 🛍️
🎥 Check out our Jaipur shopping experience in our video here.
🛣️ Choosing the Best Road Route to Leh-Ladakh
There are two iconic routes to reach Leh-Ladakh by road:
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Srinagar to Leh Highway
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Manali to Leh Highway
While planning our Ladakh journey, we weren’t completely sure whether the Manali-Leh Highway would be open by the time we reached the region. However, the Srinagar-Leh route was already accessible, making it the safer and more reliable option to reach Leh.
So, we chose the Srinagar-Leh Highway for our onward journey—passing through breathtaking valleys and historic towns—and planned to return via the Leh-Manali Highway, famous for its high-altitude mountain passes and jaw-dropping Himalayan landscapes.
🚗 Jaipur to Ladakh via Srinagar – A Road Trip to Remember
Our journey continued from Jaipur to Ambala, and from there, we pushed through to Srinagar in just one day—covering long stretches of difficult and bumpy roads. But everything changed the moment we entered the Kashmir Valley. The dusty plains gave way to snow-capped Himalayan peaks, lush green meadows, and cool, refreshing air.
📉 The temperature drop was instant—falling from a scorching 38°C in Jaipur to a crisp 19–20°C in Srinagar.
🏞️ Exploring Srinagar – Gateway to Ladakh
We spent the night in Srinagar, soaking in its serene beauty. During our brief stay, we visited:
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🛕 Adi Shankaracharya Temple – perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views of the city
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🛶 Dal Lake – iconic for its shikaras and houseboats
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🌺 Shalimar Bagh – one of the Mughal gardens that reflects Kashmir’s rich heritage
🏔️ The Srinagar-Leh Highway & Arrival in Ladakh
That same day, we began our ascent toward Sonmarg, the launching point for all travelers heading to Leh-Ladakh via road. One unique thing about this route is that the Srinagar-Leh highway follows an odd-even traffic system—meaning, on one day, traffic flows from Srinagar to Leh, and the next day, from Leh to Srinagar.
🎉 Luckily, our travel day was an even day, so we were allowed to move toward Leh with minimal traffic delays. The only restriction: no travel was allowed after dark.
By 8:30 PM, after a long and breathtaking drive through the mountains, we finally reached Drass, officially entering Ladakh—our dream destination that we had been longing to visit for the past six months.
🌄 Places to Visit in Leh-Ladakh – A Bucket List for Every Traveler
Our 8500+ KM road trip from Chennai → Srinagar → Ladakh → Manali → Chennai was nothing short of magical. From spiritual places to natural wonders, Leh-Ladakh offers an experience that stays with you for a lifetime. Here’s a list of must-visit places that made our journey unforgettable:
🏯 Cultural & Spiritual Landmarks in Leh
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Shanti Stupa – Peaceful hilltop stupa with panoramic views of Leh
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Leh Palace – A 17th-century former royal palace with a museum
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Thiksey Monastery – A stunning Tibetan-style monastery resembling Potala Palace
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Shey Monastery – Ancient palace and monastery known for its giant Buddha statue
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Hall of Fame Museum – Honoring Indian soldiers, maintained by the Indian Army
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Leh Market – Ideal for shopping souvenirs, woolens, and traditional handicrafts
🌊 Scenic Viewpoints & Natural Wonders
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Sindhu Darshan View Point – Dedicated to River Sindhu (Indus)
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Magnetic Hill – Optical illusion where vehicles seem to defy gravity
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Pangong Tso Lake – Iconic blue lake shared with Tibet
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Tso Moriri Lake – A remote, peaceful lake nestled in the Rupshu Valley
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Zanskar Valley – Famous for adventure activities and surreal landscapes
🛕 Monasteries & Spiritual Gems Beyond Leh
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Pathar Sahib Gurudwara – A revered Sikh shrine with a fascinating legend
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Lamayuru Monastery – One of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh
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Mulbekh Monastery – Known for the rock-cut Maitreya Buddha
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Lamayuru Moonland – Unusual terrain that resembles the surface of the moon
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Diskit Monastery – Home to the largest and oldest monastery in Nubra Valley
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Diskit Maitreya Buddha – A towering 32-meter statue offering panoramic valley views
🏜️ Nature & Adventure Hotspots
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Nubra Valley Sand Dunes – Experience double-humped Bactrian camels & cold desert vibes
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Turtuk – The last village on the Indo-Pak border, known for apricots and Balti culture
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Khardung La Pass – One of the world’s highest motorable passes
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Changla Pass – Gateway to Pangong Lake, another high-altitude marvel
❤️ A Journey Etched in Our Hearts
Visiting Leh-Ladakh was a lifetime opportunity. Although we covered a lot, there are still places left to explore—and that gives us a reason to return again someday. Our travels and road trips won’t stop, because for us, travel is like oxygen.
🙏 Do support us by following our journey and sharing it with fellow travel lovers!
❤️ Why You Should Do a Road Trip to Ladakh
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✅ Test your limits and endurance
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✅ Witness nature in its rawest form
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✅ Experience the spiritual side of India
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✅ Create lifelong memories with family or friends
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✅ Reconnect with yourself through silence and adventure
🗓️ Best Time to Visit Ladakh – When to Plan Your Trip?
The best time to visit Ladakh is from June to September, when the weather is pleasant, skies are clear, and both Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways are open for travel. This is the peak tourist season, perfect for sightseeing, trekking, and enjoying Ladakh’s surreal landscapes.
🧊 Tip: If there’s less snowfall, your travel window can be stretched till mid-October. However, after that, roads begin to close due to heavy snow and freezing temperatures, especially in high-altitude passes like Khardung La and Chang La.
🚗✈️🚆 How to Reach Ladakh – All Travel Options
Ladakh, though remote and rugged, is well-connected by air, road, and rail. Here’s how you can reach the land of high passes:
✈️ By Air (Quickest Way)
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Fly from major Indian cities to Delhi and then take a connecting flight to Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL).
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From Leh airport, hire a taxi, bike, or traveler to explore nearby tourist attractions like Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Tso Moriri.
🚗 By Road (Most Adventurous)
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Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH1) and Manali-Leh Highway (NH3) are the two main routes.
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You can take state-run buses, private travelers, or drive your own car or bike.
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For us, road trips are a lifestyle, and we love driving across India to reach Ladakh.
📍Note: Roads are open only from May to October, and subject to weather conditions.
🚆 By Train (Budget-Friendly Option)
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The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi (JAT).
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From Jammu, you can hire a shared taxi or take a bus to reach Leh via Srinagar.
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Though indirect, this is a scenic and cost-effective travel option for those with more time.
🚀 Pro Tip:
Planning a Ladakh trip by road? Always check the weather forecast and highway status before you leave. Carry essentials like oxygen cans, warm clothes, and basic medicines due to high altitudes.
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