Leh Ladakh Road Trip 2026: 10-Day Itinerary, Permits & Acclimatization

Manali-Leh-Srinagar circuit, Pangong, Nubra, Tso Moriri — when to go, what to pack, how not to get altitude sick.

By TravelHub Editorial· 10 min read· Published 31 May 2026

Ladakh is a road-tripper's bucket-list destination — high-altitude cold desert, Buddhist monasteries, impossibly blue lakes, and the world's highest motorable roads. This guide plans a safe, comfortable 10-day Leh road trip for 2026.

When to go

Leh has two road-access windows: • Early June to mid-September: Manali-Leh AND Srinagar-Leh highways both open. Peak road-trip season. • Mid-September to early October: Srinagar-Leh still open; Manali-Leh may start closing (passes snow-prone). Outside this window, Leh is accessible only by air. Winter (January-March) is for the Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar river and seeing the monasteries snowbound — very cold (-20°C nights), but unforgettable.

Reaching Leh — fly vs drive

FLY INTO LEH (3,500m): Pros: save 2-3 days each way Cons: high AMS risk from sudden altitude — mandatory 48h strict rest before any sightseeing DRIVE FROM MANALI (new 479 km route): • 2-day drive via Jispa/Sarchu (cross Baralacha, Nakeela, Lachulung, Tanglang passes) • Natural acclimatization • Dangerous if weather turns DRIVE FROM SRINAGAR (434 km): • 2-day drive via Sonmarg/Kargil • Gentler gradient than Manali route • Better lodging en-route Safest acclimatization: Fly into Leh, rest 48h, THEN head higher (Nubra/Pangong).

10-day itinerary (fly-in)

Day 1: Delhi → Leh (flight). Rest. Hydrate. Do nothing. Day 2: Light Leh sightseeing — Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Main Bazaar. No high-altitude drives today. Day 3: Day trip: Hemis + Thiksey + Shey monasteries Day 4: Leh → Nubra Valley via Khardung La (5,359m — world's highest motorable pass). Hunder sand dunes + camel ride. Day 5: Nubra → Turtuk (closest village to Pakistan) + Diskit Monastery. Back to Nubra. Day 6: Nubra → Pangong Tso via Shyok route (10-11h). Camp by lake. Day 7: Pangong → Tso Moriri via Changthang plateau (beautiful but long) Day 8: Tso Moriri → Leh via Tso Kar Day 9: Leh → Sham Valley (Magnetic Hill, Confluence of Indus-Zanskar, Alchi) — gentle day Day 10: Leh → Delhi (flight)

Permits (Inner Line / PAP)

Required for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Dah-Hanu, Hanle: • Indians: Inner Line Permit (ILP) — apply online at lahdclehpermit.in OR at DC office Leh. ₹420 + ₹20/day environment fee. Same-day processing. • Foreigners: Protected Area Permit (PAP) — MUST apply through a registered Ladakh tour operator. Group of minimum 2. Approximately ₹500 per person per area. Print 4-5 copies of the permit. BRO checkpoints retain copies at various points.

Acclimatization (non-negotiable)

Ladakh's altitude kills unprepared travellers every year. Rules: 1. First 48 hours in Leh = strict rest. No Khardung La, no Pangong, no long drives. 2. Diamox: 125 mg twice a day starting 24h before arrival, continue 3-5 days (consult doctor first — not safe with sulfa allergy) 3. Hydrate 4+ litres of water per day. Skip alcohol entirely first 3 days. 4. Sleep low, trek high. Never sleep higher than you did the night before without a gradient day. 5. Symptoms of AMS (severe headache, nausea, ataxia, dry cough worsening at night) → DESCEND immediately. It gets fatal fast.

Costs (per person, 10-day)

Budget backpacker (shared cab + homestays): ₹25,000-35,000 Mid-range (private Innova + hotels): ₹55,000-80,000 Luxury (SUV + 4-star properties): ₹1,20,000-2,00,000+ Add-on: motorbike rental ₹1,500-2,500/day (Royal Enfield Himalayan). Fuel is expensive beyond Leh — carry extra cans.

Frequently asked questions

Is mobile network reliable in Ladakh?+

Only POSTPAID SIMs from BSNL/Jio/Airtel work in Ladakh (Kashmir region rule). Prepaid won't connect. Signal drops entirely past Nubra and Pangong. Carry offline maps (Maps.me) and cash.

Can I self-drive the Manali-Leh highway?+

Yes, but only with a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle, experience with mountain driving, and weather checks. Fuel between Keylong and Leh is scarce — carry 20L spare. Most travellers hire a local Innova with driver instead.

What if I get AMS despite all precautions?+

Early symptoms (mild headache, insomnia, loss of appetite) — rest a day, extra water, Diamox. If symptoms worsen (vomiting, ataxia, chest tightness) — descend 500m+ immediately. Leh's SNM hospital has a dedicated altitude sickness ward and oxygen.

Best time for Pangong Tso?+

June-September for boat rides and the full blue colour. December-January for the frozen-lake experience (only accessible by specialized tours, very cold).

More on Leh Ladakh

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