Driving from Manali to Leh is more than just a road trip; people who make the haul still talk about it years later. This thread of pavement stitches together apple orchards in Himachal and the moonscape of Ladakh, revealing new views at every bend.

Duration: Two days if you rush, four or more if you keep pulling over. 

Altitude: Peaks at around 17,500 feet, so your ears might pop more than once. 

Difficulty: Moderate enough for seasoned hands, a head-turner for first-time bikers or car drivers. 

Best window: Late June through September; outside those months, the snow may laugh at your tires. 

Scenery flips from glaciers to sand dunes, and a roadside chai stall can suddenly feel like the best café in the world. Lots of travelers say the journey calms the mind, zaps ego, and rocks the spirit. 

Sketching out your stops? There are at least 15 places that snap better photos than your phone filter. 

Route Overview 

The highway itself runs roughly 470 kilometers, curling through cliffs and crossing high-altitude plateaus that seem designed for Martians.

Route: Manali → Atal Tunnel → Keylong → Jispa → Baralacha La → Pang → More Plains → Leh.

The distance between stops can swing from a quick 10 km hop to a full-on 100 km stretch. Keep that in mind when your gas light flickers.

Recommended wheels: 

•  A thumping good bike suits anyone who wants wind, dust, and adrenaline in equal measure. 

•  A sturdy SUV or 4X4 lets you swat potholes aside and stay comfy while the scenery shifts. 

•  A regular sedan can make the trip, but give the ground clearance some serious thought.

15 Must-Visit Places on the Manali-to-Leh Highway. (Spoiler: You’ll want a full roll of memory cards.)

1. Solang Valley

 Its just about 14 km up the road from Manali, and the ride feels like crossing into a postcard. 

People flock here for paragliding, summer zorbing, and winter snowmobiles that look like theyre straight out of an action movie. Wide meadows backlit by jagged peaks never disappoint, even if you just sit still and sip cocoa. 

 Head there early for the scent of chilly pine and a plate of warm aloo-paratha at a local shack. The hush of morning is something you dont want to bulldoze through. If you can stomach a harness, paragliding will let you peer down on the valley like a hawk. 

 2. Atal Tunnel

This tube is the longest highway bore on the planet that sits above 10,000 feet, full stop. Engineers built it so you can flip the switch from thick pine forests to naked granite in a heartbeat. 

Crossing the blasted rock is almost a sci-fi moment; one second youre worrying about Rohtang grind, the next youre gliding through bright LED lanes while snow curtains hang on either side. 

Each of these stops quiets the mind and fills the camera roll-thats pretty much the secret of the Manali-Leh route. It never stays the same, even if you do the drive twice.

3. Sissu 

Getting there: Around 40 clicks out from Manali

Shutters love Sissu. Apple groves ring the village, water curtains tumble off cliffs, and the river sparkles like its showing off for drone cameras. Snow-dusted peaks hang above, turning every quiet moment into a postcard.

Local move: Grab a lazy coffee or a chunky lunch at one of the river-terrace cafés. The nearby Sissu Waterfall is only a short hop and worth the splash if you still have legs left.

4. Keylong   

Capital of Lahaul and Spiti

Keylong sprawls a bit larger than the other stops along the highway. You can refuel the bike or jeep here, stock up on pasta and biscuits, and crash for the night without any dramas.

Altitude hack: Chilling in Keylong for a night lets your lungs catch up with the sky. Once settled, wander the local market or duck into a nearby gompa-either keeps boredom away.

5. Jispa

Distance from Keylong: about 22 km, give or take a bump in the road.

Why Visit: Jispa sits by the Bhaga River, and the whole place feels like a postcard. You can camp, snap a thousand pictures, or just sprawl out and listen to the water.

 Local Tip: Toss a tripod into your bag. The night sky opens up here, and if you angle your lens right you may even catch the Milky Way waving.

6. Deepak Tal

Hidden Gem Lake

Why Visit: Deepak Tal looks as if someone dropped a piece of glass between the mountains. The lake mirrors the snow-topped ridges so perfectly that your eyes may trick you into thinking the world is upside-down.

Local Tip: Circle the waterline once in quiet and let the stillness sink in. That hush is free landscape photography class.

7. Baralacha La Pass

Altitude: 16,040 feet, yes you read that right.

 Why Visit: At this height the road sometimes wears its own coat of snow, even when the calendar says summer. Baralacha La stitches Himachal to Zanskar and, further on, to Ladakh. The view is big enough to make your stomach drop and your camera work overtime.

Local Heads-Up Stay a minute and you might notice the air thins out fast. Inhale, snap a few shots, then drift onward before your lungs start begging.

8. Suraj Tal 

India’s Third-Highest Lake

Oh wow, sure looks like the icy blue eye of the Himalayas, and technically it ranks as Indias third-highest lake. Glaciers pour into the bowl, making the water pop against the colorless hills.

Timing Hint Swing by at dawn or right before dusk. The surface turns into glass and the peaks mirror perfectly-everyone loves that Insta moment.

9. Zing Zing Bar

High-Altitude Pit Stop

Zing Zing Bar No, thats not a joke; its a roadside shack the drivers swear by. The place doles out tea, biscuits, and a view that feels about 10,000 feet above normal.

Quick Break Grab a cup and pound some water before the rocks keep you company again. Theres a loose trail nearby if your legs start screaming.

10. Pang

Altitude: Roughly 15,000 feet 

Why Visit: Pang sits next to one of the tallest army camps on the planet. Think towering rock cliffs, parched river beds, and huge valleys that feel like youre standing on Mars.

Local Tip: A few folks set up tents for the night. Keep chugging water or altitude sickness will sneak up on you.

11. More Plains 

Stretch: About 40 kilometres, hovering around 15,500 feet 

Why Visit: Driving here is like gliding across a giant tabletop. The flat land melts into distant peaks that look straight out of a sci-fi flick.

Local Tip: Ease off the gas, crank down the windows, and drink in the total silence. Perfect moment for wide-angle photos or a quick time-lapse.

12. Tanglang La Pass 

Altitude: Close to 17,480 feet 

Why Visit: This pass ranks among the worlds highest that any vehicle can crawl over. Buff breezes, fluttering prayer flags, and jaw-dropping panoramas greet anyone who makes it to the top.

Local Tip: Bundle up-thin air makes you freeze before you know it. Snap your shots, then keep moving. Staying too long can leave you gasping.

13. Upshi Village

Green Patch After Barren Roads

Upshi suddenly splashes green across the windshield after long, dusty hours on the jeep track. It sits like a welcome checkpoint just before you roll into Leh.

Local Tip: The army guys usually want to eyeball your Inner Line permit here. Park the car, grab some boiled eggs or a bun, and stretch your back while youre at it.

 14. Hemis Monastery Optional Detour – ~40 km from Leh

One of Ladakhs Most Important Monasteries

Hemis looms large and quiet, packed with ornate halls and murals that whisper centuries of stories. In summer crowds pour in for the cash-rich festivals that splash color across its courtyard.

Local Tip: Slide in during the 6 a.m. prayers and watch the butter lamps flicker. The little museum off to one side hides a superb display of old thangkas and ceremonial masks.

 15. Leh Town

Final Destination

Congratulate yourself: Leh is the capital, and you finally made it. White-washed stupas gaze down on markets draped with pearl barley, while monks loop home through murmured mantras.

Local Tip: Give your lungs a day or two to stop protesting at altitude. Sip sweet milk tea, gather paperwork for Nubra or Pangong, then wander to Leh Palace, lean against Shanti Stupa, and lose track of time in old towns narrow lanes.

Weather and Road Conditions

Best Months to Travel: The ideal travel window stretches from early June through late September, when most high-altitude thoroughfares remain passable. 

Road Status: Drivers should remain alert, as Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La can seal shut behind a single late-spring snowstorm or reopen only after the monsoon.

Permits 

Rohtang Pass Permit: Crossing Rohtang from Manali mandates a specific e-permit issued by district authorities; the clearance is time-stamped and expires the same day. 

Inner Line Permit: Moving beyond Leh into certain Inner Line zones requires a separate Inner Line Permit, obtained in advance at local immigration counters.

AMS Warning 

Even experienced mountaineers risk acute mountain sickness once they leave the tree line. Gradual ascent, regular hydration, and a willingness to pause are the simplest countermeasures.

 FAQs 

What Are the Best Stops on the Manali to Leh Road Trip?

Travelers frequently list Solang Valley, Jispa, Suraj Tal, Pang, and the More Plains among the most striking photo-op points along the spine road. Each location offers its own unique blend of glaciers, meadows, or ochre clay ridges.

Is the Manali to Leh Highway Open in June?

The strategic Manali-Leh Highway usually receives formal clearance by late May or early June, though opening dates vary with snow-removal schedules that public works crews can never predict exactly.

 How Many Days Are Enough for Manali to Leh Road Trip?

 A relaxed pace of three to five days accommodates both roadside breaks and weather delays without turning the journey into an exhausting race.

Do I Need a Permit for Rohtang or Leh?

An e-permit for Rohtang porch crossing comes first; for most Inner Line destinations around Leh-Dras or Hanle another stamped document is indispensable.

Is It Safe to Drive from Manali to Leh?

Roadbed quality ranges from well-graded macadam to loose gravel that can slip under braking. Daylight driving, a stocked first-aid kit, and spare food supplies are prudent safeguards against mechanical breakdowns in the remoter stretches.

Bonus: Quick Checklist-Things to Carry

• ID proofs and necessary permits 
• Offline Google Maps downloads or a printed road atlas 
• Thermal layers plus insulated gloves 
• Polarized sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen 
• Adequate drinking water alongside energy-rich snacks 
• Portable oxygen cylinder for high-altitude resilience 
• Additional fuel stored in jerry cans 

Conclusion

The stretch from Manali to Leh unfolds like a geologist’s field diary: emerald lakes one moment, moonscape craters the next. 

Curiosity is rewarded at every bend, and each roadside stop doubles as an impromptu lecture. Save this checklist, let it live in your bookmarks, and prepare to steer toward the Himalayas. 

Interested in a guided experience? Examine our customizable Manali-Leh tour packages today.

Also read: Baralacha Pass Travel Guide 2025 – Best Time, Snow Views & How to Reach