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01
Bus Route
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The journey for Manali to Leh by bus takes the usual route to get into Leh: the Manali Leh Highway Covering a total distance of about 475 km, the bus takes about 2 days to reach the destination, with the total travel time being somewhere between 18 to 20 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
The first leg of the journey starts from Manali and takes you to the famous Rohtang Pass. The snowline starts from this pass and it is one of the most scenic places near Manali. Located at about 51 km from Manali bus stop, the Rohtang Pass is one of the two ways that travelers use to get into the rain shadow side of the Himalayas, and the only one in Himachal Pradesh.
This may mean that you will find a lot of traffic and crowd here, making the progress a little slower than expected. Nonetheless, Rohtang Pass is an important point in the journey, and on the other side of the pass is the famous Lahaul and Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh.
This may mean that you will find a lot of traffic and crowd here, making the progress a little slower than expected. Nonetheless, Rohtang Pass is an important point in the journey, and on the other side of the pass is the famous Lahaul and Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh.
The road from here then leads to the small village of Gramphu. Famous for the Gramphu Dhaba, this where the road bifurcates into two, one which leads to Leh, and the other takes you to Kaza in Spiti. A straight stretch of about 45 km from here brings you to another small village in the region, which is a major stop right before the famous Keylong district of Spiti. This small village on the way to Leh does not even have a total of 100 people. At about 10 km from here, there is the famous city of Keylong.
The journey continues as the bus hurtles towards the next for about 23 km, until it arrives in Jispa. A major stop for a lot of travelers going to or coming back from Leh, Jispa has a lot of facilities that one can want. Mostly, the buses will stop here for refreshments and in some cases, night stopovers. This scenic town in Lahaul is located on the banks of Bhaga River.
Moving on from here, the bus drives on the side of Bhaga River for about 10 km to arrive at another village in Lahaul, Darcha, a place described as "a lonely cluster of dry-stone huts and dingy tent camps" in The Rough Guide To India.
As the route turns from hilly to mountainous, you will cross many amazing settlements and High mountain passes as you travel from Darcha to Patseo (13 km), Patseo to Zingzingbar (8 km), Zingzingbar to Baralacha La Pass (22 km), to finally arrive at Sarchu, another major town and stopover on the way.
A place most disputed about its positioning, Sarchu is located on the very border of the 2 states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. This beauty of a town is located north of Baralacha La Pass and to the South of the Lachulung La Pass. This is where you will actually be stepping into Ladakh.
A place most disputed about its positioning, Sarchu is located on the very border of the 2 states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. This beauty of a town is located north of Baralacha La Pass and to the South of the Lachulung La Pass. This is where you will actually be stepping into Ladakh.
Starting from here, the 36 km ride will take you to Nakee La, another high mountain pass nestled at a height of 4,769 m above sea level. On the way to the pass, however, one has to cross the famous 21 Gata Loops. These hairpin bends are a true nightmare of every rider and traveler, and show the true grit of anyone who knows how to drive.
As you sway from one side to the other with the loops, you will finally arrive at the top of Nakee La, from where the ride takes you up further to a height of 5,059 m above sea level. After about 19 km, you will be arriving at Lachunlung La. From here, a drive of about 21 km takes you to the highest transition post in the world in Pang. On a road trip to ladakh, you show your permits here for entry. After Pang, the road climbs further uphill to reach the highest pass on this route, Tanglang La, about 66 km by road.
As you sway from one side to the other with the loops, you will finally arrive at the top of Nakee La, from where the ride takes you up further to a height of 5,059 m above sea level. After about 19 km, you will be arriving at Lachunlung La. From here, a drive of about 21 km takes you to the highest transition post in the world in Pang. On a road trip to ladakh, you show your permits here for entry. After Pang, the road climbs further uphill to reach the highest pass on this route, Tanglang La, about 66 km by road.
A ride of 61 km further from here will bring you to Upshi, a famous junction town in Ladakh that stands at the meeting of two famous roads. The right turn from here will lead you on an ancient trading route that takes you to Tibet.
The straight roads from here, however, will take you further into Ladakh, where after about 14 km you will arrive at another junction town called Karu. This is the way that also leads to Chang La, and eventually, to Pangong Tso Lake.
The straight roads from here, however, will take you further into Ladakh, where after about 14 km you will arrive at another junction town called Karu. This is the way that also leads to Chang La, and eventually, to Pangong Tso Lake.
On the last leg of the journey, driving along the Indus River, you will arrive into the great land of Leh. This is where the bus terminates and drops you at the capital of Ladakh, and is the end point of your journey to Leh from Manali by bus.
If you need complete information for Delhi to Leh check out our full guide.
If you need complete information for Delhi to Leh check out our full guide.
02
Duration and Distance
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The journey will be spanning over the course of about 2 days owing to the remoteness. The total distance of the road that runs between Manali and Leh is approximately 475 km.
To cover this distance, the drivers ply on for a total of about 18 to 20 hours, depending on the traffic and stoppage at the Rohtang La Pass.
If you were planning a trip to Ladakh then you must check the guide for the best time to visit Ladakh which makes your trip more helpful and provides essential information regarding this.
Here's our full guide on travelling from Srinagar to Leh which will help you on your journey.
You can Also Checkout: Ladakh Honeymoon Packages from Delhi
To cover this distance, the drivers ply on for a total of about 18 to 20 hours, depending on the traffic and stoppage at the Rohtang La Pass.
If you were planning a trip to Ladakh then you must check the guide for the best time to visit Ladakh which makes your trip more helpful and provides essential information regarding this.
Here's our full guide on travelling from Srinagar to Leh which will help you on your journey.
You can Also Checkout: Ladakh Honeymoon Packages from Delhi
03
Bus Operators and Service Providers for Manali to Leh
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There are two bus operators that primarily provide services for one to go from Manali to Leh by Bus; HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Company) and HPTDC (Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation).
While the HRTC bus goes from Manali to Keylong, and you have to board a different bus from there for Leh, while the latter is a bus that goes from Manali to Leh and has the overnight stay cost at Keylong and meals throughout the journey already added into the ticket fare.
Read More: Ladakh Bike Rental
While the HRTC bus goes from Manali to Keylong, and you have to board a different bus from there for Leh, while the latter is a bus that goes from Manali to Leh and has the overnight stay cost at Keylong and meals throughout the journey already added into the ticket fare.
Read More: Ladakh Bike Rental
Ladakh Winter Tour Package
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04
Approx Fare
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For the two different buses that take you from Manali to Leh, the fares vary according to the services provided. The HRTC bus is a simple bus that is taken by the locals as well as the visitors, and is actually split in two parts. The bus from Manali to Keylong comes at about INR 150, while that from Keylong to Leh at about INR 500.
On the other hand, the HPTDC bus is a luxury one and has a stopover at Keylong, complete with accommodation and meals included in the package. The ticket fare per person for this bus will be INR 2900.
Explore the scenic beauty of Ladakh with the most awe-inspiring adventurous activities in Ladakh.
On the other hand, the HPTDC bus is a luxury one and has a stopover at Keylong, complete with accommodation and meals included in the package. The ticket fare per person for this bus will be INR 2900.
Explore the scenic beauty of Ladakh with the most awe-inspiring adventurous activities in Ladakh.
Must Checkout: Leh Ladakh Family Tour Packages
05
Manali to Leh Boarding and Dropping Points
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The boarding points for the buses are as follows:
HRTC bus stand Manali
HRTC bus stand Manali
Old Manali bridge
Ram Bagh chowk Manali
Vashisth shiva parking Manali
And the dropping points in Leh include:
06
Things to keep in mind while travelling from Manali to Leh
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A few things that one must take care of while traveling from Manali to Leh by bus are as follows:
-Always carry a first aid kit and your own personal medication. There is a high chance that you won’t find both in the remoteness of Ladakh, especially on the bus.
-Keep a torch with extra batteries, and a swiss army knife especially, if you're going for trekking in ladakh.
-Keep hydrated as dehydration is the first thing to happen in altitude sickness.
-Carry energy foods like nuts and dry fruits as appetite is usually reduced to the altitude.
-Keep your documents, especially IDs and permits handy and safe as you will be flashing them a lot during the journey.
-Keep a list of important contacts on a paper as mobile batteries die quick in colder environments.
-Carry enough cash as there are not much ATMs in Ladakh, and none at all on the highway.
-When you prepare your first-aid kit, make sure to keep the following items in it: Moov/Iodex, Dettol/ Savlon, Headache Medicine, Dizziness and body pain Medicine, Disprin/Asprin, Band-aids, Medicine to suffice lack of oxygen, Imodium, Diamox, Stomach ache medicine.
Ladakh is a wonder on Earth and a blessing to nature, its a dream of everyone to visit Ladakh once in a lifetime.
Checkout & Book: Leh Ladakh Honeymoon Package
-When you prepare your first-aid kit, make sure to keep the following items in it: Moov/Iodex, Dettol/ Savlon, Headache Medicine, Dizziness and body pain Medicine, Disprin/Asprin, Band-aids, Medicine to suffice lack of oxygen, Imodium, Diamox, Stomach ache medicine.
Ladakh is a wonder on Earth and a blessing to nature, its a dream of everyone to visit Ladakh once in a lifetime.
Checkout & Book: Leh Ladakh Honeymoon Package
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07
Places for Night Stopover
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There are not much stopovers during the journey. As you are traveling to Leh from Manali by bus, you will most probably be stopping at Keylong. The HPTDC bus will make your arrangements for overnight sleep at the Hotel Chandrabhaga.
If you are traveling by the HRTC bus, the night accommodation will cost you around INR 1000 per room per night.
If you are traveling by the HRTC bus, the night accommodation will cost you around INR 1000 per room per night.
Apart from this, other options for staying at Keylong includes the HP PWD Rest House, HP PWD Circuit house, and Nalwa Guest House.
For your comfortable stay, check out these hotels to stay in Leh
Also Checkout: Leh Ladakh Group Tour Packages
For your comfortable stay, check out these hotels to stay in Leh
Also Checkout: Leh Ladakh Group Tour Packages
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