The Delhi to Ladakh road trip is the holy grail of Indian overland travel — and doing it in a caravan transforms it from a great drive into an unforgettable journey. You’re not racing to reach a hotel before dark. You’re carrying your home through some of the most dramatic terrain on the planet, stopping wherever the view demands it.
Here’s everything you need to plan this trip.
The Route: Two Options
Option 1: Delhi → Manali → Leh (Recommended for first-timers)
- Total distance: ~1,000 km
- Driving days: 3-4 days (Manali to Leh stretch)
- Road condition: Mix of excellent highway (Delhi-Manali) and challenging mountain passes
- Highlights: Rohtang Pass, Baralacha La, Gata Loops, More Plains, Tanglang La
Option 2: Delhi → Srinagar → Leh
- Total distance: ~1,100 km
- Driving days: 3-4 days (Srinagar to Leh stretch)
- Road condition: Generally better maintained than Manali route
- Highlights: Zoji La pass, Drass (second coldest inhabited place on Earth), Kargil, Magnetic Hill
Pro tip: Do one route going, the other returning. You see twice the landscape.
Day-by-Day Itinerary (12 Days)
Day 1: Delhi to Manali (540 km, 10-12 hours)
Start early (5 AM) and drive through Chandigarh and the Kullu Valley. Alternatively, break this into two days with an overnight in Chandigarh or Mandi.
Camp spot: Riverside camp near Old Manali
Day 2: Manali – Rest and Acclimatize
Explore Old Manali, visit Hadimba Temple, walk to Jogini Falls. Let your body adjust before the altitude climb begins tomorrow.
Camp spot: Same riverside spot or Solang Valley
Day 3: Manali to Jispa/Keylong (120 km, 5-6 hours)
Cross Atal Tunnel (or Rohtang Pass if open) and descend into Lahaul Valley. The landscape transforms from lush green to stark, arid mountains. Jispa is a beautiful overnight spot at ~3,200m.
Camp spot: Riverside camp at Jispa — one of the most scenic camping spots on the entire route
Day 4: Jispa to Sarchu (85 km, 4-5 hours)
Cross Baralacha La (4,890m) — your first serious high pass. The landscape gets wilder. Sarchu sits at 4,290m in a valley between Himachal and Ladakh.
Camp spot: Sarchu tent camp area — surrounded by dramatic ridgelines
Day 5: Sarchu to Leh (260 km, 8-10 hours)
The big day. 21 hairpin turns of Gata Loops, the surreal More Plains (feels like Mars), Tanglang La pass (5,328m), and finally the descent into the Indus Valley and Leh. Long but incredible.
Camp spot: Leh camping ground or guesthouse parking (recharge day)
Day 6-7: Leh – Explore
Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery, and the local market. Two days lets you explore properly and acclimatize fully before Pangong.
Day 8: Leh to Pangong Lake (160 km, 5-6 hours)
Cross Chang La pass (5,360m) and descend to Pangong Tso — the lake that changes from blue to turquoise to green depending on the light. This is the moment the entire trip builds to.
Camp spot: Lakeside at Pangong — arguably the best caravan camping spot in all of India
Day 9: Pangong Lake – Full Day
Spend the entire day at the lake. Walk along the shore, photograph the changing colors, and experience one of the quietest places you’ll ever visit.
Day 10: Pangong to Nubra Valley via Shyok Route (180 km, 6-7 hours)
The Shyok route avoids backtracking to Leh. Nubra Valley has sand dunes, double-humped Bactrian camels, and the beautiful Diskit Monastery.
Camp spot: Near Hunder sand dunes
Day 11: Nubra Valley to Leh (120 km, 4-5 hours)
Cross Khardung La (one of the world’s highest motorable passes at 5,359m) and return to Leh for your last night.
Day 12: Leh – Fly back to Delhi
Return the caravan in Leh (if your operator offers one-way) or begin the drive back.
Cost Breakdown (2026 Estimates)
| Item | Cost (INR) | Cost (USD approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Caravan rental (12 days x ₹19,900/day) | ₹2,38,800 + taxes | ~$2,860 |
| Fuel (paid by customer, ~2,500 km) | ₹40,000 – 50,000 | ~$480 – 600 |
| Excess km (if over 3,600 km allowance, at ₹50/km) | ₹0 – 10,000 | ~$0 – 120 |
| Tolls and parking | ₹5,000 – 8,000 | ~$60 – 95 |
| Permits (Inner Line) | ₹600 per person | ~$7 per person |
| Meals (mix of restaurants + cooking) | ₹25,000 – 35,000 | ~$300 – 420 |
| Total (2 people) | ₹3,10,000 – 3,45,000 | ~$3,700 – 4,100 |
Your 12-day booking includes 3,600 km total (300 km/day x 12 days, aggregated). The Delhi-Manali-Leh circuit is roughly 2,000-2,500 km depending on how much you explore around Ladakh, so you’ll likely stay within your allowance. Driver and helper are included in the daily rate — no extra charge.
For a 12-day, once-in-a-lifetime trip through some of the most stunning landscapes on Earth, that’s exceptional value.
Permits You Need
Inner Line Permit (ILP): Required for Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Tso Moriri. Indian nationals can get it online or in Leh. Foreign nationals need to apply through a registered tour operator — we handle this for all our clients.
Rohtang Pass permit: Required if taking the Rohtang route instead of Atal Tunnel. Book online in advance.
What to Pack for Ladakh
Everything from our general packing list, plus:
– Warm layers — Nights at 4,000m+ drop below 0°C even in summer
– Sunscreen SPF 50+ — UV at altitude is intense
– Sunglasses — Snow blindness is real on high passes
– Diamox — Consult your doctor about altitude sickness medication
– Snacks — Long driving stretches with limited food options between Manali and Leh
When to Go
June: Passes opening, fewer tourists, some roads may still be clearing
July-August: Peak season, all routes open, higher chance of rain/landslides
September: Best month — stable weather, fewer tourists, passes still open, golden light
Avoid October onwards — passes start closing and temperatures drop dangerously.
Book This Trip
This is our most requested route. We operate Delhi-to-Ladakh caravan trips throughout the June-September season with experienced high-altitude drivers who’ve done this route dozens of times.
What’s included in the ₹19,900/day rate:
– Premium caravan
– Experienced high-altitude driver + dedicated helper
– 300 km/day distance allowance (aggregated — your 12-day booking = 3,600 km total)
– All permits and passes arranged
– 24/7 roadside support
What you pay separately:
– Fuel (at petrol stations along the way)
– Excess km beyond allowance: ₹50/km
– Meals
– Taxes
Ready to plan your Ladakh trip? Message us on WhatsApp: +91 7880007899 | Email: [email protected]