Must See Places on Leh – Ladakh Road Trip

Visiting Ladakh by road is probably one of the most thrilling adventures for travelers across the world. Driving through the barren lands, vast plains and basking in the views from breathtaking mountains along with enjoying the time with the friendly locals in the small villages along the way makes you feel so happy and blissful from within.

The route from Manali to Leh offers matchless experience to adventure seekers taking journey down the road to Ladakh. Here are some of the famous places which you will come across the Manali – Leh highway on your Leh Ladakh road trip.

Manali – Leh Highway – Places to see

Since the entire trip is going to be a high-altitude excursion, the altitude of each place from sea-level is also given;

• At Manali – 2,050 mts: Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges
• Rohtang La – 3,980 mts: Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti Valleys
• Keylong – 3,348 mts: Kardang Monastery
• Jispa – 3,142 mts: Bhaga River
• Darcha – 3,400 mts: Small village (Excellent for photography)
• Patsio – 3,820 mts: Camping on site
• Baralach La – 4,892 mts: It’s a pass that connects Ladakh and Lahaul 
• Sarchu – 4,253 mts: Tourists spot / Campsite
• Lachang La – 5,065 mts: It’s a pass near to Pangong lake
• Taglang La – 5,360 mts: It’s a pass at highest altitude in the journey
• Rumtsey – 4,325 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Gya – 4,100 mts: It’s a historical place
• Hemis – 3,518 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Thiksey - 3,370 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Shey – 3,365mts: Visit to Palace and Monastery

Srinagar – Leh Highway – Places to see

Your route from Srinagar to Leh is nothing less than a fairy tale. You will find beautiful villages, pristine valleys, war memorials, monasteries, soaring peaks on your way to Leh. This 434 kms stretch is one of the most dependable ways to reach Leh by road. Starting from Srinagar, here is a list of some popular places you will visit along the way.

• Sonamarg – 2,743 mts: Tourist spot
• Zoji La Pass – 3,528 mts: Zojila Pass
• Drass – 3,033 mts: Drass Valley
• Kargil – 2,650 mts: War Memorial spot
• Mulbekh – 3,504 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Fotu La – 4,108 mts: Mountain Pass
• Lamayuru – 3,440 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Ridzong – 2,985 mts: Yellow Hat Buddhist Monastery
• Uletokpo – 2,985 mts: Small Village / Campsite
• Alchi – 3,345 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Likir – 3,265 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Basgo – 3,343 mts: Visit to Monastery / Palace
• Phyang – 3,490 mts: Visit to Monastery
• Spituk – 3,380 mts: Visit to Monastery

Other Places to Visit at Leh – Ladakh

Apart from these two main routes which connects you to the unadulterated natural land of twinkling stars and dotted mountains, there are few more destinations that you must include in your itinerary in order to make your Leh Ladakh trekking tours worthwhile and complete. Let us now look at these places:

Visit to Pangong Lake – 156 kms

Popular places to visit on the Pangong Lake route

• Shey Palace
• Thiksey Monastery
• Sakti Village
• Chang La Pass
• Tangste Village
• Spangmik Village

Visit to Nubra Valley – 140 kms

Popular places to visit on the Nubra Valley route

• Khardung La Pass (Highest motorable pass in the world)
• Diskit Monastery
• Hunder for Sand dunes and camel safari
• Samstanling Gompa
• Panamik Village

Visit to Tsomoriri Lake – 240 kms

Popular places to visit at the Tsomoriri Lake route

• Hemis Monastery
• Gya Village
• Rumtse Village
• Taglang La Pass
• Tsokar Lake 
• Polokang La Pass

Visit to Dah/Baima – 162 kms

Popular places to visit on the Dah / Baima route

• Spituk Monastery
• Phyang Gompa
• Basgo Gompa
• Likir Monastery
• Alchi Monastery
• Uletokpo Village
• Achinathang Village
• Baima Village

Visit to Suru Valley and Zanskar Valley – 464 kms

Popular places to visit to Sarur Valley and Zankar Valley

• Kargil 
• Panikar Trek 
• Rangdum Monastery
• Pensi La Pass
• Padum Village

So that’s the information for famous places to visit while on your Leh Ladakh road trip. We hope you will find this information useful in planning your road trip. Don’t hesitate to revert and share your thoughts and feedback. 

The trip of a lifetime awaits you. Why wait?