RoadAtlas
Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India — Mountain
South Asia

Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway

India

Point-to-point
Srinagar Manali

In short: Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway is a Approximately 907 km mountain road trip in India, typically driven over 6 days, best in Usually Jun–Sep; verify both highways. Highlights: Srinagar, Sonamarg, Kargil.

Distance
Approximately 907 km
Duration
6 days
Best Season
Usually Jun–Sep; verify both highways
LegendaryHardSUV onlyMountainOff-road sections

The complete 907 km trans-Himalayan drive, broken into Srinagar–Sonamarg, Sonamarg–Kargil, Kargil–Leh, a full Leh rest day, Leh–Sarchu and Sarchu–Manali.

~1 refuel
~3 charges
Practical notes
Check the Jammu and Kashmir government’s current nationality-specific registration, movement and security directions before entering the Srinagar–Sonamarg corridor, as restrictions can change quickly; also review current official travel advice and insurance coverage. This main highway itinerary does not include a blanket Ladakh permit or Pangong detour. Spend the full fourth day resting in Leh so the itinerary supplies the district administration’s advised 48 hours of acclimatization before the higher Leh–Manali leg. Confirm Zoji La, Tanglang La, Baralacha La and Atal Tunnel status daily. Use a high-clearance vehicle, drive only in daylight, refuel at dependable stations, and carry water, food, cash, warm layers, offline maps, a full-size spare and basic recovery gear. Rohtang is an optional separately permitted detour; Atal Tunnel is the routed default.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Srinagar to Sonamarg

Shalimar Bagh · Sonamarg riverside · Ahdoos Restaurant

Day 2Sonamarg to Kargil

Zoji La crossing · Kargil War Memorial at Dras · Roots Travel Café Kargil

Day 3Kargil to Leh via Lamayuru

Mulbekh Chamba · Lamayuru Monastery · The Tibetan Kitchen Leh

Day 4Leh acclimatization day

Leh Old Town and Main Bazaar · Shanti Stupa · Bon Appétit Leh

Day 5Leh to Sarchu

Tanglang La and More Plains · Gata Loops · Sarchu Goldrop Camps dining tent

Day 6Sarchu to Manali

Baralacha La and Suraj Tal · Atal Tunnel transit to Manali · Johnson’s Café

Stops along the route

Srinagar — Departure — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Departure
Srinagar
The Kashmir start, with security and road checks completed before departure.
Hotels
Sonamarg — City — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
City
Sonamarg
A first-stage overnight that avoids combining Srinagar, Zoji La and Kargil in one day.
Kargil — City — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
City
Kargil
The essential overnight between Zoji La and the monastery corridor west of Leh.
Leh — City — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
City
Leh
A two-night acclimatization base before the highest passes.
Sarchu — City — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
City
Sarchu
A seasonal overnight that divides the long Leh–Manali road.
Manali — Arrival — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Arrival
Manali
The lower-altitude endpoint after six measured days.
Hotels

Things to Do

Lamayuru — Landmark — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Landmark
Lamayuru
The correct Kargil–Leh heritage stop; Tanglang La belongs to the following southbound highway.
Atal Tunnel — Landmark — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Landmark
Atal Tunnel
The default final alignment toward Manali.
Shalimar Bagh — Mughal garden — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Mughal garden
Shalimar Bagh
Visit at opening only if current security and departure timing allow, then keep the rest of the day for Sonamarg.
Sonamarg riverside — Mountain scenery — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Mountain scenery
Sonamarg riverside
Take an easy late-day walk near the base rather than adding a glacier excursion.
Zoji La crossing — Mountain pass — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Mountain pass
Zoji La crossing
Cross in the controlled daylight window and avoid unnecessary roadside stops.
Kargil War Memorial at Dras — War memorial — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
War memorial
Kargil War Memorial at Dras
Visit respectfully on the direct route, subject to current security and opening conditions.
Show 6 more
Mulbekh Chamba — Rock carving — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Rock carving
Mulbekh Chamba
Make a brief signed stop on the direct highway.
Lamayuru Monastery — Buddhist monastery — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Buddhist monastery
Lamayuru Monastery
Give the classic Kargil–Leh monastery a focused visit and continue before late-afternoon traffic.
Leh Old Town and Main Bazaar — Historic district — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Historic district
Leh Old Town and Main Bazaar
Keep walking gentle and close to the hotel during the required acclimatization day.
Shanti Stupa — Viewpoint — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Viewpoint
Shanti Stupa
Visit by vehicle near sunset only if everyone is feeling well.
Tanglang La and More Plains — Highway scenery — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Highway scenery
Tanglang La and More Plains
Keep stops brief at altitude while following the correct Leh–Sarchu sequence.
Gata Loops — Scenic road — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Scenic road
Gata Loops
Pause only at a safe lay-by before the final Sarchu approach.

Where to Eat

Ahdoos Restaurant — Kashmiri — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Kashmiri
Ahdoos Restaurant
Have an early Kashmiri meal in Srinagar or collect provisions before the transfer.
Hotel Snowland Sonamarg dining room — Kashmiri and Indian — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Kashmiri and Indian
Hotel Snowland Sonamarg dining room
Reserve dinner with the confirmed Sonamarg hotel because hours and access are seasonal.
Roots Travel Café Kargil — Indian and café — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Indian and café
Roots Travel Café Kargil
Use this named Kargil café for dinner and verify its current hours before arrival.
The Tibetan Kitchen Leh — Tibetan and Ladakhi — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Tibetan and Ladakhi
The Tibetan Kitchen Leh
Reserve an early dinner after reaching Leh; do not schedule a late city tour.
Bon Appétit Leh — Ladakhi and continental — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Ladakhi and continental
Bon Appétit Leh
A specific established venue for an unhurried rest-day meal; verify seasonal hours.
Sarchu Goldrop Camps dining tent — Indian set meal — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Indian set meal
Sarchu Goldrop Camps dining tent
Prebook the camp, dinner and breakfast; carry an emergency meal because camps are seasonal.
Show 1 more
Johnson’s Café — Himachali and continental — Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway — India
Himachali and continental
Johnson’s Café
Finish with an established Manali meal after the daylight crossing.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway drive?

The Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway covers Approximately 907 km from start to finish.

How long does the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway take to drive?

Most travellers spend 6 days on the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway?

The recommended season for the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway is Usually Jun–Sep; verify both highways.

Where does the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway start and end?

The Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway runs from Srinagar to Manali.

What are the main stops on the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway?

The Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway passes through Srinagar, Sonamarg, Kargil.

How difficult is the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway to drive?

The Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway is rated hard and is best handled with suv only.

Do I need a 4WD for the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway?

Yes — the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway includes off-road or rough sections that require suv only.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 3 EV charges) along the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway, based on its Approximately 907 km length.

Is the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway safe to drive?

Check the Jammu and Kashmir government’s current nationality-specific registration, movement and security directions before entering the Srinagar–Sonamarg corridor, as restrictions can change quickly; also review current official travel advice and insurance coverage. This main highway itinerary does not include a blanket Ladakh permit or Pangong detour. Spend the full fourth day resting in Leh so the itinerary supplies the district administration’s advised 48 hours of acclimatization before the higher Leh–Manali leg. Confirm Zoji La, Tanglang La, Baralacha La and Atal Tunnel status daily. Use a high-clearance vehicle, drive only in daylight, refuel at dependable stations, and carry water, food, cash, warm layers, offline maps, a full-size spare and basic recovery gear. Rohtang is an optional separately permitted detour; Atal Tunnel is the routed default.

What scenic tier is the Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway?

The Srinagar–Leh–Manali Highway is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.