Delhi Manali
Leh Circuit
The great Himalayan
overland circuit
Delhi to Manali to Leh to Manali to Delhi — the classic road trip through the Indian Himalayas. Approximately 2,600 km, 10 high mountain passes, the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and the last village before the Pakistan border. This is one of the great overland journeys in Asia.
Board the overnight Volvo bus from Delhi to Manali in the evening. Comfortable sleeper bus through the night.
Arrive Manali in the morning. Rest and acclimatize. Afternoon walk through old Manali and Hadimba Temple. Overnight Manali.
Through the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul valley, then climb through three consecutive high passes. Baralacha La offers sweeping views of the Himalayan range. Camp at Sarchu (4,290m) on the Himachal-Ladakh border. Overnight camp.
Cross the Gata Loops and Tanglang La — one of the highest passes on the Manali-Leh highway — before descending into the Indus valley and arriving in Leh. Overnight Leh.
Cross Khardung La and descend into the Nubra Valley. Visit Disket Monastery. Afternoon at the sand dunes at Hundar — optional double-humped Bactrian camel ride. Overnight Nubra.
Drive to Turtuk and on to Thang, the last Indian village before the Pakistan border. Balti culture, apricot orchards, a completely different world from Leh. Return Nubra for overnight.
Cross Chang La and descend to Pangong Tso (4,350m) — the iconic high-altitude lake stretching 134 km across the India-China border. Colours shift from turquoise to silver through the day. Overnight lakeside camp.
Early morning at the lake, then long drive back through Chang La to Leh and onward to Manali via the Manali-Leh highway. Overnight Manali.
Board the overnight Volvo bus back to Delhi in the evening. Arrive Delhi the following morning. Trip ends.