Ladakh has a landscape that evokes images of a place from another planet. Here, you are greeted by stark mountains and plains that remind you of a Star Wars movie and where you half expect an encounter with a Jedi who has landed in a spaceship in this cold desert. The serene quality of the place can also send one in a meditative mood away from worldly yearnings. And yet, an urge to explore this wondrous land may overtake you. Ladakh lures you with many attractions, from stunning monasteries, placid lakes and elegant palaces to quaint villages and high mountain passes. Ladakh weaves magic on you that you may never have anticipated and will make you wonder why you have never visited it before.
If you are not among the people who could visit Ladakh before, it is never late to experience the enigma that is Ladakh. If you are wondering how to reach Leh Ladakh, you can choose from the following options and plan your visit accordingly. With every choice, you will get to see and understand Ladakh differently.
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Take a Flight to Reach Leh Ladakh
If you are in a hurry to reach Ladakh, you should opt for Air travel as it is the fastest way to get there. To travel to Ladakh, you take a flight from your departure destination to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, a military terminal with tight security. It is connected to many Indian International airports but mainly from Delhi. A few flights fly from Srinagar, Jammu, and Chandigarh too. Typically, the one-way airfare from Delhi to Leh can cost around ₹8,000 but can vary depending on availability, airline policy and other factors. For great deals and online booking of cheap flight tickets, visit Aertrip.
After you reach the airport in Leh, you can travel to further destinations using a prebooked taxi that you have already booked through your agent. Alternatively, you can even hire the taxis outside the airport. Since all destinations do not have daily flights to Leh, you should book your accommodations after you book your tickets.
Travel to Leh Ladakh by Railway
Many Indian metro cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and others are connected by train to stations – Jammu Tawi or Banihal. These are the closest railway stations to Ladakh. The trains generally travellers prefer are Jammu Rajdhani, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Jhelum Express and Malwa Express. The other nearest railway stations are Chandigarh and Pathankot.
Jammu Tawi is around 700 km from Ladakh, and you can hire a cab/taxi that will cost about ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 from Jammu Tawi to Ladakh, which takes about two days to travel. Or you can board a JKSRTC bus to reach Ladakh from the Jammu railway station.
Travellers can look forward to travelling by train up to Leh on the developing railway line via Bilaspur and Kullu-Manali. It will be possibly the world’s highest rail track that passes through seven tunnels and is close to completion. This new railway line will be a game-changer for travelling by train to Leh.
Travel to Leh Ladakh by Road
If you take the road, you have two prevalent options to reach Leh Ladakh. These routes are breathtakingly lovely, and you will enjoy every inch of the trip as you pass snow peaks, lakes and various passes that open up enchanting terrains.
Leh – Srinagar Highway
National Highway 1D (NH 1D) or the Leh-Srinagar Highway is the most reliable way to reach Leh-Ladakh by road from Srinagar because of the easy accessibility of basic facilities. It stretches to 434 km and takes you through Sonmarg, Zozi La pass, Drass, Kargil, Mulbek, Lamayuru and Saspol before reaching Leh. Most travellers prefer to make their journey for two days and make a stopover for the night at Kargil. This road is open from May to October and closed in winter due to snowfall.
Leh – Manali Highway
Bordered by the high Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges, the Leh Manali Highway is open only for less than five months a year. June to September is a safe window for travel in terms of weather. The Lahaul valley is now connected to Manali for most of the year through the Rohtang Pass Tunnel, or the Atal Tunnel completed in 2020. This has reduced the travel time over the highway by over 3.5 hours, and the entire journey can be completed in under 14 hours. This route stretches from 490 km covering Rohtang, Gramphu, Kokshar, Darcha, Baralacha La, Gata Loops, Lachulung La, Tanglang La, Gya and Karu on the way.
This road is frequented by inspired motorcyclists as it is an adventurous route. Considering that one will be travelling through different altitudes, a two-day trip with a stopover is recommended to get acclimatised and avoid motion sickness.
Travel to Leh Ladakh By Bike
The soundless cobalt blue skies and ultra-scenic drives are enough to seduce people to go on a bike trip to Ladakh. The trip, which includes fuel, accommodation and food, will cost approximately ₹35,000 on the bike for about 15-days. The cost will also vary according to your Leh Ladakh bike trip route, as it can include the cost of permits and miscellaneous expenses for the trip.
Expect some stretches of slippery routes, potholes, and unpaved lanes with rubble & grit on these roads. So, bikes such as Royal Enfield, Royal Enfield Himalayan, KTM Duke, CBR 250, and Bajaj Pulsar are appropriate and reliable bikes for such a trip.
If you wish to rent a bike, the bike rentals at Delhi and Manali will willingly rent you one, provided you submit all the required documents. In Delhi, Karol Bagh is the hub where you can rent a bike for ₹900 per day. For beginners, the Leh-Srinagar route is better, but the more daring ones can opt for the Leh-Manali route, which is more challenging to test your bike riding skills.
Travel to Leh Ladakh By Car or Jeep
When the place boasts the highest motorable road in the world, car enthusiasts will want to visit Ladakh and explore the area with their favourite vehicle. It makes it all the more inviting with panoramas dotted with monasteries and with some of the highest mountain passes in the world.
But be warned! Some roads here have patchy connectivity and traffic jams with narrow lanes overlooking steep cliffs. So, ensure you’re a competent, fit driver and are comfortable off-roading before you set off on your road trip to Ladakh.
Travel to Leh Ladakh by Taxi or Bus
If driving is not your cup of tea, you can enjoy the drive by hiring a taxi as the local drivers are adept at driving on these terrains. There are even government and private buses from Srinagar and Manali.
The Srinagar highway is open from June to October for bus entries. The Manali route is open for buses from June to September. If you plan on travelling by bus from New Delhi, it would take around 4 days to reach Ladakh.
So, you can consider travelling on a bus and just focus on having an immersive experience of the gorgeous landscape.
Any way you travel to Ladakh, it will be a glorious and unforgettable journey!
You can also pick a carefully crafted Aertrip holiday package that takes you to Ladakh or let our expert travel planners curate one for you. Julley (Goodbye) for now!
