How Long Does It Take to Travel from Delhi to Leh Ladakh via Manali Road Without Stops?

Traveling from Delhi to Leh Ladakh via the Manali road without any stops is a challenging but rewarding journey in terms of both scenic beauty and physical fatigue. Let’s break down the travel time and highlights of this route.

Delhi to Manali

The distance from Delhi to Manali via the Manali road is approximately 500-650 kilometers depending on the exact route taken. In normal traffic conditions, the journey takes between 10 to 12 hours. If you plan to drive continuously without any stops, the journey can take up to 11 to 12 hours, but driving without breaks can be exhausting and potentially dangerous. It’s recommended to have food and rest stops to ensure safety and comfort during the trip.

Manali to Leh Ladakh

From Manali to Leh Ladakh, you have to travel another 800 kilometers, navigating through mountain roads and plains. Depending on the weather conditions, the journey duration can range from 10 to 12 hours. However, keeping in mind the need for food and rest stops, the total estimated time for this leg of the journey is around 20 to 22 hours. On average, it takes around 2 days, including the time spent at Manali and Keylong.

Route and Stops

The route from Delhi to Leh Ladakh passes through several key locations:

Delhi - Smoothal - Panipat - Karnal - Kurukshekhra - Chandigarh - Mandi - Kullu - Manali Manali - Sarchu - Jispa - Keylong Leh

For a one-way trip, it typically takes 3-4 days to travel from Delhi to Leh Ladakh. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

From Delhi to Manali (One day): This leg of the journey usually spans 10 to 12 hours, and the driver will need to stop for food and rest. From Manali to Leh (One to two days): The challenging mountainous terrain and high altitudes make the journey around 20 to 22 hours, including stops for food and rest. Permits and Regulations: Since you’re driving a four-wheeler, a permit is required, and it typically takes 1 to 2 days to secure the necessary documents and pass through the various checkpoints and passes.

Note: Road conditions can vary, and sometimes sections of the route may be closed due to weather, snow, or maintenance.

Alternative Route

Alternatively, you can take the Leh Highway starting from Srinagar, which can take 3-4 days, with stopovers at Jammu, Srinagar, and Kargil. The return journey from Leh to Delhi via Manali takes around 3 days with different stopovers like Sarchu, Jispa, and Keylong, followed by Manali.

Summarizing the Durations

Round Trip Duration: Approximately 6-7 days considering stopovers and permits.

If you are planning such a journey, it is crucial to consider the weather, road conditions, and your physical and mental health. The adventure of traveling from Delhi to Leh via the Manali road is memorable, but the journey itself requires adequate planning and preparation.