There are many highways in this world, but the Manali-Leh Highway is unmatched. This place is located in the northern states of India, in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, in South Asia. I feel proud to have been born in India because I have lived what was important to me here. Here I have seen 8000-meter-high mountains, deserts like Jaisalmer, the sea of Goa, and the dense forests of Kerala; I would hardly have found all this in any other country. This highway starts from Manali and goes to Leh, a distance of 480 km. It crosses two states and enters the Trans-Himalayan Range, from where one can reach glaciers like Siachen, which are said to be 65 million years old. So, let's embark on this journey.
It was June 2025 when I went with my friends to volunteer at a road running event. Runners had to cover a distance of 480 km within a set time by running or walking. Our job was to stay with the runners and provide support. The runners were on foot, and I was in the car. As the kilometers on the road decreased, we left the vegetation and headed towards the higher mountains. We left Manali, our starting point, at 10 pm. The reason for this late departure was that the running event started at 10 pm.
How to get there? If my friends from Hive wanted to come to this location, they would have to take a flight to Delhi. From Delhi, they would then take a bus or taxi to Manali, 600 km away. After resting here for a few days, you could either take a bus or book a personal taxi to Ladakh. As soon as you leave Manali, you unlock a treasure trove of adventure and enter another dimension of the world. We can call it a marsh or even the fourth dimension. And believe me, the Indian Himalayas will not disappoint you; they will leave you with memories that will compel you to return again and again.
And if you don't want to travel by road from Delhi to Manali, you can also take a direct flight from Delhi to Leh. Flights can be a bit expensive due to the season, but if you book in advance, you can find some cheaper options. The choice is yours...by road or by flight.
What will you see here? Starting your journey from Manali, you'll first see Rohtang, the most famous mountain pass on this highway, which connects the Lahaul Valley. Standing on this 3,950-meter-high highway, you can witness the confluence of the winds blowing from Manali and the cool breezes from Lahaul. Moving ahead, the Lahaul Valley, the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi, the villages of Lahaul, Deepak Lake, and Suraj Lake are always awe-inspiring. Further ahead, the highway reaches Baralachala La, a snow-capped pass.
From Bharatpur Tent Colony, you can see Mount Yunam, a trekking peak that is summited by many during the season. Reaching Sarchu, the state border between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, the view of the Sarchu River plateau is magical. Beyond Sarchu, you encounter the Gata Loops, 21 hairline bends in the road, forming a mountain. The Gata Loops are a challenge for any vehicle. As you progress, you experience the energy of the third and fourth passes: Naki La and Lachung La, both of which are 5,000 meters high.
Descending into a narrow valley, we reach Pang, where the Morey Plains begin 5 km further. The 40 km long plain, suddenly emerging from the Trans-Himalayan Range, will leave you awestruck. Here, you can spot snow leopards, Himalayan foxes, blue sheep, and Keyang. Even if you don't see anything else, you'll certainly spot Keyangs and blue sheep. From here, a road leads to Tso Kar Lake, 20 km away. Visiting Tso Kar is your choice, and you won't miss much by staying on the highway.
Then comes Debring, where, 24 km away, lies the last mountain pass on this highway, Tanglang La, at a height of 5319 meters. You'll find snow everywhere, and this pass offers views of the 7500 meter-high peaks of Siachen. From here, the residential areas begin. As we continue, we'll see a variety of colors in the grassless mountains. The mountains here are rich in minerals, which is why they're so colorful. Finally, following the banks of the Indus River, we reach Leh City, the heart of Ladakh, also known as the Indus Valley because of the sacred Indus River.
What to See in Leh? This place, which feels like the end of the world, seems smaller the more you explore. The towering mountains, standing behind towering mountains, will force you to breathe deeply. There's vegetation here, but not so much that oxygen doesn't reach your chest freely; every breath requires a little effort. There's so much to explore, so I think you should definitely spend a few days here. Talking about Leh, there's Changpa Road, where Leh's market is located, the Shanti Stupa, Spituk Monastery on Airport Road, Stok Village, Shey Palace, Thikshay Monastery, Patthar Sahib Gurudwara, and the high mountain passes.
Khardung La – 5359m, Chang La – 5360m, Tanglang La – 5328m, Wari La – 5312m, Marsimik La – 5582m (requires an Inner Line Permit), Rezang La – 5400m, Saser La – 5411m, Kaksang La – 5438m, and Namshang La – 4960m. All these mountain passes are motorable, and you can go there by taxi or rent a motorbike from Leh. I once cycled to Khardung La Mountain Pass. Cycling at such a height feels as if your soul will leave your body along with your breath. Once you reach Leh, don't forget to try the local food.
So, that was my knowledge of the Manali-Leh Highway, which I hope will be useful to someone. I've posted photos taken along this highway; I hope you'll like some of them. That's all for today. Until then, take care of yourself and keep smiling.
Disclaimer: This post is originally written in Hindi and I have used Google Translator to translate the Hindi text in English. All the photos have been clicked by me from canon 77d (55-250mm) and edited on laptop lightroom app, post thumbnail created in adobe photoshop.
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