The Delhi Leh Delhi self drive experience is a complete journey to some of the must-visit tourist attractions between Delhi and Leh. It starts in Delhi from where you drive to Nalagarh, a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Further, you travel to the hill station of Manali, passing through Kullu and Mandi. Post an overnight stay in the hill town, cross Rohtang Pass on the way to Jispa. Also, stop in Koksar for lunch and in Keylong to see the Bara Shigri Glacier. Spend the fourth day of this trip at leisure, and also enjoy a cultural performance by the local kids. The next morning, drive from Jispa to Leh, crossing Baralacha La and Tanglang La, two high mountain passes. Stop in Pang for lunch before reaching Leh for an overnight stay.

Here, visit Shanti Stupa and Sankar gompa, two popular tourist attractions. Thereafter, continue the Delhi Leh Delhi self drive tour by heading to the wonderful lake of Pangong Tso. Make small stops at the en route Thiksey gompa and Chang La. After lunch at the lake, return to the city, and the next day journey to the Nubra Valley. En route, pass through Khardung La and Khardung village, and have lunch in Khalsar. Enjoy a camel safari in the valley, and pay a visit to Diskit gompa to glance at an over 100-feet tall statue of Maitreya. Even though the next day is scheduled to be spent at leisure, you can test your rafting skills in white waters of the Indus River.

Next morning, travel to Kargil, visiting the en route Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Magnetic Hill. Taking a glimpse of the majestic Moonland, drive to Mulbekh for lunch, and later reach Kargil. Thereafter, head towards Srinagar through Zoji La and the Dras Valley. A complete day is scheduled to be spent in Srinagar to visit Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh and Shankaracharya Temple. Later, stroll in the Lal Chowk market for souvenir shopping. On the way to Amritsar, enjoy lunch in Patnitop in Udhampur. In Amritsar, pay a visit to the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh before leaving for Delhi. 

Itinerary:

Day 01: Delhi to Nalagarh (290 km/approx. 5 hours)

Start this Delhi Leh Delhi self drive in Delhi, and move towards Nalagarh, passing through Ambala, Karnal and Pinjore. On reaching here, transfer to the hotel and rest.

Day 02: Nalagarh to Manali (255 km/approx. 7.5 hours)

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, begin driving to Manali, a mesmerising hill station, and on the way pass through Mandi, Bilaspur and Kullu. Upon reaching Manali, transfer to your hotel, and later you may visit Mall Road.  

Day 03: Manali to Jispa via Rohtang Pass (140 km/approx. 5 hours)

With the packed lunches provided by the hotel, make an early start and drive towards Jispa. This route goes through Rohtang Pass, from where you can get a panoramic view of the region. Later, make a small stop at the en route Koksar village for lunch. After refuelling in Tandi, stop in Keylong to see the majestic Bara Shigri Glacier. On reaching Jispa, transfer to your lodging for a peaceful sleep.

Day 04: Rest Day in Jispa

Rejuvenate in the lodging, and later witness a cultural programme performed by the local kids. Thereafter, drive to the banks of the Bhaga River to enjoy lunch. Later, return to your lodging for a peaceful sleep.

Day 05: Jispa to Leh (335 km/approx. 9 hours)

The fifth leg of the Delhi Leh Delhi self drive tour takes you to Leh. Commence driving towards Leh on the highway, passing through Baralacha La and Tanglang La. At altitudes of over 16000feet and 17400feet, respectively, these are two of the highest mountain passes in India. Stop in Pang for lunch, and then continue towards Leh. On reaching the destination, transfer to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.

Day 06: Sightseeing in Leh

This day of the trip is dedicated to leisure and a small sightseeing venture that includes visits to Shanti Stupa and Sankar gompa. The former is a wonderful white-domed monument that sits on a hilltop overlooking the city of Leh. Inaugurated in 1991, this establishment was built by Ladakhi and Japanese monks to promote world peace.

Sankar gompa is a relatively modern Buddhist monastery that features some awe-inspiring wall paintings of various Bodhisattvas, along with those of numerous guardian deities. After sightseeing, return to the hotel and stay overnight.

Day 07: Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh (225 km/approx. 5 hours one way)

With the packed lunches provided by the hotel, travel to Pangong Tso. En route, stop to attend the morning prayers at Thiksey Monastery. The next stop you make is at Chang La– an almost 17600-feet high mountain pass.

After this, continue driving till you reach the mesmerising lake. It should not be an unfamiliar sight as this lake has been featured in many popular movies, including Jab Tak Hai Jaan and 3 Idiots. Enjoy lunch here before returning to Leh. Upon arrival in Leh by late evening, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.  

Day 08: Leh to Nubra Valley (115 km/approx. 3 hours)

In the morning, head to the Nubra Valley by taking the road that goes through Khardung La. At approximately 18380 feet above sea level, many people believe that it is the highest motorable road in the world. Later, go past Khardung village, and stop in Khalsar village for lunch. Finally, crossing Diskit town, arrive in the Nubra Valley to camp at night.

Day 09: Nubra Valley to Leh (115 km/approx. 3 hours)

In the morning, ride on the backs of Bactrian camels between Diskit town and Hunder village. Post the ride, halt at Diskit Monastery, which features an over 100-feet tall statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. After paying your respects to the deity, travel to North Pullu for lunch. Reach Leh by afternoon, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You can pay a visit to the local market to do some souvenir shopping. Later, come back to the hotel to enjoy a rejuvenating sleep.

Day 10: Rest Day in Leh

After hectic driving schedules of the past few days, take a break and relax. If you are up to it, then you can opt for river rafting to make this amazing holiday a lot better.

Day 11: Leh to Kargil (211 km/approx. 4 hours)

Post breakfast, start driving towards Kargil and on the way pay homage at Gurdwara Pathar Sahib. Further ahead, stop at Magnetic Hill, a mountain, seemingly defying the laws of gravity. Another sight you see during the journey is the Moon Landscape or Moonland. Looking like the surface of the Moon, this site is frequently visited by tourists. Stop for lunch in Mulbekh, and then continue to Kargil. On reaching Kargil, transfer to your lodging and stay overnight.

Day 12: Kargil to Srinagar (202 km/approx. 5 hours)

After freshening up, head towards Srinagar, crossing Zoji La and the Dras Valley – one of the coldest inhabited places on earth. Situated on National Highway 1D, Zoji La is an important mountain pass that links the Kashmir Valley to the cold desert plateau of Ladakh. Halt in Sonamarg for lunch, and then drive all the way to Srinagar.  On reaching Srinagar, transfer to your lodging and enjoy a rejuvenating sleep.

Day 13: Sightseeing in Srinagar

In the morning, a sightseeing excursion starts with a shikara ride on the popular Dal Lake, where you will be able to see the fascinating floating vegetable market. Also, take a walk in Nishat Bagh – a terraced Mughal garden on the banks of the lake, and Shankaracharya Temple. Thereafter, travel to the Lal Chowk market and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Thereafter, return to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 14: Srinagar to Amritsar (468 km/ approx. 11 hours)

Start driving early from Srinagar to Amritsar, and stop for lunch in Patnitop, a popular tourist location on a hilltop in Udhampur. On reaching Amritsar, transfer to your lodging and stay overnight.

Day 15: Amritsar to Delhi (450 km/approx. 8 hours)

Post breakfast, visit Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh, two prominent and tourist attractions in the city. In the afternoon, head to Delhi, where this adventurous and memorable tour comes to an end.