You can plan your Manali to Ladakh bike trip with our Leh Ladakh bike trip packages crafted specially to deliver lasting memories and unforgettable experiences in the lap of Himalayas. From highest motorable passes, pristine lakes, snow capped mountains to rugged terrains, peaceful monasteries and breathtaking valleys.
WanderOn presents an ultimate guide describing how to plan your Manali to Ladakh bike trip. Here you will have details about the best time to visit, best routes, cost of the journey and much more. For adventure seekers, Leh Ladakh bike trip is more than a journey which will always remain in their heart and soul.
What is the Best Time for Manali to Leh Bike Trip?
You need to know the best time for the Manali to Leh bike trip before planning your visit. It is generally recommended to travel in summer months which is between May to September. At this time, most of the roads open as snow clears, weather becomes pleasant with blue clear Ladakhi skies, and adventure activities operate in full swing. Therefore, this season is the ideal time for a Manali Leh bike tour.
In winters and in monsoons, it is advised to not plan your Leh Ladakh bike trip from Manali as in this season there is heavy snowfall and rainfall respectively. The roads become slippery and unpredictable weather conditions cause frequent avalanches which might be dangerous for a bike ride. Moreover, most of the roads on the route are closed due to the harsh weather conditions.
What is the Manali Leh Bike Trip Cost?
For an adventure bike trip Manali to Leh you need to be aware of the cost in advance. The cost usually varies depending upon your travel style, duration of the trip, meal and accommodation preferences. The ideal range for a Manali to Ladakh bike trip can range between INR 30,000-50,000 per person for a 7 days round trip.
You can book some of our best Leh Ladakh tour packages offering a Manali to Leh bike trip where you can explore the best of Khardung La, Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley, Zanskar Valley, Magnetic Hill, Chang La Pass and much more.
What is the Best Route for Manali to Leh Bike Trip?
Here’s the best route for your bike tour from Manali to Leh:
Route 1: The most popular route for Manali to Leh bike trip is via Sarchu which is known for its rented accommodations and starry nights and best trekking expeditions. This route offers a blend of both adventure and breathtaking views which will remain in your heart forever.
- Route via Atal Tunnel: Manali - Jispa - Sarchu - Gata Loops - Morey Plains - Upshi - Karu - Leh
- Distance: Approximately 480 km
- Time Taken: Almost 14 hours
- Must Visit Spots: Solang, Keylong, Jispa, Baralacha La, Sarchu, Tanglang La
Route 2: Another route that you can follow goes via Zanskar, this one involves a little detour that makes it a longer route however here you can experience some offbeat destinations like Shinkhu La here which serves as a gateway to Zanskar’s hidden world. Further, the route is ideal for off-road adventure junkies as it is a dream route for them, full of icy streams and muddy tracks.
- Route via Zanskar: Manali-Darcha-Shinkhu La - Gumbok Rangan - Purne- Padum- Nerak- Chilling- Rumbak- Nimmoo- Leh
- Distance: 658 km
- Time Taken: Almost 16 hours
- Must Visit Spots: Darcha, Shinkhu La, Gumbok Rangan, Chilling, Padum
Also Checkout: 8 Days Thrilling Leh Ladakh Bike Tour Packages
16 Places to Visit on Manali to Leh Bike Trip To Make Your Journey Unforgettable: Iconic + Offbeat Destinations
1. Solang Valley: A popular destination you can cover on your Manali Leh bike tour is Solang Valley which is a picturesque destination, popular for its adventure activities, natural beauty, and cultural attractions. When here do indulge in adventure activities like paragliding, zorbing, trekking, making it a popular year-round destination.
2. Keylong: Famous for its natural beauty, altitude lakes, vibrant cultural heritage, and the famous Lahaul Valley. The spot is the most populated place in Lahaul and an important center of Tibetan Buddhism from ancient times. The place offers a rich cultural experience and is a perfect mix of nature and adventure.
3. Zingzing Bar: A popular wayside bar located on the Leh-Manali highway popular stop among bikers.The spot is popular for its unique location at a high altitude (4270 m) and an ideal place for relaxing and acclimatizing to the high altitude before descending to Leh. Beyond that, the place offers a variety of drinks and food options, including coffee and meals.
4. Upshi: A small village and a popular resting spot for travelers due to its location which offers various lodging options. The village is a place for Changthangi goats, whose wool is to make pashmina shawls, the locals of the place relies on Changthangi goat farming. The spot is also a popular ancient trade route.
5. Karu: Located in Ladakh, Karu is a town located at an altitude of 3500 meters. It is one of the important railway stations and the military's railway logistics hub. Though the stop is not a tourist destination, Karu hosts some of the best guesthouses and restaurants, making it a convenient stop for travellers along the Leh-Manali highway.
Shinkhu La or Shingo La is a mountain pass on Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road which connects Zanskar region of Ladakh to the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh.The pass is full of adventure perfect for true travellers and off-road lovers as it is one of the highest motorable passes in the world full of sharp turns, rough and unpaved roads, steep cliffs,and river crossings.
7. Jispa: Famous for its stunning beauty, it is a popular stopover for travelers heading to Leh, as it is an acclimatization point before the high passes. It is also known for activities like camping, rafting, trekking as well as peaceful escapes like Buddhist stupas and monasteries. There are many restaurants in Jispa where you can get the best Himalayan cuisine.
8. Deepak Tal: On your Leh Ladakh bike trip from Manali you can cover Deepak Tal, a silent water body in the valley, situated on the route of Leh-Manali highway, The lake is a picture perfect spot that offers good views of mountains, melted snow on its shores and emerald green water. Located at a height of 3750 m above sea level, the lake must be visited by the riders who pass by.
9. Suraj Tal: Also known as “Lake of the Sun God” is famous for its high altitudes and stunning vistas. It is a sacred lake and considered as a significant part of the Bhaga River. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountains and valleys, the unique landscape of the lake makes it a great location for photography enthusiasts.
10. Baralacha La: A high mountain pass located in the Zanskar range, known for its challenging terrain, high altitude, and snow covered hills. Legend says that the pass is haunted, locals believe that a cannibal spirit roams in this area at night. Baralacha La is also called “pass with crossroads on summit” as roads from Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti & Lahaul meet here.
11. Sarchu
Another spot that you can cover during your bike tour from Manali to Leh is Sarchu which is known for its rugged landscapes, strategic location on the highway, and its role as a major stopover for bikers. The spot is also famous for being the starting point for the challenging Zanskar trek and for offering camping opportunities with views of the Himalayas.
12. Gata Loops: Located at an altitude of over 17,000 feet, the Gata Loops is a series of 21 sharp hairpin bends, which tests not only your physical endurance but also mental strength. Though Gata Loops is in a remote location, it still offers the best bike ride experience for adventure and thrill lovers.
13. Nakee La: A high mountain pass known for its rugged landscape, challenging terrain, high-altitude meadows, and snow capped peaks.The region surrounding Nakee La is rich in culture, with monasteries. The main attraction of the place is the sea buckthorn that grows only here in abundance throughout India.
14. Lachung La: Lachung La is famous for being the second highest motorable pass on the Leh-Manali highway. It is a popular destination for hiking, trekking, and biking due to its stunning natural beauty and high altitude. Though located at a height of 16,600 feet, it is still considered as one of the easier passes to traverse.
15. Morey Plains: Also called Kiang Chu Thang, these plains are located on the Leh-Manali highway, it is a vast, arid, and uninhabited area with an average elevation of 4,800 meters. Morey Plains spans approximately 40 km and are considered treacherous and offer a unique, desolate landscape for travellers.
16. Tanglang La
Situated at an elevation of 17,408 feet, it is a high altitude pass, famous for its incredible views and the excitement of riding on it is not less than an adventure. The pass cuts through rocky mountains which are crisscrossed by gently flowing streams, surrounded by snow covered peaks, with clouds appearing to sit on top of them.
17. Gumbok Rangan (God’s Mountain): Also called Gonbo Rangjon, is a standalone lofty rocky mountain precipice situated in Zanskar. Locals consider it as holy and refer to it as God’s Mountain by the local inhabitants who practice Tibetan Buddhism. Its a popular tourist destination and travellers enjoy trekking, picnic, and photography in this region.
Suggested Read: Leh Ladakh Bike Trip Budget Guide
