How to Reach Ladakh

By Road:
The overland approach to Ladakh from Kashmir Valley via Kargil is approx. 434 Km, which remains open for traffic from early June to November. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet / 3,505 m high Zoji-La, the pass in the Great Himalayan Wall that serves as the gateway to Ladakh. The J & K State Road Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey. Groups can charter Deluxe and A-class buses for Leh, Kargil, or Padum (Zangskar) from the J & K SRTC at Srinagar.

Manali to Leh - Since 1989, the 473 km. Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second overland approach to Ladakh. Open for traffic from around mid-June to early October. This high road traverses the upland desert plateau of Rupsho, altitude ranges from 3,660m to 4,570m. A number of high passes fall enroute among which the highest one known as Taklang-La is the world's second-highest motorable pass at an altitude of 17,469 feet/5,235m. Himachal Pradesh Tourism, HRTC, and J & K SRTC operate daily Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and Leh. The bus journey between Leh and Manali takes about 19 hours or two days with an overnight halt in camps at Serchu or Pang. Maruti Gypsy and jeep taxis are also available, both at Manali and Leh.

Road Distances: 
Srinagar-Leh 434 Km 
Manali-Leh 473 Km 
Srinagar-Kargil 204 Km 
Delhi-Leh 1047 Kms 
Leh-Kargil 234 Km 
Kargil-Padum (Zanskar) 240 Km 
Leh-Deskit (Nubra Valley) 118 Kms.

Air Travel: 
Indian Airlines operates regular flights to Leh from Delhi, twice a week from Jammu, and once a week from Chandigarh and Srinagar. Jet Airways also operates daily flights between Leh-Delhi-Leh.

Internal Transport: 
The cheapest way to travel within the region is by public buses, which ply on fixed routes according to fixed time schedules. The most comfortable and convenient though expensive mode of travel, however, is by taxi, which is available for hire on the fixed point-to-point tariff. For visits to the newly opened areas of Nubra, Dah-Hanu, Tsomoriri, Tsokar, and Pangong Lakes. It is mandatory to engage the services of a registered/recognized travel agency for making all the requisite arrangements including internal transport. Detailed information about bus schedules, taxi tariffs, travel agencies can be obtained from the Tourist Office or Local travels guide "Reach Ladakh", available at Book Shops.