The Himalayas are one of the most magnificent mountain ranges in the world, and exploring them on a road trip is an experience of a lifetime. The route (Exploring the Himalayas) from Delhi to Srinagar, Leh, Manali, and Chandigarh takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in India. From the snow-capped mountains to the sparkling lakes and vibrant culture, this road trip has it all.
The road trip starts in Delhi, where you can explore the bustling city and sample some of the best street food in the country. From Delhi, you’ll head to Srinagar, where you can experience the beauty of the Dal Lake and enjoy some of the finest Kashmiri cuisine. The next stop is Leh, where you’ll need to obtain permits to visit some of the most scenic spots in Ladakh, such as the Pangong Tso Lake and the Zojila Pass.
After exploring Leh, the road trip takes you to Manali, a charming hill station nestled in the heart of the Himalayas. Here, you can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the region before heading to Chandigarh, the final stop on the trip. Chandigarh is known for its planned layout and architecture, and you can explore some of the finest examples of modernist architecture in India here.
Exploring the Himalayas: A Road Trip from Delhi to Srinagar, Leh, Manali, and Chandigarh
Here’s the itinerary including permits required for the journey:
Day 1: Delhi/Chandigarh to Srinagar (Distance: 870 km; Travel time: approx. 17 hours)
- Start early in the morning from Delhi/Chandigarh and drive to Srinagar via NH44.
- You can take a break for breakfast and lunch at dhabas along the way.
- You’ll cross the Jawahar Tunnel, which is a 2.5-mile-long tunnel and connects Jammu to Srinagar.
- Arrive in Srinagar by evening and check-in at your hotel.
Day 2: Srinagar
- Visit the famous Dal Lake and take a shikara ride.
- Explore the Mughal Gardens, including Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashma Shahi.
- Enjoy some authentic Kashmiri cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Srinagar to Kargil (Distance: 204 km; Travel time: approx. 6-7 hours)
- Start your journey towards Kargil via NH1D.
- You’ll cross the famous Zojila Pass, which requires a permit. You can obtain the permit at the tourist office in Srinagar or at the checkpoint before the pass.
- Make a stop at Dras War Memorial to pay your respects to the fallen soldiers of the Kargil War.
- Check-in at your hotel in Kargil.
Day 4: Kargil to Leh (Distance: 217 km; Travel time: approx. 6-7 hours)
- Start early from Kargil and drive to Leh via NH1D.
- You’ll cross the Namik La Pass and Fotu La Pass on the way.
- Upon arrival in Leh, check-in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the high altitude.
Day 5: Leh
- Take a day trip to the famous Pangong Tso lake, which requires a permit. You can obtain the permit at the tourist office in Leh or at the checkpoint before the lake.
- Spend the evening exploring the Leh market and trying out the local cuisine.
Day 6: Leh
- Visit the famous monasteries of Hemis, Thiksey, and Shey.
- Alternatively, you can go for a trek or bike ride to explore the surrounding mountains.
Day 7: Leh to Sarchu (Distance: 253 km; Travel time: approx. 8-9 hours)
- Start early from Leh and drive to Sarchu via NH3.
- You’ll cross the famous Tanglang La Pass, which is the second-highest motorable pass in the world.
- Check-in at your campsite in Sarchu and enjoy the scenic views of the mountains.
Day 8: Sarchu to Manali (Distance: 223 km; Travel time: approx. 7-8 hours)
- Start your journey towards Manali via NH3.
- You’ll cross the famous Baralacha La Pass and Rohtang Pass on the way.
- Upon arrival in Manali, check-in at your hotel and spend the evening exploring the town.
Day 9: Manali
- Visit the famous Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, and Vashisht Temple.
- Take a stroll on the Mall Road and enjoy some local food and shopping.
Day 10: Manali to Chandigarh (Distance: 310 km; Travel time: approx. 8-9 hours)
- Start early from Manali and drive to Chandigarh via NH205.
- Upon arrival in Chandigarh, check-in at your hotel and spend the evening exploring the city.
Day 11: Chandigarh to Delhi (Distance: 246 km; Travel time: approx. 4-5 hours)
- Start your journey back to Delhi via NH44.
- You’ll pass through the famous Murthal dhabas, where you can stop for some delicious parathas.
- Upon arrival in Delhi, check-in at your hotel and spend the evening relaxing.
Cost: The cost of the trip will depend on the type of accommodation and mode of transportation you choose. Here is a rough estimate of the expenses:
- Accommodation: Rs. 10,000-20,000 (depending on the type of hotel/campsite)
- Food: Rs. 5,000-10,000 (depending on your food choices)
- Fuel: Rs. 20,000-25,000 (for the entire trip)
- Permits: Rs. 1,000-2,000 (for Zojila Pass and Pangong Tso)
- Miscellaneous expenses: Rs. 5,000-10,000
Total cost: Rs. 41,000-67,000 per person (approx.)
Travel details:
- The best time to undertake this trip is from May to September when the weather is pleasant and the roads are open.
- You can rent a car/bike from Delhi/Chandigarh or bring your own vehicle.
- Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition and carry necessary tools and spares.
- Carry warm clothes as the temperature can drop significantly in the mountainous regions.
- Carry a first-aid kit and necessary medications.
- Keep a buffer day or two in your itinerary in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Permits:
- You will require permits to visit certain places on this route.
- For Zojila Pass, you need to obtain a permit from the District Magistrate’s office in Kargil.
- For Pangong Tso, you need to obtain a permit from the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh.
- You will also require a Ladakh Inner Line Permit (ILP) to travel to certain areas in Ladakh. You can obtain this permit online or from the DC office in Leh.
Places to stay:
- Srinagar: You can stay in houseboats on the Dal Lake or opt for hotels in the city. Some popular options include The Lalit Grand Palace, The Vivanta by Taj, and The Radisson Srinagar.
- Leh: You can stay in hotels, guesthouses, or campsites in Leh. Some popular options include The Grand Dragon Ladakh, The Ladakh Residency, and The Wonderland Camp.
- Manali: There are several hotels and guesthouses in Manali. Some popular options include The Solang Valley Resort, The Apple Country Resort, and The River Crescent Resort.
- Chandigarh: There are several accommodation options in Chandigarh ranging from budget hotels to luxury resorts. Some popular options include The Hyatt Regency, The Taj Chandigarh, and The JW Marriott.
Places to eat:
- Srinagar: Kashmiri cuisine is known for its rich flavors and use of spices. Make sure you try some of the popular dishes like rogan josh, yakhni, and dum aloo. You can also try some street food like gol gappas and kebabs.
- Leh: Leh offers a mix of Ladakhi and Tibetan cuisine. Make sure you try some of the popular dishes like thukpa, momos, and butter tea. You can also indulge in some continental cuisine at restaurants like The Bon Appetit and The Penguin Garden Cafe.
- Manali: Manali offers a mix of Indian and continental cuisine. Make sure you try some of the popular dishes like Himachali trout, rajma chawal, and kadhi chawal. You can also indulge in some Italian cuisine at restaurants like The Pizza Olive and The Lazy Dog.
- Chandigarh: Chandigarh offers a mix of Punjabi and continental cuisine. Make sure you try some of the popular dishes like butter chicken, sarson ka saag, and makki ki roti. You can also indulge in some fine dining at restaurants like The Virgin Courtyard and The Tao Chandigarh.
Travel gear suggestions for a road trip from Delhi to Srinagar, Leh, Manali, and Chandigarh
Here are some travel gear suggestions for a road trip from Delhi to Srinagar, Leh, Manali, and Chandigarh that you could feature as an Amazon affiliate:
- Roof Rack Cargo Carrier – A roof rack cargo carrier is a great addition to your vehicle for this trip, as it provides extra space to store your luggage and gear. You could recommend the Rightline Gear Sport 3 Car Top Carrier (https://amzn.to/3FsnmJp).
- Portable Air Compressor – A portable air compressor can come in handy for inflating tires, air mattresses, and other items on the road. You could recommend the Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor (https://amzn.to/3F4PYI9).
- Rechargeable Headlamp – A rechargeable headlamp is a must-have for any road trip, especially if you plan to do any hiking or exploring at night. You could recommend the Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp (https://amzn.to/3IXTN3g).
- Portable Power Bank – A portable power bank is essential for keeping your devices charged on the road. You could recommend the Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger (https://amzn.to/3ymu1R8).
- Inflatable Travel Pillow – A comfortable travel pillow can make a long road trip much more enjoyable. You could recommend the Hikenture Inflatable Travel Pillow (https://amzn.to/3Jmt6GU).
- Portable Water Filter – A portable water filter can be a lifesaver if you run out of clean water on the road. You could recommend the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (https://amzn.to/3kSvXxR).
- Car Phone Mount – A car phone mount is a useful accessory for navigating and using your phone hands-free while driving. You could recommend the WizGear Magnetic Phone Car Mount (https://amzn.to/3YsWi3c).
These are just a few ideas for travel gear that could be useful on a road trip in the Himalayas.
Clothing suggestions for a road trip from Delhi to Srinagar, Leh, Manali, and Chandigarh
Here are some clothing suggestions for a road trip from Delhi to Srinagar, Leh, Manali, and Chandigarh that you could feature as an Amazon affiliate:
- Waterproof Jacket – A waterproof jacket is essential for the unpredictable weather conditions in the Himalayas. You could recommend the Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket (https://amzn.to/3ZvUCqV) or the Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket (https://amzn.to/3Jlt1TC).
- Insulated Jacket – An insulated jacket is a must-have for chilly evenings and mornings in the mountains. You could recommend the The North Face Women’s Thermoball Eco Jacket (https://amzn.to/3L5m8ah) or the The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III (https://amzn.to/3SUalO8).
- Hiking Pants – Hiking pants are comfortable and durable, and provide protection against scratches and scrapes on the trails. You could recommend the prAna Women’s Halle Roll-Up, Water-Repellent Stretch Pants (https://amzn.to/3F1iMS8) or the Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Convertible Pant (https://amzn.to/3kWRUvE).
- Trekking Boots – Trekking boots are a must-have for any road trip in the Himalayas. You could recommend the Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot (https://amzn.to/3kSrKdm) or the Salomon Men’s Quest 4D 3 GTX Backpacking Boots (https://amzn.to/3JltJAg).
- Quick-Dry T-Shirt – A quick-dry t-shirt is great for sweaty hikes or activities. You could recommend the BALEAF Women’s Quick Dry T-Shirt (https://amzn.to/3IZDQJD) or the Hanes Men’s Sport Performance Tee (https://amzn.to/3Jj7z1J).
- Sunglasses – Sunglasses are a must-have for any road trip in the Himalayas to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. You could recommend the Oakley Women’s Feedback Polarized Sunglasses (https://amzn.to/3F4O9uQ) or the Ray-Ban Men’s Classic Aviator Sunglasses (https://amzn.to/41Sdpyl).
These are just a few ideas for clothing that could be useful on a road trip in the Himalayas.
Overall, this road trip is an adventure of a lifetime and offers some breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys of the region. Make sure you plan ahead, carry necessary permits, and stay safe on the road
Conclusion
A road trip from Delhi to Srinagar, Leh, Manali, and Chandigarh is an adventure of a lifetime. The stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine make this trip an unforgettable experience. Make sure to plan ahead, obtain the necessary permits, and stay safe on the road. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to explore the majestic Himalayas!