A trip to Leh Ladakh is there on every traveler’s bucketlist, but not everyone is convinced of taking a road trip to the land of Passes. You should take a second look at Leh Ladakh, its actually the roadtrip of a lifetime
Also see: Historical Places in Karnataka, India
A trip from Manali takes one across 5 high altitude passes namely: Rohtang La, Baralach La, Namki La, Lachalanga and La, Tangalang La. The Tangalang La Pass is the 2nd highest motor car pass in the world.
We recently took a road trip to Leh Ladakh via Manali and these pictures are sure as hell going to convince you as well to take this one of a kind roadtrip....

Starting the ascent towards Rohtang La pass

Green Mountains everywhere after crossing Rohtang La
Our Journey to Leh – Ladakh for the next day took us from Sarchu to Leh, crossing Tagalang La pass, Moore plains and the famous Gata loops.

Entry into Jammu and Kashmir, via Sarchu

And we are in the cold deserts of Leh Ladakh

The famous GATA Loops

Still a long way to go to reach our destination - Leh Ladakh

The picturesque Moore Plains before Tagalang La Pass

Tagalang La Pass - 2nd highest pass

Oh these roads!

Figure 10 : Driving through Clouds
The journey from Leh to Nubra valley takes you across Khardung La pass, which is the world’s highest motorable pass.
Our major Journey to Leh – Ladakh started the next day, when we were on our way to Nubra Valley, and crossed the mighty Khardung La pass on our way. At 18380 feet, its the highest drivable road in the world. As if crossing the Khardung La pass was not enough, we spent the later part of the day at the sand dunes near Hunder in Nubra Valley, where we got to see the Double Humped Camels as well.

All set to reach Khardung La Pass

And we are there! At 18380 feet

Braving snowfall on our way towards Nubra Valley

Sunsets at the sand dunes in Nubra Valley
Further, the journey from Leh to Pangong Tso, takes you across Chang La pass, which is the third highest pass in the world.

And we conquered the mighty Chang La as well

Hordes of Yak's on our way towards Pangong Tso

The first glimpse of the mighty Pangong Tso

The mighty Pangong Tso

Country Roads take me home
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A civil engineer by qualification, but a traveler by passion. Being an ARMY brat by birth, traveling and socializing is in his my DNA. His belief is: “Go to a new place every month or two to explore, relax and live life to the fullest.” or basically to 'Eat Travel Live' and then Repeating the cycle over and over again.
Read more about his travel escapades at theETLRblog.com.

8 comments
Such a gorgeous place to drive! Going from desert areas to mountains! Beautiful photo work!
Thank you so much.
Your photos are absolutely stunning! Makes me want to rent a motorcycle and really see the back roads of India!
http://www.daniellefarideh.com
A bike trip is indeed one of the best ways to explore India, but beware, that the roads in Himalayas can get too daunting at times.
Thank you so much for featuring my article.
This is so inspiring! I’m ready to hit the road and enjoy Leh Ladakh! Some of the views reminded me a little of those when we were crossing the Argentinian/Chilean border at Christ the Redeemer of the Andes 🙂
I haven’t visited India and the scenery on this road trip is absolutely stunning! You surely convinced me to take this road trip once in India:)
Looks like the Himalayas are calling you and you should answer the call by taking a road trio to Ladakh – The land of passes.