Leh-Manali Highway (NH3)

The Leh-Manali Highway cuts a brutal 479-kilometer line through the Himalayas, cresting Tanglang La at 17,582 feet—the world’s second-highest motorable pass. This legendary route connects the moonscape desert of Ladakh with the lush Kullu Valley, crossing five major passes above 16,000 feet. The road climbs from Manali’s 6,726 feet through Rohtang Pass, then punches across the Baralacha La and Lachulung La before the final assault on Tanglang La, where prayer flags snap in thin air and altitude sickness claims the unprepared.

This is serious high-altitude driving demanding proper acclimatization, emergency oxygen, and a reliable 4WD with good brakes. The highway typically opens June through September when snow crews can keep the passes clear. Fuel up at Keylong and Sarchu—the only reliable stops on this two-day push. Camping is permitted at established sites along the route. What you get is one of the world’s most spectacular mountain drives, crossing landscapes that shift from alpine meadows to lunar terrain in a matter of hours.