High Passes Circuit — Manali to Leh via Baralacha La, Lachulung La, and Tanglang La (Classic Summer Run)
Four passes. Four days. One hell of a drive.
The Manali–Leh Highway is not a road trip. It is a multi-day altitude expedition that happens to use a road. The 479-kilometre route crosses Rohtang Pass (13,054 ft) before the tarmac ends and the real journey begins — Baralacha La at 16,040 feet, the vast emptiness of the Morey Plains, Lachulung La at 16,616 feet, and finally Tanglang La at 17,582 feet, one of the highest motorable passes on the planet. The Whiskey Nala river crossing between Patseo and Sarchu is the section that stops unprepared rigs cold — a braided glacial river with multiple channels that shifts daily. The dhabas at Sarchu and Pang provide basic food and tent camping at altitude, and both nights should be planned there for acclimatization before pushing higher.
A properly prepared expedition-class 4WD or high-clearance SUV with a skilled driver is the minimum. The route has claimed motorcycles, stock SUVs, and rented hatchbacks that tourists routinely attempt and shouldn’t. Altitude sickness is the biggest killer — acclimatize in Manali for two nights before departure. Best season is mid-June to mid-September; the road closes completely October through May and sometimes earlier due to snow. Inner Line Permits are required for Nubra Valley and certain Ladakhi zones beyond Leh — arrange in Manali or online. Fuel at Manali, Keylong, and Karu before Leh; carry a reserve. Cell service disappears past Rohtang and returns only approaching Leh.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 298 mi / 479 km |
| Duration | 4-6 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 17582 ft |
| Best season | Mid-June to Mid-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Expedition 4WD with high clearance and snorkel; river crossing experience required |
| Nearest town | Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Land manager | Border Roads Organisation (BRO) — Project Himank / Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Road Departments |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Himachal Pradesh Manali-Leh Highway info Ladakh Inner Line Permit portal |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Jimny or stock Hilux handle this route, or do I need a full expedition build?
A stock Hilux or Jimny with decent clearance can technically complete the route, but you'll want a snorkel — the Nala crossings between Pang and Sarchu can push thigh-deep on a vehicle, especially in July when glacial melt peaks. Expedition-built rigs with lockers and a proper recovery kit are the smart call; breakdowns on this route mean hours from any meaningful help.
When does the Manali–Leh Highway actually open and close each year?
BRO typically clears the road by mid-June, though Baralacha La and Tanglang La can stay snow-blocked into late June in heavy years. The window slams shut hard around mid-September to October when early snowfall makes the passes impassable — check BRO Project Himank's current status before you depart, not a blog post from last year.
What permits do I need and where do I get them?
Foreign nationals require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Ladakh — apply online at lahdclehpermit.in before your trip or get it processed in Manali. Indian nationals don't need an ILP but should carry vehicle registration, insurance, and ID; checkposts at Rohtang and near Leh will check documents.
What's the hardest section and what makes it dangerous?
The Gata Loops descent into the Moray Plains followed by the Lachulung La and Nakee La stretch is where most rigs get into trouble — loose shale, crumbling road edges, and zero barriers above serious drops. Combine that with altitude fatigue by day two and the Nala crossings near Pang, and you have a section that demands full concentration, not a scenic cruise.
Where do I fuel up between Manali and Leh, and is 298 miles doable on one tank?
Fill completely in Manali — the next reliable fuel is in Keylong (roughly 115 km in), and after that you're gambling on Pang's seasonal jerry-can sellers until Leh. Carry a minimum 20-litre reserve; high-altitude fuel consumption spikes, roads are rough, and you don't want to be stranded at 16,000 feet doing the math on fumes.
Trail track
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