Leh-Manali Highway (NH3)
Himalayan highway through five 16,000+ foot passes
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.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 298 mi / 479 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 17582 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Manali, Himachal Pradesh |
| Land manager | Border Roads Organisation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD handle the Leh-Manali Highway, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can complete this route — most travelers do it in stock Mahindra Thars, Scorpios, or Gypsies. That said, the rocky, heavily rutted sections near Baralacha La and Tanglang La will punish low-clearance vehicles, and 4WD is not optional on the loose scree descents.
When does the Leh-Manali Highway actually open and close each year?
The Border Roads Organisation typically opens NH3 in late May or June and closes it by October, sometimes earlier after heavy snowfall. June through September is the reliable window — July and August bring monsoon mud and rockfall risk on the Himachal side, so early June or September are the cleanest runs.
Do I need permits to drive the Leh-Manali Highway?
Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Ladakh — obtain it online through the Ladakh government portal or at checkpoints in Manali. Indian nationals don't need an ILP but both will pass multiple army checkpoints where vehicle registration and ID are checked, so carry originals, not copies.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect there?
Baralacha La (16,040 ft) to Sarchu is consistently the most punishing stretch — loose rock, stream crossings with no defined line, and zero margin for error on narrow shelf roads above big drops. Tanglang La at 17,582 ft hits you near Leh when you're already fatigued; altitude sickness is a real threat if you haven't acclimatized before the drive.
Is there any fuel or water available along the route, or do I need to carry everything?
Fuel is available in Manali, Keylong, Sarchu (limited and expensive), and Leh — the gap between Keylong and Leh is roughly 245 miles with no guaranteed station, so top off at every opportunity and carry a jerry can. Water from glacial streams is plentiful for filtration, but treat everything; there is zero cell service on the entire route between Manali and Leh.
Trail track
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