Manali–Leh Highway — Baralacha La to Tanglang La via the High Passes of Lahaul
Three passes over 4,900m. One brutal highway.
The Manali–Leh Highway isn’t a road so much as a geological argument between the Indian Army’s Border Roads Organisation and the Himalayas — and the mountains are winning most days. The stretch from Baralacha La (4,890m) through Sarchu’s tent camps and over Lachulung La and Tanglang La (5,328m) is the crux. Sarchu sits at 4,290m and is where altitude sickness starts claiming the under-acclimatised. Nakeela and Lachlung La are relentlessly rocky. The approach to Tanglang La involves long switchbacks on a surface that is half-finished tarmac and half open rubble — more lunar than mountain. The Gata Loops, a series of 21 consecutive switchbacks south of Nakee La, are a spectacle unto themselves.
Run this in July through mid-September. The road is snowbound and closed from late October to late May, and even in peak season rockfalls and flash floods shut sections for hours or days without warning. A solid 4WD helps but locals run it in Mahindra Scorpios and Boleros — ground clearance matters more than low-range here. Carry oxygen, diamox if your doctor approves, and enough fuel to cover 300km since pumps are absent between Keylong and Leh. BRO updates road status daily at project Himank offices. The payoff is entry to the Indus Valley and Leh with bragging rights that are entirely justified.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 300 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 17480 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD or capable 4x4 with spare fuel |
| Nearest town | Keylong, Himachal Pradesh |
| Land manager | Border Roads Organisation (BRO) — Project Himank |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BRO official site Himachal Pradesh Tourism road info |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Mahindra Thar or Gypsy handle this stretch without modifications?
A stock Thar or Gypsy can run this route, but ground clearance matters less than engine health at altitude — carbureted engines struggle above 4,500m. Make sure your vehicle is freshly serviced, carry extra fuel, and have a spare fan belt, coolant, and basic tools. Heavily loaded rigs have a harder time on the loose rock climbs near Lachulung La.
When does this route actually open and close each year?
The BRO typically clears and opens this stretch by late June or early July, depending on snowmelt, and it closes with the first heavy snowfall — usually October. July through September is the reliable window; August brings monsoon rain to the lower sections but the high passes stay drivable. Don't count on early June or late September without checking BRO road status directly.
Do you need a permit to drive through this section into Ladakh?
Indian nationals don't need a permit for this highway. Foreign nationals require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Ladakh, which you can get online through the Ladakh administration or at checkpoints in Manali — get it before you leave. Expect multiple checkposts where you'll sign registers regardless of nationality.
What's the worst section between Baralacha La and Tanglang La?
The descent off Lachulung La into the Moray Plains is consistently the most punishing — loose shale, washed-out sections, and zero guardrails on exposed switchbacks. Tanglang La's approach from the south gets badly rutted after rain and has claimed more than a few overheated engines from vehicles pushing too hard without acclimatization stops.
Where can you actually refuel between Keylong and Leh on this route?
Keylong is your last confirmed fuel stop before Leh — that's roughly 300km with zero guaranteed pumps in between. Pang has a seasonal fuel vendor but supply is unreliable and prices are high; treat it as a bonus, not a plan. Carry at minimum 20–30 liters of extra fuel and top off completely in Keylong before you roll.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.