Day 1
Arrival in Srinagar
10 Days
Adventurous Ladakh Self-Drive Expedition
Experience the thrill of driving through one of the world’s most spectacular high-altitude road trips across the Himalayas. A dream journey for adventure seekers.
Srinagar → Drass → Kargil → Lamayuru → Leh → Nubra Valley → Turtuk → Pangong Lake → Sarchu → Jispa → Manali
Experience the thrill of driving through one of the world’s most spectacular high-altitude road trips across the Himalayas. This 10-day Ladakh Self-Drive Expedition takes you through dramatic mountain landscapes, remote Himalayan villages, pristine lakes, and some of the highest motorable passes on earth.
Starting from the beautiful Kashmir Valley in Srinagar, the journey gradually climbs through the rugged terrain of Drass and Kargil, entering the mystical land of Ladakh. The route passes through the breathtaking moon-like landscapes of Lamayuru, ancient monasteries, and the vibrant town of Leh.
The adventure continues over the legendary Khardung La, one of the highest motorable mountain passes at about 5359 meters, which acts as the gateway to the stunning Nubra Valley. Here travelers witness the rare combination of snow peaks, sand dunes, and double-humped Bactrian camels.
The expedition further explores the remote Himalayan border village of Turtuk, offering a glimpse into Balti culture and breathtaking views of the Karakoram range.
Another highlight of the journey is the mesmerizing Pangong Lake, a high-altitude lake located at around 13,900 ft, famous for its ever-changing shades of blue and crystal-clear waters stretching across the Indo-Tibetan border.
Driving through dramatic high-altitude terrain and mountain passes, the expedition eventually crosses the iconic Himalayan routes toward Sarchu and Jispa, before descending into the lush valleys of Himachal Pradesh and concluding the adventure in Manali.This expedition offers an unforgettable blend of off-road driving, high mountain passes, Himalayan culture, ancient monasteries, and spectacular landscapes, making it a dream journey for adventure seekers and road-trip lovers.
High Altitude Passes Covered: Zoji La, Fotu La (4108 m – highest pass on Srinagar–Leh highway), Khardung La (5359 m – gateway to Nubra Valley), Chang La (5360 m – route to Pangong Lake)
Expedition Highlights
An unforgettable blend of high mountain passes, Himalayan culture, ancient monasteries, and breathtaking landscapes.
Self-Drive Adventure
Experience the raw thrill of navigating some of the world's most dramatic high- altitude terrains yourself.
Legendary Mountain Passes
Conquer some of the highest motorable passes on earth, including the iconic Khardung La and Chang La.
Mesmerizing Pangong Lake
Witness the pristine, crystal- clear waters of this high- altitude lake as it changes shades of blue throughout the day.
Nubra Valley & Sand Dunes
Discover the cold desert of Hunder, featuring stunning sand dunes and double- humped Bactrian camels.
Balti Culture in Turtuk
Experience the raw thrill of navigating some of the world's most dramatic high- altitude terrains yourself.
Ancient Monasteries
Experience the raw thrill of navigating some of the world's most dramatic high- altitude terrains yourself.
A once-in-a-lifetime journey across the roof of the world.
Day-Wise Itinerary
Follow our carefully curated route from Srinagar to Manali.
- Arrival at Srinagar airport.
- Meet expedition team and vehicle briefing for the self-drive adventure.
- Short orientation about high-altitude driving and safety guidelines.
- Explore the beautiful Dal Lake area and local markets.
- Overnight stay in Srinagar.
Day 2
Srinagar → Kargil via Drass
Distance: ~205 km | Drive Time: 6–7 hrs
- Begin the expedition toward Ladakh crossing the famous Zoji La.
- Pass through the scenic town of Sonamarg.
- Stop at Drass, known as the second coldest inhabited place in the world.
- Visit the Kargil War Memorial.
- Continue drive along the Indus valley to reach Kargil.
- Overnight stay in Kargil.
Day 3
Kargil → Leh via Lamayuru Monastery
Distance: ~220 km | Drive Time: 6–7 hrs
- Drive through spectacular Himalayan landscapes.
- Visit the famous Lamayuru Monastery and the unique Moonland terrain.
- Cross high mountain passes like Fotu La and Namika La.
- Continue the scenic drive to Leh along the Indus River valley.
- Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 4
Acclimatization & Local Sightseeing in Leh
- Day for altitude acclimatization and rest.
- Visit famous monasteries and attractions:
- Shanti Stupa
- Leh Palace
- Thiksey Monastery
- Hemis Monastery
- Explore Leh local market in the evening.
- Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 5
Leh → Nubra Valley via Khardung La
Distance: ~120 km | Drive Time: 5–6 hrs
- Drive over the iconic Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world (5359 m).
- Enjoy breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks.
- Descend into the stunning Nubra Valley.
- Visit sand dunes at Hunder and enjoy Bactrian camel rides.
- Overnight stay in Nubra Valley.
Day 6
Nubra Valley → Turtuk /Nubra Valley
Distance: ~160 km round trip
- Scenic drive to the remote Himalayan border village of Turtuk near the Indo-Pakistan border.
- Explore Balti culture, apricot orchards, and stunning views of the Karakoram mountains.
- Walk through traditional Ladakhi villages and interact with locals.
- Drive back to Nubra Valley.
Overnight stay in Nubra.
Day 7
Nubra Valley / Turtuk → Pangong Lake
Distance: ~180 km | Drive Time: 6–7 hrs
- Drive across remote high-altitude terrain toward Pangong.
- Cross the spectacular Shyok River route.
- Arrive at the breathtaking Pangong Lake located at 13,900 ft altitude.
- Witness the lake’s magical changing colors against the Himalayan backdrop.
- Overnight stay in camps near Pangong Lake.
Day 8
Pangong Lake → Leh via Chang La
Distance: ~160 km | Drive Time: 5–6 hrs
- Enjoy sunrise at Pangong Lake.
- Drive back toward Leh crossing the high mountain pass Chang La (one of the highest passes in the region).
- Stop at scenic Himalayan viewpoints and monasteries along the route.
- Reach Leh by evening.
- Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 9
Leh → Jispa
Distance: ~250 km | Drive Time: 7–8 hrs
- Begin the journey toward Manali via the Leh–Manali Highway.
- Cross the spectacular high-altitude pass Tanglang La.
- Witness dramatic landscapes of More Plains and Gata Loops.
- Reach the remote Himalayan plateau of Jispa.
- Overnight stay in camps at Jispa.
Day 10
Sarchu → Manali via Baralacha La & Jispa
Distance: ~230 km | Drive Time: 7–8 hrs
- Cross the high mountain pass Baralacha La.
- Pass through scenic Himalayan villages like Jispa and Keylong.
- Drive through the famous Atal Tunnel / Here is a professional day-wise itinerary suitable for your website or tour brochure for the 10 Days Ladakh Self-Drive Expedition (Srinagar to Manali).
Come, be a part of something unforgettable.
“Some journeys are measured in miles. This one is measured in moments.”
The silence of the mountains, the thrill of the roads, the warmth of remote villages,
and the vastness of Spiti, this is more than a trip. It’s an experience that changes how you see the world.