A Comprehensive Guide to Manali to Leh vs Srinagar to Leh Highway

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Are you planning a road trip to Leh? If yes, then you might be wondering which route to take – Manali to Leh or Srinagar to Leh. Both are breathtaking routes that offer stunning views of the beautiful landscapes of Ladakh. Choosing between the two can be a tough decision, but we are here to help you make an informed decision. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two routes, and help you choose the one that best suits your preferences.

Leh is a fascinating destination located in the northernmost region of India. It is a high-altitude desert that is surrounded by the majestic Himalayas. The two routes that connect Leh to the rest of India are the Manali to Leh Highway and the Srinagar to Leh Highway. Both these routes are equally beautiful, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Natural Beauty on Manali to Leh Vs  Srinagar to Leh 

The natural beauty of both these routes is unparalleled. The Manali to Leh route offers lush green vistas of the Lahaul Valley until Jispa. After Jispa, the greenery starts to vanish and gets replaced by the barren brown of Ladakh. This slow transformation of scenery is a sight to behold. On the other hand, on the Srinagar to Leh route, this transformation happens after Dras. As you approach Kargil, the mountains get stripped of the green, and you start to witness the beauty of the cold desert that Ladakh is.

Altitude Sickness on Manali to Leh Vs  Srinagar to Leh 

The Manali to Leh highway is tougher and higher in altitude than the Srinagar to Leh highway. If it is your first time at high altitudes or you are new to the entire road-trip thing, you should choose the Srinagar route to get to Leh. Your body will get accustomed to high altitudes better this way, and you would have less chance of suffering from Acute mountain sickness (AMS). AMS can hit you on the Srinagar to Leh route as well, but the chances are way too less. You will also take longer to reach Leh by this road, and by the time you get there, your body would have ample time to get acclimatized. This will also make your journey to other higher altitude places like Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri much easier.

Traveling with Family on Manali to Leh Vs  Srinagar to Leh 

If you are traveling with your family, including your parents or children, then it is always beneficial to approach Ladakh via Srinagar. You definitely do not want to put your family under the stress of altitude sickness and ruin their vacation.

Terrain on Manali to Leh Vs  Srinagar to Leh 

The road from Manali has a slight edge over the Manali to Leh highway in terms of adventure and off-roading. There are five high-altitude passes between Manali and Leh, and they are all at staggering heights. Broken roads, water streams, sharp turns, and unpredictable weather conditions are just everyday norms on this highway. The road from Srinagar also has three passes in between, but with the exception of Zojila Pass, none of them is really that difficult. Road conditions are also much better, making the journey much easier.

Time of the Trip on Manali to Leh Vs  Srinagar to Leh 

Srinagar to Leh route is open for a longer period of time than the Manali to Leh route. It means that the road from Srinagar gets in better shape earlier than the one from Manali. If visiting in June, go from Srinagar. It will give you another week to 10 days, and you can hope the Manali route to get in better shape by the time you return. If visiting in early October, take the Manali route first because it can start to snow any time on this road in October. There will be a high chance of the road closing down for a few days or for the season towards Mid-October.

Duration of the Trip on Manali to Leh Vs  Srinagar to Leh 

If you are short on time, you may have to keep the Srinagar to Leh route out entirely. For example, from Delhi, it will take at least 4 days to get to Leh via Srinagar. On the other hand, from the Manali side, you can easily complete this journey in 2 days. If you have 8-9 days in hand (starting from Delhi), you can reach Leh from Manali. Then you circle back on the same road after visiting Pangong Lake and return to Manali only. This will save you a couple of days at least.

Itinerary Planning for on Manali to Leh Vs  Srinagar to Leh 

Your itinerary will also play a crucial role in deciding which route to take. If you intended on covering Changthang Valley as well, it will make sense to go from the Srinagar side. That way, after visiting Tso Moriri lake, you can just exit on Manali road near Pang. From there, you can continue back to Manali without having to go to Leh again and add another day to the overall travel plan. If the Spiti Circuit was also on the plans with Ladakh, you should start from the Shimla side and exit on the Manali road just after Rohtang. In this case, Manali to Leh road will be a more sensible choice to take first.

Conclusion

Both Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh highways are equally beautiful, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. If you are a skilled driver, confident of your vehicle, and have done high altitudes, it doesn’t really matter which one you chose first; because at the end of the day, you should cover both. However, if you are a first-time traveler or traveling with your family, taking the road from Srinagar to Leh first makes more sense. It won’t be as hard on their health from here as it would be if you took the Manali route first.