Overview
Delhi to Leh by road is about 970 km via Manali, usually three to four days by taxi with 25 to 29 hours of driving: Delhi to Manali, a rest day there if you can, Manali to Jispa or Keylong, then over the high passes of the Manali–Leh highway to Leh at about 3,500 m. The highway is usually open from about late May to mid-November. It's a road trip of a lifetime, crossing the plains, the Kullu valley, Lahaul and the high desert of Ladakh, and climbing gradually instead of flying straight to altitude. We pick you up anywhere in Delhi NCR and drive you all the way with one driver.
Usual route: NH44 to Kiratpur, the Kiratpur–Manali highway to Manali, then the Manali–Leh highway via Keylong, Sarchu and Tanglang La
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Delhi
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Delhi to Leh
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
216 m
Delhi
Total climb
+3,284 m
over ~970 km
Finish
3,500 m
Leh
- Delhi
- Murthal
- Chandigarh or Mandi
- Manali
- Jispa or Keylong
- Tanglang La
- Leh
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Delhi to Leh taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~970 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹38,600
starting · one way
₹42,600
starting · one way
₹69,250
starting · one way
Your quote
Delhi → Leh
SUV · one way · ~970 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in DelhiIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹38,600
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1Day 1: Delhi to Manali, about 12–14 hours (or split with a night in Chandigarh or Mandi).
- 2Day 2: rest in Manali. Day 3: Manali to Jispa or Keylong. Day 4: Jispa to Leh.
- 3Leave Delhi by 4–5 am on day 1 to clear the NH44 early.
- 4Outside taxis can drop in Leh but can't do local sightseeing in Ladakh.
- 5Most travellers fly back to Delhi from Leh; book the flight before you set out.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Delhi
Pickup
Murthal
Breakfast an hour out of Delhi.
Chandigarh or Mandi
Optional night to split the first day.
Manali
Rest day before the high passes.
Jispa or Keylong
Night in Lahaul.
Tanglang La
Last high pass before Leh.
Leh
Drop at your hotel
Planning the road trip
Driving from Delhi to Leh is best done over four days. The first takes you up the NH44 and the Kiratpur–Manali highway to Manali; it's long, so some travellers split it with a night in Chandigarh or Mandi. A rest day in Manali comes next, then a short day through the Atal Tunnel to Jispa or Keylong in Lahaul, and finally the long day over the high passes to Leh.
The gradual climb is the big advantage over flying: your body adjusts in stages, though you'll still need to rest on arrival in Leh.
- Day 1: Delhi to Manali
- Day 2: rest in Manali
- Day 3: Manali to Jispa or Keylong
- Day 4: Jispa to Leh
Taxi rules in Ladakh
Taxi associations in Ladakh allow taxis from outside Ladakh to drop passengers in Leh and pick them up for the return, but local sightseeing, such as Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri, has to be done in Leh-registered taxis. Travel guides report this is enforced locally, so plan your time in Ladakh with a Leh taxi, and book us for the drive in and out.
Altitude and health
Leh is at about 3,500 m, and Ladakh's tourism department advises at least 48 hours of rest on arrival before any sightseeing. Arriving by road helps a little because you climb over two days, but the passes on the way are higher than Leh itself, so altitude sickness is still common. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and tell the driver at once if anyone has a bad headache, breathlessness or confusion; descending is the cure.
Road trip one way, flight the other
The most popular plan is to drive up and fly back: Leh has direct flights to Delhi, and returning by air saves three or four days. Book the flight before you set out, and leave a buffer day in Leh, since the highway can be held up by snow or landslides. If you'd prefer to drive back, we can pick you up in Leh for the return, but book early in autumn, before the highway closes.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Leh
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Snow likely, roads can close | April: Snow likely, roads can close | May: Fine, check weather | June: Best time | July: Best time | August: Best time | September: Best time | October: Fine, check weather | November: Snow likely, roads can close | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Delhi NCR addresses (Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad)
- • Delhi airport (all terminals)
- • New Delhi, Old Delhi and Nizamuddin stations
Other ways to travel
Direct flights run from Delhi to Leh all year. By road, buses go from Delhi to Manali, then seasonal HRTC and HPTDC buses to Leh.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Delhi to Leh cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are SUV ₹38,600, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹42,600, Tempo Traveller ₹69,250, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Leh from Delhi by road?+
About 970 km via Manali, about 25–29 hours of driving over three to four days (approximate; verification pending).
How many days does the drive take?+
Three at a push, four for comfort with a rest day in Manali.
When is the road open?+
The Manali–Leh highway is usually open from about late May to mid-November.
Can your taxi do sightseeing in Ladakh?+
No. Local sightseeing needs Leh-registered taxis. We drop you in Leh and can pick you up for the return.
Should we fly back?+
Most travellers do: Leh has direct flights to Delhi. Book before you set out and keep a buffer day.
Which vehicles do you send?+
SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers only.
Can we drive back to Delhi via Srinagar instead?+
Yes, the Srinagar–Leh road is an alternative in season. Tell us early and we'll quote the return route.
Where do we stay on the way?+
Usually Manali for one or two nights, then Jispa or Keylong in Lahaul. We avoid Sarchu for most travellers because of its altitude.
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