Overview
Manali to Leh is about 430 km on the Manali–Leh highway, usually two days by taxi with 13 to 15 hours of driving: through the Atal Tunnel to Keylong and Jispa for the night, then over Baralacha La, across the Sarchu plains, up the Gata loops and over Nakee La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La, one of the highest motorable passes, before dropping into the Indus valley at Leh, about 3,500 m. It's one of the world's great road journeys, and seasonal: the highway is usually open from about late May to mid-November. We send SUVs and Innovas with drivers experienced on the high passes, pick you up in Manali and drop you at your Leh hotel.
Usual route: Atal Tunnel, Keylong and Jispa, then Baralacha La, Sarchu, the Gata loops, Nakee La, Lachulung La, Pang, the More plains and Tanglang La to Leh
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Manali
- 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 Manali 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
2,050 m
Manali
Total climb
+1,450 m
over ~430 km
Finish
3,500 m
Leh
- Manali
- Atal Tunnel
- Keylong or Jispa
- Baralacha La
- Gata loops
- Tanglang La
- Leh
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Manali to Leh taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~430 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
₹22,950
starting · one way
₹25,300
starting · one way
₹41,100
starting · one way
Your quote
Manali → Leh
SUV · one way · ~430 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in ManaliIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹22,950
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: Manali to Jispa or Keylong, about 5–7 hours. Day 2: Jispa to Leh, about 8–10 hours over the high passes.
- 2We avoid overnight stops at Sarchu for most travellers: it's very high, and the camps are basic.
- 3Leave Jispa before 5 am on day 2; afternoon wind, snow and water crossings slow the high section.
- 4Fuel is available at Tandi near Keylong and then not again until near Leh; our drivers plan for it.
- 5Outside taxis can drop in Leh but can't do local sightseeing in Ladakh; book a Leh taxi for Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Manali
Pickup
Atal Tunnel
9 km tunnel under the Pir Panjal into Lahaul.
Keylong or Jispa
First-night stops in Lahaul, at a gentler altitude than Sarchu.
Baralacha La
High pass where the road enters the Sarchu plains; stop briefly only.
Gata loops
A famous series of hairpin bends.
Tanglang La
The last high pass before the Indus valley and Leh.
Leh
Drop at your hotel
Two days on the Manali–Leh highway
Day one is the easier one: through the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul, along the Chandra and Bhaga rivers to Keylong or Jispa, five to seven hours with stops. Lahaul's villages and the night at around 3,100–3,300 m help you adjust. Day two is long: an early start over Baralacha La, across the Sarchu plains, up the twenty-odd hairpins of the Gata loops, over Nakee La and Lachulung La, through Pang and across the high More plains, and finally over Tanglang La before the descent to Upshi and Leh.
Expect stunning, empty landscapes, very few services, and a long day in the car. It's an adventure rather than a transfer.
- Day 1: Manali to Jispa or Keylong
- Day 2: Jispa to Leh over four high passes
- No fuel between Tandi and the Leh area
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.
Why the fare is higher
A Manali–Leh taxi is a two-day trip for the driver each way, over very rough high passes, with no work on the return because outside taxis can't pick up local fares in Ladakh. That's why market prices for this route sit well above what the distance alone would suggest. Our starting price reflects the current market and includes fuel, tolls and Himachal taxes; the driver's night allowance at Jispa or Keylong and your own hotel are extra and quoted upfront.
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
- • Manali hotels (Mall Road, Model Town, Aleo)
- • Old Manali and Vashisht (nearest road point)
- • Manali bus stand
Other ways to travel
HRTC and HPTDC run seasonal buses from Manali to Leh, usually with an overnight in Keylong. Shared taxis also run in season. Leh has flights to Delhi and other cities.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Manali to Leh cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are SUV ₹22,950, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹25,300, Tempo Traveller ₹41,100, 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 Manali?+
About 430 km via the Atal Tunnel, usually two days with 13–15 hours of driving (approximate; verification pending).
When is the Manali–Leh highway open?+
Usually from about late May to mid-November, depending on snow. Exact opening dates vary each year.
Can we do Manali to Leh in one day?+
It's possible but not advisable: it's a very long day and a fast climb. We plan two days with a night in Jispa or Keylong.
Can your taxi take us to Nubra or Pangong?+
No. Local sightseeing in Ladakh has to be in Leh-registered taxis. We drop you in Leh and can pick you up for the return.
Do we need a permit?+
Not for the Manali–Leh highway itself. Some areas around Leh, such as Nubra and Pangong, need a permit or registration, arranged in Leh or on the official Ladakh permit portal.
Which vehicles do you send?+
SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers only; sedans aren't suitable for the high passes.
How should we prepare for the altitude?+
Spend two nights in Manali first, drink plenty of water, rest for 48 hours on arrival in Leh, and see a doctor beforehand if you have health conditions.
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