Travel Guide for Leh Ladakh Road Trip

Posted by Lets Go Ladakh on December 27th, 2019

Leh Ladakh Road Trip1

A road trip to Ladakh is one of the most adventurous and thrilling experiences of a lifetime. Crossing few of the highest motorable passes and mountains in the world, driving through the rough terrains and semi-arid planes leaves an everlasting impression on our lives wanting for more. It is only during this trip that you will be so lost in the enchanting views of stunning panoramas, sweeping valleys, barren mountains covering this region of the Great Himalayas along with glimpses of small villages and nomads settled there. The Tibetan Buddhist statues, beautiful monasteries, cultural vibes, Tibetan prayer flags, distinctive cuisine, ethnic artefacts that you encounter in the journey will add more diversity and value to this journey. 

You can reach Ladakh by road through two ways. The Srinagar - Leh Highway and the Manali - Leh Highway. The sheer thrill and excitement to travel on roads through any one of these routes are beyond words. Our travel guide offers complete information on different petrol pumps along the way, ATM’s, accommodations etc. so that you can travel without any difficulty. 

Fuel is one of the most crucial factor while you are on a ladakh road trip. You will find these Petrol pumps in remote areas, so it’s always advisable to ensure that you have a full tank while you are on your journey. Some of these gas stations may not be operational when you arrive hence be prepared in advance and always have a full tank while riding. 

Petrol Pumps on Srinagar – Leh Highway

There are various petrol pumps on the Srinagar – Leh Highway. Few of them are listed below :

  • Srinagar
  • Nagbal
  • Ganderbal
  • Wakha
  • Kargil
  • Sonmarg
  • Mulbek
  • Khaltsi
  • Leh 

Petrol Pumps on Manali – Leh Highway

Leh Highway is one of the most preferred routes taken by a tourist taking a road trip to Leh Ladakh. You will find several petrol pumps on the Manali – Leh highway, some of them are listed below  

  • Manali
  • Tandi
  • Karu
  • Leh 

The availability of petrol pumps while driving on the challenging roads is always a cause of concern. The fuel stations are limited and sometimes not accessible, so it’s advisable to carry an extra tank along with you while travelling. You need to be aware of the road conditions and mileage of your vehicle to calculate how much fuel is required for the journey. Also do carry a pipe or funnel handy to refill on your own in case required.

Although you always make sure you have enough cash handy, there will come a time when you will run out of money. In case of such emergencies, here are the list of few ATM’s that will help you manage your expenses smoothly

ATM’s on Srinagar- Leh Highway 

  • Srinagar
  • Ganderbal – SBI Bank, J&K Bank, HDFC Bank ATM
  • Manigam – J&K Bank ATM
  • Kangan – J&K Bank
  • Sonmarg – J&K Bank ATM
  • Drass - J&K Bank ATM, SBI ATM
  • Kargil - J&K Bank ATM
  • Leh - J&K Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI ATM 

ATM’s on Manali- Leh Highway 

  • Manali – ICICI Bank ATM, Punjab National Bank ATM, HDFC Bank ATM
  • Keylong – State Bank of India ATM
  • Leh - J&K Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI ATM 

 The mechanics on this route are only available in major towns. However, if you need to repair or fix something crucial, then you might run into trouble as this can be done only in Manali or Srinagar. There are small towns which offer puncture repair and minor repairs which can help you in the journey. Below is a list of the places where you can find a mechanic :

Repair shops on Srinagar – Leh highway 

  • Ganderbal
  • Sonamarg
  • Kargil
  • Lamayuru
  • Mulbek
  • Nimmu 

Repair shops on Manali – Leh highway 

  • Marhi
  • Khoksar
  • Keylong
  • Darcha
  • Sarchu
  • Upshi 

When it comes to staying overnight while on the way to Leh, Srinagar -Leh highway offers better options as there are several popular villages and towns on this route. This route offers much better connectivity then the Manali - Leh highway as there are plenty of Hotels and homestays for overnight stay. So you will never feel abandoned or stranded in the middle of the road. Below are the list of few hotels, guest houses and camp sites which you can consider while halting overnight in your journey.

Accommodation options on Srinagar – Leh Highway  

  • Sonamarg: Comfortable accommodation option at Sonamarg and Drass
  • Kargil: Comfortable and plenty of accommodation options at Kargil and Mulbek
  • Lamayuru: Comfortable homestays in Lamayuru
  • Alchi / Likir: Decent number of homestays at Alchi / Likir
  • Leh: Plenty of accommodation options in Leh 

 Accommodation options on Manali – Leh Highway  

  • Khoksar: Comfortable rest houses available in Khoksar
  • Sissu: Comfortable rest houses available in Sissu
  • Gondla: Homestay options available at Gondla
  • Tandi: Hotel and homestays available in Tandi
  • Keylong: Comfortable homestays in Keylong
  • Jispa: Hotels and homestays available in Jispa
  • Darcha: Small guest house available in Darcha
  • Sarchu: Tents and Camps available at Sarchu
  • Upshi: Hotels and homestays at Upshi 

Hope the above information helps you plan your Leh Ladakh tour more efficiently, and you find the right options when it comes to withdrawing cash or looking for a good homestay. Please feel free to share your responses and experiences of travel which will help others too.

Looking forward to hearing your travel stories.

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Lets Go Ladakh
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