How to reach Ladakh?

I have joined this travel forum to get some help on how to reach Ladakh?

I have not preference on whether I should self-drive or take public transport, and if I do take public transport which mode of transport it should be.

What I would like if it is possible to have a list of the different ways to reach Ladakh and some information on the time it takes to reach Ladakh, comfort level, etc.

 

Hello, @Parvesh! Welcome to the forum!

So first of all, there are two routes that you can take to reach Ladakh. The first one is from Srinagar and the second one is from Manali. Since you are from Delhi, that's where I will reference the routes and transportation options.

Route No. 1 via Srinagar

1. By Bus - The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation operates one bus plying from Delhi to Srinagar. Here is the timing:

• JKSRTC Bus (Non AC Seater/Sleeper Bus) - This departs from Delhi at 1:00 pm and arrives in Srinagar at 1:00 am. Journey duration is around 36 hours. Fare is at Rs. 1,500 per passenger.

From Srinagar, there is also one bus plying to reach Ladakh. You can find it near the Dal Lake, in the Tourist Reception Centre. Here is the timing:

• JKSRTC Bus (Non AC Seater/Sleeper Bus) - This departs from Srinagar at 8:00 am. There's a night halt in Kargil and the bus resumes its service the next day. Journey duration is around two days. Fare is at Rs. 470 to Rs. 1,058 per passenger.

Although the changing of buses is not that uncomfortable, the journey duration is a bit long and staying in the bus can be quite tiring.

2. By Train - Srinagar does have its own railway station but it isn't connected yet to mainland India. Your best option would be ride a train going to Jammu. Here are some train timings that I was able to find:

• Malwa Express Train No. 12919 - This departs daily from New Delhi at 5:20 and arrives in Jammu at 16:10.

• Shalimar Express Train No. 14645 - This departs daily from New Delhi at 15:50 and arrives in Jammu at 5:25.

• Sri Shakti Express Train No. 22461 - This departs daily from New Delhi at 17:30 and arrives in Jammu at 3:00.

• Jhelum Express Train No. 11077 - This departs daily from Subzi Mandi at 21:21 and arrives in Jammu at 10:05.

• Jammu Mail Train No. 14033 - This departs daily from New Delhi at 20:10 and arrives in Jammu at 9:25.

• Jammu Rajdhani Express Train No. 12425 - This departs daily from New Delhi at 20:40 and arrives in Jammu at 5:45.

• Uttar Sampark Kranti Express Train No. 12445 - This departs daily from New Delhi at 20:50 and arrives in Jammu at 6:35.

• Ajmer Jammu Tawi Express Train No. 12413 - This departs daily from Delhi Cantonment at 21:22 and arrives in Jammu at 8:10.

Journey duration is around 9 to 15 hours for trains. From Jammu, you can ride a bus to reach Srinagar. Here is one private bus plying this route:

• Jamna Travels India (Non AC Seater/Sleeper Bus) - Departs from Jammu at 10:00 pm and arrives in Srinagar at 8:00 am. Fare is at Rs. 750 per passenger.

From Srinagar, you can board the bus plying to reach Ladakh, I've given the timing above already. Train journey is more comfortable especially with the higher classes.

3. By Private Vehicle or Hired Taxi - You can also just bring your own car or hire a taxi to reach Leh from Delhi. Here is the route you need to take:

• Route No. 1 via Srinagar - Delhi > Panipat > Ludhiana > Pathankot > Jammu > Srinagar > Wayul > Sonamarg > Dras > Kargil > Mulbekh > Heniskot > Uleytokpo > Nimmu > Ladakh.

This is about 1,249 kms and you need to have a night halt in Dras or Kargil so you can reach Ladakh in about 2 days. Although this is the most expensive option, it's also the most comfortable one.

Route No. 2 via Manali

1. By Bus - For this route, there are two government operated buses and also private buses. Here is the timing for the HPTDC Buses:

• HPTDC Bus - This departs from Mandi House at 18:30. Journey duration is around 14 hours.

Then, here are some timings for the HRTC Buses:

• HRTC Ordinary Buses - These buses depart from the ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Bus departure times are 4:40 pm, 5:40 pm, 6:15 pm, 6:40 pm, 7:32 pm, 9:14 pm and 10:02 pm. Fare is at Rs. 684 per passenger.

• HRTC Volvo Buses - These buses depart from the ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Bus departure times are 7:00 pm, 7:35 pm, 8:00 pm, 8:26 pm and 9:03 pm. Fare is at Rs. 1,412 per passenger.

Then, here are some private bus timings:

• Shubham Holiday (Volvo AC Semi-Sleeper Bus) - This departs from Delhi at 5:00 pm and arrives in Manali at 7:00 am. Fare is at Rs. 1,099 per passenger.

• Royal Travels Delhi (Volvo AC Semi-Sleeper Bus) - This departs from Delhi at 10:00 pm and arrives in Manali at 11:30 am. Fare is at Rs. 1,550 per passenger.

• Laxmi Holiday (Volvo AC Semi-Sleeper Bus) - This departs from Delhi at 7:00 pm and arrives in Manali at 8:10 am. Fare is at Rs. 1,199 per passenger.

• Sona Travels (Volvo AC Semi-Sleeper Bus) - This departs from Delhi at 10:00 pm and arrives in Manali at 11:30 am. Fare is at Rs. 1,550 per passenger.

From Manali, there are two buses plying to reach Ladakh. Here are their timings:

• HPTDC Bus - This departs from Manali at 9:00 am. Fare is at Rs. 2,700 per passenger. This bus is only available from July 1 to September 15. It will have a night halt at Keylong and you will reach Ladakh in about 2 days.

• HRTC Bus - I cannot seem to find the timing for this one. But fare is usually at Rs. 600 per passenger.

There is also a direct bus plying from Delhi to Ladakh via Manali. Here is the timing:

• HRTC Delhi Leh Direct Bus - This bus leaves from Delhi ISBT Kashmiri Gate at 2:30 pm. It will leave from Manali at 7:30 am the next morning. It will then arrive in Keylong by noon and have a night halt there. Arrival time at Ladakh is around 3:00 pm. Fare is at Rs. 1,339 per passenger.

2. By Train - The nearest railway stations to Manali are Chandigarh Railway Station, Joginder Railway Station and Una Railway Station. The best railway station would be Chandigarh, as it has plenty of buses plying to reach Manali. Here are the train timings from Delhi to Chandigarh:

• Unchahar Express Train No. 14217 - Departs daily from Delhi at 4:25 and arrives at 9:25 in Chandigarh.

• Kaka Shatabdi Train No. 12011 - Departs daily from Delhi at 7:40 and arrives at 11:05 in Chandigarh.

• UMB KLK Link Express Train No. 22925 - Departs daily from Delhi at 11:23 and arrives at 15:27 in Chandigarh.

• Himalayan Queen Express Train No. 14095 - Departs daily from Delhi at 5:35 and arrives at 10:25 in Chandigarh.

From Chandigarh, there are buses plying to Manali. Here are their timings:

• HRTC Bus - The Volvo HRTC Bus leaves at 8:40 pm and fare is at Rs. 854 per passenger. The ordinary HRTC Bus leaves at 6:40 pm and fare is at Rs. 449 per passenger.

• Private Bus - There are also plenty of buses plying this route. The New Himalaya Travels has a Volvo AC Semi-Sleeper Bus and it leaves at 11:15 pm. Fare is at Rs. 950 per passenger. The Swagatam Holidays has a Volvo AC Seater/Sleeper Bus and it leaves at 11:45 pm. Fare is at Rs. 950 per passenger.

Then, from Manali, you have the same options as mentioned in the previous number.

3. By Private Vehicle or Hired Taxi - This is the most comfortable option but also the most costly. Here is the route you have to take:

• Route No. 2 via Manali - Delhi > Panipat > Kurukshetra > Mandi > Manali > Marhi > Khoksar > Sissu > Keylong > Jispa > Darcha > Patseo > Zingzingbar > Bharatpur > Sarchu > Nulla > Pang > Debring > Rumtse > Upshi > Karu > Thiksey > Shey > Choglamsar > Ladakh.

This is about 1,100 kms but you need to take a night halt in Solang Valley and Keylong so the journey would be around 2 to 3 days.

I hope this helps!