This is the latest detailed road map of Ladakh, Spiti and Himachal marked with popular landmarks, places and destinations with distance.
Ladakh is a major region and Leh is the main town of Ladakh. Same is with Spiti, it is the major region and Kaza is the main town of Spiti. So for the people who are curious to know the distance between Ladakh and Spiti, it is about 545 km between Kaza and Leh.
Disclaimer: This map is for informational purposes only. locations, routes and boundaries may not be fully accurate.
This updated road map of Ladakh, Spiti Valley and Himachal Pradesh is your ultimate companion to explore India’s high-altitude destinations and remote places. Whether you’re an international rider or from India, this guide helps you understand key travel routes, highlights, distances and must visit places.
Main Routes to Reach Ladakh from New Delhi
Route 1: Delhi – Srinagar – Leh (via National Highway 1 & NH1D)
Best for: Gradual acclimatization and scenic Kashmir landscapes
Total Distance: ~1,250 km (Delhi to Leh via Srinagar)
Highlights: Srinagar, Sonamarg, Zoji La, Drass, Kargil, Lamayuru
- Delhi to Srinagar: ~800 km (18–20 hours by road, or 1-hour flight)
- Srinagar to Leh: ~420 km (10–12 hours drive)
- Major Passes: Zoji La (3,528 m), Fotu La (4,108 m), Namika La
📝 This route is ideal for first-time visitors to help the body acclimate to altitude gradually.
Route 2: Delhi – Manali – Leh (via Manali-Leh Highway)
Best for: Rugged mountain passes and adventure-loving riders.
Total Distance: ~1,050 km
Highlights: Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Jispa, Baralacha La, Tanglang La, Pang, Moore Plains.
- Delhi to Manali: ~550 km (10–12 hours by road or short flight to Bhuntar).
- Manali to Leh: ~480 km (2–3 days ride with overnight stays).
- Major Passes: Baralacha La (4,890 m), Nakee La, Lachung La, Tanglang La (5,328 m).
📝 The road opens around mid-June and closes by early October due to snow. Check road status before planning.
Mostly domestic riders complete the circuit by covering above both routes, starting from one route and returning from another. But there is another option specially for international riders, they can do one side by flight and another side by road.
Route 3: Delhi to Leh direct by Air
It is a good option to reach Ladakh directly via flight. Your body will require 24 hours to acclimatize at such a height. Landing directly to Leh will not decrease your adrenaline as there are lots of adventure places to visit on a motorcycle. But surely you will miss one thing, and that is the beauty of the lower, greener Himalayas.
Best for: Quick access and time-saving itineraries
Flight Duration: ~1.5 hours from Delhi
- Altitude: Leh sits at 3,500 m. Immediate rest and hydration are essential after landing.
📝 Ideal for international riders flying into India and starting their motorcycle tours in Leh directly.
Advanced & Offbeat Routes to Ladakh
Aside from basic routes, you may include some adventurous, less traveled routes in your itinerary.
1. Ladakh via Spiti Valley (Kaza – Leh)
If you have time, you must include this route in your itinerary. This route allows you to ride on a cliffhanger road, visit the world’s highest post office and see a monk’s mummy.
Total Distance: ~1,000 km
Best for: Experienced riders wanting offbeat, raw terrain
- Route: Shimla → Kalpa → Nako → Tabo → Kaza → Kunzum La → Gramphu → Sarchu → Leh
- Key Highlights: Kinnaur, Key Monastery, Tabo, World’s Highest Post Office (Hikkim), Chandratal Lake.
- Passes: Kunzum La (4,551 m), Baralacha La, Tanglang La.
📝 Ideal from mid-June to early October. Road between Kaza and Manali is extremely rugged and weather-sensitive.
2. Ladakh via Sach Pass (Pangi Valley Route)
This is not for the novice riders. It offers opportunity to ride through the core Himalayas which is still untouched and is traveled by very few peoples. This route again meet to the main Leh Manali highway near Keylong.
Total Distance: ~1,100 km
Best for: Hardcore off-roaders and explorers
- Route: Dalhousie → Bairagarh → Sach Pass → Killar → Udaipur → Keylong → Leh
- Passes: Sach Pass (4,420 m) – one of India’s most dangerous passes.
- Highlights: Remote tribal valleys, waterfalls and extreme off-roading.
📝 Open only from late July to early September. Strictly for experienced riders.
3. Manali – Zanskar – Leh (via Shinku La & Lingshed)
Best for: Experienced adventure riders wanting to avoid the busy Manali-Leh highway
Total Distance: ~750–800 km
Recommended Days: 4–5 days (with stops)
Route: Manali → Tandi → Shinku La → Padum (Zanskar) → Lingshed → Singge La → Leh
- Manali to Tandi (~120 km): Regular road with fuel at Tandi
- Tandi to Shinku La Pass (~120 km): Steep climb into Zanskar valley (pass at 5,091 m)
- Shinku La to Padum (~160 km): Scenic ride through newly accessible parts of Zanskar
- Padum to Lingshed → Singge La (5,091 m) → Wanla → Leh (~300+ km): Remote Himalayan route, rarely visited.
📝 Tips:
- This is a remote route with limited infrastructure. Carry spare fuel, food and tools.
- Ideal for riders who’ve done Ladakh before and seek a fresh challenge.
Routes to explore Ladakh
Once in Leh, here are the top routes and circuits you should include in your itinerary.
1. Leh – Nubra – Pangong Circuit
This is the most common route that everyone should have to consider including in their itinerary. In Nubra valley one route go via Diskit, Hunder to up to Turtuk, the last village at Pakistan border. Another route go towards Sumur. You may give a visit to Panamik or up to Siachen base camp on this route.
Route: Leh → Khardung La → Nubra Valley(Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk) → Shyok → Pangong Lake → Chang La → Leh
Distance: ~450 km
Days Required: 3–4 days
- Key Stops:
- Khardung La Pass (5,359 m – among the highest motorable roads).
- Hunder Sand Dunes – with Bactrian camels.
- Turtuk Village – near Pakistan border.
- Pangong Tso – changing shades of blue.
- Chang La Pass – the third highest in Ladakh.
📝 Best done as a circular loop to avoid retracing routes.
2. Leh – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar Circuit
Tso Moriri is a Ramsar wetland site and is the highest lake of the world of such a size. You can also extend this up to Hanley village where you can experience space observatory and stargazing. Umling La pass can also be included which is known as the highest motorable pass of the world.
You can make a circuit returning from pangong route. depends on your itinerary.
Route: Leh → Upshi → Chumathang → Tso Moriri → Tso Kar → Leh
Distance: ~450 km
Days Required: 2–3 days
- Highlights:
- Tso Moriri Lake (4,522 m) – remote, less touristy.
- Korzok Village – rare local homestays.
- Tso Kar Lake – salt lake surrounded by mountains.
- Optional detour to Hanle – India’s astronomical observatory & Umling La – World’s highest motorable pass.
📝 Fuel up in Leh. No petrol pumps after Karu. Carry extra fuel.
3. Leh – Kargil – Zanskar Valley (Padum)
Zanskar is famous for its Chadar trek which is a trekking over the frozen Zanskar River. To reach Zanskar via road it takes a long route via Kargil and Suru Valley. You can also take the newer under construction route via Wanla & Singhe La.
Route: Leh → Lamayuru → Kargil → Rangdum → Padum
Distance: ~450 km one-way
Days Required: 5-7 days (round trip)
- Key Attractions:
- Lamayuru Monastery – Moonland landscapes
- Drang Drung Glacier view from Pensi La (4,400 m)
- Zanskar River – site of the famous winter Chadar Trek
📝 This is one of Ladakh’s most remote and peaceful regions. New all-weather roads under construction (Nimmu–Padum–Darcha route)
4. Leh – Hanle – Umling La Circuit
Best for: Extreme altitude explorers, photographers and astro-tourists.
Total Distance (round trip from Leh): ~750 km
Days Required: 3-4 days
Permit Required: Yes (Indian nationals + foreigners with special permits)
Route: Leh → Nyoma → Hanle → Umling La → Demchok Road → Leh
- Leh to Nyoma via Chumathang (~180 km).
- Nyoma to Hanle (~100 km): Hanle is home to India’s high-altitude space observatory.
- Hanle to Umling La (~75 km): At 5,883 meters, Umling La is the world’s highest motorable road.
- Return via same route or detour through Demchok-Tso Moriri-Leh.
🗺️ Highlights
- Umling La Pass (5,883 m): Bucket-list location for extreme altitude motorcyclists.
- Hanle Village: Quiet, starlit sky – a growing hotspot for astro-tourism.
- Wildlife spotting: Tibetan wolves, kiangs, marmots and black-necked cranes.
📝 Important Notes:
- Proper acclimatization is mandatory before attempting Umling La.
- Carry extra fuel from Karu or Nyoma.
- No fuel, network or repair shops between Hanle and Umling La.
- Foreigners need special approval – check with local tour operators in Leh.
Quick Travel Tips for Riders
✔️ Acclimatization is key. Spend at least 2 nights in Leh before heading to higher areas.
✔️ Always carry extra fuel beyond Leh. Nearest petrol pumps after Leh are at Diskit (Nubra), Tandi (on Manali route).
✔️ Carry original documents – license, registration, permits (Inner Line Permits).
✔️ Best time to visit: Mid-June to late September for full circuit. Spiti and Sach Pass routes close earlier.
✔️ Road conditions change rapidly. Landslides, water crossings and black ice are common. Always check weather and BRO updates.
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