Himachal Pradesh / Ladakh · India
Leh–Manali Highway
NH3Manali to Leh
A 479 km odyssey over five Himalayan passes including Baralacha La and Tanglang La, connecting Manali to Leh across one of the most savage and beautiful high-altitude landscapes on earth.
The Leh-Manali Highway climbs from the Kullu Valley through Rohtang Pass (3,979 m), descends into the arid Lahaul plateau, then crosses Baralacha La (4,890 m), Lachulung La and Tanglang La (5,328 m) before dropping into Leh. It averages over 4,000 m for much of its length and is open roughly May to mid-October; sections near the high passes are unpaved with water crossings.
Five Himalayan passes over 479 km, much of it above 4,000 m on the edge of the world. The Indian Himalaya at its most savage and most beautiful.
Why we picked it
Scenery
Best seasons
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Leh–Manali Highway on the map264.1 mi · point to point
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Character
More hairpins than 9 in 10 roads · higher than 9 in 10 roads in the catalogue.
Corners
busiest around mile 77Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%1,885.5 – 5,331.9 mPoints of interest2 stops
- Baralacha LaViewpoint89 mi in
- Nakee LaViewpoint134 mi in
Hazards
- Altitude sickness
- Landslides
- River crossings
- Snow on the high passes
- Road damage near Rohtang and Tanglang La
- Extreme remoteness
Sources
“Uncertain weather, high altitude, extreme cold, and no civilization for miles make this a very treacherous track.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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