Leh sits at 3,500 m behind some of the highest motorable passes on earth. You can fly in year-round in 75 minutes, or earn the landscape kilometre by kilometre on the two legendary summer highways.
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (IXL) has daily direct flights from Delhi (~75 min) plus seasonal links from Mumbai, Chandigarh and Srinagar. It is the only practical option from October to May. Crucially: rest completely for 24–36 hours after landing to acclimatise.
There is no railway to Ladakh. Jammu Tawi (~700 km via Srinagar) and Chandigarh (~730 km via Manali) are the closest major railheads, both followed by a 2-day road journey.
Two iconic summer routes: the Srinagar–Leh highway (418 km, via Sonamarg, Zoji La and Kargil — open ~May to November) which ascends gradually and is kinder for acclimatisation, and the Manali–Leh highway (473 km, via Atal Tunnel, Sarchu and Tanglang La — open ~June to October) with its wild high-altitude scenery. Himachal HRTC buses, shared SUVs and our chauffeur-driven cabs all ply in season.
Local excursions need permits for some areas (Pangong, Nubra via Khardung La, Tso Moriri) — arranged in Leh or bundled in our packages. Self-ride Royal Enfields and chauffeured SUVs are both popular.
| From | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Daily direct flight | ~75 min |
| Srinagar | 418 km via Zoji La & Kargil | 2 days (overnight Kargil) |
| Manali | 473 km via Atal Tunnel & Sarchu | 2 days (overnight Sarchu/Jispa) |
| Leh | Pangong 225 km · Nubra 120 km | Day trips with early starts |
Only by air — both highways close under snow from roughly November to May. Delhi–Leh flights operate daily year-round, and winter Ladakh (Chadar trek, snow leopard spotting) is a growing NorthYatra speciality.
Srinagar–Leh climbs gradually (better acclimatisation, opens earlier) while Manali–Leh is wilder and higher. Many travellers do the classic loop: enter via Srinagar, exit via Manali.
Indian nationals need Inner Line Permits for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and other border-adjacent areas; foreign nationals need Protected Area Permits. All are arranged in Leh — included in our packages.
