Jeep Safari In Ladakh
Overview
Driving around the entire region of Ladakh by Jeep Safari is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating ways. Tourists visit lush valleys, alpine lakes, and major towns by crossing some of the highest mountain passes in the world. The prime benefit of Jeep Safari in Leh Ladakh is the liberty to discover the raw beauty and gorgeous scenic sights at your own pace. You follow a customized and flexible itinerary.
If you are wondering why to pick Jeep Safari only in Ladakh rather than any other state, it is the challenging terrain that attracts thrill-seekers. The rugged yet accessible routes offer a gorgeous view of the surrounding as you move ahead toward your journey.
This year, plan an exciting Jeep Safari in Leh Ladakh with Cliffhangers India and make memories of a lifetime. Here’s a guide to various routes in Ladakh for Jeep Safari and places to visit. Have a glance!
Best Time for Jeep Safari in Ladakh
To enjoy the best drive by jeep safari in Leh Ladakh, plan the trip in the summer season, lasting from May to September. During this time of the year, the weather is pleasant and average temperature is around 20°C. Warm days and comfortable nights prevail in the region. The white snow of the winter has melted by now and visitors are mesmerized by the crystal clear views of valleys, lakes and mountains.
To reach these local attractions, one has to cross alpine passes. In summer, passes like Chang La, Khardung La, etc. are open and motorable. The road conditions are decent and it’s safer to drive with easy accessibility. Not only are the passes unrestricted, the tourist spots are open for tourists as well. In the lovely climate, it is conducive to take a sightseeing tour at places like Nubra valley, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri Lake, Kargil, Leh, etc.
If you are looking for a more serene experience, visit Ladakh for jeep safari in early May or Late September. The regions and towns are less crowded and you might get to see some snow on the high mountain passes.
Popular Jeep safari Routes in Ladakh
- Srinagar- Leh: Srinagar to Leh is one of the most popular routes for a memorable adventure of Jeep Safari. It is a popular way to reach the capital city of Ladakh, Leh from the capital city of Kashmir, Srinagar. Through Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH1), a total distance of about 420 kilometres is covered by tourists. With enroute sightseeing spots, it will take 2 to 3 days to complete the journey. It starts from Srinagar where you can explore Dal Lake, and Mughal Gardens. Moving ahead, do visit Thajiwas Glacier in Sonmarg. The road trip goes through various other towns and cities such as Dras, Kargil, Lamayuru, Magnetic Hill and finally Leh.
- Manali-Leh: While the route through Manali is a less traveled one, it is surely an adventurous option for Jeep Safari in Leh Ladakh. Manali-Leh Highway (NH3) is the accessible route, where tourists cover a total distance of approximately 475 kilometres. The gradient is difficult since it involves crossing alpine passes like Rohtang Pass (3978 metres) and Baralacha Pass (4290 metres). As you enjoy the drive, do stop at nights for camping at places like Sarchu and Jispa. A must visit enroute attraction on the way would be Pang, which is home to the highest transit camps. Before you reach Leh, explore the Hemis Monastery. Plan the trip to Leh from Manali in summer since the highway and passes are open during this time.
- Nubra Valley via Khardung La: The trip to lush Nubra Valley from Leh city via Khardung La is one of the most exciting road trips to undertake in Ladakh. The valley is about 150 kilometres from the capital city and takes only one day or maximum two if you include overnight stay. The most exhilarating part of the journey is the lifetime opportunity to drive on the world’s highest pass, Khardung La. As you reach the valley, enjoy sightseeing tours in the entire region. Visit Diskit Monastery, one of the largest and oldest Gompa of Ladakh, and home to a 32 feet high statue of Buddha. The cold deserts of Hunder are another renowned local attraction, offering camel safari and rides to visitors.
- Kaza-keylong-sarchu-leh: Undoubtedly, the most thrilling route for jeep safari starts from Kaza in spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh to Leh, Ladakh. A total of 700 kilometres are covered. The road trip goes through local attractions like Keylong and Sarchu. As it begins from Kaza, explore the Key Monastery and Pin Valley. Visit the highest post office in the World, Hikkim. Moving ahead, after crossing the Kunzum Pass, The most sought-after Chandratal Lake is present at a small distance of only 14 kilometres. Soak in the raw beauty of the crescent shaped lake thoroughly. As you reach Keylong, discover the culture and traditions of the region through sightseeing at Shashur Monastery. After a total drive of 107 kilometres, you reach Sarchu where you stay overnight and camp. The entire journey ends at the capital city of Leh.
- Kargil-suru valley-Zanskar: The route trip from Kargil to Zanskar Valley via Suru Valley offers a remote journey via Jeep Safaris in Ladakh. The one way distance is 250 kilometres and the entire road trip including sightseeing will last for 3-4 days. Starting from the town of Kargil in Drass valley, the enroute exploration of Suru valley is highly suggested. In Suru, visit the Panikhar village for photography and cultural immersion. Rangdum Monastery is another local attraction to visit here. In this road trip, you have to drive and cross the Pensi La Pass (4400 metres), and reach Padum. It is the only town and administrative centre of Zanskar Valley. Through this jeep safari, you get to witness the natural beauty of Suru Valley and rugged terrains of Zanskar.
- Leh-Pangong-Tso Moriri: Through Jeep safari, you get an opportunity to witness the pristine beauty of two alpine lakes of Ladakh, Pangong and Tso Moriri Lake. A total of three days is needed to travel from Leh to Pangong and Tso Moriri and come back. On the first day, the drive of about 160 kilometres from Leh to Pangong starts, going through Chang La Pass-Durbuk-Tangtse-Pangong Tso. The magnificent lake is extremely gorgeous. Camp near the lake or stay in homestays at night. The next day, the route goes through Pangong Tso- Man- Merak- Chushul-Tsaga La-Nyoma-Mahe-Tso Moriri. Both the lakes are 220 kilometres apart. The remote lake is synonymous with natural beauty and radiates tranquility.
Places to See During Jeep Safari in Ladakh
- Pangong Tso: Pangong Tso is the most visited lake to visit via Jeep Safari in Ladakh. It is located in the Pangong Tso region, Leh, Ladakh. Due to a length of around 130 kilometres and 5 kilometres wide, it is recognized as the largest saltwater lake in Asia Continent. Only 40 percent of the Lake resides in India and the rest of it is part of China. Summer, from June to September, is surely the best time to explore the lake as it has melted after being frozen for the entire winter. Here, you can spend a night camping by the shores or in homestays at Spangmik village. Before visiting Pangong Lake, make sure you have obtained an Inner Line Permit( ILP). Only groups are allowed to come here with a certified guide.
- Nubra Valley: Nubra Valley is known for the older than time monasteries that you can visit here. Some of the ancient monasteries to explore in the valley include Diskit, Hunder, Elsa and Samsteling Monastery. Previously known as Ldumbna or Valley of Flowers, it is located at a distance of 105 kilometres from Leh city. It is tucked by mountain ranges and is also known by the name of “Orchards of Ladakh.” To reach the valley, you have to pass Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Here, you can enjoy a number of adventures such as trekking, camel safari and river rafting. The best time to visit Nubra Valley is in spring and summer from April to September when the snow has melted off. Although there is no entry fee for Nubra Valley, you do need an Inner Line Permit( ILP).
- Khardung La: If you are in Leh, you must drive on Khardung La Pass to reach various corners of Ladakh such as Nubra valley and Pangong Lake . It is the world’s highest motorable pass at an altitude of 18,380 ft. The feeling of riding on this pass is thrilling and you add another feather to your cap. It is one of the main gateways to enter the Nubra valley. On this pass, you get stunning views of Leh city and other mighty mountain ranges. It is highly suggested to drive cautiously here. Enjoy taking pictures, having refreshments in local shops etc. The pass is open only in summer when moderate weather prevails. It is closed and inaccessible in winter given the heavy snowfall received by the pass.
- Tso Moriri Lake: Tso Moriri lies in the Changthang region, Leh, at a distance of 245 kilometres away from the main city of Leh. The lake is covered through a jeep safari from Leh to Tso Moriri with an overnight stay at Pangong Tso. The lake is the only alpine lake, residing completely in the Indian Subcontinent and it is one of the best places to visit near Leh Ladakh. The lake is about 29 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide. From November to March, the high-altitude lake freezes, turning into a hard rock of ice. While some people do come here in winters for ice skiing, the convenient time to visit here is in summer from April to September. The weather is pleasant and roads are accessible. Bird-watching is a popular activity here with migratory birds seen flying over the lake. Visiting the salt water lake requires an Inner Line Permit (ILP).
- Alchi Monastery: Alchi Monastery is a culturally significant Gompa in Buddhism. It is located on the banks of Indus river, at a distance of about 70 kilometres from Leh city. The monastery was founded by a Buddhist monk, named Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th/11th century. It comprises two temples, Sumtsek and Manjushri Temple and an assembly hall. Each of these complexes are built in the Tibetan architectural style, adorned with paintings and wood carvings. While it is not an active monastery as of now, it is open to tourists as a heritage site.
- Chang La Pass: One of the highest motorable passes in the world, it is at an altitude of 17,586 ft. Driving on it is very adventurous and gives you chills when you are on it. You face steep ascent, rocky paths but after crossing it and reaching Pangong, you feel a sense of achievement that is worth it. It is one of the passes you drive on if you have picked Wari La route to reach Pangong lake. Plan a road trip on the Chang La Pass with the Jeep Safari in Ladakh. Plan it in the balmy weather of summer to access routes and pass easily.
FAQ's
In Ladakh, you can cover some of the highest mountain passes by Jeep Safari. The most popular ones are Khardung La, Chang La and Tanglang La, and many others. These passes serve as a gateway to various valleys of Ladakh such that to reach Nubra Valley, tourists have to cross Khardung La.
Having proper documentation before or during a Jeep Safari is mandatory. Carry a valid ID( Aadhar Card or passport), driving license ( for drivers), travel insurance, passport size pictures and permits for regions like Nubra valley and Pangong Lake. Keep enough photocopies of these documents since verification is compulsory at various places and you may have to submit a photocopy of each.
While there is not a specific best route in Ladakh, one of the most popular ones starts from Leh- Nubra Valley- Pangong Lake-Tso Moriri-Leh. It goes through the famous alpine mountain passes as well such as Chang La, Khardung La and Taglang La. Through this road trip, you cover some of the most sought-after destinations of Ladakh.
An ideal and most preferred time to visit Ladakh is from June to September. Weather is comfortable and various passes are open too for jeep safari and other adventure activities.
