Planning a Ladakh trek or a road trip to the Himalayan kingdom? Your first and most critical decision is understanding how to reach Leh. Located at 3,524 meters, Leh is accessible by air and two iconic highways. This guide compares flights to Leh, the adventurous Leh Manali highway, and the scenic Srinagar to Leh distance route. We also cover essential permits — because without them, your trek doesn’t begin.
Quick Comparison: Best Way to Reach Leh
| Mode | Route / Airport | Duration | Best For | Permit Required? |
| Flight | Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) | 1-1.5 hrs from Delhi | Time-savvy travelers, non-acclimatized trekkers | No (for Leh city only) |
| Manali Highway | Manali → Leh (473 km) | 2-3 days | Bikers, overland adventurers | Yes (for Pangong, Nubra) |
| Srinagar Highway | Srinagar → Leh (434 km) | 2 days | Scenic drive, gradual ascent | Yes (for protected areas) |
1. Flights to Leh – Fastest but Demands Acclimatization
If you ask how to reach Leh quickly, the answer is a flight. Daily flights to Leh operate from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, and Jammu. The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is just 4 km from Leh town.
Pros: Saves time (1 hour from Delhi).
Cons: Sudden altitude gain. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is common.
Permit note: No inner line permit (ILP) is required for Leh city or main markets. However, if your Ladakh trek includes Khardung La, Pangong Tso, or Tso Moriri, you must obtain permits after landing.
2. Leh Manali Highway – The Classic Overland Route
The Leh Manali highway is a 473 km high-altitude thrill. Open typically from June to September, it crosses five passes above 4,800 meters — including Tanglang La (5,328 m). This route is a must for bikers and trekking enthusiasts who want to acclimate naturally.
Travel time: 2-3 days with overnight stops at Keylong, Jispa, or Sarchu.
Vehicle options: Shared taxi (₹1,500-2,500 per seat), private jeep (₹12,000-18,000), or motorbike.
Permit alert for Manali route: To cross Rohtang Pass (on the way to Leh from Manali), you need an online Rohtang permit (issued by HP tourism). For continuing into protected zones of Ladakh (e.g., Pangong), you must get a Protected Area Permit (PAP) from the DC office in Leh.
3. Srinagar to Leh Distance – The Scenic Alternative
The Srinagar to Leh distance is 434 km via NH-1. It opens earlier than Manali (usually May to October) and offers a gradual climb through Zoji La pass (3,528 m). This is ideal for those who fear AMS.
Travel time: 2 days (halt at Kargil or Drass).
Highlights: Sonamarg, Drass (the second coldest inhabited place), Kargil war memorial.
Permit note: Foreign nationals must register at the tourist reception centre in Srinagar or Leh. Indian citizens need ILP only for certain restricted areas like Nubra Valley or Dha Hanu. Always carry a copy of your permit when trekking.
Ladakh Trekking gear list also crucial for cover the distances.
Read more: Complete Ladakh trek packing list with brand recommendations
Read more: Know the permits need in Ladakh trek.
Best Time to Visit Leh – Critical for Permits & Access
The best time to visit Leh for road travel is June to September. Flights operate year-round, but winter (Dec–Feb) is extremely cold (-20°C) and many homestays close. Permits for high-altitude treks (like Ladakh trek routes) are not issued during heavy snowfall from November to April.
Plan your visit between mid-June and early October for full road access and smooth permit processing.
Read more: What is the best season to trek in Ladakh.
Permits You Must Know Before Any Ladakh Trek
Since this blog clusters under the pillar post “Ladakh Trek”, let’s focus strictly on permit-related essentials. Without these, your trek is illegal and risky.
For Indian Citizens:
- No permit for Leh, Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Stok, or Khardung La (up to the pass).
- Permit required for: Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri, Dha Hanu, and border villages.
- How to get: Apply online via the LAHDC Leh portal or visit the DC office in Leh (open Mon-Sat, 10 AM–1 PM). Cost ~₹200-400 per person for 3-7 days.
For Foreign Nationals (including OCI):
- Protected Area Permit (PAP) mandatory for entering restricted zones.
- Group of 2+ required. Cannot travel alone.
- Apply through a registered travel agent in Leh. Cost ~₹600-1,500 per person plus agent fees.
- Validity: Usually 7 days, extendable on case basis.
Important: Even if you take flights to Leh or drive the Leh Manali highway, you will be stopped at military checkposts (e.g., South Pullu for Pangong). No permit = no entry + fine. Always keep two photocopies of your permit.
Read more: Ladakh expedition peaks — Nun, Nun-Kun, Mentok Kangri
How to Reach Leh – Final Verdict for Trekkers
| Your Priority | Best Route | Permit Action |
| Save time | Flight to Leh | Get PAP on day 2 for long treks |
| Adventure & acclimatization | Leh Manali highway | Apply online before crossing Rohtang |
| Gradual ascent & scenery | Srinagar highway | Register at Kargil or Leh DC office |
If your Ladakh trek starts from Leh city, any route works. But if you plan to trek beyond (Chadar, Markha, or Sham Valley), you must factor in permit processing days. The DC office in Leh now allows online applications – apply at least 48 hours before your trek.
Read more: Read the complete guide for Ladakh Trek in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need a permit to travel by flights to Leh?
No, for reaching Leh city by air, no permit is required. However, if you plan to drive to Pangong Tso or Nubra Valley after landing, you must obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) from the DC office in Leh.
2. Can I get a permit online for the Leh Manali highway route?
Yes. Indian citizens can apply for the Inner Line Permit (ILP) online via the LAHDC Leh portal before starting the Leh Manali highway. Foreign nationals must apply through a registered travel agent in Leh after arrival.
3. What is the Srinagar to Leh distance permit requirement for foreign tourists?
Foreign nationals traveling the Srinagar to Leh distance must register at the Tourist Reception Centre in Srinagar or Leh. A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is mandatory for visiting restricted zones like Nubra and Pangong.
4. What is the best time to visit Leh for road trips without permit issues?
The best time to visit Leh for hassle-free permits and open roads is mid-June to early October. Permits are issued only when high-altitude passes are snow-free and military checkposts are active.
5. Can I do a Leh Ladakh road trip without any permit?
A Leh Ladakh road trip within Leh city, Shey, Hemis, and Khardung La pass (only up to the top) does not require permits. But for any protected area like Tso Moriri or Dha Hanu, a permit is strictly required
Ready to Plan Your Ladakh Trek?
Ladakh delivers a category of trekking experience that exists nowhere else in India — high-altitude cold desert, Buddhist culture woven through the trail, and a sense of remoteness that the Himalayan classics increasingly lack. Our 2026 Ladakh season runs from June through October for summer treks, and again in January and February for the Chadar Trek.
Plan your Ladakh trek now: Call/WhatsApp +91 74072 48200 · Email contact@trekinsikkim.in
Read more: Browse all our Ladakh trek packages with prices and 2026 dates
Read more: See complete packing list for your Ladakh Trek.
Read more: Know the permits need in Ladakh trek.
Read more: Read the complete guide for Ladakh Trek in 2026.
About the author
Kiran Gurung is the founder of Glacier Treks & Adventure, an IMF-certified mountaineer, and a working trek leader with fifteen years of operating experience across the Indian Himalaya. He has personally led the Markha Valley Trek, Chadar Trek, Mentok Kangri climbing peak, and the Nun-Kun expedition on multiple occasions. Glacier Treks & Adventure operates the full Ladakh trekking and expedition portfolio — Markha, Chadar, Sham Valley, Nubra, Tso Moriri, Mentok Kangri, Kang Yatse, Nun and Nun-Kun — alongside the company’s Sikkim trekking operations from its base in Yuksom. The company is affiliated with the IMF, the Sikkim Department of Tourism, TAAS, YTDC, and SAMA.
