Two of our Ladakh rides cover similar places but feel very different. One flies you into Leh and rides out from there. The other rides the whole Manali-Leh highway, around Ladakh and all the way back. Neither is better; they suit different riders and different calendars.
The two trips side by side
| Leh to Leh | Manali – Leh – Manali | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 7 Days / 6 Nights | 12 Days / 11 Nights |
| Start and finish | Leh (fly in and out) | Manali (road both ways) |
| Main stops | Khardung La, Nubra, Pangong Tso, Chang La | Jispa, Sarchu, Leh, Nubra, Pangong, then back |
| Highest point | Khardung La (~17,500 ft) | Tanglang La (17,480 ft) and Khardung La |
| Riding load | Moderate, in loops from one base | Heavy, with several 250 km days |
| Best for | Newer Ladakh riders and shorter leave | Experienced long-distance riders |
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Altitude: two different challenges
Flying to Leh puts you at 11,500 ft in a couple of hours, so the first two days of the Leh to Leh trip are deliberately easy. The road trip climbs more gradually, but it sleeps at Sarchu (about 14,000 ft) on the way up and back. Either way you need time to adjust and the willingness to rest. Read our AMS guide.
Who should pick which
- Choose Leh to Leh if you have about a week, want Khardung La, Nubra and Pangong, and are newer to Ladakh.
- Choose Manali – Leh – Manali if you have nearly two weeks, ride long days comfortably and want the whole highway, Baralacha La, the Gata Loops and Tanglang La included.
New to riding in the hills altogether? Read our 10 things to know before your first Ladakh ride first.
When to ride
Both trips run in the summer window, roughly June to September. The Manali-Leh highway usually opens in June and can close by October, and weather or landslides can change the plan on either trip, so keep a spare day.
A shorter trip ridden well beats a longer trip ridden tired. Pick the one that leaves you energy at the end of each day.
— Skypath Field NoteSee all our bike trips
Leh to Leh, Manali – Leh – Manali and Manali – Spiti on Himalayan 450s.