Also known as Paradise on Earth, Srinagar is surrounded by natural beauty and beautiful plantations. At the same time, Leh is another excellent place to chill and spend some fun time away from the robotic lifestyle. However, what's more exciting is setting up a road trip to Srinagar from Leh.
It not only lets you enjoy a unique way of travelling but also gives you a chance to explore the beauty of India at its root level. So, are you ready to start the most impressive and fun journey of your life? If yes, keep reading; the forthcoming content will elaborate on an ultimate guide to making the most out of your Srinagar to Leh Ladakh road trip. So, without wasting time in the discussion, let's jump into the content.
The ultimate Srinaar to leh road trip guide
About the location
The distance between Srinagar and Leh is about 420 km via NH1. Hence, it will take you around 10 to 11 hours via vehicle. As various roots may cause you to get lost, it is recommended to travel with someone who is a frequent traveler or knows the routes well. If you opt for a solo trip, use Google Maps to navigate the accurate pathway. Here is a day-to-day basic layout you must follow
Day 1: Start the trip from Srinagar and reach Sonmarg
Day 2: Rest for a night and set your map to reach Kargil from Sonmarg
Day 3: Lastly, leave Kargil and travel to reach your final destination: Leh
Nevertheless, there are a few preparations you need to prepare in advance, discussed below
Preparing the vehicle
Choose a well-maintained and properly serviced vehicle to survive on the long routes. It is recommended to use sturdy transportation such as 4WD or AWD or any other vehicle meant for high ground clearance. Carry some essential tools for uncertain situations, such as spare parts and kits.
Accommodation
Finding accurate accommodation- especially if you are visiting Leh during the vacation season, might be a tough nut to crack. To save yourself from a situation where you must spend the night under the sky, book your accommodation in advance. All the stops have a wide range of accommodation options, from hotels to restaurants to single rooms in guest houses and suites. Determine your budget, look for the accurate option, and book in advance to save cost and time.
Must visit places
Going on a road trip is more than just travelling and covering the distance to reach. Instead, it's all about exploring all the fantastic places in between that you miss when travelling by bus or train. Here are all the significant places you must visit during your journey
- Alchi Monastery: The place is about a thousand-year-old Monastery known for its unique architecture inspired by the Kashmiri decoration style.
- Tso Moriri Lake: This place is a must-visit for all the nature enthusiasts who feel refreshed when around water. Beautiful and tall snow-capped mountains surround the high-altitude lake. So sit back, relax, and feel the fresh air while your body dissolves in the environment.
- Hall of Fame: The Hall of Fame is an area inspired by Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Nevertheless, instead of celebrities and famous people, this place displays the names of all the Indian soldiers who have sacrificed themselves and their lives while protecting the sacred land.
- Leh Palace: Leh Palace is a famous palace in Leh that offers panoramic views and beautiful architecture. Pay a visit to have a glance at ancient Indian architecture.
Things no one tells you about
Now that we are done discussing the complete road map of the trip from Srinagar to Leh, it's important to educate you about certain things that must be taken on such trips, including all the following.
- Enough of the water: While going on a road trip, remember that you will not only be travelling across the cities and urban areas. Instead, there will be times when you need to cross rural places with scarce resources. Thus, always make sure to carry enough drinking water with you. We suggest using water bags instead of regular water bottles as they are lighter and convenient to carry.
- Distribute your money to several stores. Although a beautiful country, some areas of India are still unsafe for travellers. The case gets even more sensitive if you are a foreigner. Some roads connected to mountains with no population around might be acting as a home to looters. Thus, to save yourself in such situations, storing your money in two or three spots separately, such as socks, a pocket of the jacket sewn inside the hat, and a wallet, is recommended.
- Take antibiotics: No matter if you are going alone or with your gang, no one can drive continuously for hours. The same is why it is essential, in fact, mandatory to pack some of the common medicines such as flue, aspirin, eye drops, antibiotics, and mosquito gels to rest and ensure a healthy and smooth journey.
- Carry nuts: You might encounter places with food joints and shop shortages. To cope with such situations, we suggest packing some snacks, among which nuts are the most convenient option. These are lightweight, easy to store and carry, and yet filling enough to give you energy for the rest of the time.
- Take extra tire: Whether going on a bike trip or using a car, tires can burst anywhere. And the area may not have mechanics nearby. Carry an extra tire and tire-changing kits to tackle such a situation.
The bottom line
In a nutshell, Setting up a road trip to Leh from Sirnanagr might be a great idea. The journey offers you a thrilling road trip and allows you to explore some fantastic places.
The content above discusses an ultimate guide to help you rest assured of a comfortable and smooth journey. In addition, we have also mentioned some of the significantly essential things, but we need to find out about them.
