✦ Shrinandan & Shubhashree ✦ + Friends from Chandigarh ✦
▼ scroll to explore
Day by Day
THE ITINERARY
1
Friday, May 15th
Bangalore → Nagpur
📍 ~890 km🚗 12–13 hrs⏰ Depart 4:00 AM
Bangalore → NH44 North
Nagpur overnight stay
★ Needs Action: Book Nagpur stay — May 15 night · 1 night · 1 room
2
Saturday, May 16th
Nagpur → Jaipur
📍 ~850 km🚗 12–13 hrs
Nagpur → Bhopal bypass (NH46 west, avoid city)
Kota bridge crossing — last major fuel before Rajasthan
Enter Rajasthan via Bundi/Kota by early evening
Jaipur arrival ~8–9 PM — stay near NH48 for easy exit tomorrow
💡 Jaipur overnight tip: Stay near Ajmer Road / Tonk Road area — quick NH48 access for the
Chandigarh run. You arrive late and leave early, so skip the old city. Hotel Sarovar Premiere or Lemon Tree
near NH48 work well. If you have energy: walk to Hawa Mahal (5 min from most hotels on this corridor) for 15
minutes — it's lit at night and worth it.
★ Needs Action: Book Jaipur stay — May 16 night · 1 night · 1 room · Near NH48/Ajmer Road
for fast morning exit
3
Sunday, May 17th
Jaipur → Chandigarh
📍 ~450 km🚗 6–7 hrs
Trans-Haryana Expressway
Arrive in Chandigarh, settle into WFH base
★ Needs Action: Book Chandigarh stay — May 17 arrival · see Phase 2 for full WFH booking
4–8
May 18–22 (Mon–Fri)
WFH Base & Prep: Chandigarh
💻 WFH⚠️ Service & Prep
5 working days of WFH — confirm fast WiFi at apartment before booking
Monday May 19: Drop Thar Roxx at Chandigarh Mahindra for full service — engine oil,
brakes, tyres, coolant
Tuesday–Wednesday: Buy trip supplies — jerry can, tow rope, jumper cables, puncture
kit, pulse oximeter, medical kit
Thursday May 22: Pick up serviced car. Do a loaded test drive. Confirm everything
works.
Print all documents: RC, insurance, DL, all 4 Aadhar — 6 copies each
Download Google Maps + Maps.me offline for entire route
Set up Splitwise group with friends
Weekend (May 17–18): Explore Chandigarh — Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Sector 17 market,
Elante Mall, Panchkula hills day trip
★ Needs Action: Book Chandigarh serviced apt — May 17–22 · 5 nights · 1 unit · Fast WiFi
essential, confirm upload speed
11
Friday, May 22nd (Evening)
Friends Fly into Chandigarh ✈️
🤝 Friends Arrive🌿 Evening Only
Friends fly Bangalore → Chandigarh — book CHD flights for Friday May 22nd
Evening: Group dinner in Chandigarh — all 4 together for the first time
Early night — departing 4:00 AM tomorrow for Srinagar (580 km)
Pack the Thar tonight: confirm all luggage fits for 4 people + gear
💡 Note: Friends stay at your Chandigarh apartment — no extra booking needed. WFH phase
ends tonight. From tomorrow it's pure exploration all the way to Manali.
★ Needs Action: Friends book BLR→CHD flights for Friday May 22nd
G1
Saturday, May 23rd
Chandigarh → Srinagar (All 4 Together)
📍 ~580 km🚗 12–14 hrs⏰ Depart 4:00 AM
4:00 AM: Depart Chandigarh — NH44 north
7:00 AM: Jammu bypass — chai stop, fuel up
9:00 AM: Udhampur / Banihal — Banihal tunnel (saves 1.5 hrs vs old route)
8:30 AM: Khardung La (5,359m) — Group photo, 15 min max
10:00 AM: Diskit Monastery — 32m Maitreya Buddha, 30 min
11:00 AM: Hunder Sand Dunes — Bactrian camel ride
1:30 PM: Lunch at Hunder camps — Veg thali available
4:00 PM: Turtuk — Check in. Walk apricot orchards & Balti lanes
Evening: Turtuk homestay — Ask owner to arrange Thang army permission for 8 AM tomorrow
🎒 Note: Turtuk is at just 3,000m — lowest point in Ladakh. After days at 3,500m+ everyone
breathes noticeably easier here. Great energy day.
★ Needs Action: Book Turtuk homestay — May 28 night · 1 night · 2 rooms · Tell owner to
arrange Thang army permission for next morning
G7
Friday, May 29th
Thang → Panamik → Leh
📍 225 km🚗 Arrive 6 PM
7:30 AM: Thang Village (10 km from Turtuk) — India's northernmost village, 2.5 km from
Pakistan. LOC fence. Army escort
9:30 AM: Depart Turtuk south — 80 km to Diskit
11:30 AM: Panamik Hot Springs — Natural sulphur springs in Nubra Valley. Therapeutic
soak. 45 min
2:00 PM: Khardung La climb begins
6:00 PM: Back in Leh — Rest. Repack for eastern circuit. Pre-arrange Tsomoriri camp
booking if not done
★ Needs Action: Book Leh stay (return night) — May 28 night · 1 night · 2 rooms
G8
Saturday, May 30th
Leh → Tsomoriri + Puga
📍 262 km🚗 Arrive 3 PM
6:00 AM: Depart Leh south via Upshi (EDF receipt at checkpoint)
8:30 AM: Chumathang — Roadside hot springs visible beside the Indus River
10:30 AM: Tsomoriri (Korzok village) — Quieter and more serene than Pangong. Korzok
Gompa on the shore
1:30 PM: Puga Valley (22 km) — Bubbling sulphur springs, steaming mud pools, bright
yellow mineral deposits. Wild Kiang (Tibetan wild ass) common here
3:00 PM: Back at Tsomoriri / Korzok — Check in. Sunset over the lake
Evening: Korzok Gompa — Prayer wheel walk at dusk
🦅 Note: Puga in late May–June is the sweet spot — the meadows are green, springs are
active, and the Kiang herds are visible.
★ Needs Action: Book Tsomoriri camp/homestay — May 29 night · 1 night · 2 rooms · Very
limited options at Korzok, book early
G9
Sunday, May 31st
Tsomoriri → Hanle
📍 85 km🚗 Relaxed Day
9:00 AM: Depart Tsomoriri — No rush today
10:00 AM: Tso Kar (on the way) — Small salt lake, flamingos and migratory birds in
May–June. 30 min
12:00 PM: Hanle village (4,500m) — Check in. The shortest, most relaxed day of the
entire trip
Afternoon: Hanle Monastery — 17th-century monastery on a hilltop. Views of the entire
Changthang valley
Evening: Hanle Observatory — World's highest astronomical observatory. Talk to the
scientists if possible
Night: Stargazing — Scientifically rated among the best stargazing sites in Asia. Zero
light pollution. Milky Way core visible with naked eye
💤 Note: Rest well tonight. Early start tomorrow for Umling La.
★ Needs Action: Book Hanle guesthouse — May 31–June 1 · 2 nights · 2 rooms · Fewest options
of entire trip. Book this FIRST.
G10
Monday, June 1st
Hanle → Umling La → Hanle
📍 150 km⚠️ 5,798m Altitude
5:00 AM: Depart Hanle — Cold. Dark. Stars still out
7:00 AM: Umling La (5,798m / 19,024 ft) — Highest motorable road on Earth. Sunrise
light over Himalayas. BRO chai stall. 20 min max here
9:00 AM: Back at Hanle — Breakfast. Hot chai. Bodies recover
Afternoon: Hanle — Rest, pack for tomorrow's long drive to Manali
Evening: Final group dinner — Celebrate with friends
⚠️ At 5,798m: You've been in Ladakh for 7 days (acclimatized). But still: no running, 20
min max at top. SpO2 < 75% = turn around. Thar engine may feel sluggish.
🏅 Certificate: BRO issues a certificate at the top proving you drove the world's highest
road.
G11
Tuesday, June 2nd
Hanle → Pang → Manali
📍 430 km🚗 Arrive 7:30 PM
5:00 AM: Depart Hanle — Via Nyoma → Mahe direction
8:00 AM: Nyoma (~80 km) — Small Changthang village. Chai break
10:30 AM: Pang (4,600m) — Hit the standard Manali–Leh highway. Camp dhabas. Lunch
12:30 PM: Sarchu (4,200m) — Last Ladakh point. The tents, the plateau, the silence
3:00 PM: Baralacha La (4,890m) + Suraj Tal — Stunning lake just below the pass
5:30 PM: Keylong — Fuel pump (fill up completely)
7:00 PM: Rohtang Pass (3,978m) — 4WD engaged. Can be foggy at dusk
7:30 PM: Manali ✅ — Friends dropped. Celebrate 11 days together. Book friends' Volvo
bus tonight
💡 Note: The Hanle → Pang section via Nyoma (180 km) is the Changthang plateau — wide open
sky, Kiang herds, nomad camps, almost no traffic. Spectacular corner of Ladakh.
★ Needs Action: Book Manali arrival hotel — June 2 night · 1 night · 1 room · Late arrival
~7:30 PM, pre-book so you don't scramble
P4-1
Wednesday, June 3rd
Manali — Rest & Recover
🌿 Rest Day
Arrived late last night after the long Hanle → Manali drive
Slow morning — sleep in, proper breakfast
Walk Old Manali, Manu Temple, Mall Road
Explore cafes for best WFH spots with reliable WiFi
★ Needs Action: Book Manali WFH stay — June 3–11 · 8 nights · 1 room · Confirm fast WiFi,
minimum 10 Mbps upload
P4-2
June 4th – 11th (Thu → Thu)
WFH Base: Manali
💻 WFH🏔️ 8 Days
Weekdays (Jun 4–5, 8–11): Work from Manali — cafes, guesthouses, or resort with WiFi
🎉 Trip Complete! ~9,000 km. Every pass climbed. World's highest road done. Sunday night
home — Monday morning office ✅. What a trip.
Visual Overview
ROUTE MAP
Elevation Profile
ALTITUDE JOURNEY
Ladakh Excursion Peaks — Off The Main Highway
5,798m
Umling La 🏆 World's Highest Road
5,360m
Chang La Pangong
route
5,359m
Khardung La Nubra
route
4,595m
Tsomoriri
Lake Changthang
4,500m
Hanle Village 2
nights
4,350m
Pangong Tso Lake
3,500m
Leh — base 3–4
nights
3,000m
Turtuk Lowest in
Ladakh
Bangalore
920m
☀️
32°C
Hot & humid May
Chandigarh
321m
🌤️
38°C
Hot summers, AC needed
Srinagar
1,585m
🌸
22°C
Pleasant early June
Kargil
2,676m
🌬️
18°C
Cool days, cold nights
Leh
3,500m
❄️
15°C
Days pleasant, nights 5°C
Khardung La
5,359m
🌨️
-2°C
Snow possible, wind strong
Pangong Tso
4,350m
💙
10°C
Clear skies, UV intense
Sarchu
4,200m
🌪️
8°C
Cold, windy plateau
Forward This Page To Them
HEY FRIENDS, JOIN US.
We're driving from Chandigarh to Leh Ladakh and back in a Mahindra Thar Roxx 4×4. 8
days. 4 people. One trip you'll talk about for the rest of your life. Here's everything you need to know.
🚘
The Vehicle
Mahindra Thar Roxx — diesel 4×4 with diff
lock. Built specifically for Ladakh terrain. You ride in comfort while Shrinandan handles all the
mountain driving. No rental cars, no shared cabs. Your own private expedition machine.
📅
12 Days Together
Fly into Chandigarh on Friday May 23rd. We
drive together from the next morning. We drop you in Manali on Tuesday June 2nd — Volvo bus back to
Chandigarh, fly home. Total: only 5 casual leaves needed (weekends
cover the rest).
🌿
100% Vegetarian
We've researched every pure veg restaurant from Chandigarh to Leh. You will eat well. Krishna Vaishno Dhaba in Srinagar, Tibetan Kitchen in
Leh, and everything in between. No compromises on food.
💰
Split Costs
Everything split 50-50 between couples. Your share:
~₹60,000 for 12 unforgettable days — flights, fuel, hotels, food, all of it. That's
₹5,000/day/person for Kashmir + Leh Ladakh. No trip on earth gives this ROI.
🗣️
No Hindi? No Problem
We handle all navigation, communication, checkposts. Tourist industry in Kashmir and Leh is extremely English-friendly. Hotel
bookings are all pre-done. You just sit back, look out the window, and be amazed.
🏥
Safety First
We enter Ladakh via Srinagar — gradual altitude
gain over 4 days. No sudden jumps. Medical kit for 4. Diamox prescribed. Shrinandan has mountain
driving experience. We never rush.
⚡ Your 12 Days — Fly into Chandigarh
DAY 1 · MAY 23
✈️ Arrive
Fly BLR→CHD Group dinner Early night
DAY 2 · MAY 24
🌸 Kashmir
CHD → Srinagar 580 km together Dal Lake Shikara
DAY 3 · MAY 25
🕌 Srinagar
Mughal Gardens Hazratbal Shrine Houseboat evening
DAY 4 · MAY 26
⛰️ Zojila
Srinagar → Kargil Sonmarg glacier War Memorial
DAY 5 · MAY 27
🏔️ Leh!
Kargil → Leh Lamayuru Moonland Arrive Leh
DAY 6 · MAY 28
🌿 Acclimatize
Leh Palace Shanti Stupa Hall of Fame
DAY 7 · MAY 29
💙 Pangong
Chang La 5,360m Pangong Tso lake Return Leh
DAY 8 · MAY 30
🐪 Nubra
Khardung La Camel dunes Turtuk village
DAY 9 · MAY 31
🇮🇳 Thang
India's last village 2.5km from Pakistan Hot springs
DAY 10 · JUN 1
🦅 Tsomoriri
High altitude lake Puga hot springs Kiang wildlife
DAY 11 · JUN 2–3
🌌 Hanle
Best stargazing Asia Umling La 5,798m World's highest road
DAY 12 · JUN 4
🏁 Manali
Hanle → Manali Changthang plateau Volvo bus home
What You'll Be Able to Say After This Trip
✅ Drove to 5,798m — Umling La, the world's highest motorable road
on Earth
✅ Stood at Khardung La 5,359m — gateway to the Nubra
Valley
✅ Saw Pangong Tso — the lake that turned blue with your own
eyes
✅ Rode a Bactrian camel in a cold desert surrounded by snow
peaks
✅ Stayed on a Dal Lake houseboat in Kashmir
✅ Saw Lamayuru Moonland — landscape from another planet
✅ Watched Milky Way with naked eye from Nubra Valley
✅ Driven through Zojila Pass in a real 4×4
✅ Experienced zero cell signal and loved it
The Answer Is YES. Pack Light.
One soft bag. 40L max. See you in Chandigarh on Friday May 23rd.
5
Leaves Needed
₹60K
Your Share
6
High Passes
3
Iconic Lakes
∞
Memories
Before You Leave
CHECKLISTS
★ Book These Now — In This Order
1 · NOWHanle guesthouse — 2 rooms, June 1–2. Fewest
options of entire trip. Book first.
2 · NOWLeh hotel — 2 rooms, May 27–30. June is peak
season, fills very fast.
3 · NOWTurtuk homestay — 2 rooms, May 30. Tell them to
arrange Thang permission.
4 · SOONTsomoriri camp / Korzok — 2 rooms, June 1. Very
limited options.
5 · SOONSrinagar stay — 2 rooms, May 24–25. Dal Lake
area. Book early for June rates.
6 · SOONChandigarh serviced apt — fast WiFi, May 17–23.
Confirm upload speed.
7 · SOONManali WFH stay — June 5–12, 8 nights. Confirm
fast WiFi before booking.
Extra tolls only (state roads) ₹8,500 saved via FASTag pass!
🎟️
Sightseeing
₹15,100
Gondola, camel rides, shikara, monasteries, camps
📋
Permits & Fees
₹2,000
Ladakh EDF ×4 persons Various checkpost fees
🔧
Car Service & Prep
₹16,900
Car service, insurance, kit, medicines, snacks (S&S prep)
🆘
Emergency Buffer
₹15,000
Medical, breakdown, unexpected stays
Grand Total
₹2,61,668
Total expenses (S&S + Friends)
S&S Share
₹2,12,084
For 2 people · Full 32 days
Friends' Share
₹49,584
50-50 split for group phase (12 days)
Per Person Per Day Cost
₹3,313
Per person/day
(Shrinandan+Shubha)
₹2,066
Per person/day (Friends,
12 days)
Splitwise
Recommended app for
splitting expenses
Paperwork
PERMITS & PERMISSIONS
✅ JUST PAY ONLINE
Ladakh Environment Fee (EDF)
Indian tourists no longer need a separate Inner Line Permit. Just pay ₹400/person
Environment Fee at lahdclehpermit.in. Valid for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Khardung La. Print and carry
receipt ×4 copies per person.
✅ NOT REQUIRED
Leh City Sightseeing
No permit needed for Leh palace, Shanti Stupa, markets, monasteries in and around Leh
town, or travel on Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways.
⚠️ EDF RECEIPT NEEDED
Nubra Valley + Khardung La
Show EDF payment receipt at checkpost. Carry Aadhar + printed EDF receipt. Apply and
print before leaving Bangalore.
⚠️ EDF RECEIPT NEEDED
Pangong Tso Lake
Show EDF at Chang La checkpost. Military is strict here — have all 4 persons' receipts
and Aadhar cards ready in one folder before approaching checkpost.
⚠️ ARMY ARRANGED
Turtuk → Thang Village
Thang is India's northernmost village, 2.5 km from the Pakistan LOC. No online permit —
your Turtuk homestay owner arranges army permission the evening before. Tell them on check-in. At the Thang
checkpost: surrender original Aadhar card on entry, collect on exit. All 4 persons required to be present.
Indians only.
⚠️ EDF RECEIPT NEEDED
Hanle + Umling La (5,798m)
EDF receipt is sufficient for Hanle and the Umling La road. No additional permit
needed. Show EDF at the Hanle checkpost. Carry all 4 Aadhar cards. The Hanle→Umling La route via Photi La does
not require a special pass beyond EDF for Indian citizens.
⚠️ EDF RECEIPT NEEDED
Tsomoriri (Tso Moriri)
Show EDF at Upshi checkpost before turning south toward Tsomoriri. Same EDF receipt
covers this. Have all 4 receipts and Aadhar in one folder. Checkpost is at Upshi junction — keep documents
accessible before you reach it.
✅ NOT REQUIRED
Jammu & Kashmir Travel
No permits needed for Indian citizens to travel within J&K (Jammu, Srinagar, Sonmarg,
Kargil). Just carry standard ID proof (Aadhar). Vehicle RC and insurance at checkposts.
💡 RECOMMENDED
Travel Insurance
Not mandatory but strongly recommended for high-altitude mountain travel. Cover all 4
people. Must include emergency helicopter evacuation coverage for Ladakh region. ₹500–800/person.
Expert Guidance
IMPORTANT TIPS
⛰️ Altitude Sickness (AMS)
Take Diamox from Day 13 as prescribed by doctor
Drink 3–4 litres water/day at altitude (not less)
Absolutely no alcohol above 3,000m
Light meals only — heavy food worsens symptoms
Rest 24 hrs on first arrival in Leh. No exertion.
Carry pulse oximeter — SpO2 below 80% = descend
Severe headache + vomiting + loss of balance = DESCEND NOW