Ladakh by Bus

There would be few of us who would not like to visit Leh or Ladakh and fewer those who have visited and would not be elated to visit again at the slightest opportunity. We all know how exciting solo trips are whether done on a bike or a car. While travelling by air is not always viable and there is no easily accessible railhead, the nearest being about 700 km from Leh in Jammu, travelling through this astonishing and wonderfully exotic destination by road is an experience in itself. Check out the following information on Ladakh by Bus and timings to plan your trip to this wonderful destination accordingly.

Bus Service from Delhi to Leh

A bus service for Ladakh runs from Delhi via Manali. It halts far the night at Keylong, before continuing the journey onwards to Leh in the morning. The bus starts at 3.45 PM from New Delhi’s ISBT Station. It makes a stopover at Chandigarh at 9.30 PM, Kullu at 6.30 AM next day in the morning. After reaching Manali at 10 AM, there is a short break.

The journey is resumed forward to Keylong, which is reached at 3.30 PM. The rest of the day and night is spent at Keylong. Next day the bus departs early morning at 5 towards Leh and reaches the same at 7 in the evening. The bus is operated by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. However unfortunately there is no provision for the online booking system and the traveler has to call the HPTDC office for the enquiry of the latest and exact schedule.

Departure Time: Delhi – ISBT (3.45 PM) – Chandigarh (9.30 PM) – Kullu (6.30 AM) – Manali (10.00 AM) – Keylong (5.00 AM) – Leh (7.00 PM)

Approx Fare : 1339 INR

Bus Service from Manali to Leh

The Bus service from Manali to Leh is operated by the Himachal government and takes about two days to cover the distance. The bus mentioned below is a semi deluxe, non AC bus, which makes a stopover at various places for sightseeing. The bus also halts at Keylong for night where the accommodation, dinner and breakfast is included in the ticket itself. The bus departs for Leh at 6 AM early the next morning.

There is another bus however, again operated by the Himachal Tourism only, which does not make any stopover, except for food and washroom. The Fare of this bus is quite low, in the range of 400-500 INR.

Departure Time: Manali (9.00 AM)

Approx Fare :2500 INR

Bus Service from Srinagar to Leh

The journey from Srinagar to Leh takes about 2 days with a night stopover at Kargil. The government run Bus, charging about 1058 INR for deluxe and 670 INR for semi-deluxe per passenger, leaves at 8 AM in the morning. There is usually only one bus, but depending upon the number of passengers, there might be second bus as well, later in the day. There are private operators as well with a fare of 1,000 INR or more. Unfortunately, there is no system of online booking and exact schedule can be known by calling the concerned booking office.

Departure Time: 8 AM

Approx Fare: 1058 INR (deluxe) and 670 INR (Semi Deluxe)

Bus Service from Leh to Pangong

The bus service from Leh to Pangong runs every Saturday and Sunday and leaves Leh at 6.30 AM in the morning. On the other hand, there is another bus that reaches up to Tangtse and runs every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. This bus, however, does not go all the way to Pangong.

Departure Time: 6.30 AM

Approx Fare: 250 INR

Bus Service from Leh to Tso Moriri

The bus service runs only 3 times a month, i.e. on 10^th, 20^th and 30^th of every month. It starts from Leh at 6.30 AM and charges a fare of about 370 INR. The bus subsequently make a return journey the next day, that is, on 11^th, 21^st and 31^st or (1^st of the next month).

Departure Time: 6.30 AM

Approx Fare: 370 INR

Bus Service from Leh to Nubra Valley

The bus from Leh to Nubra Valley leaves at 8 AM on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and makes a return journey the very next day. Charging about 350 INR, the bus finally halts at Diskit and begins a return course from the same location at 7 AM next day. Similarly, there is another bus to Sumur that runs every Thursday and Saturday that leaves Leh at 6 AM from the main stand and returns to the same place, the very next day.

Departure Time: 8 AM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Approx Fare: 350 INR

Bus Service from Leh to Hanle

The bus runs every Saturday and starts from Leh at 6.30 AM. The bus fare is approximately 492 INR.

Departure Time: 6.30 AM

Approx Fare: 492 INR

Bus Service from Leh to Stok

The Bus service from Leh to Stok runs twice every day, i.e. in the morning and evening at 8 AM and 5 PM respectively. The fare is meagre 25 INR.

Departure Time: 8 AM and 5 PM

Approx Fare: 25 INR