Delhi to Leh Ladakh is one of the great journeys in Asia. You can fly in 75 minutes or drive via Srinagar in two unforgettable days. We have done both, hundreds of times, for guests coming from Delhi. This guide explains the real options, the real costs, and the things no travel portal tells you about altitude, permits, and road conditions on this route.
Two Ways to Reach Leh from Delhi
Option 1: Fly Delhi to Leh (DEL–IXL)
Direct flight, 1 hour 15 minutes. IndiGo and Air India fly DEL–IXL daily. Fares range from ₹4,500 to ₹12,000 one way depending on season and advance booking. Flying in is fast but carries the highest altitude sickness risk — you go from 216m (Delhi) to 3,524m (Leh) in 75 minutes with no acclimatisation. Plan a mandatory rest day on arrival (Day 1 in Leh = no sightseeing, just rest, hydration, light meals). Diamox 250mg started 48 hours before arrival reduces headache risk significantly — consult your doctor.
Option 2: Delhi → Srinagar by Air, then Srinagar → Leh by Road
This is our strongly recommended route. Fly Delhi to Srinagar (1hr 40min, ₹3,200–7,500), spend 2 nights in Srinagar at 1,585m acclimatising gently, then drive the 434km Srinagar–Leh highway over 2 days (Srinagar → Kargil Day 1, Kargil → Leh Day 2). This road is open only from May to October — typically mid-May to mid-October depending on snowfall. The highway passes through Zoji La (3,528m), Drass (the second-coldest inhabited place on earth), Mulbekh with its rock-carved Buddhist statue, Lamayuru, and the Indus River valley. By the time you reach Leh you are acclimatised and have seen landscapes that stay with you forever.
Our Recommended 7-Day Itinerary: Delhi → Srinagar → Leh → Delhi
Day 1 — Delhi to Srinagar · Dal Lake
Morning flight from Delhi. Arrive Srinagar, check into houseboat on Dal Lake. Afternoon Shikara ride. Acclimatisation begins (Srinagar is 1,585m — you will feel no altitude effect here).
Day 2 — Srinagar: Mughal Gardens & Old City
Full day Srinagar. Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Jama Masjid, Old City walk. Second night on Dal Lake. Body is adjusting to altitude gradually.
Day 3 — Srinagar → Kargil (204 km, 6 hrs)
The Srinagar–Kargil leg is the more dramatic half of the highway. Through Zoji La (pass opens after snowmelt, usually mid-May), down into the Drass Valley — 3,280m, sub-zero in winter, a war memorial here marks the 1999 Kargil conflict. Mulbekh has a 9th-century Maitreya Buddha carved into a rock face. Kargil itself is a frontier town at 2,676m — overnight here in a local guesthouse.
Day 4 — Kargil → Leh (230 km, 5 hrs)
The Kargil–Leh leg passes through Lamayuru monastery (11th century, perched on a lunar landscape — stop for 30 minutes), Alchi (the oldest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, accessible down a side road), Magnetic Hill (the optical illusion that appears to pull vehicles uphill), and the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers at Sangam. Arrive Leh by afternoon. Rest immediately — altitude sickness most commonly strikes on the evening of arrival.
Day 5 — Leh Acclimatisation & Local Sightseeing
Leh Palace (17th century, modelled on the Potala in Lhasa), Shanti Stupa, and the main bazaar on foot. No long drives today. Altitude is 3,524m — let your body adjust.
Day 6 — Nubra Valley via Khardung La (5,359m)
Khardung La was historically marketed as the world’s highest motorable road — it has since been surpassed, but the pass at 5,359m is still breathtaking. Inner Line Permit required (₹400/person, we arrange in advance). Nubra Valley is a high-altitude desert with sand dunes, double-humped Bactrian camels, and the Shyok River. Overnight in Hunder or Diskit.
Day 7 — Return Leh · Fly to Delhi
Drive back to Leh from Nubra (2.5 hours). Morning at Leh market. Afternoon flight from Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) back to Delhi. Land in Delhi by evening.
7-Day Delhi to Leh Ladakh Package Cost 2026
| Component | Cost Per Person (2 pax) |
|---|---|
| Flights (DEL–SXR + IXL–DEL) | ₹8,000–14,000 |
| Accommodation (7 nights mixed) | ₹12,000–25,000 |
| Private SUV cab (Srinagar to Leh, Nubra) | ₹22,000–32,000 total |
| Inner Line Permits (Nubra + Pangong) | ₹400/person |
| Meals (7 days) | ₹6,000–10,000 |
| Total per person | ₹35,000–60,000 |
Altitude Sickness: The Real Talk
Altitude sickness (AMS — Acute Mountain Sickness) is real and it does not discriminate by fitness level. Young, fit people can be floored by it; elderly travellers sometimes have no symptoms at all. The single best prevention is the acclimatisation we build into this itinerary — two nights in Srinagar (1,585m) before the road to Leh means your body arrives at 3,524m in far better shape than if you flew directly. Drink 3+ litres of water daily from Day 1. Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours in Leh. If headache or nausea persist beyond 24 hours in Leh, descend — not a failure, just physiology.
We operate this route with Innova Crysta and Scorpio-N vehicles, experienced drivers who know every altitude checkpoint, and complete permit handling. WhatsApp us your travel dates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Srinagar–Leh highway open in 2026?
Typically mid-May, after BRO (Border Roads Organisation) clears snowfall from Zoji La pass. In years with heavy snowfall it can be late May. We monitor the road daily from April and update our guests. The highway closes again around mid-October to mid-November with the first heavy snowfall.
Do I need an Inner Line Permit from Delhi?
You arrange the ILP in Leh itself — it cannot currently be obtained in Delhi or Srinagar for most restricted areas. We handle all permit paperwork on the ground as part of our package. Cost is ₹400/person for each restricted zone (Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri).
Is a 4WD vehicle necessary for Ladakh?
For the main Leh–Nubra–Pangong circuit on the summer highway, a well-maintained 2WD (Innova Crysta) handles it fine. For Tso Moriri, the Hanle route, or any travel in October when early snowfall can appear on passes, we upgrade to Scorpio-N 4×4 or Fortuner 4×4 as standard.