Leh Transportation

My guide on the Markha Valley trek told me it is possible to visit Takthog, Chemrey, Stakna, Thiksey and Shey on a daytrip from Leh using public transportation, if you start early. I didn’t want to be in a hurry in the morning and decided to visit only Stakna, Thiksey and Shey, which have more frequent buses. The Leh - Thiksey bus pass by Shey, then Thiksey and then has its end stop near Stakna Gompa. The bus leaves every half an hour from the main bus station in Leh.

This is how much I paid in July 2010 and how long the bus ride was:
Leh - Stakna Rs 20, 40 min
Stakna - Thiksey Rs 5, 10 min
Thiksey - Shey Rs 5, 5 min
Shey - Leh Rs 10, 25 min

All travel agencies in Leh have a booklet with the fixed price for taking a taxi to different destinations. A booklet with the new fare is published every year.

Before leaving Ladakh I wanted to visit Lamayuru, Alchi and Likir. It can’t be done using public transportation in one day so I chose to take a car with driver. The fixed price to visit those three places was Rs 3750 (July 2010). I asked around at some travel agents and at Oriental Guesthouse to find some people to share the price with, but no one signed up. So in the end I went alone.

First we drove to Lamayuru which is furthest away. It took almost three hours to go there and for long we drove along Indus River. When we had crossed the river and the road was ascending there was a new road and the old road to take. The old road takes one hour and the new road is supposed to take half an hour. The new road was still under construction, but we took it, as did many others. Along the way we passed a small minivan stuck in the gravel. We stopped to help them push their car and they could continue. Well, it seemed the road was not good enough for all cars jet.

After Lamayuru we went to Alchi and then to Likir. When we came back to Leh the daytrip had taken 10 hours.

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People say road journey to Leh is worth it but I would say plane journey is also worth every cent. The kind of view one gets from the plane is an experience to shoot and treasure.
As far as local transportation is concerned, Qualis, Innova are available for tours to Khardong pass, Pangong lake and all the monastries and palaces.
Only, be prepared for higher amount.
Journey to Khardong La : Almost Rs 1500 to and fro
Pangong: Rs 6500
Stok Palace: 600

Vehicles are available from the hotels only. They arrange evrything for you.
So no tensions at all.

one can get to leh by bus from cities like DELHI( app length 1000km+), CHANDIGARH(app lenght 800km), AND MANALI(474 km).
services are provided by state road trans port of himachal, jammu& kashmir and delhi.)

the buses are economical as compare to flight but it take three long days to reach leh from delhi.... no matter it offers you the unbeliveable view well traviling.... passing through passes/ top like ROTANG LA, BARALACHA LA, AND TAGLANG LA.......

TAXI: Taxis or Hired vehicles from out side is not allowed to play in Ladakh area by the taxi union. The reason being the dream-like short tourist season of Ladakh when the local taxis earn for rest of the year.
However, if the vehicle is private and personal you can do the sighteeings.
Taxis in Leh do not has a meter and do not run on Kilometer basis but point to point charges. The taxi rates are fixed and authorised by the local administration.
99% of the taxis are driven and maintained by the owner themself thus they are very well maintained. The drivers speaks Hindi and most of them may understand English but can to reply well.

BUSES: There are local buses running frequently to the villages and are very cheap compared to hiring a taxi but you can not stop at points to photograph etc.

Similarly taxi from Leh can not play for sighseeing in Kargil or Zanskar. So you have to change vehicle in this sector and the safari cost will be very hight as you are paying for each taxis return journey too.

MOTOR BIKE: Some agencies in Leh give motorbike mostly Enfield Bike on hire on per day basis.

If you require an experienced and well-behaved driver and a vehicle, try out Shri. Sabir (+91-9419326234). We booked him for 6 days and he took us everywhere we wanted to go at any time in his Innova. The owner of the vehicle is one Shri. Nangyal (+91-9419219412).

Leh is about 3 days away from delhi by road, but if you choose to fly, its just an hour away.
The journey over land has a huge charm, yet the views from the airplane, while flying over the Himalayas are absolutely amazing, so make sure you grab that window seat!
Indian airlines and Jet airways both operate daily flights that leave early morning from Delhi. Durning winter, the weather may hold the key as to whether the flight leaves on time or if it leaves at all on the day, so make sure you check before setting off...

The best and cheapest way to go from Leh to Srinagar is by truck ! The all come to Leh full,and go back empty.So they are very happy to take tourist for the back travel. Drives usually speak enough english. Price is more that half the bus,they could prepare you a meal and spleeping on the top of the truck gives you an wonderfull view on the stars and sky (at 3500 m with dry air is unforgettable). And no hotel in Kargil !
We did not try from Srinagar to Leh (we used the bus) but it must also be possible.