Lately I have been getting a lot of queries from people, wondering whether or not cars and motorcycles from outside Leh-Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to travel to Ladakh and visit places like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Hanle etc..
If you were wondering about this restriction, then the answer is no. There is absolutely no restriction on private vehicles traveling to Ladakh and exploring various parts of it, irrespective of what a handful of travel agents or hotels might tell you, in hopes of profiting from you hiring a taxi from them or their affiliated taxi operator!
Taxis from outside Leh aren’t allowed to go on the tourist circuit i.e. Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso etc., however this restriction does not applies to personal vehicles or even self-drive rental cars and motorcycles hired from outside Ladakh. In fact, each year several thousand road trip enthusiasts visit Ladakh in their own or rented vehicles and fulfill their dream of riding/driving to this heavenly abode.
There are rules and regulations that we travelers have to adhere to and we do need to obtain permission for visiting or crossing certain areas eg. in order to visit Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso etc. you need Inner Line Permit from the DC Office in Leh, while for crossing Rohtang Jot from Manali side, you will require a permit from the SDM Office or Green Tax Barrier in Manali.
So if you too were worried about the misinformation spread by a few, then worry no more and start planning for your trip to Leh-Ladakh :).
21 Comments
Yogesh,
Is there any restriction regarding entry of commercial / tourist cars from outside state (say, Chandigarh) to cross Rohtang and Kunjum Pass?
Another thing, do you have any info on the present road condition in Manali- Rohtang-Kaza-Tabo-Sangla-Simla route? I propose to do the same on the end-September to early-October period.
Thanks,
Indranil.
As long as you are traveling to Spiti, there is no restriction.
Manali – Kaza route is open and in the same condition as earlier years, bad. While the Kaza – Shimla route has reopened after being shut for several days and is in bad condition with only light vehicles making across.
In end of September, chances of Kunzum La receiving snowfall would increase, hence it would be best to check the weather, before proceeding from Manali.
I forgot to mention that you will need permit to cross Rohtang Jot, which are being issued at the Toll Tax Barrier these days, http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/visa-travel-documents-f78/get-permits-leh-manali-within-5-minutes-easy-t54121/
Heard from ladakh yesterday… they wont be allowing bikes for travel inside leh and neighboring areas.. One will have to rent a bike… don’t know how true would it be but sounds like if this happens it will screw everything up in ladakh.. for bikers…
Shivam, that rumor has been floating around for a while now. However, even if it happens, it will only be applicable for motorcycles rented from elsewhere.
You are most welcomed to go through this thread on BCMTouring; last few posts are the latest rumor http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/india-travel-news-f65/leh-going-ban-bikes-t45147-8/
Hi,
I am planning a trip to Leh in Sep’14 and planning to hire a self driven car from Delhi. However learned that Commercial Self Driven Cars outside of state are allowed in Leh. Is this really true? Since the whole plan of travelling will collapse of this seems to be true? Please guide…
Akash, that is only applicable for taxis. As long as you are hiring a self-drive vehicle with black number plate and yellow letters (as required by law for self-drive rentals), there should be no problem. Though you might have to explain this fact, if you are stopped en route by taxi union members.
Hi Yogesh, Recently i had taken self driven car in delhi and the number plate was not black number plate and yellow letters as the car rental company mentioned that the law needs them to have yellow number plate. However the registration numbers for self driven cars were different. Do you see this becoming an issue while travelling to Ladakh?
Akash, as far as I know, rent a cab i.e. a vehicle which isn’t a normal taxi and thus can be given for self drive, needs to have a black number plate with yellow numbers. Otherwise it would be consider as commercial vehicle and in order to drive a commercial vehicle, you need a commercial vehicle driving license.
So forget about Ladakh, if this is the case, then technically you will be in trouble in every Indian state.
Having said that, I could be wrong about this. And you might want to first check with the firm you are planning to rent from and also companies like Hertz and Avis to get a feel of things, before deciding what to do.
Thanks Yogesh… This brings smiley to my face… What would be the right place where i can get some advice on planned itinerary for Leh Ladakh in Aug/Sep? Shall i post here or somewhere else?
Akash, you are most welcomed to post your query here or you can post a thread in Ladakh and Zanskar section of BCMTouring.
Hi Yogesh, Thanks for your valuable inputs. I did further investigation and learned that In Delhi for Self drive cars RTO is issuing a specific number starting as DL 1N, however for Commercial Taxis as DL 1T or DL 1Y. Though the numbers plates are yellow with black letters. Do you see this will help?
If that is the case, then you shouldn’t face any problem. And if you are stopped anywhere, you can show the appropriate papers for the vehicle and explain the situation. The key is to remain calm and dress better than most taxi drivers :D.
Hi Yogesh,
THis is Abhay from mumbai.. We people are planning to visit ladakh in first n second week of july-2014.
Can u help us to get self drive car from chandigarh???
We are coming to chandigarh by train and then want car for 4 people.
Our itinerary will be chandigarh-srinagar-kargil-leh-sarchu-manali-shimla-chandigarh for around 12 days.
Hey Yogesh,
Thanks for clearing so many doubts… We were planning to go to ladakh this season on motorcycles and were looking to hire a backup vehicle. We will be starting from Amritsar and ending at Manali. Will a pickup vehicle (eg. tata 207) with yellow number plate be allowed? Our mechanic will be driving the vehicle and it wont have any passengers. It will be used for luggage and for putting our bikes in case of breakdowns.
If not, then can you suggest an alternative?
Thanks so much…
Sorry Swaroop, no idea about pickups. You can try and check the same with Leh Tourism Department.
1. Assistant Director Tourism,
Tourist Reception Centre, Leh (Ladakh) – 194101
Tel:01982-252094; Tel/Fax:252297
2. Chief Executive Officer, Leh,
Tourism Development Authority, Leh,
Tourist Reception Centre, Leh – 194101
Tel:01982-250866
Hi, yogesh,
Two questions on self drive. Can you suggest where to hire self drive vehicles? Delhi/ srinagar or manali. what would would you suggest.
The only doubt is that hiring from Delhi eats up 4 days into the trip. So would anywhere closer like manali or srinagar be more feasible?
No self drive vehicles are available in Srinagar, only motorcycles are available in Manali and thus Delhi is the only option, if you want a self drive car.
Hi Yogesh,
I am planning a trip to leh,will be travelling from manali. I have a few questions
1) Will be allowed to drive my personal car over there as of today.
2) I am also travelling to Nubra valley & Pangong lake will I be allowed to take my personal car there, if yes do I require any permits.Please let me know.
Thanks
Praatiek Dodeja
1. Yes.
2. Yes, Indian Citizens do no need permit, just a simple declaration form.
i want to come to ladakh by my own car in july last week please guide me??