Road Trip Itinerary: Pune → Leh Ladakh → Pune (7‑22 February 2025)

Day 1: Pune → Nashik

Morning: Depart Pune early, cruising through the Western Ghats to reach Nashik (≈200 km, 4 h). Enjoy a quick coffee break at a roadside dhaba.

Afternoon: Explore the historic Trimbakeshwar Temple and sip fresh grape juice at the famous Sula Vineyards tasting room.

Evening: Stroll along the banks of the Godavari River and dine on local Maharashtrian cuisine before heading to the hotel.

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Day 2: Nashik → Indore

Morning: Set off on the long stretch to Indore (≈560 km, 10 h). Stop at Barwaha for a short stretch and breakfast.

Afternoon: Arrive in Indore, visit the bustling Chowpatty Market for street food specialties like poha and jalebi.

Evening: Relax at the scenic Rani Lakshmi Bai Garden and enjoy a sunset view over the city.

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Day 3: Indore → Gwalior

Morning: Drive to Gwalior (≈380 km, 7 h), passing through the historic town of Ujjain for a quick temple visit.

Afternoon: Tour the magnificent Gwalior Fort and its palaces, including the Gujari Mahal Museum.

Evening: Watch the sunset from the **Hathi Pol** gate and savor Rajasthani thali at a local dhaba.

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Day 4: Gwalior → Agra

Morning: Short drive to Agra (≈120 km, 2 h). Check‑in and freshen up.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic Taj Mahal and the sprawling Agra Fort, capturing timeless photographs.

Evening: Enjoy a Mughlai dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Yamuna River.

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Day 5: Agra → Delhi

Morning: Depart for Delhi (≈230 km, 4 h). Stop at the historic town of Mathura to see the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple.

Afternoon: Explore India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the bustling lanes of Connaught Place.

Evening: Dine at a popular street‑food market in Karol Bagh and rest for the next day's long drive.

**Day 6: Delhi → Chandigarh**

Morning: Head north to Chandigarh (≈260 km, 5 h) crossing the scenic Punjab plains.

Afternoon: Walk through Rock Garden and relax at the serene Sukhna Lake.

Evening: Sample Punjabi cuisine at a dhaba on the Chandigarh‑Manali highway.

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Day 7: Chandigarh → Manali

Morning: Drive to Manali (≈310 km, 7 h) via the picturesque hill town of Mandi.

Afternoon: Arrive, check into a hotel, and explore the bustling Old Manali market.

Evening: Watch the sunset over the Beas River from the Van Vihar park and enjoy a Himachali dinner.

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Day 8: Manali → Keylong (Spiti Valley)

Morning: Depart early, cross the high Rohtang Pass (3,978 m) and continue to Keylong (≈210 km, 6 h).

Afternoon: Visit the ancient Keylong Monastery and enjoy panoramic views of the Zanskar Range.

Evening: Relax in a homestay, tasting local Ladakhi‑Spiti dishes like thukpa.

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Day 9: Keylong → Sarchu → Leh

Morning: Drive to the high‑altitude campsite of Sarchu (≈150 km, 4 h). Take in the stark beauty of the desert‑like terrain.

Afternoon: Continue the ascent via the spectacular Baralacha La (4,890 m) and reach Leh by evening (≈250 km, 6 h).

Evening: Settle into a guesthouse, stroll through the bustling Leh Bazaar, and try local yak butter tea.

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Day 10: Leh – Pangong Lake

Morning: Depart for the famed Pangong Lake (≈160 km, 5 h) crossing the dramatic Chang La pass.

Afternoon: Explore the turquoise waters, walk along the shoreline, and capture the mirror‑like reflections of the mountains.

Evening: Camp by the lake, enjoy a bonfire, and stargaze in the crystal‑clear night sky.

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Day 11: Leh – Nubra Valley (Hunder)

Morning: Drive over the world‑renowned Khardung La (5,359 m) to reach Nubra Valley (≈120 km, 4 h).

Afternoon: Visit the sand dunes of Hunder and enjoy a camel safari on the Bactrian camels.

Evening: Stay in a boutique camp, savor Ladakhi cuisine, and watch the sunset over the stark desert landscape.

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Day 12: Nubra Valley → Leh

Morning: Explore the ancient Diskit Monastery and its giant Maitreya Buddha statue.

Afternoon: Return to Leh via the same high passes, stopping at scenic viewpoints.

Evening: Enjoy a leisurely walk around Shanti Stupa for panoramic city views.

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Day 13: Leh → Kargil

Morning: Begin the south‑bound journey to Kargil (≈200 km, 5 h) crossing the stunning Wakha Pangong route.

Afternoon: Explore the historic Kargil War Memorial and the market area.

Evening: Overnight at a comfortable lodge, tasting local apricot dishes.

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Day 14: Kargil → Srinagar

Morning: Drive to the scenic valley city of Srinagar (≈210 km, 5 h) via the beautiful Jhelum River banks.

Afternoon: Take a shikara ride on the iconic Dal Lake and visit the historic Shankaracharya Temple.

Evening: Stroll through the bustling Old City lanes and enjoy a Kashmiri Wazwan dinner.

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Day 15: Srinagar → Chandigarh

Morning: Begin the long drive back to the plains, stopping at Jammu to see the majestic Golden Temple (Durgiana) (≈260 km, 5 h).

Afternoon: Continue to Chandigarh (≈280 km, 5 h), arriving by evening.

Evening: Relax at the Rock Garden once more and reflect on the journey.

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Day 16: Chandigarh → Pune

Morning: Depart for Pune (≈1,150 km, 18 h) with a scheduled stop at Haryana’s Gurugram for a quick meal.

Afternoon: Break the drive at Indore for lunch and stretch.

Evening: Arrive back in Pune, unload the car, and celebrate the successful adventure.

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Time and Cost Estimates

• Pune → Nashik – 4 h drive, fuel ₹1,200
• Nashik (Sula Vineyards) – 2 h visit, entry ₹800
• Pune → Indore – 10 h drive, fuel ₹3,500
• Indore (Chowpatty Market) – 2 h, food ₹500
• Indore → Gwalior – 7 h drive, fuel ₹2,200
• Gwalior Fort – 3 h, entry ₹300
• Gwalior → Agra – 2 h drive, fuel ₹600
• Taj Mahal – 3 h, entry ₹1,300
• Agra → Delhi – 4 h drive, fuel ₹1,200
• Delhi (sightseeing) – 4 h, miscellaneous ₹1,000
• Delhi → Chandigarh – 5 h drive, fuel ₹1,500
• Chandigarh (Rock Garden) – 2 h, entry ₹200
• Chandigarh → Manali – 7 h drive, fuel ₹2,000
• Manali (local) – 3 h, food ₹700
• Manali → Keylong – 6 h drive, fuel ₹1,800
• Keylong Monastery – 2 h, entry ₹100
• Keylong → Sarchu → Leh – 10 h drive, fuel ₹2,500
• Leh (arrival) – 2 h, accommodation ₹2,200
• Pangong Lake – 5 h round‑trip, entry ₹500
• Nubra Valley (Hunder) – 6 h, camel‑safari ₹1,200
• Leh → Kargil – 5 h drive, fuel ₹1,400
• Kargil War Memorial – 1 h, entry ₹50
• Kargil → Srinagar – 5 h drive, fuel ₹1,400
• Dal Lake Shikara – 2 h, ride ₹1,000
• Srinagar → Chandigarh – 10 h drive, fuel ₹2,800
• Chandigarh → Pune – 18 h drive (split over two days), fuel ₹5,200
• Accommodation (15 nights) – average ₹2,000/night = ₹30,000
• Food & Miscellaneous – ₹800/day × 16 = ₹12,800
• **Total Estimated Cost** – ₹95,350

Tips

If you wish to extend the adventure, add a day in Spiti Valley (Kaza, Langza) for extra trekking and cultural immersion, or spend an extra night at Pangong Lake for sunrise photography. To shorten the trip, you can skip the return leg via Srinagar and fly back from Leh, or condense the Pune‑Nashik‑Indore segment into a single long‑day drive, reducing the itinerary by two days while still covering the main highlights.