5-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Manali, Leh, and Ladakh

1. Day 1: Arrival in Manali
   Estimated travel time from your location: 5-6 hours
   Today, take some time to relax and acclimate to the altitude. Visit the Hidimba Devi Temple, an ancient cave temple surrounded by beautiful cedar forests. Take a stroll in Mall Road, a lively area filled with shops, restaurants, and street performers. End the day with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
2. Day 2: Manali to Leh
   Estimated travel time: 10-12 hours
   Start the day early for the scenic drive to Leh. Along the way, stop at Gulaba for stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. On arrival in Leh, visit the Shanti Stupa, a peaceful Buddhist white-domed stupa with panoramic views of the Leh valley. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight in Leh.
3. Day 3: Leh Monasteries
   Estimated travel time: 3-4 hours
   Today, explore the beautiful monasteries of Leh. Start with a visit to the Thiksey Monastery, an imposing twelve-story complex with beautiful views of the Indus Valley. Next, head to the Hemis Monastery, the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. In the afternoon, visit the Leh Palace, a former royal palace that offers panoramic views of Leh and the surrounding mountains.
4. Day 4: Pangong Lake Excursion
   Estimated travel time: 5-6 hours
   Today take a scenic drive to Pangong Lake, one of the most beautiful high-altitude lakes in the world. The lake is approximately 134 km long and extends from India to Tibet, with about 60% of the lake in Tibet. Along the way, stop to see the beautiful and iconic 3 Idiots Point. Enjoy some time by the lake and then head back to Leh for dinner and a good night's rest.
5. Day 5: Departure from Leh
   Estimated travel time to the airport: 20-30 minutes
   Today, say goodbye to the beautiful Leh and head back home with some unforgettable memories.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Hidimba Devi Temple (1 hour, free)
• Mall Road (2-3 hours, varies)
• Gulaba (30 minutes, free)
• Shanti Stupa (1-2 hours, free)
• Thiksey Monastery (2-3 hours, free)
• Hemis Monastery (1-2 hours, free)
• Leh Palace (1-2 hours, 100 INR)
• Pangong Lake (5-6 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: 100 INR

Useful Tips

If you have additional time:

• Visit the famous Khardung-La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world.
• Go for a Camel Safari in the stunning Nubra Valley.

If you have less time:

• Combine days 2 and 3 into one day to save time.
• Visit only the Hemis and Thiksay monasteries instead of all three on day 3.