Best Himalayan road trips

Chitkul & Sangla, Gurez Valley and Gurudongmar Lake lead a list of 20. Journeys where the drive is the point. Check each page for the months the road is open.

Ranked from our own destination data on season, difficulty, altitude, cost and who each place suits. Not paid for, and not the same as “most popular”.

1. 1Himachal · KinnaurChitkul & Sangla3,450 m at the highest point, 5–6 days.The last village on the Indo-Tibet road, along the Baspa river in Kinnaur.Best months: May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: The Kinnaur highway has rockfall stretches; monsoon is risky.
2. 2Kashmir · BandiporaGurez Valley3,300 m at the highest point, 4–5 days.A remote Kishanganga valley of log houses beneath the pyramid of Habba Khatoon peak.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Close to the LoC with checkpoint formalities; Razdan Pass closes in winter.
3. 3Sikkim · Lachen, North SikkimGurudongmar Lake5,430 m at the highest point, 5–6 days.One of the highest lakes in the world, sacred to Buddhists and Sikhs, on the Tibetan plateau edge.Best months: Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Very high, very early start, and closed to foreign nationals.
4. 4Nepal · Ilam, KoshiIlam2,400 m at the highest point, 3–4 days.Nepal's tea capital — emerald garden slopes, Antu Danda sunrises and Sandakphu views into India.Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Feb, Mar, Apr · Why not: Long journey from Kathmandu and very little tourism infrastructure.
5. 5Himachal · KinnaurKalpa3,400 m at the highest point, 3–4 days.An old Kinnauri village of slate-roofed houses facing the Kinner Kailash range across the Sutlej.Best months: May, Jun, Sep, Oct · Why not: A small village; two nights is enough unless you're using it as a base.
6. 6Himachal · Spiti, Lahaul & SpitiKaza4,600 m at the highest point, 4–5 days.The sub-divisional capital of Spiti — base for Key Monastery, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komik.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: At 3,800 m, altitude hits immediately if you fly in or drive up fast.
7. 7Sikkim · North SikkimLachung & Yumthang Valley4,700 m at the highest point, 5–6 days.A wooden village under sheer cliffs and a valley of rhododendrons and hot springs, with Zero Point beyond.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Long, rough drives from Gangtok, and roads close after landslides.
8. 8Arunachal · Shi YomiMechuka2,100 m at the highest point, 6–7 days.A remote valley near the China border with an old Buddhist monastery and the Siyom river.Best months: Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr · Why not: A very long road from Dibrugarh or Along, basic stays and frequent landslides.
9. 9Himachal · KinnaurNako3,800 m at the highest point, 1–2 days.A high village around a turquoise lake on the old trade route to Tibet, with a 1,000-year-old monastery.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Very small and cold; facilities are basic.
10. 10Ladakh · Nubra, LehNubra Valley & Turtuk5,359 m at the highest point, 5–6 days.Over Khardung La to sand dunes, Diskit monastery and the Balti village of Turtuk.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Khardung La is very high and often snowbound early and late in the season; check road status daily.
11. 11Ladakh · Changthang, LehPangong Tso5,360 m at the highest point, 4–5 days.A 130 km long high-altitude lake that changes colour through the day, reached over Chang La.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Nights at 4,250 m are cold and hard on sleep. It is busy with day-trippers in peak season.
12. 12Kashmir · Shopian / Poonch (Mughal Road)Peer Ki Gali3,490 m at the highest point, 2–3 days.A 3,490 m pass on the Mughal Road between Shopian and Poonch, with meadows and a Sufi shrine.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct · Why not: The road is closed by snow for much of the year and facilities en route are minimal.
13. 13Himachal · Lahaul & SpitiSissu & Lahaul3,200 m at the highest point, 2–3 days.The first Lahaul village past the Atal Tunnel — waterfalls, the Chandrabhaga river and bare high mountains.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Very limited stays and food options; it's a day-trip or one-night stop.
14. 14Himachal · Kaza, Lahaul & SpitiSpiti Valley circuit4,590 m at the highest point, 8–10 days.A high cold-desert loop through Kinnaur and Spiti — monasteries, fossil villages and Chandratal lake.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Long, rough drives at 3,500–4,500 m. Not a relaxing holiday, and altitude sickness is common.
15. 15Arunachal · TawangTawang & Sela Pass4,170 m at the highest point, 6–7 days.India's largest monastery in a high valley near Bhutan and Tibet, reached over the snowy Sela Pass.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Two long days by road each way from Guwahati, and Sela can close in heavy snow.
16. 16Ladakh · Rupshu, LehTso Moriri4,600 m at the highest point, 5–6 days.A remote, quiet high lake at Korzok, with nomad camps and black-necked cranes.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Long, rough drive and very basic stays at over 4,500 m.
17. 17Kashmir · BandiporaTulail Valley2,800 m at the highest point, 4–5 days.The upper Kishanganga valley beyond Gurez — wooden villages, shepherd camps and almost no visitors.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Very remote, near the LoC, with Razdan Pass closed for roughly half the year.
18. 18Nepal · MustangUpper Mustang4,200 m at the highest point, 10–12 days.The former Kingdom of Lo — cave cities, red cliffs and the walled capital of Lo Manthang.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov · Why not: Expensive restricted-area permit (around USD 500 for 10 days) and long, rough jeep days.
19. 19Ladakh · Padum, KargilZanskar Valley4,400 m at the highest point, 8–10 days.A remote valley of gompas, glaciers and river gorges, reached over Pensi La.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Very long road days, basic stays, and a short season.
20. 20Sikkim · Pakyong, East SikkimZuluk & the Silk Route3,960 m at the highest point, 4–5 days.The zigzag Old Silk Route road through Zuluk, Thambi viewpoint and Kupup lake.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec · Why not: Very basic homestays, permit-only, and snow can block the road in winter.