Delhi → Leh · 2026
Shinkula Ledger
The real one-way bill on the new road: Manali, Keylong, Shinkula, Padum, Nimmu, Leh. Not the old highway over Baralacha. Spoken in two minutes fifty.
- Delhi→
- Manali→
- Keylong→
- Shinkula→
- Padum→
- Nimmu→
- Leh
The bill
₹15,700
Per person, one way, five nights, into a Leh guest house.
This is the film. Innova at ₹18,000 to Padum and ₹16,000 on to Leh, split four ways.
| Delhi → ManaliVolvo from Kashmere Gate, overnight. Ordinary HRTC was from ₹910 on 18 Oct 2026. | ₹1,500 |
|---|---|
| Manali roomOne basic night so you do not climb tired. Counted per person. | ₹1,200 |
| Food and chaiManali, plus the first highway meals. | ₹700 |
| Manali → PadumInnova via Atal Tunnel, Keylong, Darcha, Shinkula. Published 2026 range ₹15,000–₹21,000 for the vehicle. | ₹4,500 |
| Padum homestayDinner and breakfast included. Zanskar homestays were quoted ₹1,000–₹1,500. | ₹1,400 |
| Tea on the passBiscuits. Nothing heroic. | ₹250 |
| Padum → LehVia the Nimmu gorge, then into town. Least published fare. Leh-side taxis ask about ₹16,000–₹18,000. | ₹4,000 |
| Leh guest houseFirst night in town. Counted per person. | ₹1,000 |
| Leh dinnerArrival meal. | ₹450 |
| BufferWater, salts, a little slack. Carry ₹8,000–₹10,000 cash. Cards fade after Keylong. | ₹700 |
| Inner line permitIndian traveller, this corridor, 2026. Checkposts still write your name. | ₹0 |
| Total | ₹15,700 |
The road
What the numbers rest on
- Nimmu–Padum–Darcha, 298 km, was dedicated on 15 Oct 2026. Shinkula is 16,558 ft in that official note. The 4.1 km tunnel is still a construction site.
- On 16 Oct 2026 snow closed Darcha–Shinkula. Do not treat mid-October as an open window.
- Manali–Padum Innova: ₹15,000 on one 2026 operator card, ₹19,500 on another. The film closes the vehicle at ₹18,000.
- Padum–Leh via Nimmu is the thin fare. Leh-side drops were being quoted around ₹16,000–₹18,000. The film uses ₹16,000.
- Delhi–Manali Volvo is booked at ₹1,500. Ordinary HRTC that week started near ₹910.
- No inner-line permit for an Indian traveller on this corridor in 2026. Nubra and Pangong are not in this bill. Near the pass, plan on a 4×4. Last reliable fuel is Tandi.