The route planning

After much discussion about which route to take from basically two options
Chandigarh > Srinagar > Leh > Manali > Chandigarh
or
Chandigarh > Manali > Leh > Srinagar > Chandigarh

Both the routes have pro's and cons which we discussed upon.

Srinagar route has better acclimatization but it will also be a sore ride considering 380 km on day one on almost non existent Punjab roads and another 280 on treacherous and congested mountain trails. By the time we reach the upper Himalayas which we are driving to see we will be out of breadth.

The Manali route already known and tried, we miss the city traffic by leaving before the dawn and hit the foothills before the people start pouring on the roads. The drive from there onwards is through some beautiful mountains through the long and dark tunnel before Manali and then to the first view of Rohtang Pass. But this means lesser time for acclimatization and a risk of rain fall or landslide. This route will also take us thorough some treacherous terrain as the BRO opens the pass on 15 May if weather allows and we hit it in the first week of June. Lots of snow will be there to welcome us and make our stay cool and dear.

So despite every odd we have decided to go via the Srinagar > Leh > Manali route.

The following will be a day to day breakup as long as the weather allows us...

Day 1	Travelling Distance	Altitude
Chandigarh - Udhampur	364 Km.	2477 ft.
Udhampur - Srinagar	227 Km.	5200 ft.
Srinagar - Drass	141 Km.	10761 ft.	Alternative would be Kargil (8780 ft.; 201 km)
Drass - Leh	257 Km.	11483 ft.
Leh (Probably Khardungla)	100 Km	17582 ft.
Leh - Khalsar - Leh	220 Km.	10315 ft.
Leh - Pangong Tso	170 Km	13940 ft.
Pangong Tso - Leh	170 Km.	11483 ft.
Leh - Jispa	265 Km.	10500 ft.
Jispa - Manali	145 Km.	6398 ft.
Manali - Chandigarh	284 Km.	1148 ft.
Total	2343 KMs.