Manali to Leh

The Leh-Manali highway will cross some known highest mountain  passes in the world.
1. Rohtang Pass ( or 'La' as in Pass)
2. Baralacha Pass
3. Taglang Pass
Keeping aside minimum 3 days for travel and some three more for getting acclimatized to the 'low-oxygen' levels and cold weather conditions, it would take almost a week to refurbish yourself for the actual tourist-adventure in Leh. Althoug the Border Roads Organization and the Indian Army are always the most challenging and helpful ones while you head towards your journey, it would still be advisable if  you get these things clear before the movement:
a.  A medical aid box consisting of paracetamol and cetrizine, pills to tackle headache and cold problems and other medicines.
b.  Make sure the vehicle-whether its a taxi or  your own private vehicle- is well equipped with technical- repair tools in case of any failure.
c.  Keep sojourning if you feel sick due to high altitude or keeping taking some 15 to 20 minute breaks as you push higher.
d. Plan your trip only in summers and get all the reservations and bookings done in advance as this will reduce further hassles such as air-travel ticket fare hikes and cancellations later on.

Chandigarh to Shimla

The phase II journey would be apt from Chandigarh to Shimla as it takes nearly 282 kms to reach to the Circuit House of Manali. This should take not more than 4 to 5 hours which includes your tea or snack breaks here and there. Enroute to Manali comes Shimla that is sure to allure and invoke your senses by its magnanimous beauty of the flora and fauna. The city is seen ornamented with oaks, rhododendron, pine and deodar trees. So as you move away from Chandigarh towards the domain of hills and peaks, a sudden sense of tranquilty and peace would set in refreshing your soul. Known as a Summer capital of the British Raj and famous for its 2,205 meters located 'Queen of Hills', Shimla is one of the popular tourish destinations that a tourish can look forward to have.

From Shimla to Manali it would take another 250 Kms. Manali is the starting  point for higher altitude locations such as Ladakh or Himalayas via the valley of Lahaul, Spiti and the famous Rohtang pass. Remember that these routes are only open during the peak time of summers for tourists as snowfall makes it difficult to be accessible in winter time. Tourism is at a standstill during the winters as well as the road services.  Ideally the journey will show some colour if you keep sojourning rather than opting in for a hectic one day travel straight to Manali.