Ladakh Bus Service: All You Need to Know

Covering Ladakh on buses is a backpacker’s dream but it is not easy as the bus network here is not very extensive. A lot of places may not be covered by the bus service while in some routes, buses are extremely rare, running once a week or even once in ten days in some cases. I never really understood the reason for this considering good roads and high demand. In comparison, Himachal runs buses on far worse roads and to far more nondescript locations. Anyway, you can still explore most of Ladakh with buses if you understand how it works and when and what they cover. That is why I am making this comprehensive guide and I intend to keep adding to it and improving it as I discover more info. On the other hand, you can also explore this new shared taxi booking platform in Ladakh where you can find co-passengers and share the cost. Sharing cars also reduce environmental impact and they are now also encouraging tourists to use a refill bottle in place of single-use plastic bottles for water, which is a great idea. Nevertheless, if you are en extreme budget traveller like me, you will still need the buses at places. So, here you go!

One of the reasons for the confusion is because there are multiple operators in this region. Ladakh Corporation LBOC runs buses for all the locations in Ladakh, however JKSRTC runs buses running to Srinagar. On top of that, there are underprivileged cousins of Kargil Union who don’t even get space in the main bus stand and run from a corner near the polo ground. Also, the HRTC runs the Delhi-Manali-Leh route obviously but they are the ones to shut down at the first sight of winter. In 2018 they stopped as early as 15th September. Before getting to the buses, take some time to study the Map of Ladakh.

Leh Local Monastery Bus Timings

Leh to Stok Bus

Leh to Alchi Bus

Leh to Likir Bus

Leh to Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Nimmoo, Indus-Zanskar Sangam Buses

Leh to Phyang Bus

Leh to Sakti Chemrey Bus

Chemrey is a lesser known monastery but offers great views. There seems to be a bus too.

Multiple buses throughout the day starting with 8.30am and last at 4.30pm costing INR 50 per head. The last bus in the afternoon returns next morning.

Leh to Thiksey Bus

Thiksey is one of the largest gompas here. Read my Thiksey post here.

Daily bus at 8.30 AM for INR 30.

However, any Manali bound vehicle will pass through it.

Leh to Stakna Bus

Stakna is small but one of the most scenic monasteries. Here is my Stakna Post.

Daily bus at 4.30pm (returns 8.45am next morning) for INR 41 per head.

However, any Manali bound vehicle will drop you 1 KM from it.

Leh to Hemis Bus

I have never seen a direct Hemis Bus so can’t be sure. Your best bet is to reach Karu on the Leh-Manali Highway, around 35 KMs from Leh. The aforementioned Sakti-Chemrey Bus should pass through it if available. From Karu, Hemis is around 6-7 KMs. You can look for local cars, ask for lift, or simply walk/hike.

Here is my Hemis Post.

Leh to Shey Palace Bus

Shey is very near to the city. All the aforementioned buses to Thicksey, Stakna, and for that matter anything on Leh-Manali Road will pass through it.

Leh to Dah Beema (Brokpa Area/Aryan Valley) Buse Timings & Fare

These buses take you to Dah Beama, the area of the enigmatic Brokpa people. Even before reaching those villages, you come accross delightfully unexplored places like Domkhar and Achinathang. Interestingly, though lesser-known, these villages have more frequent and reliable, daily buses.

Read my posts on…

Da Biama Brokpa Villages

Domkhar Prehistoric Rock Art Sanctuary

Diskit is the main town in Nubra & Shyok Valley. Hunder is a few KMs ahead of Diskit and you can find other options from here to other important places of the valley. Here, I have a slightly conflicting information at hand…

As per most sources, Leh to Diskit  bus leaves every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6 AM costing around INR 200 per head. It comes back from Diskit next morning at around 7 AM.

However, at the bus stand time table, another bus is mentioned which goes to Nubra Skuru via Diskit & Hunder  at 7.30 AM. The time table mentions it as a daily bus but most other people I asked opined that i runs twice a week, on Tuesday & Thursday.

There is a weekly bus to Turtuk. So, most people end up looking for other options like shared cars from the polo ground, like I did.

Leh to Turtuk bus leaves at 6AM every Saturday and costs INR 316 per head.

Leh to Sumur busevery Thursday & Saturday 6 AM costing around INR 200 Per Head.

Leh to Panamik (Charasa) bus 6.30 AM Every Saturday costing around INR 280 per head.

If you are spending multiple days in Nubra Valley, you can use the local bus service between Diskit and Turtuk and also Diskit and Panamic. They generally leave in teh afternoon, at around 2-3 PM, and come back next morning.

Leh to Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle Bus Timings & Fare

These buses take you to the eastern parts of the Ladakh, those iconic plains inhabited by nomads and dotted by lakes. The Pamgong Tso and Tso Moriri are there in everyone’s list and additionally there are places like Hanle & Chushul that you may want to explore.

Leh to Pangong Tso Bus Timings

As per the time table at the bus stand, there are three buses in a week to Pangong. However, according to most people I asked, there are only two, running every Saturday and Sunday! It is sparse, as well as confusing. No wonder most people end up opting for other options!

Leh to Pangong (Maan Marak) bus  6.30AM 270 Saturday and Sunday INR 270 per head.

Leh to Tso Moriri Bus Timings

Yes, there are only 3 buses in a month to Tso Moriri! So, you are probably better off finding other options. Alternately, you can go to places like Chumathang or Nyoma and look to hitchike from there!

Leh to Tso Moriri 10th, 20th, and 30th of every month 6.30AM INR 370 per head

Leh to Chumathang Bus 12 noon every Sunday INR 214 per head

Leh to Nyoma Bus  9 AM Monday and Thursday INR 275 per head

Leh to Hanle & Koyul Bus

These are some of the remotest villages here. Hanle has become famous of late, due to the astronomical observatory here.

Leh to Hanle Bus 7AM Every Saturday INR 492 per head

Leh to Koyul Bus  7AM Every Tuesday INR 473 per head

Leh to Chushul Bus Timings

Leh to Chushul bus leaves every Wednesday at 7AM and costs INR 394 per head

Leh to Chushul (via Marak) bus leaves every Sunday at 7AM and costs INR 406 per head

Kargil is the mid point between Leh and Srinagar and it is culturally different from both Kashmir and Ladakh. It is also the gateway to elusive Suru Valley and Zanskar Valleys. Interestingly, the Kargil Union buses generally leave from a point near the polo ground (ask around locals if you can’t find it). Much before that, you will reach Lamayuru, one of the most iconic monasteries in Ladakh. From here, some trekking routes even go to Zanskar.

Leh to Lamayuru Bus   3pm  Daily INR 195 per head

This bus will make night halt at Kargil.

Leh to Srinagar 2 PM  Daily INR 1203 per head

Leh to Kargil Bus 2 PM Daily INR 600 per head