The HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation), after eight long months have started the much talked-about bu service from Delhi to Leh via Manali and this can undoubtedly be held as the coolest bus ride you’ll ever have.

The route of the bus goes through the Himalayas to steering across rive crossings commonly knows as pagal nallahs, the bus will pass through the cold deserts of Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir- Rohtang Pass (13,050 ft.), Baralacha Pass (16,020 ft.), Lachungla Pass (16,620 ft) and Tanglangla Pass (17,480 ft).

The initiative has been started by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) to promote tourism in Himachal Pradesh.  

Here are all the details:

Launch Date: July 1, 2016

Time Taken: 33 hours approximately (one way)

Total Distance: 1200 km

Ticket Price: INR 1,3650 travel fare (one way)
           INR 2,700 including a night stay at Keylong, dinner and breakfast
           (one way)                   

The Bus will depart from Delhi on every alternate day in the afternoon reaching Keylong the next evening. After a night stay passengers will be taken to another bus that will take them across Rohtang Pass and the passenger will reach Leh the next evening passing through the ever gorgeous road to the place.

Special camping sites has also been developed for the passengers at Keylong by HPTDC.

Many backpackers reach Manali from August to September every year. Many travelers from there prefer to drive down the Manali-Leh highway.

By Prajakt K.