If you’re a biker, you must’ve dreamt of riding in the mountains at least once in your life – after all, there is a different kind of joy in feeling the mountain wind and the gushing adrenaline as you ride through the rocky terrain. A Manali to Leh bike trip is one such route that excites many bikers. Are you also a biker and planning this trip, but not sure how much it will cost for the entire trip? Then, here’s us breaking down the costs for your Manali to Leh bike trip in 2025!
Manali To Leh Bike Trip Route: All The Estimated Costs You Need To Know About
Bike Rental Costs
If you already own a heavy-duty, mountain terrain-friendly bike, you’re all set! However, if you don’t own such a bike, you might have to go for a bike rental instead. This is the first and the most significant expense in your Manali to Leh bike trip. Bikes like the Himalayan and Royal Enfield are the most popular and reliable options for driving on the Himalayan terrain.
Here is what some of the major bikes can cost approximately:
Royal Enfield 350cc: INR 1,200 to INR 1,800 per day
Royal Enfield 500cc: INR 1,500 to INR 2,000 per day
Himalayan: INR 2,000 to INR 2,500 per day
This cost will depend on the bike model and the rental company, but make sure that you haggle for a reasonable price as much as you can. Also, while renting a bike, make sure that it is in excellent condition, as you wouldn’t want it to unexpectedly falter during your road trip.
Fuel Costs
Renting a bike doesn’t just mean renting the vehicle, you must also take care of its fuel expenditure. The distance between Manali and Leh is approximately 428 kilometers, and depending on your route, you can cover a total distance of anywhere between 850 to 1,200 kilometers (km), including the return journey.
The average fuel consumption of most of the bikes you’ll rent will be somewhere between 25 to 30 km per liter. And, considering that average fuel prices are about INR 100 per liter, it would cost anywhere between INR 4,000 to INR 6,000 for the entire trip. We suggest keeping your budget slightly higher than what you expect. Also, keep track of your fuel expenses to better plan your fuel expenditure.
Unstumbled Tip: Carry extra fuel in jerry cans, as it might prove helpful in a more remote region of your route.
Accommodation Costs
Now that your bike and fuel costs are sorted, the next big expenditure will be on accommodation. You’ll have to plan your accommodation budget depending on the number of days and the kind of accommodation you’ll choose.
Here are the average costs for different kinds of accommodation:
- Luxury hotels: INR 3000 above per night
- Mid-range hotels: INR 1500 to INR 3000 per night
- Budget homestays and campsites: INR 800 to INR 1500 per night
- Dorms and hostels: INR 500 to INR 700 per night
Considering that your Manali to Leh trip can be anywhere between 8 to 10 days, you might have to spend anywhere between INR 4000 to INR 30,000, depending on the kind of accommodation you choose. We highly suggest that you go only for hostels, dorms, campsites, and budget homestays as these will save you plenty of money. Plus, there are plenty of these affordable accommodation options throughout Manali, Leh, and other regions on your route.
Meal Costs
Keeping yourself hydrated and nourished during your trip is extremely important and there are plenty of dhabas, small restaurants, and eateries where you can buy affordable and nutritious food.
- Breakfast: INR 50 to INR 200
- Lunch: INR 100 to INR 250
- Dinner: INR 150 to INR 300
Considering you have all three meals of the day, you might have to spend anywhere between INR 300 to INR 750 per day. For a journey of 8 days, this amount will total anywhere between INR 2,400 to INR 6,000. On the other hand, for 10 days, the amount can be anywhere between INR 3,000 to INR 7,000. So, overall, expect to spend anywhere between INR 2,400 to INR 7,000 on your meals.
Permit Costs
Some regions in Ladakh require both Indians and foreign nationals to obtain specific permits like the Inner Line Permit (ILP). While not all regions in Leh require an ILP, popular destinations like Nubra Valley, Khardung La Pass, Pangong Lake, Hanle, and Tso Moriri require an ILP.
It costs INR 400 (environment fee) plus INR 50 (Red Cross donation), and a small processing fee of INR 150 if applied online. If you get the ILP at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Leh, you won’t have to pay the processing fee. Additionally, an environment fee of INR 20 is charged on a per-day basis.
In total, this permit can then cost you between INR 610 to INR 760 (for 8 days) or INR 650 to INR 800 (for 10 days).
Miscellaneous Expenses
Apart from these major expenses, there can be several miscellaneous expenses that you might have to incur during your Manali to Leh trip. This can include sudden bike maintenance, entry fees to tourist spots, medicine, and other expenses. We recommend sparing anywhere between INR 2000 to INR 3000 for your miscellaneous expenses.
Total Approximate Cost For A Total Of 8 Days For An Individual
Bike rental: INR 12,000 to INR 25,000
Accomodation: INR 5,000 to INR 30,000
Food: INR 2,400 to INR 6,000
Permit: INR 610 to INR 760
Miscellaneous: INR 2,000 to INR 3,000
So, in total, a Manali to Leh bike trip for a total of 8 days can cost anywhere between INR 18,610 to INR 53,760.
Total Approximate Cost For A Total Of 10 Days For An Individual
Bike rental: INR 9,600 to INR 20,000
Accomodation: INR 4,000 to INR 24,000
Food: INR 3,000 to INR 7,000
Permit: INR 650 to INR 800
Miscellaneous: INR 2,000 to INR 3,000
So, in total, a Manali to Leh bike trip for a total of 10 days can cost anywhere between INR 19,250 to INR 54,800.
Summing Up
A Manali to Leh bike trip isn’t a particularly affordable trip if you take into consideration all the approximate expenses. However, it is a one-of-a-kind experience that you must not miss out on if you love bike-riding. With thoughtful budget planning and tracking your expenses, you can make your dream of a Manali-Leh bike trip come true!
