The bus service from New Delhi to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir has restarted for the summer season, an official of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) said on Tuesday.
The arduous 1,050 km non-stop bus journey from Delhi to Leh in Ladakh division via Manali takes 33 hours. The one-way ticket will cost Rs 1,365, an official has said.
The route remains closed for most of the year, starting in October, due to snowfall. As the picturesque route attracts backpackers, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) will also restart the luxury bus service.
The 35-seater bus will leave Manali at 11 am on every alternate day and will arrive in Leh the next day in the evening after covering 475 kms.
The bus will halt overnight at Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district and complete the 475 km journey the next day. One-way fare, including a night’s stay at Keylong, dinner and breakfast, is Rs 2,700.
For the night stay, a special camping site has been developed at Keylong for the passengers by the HPTDC.
The bus crosses four high mountain passes in 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).
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