Here's an adventure strictly for the hardy: a two-day Jeep ride over the second-highest motorable road in the world! The 300-mile-long road connects Manali in Uttar Pradesh with the remote mountain kingdom of Leh, and reaches a height of 17,480 feet at the Taglang Pass. The rough road passes through some spectacular Himalayan mountain country with pretty Buddhist villages. With all the ups, downs, and serious switchbacks (21 on one short section alone), this is not for the faint-hearted or vertigo sufferers. As you might expect on a trip which goes to 17,500 feet, it can get seriously cold, so bring warm clothing. Jeeps run daily (but only in season) from both Leh and Manali.

Trip Facts
Difficulty rating: Moderate
When to go: Junemid-October