Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Leh Transfer to Hotel | Half Day City Tour
Welcome to Leh | Arrive at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport.
Arrival Leh by moning flight and transfer to the hotel. After welcome drink take a complete rest for acclimatization to the height altitude of Leh (3500 meters). In the late afternoon drive to the city for an orientation walk in the markets‚ followed by a visit to Shanti Stupa‚ Leh palace.
Shanti Stupa is situated on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in the north Indian state of Leh. Shati Stupa as know Buddhist white-domed stupa. It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. Shanti stupa provides beautiful and panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. This has become a primary reason for Shanti Stupa to become a popular tourist attraction, apart from its religious.
Leh Palace also known as 'Lhachen Palkhar,' is a 17th-century former royal palace and one of the central attractions in Leh. Built under the patronage of by King Sengge Namgyal, it used to house his family. The nine-storey dun-coloured palace now houses a museum and a prayer room, while the highlight is the sweeping view of Leh and the surrounding Zanskar mountain from the rooftop.
Overnight at hotel in Leh
Day 2: Leh – Excursion to Indus Valley Monasteries (50 km / 02 hrs – One Way)
After breakfast, proceed for Indus Valley sightseeing starting with Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of the Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Continue to Thiksey Monastery, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village, followed by a visit to Shey Palace, the ancient capital of Ladakh. Later visit the famous 3 Idiots Rancho School, also known as Druk Padma Karpo School, and Sindhu Ghat. After completing the sightseeing, drive back to Leh.
Overnight Stay in Leh
Day 3: Leh – Excursion to Khardungla Top (40 km / 02 hrs – One Way)
After breakfast, drive to Khardungla Top (18,390 ft), the second highest motorable pass in the world and recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Indus Valley and the endless peaks of the Zanskar Range while returning to Leh. The rest of the day is free to explore the local markets.
Overnight Stay in Leh
Day 4: Leh – Excursion to Pangong Lake (140 km / 4–5 hrs – One Way)
After an early breakfast, leave for Pangong Lake via Changla Pass (5,486 meters). The drive passes through Sakti Village with a stop at Changla Pass for photographs, followed by Tangtse village where you can relax with a cup of tea. Continue through small villages of Changthang and finally reach Pangong Lake situated at 14,000 feet. This famous blue brackish lake stretches over 133 km, with half of it lying across the Indo–China border. After spending some time at the lake, drive back to Leh in the late afternoon.
Overnight Stay in Leh
Day 5: Departure from Leh Airport
Through a punctual Overnight at the Hotel at Lehal transfer to the Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.
End Tour
FAQs
May to September is the ideal season, when roads are open and the weather is pleasant.
June to August is the peak tourist season.
Winter (October to March) is extremely cold and mostly suited for experienced travelers or those interested in winter treks like Chadar Trek.
By Air: Direct flights are available to Leh Airport from Delhi, Srinagar, and Chandigarh.
By Road:
Manali–Leh Highway (open from mid-June to September).
Srinagar–Leh Highway (open from May to October).
Ladakh is located at high altitude (11,500 ft). Travelers should rest for at least 24–48 hours after arrival to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Avoid exertion, drink plenty of fluids, and eat light.
One will experience snowfall mostly in winter (November to March) or at high passes like Khardung La and Chang La, even in summer months. Roads may be temporarily closed during heavy snow.
Yes, Inner Line Permits (ILP) are required for Indian nationals to visit:
Nubra Valley;
Pangong Lake;
Tso Moriri;
Hanle;
No permits needed for Sham valley.;
These are issued online (leh.nic.in) or through registered tour operators.
Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP).
Ladakh borders China and Pakistan. Some areas near the LAC (Line of Actual Control) like Hanle, Turtuk, and Chushul require permits and may be off-limits without authorization.
Ladakh offers all types of stays:
Luxury hotels and camps (The Grand Dragon, Chamba Camp, The Indus Valley),
Mid-range hotels in Leh and Nubra,
Budget guesthouses and homestays in villages,
Campsites near Pangong, Nubra, and Tso Moriri.
Advance booking is recommended during peak season. For Sham Valley, a few homestays and guesthouses are available in Alchi and nearby villages.
Warm jackets (even in summer, nights are cold);
Gloves, thermal wear, woolens;
Comfortable walking shoes;
Sunglasses, sunscreen (high UV levels);
Lip balm, moisturizers;
Medicines for altitude sickness (consult your doctor);
Reusable water bottle;
ID proof and 4–5 passport-size photos (for permits)
Leh Town – Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, local markets.
Pangong Tso – Famous blue lake.
Nubra Valley – Hunder (sand dunes), Diskit Monastery, Bactrian camels.
Tso Moriri – Remote lake with migratory birds.
Khardung La Pass – One of the highest motorable roads.
Magnetic Hill, Lamayuru Monastery, Alchi, Hemis, and Zanskar Valley.
Ladakh hosts unique festivals too, like:
Hemis Festival (June/July) – Celebrating the birth of Guru Padmasambhava.
Ladakh Festival (September) – Dance, music, polo, mask performances.
Losar (New Year) – December/January, celebrated with rituals and local dishes.
Yes. Leh offers bike and car rentals with local driver options. Only Leh-registered vehicles are allowed for local sightseeing and remote areas. Outside vehicles (e.g., from Manali or Srinagar) are not permitted beyond Leh.
Experienced drivers can take a road trip via Manali–Leh or Srinagar–Leh, but be prepared for:
Tough terrains and steep roads,
Altitude gain,
Fuel planning (limited petrol stations),
Spare tires and vehicle checks.
Carry basic medicines, Diamox (for AMS), and personal medication. Drink only bottled, boiled, or purified water. Avoid cold drinks or juices made with untreated water.
Leh has a government hospital and some private clinics.
Medical facilities are limited in remote areas. Oxygen cylinders are available at some hotels and vehicles.
Only postpaid connections work in Ladakh.
BSNL, Airtel, and Jio postpaid SIMs have coverage in Leh and a few nearby towns.
Connectivity is limited or unavailable at Pangong, Nubra, and Tso Moriri.
Leh has a few ATMs (SBI, HDFC, J&K Bank)
Remove shoes when entering monasteries.
Avoid loud behavior or pointing feet at religious objects.
Always ask before photographing locals, especially monks. Photography is allowed in most places, but some monasteries or military areas may restrict it.
Dress modestly.
Drones require special permission from the local administration and are often not allowed near borders.
Ladakhi, Hindi, and English are widely understood.
Tibetan is also spoken in monasteries and by older generations.
A minimum of 7–9 days is recommended to include:
2 days for acclimatization.
1 day for Nubra Valley.
1–2 days for Pangong.
1 day for Tso Moriri (optional).
1–2 days in Leh and surroundings.
Leh is the administrative capital of Ladakh, known for its ancient monasteries, palaces, bustling markets, and as the base for trips across the region. Some of the top places to see are
Shanti Stupa;
Leh Palace;
Hall of Fame;
Market and Tibetan refugee camps;
Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries (on outskirts).
Minimum 2 nights for acclimatization. Add 1–2 more days to explore nearby places like Magnetic Hill, Hall of Fame, and monasteries.
Nubra is known for its cold desert landscapes, sand dunes at Hunder, double-humped Bactrian camels, and Diskit Monastery. Some must-visit places are
Hunder Sand Dunes,
Diskit Monastery (with giant Buddha statue),
Panamik hot springs,
Turtuk (last village on Indian side near the Pakistan border).
Nubra Valley is about 125 km from Leh via Khardung La Pass (5,359 m). The drive takes around 5–6 hours.
Pangong Lake is a high-altitude saltwater lake that changes shades of blue and stretches from India to China. It’s about 160 km far from Leh, taking 5–6 hours via Chang La Pass (5,360 m).
Yes, but accommodation is basic. Camps and eco-resorts are available in Spangmik, Man, and Merak villages near the lake.
Generally no. Pangong Lake has little to no mobile or internet connectivity.
Sham Valley is a lush region west of Leh, known for apricot orchards, cultural sites, and scenic landscapes. Some of the attractions are
Magnetic Hill
Sangam (confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers)
Alchi and Likir Monasteries
Basgo Palace
Hall of Fame War Museum
Sham Valley circuit is a popular full-day excursion from Leh and can be done as a day trip.
Tso Moriri is a pristine high-altitude lake, less commercial than Pangong, known for migratory birds and solitude. From Leh, it's about 220 km via Chumathang or 6–7 hours of travel. The roads are rugged but scenic.
Yes. Due to higher elevation and remote location, nights are colder even in summer.
Hanle is a remote village in southeastern Ladakh, known for the Indian Astronomical Observatory and its dark skies ideal for stargazing. It’s about 250 km from Leh. The route is remote and passes through Nyoma and Loma check post. Entry into the telescope area is restricted, but the surroundings offer excellent astrophotography and night sky views.
Yes. Ladakh shares borders with China and Pakistan, so certain areas are sensitive.
Photography is prohibited near military installations.
Some routes like Chushul, Demchok, and parts of Hanle may be restricted or require special permission.
Always follow instructions from the Army and local administration.
Altitude sickness (AMS) is common due to the high elevation.
Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and breathlessness.
Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours.
Ascend gradually and avoid sleeping at very high altitudes initially.
Immediate descent is required if symptoms worsen.
Yes, families can visit Ladakh with proper planning.
Children may be more sensitive to altitude.
Ensure acclimatization days.
Avoid very remote areas with kids under 5 years.
Ladakh follows Indian Standard Time (IST).
Days start early due to sunrise around 5 AM in summer.
Shops often close early in the evening, especially in villages.
Yes, Ladakh is a hub for adventure tourism.
Popular treks: Markha Valley, Stok Kangri, Sham Valley.
Activities include river rafting, mountain biking, camel safaris, and stargazing.
Most activities are seasonal (June–September).
Ladakh has:
Minimal light pollution,
Clear skies,
High altitude and dry climate.
Places like Hanle, Pangong, and Tso Moriri are excellent for night sky photography.
