Private, on your own dates · Ladakh & Himalayas & Jammu and Kashmir, India
Ladakh Tour
An 8-day Ladakh journey built around proper acclimatisation at Leh, then Nubra over the Khardung La and Pangong Lake at 4,350 metres.
The journey
4 cities.
Starts Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh, ends Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh. The representative waits outside the terminal with a name board; flights into Leh arrive in the morning only.
Ladakh is high desert on the Tibetan plateau, a place of bare rock and irrigated green ribbons where monasteries sit on outcrops above villages and the passes cross 5,300 metres. It is also the one region in India where an itinerary has to be built around physiology rather than sightseeing: Leh sits at 3,500 metres, most visitors arrive by air from near sea level, and the body needs two days to catch up. This eight-day route gives it those two days, and everything else follows from that decision.
The first day is deliberately empty. The second stays in Leh at walking pace — the palace above the old town, the Namgyal Tsemo ridge, the Shanti Stupa at sunset and the bazaar below, none of which requires effort. The third works the Indus valley south-east of town, where Thiksey rises in white tiers over the fields in a shape that is genuinely reminiscent of the Potala, Shey holds a copper Buddha two storeys high, and Hemis, hidden in a gorge, is the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh.
Only then does the route go over a pass. Khardung La at 5,359 metres is one of the highest motorable roads anywhere, and the drop on the far side into the Nubra valley is one of the great descents in the Himalayas — from ice and prayer flags to apricot orchards, a Buddhist statue looking north toward the Karakoram, and a stretch of white sand dunes with double-humped Bactrian camels left over from the Silk Road caravans.
From Nubra the road runs east along the Shyok river to Pangong Lake, 134 kilometres long, 4,350 metres up and a colour that changes hour by hour from turquoise to indigo depending on where the sun is. A night on its shore is cold and worth it. The return crosses Chang La, the second of the great passes, before dropping back to Leh for a final day. Travel is in a private vehicle suited to the terrain with a driver who works these roads for a living, and the inner line permits every visitor needs for Nubra and Pangong are arranged in advance.
- 01Two full acclimatisation days in Leh before any pass is crossed
- 02Thiksey, Shey and Hemis monasteries in the Indus valley
- 03Crossing Khardung La at 5,359 metres into the Nubra valley
- 04Bactrian camels on the white sand dunes at Hunder
- 05The Maitreya Buddha at Diskit looking north toward the Karakoram
- 06A night on the shore of Pangong Lake at 4,350 metres
- 07The return over Chang La, the second of the high passes
- 08Inner line permits arranged in advance for Nubra and Pangong
Day by day
Open a day for the written plan, then switch to the hour-by-hour breakdown.
Flights into Leh land in the early morning, before the mountain winds pick up, and the descent between the ridges is one of the more memorable approaches in commercial aviation. A representative meets you and transfers you the six kilometres into town.
The whole day is then rest, and this is not a soft option. Leh sits at about 3,500 metres and you will have gone from near sea level to that height in a couple of hours; the body needs roughly twenty-four hours before any exertion is safe. Stay at the hotel, drink far more water than feels necessary, avoid alcohol entirely, and sleep if you can.
Mild headache, breathlessness on stairs and broken sleep on the first night are normal and pass. Anything more — persistent vomiting, confusion, or breathlessness at rest — is not, and should be reported to the hotel and the guide immediately.
- Airport meet-and-greet and transfer to the hotel in Leh
- A complete rest day at 3,500 metres with no sightseeing
- Hydration, no alcohol, and early sleep
This rest day is a medical requirement of the itinerary, not spare time — it is what makes the passes safe later.
Leh flights operate in the morning only and are frequently disrupted by weather.
What the fare covers
And what it does not. Read the right-hand column before you budget.
- Hotels4 nights' hotel accommodation in Leh in the chosen category on twin-sharing basis
- Hotels1 night in a Nubra valley camp or guesthouse and 1 night at a Pangong shore camp
- MealsDaily breakfast and dinner throughout the itinerary
- EntrancesInner line permits for Nubra, Pangong and the Khardung La
- TransfersPrivate vehicle suited to the terrain with an experienced local driver
- TransfersArrival and departure airport transfers at Leh
- GuidesLicensed local guide for the Leh and Indus valley sightseeing days
- OtherOxygen cylinder and a basic first aid kit carried in the vehicle
- TaxesAll road tolls, parking, fuel and driver allowance
- MealsTwo bottles of mineral water in the vehicle each day
- FlightsInternational air travel is not part of this fare. The record lists no air component.
- EntrancesMonastery entrance charges throughout the itinerary
- MealsLunches throughout the itinerary
- ActivitiesCamel rides at Hunder, river rafting and any other optional activity
- InsuranceIndian visa, travel insurance and any consular processing
- Personal ExpensesCamera and video permits levied at monasteries
- InsuranceMedical treatment, oxygen beyond the emergency cylinder and any evacuation
- TipsGratuities for guides, drivers and camp staff
Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.
The representative waits outside the terminal with a name board; flights into Leh arrive in the morning only.
Want this trip a little different?
Tell Tulli what you'd change — hotels, dates, an extra city — and she'll price it with our team and come back to you.
Where you go in
Not every landmark on the list is one you walk into — this separates them.
When to Go
Weather by month for the places this trip actually visits.
India
Oct–Mar is the golden season across most of India. Monsoon (Jun–Sep) transforms Kerala and the Northeast.
Before you go
The essentials first — they are also the ones that can stop a booking.
Altitude is the main risk on this itinerary
- Leh is at 3,500 metres, Pangong at 4,350 and the two passes above 5,350.
- The first day is a complete rest day and cannot be traded for sightseeing.
- Drink far more water than usual, avoid alcohol entirely for the first two days, and do not smoke at altitude.
- Persistent vomiting, confusion or breathlessness at rest require immediate descent — tell the driver or guide at once.
- Anyone with a heart or lung condition, or who is pregnant, should take medical advice before booking.
Passport, visa and inner line permits
- A valid passport and an Indian visa or e-visa arranged before travel are the traveller's own responsibility.
- Inner line permits for Nubra, Pangong and the Khardung La are arranged in advance from passport copies.
- The original passport must be carried on the road; permits are checked at several posts each day.
- Permit rules and the areas they cover are changed by the administration from time to time.
Flights, passes and road conditions
- Leh flights operate in the morning only and are frequently disrupted by weather.
- Never book an onward international connection for the same day as the Leh departure.
- The Shyok road between Nubra and Pangong is rough and crosses water channels that rise with afternoon melt.
- Passes close without notice for snow, landslip or army movement, and the itinerary is reordered when they do.
Insurance must cover high altitude
- Comprehensive travel insurance including medical treatment and emergency evacuation is mandatory.
- Check the policy explicitly covers travel above 4,000 metres, which many standard policies exclude.
- Helicopter evacuation from the Pangong or Nubra side is the only rapid option and is expensive without cover.
Camps at Nubra and Pangong
- Shore and valley camps are basic by design, with limited generator power and no heating.
- Nights are very cold at both, and colder again at Pangong; bedding is provided but layers are needed.
- Hot water may run on a fixed schedule or not at all, depending on the camp and the season.
Sun, cold and dryness together
- High-altitude sun is severe even when the air is cold; strong sun cream, sunglasses and a hat are necessary.
- Temperature swings of twenty degrees between midday and night are ordinary here.
- The air is extremely dry, so lip balm and moisturiser matter more than they sound like they should.
Limited and intermittent coverage
- Prepaid SIM cards issued outside the region do not work; only postpaid Indian connections do.
- Coverage is reasonable in Leh, patchy in Nubra and absent for most of the Pangong stage.
- Camps rely on generators, so charging is limited — a power bank is worth carrying.
Monasteries and photography
- Monasteries are working religious houses; walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels.
- Shoes are removed at prayer hall doors and shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Photography is restricted or forbidden inside several halls, and always at Alchi's mural rooms.
Why is the first day a complete rest day?
Leh is at about 3,500 metres and a flight puts you there from near sea level in two hours, which is far faster than the body can adjust. Twenty-four hours of rest is what makes the 5,300-metre passes later in the week safe, so the day is a medical requirement rather than spare time.
Do I need a permit for Nubra and Pangong?
Yes. Inner line permits are required for the Khardung La, the Nubra valley and Pangong, and they are arranged in advance as part of the package. Passport copies are needed at the time of booking, and the original document must be carried on the road.
How likely is altitude sickness?
Mild headache, breathlessness on exertion and a broken first night are common and pass. Persistent vomiting, confusion or breathlessness at rest are not normal, and the response is immediate descent — which the driver can begin at any point on the route.
What is the accommodation like at Pangong?
The camps on the shore are basic by design and by regulation: bedding and a bathroom, limited power from a generator, and no heating. The night is very cold in any season. It is the compromise that comes with sleeping beside the lake instead of driving back the same day.
When is Ladakh open to visitors?
The flying season runs all year, but the high passes generally open from May and close from October, with the exact dates set by snow. June to September is the reliable window for this route, and July and August also bring the flowering season in the valleys.
What happens if a pass is closed?
Khardung La and Chang La close without notice for snow, landslip or army movement. The itinerary is then reordered around what is open, and the free day near the end exists partly to absorb that. Where a section cannot be operated at all, an alternative of equivalent value is offered.
Is there mobile coverage on the route?
Only postpaid Indian connections work in Ladakh; prepaid cards issued elsewhere do not. Coverage is reasonable in Leh, patchy in Nubra and absent for most of the Pangong day, so tell anyone at home to expect two or three days of silence.
How fit do I need to be?
Reasonably, but this is not a trekking itinerary. The demanding part is the altitude rather than the walking — the longest climbs are through monastery complexes on steps and ramps. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should take medical advice before booking.
Policies & booking terms
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
50% refund between 30-15 days before departure.
No refund within 15 days of departure.
TripClub standing booking terms
- Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
- All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
- Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
- Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
- Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
- Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
- The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
- All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
- No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
- The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
- All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
- Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
- Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
Keep exploring
Plan your trip to India
Explore destinations
Stay & travel