A High-Altitude Adventure Through Ladakh's Greatest Landmarks
This 6-day mountain adventure takes you from Delhi to the heart of Ladakh. Fly into Leh, the world's highest plateau town, and spend your first day acclimatizing while exploring its ancient palaces and stupas. On Day 3, conquer Khardung La - one of the highest motorable passes on earth - before descending into the lush Nubra Valley for a night amid sand dunes and monasteries.
The journey continues via the dramatic Shyok River route to Pangong Lake, whose impossible shades of blue stretch across the India-China border. Return to Leh via Chang La Pass and the clifftop Thiksey Monastery, retracing one of the most scenic drives in the Himalayas. Every day delivers landscapes, passes, and experiences you simply cannot find anywhere else on the planet.
Ladakh Through the Lens
%2C%20Ladakh%2C%20North%20India.jpg?width=800)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- ✓ 5 nights accommodation (3-star to 5-star, as selected)
- ✓ Daily breakfast and dinner at hotels
- ✓ Delhi-Leh return flights (economy class)
- ✓ Private Innova Crysta for all sightseeing and transfers
- ✓ Experienced Ladakhi driver for the entire trip
- ✓ Inner Line Permit for Nubra Valley, Pangong, and Chang La
- ✓ All fuel, toll, and parking charges
- ✓ Double-hump camel ride in Hunder (Nubra Valley)
- ✓ All monastery entrance fees as per itinerary
- ✓ 24/7 concierge support throughout the trip
Excluded
- ✕ Lunches (to allow local dining exploration)
- ✕ Travel insurance (recommended at high altitude)
- ✕ Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities
- ✕ Camera fees at select monuments (if applicable)
- ✕ Anything not mentioned in inclusions
- ✕ Medical/evacuation expenses (emergency only)
- ✕ Additional meals or room service
Your 6-Day Ladakh Itinerary
Arrive Delhi - Fly to Leh
Acclimatize in the Land of High PassesArrive in Delhi and connect to a morning flight to Leh (approx. 1.5 hours). On arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day resting to acclimatize to the altitude. Drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity. In the evening, if you feel up to it, take a gentle walk around your hotel neighbourhood to soak in the crisp mountain air.
Leh Local Sightseeing & Sham Valley
Palaces, monasteries, and river confluencesAfter breakfast, drive south along the Srinagar-Leh Highway to visit the Hall of Fame - a museum built by the Indian Army honouring Ladakh's military history. Continue to Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, maintained by the Indian Army, and stop at the gravity-defying Magnetic Hill. End the morning at the Sangam, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet in a striking confluence of colours.
In the afternoon, return to Leh to explore the 17th-century Leh Palace and the hilltop Shanti Stupa, built by a Japanese Buddhist order, offering panoramic sunset views over the town and the Stok Kangri range.
Leh → Nubra Valley via Khardung La
Cross the world's highest motorable passDepart Leh early and ascend the dramatic switchbacks to Khardung La (5,359m), one of the highest motorable passes on earth. Pause for photographs at the pass - prayer flags, snow walls, and a thin-aired silence that makes you feel on top of the world. Begin the thrilling descent into the Nubra Valley, one of Ladakh's most fertile and scenic regions.
Arrive in Hunder and check into your hotel. After lunch, ride double-hump Bactrian camels across the ancient sand dunes - a surreal desert-in-the-mountains experience unique to Nubra. In the evening, visit the 14th-century Diskit Monastery, perched on a cliff with sweeping valley views.
Nubra Valley → Pangong Lake via Shyok
Along the Shyok to the iconic blue lakeAfter breakfast, drive from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via the dramatic Shyok River route - one of the most scenic drives in Ladakh. The road hugs the rushing turquoise river, passing through narrow gorges and high-altitude plateaus before the landscape opens up at the shores of Pangong Lake.
Arrive at Pangong and settle into your lakeside camp. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the lake on foot - watch the water shift through impossible shades of blue, turquoise, and violet as the light changes. Pangong stretches 134km across the India-China border and is one of the most photographed locations in the Himalayas. Sunset here is unforgettable.
Pangong Lake → Leh via Chang La & Thiksey
Passes, monasteries, and a final Ladakhi sunsetWake early for a final sunrise over Pangong Lake before driving back to Leh via Chang La Pass (5,360m) - slightly higher than Khardung La and equally spectacular. Stop for hot tea at the Chang La army canteen, a welcome respite at altitude.
Descend to visit Thiksey Monastery - a 12-storey clifftop complex housing a stunning 15-metre Maitreya Buddha statue and offering commanding views of the Indus Valley. Continue to Shey Palace, the former royal residence, before arriving back in Leh for an evening of last-minute shopping at the Leh Market or a final stroll to Shanti Stupa for sunset views.
Depart Leh - Fly to Delhi
End of tourAfter breakfast, transfer to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport for your flight back to Delhi. Carry with you the memory of Ladakh's colossal mountain passes, the otherworldly blues of Pangong, and the warmth of its high-altitude hospitality. Tour ends on arrival at Delhi.
Planning Your Ladakh Trip
What is the best time to visit Ladakh?
The best time to visit Ladakh is from May to September. During these months the roads are open, the weather is pleasant, and all attractions are accessible. July and August offer the most stable weather, while May and June have fewer crowds and lush green valleys after the snow melts.
Do I need a permit to visit Ladakh?
Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for certain restricted areas like Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Tso Moriri. This tour includes all necessary permits. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP), which we arrange in advance. Valid photo ID is required for both.
Is altitude sickness a concern on this tour?
Yes, Ladakh's high altitude (3,500m to 5,400m) can cause altitude sickness. This itinerary is designed with proper acclimatization - the first day in Leh is kept light, and movement is gradual. We recommend staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol for the first 24 hours, and carrying Diamox (consult your doctor). Our experienced drivers and guides monitor guests throughout.
What kind of vehicle is used for sightseeing?
We use a private Toyota Innova Crysta (or similar) for all transfers and sightseeing. The vehicle is driven by an experienced Ladakhi driver familiar with mountain roads and high-altitude passes. The vehicle accommodates up to 6 passengers with luggage, and the driver handles all Inner Line Permit checkpoints en route.
Is the tour suitable for families with children?
The tour is suitable for children above 8 years old, subject to their fitness for high-altitude travel. Khardung La and Pangong Lake are at significant elevations, so children must be comfortable with long mountain drives. We can adjust the itinerary to reduce driving time on any particular day if needed.
What meals are included in the tour?
All breakfasts and dinners are included at the hotels (5 breakfasts, 5 dinners). Lunches are not included, giving you the freedom to explore local Ladakhi cuisine at cafés and dhabas along the route. Leh has excellent restaurants serving Tibetan, Ladakhi, and North Indian food.
Which hotels are used on this tour?
We use well-reviewed 3-star to 5-star hotels depending on the category selected. In Leh: The Zen Ladakh or similar. In Nubra Valley: Sedum or Dhobi Lasar resort. In Pangong: Deluxe camps or Pangong Retreat. All properties are selected for comfort, hygiene, and proximity to key attractions.
